Two Year Blog Anniversary!

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of this blog, Off Center – and it seems I’ve come full circle. My very first post was about my first time performing on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House here in NYC as a super in American Ballet Theater’s “Romeo & Juliet” in 2007. And my next post will largely be about the same experience, only two years, two degrees, millions of tendus, 540 posts, thousands of visitors, and endless amounts of drama later.

Though I’m starting and ending (well, this is by no means the end!) in roughly the same place, this circle has not come without its (gigantic) ups and downs. I’ve had a few dreams come true that I’ve shared through my blogging, and many more hopes shattered, but all the while I’ve done my best to keep posting, sharing, and commenting through my writing lens, my view as a dancer and writer and dreamer in the greatest city in the world.

There have been times, especially of late, where I haven’t written much or posted often, and yet I still have new visitors, familiar commenters, and rising page views. I cannot express how grateful I am for everyone who has bothered to read what I have to say, even if only once or twice. Though an initial goal was indeed to get my writing out there, I never imagined how this (and all the other wonderful) dance blog would take off as it did. I’ve met many incredible people, both in person and online, through the online dance community and I am extremely thankful to be an active part of it. It means so much to check my statistics every morning and see that some people, somewhere, have read something I’ve had to say before I’ve even gotten up in the morning. I know – cheesy – but it’s true! Haha.

As I look at all that’s happened over the past two years and all of my posts on my popular topics, I am reminded of how appreciative I am for all of the opportunities I’ve had (some directly resulting from my blogging!), and even more grateful for the people who have helped me along the way. I would not be here without the support and encouragement from a few of those very special people! Life is an endless learning experience and even the times and people I’ve come across that have been less than pleasant have certainly taught me something about myself and of life.

I have to thank my fellow bloggers as well, who are wondrous at keeping me inspired with their knowledge, passion, and dedication to their writing. And of course you, my readers, for your loyalty and just for simply taking the time to listen to my rambling, haha. I can’t say it’s always interesting, but I hope something on here might have meant something to you as well.
I may have mentioned before, but I’m a very nostalgic person. So mostly for myself to take a look back over some fun memories of the past two years, here’s a little photo timeline of blog highlights : )

First off, this was the picture that inspired the title of my blog, haha. This was just before performing Balanchine's "Divertimento No. 15" with BAE, my last performance of my "ballet school" life and just before entering the "real world" and the blogosphere!


These next two are from when I first super-ed with ABT in R&J in 2007, particularly for Alessandra Ferri's retirement performance! That's her onstage in her last curtain calls. What an experience to be in the wings for that...



That fall I did Nutcracker with a company out in Connecticut, my first real paid ballet job...



And then I graduated from college. At the time it seemed like a bright idea to overwork myself and finish Marymount Manhattan College in 2 1/2 years...although now with this awful job market I suppose I should've taken my time...(this picture was from a mini-graduation party/post-performance party when some of my family came to visit, haha)


A lot more happened in there, like teaching/choreographing for the first time totally on my own, being an apprentice with RKBallet, interning at The New Yorker, learning a ton from the Dance Writing Course at DTW, attending ABT's 3-week summer intensive, getting a ballet contract in Minneapolis and the resulting fiasco, and so on, but apparently I was in non-picture taking mode around that time or something, because I have about zero pictures from a lot of these things. Guess that's why I blogged in writing...(maybe this photo timeline was a bad idea) haha...

Then we arrive at the dream come true part. Radio City.




I could continue to go on and on and on, but I think I'll stop there for now...

I hope to keep up more in the coming weeks and write more about the many things that have been happening this summer…but for now, I’ll soon post more on last week when I super-ed with ABT again in R&J! Here's to the next year of blogging :)