long weekend

This has been a super long weekend...and technically it's not even over since tomorrow is Columbus Day!

Our performance Friday night at NDG went well. Pretty big crowd for the relatively small space we were in. My Dad came down for the afternoon to watch, so that was nice.

I spent the rest of the weekend in Connecticut rehearsing for Nutcracker. We had 2 verrrry long sets of rehearsals over Saturday/Sunday, but it was really good. I finally finished learning all the choreography for Waltz of the Flowers and it's starting to mesh and make sense as a full dance. It's nice to arrive at that state of comfort after mind-racking rehearsals trying to catch up to people who already know it all.

The way we work in these rehearsals is very different from any way I've worked in the past. The director goes through steps extremely meticulously, explaining each detail thoroughly where many people would simply ignore or oversee. It takes a long time to finally get through a sequence, but once we do it's all "cleaned up" right away. It's an interesting method that I'm not used to but I'm starting to really appreciate. It's equally as challenging mentally as it is physically, which adds an interesting layer that, being an avid student, I like.

Anyways I'm exhausted tonight from the long bus ride, etc, but I'm going to try to post more often since I've been slacking off a bit (other stuff has come up as you know).

OH ONE MORE THING: As far as the internship thing goes...I ended up taking the job that they offered me right on the spot at Quick and Simple Magazine. I started there last Thursday and I think it's going to be a really great experience. The people seem really nice, and I get my own little desk and everything! I'll post more about that as I get into the swing of it :)

New Dance Group Teacher's Showcase

This Friday night is the Teacher's Showcase I'm performing in at New Dance Group (Oct. 5, 8pm, $5 tix at door).

I'm in a ballet piece by Irene Kent, with 6 other dancers. We had dress rehearsal today, which went well. We had it videotaped and they are supposed to film the performance as well, so maybe next week or so I can get it up online. We'll see.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to performing. It's been a few months since I've been onstage and even though this is a pretty small, low-key scenario, I'm glad to have the opportunity to be in front of an audience.

You know the cliche "live every day as if it's your last"?

Well I live by: "Dance every performance as if it's your last."

I am so grateful for every chance I get to dance, whatever it may be, and I'm afraid some people take that for granted.

An Update on this Crazy Life - Ballet and otherwise

Soooo many things are going on right now, which is why I haven't been posting often. Even if just for my own personal organization, I'm going to list them below. Many things are also up in the air still, and plans are changing constantly (an aspect of my life I both love and hate). Anyways, between school and ballet I'm ridiculously busy, so here's the lowdown:

-Sunday 9/23
Another rehearsal for Nutcracker in Connecticut. 6 hours of my Sunday on a Greyhound bus = the payoff for a performing opportunity.
Fair trade?
Hmm...

-9/24 - 9/25
Volunteering for the Folio Show, the magazine industry's annual expo/seminar. Working from 7:30am-5:30pm for no money = the payoff for networking and lecture attendence.
Fair trade?
Better deal than the bus ride...

-end of September
Deadline for our school paper issue 2 to get out, meaning lots of last minute work with writers (I'm managing a team of about 10 for features section...) and layout stuff.

(dance article I did last year for The Monitor [school paper])

Good deal, because that's what I want to do in real life post-dance career (if there even is one).

-10/5
New Dance Group Teachers Showcase. I'm in a piece by Irene Kent. $5 tickets. Come see us!

-10/9
Official start date of Ajkun Ballet Theater. Fall calendar here. My schedule will depend on casting of course, since I'm just a trainee...

-10/24
Benefit show at John Jay for the Tyler Dunne Foundation. I believe we're doing Irene's piece for this as well. Come see us! Tickets for a good cause!

-middle of October
MIDTERMS!

I can't believe how much is going on just until the point of midterm. Wow...I didn't think things could get busier than they were last year, but apparently I was wrong. As those of you who see me regularly can attest to, I'm going a little crazy trying to keep on my feet with everything.

However, I live by these words: Test your limits and keep going.

(some pictures that keep me going through the busy times)