Take a moment to take it in.

picture: craig billow (http://www.fluidoptics.com/)
Phew. It's been a busy last month or so. So much that i haven't even had a second to get on here and share what's been happening. I will try to sum it up in a simple terms:

-found a new apartment with my best friend after living in awful conditions in our other place. Started moving in the past week. We have till the 30th to be out of our old place so this gives us time to move things in sections.

New place = far better neighborehood and living conditions. (it's only 7 blocks away from our old place)

-Started decorating my room in a 'victorian' theme. Lace and wicker. It's painted a light yellow and is coming along nicely!

-Finished my first set of recitals that went VERY well. Everything went smoothly. Thankfully my director is extermely organized and had everything so mapped out that it was almost mistake proof. ( i have video of my 4 pieces..might try to upload them)

-Had tech rehearsal for the other schools recitals last night that will be happening this saturday. Fun story about this one- one of my pointe girls (there are 3) just disapeared about 4 weeks ago. We tried calling her, left messages, NOTHING. We don't know why she just decided to not show up and we have her costume and everything. I decided to be fair to my girls that have worked so hard that i would fill in her spot so it didn't change anything in their dance. So, i'm dancing in the recital with my girls! Didn't see that one coming haha. I'm also dancing with the other teachers and our director in our "surprise" teacher dance. It's fun to get to be on stage with them. (and to laugh at ourselves)

-My company has started their summer camp officially this week. There is a apprentice intensive for a week along with the summer campers. I took one class this week so far and realized how out of shape i am! I know i'll get back into it, but i want to take it slowly so i don't hurt myself. To be honest, i feel in shape just from moving stuff to a new place. What a workout that really is!

-I was panicing this summer about how i was going to make it financially. I talked to my director and she gave me some classes at our summer camp. SO i am teaching :
*nutrition class
*a choreography workshop
*arts and crafts (with the little ones)
*game (little ones)
and i might be picking up extra classes when someone can't teach. It makes me feel a little bit better that some income will be coming in till things start back in september.

-offically adopted my Oona kitty baby on monday. I was fostering her to make sure she got along with my roommtes cat before i made her mine. So happy to have her with me. She's so beautiful and sweet. I love the comfort animals offer you in time so of stress.

So things are slowly rolling from a dead stop to a slow go. Good to be busy again, but stressful all in the same breath. I will try to update more frequently , but we need to get internet in the new place first.

Hope you are well!
~Sara~

There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them..

Ok, so nothing huge to report as far as dance goes. We are still on break for a little bit longer. To be honest, it's been really hard. The first two weeks were pretty ok. I got to catch up on sleep and rest my body. But, now i'm feeling the effects of not taking class. It's a bit of 'dancer depression' as they call it. You go from dancing everday to not and your body just feels the changes. I feel like i lost that emotional release that dance gave me. Now things are bottling up and i don't know how else to get them out so it leaves me feeling anxious. I know it's because i'm not dancing and as soon as the season starts up again things will level out. For now it's just battling the inner demons that want me to feel sad. Booba helps me through it as well as this little white angel, Oona:




First set of recitals are this weekend! It's going to be a long one. I'm proud of my girls and hope everything goes smoothly with my pieces.<3
~Sara~

Oona.

I have a new kitty, her name is Oona. She's so sweet and beautiful. True story. :)

~Sara~

Happy Memorial Day!

I got lots of vitamin D today which was much needed. Actually, i got a lot of vitamin D the whole weekend. Apartment hunting Saturday, dog walks Sunday, and today was spent exploring the pine barrens of New Jersey. Of course, per usual, i took my nature dance pose. Something about being outside in the peaceful surroundings makes me feel free and want to dance around. I can't put my finger on it exactly. I think it's just the open space that makes me feel uninhibited in a hippie-free-spirit kind of way. I love this warm weather and some time off to rest my body and get in tune with nature.

I'm going to try and take a few classes this week. I'm already going on about two weeks of no class (minus teaching) and i can feel things getting a little stiff. Recitals in two weeks and the other studios in about three. Everything is running pretty smoothly as for now. Best wishes to everyone!
~Sara~

wisk. tisk.

Why do the Wisk commericals have to use Nutcracker music in them? It makes my heart race everytime i hear them. It is WAY too early to hear that music. That's all.

I have the P.A ballet subscribers party today. Well, i'm not a subscriber, but i was invited by our board president. I will be meeting up with him and another memeber of our board later this evening after i teach to go and mingle with the directors and such. It should be interesting. I'll update how that goes.

For now, apartment hunting. I just love how slumlords can end your lease just because. No reason. No apology. Ugh. My life is a bit of a rollercoaster right now. I hope things level out soon. I think i need a vacation haha!

moo.

the WRONG ways to start off an audition:

1. Run into your current director in the hallway of the place of auditioning.
2. Get stuck on the elevator for a six flight ride up with the director of the company you are auditioning for. Just you, and them.
3. Sardine can style dancing at the bar.
4. Bring the wrong pointe shoes and dance on the dead ones.
5. Get stuck sitting with a very vocal homeless man on the subway.
6. Did i mention running into YOUR CURRENT DIRECTOR as you audition for ANOTHER COMPANY?!

My luck seems right on target these days haha. But, needless to say minus the above points it wasn't so bad. The studio was a bit tiny, but SO beautiful with windows all around overlooking the city. (along with the festival happening below with food venders.) It did run me $20 , but i was thankful there were no cuts. Just a full class and an announcement at the end that they would be in touch with everyone once they finished their audition tour. I doubt i got it. I'm not just being a nay-sayer. The girls there were amazing! I have a feeling a lot of them were coming from other big companies that had lay offs. Actually, i knew one girl was layed off from the P.A ballet and she was just beautiful. She had perfect feet and turnout. If they layed off a great dancer like that we are all in trouble!!

I am glad i went though. I managed to navigate nyc all by myself. I was pretty proud of that because that city is a bit scary for me. It's been a tough audition season for everyone and that is my leading reasons for avoiding the nyc cattle calls. We will see in the end of June!

On a side note, the wedding dance on saturday went good. It certainly was different! I've never been to a Baptist church before. Everyone was so warm and inviting to me. I have to say i was quite nervous to perform in front of them. As i got ready to start i locked eyes with the bride and groom and imagined they were the only ones there and that this was all just for them. I think that really helped me to shake my nerves off a bit. They looked so happy and it felt wonderful to give them this dance. Also, i made the bride cry. She told me she just couldn't hold it together and that everything was perfect. I'm so happy i was able to do this for them. Finding that emotional connection is so powerful and one of the leading reasons why i am a dancer. To reach out and find those connections. Even if it just reaches one person it makes all the hardships worth it.
hope you are all well,
~Sara~

Im on the bus to nyc for a cattle call audition! Why do i do this to myself ha updates later for now fingers crossed!
~*sara*~