Thanksgiving 2010

My roommate and I hosted our first New York Thanksgiving gathering! It went off without a hitch, and everyone seemed to really enjoy it! It was a strange one for me being that it was the first one I've spent outside of Kansas City in many years. It also hit me how quickly a year goes by. I was looking at my pictures from last years dinner, and I remembered the day as if it was yesterday. I really miss the people from that chapter of my life. It's strange how we all lose touch in many ways, and suddenly it's over half a year since I've seen some of them.

Today marks my half year mark to the day of my move here. It has been a wonderful experience so far. I'm getting ready to jump into my Nutcracker performances. I can hardly believe that I will be on stage again shortly doing strict ballet. I am excited as well as a bit nervous, but I can't wait to see how the shows go. I am thrilled to get back on stage again.

I have many things to be thankful for on this day, and I am lucky that more and more things keep coming my way. I don't take them for granted-don't worry.

A new chapter.

I'm getting antsy to get this-well at least the first big chunk of this into book form. I am excited, and I already am beginning to see where I want it to go next! I had a wonderful time speaking with another "retired" dancer tonight, and it is fascinating to hear what she has done post ballet. I am inspired to collect more stories such as hers as a way to further encourage and inspire young artists in the beginning so they'll know that there is much to look forward to at the end.

On a personal note just to check in. I remain well. I'm kicking my own derriere as I continue pounding the pavement with auditions. Don't worry. I'll write when I find work.

Got sleep?

I feel like New York can be a kind, generous and good friend. However, much like a good friend, New York sometimes gives advice and offers lessons that are a bit tough to swallow and sometimes not solicited. For example, yesterday I felt the painful sting of the cost of going to the bathroom at an audition when your number comes up. Pushed to end of the list, I was unable to be seen that day, and thereby I spent almost five hours waiting around for nothing. Ouch.

Tonight, I'm up late pondering all of my auditioning and trying to remind myself to be patient. More than ever, I'm realizing how much of this is out of my control. If I have such a great grasp on that concept, then why does my mind not let my body go to sleep? It's constantly running wondering what is going to happen at the next audition, or the next, or the next.

I would love to land a show in New York someday. I told my roommate today that I think that is exactly when my next wave of training will really begin. You see, to be in a show that would allow me to have many of my days free, I could focus on finally getting into acting classes and singing classes and work on continually bettering myself as a dancer. But it's one of those catch twenty-twos such as the old expression, "You have to have a job to get a job nowadays..." Well, I'm going to keep pushing. Harder than ever. Let me re-stress. I refuse to starve.

Who'd have thought it'd be so fun?!?

This past weekend, I traveled to DC to rehearse with one of my partners for one of the two Nutcrackers I will be doing this holiday season. I had the time of my life. I am enjoying the experience of getting back into "Cavalier Shape." It's strange. I'm putting quite a bit of pressure on myself to be as strong as I can be, but there's still a freedom that comes from having the opportunity to do this outside of the setting of my former company.

When I performed the role there, I had the wonderful honor of dancing with the most seasoned member of the company. I will always hold that experience close to me. However, now I'm making new memories. I feel that I am just continually turning the pages in my life's book, and each one holds something new and exciting.

I have two wonderful partners this holiday. I am lucky and inspired to make them both look as beautiful as I can. They don't need much help from me there, but I can sure try to enhance.

Note: If you are one who doesn't like to see smiles and joy when watching a pas de deux and thinks the man should be stoic and classically stern, don't watch my rendering.