Nutcracker

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the show.

Little Mice

Party scene toys

I love these snow costumes.

Final Performance.

As I've thought of what I wanted to write for our final show, I have trouble finding words.

What started out as a simple decision to try something new since I'm already at a new studio turned out to be one of the greatest things I've ever done.

I've faced fears--so many fears--right in the face and overcame them. I've tried so many new things and met new people. I was able to take pictures backstage throughout the whole thing and give them to the dancers and/or their parents. I've been welcomed in a warm way, which has been more of a relief than I even hoped for.

Last night's show wasn't my best (I'd say Saturday's was) but to think of how far I've come from the beginning of this, my "not best" greatly surpasses my hope for a maybe best when this started.
Does that even make sense?
It was a late night and I'm at work and still on a Nutcracker high.

I'm really sad it's over, but so beyond grateful to have been a part of this wonderful production; and in it's 40th year, no less!
One of those moments when you just feel the reality of the moment you're in happened again last night. I was on stage, during the finale (which we actually did right!) and you could see the top of the conductor's head, forehead scrunched in concentration as he led the musicians. A perspective I've never seen but in movies. It was amazing.

So, since words are failing me, here are some pictures. :D

My friend Lucy stole my camera and snagged this bad boy :)

(That's me stage right kneeling)

Waltz of the Flowers

Mari and me :)

Shrub and I, photobombed

And again. hehehe

Here is sweet Lucy!

The 2014 Clara's

My sweet friend Whitney came to see the last show. I hadn't seen her since about 2008? 07? a long time.

My seeeester and me

A gaggle of Instep-ers!

My friend Sarah (seen far right in Instep picture) got me this ornament. Which is perfect. And words fail to express how much I absolutely love it.

Our costume director, Ms. Jane, made this to match my costume :)

My parents bought me a Drosselmeyer :D

One of the best times of my life.

Orchestra week, performance one

I didn't post about the last rehearsal because I was so flustered I didn't even want to try. But yesterday's performance was wonderful.

We had a rehearsal yesterday afternoon, and a performance in the evening. It was orchestra week, so we really had to focus on counting and keeping with the music since it typically goes a little slower or faster or both, haha. 

It started with rehearsal, where while doing crunches, someone made a fart sound and we all died laughing. It was pretty great. The performance warm up was done with the curtain closed. There were so many people there that we had to let them in early and finish warm up with the curtain closed. Ms. Alex said she thinks it was a record.

And boy the crowd was a great one!
There were so many friends in the audience, it really made my heart explode. I don't know what it is about it, but it makes you feel good to know you have friends that love and support you. I guess for so long I did things and no one really cared. They thought I was wasting my time or it was a phase or whatever. But now I'm doing something I love simply because I love it, and I've been given these amazing opportunities to do more with it; it's great to have people support you in it. (Even if you're only on stage for a minute and a half.)

I'm getting to know more of the people here, too, which makes me feel really good. They are very kind to me, a mere outsider, and help me and encourage me. I can't express what that means. To have these advanced girls telling me I'm dancing well, and not just saying it to say fluffy things--they don't know me, they don't owe me anything, but they say it and genuinely mean it. It's a beautiful thing.

In the hallway during intermission, one of the little blue soldiers noticed I was new. So she asked if I was new, and a flock of blue soldiers ended up around me, giggling and talking over each other about this that and the other. The dance mom for them said I could tell them to leave if I wanted, but I love kids. It makes me happy. The same one asked how old I was, and I made her guess. She stared in my eyes for a little bit, commented that I wore contacts, then said, "fifteen!"
Hah! The group then guessed all sorts of ages until they finally got to twenty-six and they didn't believe it. One said, "how are you twenty-six?" To which I replied, "well, I was born in 1988 and the years just keep coming."
It was such a hoot.

Some of the older girls thought I was a senior.  I'm just starting to go with it.

I got to take pictures of the snow, which came out good and made me happy. The girls did a great job. I was so proud.

Second act went about the best yet. The orchestra goes a little slower at our part, which was nice for me because I was actually able to do the pirouette well! It made me happy. We even did the finally the best we've ever done it, and on time! I did kinda roll my foot in those stupid chaines turns, but I didn't hurt it so that's good and no one really noticed except for one of my flower friends. Hehehe.

I'm trying to upload pictures, but I'm on my phone and its kind of funny. So I'm gonna act like they're there so I don't forget what I want to say and if they don't show I'll add them later. So. Keep checking back at my blog :D

Abby was our Clara last night. In getting to know dancers and their moms I found out she has an autoimmune disease. I do too, although a different one, and to see her take on the complicated and strenuous task of the roll of Clara and do SO incredibly well, it really encouraged me. She wasn't just "good for being sick" she was good and you wouldn't have a clue she was sick if you weren't told. What an amazing thing! She's such a sweetheart, too. A great heart makes me happy.

(Okay. Here come the groups which I don't know what order their in so whatever. Bare with me)

Sarah and Liz went to instep with me. Liz dances at Munro with me in the 4s class and also takes the adult ballet class and sarah comes occasionally,  but also takes at a different studio occasionally. They have become some of my greatest friends. I'm so grateful for these two.

Sara and Rachel became my friends through other friends which I think is pretty cool. They have hearts the size of Texas and are constant encouragers, even if we don't get to see each other often. The one in the center is now my new friend as well!

This group is one that is full of people from all different parts of my life that have come together in one place over time which I think is really cool. Sarah (I know, I know a lot of sarah's) went to private school with me when we were kids. Rebecca and I were in the same dorm at Bible school. Wendy and I met when we shared a tent camping in the dead of winter, and Jessica and I met at the place that is the common denominator for us all, the Net. I met Lesley last night, and she is now my new friend as well! So great having them there.

Lisa and I met through a Bible study. Her daughter gave me the nickname "Lelee" when she was 3, which melted my heart. Especially since I've heard about every nickname possible for my name, and she found a new one. I hadn't seen her in some time, yet as soon as she saw me she ran straight into my arms yelling, "Lelee!!!!" It meant so much to me. Chloe takes ballet as well, which makes me so happy to know. Such sweet friends I'm grateful to have.

James and I went to high school together and did theater together. Our last show he played my dad in the music man. I was so glad to have him there for my first show in pointe shoes. He told me he was really proud of me for following my dreams and it really means a lot.

Last, but definitely not least is my sweet Lillian. She has been there for me since I was still at instep, and has been a constant support every step of the way. She encouraged me to audition, to stick it out when I wasn't sure I wanted to do it, to work hard and not let the older girls intimidate me. She's cheered me on even as she found herself injured and side lined. She celebrated my successful pirouette and the finale finally being together. She's the one I complain to when things get complicated, and encourages me to keep my head up. Her boyfriend even told me that he was watching my feet the whole time and was impressed by how well I did (!!!!!!!) I cherish them so deeply and am so happy to have them in my life. She also brought along some dear friends I used to work with (how we all met) Bri and Mel pictured here. 

I love them so much.

Tonight is our last show, which makes me really sad but gets me excited for the next show. Spring show auditions are in a couple weeks. It's a new show so we aren't really sure what all we'll have. We'll see how it goes!!

Thank you, all, for encouraging me in this. I've grown so much through the nutcracker and am so grateful for all my experiences I've had. Thank you for encouraging me and ready my stories. It means more than you'll ever know.

Week two, here we go.

So the days since our last performance have been filled with emotions all over the spectrum.

• My neighbor died
• My old roommate had her baby
• My friend's mom died

Not to mention all the family and work drama. Oddly, this doesn't feel like all that much, but in four days, it kinda hits.

Needless to say, I was really excited to have rehearsal tonight. Dance makes me feel like I'm alive and have something to live for. Not that I don't without it, but it just encompasses all those emotions in a way other things don't. And dancing on the theater stage just amplifies it. It feels right, and it feels like I never want to leave, even if every seat is empty.

There was a moment when they were running the battle scene. A good sized group of us were sitting on the floor in the aisles of the audience, talking about this that or the other. I looked at the stage and took a moment to take it in. Someone walked past and smiled at me, and that's when I realized what was at the root of everything I was feeling--acceptance.
Here I was, this new person, no one owes me a thing or knows me from Adam, but they liked me. They accepted me. They listen when I speak and let me listen to them speak. They're kind towards me and inclusive.

I guess this is kind of new to me. This never really happened in High School, but it never really didn't happen. I guess I'm in a place where I am more confident in myself and don't rely on outside sources for verification, so having acceptance feels refreshing. I don't need  it, but that makes it all the better.

I danced the best I've done this season, I think. It felt good.
That feeling of just completely letting go, dancing because it's in your soul and not caring what anyone around you is thinking. Just doing it for yourself. It was a good day.

Sadly, it wasn't for everyone. Several of the younger kids were out sick, and one of the flowers came down wrong on her foot and rolled it. This season seems to be plagued.

Still, we march on.

How did I forget?

My friend's and their two little girls came to see me dance. These little ones light up my life. Seriously. They are the sweetest souls, and have a way of making you feel loved like no one else can.

Are they not the cutest things ever?

While I was talking to them, a couple of little girls came up to me and asked me for my autograph.

I seriously felt like a Disney character or something. I asked if they liked the show, what their favorite parts were; ya know, the good stuff.

My friend Alisha sent me these :D

Then, a girl from Lola's school came up with some family; mostly girls, but one boy. They lingered for a bit, then the mom said, "Can he get a picture with you? Y'all were his favorite and he's too shy to ask." To which I responded, "OF COURSE!"

Apparently, people think he's Chinese all the time, so he decided when he gets older, this is what he wants to do. Heck yes, kid!

Needless to say, my day was made. 

Kids are my favorite.