Today Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden visited Camp Lejeune. A week ago I received an email from my FRO (Family Readiness Officer) about their visit. So I called my FRO to see if there was a spot available. In doing that I had to sign away my soul...Ok, not really but I did have to give him my full name, my SS number, my place of birth, and my current address. You have to do the same thing if you want to visit the White House, so not such a big deal since I did that last spring. I found out two days ago that I was selected to attend.
So I got up at 4:20 am, let the dogs out (I'm dog sitting one extra dog), lock the cats up (because they don't really like the new dog, and new dog isn't sure what they are), get dressed, let dogs in, grab purse, and leave the house by 4:45am. If you know me, I don't do well getting up this early so this is a huge feat for me! You are probably wondering why I left so early. Jacksonville and Camp Lejeune have horrible traffic in the morning on top of that there is some road work at the front gate. So I didn't want to miss the event because I was in traffic for an hour and half. I also picked up a friend who was also going to the event. Luckily, I did miss all the traffic. It was so nice! But that did leave me sitting in the parking lot for a while. So I did my make-up and read my book for about 30 minutes. About 6:45 I headed into our units building to wait for the bus, got on the bus at 7am, then we headed over to the field house. Then we went through security and were seated.
And then we waited...and waited...and waited...and waited. We sat and waited about two hours. Thank goodness I brought my book, The Devil in Pew Number 7 (BTW, great book) and my iPod Touch which let me entertain myself by playing Sudoku. I also chatted with two friends, one sent me an text saying, "I see you...in a non-creepy way, I promise." LOL, I think she's pretty funny. We weren't waiting for everyone to get through security and get seated for 2 hours, maybe we only waited a half hour for that. But we were waiting on the White House people to be ready.
I also like to people watch. While I was people watching I noticed that the majority of the voluntold Marines were single Marines. So I felt that this event was wasted a bit right there. I know there were more spouses that were interested in attending but each unit only had so many spots for spouses. So that was a disappointment that most of the people there didn't want to be there because they didn't have families and didn't care about what was going.
While I am discussing things I'm disappointed with, let's talk about how they were telling people no kids, and then they had a select few (10 maybe 12) who sat with their parents behind the podium. Basically they made it look like a family event for the news cameras. Again, I had friends that couldn't come because they had children and couldn't get child care on such short notice.
Finally, the CO of the base made an announcement and let us know that we needed to be patient and that things would be starting soon. And we waited some more. He actually started walking around and was talking to the Marines and the spouses. He jokingly told the people not to ICE him because we were waiting on the White House, and I said, "So we need to ICE the White House?" He laughed and said, "Yes, ICE the White House!" Honestly, I think the base did a good job with the event, and I know we weren't waiting on them.
Finally, Major General Jensen got up and spoke. He introduced the "First Dude" (the Governor's husband)of North Carolina, Bob Eaves, and he gave a short speech. I learned from him that NC is the Most Military Friendly State. He also spoke of Carolina Helping Heroes. This program is about the local communities helping the families of deployed military members in NC. Check to see if your state has something similar, if not start your own! Then Major General Jensen introduced NC Senator Kay Hagan, and she gave a short speech. Finally, the time came for Major General Jensen to introduce Dr. Jill Biden and Mrs Obama. Dr Jill Biden spoke first, and she had some good stories of military families she has come across. Her son is also military so she understands the military life a bit.
Finally, Mrs Obama spoke. I did not feel that this was politically motivated, and this isn't in response to what happened last week with the possibility of the military not being paid during a government shutdown. This event had been planned before the possible shutdown. This was about helping military families during times of peace and during times of war. This is something that Mrs. Obama wants to last beyond her husbands term as President. She wants this for our Veterans, our current service members, and our future service members and their families. This is something that Mrs. Obama has been interested in for awhile.
She spoke of a new initiative for military families called, "Joining Forces." Basically, it's about getting the communities, businesses, and other organizations involved with helping military families. This can be education assistance, job assistance for spouses and service members, wellness, basically anything that can help a military family out big or small. Small, your neighbor's husband is deployed, offer to mow her lawn. Or in my case, my friend wanted to head home for a couple of weeks shortly after her Marine deployed. I offered to watch her sweet Chloe dog, so Chloe didn't have to be boarded for 2 weeks. Sometimes the little things are the big things. Big, businesses like Sam's Club offering job transfers when military spouses move due to orders, or Chamber of Commerce's having job fairs for Veterans and military spouses.
If you are in a military community you may already be seeing a lot of this type of thing. If you are aren't, go to your bases website, talk to your FRO, and check with your local Chamber of Commerce. If you aren't in a military community, you may have to look a bit deeper. Also check your Chamber of Commerce, and maybe check the VFW and the American Legion. If you aren't finding something then start your own organization to help military families. If you want assistance and aren't finding it, create it.
Be Proactive Instead of Inactive! (I say that a lot!) That's something I learned with our first deployment.
The Dancer
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Out of the Mouths of Not So Babes
So the real saying is, "Out of the mouths of babes." Well, I got the opposite tonight. One of my girls said "va-jay-jay bagging" tonight. If you are giving the computer a weird look right now, then it's probably the same look I gave one of my older students tonight. I'm pretty sure my mouth dropped to the floor.
She asked me if there was such a thing as "va-jay-jay bagging, you know because guys do tea bagging."
WTF, seriously! She is 14 (turned 14 recently), and asking crap like this!
Then one of my sweet innocent girls was like, "What's tea bagging?"
Of course I refused to answer, and some of the other girls were saying, "You don't want to know." Thankfully, they left it at that. I'm just stunned that they know this stuff, they are so young! Ugh, the things they say sometimes. These girls are all 14 and younger, I'm just blown away by the things they know.
I do believe that our society and technology is causing our youth to know about things they shouldn't. Or maybe I was just super innocent at that age and in high school. Maybe it's a bit of both.
I used to be Snow White -- but I drifted.
She asked me if there was such a thing as "va-jay-jay bagging, you know because guys do tea bagging."
WTF, seriously! She is 14 (turned 14 recently), and asking crap like this!
Then one of my sweet innocent girls was like, "What's tea bagging?"
Of course I refused to answer, and some of the other girls were saying, "You don't want to know." Thankfully, they left it at that. I'm just stunned that they know this stuff, they are so young! Ugh, the things they say sometimes. These girls are all 14 and younger, I'm just blown away by the things they know.
I do believe that our society and technology is causing our youth to know about things they shouldn't. Or maybe I was just super innocent at that age and in high school. Maybe it's a bit of both.
I used to be Snow White -- but I drifted.
MAE WEST, The Wit and Wisdom of Mae West
The Dancer
Monday, April 11, 2011
To Far Far Away and Back Again
Well a few days ago, I jumped into my trusty Charger and we went on an adventure to Durham, NC, to then go to the land of Far Far Away. If you didn't catch that, I went to to Shrek the Musical at DPAC in Durham, NC.
OMG, what an amazing show! It has some beautiful moments, like the ones that make you tear up and it touches your heart. It made you laugh, a lot, and I wouldn't expect anything less from something that is Shrek. The set was eye candy, the costumes were amazing, the lightening was perfect, the make-up was great, and the puppetry was fabulous. There was so much to this show I'm not really sure where to start. I'm going to warn you this blog is going to be long. And if you don't want to read about my opinions and find out certain things stop reading after the next two paragraphs.
Actually, I do know where to start. I LOVE the Shrek movies, except for the third one. The first two are the best, then four, and I would just like to forget that they even made the third one. I love Shrek so much, that I quote it fairly often, "Really, really." and I usually pick it if the Marine asks me to pick out a DVD. We actually started dating the year the first movie came out. Gosh, now I'm showing our age, kind of.
What do I love about Shrek? Well, I love the writing, the story is great, but I think what made me really fall in love with it was the use of music. They picked great songs for the soundtrack. It's one of the soundtracks that I always have. It has a lot of the music that makes you want to dance, but if it's not the dancing type of music it's the type that you just want to sit and listen to the lyrics.
So lets talk acting. For the most part the acting was great. There were a few times the actor that played Shrek sounded more Irish than Scottish. He also had a few time when he was hard to hear. It wasn't because of his accent. But I'm not sure if it was because of the sound people not bumping up his mic (the first time I noticed was the first few minutes of the show) or if he just wasn't being loud enough. Both maybe? Everyone was great, I mean they had to be bears, fairies, witches, Peter Pan, etc. They really got into their characters. Many of them had to play multiple characters. You know the "fairy tale things" as Shrek calls them, towns people, the Duloc singers, mice, the guards, etc. This a great show for the actor that wants to be a chorus member. So many options.
The set and lighting, wow. Moving trees, tread mill effects, great back drops, there is just so much to the set I can't explain it all. The colors were eye catching. Really, it brought Far Far Away and Shrek's swamp to life. When you came in they had the curtain drawn but it made you feel like you were about to go into a forest (I was 4 rows from the front of the stage.) Now, lighting made the set even better. They were great at creating the sun and the moon (if you remember both are important in the movie), the darkness that a forest creates, and the doom of the castle. The lighting definitely set the mood, but also created the time of day. I think they hit every point they need to hit with lighting.
The music, that's what makes Shrek, right? Well, it was great! Most of the songs are original. They do sing What's Up, Duloc which the first part of it is in the movie. You know,
"...Please keep off of the grass,
Shine your shoes,
Wipe your...face,
Duloc is, Duloc is
Duloc is a perfect place!" (ok the last half is my favorite part of the song and that's why I posted it and not the whole song!)
Then at the end after the Curtain Call, they sing "I'm a Believer!" Which was basically like a concert. Everyone was standing up, dancing and singing. Seriously, one of the best shows I have been too in a long time. My favorite song, Freak Flag, because there is a little bit of a freak in all of us. At the end of it Pinocchio says, "I'm wood, and I'm good!"
Costumes and make-up, without those this show would be a bunch of people pretending and the audience trying to pretend who they are. If you didn't have a good imagination you would be lost. The costumes and the make-up brought the "fairy tale things" to life! They were meticulous with things. Like Pinocchio's costume, I could see the grain of wood they painted into every inch of his costume. The costume designer probably had a lot of fun thinking these up! The make-up was great Shrek, Donkey, all the fairy take things, the mice, and the Duloc dancers. They did a great job with getting everyone made into what they needed to be and then back to their other character/s. Even Fiona's transformation at the end they were able to do in a matter of minutes.
The puppetry and special effects were very good and pretty ingenious. First let's talk Dragon. OMG, she was beautiful! Everything that she was in the movie she was in the musical. She was a giant puppet. If I remember correctly she had 3 people creating her motions. When they opened her wings she really flew across the stage. She definitely owned the stage when she was on it! "I'm a real boy!" and Pinocchio's nose grows. It really grew. He had a mask contraption over his nose, and they had it set up somehow to grow on cue. I'm guessing it was either remote control or maybe Pinocchio had a button that he had to push somewhere on him. Lord Farquaad, ahh, what a fantastic character. Let's hope that he has good knees! He was a full size man that did most of his acting on his knees. Lord Farquaad was a bit of puppetry and costume all tied into one. He was always fun to watch and they did some great choreography with him and his "little" legs. Fiona's transformation from human to ogress at the end when she is lifted into the air. Just like the movie. I could not see ANY wires or cords. We went to Marry Poppins last summer (great show also) but we could see the wires they used. I don't know what they used, or if it was just the lighting, but she just levitated. It was magic.
I loved this show. I want to see it again. I might see it again soon too. It's going to be in Charlotte in June. I suggest that you go see it if you ever get the chance.
I leave you with one of my favorite moments from the show, it was when Shrek and Donkey were crossing the bridge to go save Fiona. They changed it from the movie, but Shrek is ahead of Donkey, and Donkey looks down and realizes how high it is, and he freezes and won't move. He asks Shrek to help him and not let go, and Shrek takes Donkey gently by the leg and softly says, "I won't let you go....I won't let you go." And he guides him across the bridge.
That is a true friendship.
The Dancer
OMG, what an amazing show! It has some beautiful moments, like the ones that make you tear up and it touches your heart. It made you laugh, a lot, and I wouldn't expect anything less from something that is Shrek. The set was eye candy, the costumes were amazing, the lightening was perfect, the make-up was great, and the puppetry was fabulous. There was so much to this show I'm not really sure where to start. I'm going to warn you this blog is going to be long. And if you don't want to read about my opinions and find out certain things stop reading after the next two paragraphs.
Actually, I do know where to start. I LOVE the Shrek movies, except for the third one. The first two are the best, then four, and I would just like to forget that they even made the third one. I love Shrek so much, that I quote it fairly often, "Really, really." and I usually pick it if the Marine asks me to pick out a DVD. We actually started dating the year the first movie came out. Gosh, now I'm showing our age, kind of.
What do I love about Shrek? Well, I love the writing, the story is great, but I think what made me really fall in love with it was the use of music. They picked great songs for the soundtrack. It's one of the soundtracks that I always have. It has a lot of the music that makes you want to dance, but if it's not the dancing type of music it's the type that you just want to sit and listen to the lyrics.
So lets talk acting. For the most part the acting was great. There were a few times the actor that played Shrek sounded more Irish than Scottish. He also had a few time when he was hard to hear. It wasn't because of his accent. But I'm not sure if it was because of the sound people not bumping up his mic (the first time I noticed was the first few minutes of the show) or if he just wasn't being loud enough. Both maybe? Everyone was great, I mean they had to be bears, fairies, witches, Peter Pan, etc. They really got into their characters. Many of them had to play multiple characters. You know the "fairy tale things" as Shrek calls them, towns people, the Duloc singers, mice, the guards, etc. This a great show for the actor that wants to be a chorus member. So many options.
The set and lighting, wow. Moving trees, tread mill effects, great back drops, there is just so much to the set I can't explain it all. The colors were eye catching. Really, it brought Far Far Away and Shrek's swamp to life. When you came in they had the curtain drawn but it made you feel like you were about to go into a forest (I was 4 rows from the front of the stage.) Now, lighting made the set even better. They were great at creating the sun and the moon (if you remember both are important in the movie), the darkness that a forest creates, and the doom of the castle. The lighting definitely set the mood, but also created the time of day. I think they hit every point they need to hit with lighting.
The music, that's what makes Shrek, right? Well, it was great! Most of the songs are original. They do sing What's Up, Duloc which the first part of it is in the movie. You know,
"...Please keep off of the grass,
Shine your shoes,
Wipe your...face,
Duloc is, Duloc is
Duloc is a perfect place!" (ok the last half is my favorite part of the song and that's why I posted it and not the whole song!)
Then at the end after the Curtain Call, they sing "I'm a Believer!" Which was basically like a concert. Everyone was standing up, dancing and singing. Seriously, one of the best shows I have been too in a long time. My favorite song, Freak Flag, because there is a little bit of a freak in all of us. At the end of it Pinocchio says, "I'm wood, and I'm good!"
Costumes and make-up, without those this show would be a bunch of people pretending and the audience trying to pretend who they are. If you didn't have a good imagination you would be lost. The costumes and the make-up brought the "fairy tale things" to life! They were meticulous with things. Like Pinocchio's costume, I could see the grain of wood they painted into every inch of his costume. The costume designer probably had a lot of fun thinking these up! The make-up was great Shrek, Donkey, all the fairy take things, the mice, and the Duloc dancers. They did a great job with getting everyone made into what they needed to be and then back to their other character/s. Even Fiona's transformation at the end they were able to do in a matter of minutes.
The puppetry and special effects were very good and pretty ingenious. First let's talk Dragon. OMG, she was beautiful! Everything that she was in the movie she was in the musical. She was a giant puppet. If I remember correctly she had 3 people creating her motions. When they opened her wings she really flew across the stage. She definitely owned the stage when she was on it! "I'm a real boy!" and Pinocchio's nose grows. It really grew. He had a mask contraption over his nose, and they had it set up somehow to grow on cue. I'm guessing it was either remote control or maybe Pinocchio had a button that he had to push somewhere on him. Lord Farquaad, ahh, what a fantastic character. Let's hope that he has good knees! He was a full size man that did most of his acting on his knees. Lord Farquaad was a bit of puppetry and costume all tied into one. He was always fun to watch and they did some great choreography with him and his "little" legs. Fiona's transformation from human to ogress at the end when she is lifted into the air. Just like the movie. I could not see ANY wires or cords. We went to Marry Poppins last summer (great show also) but we could see the wires they used. I don't know what they used, or if it was just the lighting, but she just levitated. It was magic.
I loved this show. I want to see it again. I might see it again soon too. It's going to be in Charlotte in June. I suggest that you go see it if you ever get the chance.
I leave you with one of my favorite moments from the show, it was when Shrek and Donkey were crossing the bridge to go save Fiona. They changed it from the movie, but Shrek is ahead of Donkey, and Donkey looks down and realizes how high it is, and he freezes and won't move. He asks Shrek to help him and not let go, and Shrek takes Donkey gently by the leg and softly says, "I won't let you go....I won't let you go." And he guides him across the bridge.
That is a true friendship.
The Dancer
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Running Through My Head (Singing)
Remember that song from the around 2003? It's actually called All the Things She Said (caution video link) and it's by t.A.T.u, but for some reason the lyrics, "running through my head..." are what I remember! Haha
Well, I have a lot running through my head. Things I have to write about Kings Dominion, Shrek the Musical, care packages, and unit family days. Those are the ones that I remember right now. So keep your eyes open for them.
(keeps singing) Running through my head, running through my head, running through my head...
The Dancer
Well, I have a lot running through my head. Things I have to write about Kings Dominion, Shrek the Musical, care packages, and unit family days. Those are the ones that I remember right now. So keep your eyes open for them.
(keeps singing) Running through my head, running through my head, running through my head...
The Dancer
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Kindness
Wow, I was moved to tears a few minutes ago. I don't cry often. A few reasons, I don't like to cry, and if I cry hard enough it gives me a headache. I'm pretty sure I have said that in another post! Hahaha.
First let me say, I have a wonderful group of friends. We meet almost every week for brunch. We always try to be there for each other and help each other out, and to check up on each other. So we have that military spouse bond. It's like Army Wives but better and minus all of the drama! Ok, so there is that kind of kindness. We are all in the same boat so we help each other out. We become a family.
Small town kindness. Today, I had to take Cinder (our dog) to the vet. Her doctor is the father of one of my students, and the mother is the receptionist. Lately, we have seeing a lot of them, but that's a whole different story. The mother told me that if I ever needed anything or help with anything just to call. They barely know me but they are offering their help. She practically offered her whole extended family, because you know sometimes you just need a man to help with things! No, really you do, if you decide to move something big, or need help starting the motorcycle. My issue is the latter, I can usually move whatever it is I need moved, because I'm manly like that, but that darn motorcycle gets me every time!
So that experience made me feel good today on the drive home from the vet. Now the question is, is she saying that because I have been there 4 times in the past 2 months and they are starting to feel bad for me? I don't think that's the case, I think she was honestly offering to help. That's what you get when you live in a small town!
A good person and my dancer family kindness. The experience that made me cry happened on Facebook. This weekend we are going to King's Dominion for our last competition! This is a fun comp, they perform and then we play! The past few competitions I have gone by myself and stayed by myself, for the obvious reasons. Tonight, I asked one of the mom's if she got her tickets, and then she asked me if I wanted to stay with them and hang out with them. She asked because she knew I was going alone, and that's "it's hard to be without hubby." I cried. Probably because this would have been a competition that the Marine would have joined me on. This would have been something that we would have enjoyed together. I cried because someone realized that. That's the kindness I love.
I may be strong and seem happy. But there are times when I am putting up a strong front and I'm just acting happy. I don't want to seem weak. I have the occasional day when things aren't going well. So I really like when people step up and offer me their help or offer to do something with me. Why? Because I don't want to wear them out with my offers, I don't want them to think I'm using them because I'm asking them for something all the time. I don't feel that way with friends, but with people I haven't gotten to know very well I don't want them to feel used.
So be kind. Offer to help or do something with a friend, an acquaintance, or even a stranger. You never know how that might turn their day or life around. Plus, that kindness will find it's way back to you.
"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." ~James Matthew Barrie
First let me say, I have a wonderful group of friends. We meet almost every week for brunch. We always try to be there for each other and help each other out, and to check up on each other. So we have that military spouse bond. It's like Army Wives but better and minus all of the drama! Ok, so there is that kind of kindness. We are all in the same boat so we help each other out. We become a family.
Small town kindness. Today, I had to take Cinder (our dog) to the vet. Her doctor is the father of one of my students, and the mother is the receptionist. Lately, we have seeing a lot of them, but that's a whole different story. The mother told me that if I ever needed anything or help with anything just to call. They barely know me but they are offering their help. She practically offered her whole extended family, because you know sometimes you just need a man to help with things! No, really you do, if you decide to move something big, or need help starting the motorcycle. My issue is the latter, I can usually move whatever it is I need moved, because I'm manly like that, but that darn motorcycle gets me every time!
So that experience made me feel good today on the drive home from the vet. Now the question is, is she saying that because I have been there 4 times in the past 2 months and they are starting to feel bad for me? I don't think that's the case, I think she was honestly offering to help. That's what you get when you live in a small town!
A good person and my dancer family kindness. The experience that made me cry happened on Facebook. This weekend we are going to King's Dominion for our last competition! This is a fun comp, they perform and then we play! The past few competitions I have gone by myself and stayed by myself, for the obvious reasons. Tonight, I asked one of the mom's if she got her tickets, and then she asked me if I wanted to stay with them and hang out with them. She asked because she knew I was going alone, and that's "it's hard to be without hubby." I cried. Probably because this would have been a competition that the Marine would have joined me on. This would have been something that we would have enjoyed together. I cried because someone realized that. That's the kindness I love.
I may be strong and seem happy. But there are times when I am putting up a strong front and I'm just acting happy. I don't want to seem weak. I have the occasional day when things aren't going well. So I really like when people step up and offer me their help or offer to do something with me. Why? Because I don't want to wear them out with my offers, I don't want them to think I'm using them because I'm asking them for something all the time. I don't feel that way with friends, but with people I haven't gotten to know very well I don't want them to feel used.
So be kind. Offer to help or do something with a friend, an acquaintance, or even a stranger. You never know how that might turn their day or life around. Plus, that kindness will find it's way back to you.
"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." ~James Matthew Barrie
Friday, March 11, 2011
Japans Earthquake & Tsunami
As many of you know we lived in Japan for 2 years (actually, I lived there, the Marine visited, LOL) last night they had an 8.9 earthquake. I still have many friends there and it's been a scary and rough day from them. Please keep the people of Japan in your thoughts and prayers. As well as the people of Hawaii and the West Coast.
As of right now, my friends from facebook are reporting that there are still after shocks, and the news just reported a 5.6 after shock.
FB is a pretty incredible tool. I have been able to make sure many of my friends in Japan and Hawaii are ok.
Stay safe my Japan, Hawaii, and West Coast friends.
As of right now, my friends from facebook are reporting that there are still after shocks, and the news just reported a 5.6 after shock.
FB is a pretty incredible tool. I have been able to make sure many of my friends in Japan and Hawaii are ok.
Stay safe my Japan, Hawaii, and West Coast friends.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Let's Talk Dance
Since it has been awhile!
So about 3 weeks ago I took my girls to Encore DCS in Myrtle Beach, SC. I was really looking forward to this competition because I had two pieces this time, and I was going to see my friends, Nicole and Kyle.
I met Nicole and Kyle in 29 Palms, CA. Kyle is a Marine, he got out a few years ago. Nicole and I were introduced by a man whom I'll refer to as, Crazy Joe, and I think we drove that man crazier than he already was. That's not saying that he didn't drive us crazy, because he did! Oh, the stories we have! Nicole and I taught dance together and we coached the MCCS youth CheerDance group. Nicole was a great friend and support system that year. That was during the first deployment. They now live in SC, and we talk regularly on Facebook. Since I was going to be in SC, they decided to come see me! We picked up like we had seen each other yesterday, instead of 4 years! That is what true friendship is, you can go years without seeing each other, but it's like you have never been away from each other.
I went down on Friday night to watch a few of my students do solos. The next day I was able to see Nicole. We were trying to find each other in a large auditorium. I had actually been about 3 seats from her, but I didn't recognize her with long hair. Then I looked on the other side of the auditorium, so I called her and asked where she was. Finally, we saw each other and we were running down the aisle and then hugging! Clearly, we were excited to see each other! BTW, that all happened between pieces.
We watched a lot of dance. We saw some good pieces, I don't remember being as impressed at this competition as I was from DTI though. I had some "wow" moments, but not as many. The Senior age group had some good male/female duets. I have always enjoyed watching couples dance, and I admit, I LOVE men who can dance.
My girls did a good job. My younger ones were in new costumes and and they looked good. When they danced they looked like they were having fun! My older ones have never done a modern piece for competition before so they weren't confident in what they did. No matter what I told them, they thought it looked horrible! They did do good though. The stage was HUGE and they let that get to them a bit.
Last week during class, I had the older girls watch their piece from competition. They were so funny, before we watched it they were saying, "We want to see how bad we looked." After they watched it it was, "Oh, it wasn't as bad as we thought," or "It actually looked pretty good." So hopefully they have more confidence now that they have seen themselves and that they looked good.
The judges remarks were the same things I tell them every week and multiple times during class! Point their feet, spot while turning (more for my little ones), straighten their legs, strong arms, reach, stretch, etc. So that's something they have to work on and remember. Hopefully, they'll listen to what the judges say, since me saying it doesn't do it.
We are actually gearing up for another competition that is in a couple of weeks. I have been working them hard. The older girls and I are having a Lock In, and dancing all night soon! Then about two weeks after that we are going to another competition, that is our last one for the year. Then we have a month and half until recital! This year is going so fast! But that is a good thing.
So I'll leave you with this, "Dancers are instruments, like a piano the choreographer plays." George Balanchine.
The Dancer
So about 3 weeks ago I took my girls to Encore DCS in Myrtle Beach, SC. I was really looking forward to this competition because I had two pieces this time, and I was going to see my friends, Nicole and Kyle.
I met Nicole and Kyle in 29 Palms, CA. Kyle is a Marine, he got out a few years ago. Nicole and I were introduced by a man whom I'll refer to as, Crazy Joe, and I think we drove that man crazier than he already was. That's not saying that he didn't drive us crazy, because he did! Oh, the stories we have! Nicole and I taught dance together and we coached the MCCS youth CheerDance group. Nicole was a great friend and support system that year. That was during the first deployment. They now live in SC, and we talk regularly on Facebook. Since I was going to be in SC, they decided to come see me! We picked up like we had seen each other yesterday, instead of 4 years! That is what true friendship is, you can go years without seeing each other, but it's like you have never been away from each other.
I went down on Friday night to watch a few of my students do solos. The next day I was able to see Nicole. We were trying to find each other in a large auditorium. I had actually been about 3 seats from her, but I didn't recognize her with long hair. Then I looked on the other side of the auditorium, so I called her and asked where she was. Finally, we saw each other and we were running down the aisle and then hugging! Clearly, we were excited to see each other! BTW, that all happened between pieces.
We watched a lot of dance. We saw some good pieces, I don't remember being as impressed at this competition as I was from DTI though. I had some "wow" moments, but not as many. The Senior age group had some good male/female duets. I have always enjoyed watching couples dance, and I admit, I LOVE men who can dance.
My girls did a good job. My younger ones were in new costumes and and they looked good. When they danced they looked like they were having fun! My older ones have never done a modern piece for competition before so they weren't confident in what they did. No matter what I told them, they thought it looked horrible! They did do good though. The stage was HUGE and they let that get to them a bit.
Last week during class, I had the older girls watch their piece from competition. They were so funny, before we watched it they were saying, "We want to see how bad we looked." After they watched it it was, "Oh, it wasn't as bad as we thought," or "It actually looked pretty good." So hopefully they have more confidence now that they have seen themselves and that they looked good.
The judges remarks were the same things I tell them every week and multiple times during class! Point their feet, spot while turning (more for my little ones), straighten their legs, strong arms, reach, stretch, etc. So that's something they have to work on and remember. Hopefully, they'll listen to what the judges say, since me saying it doesn't do it.
We are actually gearing up for another competition that is in a couple of weeks. I have been working them hard. The older girls and I are having a Lock In, and dancing all night soon! Then about two weeks after that we are going to another competition, that is our last one for the year. Then we have a month and half until recital! This year is going so fast! But that is a good thing.
So I'll leave you with this, "Dancers are instruments, like a piano the choreographer plays." George Balanchine.
The Dancer
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