"And how does that make you feel?"

I had another mentor meeting today with Mrs. Augustine and it went really well. We talked a lot about where this journey has led me and how it has changed me. When I am talking to Mrs. Augustine I am able to express all the emotions that I have felt during this project and she has really encouraged me to start writing more about what this has all been like.

I was trying to think of where to start to explain where this journey had taken me and the only logical way I can think to do it is to explain how I am feeling today. Today I had a physical therapy where I finally was able to jump. It was the first time in nearly eight.. EIGHT.. months that I physically left the ground. It was such a weird realization to think that I have been grounded for that long. I was so used to doing backflips everyday and I just spent the last eight months without leaving the ground. It still really hasn't sunk in that I have come so far since surgery. Everyday I find something else that I can do that I couldn't do yesterday and when I look back to August and all the months after surgery when all I wanted was to be able to walk up the stairs again, it is really cool to see how much has improved. It can be hard to think about how much better I am when I am having bad days or when I realize I still have limitations but in the grand scheme of things.. I am doing really well.
Another thing that I have noticed while I have been on this journey is that I am able to realize other people's struggles much more easily than I used to be able to. I guess now that I have been the one struggling to walk down the hall or carry a backpack (which is extremely hard to do while trying to use crutches just so you know!) I have an appreciation for other people who find the daily aspects of life challenging. When someone can't a locker open, figure out a homework assignment, or even something as silly as flipping to the right page in their textbook, the easiest response can be "really? come on get your act together!" After being the one that was always struggling, I realize how frustrating and stressful these things can be and how they can ruin a good day. I have a new sense of sympathy for people who just can't make things go their way.

Going through this journey has made me grow up pretty fast. Having so much taken away from you and having to relearn some of the most basic things (like walking) has allowed me to see things from a different view.

Blog reflection and a Monday pickup!

Today was a busy day in Mr. Reiff's class. We got to discuss a Robert Frost poem, which I found to be really interesting and helpful (call me a nerd but I love poetry!) We also got some feedback on how our journals are going to far. Mr. Reiff gave me some really good insight into what I am doing well and how I can further expand and improve. 

A. One thing that Mr. Reiff suggested was that I continue to incorporate more articles and responses to articles in my blogs. In terms of research I have posted a lot of videos, which he said is good, but he thinks it will benefit me to post/respond to more articles, books, etc about my topic. I think this is the best tip for me to work on because now that my dance is complete, I have the time to research and can find some great information on "what's next?"

B. This week in order to improve my journal I need to focus on three things.

     1. Research and respond to at least one (hopefully 2) articles, books, etc

     2. Reflect how I am feeling about my project up to this point. What has gone the way I expected and what hasn't?

     3. Start researching how to effectively put together an iMovie

C. Three things I need to do before my end of the year presentation (AH!)

    1. Create the iMovie

    2. Finish perfecting my dance and making it performance ready

    3. Learning some tips for public speaking.. something I am TERRIFIED of!

D. What is the biggest different between my journal and the one that I reviewed? I think the biggest difference is that I include a lot more visuals. Miriam concentrated mostly on articles and interview, while I have used more pictures and videos. I am not sure which is better, they are just different. I do however plan on adding more research like Miriam's to my blog ASAP!

So it is the first Monday back from break and if you are anything like me you could use a little humor. In my many hours on YouTube I have watched a bunch of videos of these two little girls and they just crack me up every time! I hope this makes you smile like it did for me! Happy Monday everyone!   PINK! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_cbvBLQ_4Y

Two Tramps in Mud Time Refelection

Break is officially over which means back to school and back to class. Today in our weekly class meeting we read Robert Frost's poem Two Tramps in the Mud Time. Mr Reiff asked us to respond to several prompts...
A.) what is the author saying about the seasons? How permanent are they?

Robert Frost is trying to say that season's come and go, they are here one minute and gone the next. However even when the come for a moment and then leave, they still manage to leave an impression indicating that they were there. They are permanent in this regards even when they are ever changing. This is a lot like people who come in and out of life, but always leave an imprint that they were here for a moment. The people that I am getting to work with and talk to as part of this project are much like the changing seasons. They might only physically be there for a few minutes or a few days, but the help, knowledge, and opinions they leave behind are present even when they are not.


B.) What is the author's difference between doing what one loves and doing what one needs? Which is more important?

I think that in order to do what one needs, one must do what they love. We all need to feel happy and satisfied and content, we would lose our minds without that feeling, and the way that we fill this need is by doing what we love. As a personal example, I needed to have surgery. I needed to stop dancing. But I also love to dance, and need to dance in order to be happy. I did what I needed to do in order to do what I love. Because of this, I don't think you can pick one that is more important than the other. You can not have what you need without having what you love and visa versa.

C.) What does it mean "My object in living is to unite my avocation and my vocation"? How have you done this so far in this project?

Dance is a true passion for me, as is story telling. While I don't want to dance as a profession, I want to dance and college and continue to have it as an avocation throughout the next years. One part of this project that I am learning can turn from something I want to do to something I have to do (as a job) is sharing my story and trying to relate to other people and their personal struggles by telling them mine. I have always been interested in psychology and plan on studying it next year at Geneseo. I want to take the passion I have found telling and sharing my story in a unique way and find a way to help others do the same.

Family (:

So a lot of what I have posted in this blog has been about my journey through surgery and getting back to the stage, but I think I have missed a a piece of the puzzle. If it weren't for my friends and family I don't think I would have been able to keep the motivation high enough to keep going. There were a lot of bad days along the way where I just didn't feel like doing it anymore. I was tired of crutches, tired of not being able to do the things everyone else was doing, and there were a couple days that consisted of me laying in bed crying. But my family was always there to somehow keep me going and moving forward! I love you guys!

My little brother Tucker and I from forever ago. He was always there, willing or not, to wait on me and bring me anything I needed. We can definitely get on each other's nerves but when it comes down to it he was one of the biggest helps during this whole process. ( by the way.. HAPPY 15th Birthday Tuck!!)

 

The world's best siblings! Tucker, Kate, Morgan, and my nephew Milo (probably the cutest little kid ever!) Even though Kate and Morgan live in other states they were always calling me or chatting me on Facebook checking in and asking me how I was feeling. All three of them always told me that I could get through this and I would be back dancing in no time. Most of the time I didn't believe them.. but it was good to hear anyway! I don't know what I would do without them!

So he isn't technically family, but Patrick and I have been best friends since kindergarten so I consider him my brother. I don't know what I would do without this kid. He would come over every night and have movie nights with me, bring me my favorite food, and find ways to entertain us without having to leave the house. He always made me laugh and could turn any bad day into a good one without even trying! He is definitely one of those friends that I am going to have for the rest of my life.. whether he likes it or not! 

Now. Out of everyone who help me throughout this process, my mom (or Momma as I usually call her), is my far my biggest support and biggest fan. This picture was taken after my fall at nationals as we hobbled back to the hotel though the NYC streets. She is the one who took me to every doctors appointment, help me carry everything around the house, and literally anything I couldn't do by myself she was the one there to help me. She is my best friend and I would have been a wreck without her! I love you Momma!

Research!

So it's Friday of break and the boredom is starting to take hold... and the result of this has been more research and A LOT of YouTube videos :)

One of the articles that I found is "7 Secrets of Super Performers". Now that I have finished my dance (YAY!) I am starting to focus less of choreographing and more on performing. I have the steps and the movements down, but that is only half of what goes into this dance. I now have to get the idea and story in my head and in the steps and put the emotion and the feeling behind it to portray it even more to the audience. This article gives really good tips on how to do this. A few of my favorites are 1.  doing more than just smile to show the message. The eyes are the most powerful tool to show your emotion. 2. never dance alone, even in a solo. You have to engage the audience and make them feel like they are on the stage with you. 3. Be confident. The more confident you are in your abilities and your dance the more the comfortable you will be and the easier it will be to tell the story.
I really think that this article will be helpful the closer and closer I get to performing in front of people again. I even bookmarked it on my computer for easy access back to it!! (Here is the link if you want to look at it.. which you all should!)

http://www.danceadvantage.net/2009/02/08/7-secrets-of-super-performers/

Guess What!!

Guess what..... I FINISHED MY DANCE! I was in the studio and after changing some things and tweaking others and I managed to just keep adding on and all of a sudden it was the end of the song. I am really excited about the dance I have created and I think it is really good. I am sure I will still find little things to change to make the dance more fluid or portray my message better but there are no more drastic changes that I want to make! AHHHH! I am so excited!

Also today is going to be a major research day for me. The first article that I found is about dancing and how dance affects the body and the mind. There is no doubt that dance is good exercise and can keep you in shape, but it is also a work out for your mind. In the short term dancing can make you happier. The combination of the release of endorphins and the affect of music on the brain can make you feel happier and less stressed. I know that this is not just some scientific theory, it is definitely true! One of the reasons I love dancing so much is that it can make me feel better and help to relieve stress and put myself in a better mood. This article also mentions the long term affects of dancing on the mind. Dancers become very good at learning things quickly (like new choreography) and being able to remember them not only in words and in your head, but also being able transform it from words to actual movement. In my experience this has made me a very hands on person. People can tell me something or show me something and I can understand it, but to fully learn and remember it I have to try it myself. I find it really interesting how dance and the disciplines that come along with dance  flow over into everyday life and can form the habits that I never really think about

. http://dance.lovetoknow.com/How_Does_Dancing_Affect_the_Mind

April Already?

Happy April Fools Day! Easter was amazing! My older brother Morgan and his fiance (and their adorable puppy Mary) came up from Virginia to visit and it was awesome to see them again! Morgan works for the CIA now, but has completed two tours of Iraq and two in Afghanistan. He is the one who inspired my solo last year. When I'm Gone was all military themed and was definitely one of my favorite dances I have ever done. I learned from that dance that having a passion and a meaning behind a dance can really make it that much more inspirational and touching. I am really excited that my solo this year is going to, hopefully, have the same impact and the same effect.

I will be back in the studio again soon and I am hoping to get another portion of the dance done. I think if I concentrate I might even be able to get the dance done. Who knows we will have to see!

This is the first post of spring break...and get ready there are going to be a lot more!

This is also the picture of my at our regional competition where I  won forth place (out of 23 girls) with my solo! So exciting!