Day 65: December 30, 2010.

I'm really sleepy tonight, so this is all I'm going to say:
Class today at my old dance studio was awesome.
It felt so good to be moving after these two and a half weeks off.
And dancing in a room with such fun people.
A ton of dancers came out, both current students and LSB alumni, and it was really great that so many of the people that I've known and danced with for SO many years were all able to come together in the studio together again :)

Today, dance and being able to dance with such incredible and fun people make me happy :)

Day 64: December 29, 2010.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not really a huge fan of driving.  (One of the reasons why city livin' is fitting me nicely these days! Haha!)  I do enjoy driving when I come home for breaks, though, probably since I don't do it a whole lot anymore.  I do a lot of the driving for my parents, take my sister places...I don't mind half as much as I used to.  Today, some wonderful friends and I went out to shop at the Gabriel Brothers' discount warehouse in Winchester and I did the driving.  It's really easy to get to, basically straight down west Route 7.  It's a gorgeous drive.  It's amazing how one county has such different areas.  Western Loudoun is so much different than the places I'm familiar with (Ashburn, Leesburg and Reston mostly, with a little knowledge of a bit of Sterling), and it extends on forever!  It was such a pretty drive (and without any traffic!), and I really enjoyed seeing such beautiful trees and farmland and sky.  It was definitely an enjoyable drive and the people I was with made it all the more fun! :)

And the fact that I saw this in a vending machine today made me literally L.O.L.

It's a dill pickle?

Today, beautiful scenery, traffic-less drives and random pickles in vending machines make me happy :)

Day 63: December 28, 2010.

First of all, Despicable Me is THE cutest movie I've seen in a really long time.  Not to mention absolutely hilarious!
Those minions? The definition of awesome! :) Haha!

Tonight's going to be a wonderful evening.  I'm headed back out to Reston in a few hours for some ice skating and dinner-ing in the Town Center, but not before picking up some of the most fabulous ladies I'm lucky enough to have stayed so close with since high school graduation.  (I know it hasn't been all that long, but it's so easy to lose touch with people quickly, as I'm sure we've all experienced!)  Shiori and Meghann I've fortunately been able to see every so often on breaks here and there, but I haven't seen Taylor since just after graduation since her family moved down to Georgia right when we finished high school!  So this is really the first time I've seen her in a year and a half and I can't WAIT!  And being such close friends since the first day of freshman year, it's been really upsetting to not be able to just drive down the road to her house to hang out like we used to.  It'll be so fun to reconnect with some of my best high school friends while enjoying each other's company during a fun, winter-y activity in a fun little part of town! :)

Today, friendship and fun group outings make me happy :)

Day 62: December 27, 2010.

Coming at you live today from Nana and Pop-pop's in Reston, VA!
I was actually supposed to be in New York City right now.  Chase and I were going to head up today to see a performance tonight and then head back tomorrow, but thanks to the crazy snowfall in NY/NJ, all reasonable transportation options were cancelled.  It's really a bummer since the show is going to be spectacular (Merde to everyone dancing in "Prelude" tonight at The Joyce!), but getting to hang at my grandparents' house with the fam is a perfect alternative!

No matter how old I get, coming to Nana and Pop-pop's house is one of my favorite visits to make while I'm home.  I love the people, I love the area, I love the house...I was thinking as I turned into their street last week how much I'd love to live in this house someday (if only I could somehow get it to New York or find jobs dancing in Northern Virginia, neither of which are seeming like doable options for the time being! Haha!).  It's a fabulous house and a lot of time has been spent in it since the time I was born.  It sits in some of Reston's beautiful woods.  The front/side is spacious and has a great hill perfect for sledding.  The backyard has a big deck that feeds into the patio where us kids used to ride our plastic big wheels around and draw with chalk.  There's a woodshed where we used to play "Train" and pretend we were travelers going across the country on, you guessed it, a train, using rocks for fuel, sticks for steering mechanisms, upside down buckets for stools and seats, and we even had a map of the U.S. up so that we knew where we were heading.  Beyond that is the bike path...I used to go for walks back there all the time.  There was a swing set down the path in either direction that I liked to visit often.  There are tall, tall trees all over the place.  There's No Place Like Home! (a quote from Pop-pop's favorite movie) is painted over the window in the kitchen.  The SuperNintendo in the basement is still hooked up and still works.  (Morgan and I just came up from playing Mario World 3, actually!)  Holidays are held here.  "Spa time" happens frequently while I'm home (which is just me coming to visit to eat a lot of chocolate, watch some old movies and hang out and do nothing :))  This house is filled with a lot of memories and is one of the places that I look forward to coming back to the most when I'm home from school :)

I'll never get tired of this place :)

Today, Sourwood Lane and the home in the trees make me happy :)

Day 61: December 26, 2010.

I hope everyone's enjoying their day after Christmas!  Sorting through gifts, letting all that food settle...We've got round two of Christmas coming up within the next few hours at my Aunt's house for Dad's side of the family, so I figured I'd update this before the craziness of the day starts!

I love Sundays at home.  I may have already done a post on this, but if I have then I'm going to do another!  Sundays during the fall and winter were always my favorite days during high school.  Nutcracker season was in full swing, so after church, Chase and I would go out to lunch with his family (and sometimes even swing by the mall to do a little shopping after we'd had our birthdays and had gotten some birthday money from family!) before heading out to Leesburg for our afternoon rehearsals.  I loved coming home after rehearsal in the late afternoon and being able to wind down before a new week started.  Something about a fall and winter Sunday fills my heart with much joy.

Virginia Sundays are my favorite when I'm on break.  I love waking up on Sunday mornings and turning on my music and singing while I get ready for church.  I love going to church to hear the great sermons and being able to see so many fabulous people.  (I've got some of THE BEST friends!!)  Oftentimes I go over to Nana and Pop-pop's after service for lunch and to hang out.  It's something about the feeling I have when I wake up on these days...It's a peace and a rest that can't be shaken :)  Ahhhh, love it, love it, love it!

Today, the presence of Sunday makes me happy :)

Day 60: December 25, 2010.

MERRY, MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS, BEAUTIFUL FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!


I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas day, sharing in the joy and happiness of this day of celebration with loved ones!  It was a fabulous Christmas in the McGowan house, for sure!  McGowan family Christmases are pretty low-maintenance occasions, but that's one of my favorite things about the holiday! :)  Here's a little rundown of the day:

-Mom and Dad woke Morgan and me up at 9.  (Yup, this is the first year the parents have had to wake the kids up!  Boy, how times are changing!)
-Snow was falling from the sky.  Nothing crazy, but yes, a baby white Christmas was had :)
-Family presents/breakfast.
-Home screening of Despicable Me.  It was the first time I'd seen it and I absolutely LOVED it!  Those little Minions are too dang cute!
-Nana and Pop-pop's for some fun with the Sadlers and Rossbachs!
-LOTS of chocolate was consumed.  I just may explode :)
-Home to chill :) (And to watch The Goonies!  Haha!  Thank you Santa!)

It was such a nice day overall.  Nothing excessive.  Just family.  Some gifts.  Lots of conversation.  Tons of laughter.  And tomorrow we get to do round 2 with Dad's side of the family! :)

I'm SO thankful for the holidays and the family I get to spend them with :):)

Tonight on this Christmas night, low-key family gatherings, the family that gathers, and the ability for the family to gather make me happy :)

Day 59: December 24, 2010.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE, EVERYONE! 


Christmas Eve never feels like Christmas Eve to me.  It's always such a fabulous day and I always know that tomorrow is Christmas, I just find myself amazed every single year at how quickly the year went by!  It's so crazy to me!  Anyway, today really was a wonderful day!  I spent the day on "my" couch in my PJ's, watching the Christmas movies running on TV, hanging out with my sister...It was low-key, restful and I enjoyed every moment of the afternoon!  Tonight's 8pm Christmas Eve service at The Community Church was absolutely beautiful and the spirit of the season was apparent in the whole sanctuary between every member of the congregation!  :)

Some McGowan family Christmas Eve traditions are still held up, so after service, It's a Wonderful Life was watched, Christmas cookies were eaten (a LOT of Christmas cookies, I might add!), a fire's lit, Morgan and I got to open our "surprise" Christmas Eve gifts (pajamas as always!) the cookies and milk (and carrots for the reindeer!) were left out for Santa and the stockings were hung.  Mom had the camera and Dad had the video camera the whole time.

It was a successful Christmas Eve and I am more than ready to jump into the Christmas day celebration tomorrow morning and all the festivities that go along with it :)

Tonight on Christmas Eve of 2010, the spirit of the season makes me happy and I'm more thankful than words can describe for the people who I get to share it all with :)

Of course, let us not forget...

Luke 2:8-14--
  
  ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
 ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”


As spoken by Linus.....
A Charlie Brown Christmas! :)

Have a WONDERFUL Christmas, everyone :)

Day 58: December 23, 2010.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE EVE, EVERYONE! :)

Family get-togethers rock.  Tomorrow is my Uncle Will's birthday, so tonight was the McGowan birthday celebration for him.  My family (Mom, Dad, Morgan and me) met up with the family (Uncle Will, Aunt Janet, Amy, Aunt Shawna, Ford, Dan, Aunt Mary and Uncle Steve) in Reston at Champps restaurant for dinner and the present exchange before heading over to Aunt Janet and Uncle Will's house for the dessert portion of the evening.  It was just all-around fun!  Low-key but full of laughs.  No huge plans were made but enjoyment was had by all!  (I know I had fun!!)  

Uncle Will, Dad, Aunt Mary, Aunt Shawna!

I'm not sure we took one serious cousin picture!  They're nice and silly, though! Ford, Morgs, Amy, Dan, Me (Missing Russell!)

Tonight, family, birthdays, laughs and sing-alongs make me happy :)

P.S. Morgan and I made it out of Tyson's alive today after battling the last minute Christmas shoppers and the traffic that goes along with it all.  That makes me happy, too :)

Day 57: December 22, 2010.

I love days at home doing nothing.  All day today I laid on my couch in my pajamas with nothing that needed to be done and nowhere to go, except for picking up my sister from school.  She stayed at home and we looked through old photos, watched some movies and ate Chinese food for dinner.  It. Was. Perfection.

Today, days of complete rest make me happy :)

Day 56: December 21, 2010.

I spent almost all of my time at the Loudoun School of Ballet during my high school years.  From the time I was seven years old until I graduated, the Loudoun School of Ballet was where I developed my love for dance, where I received my training, where I was given performance opportunities as well as many others...Some of my closest friends are those who also went through the LSB journey.  Being together with people for as many hours as we were really forms a family.  And it's a family that's stayed strong even to this day, and for many more years to come I'm sure.

Needless to say, I love going back there.  I love being there...My house, my grandparents' house, my church and the dance studio are the four places that I consider to be "home" when I come back from New York, so I spend as much time as possible there either taking class, teaching, rehearsing, or helping out with rehearsals.  Each year on the Tuesday evening that last week before Christmas, the Jazz Company holds its final rehearsal before the studio opens back up in January when regular classes resume.  It was always one of my favorite ones.  Everyone's excited because school's about to be done for Christmas.  The studio is technically closed, so the only ones there are us, our company director/rehearsal directors and the parents who are helping with costumes, giving the atmosphere an energetic vibe.  It's also the night of the Jazz Company holiday potluck party/secret santa exchange (which is always a blast).  I got to go help out at this rehearsal tonight.  I got to see my pieces that I hadn't seen since setting them in August.  I got to see all the pieces live, actually.  Chase and Christine came.  Kristen and her new baby boy Hagan came.  My mom and some other sweet moms were there helping.  The dancers were tired but happy (having just finished their 2010 run of "The Nutcracker").

It was just so nice to be back "home" :)

Tonight, remembering all the fun I had at the studio, bringing those memories into my time in the studio now, and watching the younger dancers making memories of their own make me happy :)

Day 55: December 20, 2010.

I love talking with people.  I love talking with kids because they always have the funniest and cutest things to say.  I love talking with my peers and people around my age because we're all pretty much going through the same life stage, putting us on a pretty similar level.  But I find these days that I really enjoy talking with adults more and more.  I'm lucky to know such awesome, encouraging adults and the time I love the time I get to spend with them.

Today was one of those times.  This afternoon I met up with one of my elementary school teachers at the local Starbucks where we were able to spend a few hours chatting and catching up on all that's been going on over the years.  I've run into her on occasion in random places between fifth grade and now, but never in a place or position to have a real conversation.  It was SO nice to be able to sit with her, hear about what's going on with her, and share all that's going on with me!  I'm definitely very thankful for the time shared with such a great, fun teacher and friend! :)

Tonight, shared time, great conversation, and great company make me happy :)

Day 54: December 19, 2010.

I just finished my final take-home exam :)

I'm spending the night at my best friend's house :)

Today, Sundays in Virginia make me happy :)

Day 53: December 18, 2010.

Today was an all-around fabulous day :)
My body allowed me to sleep in until after 10, which is a pretty nice treat these days!  Even when I don't set my alarm on a Saturday morning, I still seem to wake up by about 8:30 (which I know isn't early early, but sometimes a little more time would be nice!)  I then went out to Loudoun Valley High School to spend the day with the Loudoun Ballet Company as they put on their first two of three shows for the weekend, the fourth and fifth out of six total.  Let me tell you, it was so nice to be back with my LSB/LBC family.  SO nice!

Since I was eight or nine, my family has participated in the Loudoun Ballet Company's production of "The Nutcracker," and over the years it's become a family affair.  It used to be just me dancing.  Then my sister started ballet and began performing as well.  Then when I became an Apprentice with the company, my mom became very involved in the wardrobe department, and now my dad's one of the busy backstage guys--laying the dance floors, doing the set changes, etc.  (He's even got a headset and walkie-talkie now.  It's serious business!)  It's been fun to see this tradition develop from what began as something the family could simply enjoy together to an activity that we're all so involved in!  :)

It's weird coming back and being on the other side of it all.  I still get there a good while before the show starts to see my old friends and the awesome crew who puts together such a fantastic production, but I don't have to worry about making sure I'm warmed up in enough time to get sewn into my costume to be backstage 15 minutes before curtain.  I don't have to stress about the performance...I can let myself enjoy it.  Though as nice as this is (it's definitely a change from what I'm still used to), I always find myself missing it.  Nutcracker season, as crazy as it gets, is one of the performance seasons that bring back the most memories.  So many hours are put into rehearsals, so much time is spent with friends, and so many audience members walk out of the theater each year with gladness, having been exposed to one of the most magical holiday ballets out there.

Nostalgia never fails to set in.

It was a beautiful day, spent with beautiful people, watching beautiful dancing, remembering beautiful times and enjoying this beautiful season :)

Tonight, all of the above makes me happy :)

Day 52: December 17, 2010.

I woke up to this view out my window this morning:

Snow on the ground.  Trees.  Silence.

I love living in New York City, but sometimes this is such a great change of pace for a while.

I'm currently sitting in my bed, comfy in my pajamas, music turned on and working on my last take-home final (which is a drag, but it'll be done before I know it!), and being able to look out my windows to see scenes such as these is such a treat :)

Today, snow, Christmas break, Virginia and the comfort of home (and pajamas!) make me happy :)

Day 51: December 16, 2010.

FALL SEMESTER STATUS: COMPLETED.

:)

Well, almost completed.  I just got out of my last exam I had to take here at school and while I still have to do the take-home final for my linguistics class (which will be done on the bus tonight and tomorrow at home so that it can be mailed in Saturday before it gets lost in the crazy rush of the last minute holiday shipping next week) my heart is at peace knowing that I'm pretty much done :)  In just over 2 hours I'll be sitting on a bus getting ready to pull away from the corner at 34th and 8th, head through the Lincoln Tunnel and make my way down the turnpike to D.C...To family, to friends, to holiday traditions...A lot is waiting at the other end of that bus trip :)

I've also gotten word that I'm going to be arriving to some snow.  I'm very excited about that as well :)

This semester has been a great one.  A lot of work has been done, a lot of opportunities have been presented and taken, MANY laughs have been shared, and I feel that the past four months have set up what is going to be a fabulous spring semester!

But for right now, I'm thankful to be finished and breathe easy again.  (It's interesting...I actually feel as though I hold my breath for weeks at a time...When a stressful or anxiously anticipated situation is over, I become conscious of the fact that I really wasn't breathing deeply and steadily while I was working through it!  So to say that I can now "breathe a sigh of relief" is a true statement!)  I'm thankful to know that all the hard work put in over the last 14 (ish?) weeks has paid off and I can fully appreciate this month of "rest" (not completely, but more than usual!) and take advantage of the downtime to heal this exhausted body!  (As I hope ALL you Tisch dancers are planning on doing! :))

Today, on this first evening of Christmas break, work makes me happy, accomplishment makes me happy and rest makes me happy :)

Day 50: December 15, 2010.

Well, my friends, we've reached the 50th day of "The 'Like' List."  To everyone who follows regularly, I thank you for taking a minute or two out of your day to read up on what I put on here!  If you haven't already, I highly recommend starting one of your own.  It doesn't have to be public like this, but this little exercise is not only fun for me, but I wake up each and every day knowing that even on the worst of bad days, something is going to make me smile, make me laugh...There will be something about my day that will be enjoyable :)

I feel today's post should be some kind of momentous event or something, but it's going to be pretty normal I'm afraid!  Today actually has been a pretty big day, though...First of all, it was the final day of classes here at NYU.  This was also the last day of my sophomore semester of college!  For those of you who don't know, the dance program here at Tisch is only three school years long.  We do three school years and two 6-week summer sessions in between the first and second and second and third years.  (I love this setup.  Seeing as my dance career really will only be as long as my body will allow--hopefully that will be plenty long!--I think it's great that they get us out as early as possible while still giving us a full college experience and exposure to so many things).  This was my final day as a sophomore in college.  In January when we return from Christmas break I'll be counted as a junior.  When May rolls around and that semester is finished, I will also be finished with my academic requirements, meaning that when I return in the fall (as a senior?!) I'll only have to worry about my dance classes and rehearsals with the expectation of adding a job into the mix in the mornings as well.  No longer will I be taking tests or writing papers :)

I was thinking about all this before I went to bed last night (well, early this morning...my study session ran a little later than I'd anticipated but I was on a roll!) and as I danced or sat through each class today it really hit me that today kind of concludes another mini phase of my life.  (And that I go home tomorrow for winter break.  I still can't believe the time has flown as fast as it has!)  I'm thankful for that, though.  Because whenever a phase comes to an end, a new one is starting.  2011 is going to bring a LOT of things.  And I'm more than ready to dive into it all :)

But let's not think that far tonight.  Let's get to Christmas break first :)

So today, on this 50th day of my "Like List," optimism and excitement for new challenges and thankfulness for what has been accomplished make me happy :)

Day 49: December 14, 2010.

This has been a fabulous day so far, despite the fact I slept an hour past my alarm.  (Haha! YIKES!)  Let me tell you why.
Long story short, I will never, ever get tired of having Christmas parties at school.  Christmas parties are fabulous in general, but the school ones are always the best in my mind.  I think it's probably because they happen during a time that would usually be spent doing work, but regardless they're always just the most fun!

A great Christmas party is always thrown by the Tisch dance department and this morning was the morning!  At 11:30 after ballet we all gathered on the second floor to eat food, listen to music and talk and laugh and simply enjoy each others' company as this semester comes to a close.  It's always so nice to have everyone together in a laid-back setting like that; our days are so crazy and even though we all spend so much time in that dance building, it feels like we never really see some people due to opposite schedules!  It was definitely a great time had by all!

These Christmas parties are also a ton of fun because after we eat for a few minutes, the floor is opened to people or groups of people who have a talent or skit or anything they'd love to share with the Tisch family...It's like the Tisch Dance Variety Show, and almost every performance--most being funny skits--have us audience members laughing so hard!  Inside jokes and typical, everyday occurrences are taken and used in hilarious, over-exaggerated ways that never fail to make me smile!

Today, awesome friends and sharing in the holiday spirit with one another make me happy :)

Day 48: December 13, 2010.

Monday is over.
It's snowing outside.
3 days from right now I'll be in a bus to D.C. for winter break :)

Tonight, calm December nights make me happy :)

Day 47: December 12, 2010.

It's been a rainy Sunday here in NYC.  I'm really wishing that rain were snow, but I'm sure I'll be enjoying a good snowfall soon enough :)  I have faith it'll come!

I just left a concert that was held over at the dance building.  One of our accompanists (Hayk, who plays the awesome music during ballet classes!  Check out previous posts for more on that!) puts them on from time to time.  He and some classical musicians he knows come in and put together a short program of works from various composers.  This was the first time I'd been to one of these showings, but I have to tell you I'm SO glad I did!

I really enjoy classical music.  I always forget that because, I'll admit, it's not in any of my go-to playlists on my iPod, but when I do listen to it I'm ALWAYS reminded of how much I love listening to those beautiful compositions!  When I was younger I spent a lot of time at my grandparents' house...Both of my parents worked in offices not in our home so Nana and Pop-pop watched me on a regular basis.  I was just reminded of the years growing up with them today because as long as I can remember, classical music was always playing in their house.  In the car, in Pop-pop's office upstairs, in the den while we were eating dinner...Pop-pop would sit in the living room while I practiced piano in the evenings, when the Rossbachs would come over, Peter would get out his violin and Chris would sit at the piano...Sometimes on Sunday afternoons they'd take me into D.C. to Constitution Hall to see the U.S. Army Orchestra (I think--I could be wrong...They were phenomenal though!)  Between the classical compositions sounding softly throughout the house and the classic musicals I watched on a regular basis-Carousel, Meet Me in St. Louis, Oklahoma, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers are some of my favorites to this day--I was exposed to SUCH a beautiful collection of music growing up that seems to get lost in the mix these days.

I was just reminded of all of this as I sat and listened to the musicians play this afternoon :)  They were incredible and it was such a treat for us to be able to enjoy the talents of such amazing artists in such a nice, relaxed, personable environment!

Today, the timeless beauty contained in the classics makes me happy :)

Day 46: December 11, 2010.

I love to smile and laugh. I love it when my stomach and cheeks hurt from laughing too hard, and I will forever stand by the conclusion that laugher is the best abdominal workout you could possibly do! Haha! :)

Today, the freedom to do both of those--smile and laugh--and to do so often thanks to the incredible friends and family I'm blessed to be surrounded by make me happy :)

Day 45: December 10, 2010.

This has just been a really great week.  It started with the gala.  It ended with being fully surrounded by the Christmas spirit.

Today, life makes me happy :):)

Day 44: December 9, 2010.

If I wasn't in the Christmas spirit before today, I am now!  I got a surprise package from the Rossbach family of Fairfax, VA (my awesome aunt, uncle and cousin(s)--Peter's at school, but he's included of course!) containing a Christmas stocking filled with these goodies:

Today, unexpected, holiday spirit-filled surprises make me happy :)

Day 43: December 8, 2010.

Dave Barnes is one of my favorite singer/songwriters.  I listen to his music all the time!  Until You will always be one of my favorites of his songs, along with the entire What We Want, What We Get album, his sophomore release.  He also released a brand new Christmas album this holiday season titled Very Merry Christmas, which is nothing short of fabulous!  (Some brand new songs are great to throw into the mix of old classics!)  If you haven't heard his music, I'd suggest you check him out!  You won't be disappointed!

But along with being a talented musician, Dave Barnes is also quite the comedian.  Actually, he's VERY funny.  At least I think so!  He's got a bunch of videos up on Youtube that never fail to make my day, no matter how many times I've watched them!

Today, installment number five of his Christmas Extravaganza videos went up!  (FINALLY!)
Each year, he puts together a funny holiday skit and sings us Christmas carols complete with random accent, tacky sweaters and tons of Christmas spirit.  It's hilarious.  Hiiiiiiiii-larious!

Today marks the addition of the 2010 segment :)

CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA, PART 5

I'd suggest you watch it :)  And please watch the first four as well.  Then go watch his workout tutorial, followed by his "Granny" impersonations.

SO. AWESOME. SO. FUNNY.

Today, Dave Barnes and his willingness to be absolutely ridiculously goofy makes me happy :)

Day 42: December 7, 2010.

I've been absolutely exhausted all day today.  Between the 20 hours of rehearsal put in for the gala in such a short amount of time to the adrenaline rush of the whole experience yesterday, I was hit with that post-performance crash when I woke up this morning!  (Luckily I got to spend the night and morning in the hotel with my awesome mom, who came up and watched the gala.  It was really weird when she got off the subway at 34th Street to catch her bus and I kept going the next three stops to Union Square, but though it was short lived, I appreciated time and her willingness and excitement to come to the city for less than 24 hours nonetheless!!)
At this point, knowing that I really am going to be pretty much coasting through the next nine (well, eight) days is enough to keep me breathing with as clear a mind as possible.  I've got two in class finals, one take-home, and a few more busywork assignments to get finished, but that's it, folks!
My bus ticket has been reserved for next Thursday :) After my music exam I'll be grabbing my bags and making my way uptown to the corner of W. 34th St. and 8th Ave. to catch a Washington Deluxe bus to head on back to VA for a few weeks of family and friends!  I'm so looking forward to all that is to come!

But at this moment, taking a night of rest without schoolwork makes me happy :)

Day 41: December 6, 2010.

I'm sorry this is a day late! Unfortunately I had no access to any computers yesterday due to the hectic schedule of the events of the day, but here's why it was a fabulous day :)

First of all, my dance history final paper is turned in and out of my hands!  That's always SUCH a happy time :)

Secondly, and probably one of the more exciting experiences I've had in my dance "career" thus far was performing at the Tisch Gala.

Click here for an article :)

It truly was a spectacular event, and we knew it really was real when the first dressing room we came upon was Robin Williams' (the second being Whoopi Goldberg's), after having to enter through the theater's stage door.  We were given real tags on real lanyards with a card labeling us as part of the "Tisch Gala-Cast."  We had hair and makeup stylists doing our, you guessed it, hair and makeup, making me feel very professional in my 1950's-inspired look.  The red carpet outside the theater welcomed the night's celebrity appearances, financial contributers and all other ticket holders.  Marsha Gay Harden chatted with us backstage as she and Jesse L. Martin (for you musical people, the original Collins in Rent on Broadway and in the feature film, for you TV fans, a Law and Order regular--whether that's past or current I'm not sure) waited for their cue to go on stage to give the opening words for the night's performance.  We danced on stage with some members of one of the notable jazz bands that performed at 111 Second Avenue (the current home of Tisch's dance department, a.k.a. where I spend many waking hours of every day) who performed there in the '50s when it was a public dance hall during the jazz sessions that Billy Crystal's dad ran.  In between his short spiel and our closing number, during Billy's acceptance speech after he'd received his award, Robin Williams chatted with us backstage for a bit.  Tony Bennett and Dustin Hoffman were spotted during the dinner reception afterwards.

I'm feeling like saying I was "star struck" is a bit of an understatement :)

Today--well, yesterday--the ability to share the stage with and be inspired by such great talent, and the great blessing it was to share in the whole experience with the people that I did makes me happy :)

(Tisch dancers for the 2010 Gala :))

Day 40: December 5, 2010.

Tomorrow night I get to perform alongside an amazing cast of dancers chosen from NYU's dance department at the annual Tisch Gala fundraiser.

We'll be performing here at Rose Hall in Lincoln Center:

The theater seats 1,100 and we've been informed that it's a sold out show :)

At the end of rehearsal this evening, we'll have rehearsed for tomorrow's performance a total of 20 hours in five days and I've got to say, some awesome, upbeat, energetic numbers are going to be opening and closing the show!  This is an incredible opportunity for us all and I'm so thankful to be able to be a part of this experience!  Especially since we're going to be sharing the stage with a number of acclaimed celebrities, from various Broadway performers to film and television actors and actresses to Honoree Billy Crystal himself.  

And my mom is coming up to watch and take part in all the fun herself :)

Today, exciting performance opportunities and the artistic community make me happy :)

Day 39: December 4, 2010.

To all who have been following this blog, I want to apologize that the past few entries have been short with little explanation.  Because of the amount of things that have been going on and how little time there is to even breathe, let alone get anything done, my brain is just about fried and I actually can't even think complete thoughts anymore.  (Or hold decent conversations with meaning!  Haha!)  I promise when things slow down I'll posting like normal!

But for today, this really needs no explanation.  This is something I'm thankful for every single day, especially in stressful, frustrating times such as these:

Today, this Book and every piece of wisdom and knowledge it contains makes me happy :)

Day 38: December 3, 2010.

FRIDAY :)


> Surprisingly good ballet class this morning!
> Dance history paper...well on its way!
> Gala rehearsal tonight!  SO much fun!  (If I was unsure before, I'm completely sure now...I think it would be absolutely amazing to dance on Broadway.  Here's to hoping it's in the cards for me!)
> Pandora Christmas radio.
> Oatmeal.  Any time of the day.
> A makeup-free face and sweats.  (Love my "job"!)
> The fact that I was able to open my eyes and awaken to another new day :)

Today, the ability to find peace amongst the chaos makes me happy :)

Day 37: December 2, 2010.

I'm pretty sure every college student is fully aware of the fact that the fall semester is coming to a close.  In a few short weeks we'll all be shutting the schoolbooks for awhile and going into holiday/rest/family/friend/vacation mode.  Actually, I can only speak for myself, but I can say with confidence that I am already there for sure.  My mind is already set to December 16th, two weeks from today, when I'll be finishing my music final, getting on the bus with my suitcase and bags and heading south for a good few weeks of Virginia!

But that's not for two weeks.  I can't be so wishful about future events that I stop enjoying the things that are happening right now!  So today, these thoughts are what are going through my sleepy brain and keeping me going:

-Monday I'll be on stage at the Lincoln Center, dancing alongside Billy Crystal and other acclaimed celebrities.  We started rehearsing last night and it was a blast :)
-I'm really thankful for the dance teachers here at Tisch.  They know when we're dragging and are in need of a bit of a break, so toward the end of each rotation they've been known to have "chatting" days, which are just big discussion days.  No dancing, just talking.  Today was one of them in modern.  SO thankful.
-My weekly chiropractor appointment always makes me feel so much better after I leave the office.
-My friends rock.  They're just amazing.
-I love feeling healthy.
-I love the sun.
-I love music and singing along to it.

But the biggest thing these days that's keeping my stress level from becoming a monster of an emotional mess is the joyous spirit of the holiday season.  I know I keep dwelling on how wonderful this time of year is, but I really can't get over how happy I get when I just stop myself and think about the time of year we're in.  The holiday season is everywhere, so just knowing that I get to live my days consumed in its peace and spirit seems to overpower any frustration I find myself having, causing me to remember that it's all going to be okay in the end!

Today on this sleepy Thursday, it's the little things make me happy :)

Day 36: December 1, 2010.

I really can't believe that it's December 1st.  Where the heck has this year gone?!

Tonight's "like" is short and sweet...

Today, the 1014 Christmas Tree makes me happy :)

Day 35: November 30, 2010.

I posted yesterday about loving this time of year in regards to the Christmas festivities that are all around us.
I also love this time of year for another specific reason, and that is....

It's clementine season :)

I don't know about you, but I love these little suckers...for such a little fruit they're pretty dang delicious!  I love regular oranges, too, but rarely eat them because there's a lot of effort that has to go into peeling them before you can actually eat it!  Haha!  It may sound silly but it's true, which is why I enjoy these guys so much!  Plus since they're so small, I can snack on them all day :)  (And I never get sick of 'em!)  I always forget how much I really do like them until mid-November/December rolls around...Thankfully the time has come yet again for the clementine feasting to begin! :)

Today, these easy-to-peel, on-the-go friendly, healthy, and juicy and delicious seasonal treats make me happy! :)

Day 34: November 29, 2010.

I LOVE the Christmas season.
Everything about it.
Here in New York it's amazing the way the city lights up with the holiday spirit...Decorations everywhere, songs heard all the time (like in the grocery store tonight!  Made me so happy!)...They're right when they say NYC is a magical place this time of year.

This is not to say, though, that I'm not missing the Christmas season at home with my family.
Fall and early winter are the two seasons when I'm really aware of any onset of homesickness and I find myself walking through Memory Lane a little more often than usual.  Maybe it's because the weather's getting colder so the house just feels warmer.  Maybe it's because they're in the middle of Nutcracker season at my studio at home and that was such a huge part of my life since such a young age (and it's something I'm finding myself miss more and more each year that passes!).  Maybe it's because come Thanksgiving day the Christmas songs go on and throughout the house one can probably hear Mariah Carey, Dave Barnes, Jimmy Buffet, and Bing Crosby all at the same time!  (And feel free to replace those names with pretty much any musical artist who has a Christmas album out...I'm positive we've got it!)  Maybe it's because all the decorations at home and at church are up.  The spirit of the Christmas season is everywhere and while it's no hard task to find it here, it's just not quite the same!  And it's even more obvious how different it is when you find yourself thinking about wishing how you were home instead of going out an enjoying what's right before your eyes!

So that's why this made me REALLY happy today!  I posted awhile ago about the farmer's market at the corner of 2nd and 10th outside St. Mark's Church that's held every Tuesday.  Well, here's what I saw--and smelled!--as I walked to and from class today!  (Not the best pictures, but I think you'll get the idea..)

They've got the Christmas tree lot set up :)

For as long as I can remember my family has gone to cut down a fresh Christmas tree every year, so all through the holidays our house smells distinctly of wonderful pine.  As I was walking to class this morning I could smell the trees before I saw them and when I looked up there they were, lining the sidewalk and filling the square with bundles and bundles of cut trees.  There was even a little hut where they sold wreaths and other smaller holiday decorations.  I loved it :)  The scent and the sight was just what I needed to remind myself that even though I'm not exposed to some of my favorite holiday traditions and associations daily, there are still plenty of ways to find the same excitement as I'm blessed to know in my family's house in Virginia!

So on this Monday evening, Christmas trees, the Christmas spirit, and the fact that no matter where I am my joy for the Christmas season will never diminish make me happy :)

Day 33: November 28, 2010.

I am currently reporting en route to New York via 95 North, and I'd be fibbing a little if I said I was fully excited about it.  This always happens on Sundays, though...Sundays are home really are what I miss most, especially this time of year.  I got to see and talk a little with some of the most beautiful people I know at church this morning, so that on top of the wonderful amount of Christmas decoration's they've got up already made it harder packing up my suitcase to come back.

But now that I'm on the bus and headed back to my home, I'm remembering why I love living where I do, doing what I do.  Getting to see everyone tomorrow at the studio, getting to start rehearsing for the Tisch Gala on Wednesday night, getting to enjoy a few weeks of holidays in the city...I really have no room to complain. (And I really don't want to!)

But here in this moment, I'm thoroughly enjoying my travel time on the Vamoose bus line (first time riding this one..so far so great!)  I love bus travel.  Some people hate it, but I find the four and a half/five hours or so (or more if you hit bad tunnel traffic...) to be really relaxing for the most part.  Also, I managed to luck out with a seat to myself on this go-around, which is fabulous!  Of course I don't mind sharing when the bus gets really full and usually everyone keeps to themselves anyway so there aren't any problems, but it's always nice every once in awhile to be able to take up both seats and stretch out and enjoy some real "me" time.  Which is definitely what I do: nap, read, write, think...I'm always so thankful for this time to myself before jumping back into the chaotic whirlwind of a city that's waiting at the other end at 30th and 7th!

Also, this morning on my way to church something kind of cool happened.  I was stopped at the red light at the intersection of Claiborne and Hay Road when the woman in the little car next to me got my attention.  She rolled her window down, looking like she had something to say, so I did the same.  At first I was nervous, thinking she was going to critique my driving or something...I didn't think I was speeding or anything!  It turns out she saw the NYU stickers on the back of my car and was just taking a second to share that that's her alma mater, asking me what year I am and what I'm studying.  Just as the light turned green for us to go she gave me some words of encouragement and well-wishes for the rest of the semester, year, and college career.  I just really appreciated her taking the time to encourage a total stranger.

Today, my VA home, my NY home, my VA friends, my NY friends, my VA life, my NY life, and the consideration of complete strangers make me happy :)

Day 32: November 27, 2010.

This day.  Was fabulous.
This break.  Was fabulous.
God's love.  Is FABULOUS.

Today was my last full day in Virginia for the much-anticipated Thanksgiving break and I am more than happy to report that it fulfilled every expectation I had.  Honestly, I could use a few more days, but I know that I'll be home in less than three weeks and then once I get home for the long winter break I'll be complaining and itching to go back.  So here's to living in the present and enjoying what we've got right now!

Today was an awesome last full day home, though!  Friends (for some reason that doesn't look like it's spelled right? Haha!) AND family AND some "Michaela" time outside were all included into this day...Every moment was different, every moment was perfect!  Started off by sharing in some awesome conversation with an awesome friend over some Starbucks, followed by Thanksgiving leftover lunch at my grandparents' house (both of which took place in Reston.  I LOVE Reston, VA.  Especially this time of year with the trees being so big and their colors changing so beautifully!)  I was able to come home for a bit before heading out again for the evening and I couldn't stop marveling at the beauty of the world outside my window so I decided I had to get myself out into it for at least a bit!  It was freezing but that didn't take away one bit from the absolute beauty of my surroundings.  The sun was just beginning its descent into the Western sky, reflecting off the ripples of the pond at the Windmill Recreational Center close to my house and lining the fast-moving clouds with golden borders of brilliant light.  Even in Suburbia the purity and simplicity of God's Earth are still able to be found.  So awesome!  I then hopped in the car and headed up to Lansdowne to have, you guessed it, Starbucks! (YES!) with another beautiful friend of mine before both heading over to Josh and Crystal's (my old youth pastors from high school) to spend some time with some seriously AMAZING people!  Lots of loud laughter was had.  I so appreciated it :)

So this puts me here.  Sitting on my bed.  Unwillingly anticipating my departure back to the city tomorrow, but knowing that once I leave I'll be excited to back and to get back into dance classes and finish off this semester!  These last two and a half weeks will be killer, but the weight that will be lifted come December 16th will be so, so worth the effort :)

On this Saturday night (almost Sunday morning), home and everything and everyone that's associated with home make me happy :)

(P.S. I'm also loving that the Christmas decorations are well on their way to being up and that today in my house there were three different sources of Christmas music being played on each level of my house. Love it.  Love the holidays :))

Day 31: November 26, 2010.

This break has been one of the most wonderful breaks from school I've had to date.
Anyone who knows me well will know that I can be lazy, lazy, lazy!  When I have downtime, especially when I'm home from school on break, one can usually find me on my couch in my sweatpants doing absolutely nothing.  That's fine, but at some point it's time to say "Enough" and get back into the world!  This break so far has been a great balance of relaxation and reconnection and so far, it's been exactly what I've needed!

I went back to my high school today to watch the Stone Bridge football game.  I never went to many games while I was in high school but going back today was awesome.  It felt good to be back on home turf, being back in the place that I spent four great years of my school career.  Stone Bridge won today (GO BULLDOGS!) and while I'm excited about that win for them, I'm more glad about the fact that I was able to see so many people from my high school class, many of which I haven't seen since graduation.  Even if it was for only a moment or two, just being able to exchange a quick hug and a smile and a, "HEY!  How are you?!" was perfect!  This evening I was then able to spend some time with some girls from church who I always love catching up with!  They're such beautiful people and I'm so inspired by them every single day!  I'm also really happy to say I'm able to share time with some more fabulous people over the next day and a half before I head back to school Sunday afternoon.  Such beautiful people who are always constant reminders of what true friendship means!  SO AWESOME!

While Facebook and other technological means of communication are great for keeping in touch quickly and easily, nothing beats face-to-face conversation!  I'm SO thankful for all of the conversations I was able to be a part of today and hope that this serves as a precursor for what is to come in a few weeks over Christmas Break!!

Today, friends and home make me happy :)

Day 30: November 25, 2010.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!


I can't believe it's this time of year again.  It honestly and truly does feel like we were just celebrating Thanksgiving not more than a few months ago (not 12!), Christmas last week and ringing in the new year yesterday!  (Well, not really, but you know what I mean!)  I don't know about you all but I love, love, LOVE this time of the year!  I finally decided this year that autumn is my favorite season, and I think I decided that Thanksgiving may actually be my favorite holiday!

I don't like to celebrate the holiday season before Thanksgiving; 12 noon, for me, marks the true beginning of the holiday season.  When Santa rolls into Herald Square at the end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the holiday season has begun!  Thanksgiving is not only a day of giving thanks for all of our blessings (though every day should be a day of giving thanks!), but it's also day one of the Christmas season and what better way to kick start the holidays than laughing and eating and singing and dancing with family?!  I LOVE IT!!

The parade this morning was wonderful as always...Too many commercials but the fact that they were almost all holiday-related made them okay :)  My sister and I sat on our respective couches-well, sprawled out like vegetables, rather!-while Mom and Dad came in and out throughout the three hours, but making sure to be in the room at the end of the parade to watch Santa make his appearance, of course!  The kitchen smelled fabulous all morning--Dad put cinnamon buns in the oven for breakfast while Mom chopped and diced for the stuffing and mashed the potatoes.  It was the perfect setting for a post-parade nap, so my sister and I couldn't resist.  I'm so glad we gave in and did so because now we're up and ready to go for the food fest that's about to go down at Nana and Pop-pop's house with Aunt Mermie, Uncle Chris, Peter and Katie!  CAN'T WAIT!  And I'm ready to go, sporting leggings today instead of jeans...Elastic waistbands on this particular holiday are almost necessary :)  Also, did I mention the intense remote-control car races that are about to go down??  Yup, it's true.  Forget football!  We play our own games!!  Long story short, this family is in for a wonderful, wonderful afternoon and evening and I can't wait to get it all started!

What a day :)  I hope everyone is enjoying their Thanksgiving day as well, finding joy and celebrating in every blessing!!  And start blasting that Christmas music, hang those wreaths, get up those Christmas lights....the holidays are HERE!!! :):)

Today, the giving of thanks, holidays, family, and beautiful combination of the three make me happy, happy, happy :)

Day 29: November 24, 2010.

I love being home.  I love being home.  I love being home.

I've got so much joy taking over my whole self right now :)  So much happiness!

Today a very close friend of mine and I were able to spend a few hours together sippin' on Starbucks and sharing life updates and happenings with one another.  Corinne and I have known each other since kindergarten and even through life's craziness, and the fact that almost all of what each of our respective lives entail is completely different, the solidity of our friendship remains constant and I feel like these first 15 years of friendship are a pretty good indicator that many years, many laughs, and many more coffee dates are still in store!

And it turns out I'm going to get to see another of my friends for some wonderful conversation as well in just a little bit!  Shiori is another one of my closest friends...We met in middle school and have yet to part ways!  So thankful for, again, for the strength of real, genuine friends like her!

Both of these girls and their beautiful hearts are such blessings in my life!  I can't really express in words the extent to which my gratitude extends for them, but I'll just say this...I pray that you have a "Corinne" or a "Shiori" in your life...I pray that you have an longtime friend who you know remains no matter how far apart you may be or how many days go by without an exchange of conversation.  While immediacy is ideal, it's actually unnecessary for true friendship to last.  It can withstand more than we may perceive!

Today, these friends make me happy :)

Day 28: November 23, 2010.

We finally made it home for Thanksgiving break :):) After a long drive through Pennsylvania on a seemingly never-ending stretch of road, we finally pulled into Ashburn and I could exhale a sigh of thankfulness for the few days that are to come :)  It's wonderful to be back!

On the way home I found myself totally awestruck by the beautiful painting of a sunset that stretch across the sky.  It wasn't one of those split-second sunsets, but it stayed plastered across the sky for a good long while.  We were allowed plenty of time to look at it and appreciate it for each and every unique piece of it, all of which made up the sight before our eyes.  I kid you not when I say it was one of the most stunning sunsets I'd seen in a long time.  

I posted this as my Facebook status when I got home:

"I look up and the night sky blows me away with its simplicity: a no-longer-full moon hangs behind a thin haze of fog, illuminating the choppy clouds so as to separate them visually from the deep blue expanse serving as its backdrop. A Virginia night sky is not a NYC night sky, neither one better nor worse than the other. Both beautifully different. I feel so blessed to have the best of both worlds."

One simple sunset-actually, this particular one was quite complex in its kaleidoscope colors and patterns that shifted and changed for about an hour before dulling down as the sun made its final descent, but that's beside the point-caused me to compare the beauty of my current home in New York City to the beauty of my home that could never be replaced here in Virginia.  Neither one, like I said, is better or worse than the other.  They're just different, and it's those differences that I'm most appreciative of.  

Tonight, natural beauty and my homes make me happy :)

Day 27: November 22, 2010.

I'm too lazy and tired to type tonight so here it is:

1. I go home tomorrow.
2.. Ben and Jerry's.
3. Tim Tams
4. I start Thanksgiving break tomorrow.

Tonight, ice cream (and dessert in general) and nice breaks make me happy!

Day 26: November 21, 2010.

Okay, as much as I've resisted I'm afraid I just cannot wait until Friday to start celebrating the holidays!  I'm just too excited about this time of year!  I guess you could say that my real submission to the temptations took place yesterday when I FINALLY got my first holiday cup from Starbucks; I actually got a tea before rehearsal only due to the fact that over the past few weeks I've been experiencing serious jealousy for all those I've seen on the streets holding the holiday cups!  Haha!  I think the only reason I haven't had Starbucks in the past two weeks is because for some reason I felt that if I had one myself I'd be celebrating the Christmas season.  But whatever!  The time has come!  I've had my first holiday-season chai in my first Starbucks holiday cup and I'm ready to start singing the carols and cut down the tree! :)

Today only added to my sudden burst of holiday spirit...Christmas lights are going up all over the city, carols are playing in every store, the weather is wonderful and cold (I wore a sweater today..I was very happy :)), and to top it all off, my family and I went to see the Radio City Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall tonight.  That's it!  The holiday season is here!  And when Santa pulls into Herald Square at noon on Thursday at the conclusion of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, it will have begun for real!! :)

We also experienced a very funny situation on the subway ride home after the show tonight, which was exactly what needed to happen after getting on the wrong train, walking in every direction to find the subway station we had to be at and then having to wait for what seemed like eternity for the right train to come.  (It was the ultimate "tourist" moment.  I am ashamed.  Haha!) 

On the platform a man had set up his set of steel drums.  Honestly I was totally annoyed by it at first...I was tired, getting very cranky, and the sounds were echoing off the walls and inside of my head, not sounding pleasant in the least.  The only thing that made it fine in my mind at first was the fact that there was a little boy who was totally entranced in the music this man was playing.  I thought that was adorable.  Anyway, the train finally came and, of course, the steel drum player got in our car...with his steel drum set.  I thought to myself, He isn't going to start playing those on here.  He can't play those in here!  The second the train started moving and he had himself situated though, there he went.  The concert began.  But my annoyance with the whole thing went away, and it left fast.  The man turned it into a sing-along with everyone in the train (there weren't many of us but enough to have a nice little chorus going on) and, to my surprise, almost everyone chimed in!  Our concert master was steady singing the whole time, too; his words were mostly wrong but the joy behind his music was what made me happiest.  Between that and the willingness of the passengers to allow themselves to take part in the weird subway sing-along, I found myself enjoying every second of this train ride downtown!  It was definitely a great ending to a great afternoon :)

Today, the holiday season and the gift of music make me happy :)

Day 25: November 20, 2010.

THE MCGOWAN FAMILY OF ASHBURN IS IN THE HOUSE!
Well...IN THE CITY!
So excited to get to spend some time with them here before we all head home together on Tuesday!

TODAY, FAMILY MAKES ME HAPPY :):)

Day 24: November 19, 2010.

I love Fridays :)  And the fact that this one has finally come makes me a happy, happy, happy girl!  My family comes into the city tomorrow for a few days, I'm now only four days away from Thanksgiving break and I--WE!--have come to the end of another busy, hectic work week!  That's the best part! :)

I was done with all classes at 3:30 like usual, but when I usually go back to my room and start my late afternoon/evening of chill time (usually come Friday my body and brain are much and just want to relax and do nothing!), I decided to get myself down to the gym and do a quick workout.  I'm really glad I did.  Some people look at me like I'm crazy when I say "I'm going to the gym" due to the amount of dancing I do on a regular basis, but sometimes it's good to shake things up a little with something outside of a dance studio.  Now I can be a very lazy girl.  The big school-wide gym is located in my own building and I find myself struggling quite often to get myself down there, even if for only a quick half hour session.  I need to make myself remember how awesome it feels upon completion...I always feel totally revitalized and re-energized afterward!  Also, seeing as, A) the gym's, again, in my own building and B) there are TV's on each cardio machine (If I'm going to sit on the couch and watch TV all night, why not catch a half hour show while moving around a little, too?!) I really have no excuses!  There's no need to overdo it, but every so often for less than an hour at a time is a great supplement to my daily ballet and modern classes.  I'm definitely glad I used this late afternoon break today a little more wisely than usual because now I'm feeling good and ready to go for the second of three performances we have this weekend that begins a little later on!  I love the feeling of being healthy and I love the happiness that always accompanies that feeling! :)

On this Friday evening, a good workout and refreshed energy make me happy :)

Day 23: November 18, 2010.

I woke up this morning with this thought in my head:

"This is a great day to be alive."

That one thought has been with me all day.  And I can't give any specifics today as to why I'm feeling this way.  All I can say gladly with confidence is yes, today IS a GREAT day to be alive :)

Today, unexplainable happiness makes me happy :)

Day 22: November 17, 2010.

It's, as Winnie the Pooh would say, a very blustery day here in the beautiful city of New York.  And I'm loving it!  This post is short today, but as I was walking down the street on my way back from class for my short break just now, I couldn't help but smile.

The wind was literally knocking me over, and I couldn't help but giggle at the fact that I couldn't even walk a straight line.
The wind was also blowing the beautiful yellow and red leaves that have fallen around the pavement underneath my feet. Two things I love: fall and NYC.  It's awesome experiencing both at once :)
I'm totally comfy in my sweats and hoodie.  I could very well take real clothes to change into after dance before running to class, but I'm too comfy to do that!
The sun is shining, music was streaming into my ears, and really, I just have absolutely no complaints at this moment! :)

Today, weather, music, and city-walking so I can drink it all in make me happy :)

Day 21: November 16, 2010.

I woke up this morning to a very grey NYC sky this morning.  It has yet to start raining, but the clouds were enough to make this sleepy dancer want nothing more than to roll over under my warm covers and sleep for many, many more hours.  Ballet class was absolutely NOT my idea of a fun start to the day!  But since I skipped ballet yesterday (to "study"...Which became a nap really quickly!  Haha!) I knew that I really had to go.

Normally I love Tuesday and Thursdays.  It's pointe day, so we have Jolinda teaching us (my favorite ballet teacher at this school!), and the group of girls I get to take class with is just too much fun!  I always leave that class having had a great deal of smiles and laughs!  Today I wasn't totally sure I was going to be able to muster up any joy in that hour and a half class--or have the desire to find any, thinking I was going to have no choice but to give in to the exhaustion!--but I quickly remembered why it is I really love this class.

Not only do we get to have Jolinda on pointe days, but this rotation we also have my favorite piano accompanist for our class.  Long story short: he's awesome.  And today, his great playlist was exactly what I needed to get energized and ready for the long day ahead!  He always plays plenty of classical music (which is beautiful, of course!), but every few combinations we hear a melody that most everyone is familiar with!  Today he whipped out some awesome songs; I always get so excited when I hear something I can sing to!  (And yes, I will start singing!)

During todays class we got to dance to songs such as:
No Scrubs by TLC
Don't Cry for Me Argentina from Evita
Dancing Queen by Abba (To which Lila and I sang and danced on the side of the room while we were waiting for the other group to finish dancing.)


This is just a taste of a whole list of songs that started my morning off right!  
(Hayk is also known to whip out other fan faves like Hey There Delilah (Plain White T's), The Tourist (Radiohead), What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong), New York, New York (Frank Sinatra), Hallelujah (covered by about every artist at this point..haha!)  Lady Gaga is also known to be thrown into the mix on occasion!)


Basically, he was fabulous.  The music was just what I'd needed.  Ballet was better than I'd anticipated.  And the day has just kept rollin'!


(One more happy note....One week from RIGHT NOW I'll be headed home to Virginia for a wonderful break with some awesome, awesome family and friends!  WOOHOO! :))


Today, beautiful musical covers make me happy :)

Day 20: November 15, 2010.

Most every morning I walk down 11th Street to get to the dance studio.  This is one of my favorite little through streets in the area, so I try to make it a point to take this route so I can enjoy the relative quietness and the residential atmosphere, even if for only a moment.  Toward the 2nd Avenue end there's a line of trees that has gradually shifted color over the past few weeks, going from a vivid, lush green at the end of the summer to this gorgeous gold:

This photo taken on my phone doesn't do the color full justice, but just think in "city perspective."  These trees are surrounded on three sides by grey and black cement and pavement, and above us all a blanket of clouds was shielding the morning sun away.  Those factors made me even more aware of the beauty of the sight before me.  And just yesterday I was thinking about how I would love to get away from the city for a bit...Go somewhere that I've never been before and experience nature.  Give me trees and water...New England or somewhere southern--Tennessee maybe?--would be awesome, but I'm not picky!  This is a trip that's got to happen eventually.

But for now, this is as close as I'm going to get.

And I'll take it :)

So today, the little tastes of nature make me happy :)

Day 19: November 14, 2010.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHIORI!!  Today marks the 20th birthday of one of my closest friends!  So thankful to be able to call myself her friend!

For any of you who know me well enough, you know that I do not enjoy studying whatsoever.  Mainly because I just don't know how to study effectively (any good study skills or habits I may have developed in middle school and early high school were gone by graduation day and I can't seem to find them anywhere!), though my shift in priorities over the recent years along with simple laziness and apathy toward the subject matter have all played serious roles as well in the buildup of this annoyance I have toward academics.  Also, since somehow A's and B's are still somehow pulled off most of the time--I'd DEFINITELY being lying if I made you think otherwise (Haha!)--I just find that especially these days I'm too lazy to stress out too much!

Anyway, that being said, I'm happy to say that this has been me for the past three hours...

...and I've got to just keep truckin' along until my 6 P.M. rehearsal.  Way too much dance history, not enough brain capacity to retain all this information, but I'm so happy to report that today's serious study session hasn't been nearly as bad as my other (infrequent) ones have been thus far this semester!  By audibly singing my way through the afternoon with my music on and telling myself that while yes, it's a ton of information, but yes, I know that I DO know it better than I may believe has kept me confident, calm and happy!  I'm feeling that tomorrow when I go in to take this test I'll be pretty ready to go.  Either way, I can go into tomorrow knowing that I honestly put in my best effort and did all that I could to know everything about the material as I possibly could.  Thanks to my terrible study habits, that's not something I feel too frequently.  This will be a very nice change of pace :)

Today, academic productivity makes me happy :)

Day 18: November 13, 2010.

I think it's so interesting how people have such different eating habits!  Today's example, for instance, is how one eats a cupcake (or muffin or something of the like).  I eat mine bottom to top, saving the best part for last like so:

People think it's weird, but hey..Aren't we all?! 

Cupcakes and quirky, individual character traits make me happy :)