Months and months ago, I was contacted by “recovering” professional ballroom dancer Alana Albertson about two books she had written, set in the ballroom world. She graciously offered me the opportunity to read and review her books. I accepted, but I have been terrible in allowing other things to get in the way of me completing the reviews I promised her! No more delays! Here is my review of the first one I read (even though it is Book 2 of Ms. Albertson’s Dancing Under the Stars series).
Category: The Student Perspective
How to Cope with Loss – Part 2: “Supposed to” Days
In Part 2, I find myself starting to adjust to the idea I won’t be going to USDC, although it is still surreal. But the event hasn’t even started yet. This coming week is full of to-do’s and supposed-to’s that are no longer part of my story. But they remain, like cruel calendar reminders that pop up when my mind starts to relax and forget that plans have changed.
Read the whole How to Cope with Loss series here.
How to Cope with Loss – Part 1: Mourning the Untimely Death of My Future Self
We’ve all experienced great loss in one form or another. The cancellation of my trip to USDC is a great loss for me. As a way to cope and heal and, as always, to expose my darkness to the light in the hope of someone relating, I’ve decided to document the aftermath in a blog series. This is Part 1. I have no idea how many parts there will be ultimately. As many as are needed, I suppose.
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Countdown to USDC – 12 Days: Well, That Could Have Gone Better
Ever have one of those days where you just want to yell “I swear I’m better than this!” because the current evidence is indicating otherwise? Yeah, that was me during my last lesson.
I was such a good student. Arrived at the studio an hour before my scheduled lesson time. I did my stretches and I did a round of my bronze routines AND my silver routines, all on my own. The silver was a little questionable because I still don’t have all of the steps, angles, directions, etc. without Teacher leading me. But I got through them.
Then my lesson started. We were working on silver.
Countdown to USDC – 15 Days: Just Hold That Happy Thought!
Fun fact about the Girl with the Tree Tattoo: I love Peter Pan. I have loved the story of the boy who could fly ever since I was a kid. The first appeal was the ability to fly, of course. And the fact that this ability was within the grasp of the “normal” Darling children. All they had to do was think happy thoughts! And get a little fairy dust sprinkled on them, but I like to focus on the happy thoughts part of the formula. Just think how awesomely it can translate to real life – with positive thinking and a leap of faith, you can lift yourself up out of your every day existence into something magical! You can reach for your dreams!
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Countdown to USDC – 18 Days: “I Am Significant!”
I needed a pep talk to offset the negative voices in my head. I thought there might be others needing one too. So I decided to publish what I came up with.
“I’m not good enough.” “I don’t matter.” “I’m ugly.” “I’m unlovable.” “I don’t deserve to succeed.”
Everyone has thoughts like these. They usually originate from an external source, either direct or indirect. Sometimes from a trusted source. A careless comment or dismissive question can burrow deep in our brains and fester into something much more sinister. Someone you love and trust asks you why you bother doing what you do, it’s not like it’s going to take you anywhere. And, if you’re like me, the demons in your head latch onto that comment like it’s a precious metal and twist it and build it up until, in your dark moments, you find yourself thinking why am I doing this, I’m not good enough to “make it,” what’s the point.
Shared from WordPress – Introverts and Withdrawal
I’m not a complete introvert, but definitely lean that way. It explains why I’ve been having such anxiety over “just a team match.” It’s the first time I’m dancing my silver routines and I don’t feel prepared. I know I won’t ever feel fully prepared when it comes to dance performances, but I can feel prepared enough. As this insightful article explains, introverts need to feel prepared.
Introverts and Withdrawal: Why We Do It – http://wp.me/p1m4Ij-1SW
Tips for Stretching Your Dance Competition Dollars
I wrote an article for dancesportplace.com revealing some of my secrets to how I can afford to compete in this incredibly expensive sport!
Check it out:
When You’re the Only Student Going: Tips for Stretching Your Dance Competition Dollars
Countdown to USDC – 28 Days: Think Like a Champion (Don’t Freak Out)!
Less than a month until I get all dolled up and walk out on the floor at the United States Dance Championships. Less than a month! I’m currently on this rollercoaster cruising over hills of excitement and plummeting to valleys of terror and anxiety. In other words, everything is normal.
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The Dance For Life Ball – Another Dance Adventure!
This weekend included another dance adventure for Roomie and me! We volunteered at the Dance for Life Ball, put on by the CBZ Foundation. The CBZ Foundation is “a not-for-profit organization formed with the vision of helping youth dancers and those with disabilities pursue their education and competitive Dancesport goals.” It was formed in honor of Connor Bishop Zion, who was a latin and ballroom competitive dancer until he passed away at the young age of 21.
The Dance for Life Ball was a charity event for the Foundation, and I believe it was the first they had hosted. For 150 tax-deductible dollars, you got dinner, dancing, performances, and special appearances by ballroom celebrities. AND you got to be greeted by myself and Roomie since we were the ones checking people in and handing out programs. Pretty awesome, right? I’ll let the poster do the name dropping for me.
The Girl with the Tree Tattoo 