How are things?

Oh hi there, just checking in. Yeah, I know it's been awhile since I've kept in contact much. I've been busy you see...and well just plain lazy. But absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? I'm pretty tired right now and have another busy few days ahead of me, but when we chat again, please remind me that I need to post about a few things. For instance how it was one of my favorite holidays and also the fact that one of my best friends got married. Just minor things ya know.

Just another day at the office

Not everyone gets to see their co-workers in national publications. I however, do. This is one of Ballet Arizona's principal dancers, Natalia Magnicaballi and a review on her performance with the Suzanne Farrell Company. She's kind of a big deal. She's also stunningly beautiful and very sweet.

http://www.dancemagazine.com/reviews/March-2010/The-Suzanne-Farrell-Ballet

Emo = Emotional

As V-day (you know, that mushy holiday that only a few special people get to participate in) approaches this weekend, I've been making more observations on people and how they relate to each other. Since I have the pleasure of working at a romantic date spot for the big tacky/un-matching holiday (I mean honestly, pink and red just do NOT go together!) I've been talking to a lot of men and women as they plan their big date. It's cute, I have to admit, but sometimes it just makes me want to barf. Maybe that's just the bitter defensive part in me coming out. But I've realized that I have walls up like to protect myself.

I have to protect myself more than the typical 20-something girl having fun because I can get real emotional. Not usually drama emotional like in a soap opera or something, but more like I can feel my emotions physically. While I was discussing with my friend/roommate about the topic she described it as your insides hurting (when it's a negative emotion) and that's the best I can describe it as. We watched Dear John at the theater tonight and I honestly had a steady stream of tears down my cheeks the entire dang movie. The romance part got me, the war part got me, the father son part killed me...basically, I'm just a bleeding heart. It's kind of ridiculous actually. I almost feel like it's not totally normal. Movies, books, songs, plays, ballets, stories, letters, memories....doesn't matter. I can feel it.

It's not always a depressing negative thing of course. It can happen in the opposite extreme. When I'm happy, or have happy movies, songs, etc I'm really happy. I guess it's just like when someone is extra athletic or has unusually flexible muscles... my emotions are just really flexible. I guess I just have to make sure and be smart about my emotions. Be careful how I let myself use them and probably should do a warm up or cool down haha.

I guess that kind of makes me a little bit emo? I do really enjoy the eyeliner after all.....

Battle of the States round 2

Night Life

Back home didn't have much to offer in terms of "night life" other than dive bars.

PHX has plenty of options. You will even have celebrity sightings like I did last Saturday night.

I saw this guy

and this guy

If you just left it at that it would be PHX 1, Pville 0. But you have to factor in the other patrons of these places...such as this guy

(PHX has waaaaaayyyyy to many of them.)

And a ton of these....

(classy)

So those dive bars are sounding a heck of a lot better.

I'm just gonna call this one a tie.

Battle of the States round 1

My brother and his friends went to a football game in Ohio on January 3rd. This is them....

My friends and I went to a football game the ver next day, January 4th in Arizona. This is us....

We win! Weather is much nicer for January football games out here. We have way less clothing which makes tailgating, (no frozen beer or gel propane here!) or using the restrooms much easier.

AZ- 1 point.

Visions of Sugar Plums Dance in My Head...allllll day long!

This past month has gone by in a bit of a blur...a blur of picky families purchasing tickets, nutcrackers, screaming children, and lots of ballets (and maybe a couple of a drinks to help). The Nutcracker is a beast. It's the bread and butter of any major ballet company and Ballet Arizona is not different. It's a magical production that helps to put you in the holiday spirit...however, it can be a bit painful for those of us working every single show. All. Twenty-One. Shows. Being super friendly and helpful with a giant smile on your face to all those families who want and expect the perfect experience can be a tad bit draining. However, I've managed to weather through 17 of the performances looking pleasant and happy to help. So far, no yelling from customers. (Huge success let me tell ya!)

So before I run off to our Christmas party, I thought I'd share the happy parts of the Nutcracker Experience. (And just in case you are wondering, we have our company party on Christmas Eve because 1) most of our dancers (and some of us staff members) aren't from here and don't have family parties 2) it's our only day off!)

1. Watching all the cute little girls come in their holiday dresses

2. Comparing dancers in different roles and discussing / judging

3. Sneaking into the Loge for a private view of the show

4. Watching the glittery snow scene onstage every night since I can't have the real thing

5. Flirting with the Symphony Hall staff (gotta keep it fun!)

6. Joking around with other staff members to pass the time

7. Drinks in between shows with fellow staff members

8. Free coffee from cute Symphony Hall boy

9. Having an excuse to dress up every day.

10. Interpreting favorite parts in the lobby while no one is around.

And now I'm off to eat, drink, and be merry with the Sugar Plum Fairy, Cavalier, & Mother Ginger!

Empire State of Mind

Turkey, Football, and Family usually makes up my Thanksgiving day, but since moving to Arizona things have been a little different. The past few years I've spent the big dinner with some family and their friends. A different experience rather than surrounded by my entire family back home. This year was a little different. I finally, (finally!) took my sorority sister up on her offer to go to New York City with her family for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I've been wanting to go so badly for the past 3 years and always stopped myself due to my work schedule and dwindling bank account. Sometimes you just reach a point where you just don't care though, and that was this year. As work is getting hectic, I knew it was my last chance at a vacation and God gave us plastic for a reason right?

So off to New York I went. The plane ride was interesting because I sat next to guy about my age who liked to chat (but not too much so I could still nap and read). Turns out he's a producer for MTV so that was an interesting perspective. Basically we just made fun of all the passengers around us. Like the lady that walked down the aisle with a swine flu mask. We both just looked at each other and grinned. I like how sometimes people have the same sense of humor and you don't have to say anything. He turned to me and said "I just want to sneeze on people like that". I thought it would be pretty amusing to watch. Hey, what else are you going to do to entertain yourself on a 5 hour flight without video?

Once I landed in Newark International, I started my brave city experience. Small town girl attempts to conquer city public transportation to Manhattan.

Step 1. board Airtrain and travel to NJ Transport station. Relatively easy since it's a new thing and they had so many helpful employees directing people without even being asked. (maybe I just had that look on my face, but I still didn't ask!).

Step 2. transfer from Airtrain to NJ Transport heading to Penn Station. Success. I even sat with a Marine on the way home to the city to visit his grandmother. We chatted and the 30 minute ride flew by.

Step 3. Navigate my way out of Penn Station at the start of a holiday weekend (dangerous). Then walk and try to find a cab not taken. Difficult. Walking briskly in the chilly air amongst New Yorkers felt so invigorating that I decided to just keep going the rest of the way to the hotel.

Step 4. Meet my Little (Beth) at the corner of 34th & Times Square. Squeals and Hugs ensue as we go to our room at the Westin. Pat myself on back for ease of navigating the big city.

The rest of the weekend flew by in a flash. Lots of laughing, amazing dinners with Beth's family, bottles of Prossecco with Thetas, heart to hearts, drooling over designer dresses and shoes in the windows at Saks, THE PARADE OF A LIFETIME, famous people performing right in front of my seat under the marquis, mobs of people on black friday, shopping at MACYS, wearing scarves and winter coats, and then sadly goodbyes to the city and my friend.

Retrace steps back to airport (only nervous for a teensy bit that I might not be on the right train. thankfully that was the case). Then long flight back to PHX. Sadness Ensues.