One More Chapter
A twenty two year-old's view on life, death,
and Taylor Swift conspiracy theories
and Taylor Swift conspiracy theories
That's right, it's competition season! I have been noticing my studio posting their countdown to their first competition of the year and it has made me undeniably nostalgic. So today I am writing in hope of describing this magical experience us dancers call Regionals. Arriving At the HotelCompetitions usually take 2 - 3 days and run from very early in the morning to very late at night, so it's imperative that everyone stays in a hotel nearby so we are actually able to get a reasonable amount of sleep. Plus, it's a great way to bond with your fellow dancers. It's like a giant family vacation - except you can't forget that you're there for a reason and need to stay focused. But getting to the hotel is one of the best parts. Everyone is running on adrenaline and anxiety, excited for what the weekend has in store. When you get there and start running in to everyone it really sets in that you're at competition. It's all been leading to this. Usually my mother and I would unpack our belongings, check again that we have all my costumes and accessories, then join up with my friend Claire and her mother for dinner. The tradition itself was something special and never failed to get me into the competition mind set. In the morning we all get ready - or partially ready - then eat breakfast in the small area where they have the Continental Breakfast every morning for guests. The food they fed us there could hardly actually be called "food" but for some reason it was the greatest thing we'd ever tasted. Arriving at CompetitionYou first arrive to the venue and you hear the music, see all the dancers in costume, and breathe in the overwhelming stench of hairspray in the air and you know that it's time to seriously get to business. Usually, on the way to the dressing room (which you can't wait to get to because you're holding all your costumes in one hand and are pretty sure your arm will give out at any second) you'll most likely pass the picture station and a few miscellaneous girls stretching in ways you could only dream of. Panic begins to set in. Once you reach the dressing room the first thing you need to do it secure a spot for your studio somewhere in the usually way-too-small-to-possibly-fit-everybody-space. It's usually a cafeteria or curtained off section behind the stage. And once you've secured the best spot, it's time to finish getting ready and start rehearsing. The Waiting GameThe worst part of competition is when you must wait fifteen songs for your dance. Watching others doing an amazing job makes you feel extremely anxious and fidgety. It's also extra frightening when your next performance is your most difficult routine. The absolute worst is when you are last to go so you have to sit through one hundred numbers, slowly going crazy and going over your routine again and again in your head. AwardsAfter you've preformed, you feel like you were on stage for two seconds and then it's on to awards, always a good time as long as you have enough leg room. If not, you're sure to be squirming in hopes that you can prevent both legs from falling completely asleep. Awards seem to go on forever only because you are usually so uncomfortable and sweating under the lights, but the anticipation makes it worth it. After wards you shake your legs out and walk in to the audience to meet your mom and teachers. Competition is over. It feels like it has gone by in the blink of an eye and it's always an amazing experience that brings us together. And not having something like this anymore is seriously a sad feeling. Thank you for reading, Amanda Lucille Song of the DayWhere We Gonna Go From Here by Mat Kearney
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About This Blog:I started this blog as a way to challenge myself to write more over the 2014 year, but it has blossomed into so much more than that. I use it to let people in on what's happening in my life, talk about things I find important and to spread the news about amazing people, places and art. Archives
November 2017
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