Category Archives: Florida

A Little Help From My Friends

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Although I’m thrilled with my cast and am enjoying getting to know them, I’ve started feeling a little homesick.  I miss my friends and my “normal” life.  Don’t get too concerned, I think exhaustion has just made me emotional.  Luckily, my friends in SF loaded me up with lots of little goodies that make me smile when I’m feeling blue.

Emergency kit and sunscreen

Emergency kit and sunscreen

At my going away party, I was given a few items that I would not have thought to buy myself, but that I really appreciate having.  The masterminds behind the party gave me a big bottle of sunscreen, to protect my oh-so delicate skin.  I’ve been applying some everyday before walking to the studio, and while I’ve still gotten a bit of color, this lovely banana scented bottle is the thing saving me from becoming a lobster.  Best of all, it makes me think of the awesome girls that gave it to me.

One of my other girls gave me a cute little baggy full of bandaids, motion sickness medicine, mints, and various other emergency items.  The bag is adorable, and all of the items were really thoughtful.  I’ve already gone through a pack of mints!

Knapsack of Hope

Lovely reminders

Another very close friend came to town to help me pack up my apartment.  She knew my bags were full, so she sent me the above photo with some sweet little reminders, rather than actual objects.  It came on a day that I was feeling pretty overwhelmed, and succeeded in restoring my hope and happiness.

Ferngully

“The Ferngully Tree”

Each evening when I walk home from the rehearsal studios, I smile as I walk past what I’ve dubbed “The Ferngully Tree”.  This bizarre, twisted tree reminds me of my sisters, and watching Ferngully with them when we were young.  I can’t wait for them to come visit in a few weeks!

Bed

My little room

My little bedroom is far from “homey”, so it’s been nice having these reminders of my support system.  While I’m still suffering from FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), I know these friends and family members will be available to encourage me while I’m away, and will be around when I return in 8 months.

To my friends and family, thank you and I love you!

Getting in the Groove

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Week #1 was pretty intense!  In addition to 6 days of rehearsals, I had orientation, new hire training, and a rather invasive medical exam.

At the studio, things move quickly.  We learn one or two pieces each day, and must be ready to run any number at any time.  We’re already 3/4 of the way through the Broadway show!  To keep the details straight, I’ve taken the advice of my old ballet mistress and have written everything down.  When we take 5, I write out my spacing, then at night, after the information has had a chance to “marinate”, I write out the choreography one 8-count at a time.  It’s a time consuming process, but it has been effective!

My cast, ready to rehearse

My cast, ready to rehearse

The style of movement is very different from what I’ve been doing the past few years.  I haven’t shimmied so much (not intentionally at least) since jazz competitions in high school.  I feel like my cast, composed almost entirely of re-hires, has a better grasp on the style than I do.  Thus, my main focus this week will be to work on how I’m doing each piece, rather than just what I’m doing.  It will be a challenge, but it will be fun.  I love all the music we’re dancing to, so even when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I can’t help but smile.

This week I’ll also be working on my monologue for the Chicago section.  I have to speak in Cell Block Tango!  I’ve never spoken in a performance before, so I’m a bit nervous!  More than anything, though, I’m excited.  I’ve always wanted to be one of the Merry Murderesses.  My coaching last week was to think “Stepford wife” or “Joan from Mad Men”.  I laughed, since I’ve actually been both of those for Halloween in recent years.  Apparently, I am this murderess.  Watch out, boys…

Time for a treat

Time for a treat

Sunday was my first day off since arriving in Florida, so I decided to treat myself!  I grabbed bagels with a cast mate, splurged on a pedicure, baked cookies, and enjoyed a movie night with the gang.  Silver Linings Playbook was as good as I’d hoped, though it was nothing like the book!  It was a great way to wrap up the first week on the job, and get ready for more madness Monday morning.

When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens

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Saturday night I left San Francisco, my home for nearly 4 years, to fly to Florida for rehearsals.  The last week in SF was bittersweet.  I had tons of fun, spending as much time as possible with friends, but also had a lot of work to do!

Luggage for the cruise

Luggage for the cruise

Packing my life into a storage unit was difficult!  It was also really hard to decide what I will need in the next 8 months.  I only can have 2 suitcases with me, so I had to leave many things behind.  All of my other things are strategically arranged in a 7″x10″ unit in San Francisco.  My movers arrived early Thursday morning, so I hadn’t actually finished packing yet!  They worked at lightning speed, so I left some nick nacks to deal with later.  They had everything else moved out and into the unit in just 2 hours!  The following day I finished boxing things up, rented a ZipVan for 3 hours, and with the help of some amazing friends, finished moving into the unit just in time.

Storage unit

Storage unit

I wanted to see as many people as possible, so in addition to a going away party planned by 2 of my girls, I had an endless stream of coffee dates, out of town visitors, and my weekly kickball mess.  It was a lot of fun, but there were still many people I wanted to see and spend more time with.  I’ve never been good with goodbyes, so leaving is always a challenge!

Socializing in SF... Sangria!

Socializing in SF… Sangria!

My new “crew” has helped ease the transition!  I’m living in a 3 bedroom apartment with 5 other girls!  There are 7 girls and 6 boys in my cast, and we are already living in pretty close quarters.  The other dancers/singers have come from all over the world… Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Canada.  I am one of 2 new hires, so I feel lucky to be part of such an experienced group!  The returning dancers have helped show me the ropes, put up with my never ending stream of questions, and have calmed me down when I start feeling stressed out.  They are wonderful!  I’m looking forward to getting to know them better over the next few months.

Florida

Florida

I was a little concerned about rehearsals, since I haven’t danced full time since Nutcracker season.  So far, they have been challenging but fun!  Choreography is taught quickly and efficiently.  Monday started with orientation, so we just danced in the afternoon.  In that time, we learned the Welcome number and a Farewell piece.  Tuesday was also a shorter day than usual, but we knocked out the opening of the Broadway show, as well as a part of the West Side Story bit.  It’s been awhile since I’ve done much jazz dance, so it’s taking me a minute to get back into “sassy” mode.  I’m loving it though!

While this has been a week of changes, I’m feeling good.  I can’t wait to see what the next week will bring!