Dancing across the land and sea

It has been long enough since I have updated this journal. This year has been filled with many journeys, both metaphorically and literally, and it has been a whirl wind of chaos, emotion, and understanding. Each adventure has lead to a new outcome, a new beginning, and life feels like it has grown to become something more intriguing than ever before. Here is a cliff's notes version of my travels as of recent, and some of the realizations I have come to have from all of the turn of events that have happened surrounding my excursions into the world. In early March I found a brave hair standing up on my arm, and decided to catch a flight up to NYC for an audition for the world-renowned dance company Pilobolus. Convinced by my beautifully artistic friends, I even had one, our own Ringmaster, Heffe, join me and audition as well. The weather in the city was cold and brutally honest. I confronted my fears, and moved as if no one was watching, and loved every minute of it. I taught the other girl in my audition group with a mo-hawk how to do a proper shoulder role. When she made the call back, she ran up to me and embraced me, saying she would never have made it if I wasn't there to help her. This was the best feeling, better than if I was the one who made the call back. While walking around the East Village in New York, I said to my friend, "If only Lucent Dossier was having auditions here, maybe I would be so lucky to make it with them." Well, I never made the Pilobolus audition, or auditioned for Lucent, but they ended up having auditions in NYC earlier this month, and now I believe have a resident New York show. :) Not long after I auditioned for Pilobolus, I learned about a group called Diavolo, who are based out of Las Angeles, California. I was convinced that I should continue on the audition path, trying out another contemporary dance audition, but this time something even a little more out there and tough. Diavolo is very extreme, acrobatic, and inventive. When I saw they were having a Dallas audition, I thought why not! Audition on Cinco de Mayo? Absolutely! So, I went off, this time alone, to Dallas, Texas for a few days to the audition. Having a rental car made life so much easier, and I fulled up and was ready for anything. When I arrived at the audition, I learned that there were only 16 of us. After an hour long discussion trying to convince us "not" to stay and audition, we all did. We danced, I tried. Let's face it, choreography is not my strong point. I poured my soul into it, and when the second song I danced to was one I have done an aerial performance to before, I really broke out of my confused shell ever so much more, but not quite enough. I certainly knew I was not going to make the cut, and even decided this time that I was little sad about it, and had a good sob in my car. I was exhausted, and I really was looking forward to showing my strength in acrobatic movement and body control. But, then I thought of what one of the girls told me when I was getting my bags at the end of the audition. She was one of the tall, beautiful, strong dancers. I looked up to her, even though I am sure she is at least 3 years my minor. She said, "I just have to tell you, your movement and energy is really inspirational to me. You have so much spirit." This is all I wanted to do. I showed my weakness, and to her it was a strength. I definitely did my usual post-audition food and retail therapy, and had yummy vegan food at Cosmic Cafe, and a shopping excursion to Buffalo Exchange, as well as a trip to the Aquarium. All in all a good journey. Fast forward to summer. One journey driving up north with my mom to Baltimore and then areas of Pennsylvania visiting family. A beautiful time spent with loved ones. Fast forward again when I flew back to Baltimore for my cousin Tiffani's Wedding in Perry County, PA. Another time full of memories, full of fond moments. I have a large family on my mother's side and it always feels like not much time has passed since I have seen any of my relatives, even if years have gone by. Enter October. One of my favorite months of the year. Pumpkin everything, cooler breezes becoming part of daily life, and beautiful natural lighting. For the second year we went to Alchemy-The Georgia Burn, in Lafayette, Georgia. Highlights of the weekend: frolicking with Miss Vix in our LED hoop skirts being fancy, like the "Cinderella's" of the burn. And of course wondrous time spent with amazing people. Laughing, cuddling, dancing, and enjoying simplicity. Shortly after Alchemy, I packed my bags to spend two weeks in Stuttgart, Germany. I knew it was time to visit my best friend, Breanna Conklin. With months of anticipation, two beautiful weeks came and went, and I couldn't be more appreciative for my time spent over there. Highlights were the Ludswigsburg Pumpkin Festival, hangouts with Michelle Young, Fritz Kern, and Jochen, and other fun people.Echo and Bailey. Of course the Wasen with Bree's dad, where we did stand up at the table and dance, even when I was jet lagged! Putting sticky houndstooth nails on, and staying up late telling our best stories about our flatulent times. Laughing and crying, and our girls trip to Paris. Everything about our trip to Paris! The TV tower, and Staatsgalerie museum, and everything about that day. Everything about the whole trip, it was beautiful. Germans are quiet, and pretty inviting. And Parisians, so friendly. Especially when you try your best to fit in with them and speak their language. ;) I ate like a queen for two weeks. And I learned a lot about what I want most in life. To love and be loved, and to look back only with a smile. So many more adventures to come, and I leave you now with this question: If you could be anywhere in the world in any time, where would you go, and when would you be there? Happy travels to all! Love and Light, Marla Mae