Turning the page to a new year.

Time has passed like autumn leaves fall, and winter snows melt. Well, winter is upon us, and here in Florida it is a whopping 53 degrees outside at 10 PM. It is snowing somewhere, however. It seems that 2013 has different adventures that lie ahead. I have been spending almost 6 months working on preparing myself to get a job as an ESL teacher in South Korea. What have I learned? That this is a highly tedious process which takes time and gumption in order to be successful. And well, although I have not had to pack my bags yet, I feel as though I am on top of it and setting myself up for the best possible experience. I have denied two contracts to private language schools, or hagwons, because I have been questioning if that would be the right kind of institution to dabble with teaching in. Franchises and companies based on education? Learning for profit, and not necessarily for the sake of learning? I have not completely ruled out hagwons, but public school is looking much better. Sure, I might not be offered as much as the hagwons offer, I will know my schedule, have more job security, and be in a better environment, I feel. I just wish I would have known this sooner, but once again, all in good time with this. In other thoughts, this has been taking a lot of my time and focus. But, I have so many other desirable things I want to do on my mind as well. Last weekend I performed at a wedding reception held at the Tampa Museum of Art. It went great, I was super pro, did my job, enjoyed it. Until they didn't hold up their end of the deal, and well, I left that night without payment. Needless to say, the person who hired me felt awful, and quickly sent payment with an additional tip, for which I am thoroughly grateful. I do love performing, and parts of me feel like I should not give up. And, well, I am not. But, let's face it, I have to know that time is limited, and not having as much time to perform might be something that happens. Well, I didn't want this to turn into a journal entry, but this is just a little glimpse into some of my constant thought processes about dealing with my artful self. It is hard to walk away from solely wanting to do it for everything in my life, for everything that I am. I will figure it all out soon, though. As time comes and goes, ideas make themselves apparent. And I grasp on to the ones worth holding on to.

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

My belly is full of tofu fried rice

Dear Austin,

Oh, why must you have a Goodwill where everything I found fit me perfectly and is a reasonable price, yet still beyond my means of spending? I guess I just have to have fun trying things on and saying goodbye to them, until the money flows like a tree losing leaves. Or, at least until I can afford a $30/week budget for extras in my life.

Sincerely yours,

Marla Mae

P.S. I think we are headed to Barton Springs in a little while. By the ways, Flipside was an amazing time! Met so many interesting and talented people. Laughed, played on aerial rigs, and did acro yoga. Dressed up, ate good food, and volunteered. Pink Monkey is my Flipside name, as on my Shaven Apes shift I was in all pink, due to the fact that the yellow shirts could not be found. (Shaven Apes is Flipside's version of DPW). Anyhoo, good times had by all. I believe Jason and I are hitting the road en route to Colorado as of tomorrow, so if I do not update for a while, I will have lots to say in a few days!

All feet are the same! Toodles. <3

Ridin' on a bus...

I shall be on a bus for 12 hours. Fun. I think my pillow will be in my face 85 percent of the time.

Stacy Jane and I went and saw the Mississippi River last night after eating at The Green Goddess and having some frozen yogurt. The river is SOOO high. However, they are saying that it has crested, so New Orleans is safe. Bless all the people that are getting any flooding, however. I have them in my thoughts and prayers.

It is good to be going home for a week. I can work, help move in to the new house, and hopefully get over these allergies I have had for about a week. My head feels like a little balloon. :/

I will miss this city, but I will be honest that in the past two weeks I have learned that New Orleans is yet only a beautiful city for me to visit. It will always feel like a home away from home, when I need an urban atmosphere and some nice southern hospitality.

Time to go eat before boarding the bus. I wish I could get the pictures off of the only camera I have now, which is my phone, but I can't. :( But, I shall remedy this soon.

Love and Light to all,

Marla Mae

Two burns, and a wedding

Oh, the beauty of life and it's ever-changing momentum!

That's ok, because I come equipped with the skills to deal with change when it comes blowing it's hot, nasty breath in my face. This is a metaphor of sorts for the way Bourbon St. smells.

Actually, it is the caution being thrown to the wind that I must leave this town even sooner than the 21st. The decision to open the Morganza spillway or leave it shut, well, I don't want to be here to deal with the consequences of either decision. And, on top of the reasons to leave this city early, I am very much needed to work back home!

I have never been on a public bus for 12 hours, so this should be interesting. My friend Stacy, whom I have been staying with, is coming down with me, as we were going to be ride sharing with her to Austin, since she was going to spend some time there this summer as well. So, at least I have a travel companion on the bus.

So, now I am going to Flipside in Austin, Apogaea in Colorado, and then the wedding in New Mexico. This will be a good summer of travels. And then I will be so happy to be back home, in my new home. :)

Friday the 13th in the French Quarter. Could be some interesting people watching tonight.

NOLA NOLA

Oh, time. How funny it can be.

I can hardly believe that I have already been away from home for three days. Nothing too action packed has happened yet. I am waiting for the busy of Jazz Fest to end before I really go out exploring the city with my eyes open to possibility.

Taking in some sights and sounds of the city is always enriching. The locals all come out to unwind around 6 or 7 in the morning, when they get off work from whatever hospitality job they have. I know this because around that time the bar that we live above begins thumping with the jukebox music. I can still sleep, however. I just take note of what time it is when it begins.

Today is groceries, yoga, and walking around Jackson Square. And maybe seeing some local music on Frenchmen St. this evening.

Happy Birthday to the wonderful Victoria today! I wish I could be home to celebrate and eat cake with her!

On the road, as of tomorrow.

My mind is an ocean of thoughts and agendas at the moment.

Florida Preheat was an amazing time. Being surrounded by so many inspirational human beings is the perfect way to recharge before I have to add more life experience to the bag of tricks that I hold.

Going to several places I already have a familiarity with is going to be good, because I can take a different stance this time. I know people there, I know about some of the places, so I can focus more on the networking interactions as an artist. And, take in as much as possible for when I sit down in the month of November to write, write, and write.

First stop, New Orleans. Meshpa is going with me and we are staying with a beautiful friend who is giving us a place to stay right in the Quarter. I will also hopefully be meeting someone who has just started her own burlesque troupe, as I am taking my next steps to knowing the performance community in this illustrious, creative city.

Jason will be meeting me there in a couple weeks to pick me and Stacy Jane up to go to Austin. Stacy Jane is going to be there exploring her musical side all summer, while we go to Flipside and then stay with some of his old high school friends. My goal for Austin work-wise is to find at least three venues where I can take a business card and genuinely ask if they would ever want an aerialist for an event. Good practice, and could open doors.

Then on to New Mexico. We get to be there for the union of two beautiful souls. I am really excited to have some bonding time with Jason while we travel through New Mexcico together this time.

I need to breathe. Right now I am feeling overwhelmed, yet none of this is too much at all. Let's start the day and get things done. I need to get some work done for some extra money.

I will see you on the road...

Love and Light,

Marla Mae