(I wrote this right before leaving for Hoop Convergence this past weekend...and that experience deserves its own blog, coming soon!)

So I guess what I was experiencing before was the fifth season in Vermont...the one that happens when the snow finally disappears from the ground but before anything begins to bloom...the one they call 'mud season'. Seems the mud was infecting my mood and personal relationships...well, no more!

Spring has really sprung here and it is just gorgeous. The fresh yellow-green of renewal and new life is everywhere, flowers are blooming, we've even had a couple 80 degree days! This southerner is in pure heaven. This entry is going to be but a bit short as I have my hands gleefully full preparing for Hoop Convergence. I am just beside myself with excitement, as this- the second-annual HC organized by my best girl Julia- has an amazing lineup of teachers for a full retreat weekend of inspiration, growth and celebration. I can't wait! I fly out tomorrow afternoon and have a fair bit to do yet in terms of packing, etc...

It isn't the most convenient time to be leaving, as the end of my training program is in 17 days!!! We have three days of shows- 5 shows total- May 22-24. I have 2 acts I am working on and they are both challenging me in new ways. My aerial fabric act is a challenge in the sense that, as fabric is still relatively new to me (I chose it as my 'major' back in February as result of being advised to 'step out of my comfort zone' and get stronger) and I am faced with trying to emote/embody a character while also executing the technical aspects of the apparatus. Fabric is *definitely* out of my comfort zone and has been trying at times...it takes considerable strength, focus and endurance to be able to execute a series of moves- gracefully- within a choreographed piece.

My work with it is paying off though...one of my physical goals this year (and one I was quite unsure of being able to actually attain) was a pike climb to the ceiling. After seeing a couple of the women in the program be able to pull this off at the beginning of the year, during our first strength assessment (my first attempt yielded a 2 struggling climbs from the floor), I knew I wanted to be able to do that 'someday'.

For those of you who may not be familiar with what a pike climb is, it is basically started from a seated position with the fabric/rope either between your legs with legs straddled (my preferred way) or to the side with your legs piked...then you climb up the fabric using only your arms, holding your legs out- straight- the entire time...and then climbing down. About three weeks ago...I got it!!! I thought it may have been a fluke, but I've gotten it every other time I've tried it since and I'm pretty proud.

Other physical goals I've achieved since being here: front and back walkovers, touching my heels in a backbend, touching my head in an elbow stand, touching the floor with my feet in a chest stand, oversplits, back handspring(s), roundoff back handspring, and an ever more solid handstand

Back tuck is still on the list...getting there!!

I am the strongest and most flexible I've ever been and the feeling of training and increasing my abilities is intoxicating. Also, being around other performers during the choreographic process has been very good for me, as that's been one of the most intimidating aspects of my path as a performer...having not had much formal dance training. I find aerial choreography to be much easier to put together than hoop, as hoops move so quickly.

In other milestones, I had my first center-stage aerial gig a couple weekends ago on April 25, doing aerial hoop-lyra- as well as an LED hoop dance act, for The Amazing Bubble Show. It was for an audience of mostly kids, which was super cute and gratifying.

My new hoop dance act is challenging me considerably. I have been working on a lot of original material with one of my coaches and it contains lots of ground/tumbling skills that I'm still working to 'get' into my body. Serious pushing of limits and LOTS of practice is going to be required to have this ready for the shows. Once I return from Hoop Con I'll have only 10 days!!

Whew! Off to the gym to rehearse.

~Big Love~