So Very Crazy

Hello fellow strangers and people I have pestered to read my blog,
Everyone should have a dance friend. There, I said it. Even if you aren't a dancer, there are plenty of them scattered around the world. I may be biased, considering I am a dancer, but I really believe that dancers are amazing. None of them quite fit the mold and they're all just crazy enough to make you feel normal. Now that you know this, let me tell you about my dance friends. I have three groups, the ones I was with before, the ones I am with now in tap and jazz and the ones I am with for ballet.

The old dance friends being artsy. Pictures credit to me

Old Dance friends:
Tay Tay-God I don't even know how to shorten everything good about you into a few sentences. You are such an amazing friend and are the strong one who keeps us focused. You're also the innocent one.
Faith-You are the grandmother, the kind and caring one that makes food for us but still keeps us together and paying attention.
Rae Rae-You're just the random Snow White that hangs out with us and seems normal until people get to know you.
Savvy-You are the random and overexcited one that kept our energy up all the time.
Jenna-You're the sweet and quiet one that can be loud if you want, but compared to us, you're quiet.
Mia-You're the baby of the dance group, but you're growing up and becoming such an amazing dancer.
Eve-You're the amazing dancer that is sweet and kind and healthy and smart and I'm just complimenting you.
Sophie-You're the flexible sex educator. You have slowly crushed Taylor's innocence by making everyone laugh, including her.
Sami-You're the second baby of the group. I don't even know how you ended up growing up so quickly.
Val-You're the mature one that is probably the most normal of us all. But of course, you're still funny and a slight bit crazy.
Ballet:
Mikelle-You're the 'albino' comedian that has a 'slight' obsession with the pope.
Holly-You're the typical fangirl that always keeps me informed on the ways of pop culture.
Lucie-You're the one that is funny and weird and social and amazing.
Ali-You're the ballerina that inspires us and you are the sweetest thing.
Maddie-You are my fellow cat that is just a little devious angel. I love spending 7 and a half or more hours with you per week.
Claire-You're the literal worst❤︎❤︎. I hate you❤︎ You're so sweet and kind and you are an amazing fairy squad mother.
Bella-You're the laughing person that never stops laughing and it's amazing.
Jazz and tap:
Lena-You're the one that acts older than you are but in a good way.
Maria-You're the rubber band that just stretches so much without thinking it's a big deal.
Carlee-You're the one who keeps us encouraged and happy and sends the longest texts.
Bailey-You're the shy one that is slightly crazy but still wonderful.
Allison-You're the funny one that laughs at her own jokes and it's adorable.
Quinn-You're the quiet one that just absorbs information.
Grayson-You're the one that is pretty quiet but when you say something, it's hilarious.
Rian-You're the bomb.com that has such amazing fashion that everyone in your school has the exact same khaki shorts and collared shirt.

So Very Disney (Part 1)

Hello fellow strangers and people I have pestered to read my blog,

So I have some extremely great news that I've just slowly been getting more and more excited about as the days near. So I'm going to Disneyland to perform in the Diamond Classic 60th Anniversary and dancing in the parade down Main Street, USA. We're going to be filmed and have to do a high intensity, extremely energetic 1 and a half minute loop approximately 20 times down the street and it is going to be the best thing ever! I am honestly so excited.

The costume that our studio has, is a short, turquoise, fluffy dress. Each studio has a different costume but all of us are required to wear tights and white Keds while dancing in 80 degree heat. We've been practicing on the street in 40 something degree heat so we learn to move forward.

"Damn Disney, back at it again with the white Keds"
Quote by Alex, picture from Keds

We're going to be backstage, and have a rehearsal with a lot of other people and it's going to be great. After the parade, in order to get back to our parents, we're going to be able to walk the infamous tunnels under Disneyland. Plus, we're going to be performing for Disney. I am such an immature and Disney loving person that I just can't get over it.

An even better part of this that just adds everything up to be the best birthday present ever is that I get to do it with my friends. I know that me, Taylor, Rachael, Lucie, and Savvy are on the same flight as me. And I know I will never get bored of them because they're all freaking hilarious and amazing and pretty and nice and amazing dancers and inspire me every day (Foreshadowing to a future blog post). Honestly, I don't know what I would do without them because they're just such supportive friends. The age difference between us is a few years and in high school, that is usually a big deal but we just always get along so well.

There are going to be a lot of people at Disneyland, considering California is going to be on spring break as well as us. This might not be too great for people in the parade that have stage fright. Usually this would bother me since we're going to a theme park, but as said, I am not worried at all that I'm not going to be bored at all.

So back to the dancing in the parade part, I am going to leave next Friday and perform on Saturday and Sunday. I'm hoping to learn what it's like to be a member of Disneyland. Plus, if I ever want to work for Disney in the future, this might give me a slight bit of an advantage. Well that's all I have time to write today, but I'll write more after or during Disney.
~Alicia

So Very Hangry

Hello fellow strangers and people I have pestered to read my blog,

Today I will be talking to you about dance competitions. I had one yesterday and the day before and they are stressful. They are challenging and they will make or break a friendship depending on how you react during them. As I have been through many and still have all my fingers, toes, and dance friends, I thought I would make a list of things that I do to help those of you who are just entering the competition world or could use more advice.
Step 1: To avoid stress, make a list

Generic one I found online that has everything necessary. Link here

This is the first year I made a list but my friend made one for our group last year and it was the most useful thing ever. It helps you to make sure that you have everything you need. Of course if you have a list, make sure to include EVERYTHING, from the exact makeup you need to the costume accessories to bandaids and safety pins. This will make it so that you don't forget anything at home and so that you stay organanized. 

Step 2: Get organized and stay organized

This is not particularly my strong suit but recently I've gotten a lot better at this. With the help of your list, organize each costume together. My recommendation is to get a costume bag(also known as a garment bag). I have two for four costumes and they have 4 pockets each (see above). The big one is for your costume and has a hole in the top for a hanger, and two pockets for something like a headpiece or gloves, then a long pocket for stuff like hairspray, tights and shoes.

Step 3: Pack an excessive amount of snacks

There is a reason this blog post is called so very hangry. Dance competitions take up so much more energy than regular classes for whatever odd reason. This may have to do with the fact that there is a lot of running around and adrenaline induced energy, plus multiple dances and warming up, plus more energy is used in each dance, thanks to the adrenaline induced rush. All of this means that you will need fuel, and that fuel is food. Make sure to pack extra in case someone forgot some of their own, plus you might need to eat more than you thought. 

Step 4: Expect tension

There will be a lot of stress in the air, even if you follow these rules, and stress plus occasional hanger will probably mean tension. We can't also forget that dance competitions usually start early and end late, meaning you will be tired. You probably know what people are like when they're tired, hungry, stressed or any combination of them. Try to be as nice as possible toward everyone, but if you do end up arguing, be the bigger person and apologise. You will think back on this and just know that it was the competition. 

Good luck,

Alicia