length reflects energy availible for output

Today was my first day of my summer intensive. It went pretty well, but boy, am I tired! Perhaps I'll share more about it later...

"Triple Picnic"

I went to ballet today at Makaroff's; it was a good class. There were a lot of people there, many advanced students and a couple guests, which always inspires me to work hard and do my best. I also felt a need to make up for Monday's class, in which I was slacking off shamefully.
Yesterday Dan and I went to High Cliff State Park on Lake Winnebago for a "triple picnic," and we had a lovely time. We couldn't start a fire in the grill to make our pancakes for breakfast, and the lake was a little too scummy for swimming, but inspite of these we had a perfectly beautiful day of hiking, sunbathing, and enjoying the glorious weather and God's creation. Eventually we did get some coals lit long enough to make banana boats, (thanks, Dave!) and sushi from Copps' made excellent picnic food. The best part however was talking, having fun, and spending good quality time connecting with my best friend.

Odds and Ends.

This is going to be a shorter entry (and you are probably all grateful) because I've been online for the past two hours and I think its high time I get away from this screen and back to enjoying the beautiful summer day! However, I feel I owe it to you all to post something even occasionally, and since it's been almost a week already since the last one... okay, here goes.
Some things I've done this week:
- Saw The Bucket List. It was good, I reccommend it.
- Celebrated my little brother Adam's fifteenth birthday. Yeah, scary.
- Visited Green Bay with my amazing boyfriend. We didn't stay long; it was rainy.
- Cooked things. I love cooking. Especially experimental cooking...that gets interesting.
- Watch a Star Trek episode, TNG. I'm secretly a trekkie...
- Went to the Library. Twice.
- Took ballet classes at home.
- Had some pretty interesting dreams. We won't go there.
It's funny, but I keep seeing people who remind me of people from NC. It's a bit depressing actually; I miss you all so much!
Ta ta for now...

Here is an update on my future plans; not too encouraging:
I checked my school email today to find an email from the Pennsylvania Ballet that had been sitting there for a week and a half, and that I'd been awaiting anxiously. Basic message: "Thanks for auditioning, sorry we can't take you, maybe next time." It was not unexpected, yet still rather disappointing. I am sorry to see my list of possible options for next year dwindling farther still. Currently it stands: I could possibly be accepted to Moody Bible Institute, for which I am currently on the waiting list, or I could possibly (and I like to think more probably) be offered a traineeship with Milwaukee Ballet, though this option is looking less and less appealing. I've been hearing from people who didn't really like the program, and I just found out that the pay is next to nothing. I guess I'd have to work some 25 hours a week on top of dancing full time just to support myself. Maybe I could put my meager Spanish skills to good use and wait tables at one of the many Mexican restaurants sprinkled around the company's studios. I am reminding myself that I really need to trust that God has everything in his hands and that he will give me what's best for me.
Last night I went to see The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, and it was pretty good. Not enough emphasis on Aslan in my opinion, but there were several poignant and moving scenes including him that were really beautiful, not to mention that the scenenry and effects were impressive, the characters well played, and the battle scenes exciting. (I found myself gripping my armrests even though I knew what would happen!) Overall it was encouraging; I am inspired to seek out and discover what more can be found in my personal relationship with Christ. C.S. Lewis really is amazing; he's my favorite author.
Danny was very encouraging to me when I was feeling down this morning; when we met I was crying, but gradually he cheered me up and I was laughing before long and having a most splendid time. He is such a good listener, and such a wonderful friend. Sometimes I forget how much I need him.
P.S. Harmony Cafe has really good sandwiches!

Technological Difficulties

I am so frustrated. I bought a memory card for my phone so that I can listen to music on it, but I have yet to figure out how to actually get the music onto the card! My computer doesn't have a port for the memory card adapter, so I tried plugging the card into my digital camera and plugging that into the computer, which seemed to work. However, the files I put on the card don't show up when I open the music player on the phone. I think it needs to be in an MP3 format, but I'm not sure how to make sure that it is... So then I tried to use my "celltop" to download the music from my computer, but I couldn't find the program on the celltop that I needed to use... (sigh) ...I guess I'll be calling 1-800-ALLTEL-1 tomorrow. I need to call them anyway; my voicemail locked me up.
Cellular device: More trouble than it's worth? No, it is definitely worth it; I know this every time I see that shiny cobalt casing or hear that mellifluous ring...

Home Bittersweet Home

It took about seventeen hours to drive home, but the last couple hours were the worst. Mom finally let me drive then; I was so anxious to be home that just sitting in the car and not contributing to getting there was driving me crazy. It's always strange coming home after being gone for a long time, because everything seems so normal, like I've never even left. I have mixed feelings about being here. I'm relieved to not have to worry about homework, glad to be with my brother, sister, and parents, excited to reconnect with old friends, delighted to spend time with Dan, looking forward to enjoying all those relaxing summer pasttimes. However, I'm feeling out of shape already and missing my old routine: ballet classes with Mr. Conover, rehearsals, Spanish classes, and it's strange to think that I will never do those things again. Most of all, I really am beginning to miss everyone left behind; the Boones, my roommate Lindsey, a few special school friends, and probably most of all my Salem Chapel friends. I was thinking today about some of the good times we've had at Thrive and on retreat, and wishing that I could do it all again.

I made an attempt to start getting back in shape and did some pilates this morning. I'm making it a goal to do some every day as part of a morning routine, but we'll see how long that lasts. (I really shouldn't be so pessimistic!) Another part of this daily routine will include helping my sister Becca with her physics schoolwork, and I think that I will do some chemistry review sometimes too. Am I such a nerd to already be missing school? The truth is, I really like learning, and I know I will miss it... I really like math and science too; I am surprisingly left-brained for a dancer.

I went on a really nice walk with Danny this morning. It is so good to see him, and be able to spend time with him again! Every time I come home I realize anew how wonderful he is and I love him even more. His new apartment is downtown and within walking distance from my house and gas is expensive nowadays...we'll be getting a lot of excercise this summer!

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for: (drumroll please)

I FINALLY GOT A CELL PHONE!

It's a Samsung Muse, and so far I really like it! I was a little disappointed when I learned that I need a memory card to use the music player, but I'll get one soon. I'm going to have some fun tonight entering in contact information for everyone I've ever met! (If you want my number, please let me know!) Well, that is if I ever finish unpacking...