Just Beachy

A blanket of sand covered our toes, and the cool water brushed our skin.

Everything was just beachy.

I used to drive by the beach on my way to school everyday last year, and I would always gaze out at the peaceful solitude. Birds would occasionally fly through the wakening sky, and a light layer of fog would gently settle on the water. The sun would peek through the clouds while boats danced with the waves… I would long for that freedom as I sat in traffic preparing for another lecture-filled day. After months of fantasizing, I finally stepped into the water for the first time this summer, and I was so lucky to have had such great company. I had so much fun; thanks y’all! 

Do you enjoy going to the beach? Anything exciting coming up? What is your favorite thing to do during the summer? Is there something that you often find yourself longing for? 

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“mystic cords of memory”

“The mystic cords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart…should swell into a mighty chorus of remembrance, gratitude, and rededication on this solemn occasion.”

~Abraham Lincoln

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

~President Harry Struman

Wishing all of my readers a safe and blessed Memorial Day, 2019!

Season 2018-19 Recap

The 2018-19 season has come to a close, so I took some time to revisit all of my adventures from the past several months…

I remembered the exhilaration of dancing the Snow Queen pas de deux in The Nutcracker, and flutes of Act 2 came floating back to me from when I took the stage as a Mirliton. My heart became warm as I recalled performing the Sugar Plum Fairy variation for the seniors at the assisted living facility, and I smiled at the memory of pure joy on their faces. I recalled working with the choreographer of “Flight” and being part of its debut in January as well as the Balanchine-themed “Spiral.” Both of these creations were brought to three separate stages as we popped in and out of the city this year, and each experience was uniquely special. I shivered at the flashback of February and all of the stress that accompanied those long days of overtime at the studio. Alice in Wonderland definitely kept us on our toes as we raced against time to put the entire ballet together, but the performance was worth every moment. Shortly after, we dove into The Little Mermaid where we spent over 13 hours in the theater on a show day, and the contemporary repertoire marked the successful ending of this very busy season.

I am incredibly grateful for all of the opportunities that I had, and I cannot thank everyone enough for the tremendous amount of support through it all. I especially want to thank all of my followers for joining me this year, liking my posts, and leaving such positive comments. It means so much to know that my friends, family, and readers all believe in my ability to succeed, so THANK YOU!

How was your dance season? Do you have any questions for me? Any special post requests? Happy Summer!

Behind the Curtain

13 hours in the theater. 6 quick changes. 3 performances. 2 dress rehearsals. All in 1 busy day.

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I glanced at the bruises forming on my feet, and my body was overcome with a state of pure exhaustion. It was my eleventh hour in the theater, and I stood behind the curtain listening to the constant murmur of the crowd as they made their way to their seats. The final show of “The Little Mermaid” was about to begin, and I was minutes away from tackling another ballet with the very little energy that I had left. It is expected that every performance has the same quality, and the audience deserves the same experience every show because tickets all cost the same. This is where it gets challenging and stressful for us, dancers. At the end of the day, fatigue and aching muscles must be concealed by bubbly smiles and seemingly effortless movements which is extremely difficult. I don’t think the audience ever truly realizes what actually goes on backstage, and the beauty of this art form can be very deceiving by the graceful image that we portray.

All in all, it was great to be back in the theater, but I think ballet officially kicked my butt.

What did you do this weekend? Have you had any performances recently? Are you ready for summer?

Prom Number 2!

Thanks to my best friend, I had the most amazing opportunity to experience prom for the second time this year! She was able to get me into this event for her school, and I am overjoyed that I was able to go because I had so much fun.

From spinning in the field to singing/screaming so loud that I lost my voice for days, it honestly couldn’t have gone any better. The DJ got the whole venue thumping with good beats as glow sticks flew in the air and dramatic lighting swirled across the crowded dance floor. My wild-party spirit was released that night as I was able to truly let go of all my stress and just have fun. That rarely ever happens, so I couldn’t possibly thank her enough for the invitation!

I never imagined that I would be at another prom so soon, and I wish I could just go back and do it all over again. This is certainly one that I will remember for a very long time, and this awesome group of people really made it special. Thanks again, girly!

Prom 2019

Prom 2019 was the best night that I had in a very long time, and I am still in shock that it all actually happened. Memories still flood back as I scroll through the pictures…

Our limousine awaited us outside of the Thai restaurant, and we were all escorted downtown where a red carpet led into a club filled with dozens of chandeliers. I saw all of the elegant dresses and I couldn’t help but feel like I had entered a new world.

At first, we didn’t even know what to do with ourselves in such a fancy atmosphere, but the DJ was spinning beats that lured us all onto the dance floor, and we danced for hours screaming the lyrics to our favorite songs. Confetti flew through the air, and I honestly could not wipe a smile off my face. I reunited with old friends, spent time with close ones, and met many new ones as I embraced every moment prom 2019. Being asked to prom meant the world to me, and it is something that I will never forget. Honestly, I never would have even gone if it wasn’t for my friend, so I appreciate everything that he did to make the experience so wonderful for me.

I want to thank everyone so much for making me part of your night, and I loved hanging out with y’all. Prom 2019 is officially complete… 

The Parakeet Post #12

“God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest.”

~Josiah Gilbert Holland

The Lord provides the tools that are necessary to achieve something great, but He does not just hand you success in a gift box. You must do your part by opening your heart to Him and putting in the effort to discover His chosen path for your life. In other words, he gives you seeds, but it is up to you to plant them. Once you take that step, He will nurture you and help you grow, but you must be willing to put the work in. 

Keep this in mind as you pray for your dreams and goals to become a reality… 

Yours Truly,

little Olive.

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Did you enjoy this Parakeet Post? What does this quote mean to you?

Also, you may have noticed that there have been several changes to the blog over the past few days. I decided to mix things up a bit, and this led to the addition of a header image, sidebar text updates, revised pages (available on the Menu), and the creation of a new tagline! Maysa Rose is now “the random musings of me.” Let me know what you think in the comments below, and I hope that you have a great weekend!