The First Day of School

Everything is new and the semester holds so much potential.

Here's to a great year!

Physical Therapy

If it wasn't for the many physical therapists that I've worked with over the years I would not still be dancing at the rate I do. They have helped untwist my spine and strengthen my knee and hip back to the level they should be at. The things I learned during those years of physical therapy have helped me immensely in keeping my body in its best form so it can work efficiently.

Thanks!!

Responsibilities

They keep me grounded and make me feel important. I like knowing that I am mature enough and organized enough to keep an entire organization running smoothly. It's a lot to handle, but I'm glad I've been entrusted with it.

Thanks.

Reminiscing

It's one of my favorite past times to sit around and discuss the good times I've had with my friends in the past few years. I have been blessed immensely in my recent past with memories that make me smile and will last a lifetime.

Thanks, friends.

A Loving Family

Until I can compare to others I often take my family for granted and don't realize how good I have it. I am truly blessed to come from a home filled with love and support where I am encouraged to be strong and independent.

Thank you, family, for always being there.

The Police Force

My neighborhood's not exactly the nicest place to live.

I'm so grateful that the police respond quickly and take care of things to keep my house and me as safe as possible.

Thanks!

My Team

We dance together, we laugh together. We work hard, we play hard.

Thanks girls!

Dance

Dance has been a huge part of my life since I was 3-years-old. And, for the last 11+ years I have never truly taken a break from it. It has been my income, my field of study, my hobby, and my love for as long as I can remember. My first memory as a toddler was watching my sister's dance classes and asking my mom to sign me up for my own. After not dancing all summer I cannot express how glad I am to be back on the dance floor. My muscles are aching, my feet are blistered, but it feels so good.

I am so grateful for the way it makes me feel.

Thanks.

Reunions

Everyone is moving in and it is wonderful to see them and hear their adventures for the summer!

Thanks everyone. Much love.

New Beginnings

Time for another school year to start. Anything can happen. I have so much to look forward to.

Thank you!

Having My Whole Family Together

Seeing as all my sisters and I are college age + these days, it is rare for us to all be in the same place at the same time. We've officially all moved out and moved on, but when we can get together it's always a great time. There's so much love in our home.

I can never express enough gratitude for my parents and sisters being my best friends.

Thanks.

This Music Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTlsu7QcxRg&feature=av2e

Watch it and try to stay sad!

Thanks, Maria.

My Present

The past only exists in memory, the future only in imagination. The only truly existing moment is right now. I am always amazed by how my current life seems to be a constant improvement over my past life. It just keeps getting better. Every day is an improvement over the last, because each day's joys are now multiplied by the memories of yesterday's.

Thanks.

Not Knowing What to be Grateful for

Sometimes this blog is a struggle; I don't know what to write about. It's not that I've run out of thankfulness or lost my appreciation. And it's certainly not that my life has slowed down and given me fewer things to be concerned with. But at night, when I sit here racking my brain on what to celebrate next, I get to remember all the posts I've already published, all the crazy memories with my parents and sisters, all the good stuff. My life is so full of blessings and sometimes it takes a little writers' block to reflect on all of them and understand how incredibly grateful I am to live my life instead of any other. God is good.

So many blessings in my life. Thanks!!

The History Channel

I get to watch tv and learn at the same time!

Thanks.

Having a Plan

Things are organized and are falling into place nicely.

My New Phone

It's reliable! It works!

Thanks.

Ellen Degeneres

There is nothing Ellen does that doesn't warm my heart or make me laugh. Her comedy brings me to tears as does her selflessness. Ellen has made huge strides for the LGBT community and continues to inspire me as I learn more about her bravery and strength. She is a beautiful person who knows how to laugh her way through the pain and how to make others laugh along the way.

I've been known to recite Here and Now in daily conversation, but when I really need to cheer up, this episode of "Ellen" (especially the scene starting at 5:20) always cracks me up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XK4gdvucLA&playnext=1&videos=vamrwwzmAIo

Thanks for making my days brighter and for all you do for others, Ellen. I hope to meet you someday.

My House

The Boobytrap had it's grand opening tonight and it was one to remember.

Thanks to everyone who came.

The Got Your Back Movement

My sister introduced me to this today.

Help support education worldwide. http://www.gybmovement.org/

Thanks!

So You Think You Can Dance

Not only is SYTYCD an entire show revolving around my biggest passion, it brings dance (and competitive dance at that) to the mainstream. Millions of people, dancers and non-dancers alike can enjoy and appreciate the beauty and incredible hard work that goes into dance. I've spent a lot of time defending dance as a true athletic skill, as an art and a sport. But as this, and the many other dance shows, grow in popularity, I've spent less time defending myself as a dancer and more time being praised for it. The hard work feels like it's paying off.

Thanks, SYTYCD, for bringing dance into the homes of millions of viewers with some of the most brilliant and talented dancers and choreographers there are.

Friends Who Boost Your Confidence

There are beautiful people in my life. They are kind and loving, and having their approval and adoration makes me feel like a million bucks.

Thank you.

Fights

Some of my closest friends have become my closest friends because they aren't afraid to fight with me or let me know I've hurt them. I've learned a lot about myself through these relationships and the bad times make the good times so good. My relationships have grown because we haven't been afraid to say how we feel or to disagree about those feelings. I've learned how to treat people better, how to ask for forgiveness, and how to apologize. All of which are crucial life lessons.

Thank you.

People Moving Forward

Lately a lot of my friends have been taking really big steps with their lives. Some are moving away from home for the first time, or starting grad school or a new job, many are getting engaged or married. It's an amazing reminder of how quickly we are growing up and how it takes almost no time at all for life to change our plans and unfold before us.

My own life is moving at an alarming rate. Huge changes will be happening in the next year.

I'm so ready and I'm so grateful.

Thank you and congratulations to all my friends on their own new life developments!

Motivation

Sometimes I seriously lack the motivation to get things done. I am so grateful for the times I don't, when I can be productive.

Thanks.

Days Off

Despite not working, today was a very busy and beautiful day.

Thanks to all I shared it with.

Spontaneous Plans

At five minutes notice let's skip town and do something new.

Awesome.

Thanks to everyone who enjoyed that adventure.

Sleep

I love sleeping almost more than anything else I do on a daily basis.

Friends You Can Tell Everything

It's nice to not have to keep everything to yourself and know you won't be judged for the things you tell.

My friends are beautiful. Thank you.

Walks with Friends

It's the perfect way to catch up and get your exercise.

Thanks.

Dreams

I have always been a vivid dreamer. Many times the dreams are so realistic and lucid that I can't figure out which parts were from a dream and which things are memory. Each night is like an adventure that I could never take in my waking life, yet within the dream it feels so real. I find it incredible that I can fly an airplane, or visit a friend on the other side of the world, or share a special moment with anyone I want without ever leaving the comfort of my cozy bed.

Thanks, brain, for thinking this stuff up subconsciously. You never cease to amaze me.

Making a Decision

It took awhile but we finally made the decision we've been working on all summer. No more worrying about it or arguing.

Thanks Boobytrap.

Welcome home.

Out of Town Visitors

There have been lots of people coming to see me lately and it's been so nice to show them my life and to spend time together.

Thanks, friends.