The 2014 Oireachtas

Round 1 number check

There's not much I have to say about my solo round from the Oireachtas. They most impressive thing was dancing soft shoe with no brace on for the first time since surgery. These unremarkable rounds led to a rather disappointing result that night with my lowest ever placement. I dropped drastically from placing in the upper 20s to the 34th. I suppose one could say that I made outstanding progress just by recalling at a major championship six months post-op, but I was really working toward a triumphant return by finally world qualifying. Not to mention that the southern senior lady group was incredibly tough this year, but that seems like I'm making excuses. The point is I was very disappointed but I'm getting over it and focusing on having fun while dancing.

My only solo awards picture. They focused heavily on the WQs.

By far, one of the most outstanding stories of the day was the switch from solos to teams. I was one of the last few senior lady sets to be danced. Meanwhile, the 15 and over girls eight hand competition started, despite senior ladies not having finished. My team was due to dance somewhere in the middle of rotation, but I couldn't make it. The stage managers let us dance last, fortunately. Unfortunately that still didn't leave me enough time, and I kept the competition waiting as I changed out of solo hair, make up, and costume. All the 15 and over girls four hand competitions were lined up, and I had to dash my way through them to meet my team side stage. I did not stop walking as I took my spot for the walk on, and our team took the stage! Thank God for the years of practice doing St. Patrick's Day. If we needed to review something as a team, we wouldn't have been half as successful while we danced. That team took seventh overall.

I was a member of two four hands as well, a girls and mixed four. The girls four danced decently and took 17th out of sixty teams. My mixed four hand did shockingly well. We didn't get many opportunities to dance together leading up to the Oireachtas, and we danced with the team that took first, so we thought we were done for. Only one one of our team members saw the recall list, and standing side stage at awards, we began to doubt that our number was really on the list. The closer the announcer got to first place, the more worried we became. We ended up taking fifth and getting a chance to be on the podium! It was a fantastic feeling!

Goals: Don't forget new dances on stage at the feis Sunday
Days till NANs:79

2015 Goals and Aspirations

The past four years of my dance goals have looked something like this: championship placement goals, major competition placement goals, and improvements on technique. My dance goals have not seen any sort of change in a very long while, and I feel that fact is the root of many of my frustrations. I want to be able to do and succeed at everything I attempt, but that requires complete focus on only one activity. That is not how I want to live my life.

Placement goals have gotten harder and harder to achieve as an adult because I am balancing my career with own dance aspirations. At this time last year, I was extremely upset that I missed out on my number one goal for the year, a number one goal that has been only just out of my grasp for multiple years now. The senior ladies competition keeps becoming harder and harder as more dancers decided to keep coming back for more like I have been doing. My placements have been steadily dropping as the group has gained larger numbers, and that’s frustrating.

I know that despite negative emotions stemming from Oireachtas disappointments, I still need to have dance in my life. Dance is something that I have to do, so taking that feeling in mind, I’m planning on using it as the basis of this year’s singular goal.

I am going to enjoy every dance moment that I have.

If those moments include competitive success, then great. Becoming a world qualifier at a major competition is what I’ve been chasing recently. If those moments include traveling and workshops, fantastic. I have been accepted to the Riverdance summer academy at Trinity College in Dublin this summer, and if I can get the funds together, I’d love to attend. If those moments are simply enjoyable dance classes with friends, even better. Dance classes are where most of my time is spent in this crazy world, so why not have fun while working hard?

So my goal this year seems easy enough to do with the right frame of mind. When 2015 finishes, I want to be able to look back on the year and have great memories.

What aspirations do you have for the year?

Mini Update: Oireachtas 2k14

Feis Culkin

• I'll start with the fact that I'm pretty sure that most everyone who placed in the top 50% of the competition are not senior lady dancers. The 18& over open competition was full of tough competitors from the younger age groups.
• I placed in my hard shoe round which was a shock to me since I think that it felt weaker than my slip jig that day. I was excited to get a Hershey bar!
• I ended up placing 12th out of 17. What was most frustrating to me was that two judged agreed on their ranking of me, while one placed me second to last. I am quickly becoming tired of scoring inconsistencies and how they can seriously make or break a dancer's overall placement.
• Also, the Washington Post had an article about this feis on their website recently.

Anyway, have a chocolate bar picture.

Goals (and things)

• My Oireachtas goal is (as it's been for the past four years) to be a world qualifier. I have not suffered through eight torn ligaments and a surgery to not finally meet my goal of qualifying at the Oireachtas.
• And things...  After the Oireachtas, I am planning on submitting my application to the Riverdance Trinity Academy International Summer School program. I'm hoping that having the chance to be a part of this week-long academy will give my dancing a new spark. I am feeling a slump in my dancing. It may be injury recovery, it may be Oireachtas stress, but regardless, I have not seriously put any effort in to show dancing, and I think it would be a great break from the competitive world.

Follow my adventures this weekend!

• As always, I will be all over social media this weekend with updates on my dancing and other Oireachtas adventures. Be sure to follow any (or all!) accounts for up to the minute details on my weekend.

[Twitter] [Facebook] [instagram] [tumblr]

Goals: Relax a bit, finish packing, and DFTBA

Days till Os: 3

Surgery Update, part 3

I am now done and graduated from physical therapy. My next doctor appointment is a month away. I am a regular participant in everything at dance class, even leading a fitness class during our Oireachtas prep Saturdays.

Did I really heal this fast?

Three months seriously flew by! Maybe I just feel that way because the past month has been a blur with the beginning of the school year and my own insistence that I never have days off to do nothing.

For the most part this past month, when I wasn't working, I was doing something to improve my physical fitness. I was at physical therapy getting essentially an hour and a half personal training session. I was running (yes, running!) in the fitness center on the treadmill. I was choreographing a show treble reel for the Baltimore Comic Con.

So, yes, I finally got to attend a comic con in my Captain America dress! I entered a costume contest for fun, and danced on stage for a bit of an audience. They went wild! My costume was totally a hit, and I loved getting all the comments on how cool an Irish dancing Captain America is. Now, I'm going to dedicate a whole post to this outing very soon, but until then, have a picture!

I have officially registered for two feiseanna this fall before the Oireachtas. I will be doing only the set dance competition at Rhythm of Ireland to try out my new Downfall of Paris without the stress of having to push myself to have the other rounds ready (namely slip jig). Hopefully all goes well, and if not, there's still time to perfect it before the SRO (and if not, there's the ol' standby Planxty Drury). My one and only three round competition will be Feis Culkin a few weeks after.

And now for something completely not related to healing... Remember when I mentioned I won an instagram contest hosted by Marvel and Dr. Pepper that was run during San Diego Comic Con? My prize came in the mail last month. I was expecting five Dr. Pepper cans, which I got. What completely blew my mind was that they came in a fantastic case signed by the Avengers: Age of Ultron cast! Consider me blown away.

Goals: Stamina all around
Days till Os: 66

Surgery Update, part 2

When I last posted, I was just about to start physical therapy.  Now, I am a little over two months out from surgery, and I have come so far since then!

My first week of PT was tough.  I was weaning myself off crutches that week, as well as learning that PT after surgery is apparently more painful than PT after healing from an injury.  I had barely any movement when I first started, in my third week out from surgery.  Now, I am through my initial six weeks of PT, and set to do four more weeks.

I was one hundred percent off crutches my fourth week after surgery.  That was the week that I also received a wonderful shirt made by my dance buddies.  They were making shirts for nationals, and wanted to make sure I was included too!  It was a nice surprise, and nearly made me tear up with all their kind get-well messages.

Six weeks out from surgery was one of my most exciting weeks yet.  I was finally able to give the boot the boot!  I spent the week relishing in the feeling of wearing two shoes again as I went on a vacation to Ann Arbor, Michigan with my mom and one of my sisters.  I spent a lot of time walking around the Michigan campus, and the general downtown area, all the time (mostly) happy that I had shoes that matched.

I have probably a week or two before I can slowly start into dancing again, but I already have my back to dance outfit chosen!  I found the shirt at TJ Maxx and couldn't in good faith as an Irish dancer, pass it up.  The shoes are my I Can Wear Two Shoes Again present to myself.  They're Nike Free shoes, and I know they will be invaluable as I ease back into dancing, especially during long ceili practices.

It may be a month or so until my next post here, so fear not in my silence! Work will be starting up next week, and I expect it will take a few weeks to settle into my schedule after all the Back-to-School-Nights, physical therapy, beginning of fall dance classes, and weekend excursions planned.

Goals: Keep up my PT exercises

Days till Os: 108

The 2013 Oireachtas

I have been procrastinating this post.  It's true.  I am still not 100% okay with how my Oireachtas day turned out.  I know I don't usually use this blog to make my displeasure known, but I can't avoid writing about the Oireachtas because it it a part of my dance journey.  I made a promise to myself that is what this blog is for, and now that I have readers who care, I can't just pretend it didn't happen.

The long and short of it is I'm not a world qualifier.  Again.  And for the fourth time in a row, I was within mere places of qualifying.

When the announcer skipped over my number, I said "What?!" out loud.  I knew I had it, and couldn't believe it.  All day long, I was so looking forward to being called on stage before the placements were awarded.  I had danced my best.  I maintained my health all year long, and was achieving my goals outlined for the year.  Something within me was so confident that I would be up there, but that something was terribly wrong.

Awards was tough.  It took all of my willpower to hold myself together on stage.  Of course after being disappointed for the fourth year in a row, I found it very difficult to hide that emotion.  I am only human, though my solo dress makes it seem otherwise.  I received an on-stage pep talk from one of my TCs; it's the only moment of the day I wish I could remember in full detail.

I cried through a good part of the teams awards, finally able to pull it together by the time my 4-hand and figure choreography were called to hear our placements (8th and 2nd).  As I was pulling myself together, I was able to buy my scores, and in the end, it was my set.  My set of three years (and much careful polishing) dropped me by six placements.  I had it until then, and knowing what caused my disappointment is crushing, nearly as crushing as seeing dancers I had consistently placed above all season, beat me out at this one event.

As I was driving back to my house from the Oireachtas (they were local this year), the question on my mind was, “Why do I keep doing this if I constantly fall short of my goals?”  I had a very lively debate with myself.  I was so absorbed in figuring out the answer to this question as I was driving down the interstate that I missed the exit for my house.

Ultimately, I decided that when I dance, I know that everything is right in my world.  My life could be up in shambles, but when I am dancing, I know that everything will be okay.  Dance is my thing.  I keep dancing because when I dance, nothing else matters.  I will get myself that qualification one day.  It may be this fifth year of chasing the goal, it may be the next, but until then, I will enjoy every moment of this journey I have created for myself.

Goals: PT exercises every other day
Days till Os: 268

Mini Update

It's December.  I am an Irish dancer.  You know what that means...

Oireachtas Information

• Tomorrow is the big day!  It will be jam packed with much dancing (solos in the morning, teams in the afternoon), but I know it will be a blast in the end!
• I am feeling ready with my dancing.  I am going to put trust in my body and rely on all the hard work I have done in preparation for this event.  I am doing my best to stay stress free like I did for nationals this summer, but there are other factors at work for the Oireachtas that weren't there for nationals.  I did take the day off work to make sure that I am relaxed and focused.  I will do my best to continue to keep calm.
• As always, I will be trying my best to post updates throughout the day as time allows [follow @RinceGoBragh on twitter] [follow @sekubik on instagram]

Coyle Feis

• In a rare turn of events, I was unable to attend my usual November feis (Culkin), so I decided for extra competition practice that I would attend an out of region feis.  My goal was to place in the top half of the competition, but I fell short by just two places.  Since this feis happened a few weeks before the Mid Atlantic Oireachtas, I suppose it's to be expected.  I believe I was the highest placing Southern Region dancer though, so that is always a good sign!

Antonio Pacelli

• Have you checked out the new Antonio Pacelli website?  They have completely revamped everything (except their merchandise; that remains wonderful as usual), and added a community section, full of Irish dance blogger from around the world, including me!
• I will be posting separate content on the Antonio Pacelli website at least once a month, but don't worry, Rince go Bragh will still remain active.

Kennedy Center Performance

• My dance school and I had the rare opportunity to perform at a prestigious venue: the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  We performed on a Sunday evening on the Millennium Stage as part of the Kids Euro Festival performance.
• You can catch our entire performance by following this link.  We start dancing at 23:25.

Goals: Three clean rounds

Days till Os: 17 hours

Mini Update

Oireachtas Prep

• With the Oireachtas being a month away, I have really solidified my goals.  I am determined that this is my year.  I have two goals within reach (and one other secret goal) which include: 

1. Be a world qualifier, and
2. Place in the top ten.

• I have been working on stamina lately, and am feeling less and less exhausted at the end of each dance.  Well, this is not entirely true.  I am less tired at the end of the first time through each dance.
• Have I mentioned the teams I am on?  Along with solos, I will also be part of a mixed 4, a mixed 8, and the senior girls choreography.

Rhythm of Ireland Feis

• I felt fairly confident in my dancing for the day, at least in those moments when I wasn't bumping into the gal I was sharing the stage with.  Our steps followed similar path, and we were constantly vying for the same space on the stage.  Despite that, nothing seemed to go horribly wrong.
• I was slightly shocked when placements were called!  Until that weekend, I had never placed above 6th in an open champion competition, and lo and behold, I found myself not only on the podium for third place, I also received a sash and lovely plate!  This gave me a great confidence boost.  It's great to have proof that my hard work it playing off.
• This was also the most fun I'd ever had at a local feis.  I greatly enjoy spending time with the particular group of senior ladies that are both within my dance school, and that I see only at competitions.  There is a lot of camaraderie between all of us.  The Maple seniors spend some time before awards playing a favorite game of mine, Cards Against Humanity, and it may just be a feis staple from now on!

Coyle Feis: I will be there this weekend!  My goal is to recall in this large and out of region group.

Non-dancing tidbits

• Work is going well!  My 4th graders will be putting on a Veteran's Day concert in a week.  It will be my first concert at my new school!
• I am moving to a new apartment in the very near future!  I will conveniently located in between work and dance.  I just now have the added stress of packing all my things up and moving when Oireachtas practicing is reaching critical mass.

Goals: Dance confidently at the feis
Days till Os: 31

Mini Update

In this month's edition of Mini Updates: Oireachtas, feiseanna, performances, and a giveaway!

Oireachtas Prep

• As much as I hate to say this, I haven't been practicing as much as I should.  My current practice plan was put on hold from when school started until essentially now.  This week, though, I'm getting back into doing a very focused 20 minutes of drills a day, whether it be stamina, or rhythmic bits from my hornpipe.
• I also suffered a minor set back last Wednesday that had me more scared than anything.  In the first dance practice of the fall and as I was running through my reel's second step, I twisted my ankle.  I judged it to be a minor sprain, as here I am a week later dancing.  Taped up, but dancing.
• This past Sunday was the first day of our Oireachtas team practices. I'm on two mixed teams, which I think is awesome.

Upcoming Feiseanna

• I have registered for both Rhythm of Ireland Feis in October, and the Coyle Feis in November.  More later on individual goals for each feis.

Halfway to St. Paddy's Day

• Performance number two (Fairfax Irish Fest) went very well.  We performed with a live musician, which was a great practice opportunity for the younger dancers performing about being flexible and adaptable with tempi.  I greatly enjoyed meeting with younger dancers from my school who I don't usually see due to being in a different class.

A New Look

• Right before school started, I cut off all my hair! (Well, not all of it, but a lot of it).  I have experimented with a bun wig to great effect.  I can still be the Star Spangled Girl With the Curls...my curls are just much smaller (and held in by many more bobby pins).

Do you want a free pair of ghillies? (Who am I kidding, of course you do!)

• Fellow Irish dance blogger and author, Christy Dorrity is releasing her very first novel for young adults entitled Awakening: Book One of the Geis.  The book is based in Celtic mythology and is about an Irish dancer, so she is hosting a giveaway to win a pair of Hullachan Pro ghillies.  To find out how to enter the giveaway, click here.

Awakening: Book One of The Geis
by Christy Dorrity
Photo: courtesy Christy Dorrity

That's it for me dance fans! Hope your next month goes smoothly!

Goals: Seriously, do your daily 20 minute drills. No excuses.
Days till Os: 73

2013 Goals and Aspirations

It's amazing how far I have come in the world of Irish dance.  When I started in 2007 as an adult beginner, my only goal was to simply learn anything and everything about this amazing dance form I have admired for so many years.  A year later, my goals shifted to the realm of competitive dance; something I swore to myself I'd never do after spending nearly a decade as a competitive gymnast.  Little by little, I upped the ante for myself from getting to novice, to preparing for prizewinner, to competing at my first Oireachtas and moving to the champ levels.  Now that I'm at the top level of dance, it's weird to me that my goals have hardly changed at all.

Granted, I did spend 75% of last year injured or recovering from an injury.

For 2013, my goals include to:

1. Continue to improve my turnout and cross technique in my dancing,
2. Begin to place more consistently in my competitions at feiseanna,
3. Recall at nationals, and ultimately
4. Qualify for the world championships as a soloist.

I aspire to be the best team member I can be by coming to practice with a pleasant and helpful attitude.  I aspire for good health and stamina.

In other news for this year...

• Feiseanna and majors I will be present at:
• World Championships (March)
• CCE Feis (May)
• Old Dominion Feis (June)
• North American Nationals (July)
• Rhythm of Ireland Feis (October)
• Feis Culkin (November)
• Southern Region Oireachtas (December)
• New dress, new dress by Elevation Designs!
• If you're wondering where the Shut the Feis Up posts disappeared to, the author (my boyfriend) has enlisted in the Army.  He is currently at basic training in Georgia, so he is unable to continue to write blog posts.

Goals: Work through new hornpipes and reels

Days till NANs: 179

The Oireachtas (teams)

(The first half of my Oireachtas experience was dedicated to my solos, which can be read here.)

My afternoon of teams was what I was looking forward to.  It meant I was halfway done with Oireachats.  Plus, dancing ceilis is just plain fun.  I was a member of both an all-girls eight-hand and a mixed four-hand dance.  Neither ended up placing, but the point is that we all had fun practicing and competing together as a team.  Team was a big theme of this year's Oireachtas for my dance academy, and for good reason.  With one Maple team being in each of the three figure choreography age groups, coming in with a team mindset is extremely important to help combat through nerves, and share in excitement.  I have never felt so close to and supported by my teammates in my years dancing.

The figure was one of the highlights I was looking forward to all day.  After being part of the team that won the 2010 Oireachtas in our own backyard, I could not wait to step on stage and feel that same sense of exhilaration.  Our music, though was a minor issue.  If it doesn't start exactly at the beginning of the piece, then the whole count-timing-to-start-thing is off.  This happened.  Our music was restarted and we began for real.  This dance felt different than two years prior.  It was in a smaller hall.  There were new-to-figure dancers who never danced the figure on a stage this large before.  I felt as if I was being pushed towards chaos.

I personally was holding my breath as the announcer called the results for the figure choreography that night. The figure team was in a tight circle, all holding each others' hands.  The closer the announcer got to announcing the winner, the tighter we (read: I) held on.  Time slowed down as he began to read second place.  The team called was not us!  We were the champions...again!  "Gangnam Style" played as we partied to our spot on the podium.  It was a grand celebration of teamliness.  Nothing could bring us down as we reaped the reward of our hard work this fall.

Maybe you will see us at worlds...

Goals: Learn a reel, last hornpipe step
Days till NANs: 183

The Oireachtas (solos)

The Star Spangled Girl With the Curls makes an appearance!

Something about the Oireachtas morning warm up session had me off.  I kept confusing my second and third treble jig step as I ran through them.  Getting on stage to actually dance my treble jig, all that I forced to go through my brain was my body knows what to do, stop brain-ing it up.  So what did I do?  I forgot how the beginning of my third step went on the left foot.  Right in front of my TCRG and one of the judges. (Who I happened to meet in the elevator that morning and she consequently told me to stretch out and travel because the stages were huge.)  I knew I at least had a solid second round.  I could not have nailed my slip jig any more than what I did that Saturday.  Of all the times I wish I had a video of myself dancing, that would be the moment I want on film.  My stamina didn't give out.  I smiled.  I was so magnificently confident in how I danced.

Maple senior dancers

Waiting for recalls was a time for multi-tasking.  The senior ladies received a participators' patch.  We took pictures with the Christmas scenery.  I prepared another senior dancer's make up for teams later that afternoon.  I managed to stuff down half of a roast beef sandwich for lunch.  I knew that this was one of the last moments of calm to myself during the day, as I had three team dances to get through yet, so I isolated myself to get my thoughts in order for my set.

I have a history of weak set dances at Oireachtas.  In 2010, I died so much at the end of Drunken Gauger that I missed a part at the end.  With last year's Planxty Drury, I lacked rhythm.  With this year's Planxty Drury, I danced hard, but I missed so may beats that unless the judges were deaf (they weren't), I would be docked.  It's all because of my catch-22: to dance now, I have to tape my ankles.  If I tape my ankles, I miss trebles because my ankles are restricted.  I loosened the tape, but still I have troubles.

I am so not impressed.

Again, I met personal disappointment as solo results were called that evening.  Being the last number on the program, I waited with bated breath through all the other numbers, watching my friends be named as world qualifiers.  When the announcer called "...and number 81," I could feel the reality of my own personal let down sink into my stomach.  As I was coming to terms with yet another year of not qualifying, the group waiting backstage became smaller and smaller. All I could hope for was not 16th.  Not again, for the third year in a row did I want to be the first non-qualifier.  I was announced as 19th, so I took the stage with my fellow senior ladies to watch the rest of the results unfold.

It took until the next day for it to sink in that I had only been preparing since October, due to spending most of the year injured.  With all that, I still placed 19th.  I haven't improved much in my placements, but I also didn't do any worse than before injuries.

Goals: Learn hornpipes/reels
Days till NANs: 205

Bonus: Watch the senior ladies' results!

Pre-Oireachtas Update

Tomorrow I leave for my fourth Oireachtas. There's a lot riding on this: will I reach my long-term goal of a 2013 world qualification for solos? Will our figure choreography be top in the region? There has been so much work put into both, and I'd love for it all to pay off.

 It's been 130 days since my latest major injury, and here I am about to leave for a competition I thought I couldn't do a couple of months ago.

 Either way, it will be an epic weekend.

Stay in touch with me while I'm in New Orleans:

• 'Like' the new Rince go Bragh page on Facebook for photo updates and more!
• Follow @RinceGoBragh on twitter for short and sweet up to the minute messages through the day.
• Hang around the senior ladies' stage on Saturday morning for real life interaction!

Goals: tan, finish packing
Days till Os: 1 day, 13 hours

Blog Challenge: I am grateful for...

1. Physical therapists.
2. Athletic tape and ankle braces and Advil.
3. The TCs who take time out of their day to help us choreograph steps, improve our dancing, and make dance class a fun place to be.
4. Happy and positive team members.
5. Tanning salons to receive that "natural glow" in the middle of fall.
6. Wigs that make hairdos a snap.
7. Sock glue.
8. Duct tape.
9. Padded ghillies, and...
10. Supportive dance friends who cheer each other on, despite being each other's competition come Oireachtas day.

Goals: Stamina tonight, rest my legs the next three days.
Days till Os: 10

A Winter Poodle Sock Craft

In which I become sentimental about socks. Fairly warned be ye, says I.

As I was browsing Pinterest the other day, I came across this really adorable pin of a sock snowman.  Of course my first thought was 'poodle socks?!'  Upon closer inspection, and after seeing the materials list, I just knew these adorable little snowmen had to be created.  I take no responsibility for the creation of this craft, so the tutorial can be found at this lovely blog.

On Sunday, I made a trip to my local Dollar Tree to find cheap ankle socks for sweaters and dry beans to stuff my snowmen.  After cutting up my loved pair of sparkle poodle socks (and raiding my prized crystal collection), this was the result.  Warning: cute overload.  Also, noses still needed.

These little guys are quite special to me.  As I acquired new (still unworn) sparkle socks in May, I felt the need to immortalize my previous pair.  these snowpeople are made of more than meets the eye.  These socks were bought in Florida for the 2010 nationals.  I was wearing these socks both times I won my prelim champion competitions.  They were worn for my first open champion feis, and also traveled with me to Dublin, Ireland as I danced at my first world championships.  These socks saw some lower moments too.  They were with me when I experienced the bittersweet sting of placing one spot shy of being a world qualifier...twice.  And the last time I wore these socks?  I tore three ligaments in my right ankle.

Do you have a special pair of socks?  Share your story below!

Goals: Finish stoning dress, don't overdo dancing
Days till Os: 12

Mini Update

Injury recovery

• I have finished my first round of physical therapy!  Already, my ankle is nearly back to full strength and flexibility.
• I began my second round of physical therapy three weeks ago and will finish the day before I leave for New Orleans.  This was recommended for extra strength since I'm still not 100% back with my dancing abilities.
• At my recent visit to my podiatrist, he said that everything was healing nice and tight like it should. 
• My dancing is improving on the daily.  As of Monday, my slip jig is finally feeling back to it's pre-injury self, I even added an over back into my lead!  My hard shoe focus is mainly getting my stamina back up.
• Fun fact: I use a roll and a half of athletic tape each day I dance to tape up both ankles for injury prevention and maintenance.  I own a case of athletic tape for this reason, and I will probably be halfway through this box by Oireachtas.

Oireachtas news

• My confirmed dances for the big day: solos (senior ladies), mixed four-hand, ladies eight-hand, and figure choreography.  It promises to be a long day since the southern region so lovingly puts all the senior solos and all teams on the same day.
• I designed the shirts you'll see my dance school wearing at this years Oireachtas.  I won't give any sneak previews, though.  You'll have to wait till the SRO to see them, but let me say, we will stand out.
• We recently were on a two week break with dance classes, and while it doesn't fall at the most opportune time, I was able to fit in small drilling sessions at home, which have had varying degrees of success.  Less success after Sandy hit and I got behind in job things.

Other dance things

• October has passed, and with it my five year dance-iversary!  Happy five years of dancing to me.
• This past weekend was Feis Culkin, which I chose not dance in.  I decided to save my ankles from intense competition until my Oireachtas marathon day.  Regardless, I did have nightmares the night before the feis about showing up late to dance even though I wasn't registered.
• Check out these pants.  Just look at how perfectly they match my solo.  Plan on me wearing them at the Oireachtas.

• Also in my Oireachtas fashion suitcase: this Captain America shirt to rock on the day that I'm dancing so I can be the Star Spangled Girl with the Curls.  I still have to do some tailoring for easy over the wig removal...

Goals: Stamina/sharpen steps

Days till Os: 25

The Star Spangled Girl with the Curls.

I am drawing a lot of inspiration from Captain America at the moment.  He is my superhero role model.  This is partly because Chris Evans is ohmygosh gorgeous and Avengers is my favorite movie.  Besides that, here's why:

I am a pre-serum Steve Rogers.  My leg is scrawny from all the time spent immobilized in my boot.  I have ankle issues.  My strength is not the best.  But will I give up?  No.  Steve didn't back down from bullies, so I'm not going to give up on this Oireachtas dream.

Steve was approached by Dr. Erksine and agreed to undergo the transformation to a super solider.  Lucky for him, he had a whole team of scientists there to assist the transformation, including Howard Stark.  All he did was show up, jump in a machine, and bam, super solider.  I on the other hand will be undergoing my transformation with my own will power and help from my humble little team of my TCRG, my podiatrist, and my physical therapist.

Captain America is a peak physical and mental condition, an aspect I'm striving for in my own dancing.  He is hard-working, loyal, and noble.  He is the best of the best in the Marvel universe.  Plus, Captain America's personality is just so intrinsically good, how can he not be a good role model for everything aspect of life?

All I need is a portable plushie Cap toy to keep in my dance bag and remind me to be the best of the best.

And also, how cool would this be as a solo dress?!

Goals: Treble jig stamina
Days till Os: 53

Mini Update

Injury recovery

• I officially got rid of my boot this past Tuesday!
• Round one of physical therapy began three weeks ago, and already there is a huge difference in the strength and flexibility of my ankle.  My PT likes to joke with me that he's not needed, being I just went through with all of these exercises less than five months ago... I told him I just need him for his machines and massages.  Also, he's giving me exercises to strengthen other parts of my leg and my core, which are useful.

Dance tidbits

• Figure choreography practice is in full swing, and I can make it through dancing the figure!
• This week, I will be going back to doing solo classes as well.  It's an experiment, since I need to do some soft shoe re-choreographing to compensate for injured ankles.
• I will be dancing solos and teams at the Oireachtas.  I'm very excited and know that this year's journey will be appreciated 100% after the long string of injuries.
• I began taking a weekly class at a local dance center that combines ballet barre work, yoga, and pilates.  I'm only in my second week of class, but already I feel stronger, but that's probably stemming from being sedentary since July.

Life tidbits

• My first month of being a teacher is over!  Almost everything is getting easier since I'm settling into my schedule and routines.  The children are mostly adorable.  Except when they're misbehaving.
• My first paycheck is roughly the price of a new Gavin.  I can't complain, this is more than I've ever made in my life.

The 2012 breakdown, part 2

With 100 days left until I dance at the Oireachtas, I think its a good time to do a goals check in.  (Remember this post from the beginning of the year where I outlined my ideal year in dance?)

My original goals for the year:

1. Improve turnout
2. Place at least once in opens
3. Place higher at nationals (60th in 2010)
4. Qualify for worlds

Unfortunately, due to two major injuries, including six torn ligaments, I need to update my goals. In all actuality, I will not attend any local feiseanna this year to place in.  I was unable to attend nationals.  This leaves me with two goals:

1. Improve turnout
2. Qualify for worlds

I want to qualify to compete at worlds as a soloist. This has secretly been my ultimate goal since 2009 when I started this blog.  I will be completely crushed if my injuries keep me from this goal.  On that note, I will for sure be doing teams at the Oireachtas.  I will be in a figure choreography, which can still give me a chance to be on a worlds stage.  There is just that uncertainty for solos due to my most recent injury and the months of recovery time I still have ahead of me.

My goal for the year will be to go to worlds. Even if just for teams.  Period end of story.

Goals: Heal.
Days till Os: 100

Blog Challenge: Confidence at my first Oireachtas

This month's blog challenge by The Dance Buzz is a writing prompt: "Dance is both confidence building and humbling.  Write about a time you experienced either."

The last dance practice before my first Oireachtas was one of those rare times in my dance career that everything felt like it had clicked into place.  I remember going through each and every one of my dances and just feeling like I was nailing everything.  I knew I wasn't the best dancer going to compete, but there was this part of me deep down that knew I was good enough to recall.  Even though it was my first Oireachtas.  And I had only been dancing for two years.  At the end of class, I asked my fellow dancers and  my TCRG if there are any tips, what to expect, etc.  I was told that I had put in so much work so I should go enjoy it, have fun, and to do my best.

Putting on my game face before warming up.

The morning of my solo competition, I was completely on time with getting ready.  Equipped with my iPod, I had given myself an hour to find an isolated spot in the venue to warm up and get in the zone.  This was surprisingly easy.  I went into this competition without putting pressure on myself, so it was just me and the dance.  I wasn't worried about recalling.  It would be nice if I did, but I knew it was my first Oireachtas, so I was just there to showcase my best dancing.  As I was warming up, I still felt that super confidence in each stretch and every drill I did.  One of my feis-mates was watching from afar and even complimented my on my improvement.  With one last listen to my inspirational song, I was off to dance my first round, treble jig.

There is one moment of dancing that stands out for me from this competition.  It is the first few seconds of my second round, slip jig: And one two switch, step over down... I experienced this sensation in my first leap of hanging in the air for what seemed like an eternity.  I could see everything happening from my point of view on the stage, but I could also see this perfect leap both from above and from the audience's view.  To this day, I cannot remember a better leap, a better single moment of dancing.

After finishing my two rounds and having lunch, recalls were finally going to be announced.  I was standing by a wall in the hall right next to a younger dancer (my feis sister) from my school and her mom.  The announcer began reading off the numbers of the dancers who have recalled and would dance their set dance in the next and last round.  I couldn't breathe.  1, 2... Had I danced well enough? ...3, 4... Could the judges tell it was my first Oireachtas? ...6, 7... What was my number again? ...9, 10... Oh, 18, it's right here in my hand. ...16, 17, 18.  My knees gave way, I was sitting on the floor crying and being tackled by my feis sister and her mom.  I did it.  I had just recalled at my first Oireachtas.

Goals: Slip jig lead.  Make one.

Days till Os: 165