The McGrath Feis

On Sunday, I attended my first feis of 2015. I went to the McGrath Feis in Woodbridge, Virginia to begin my set of prep-for-nationals feiseanna. I was lucky to have my parents, boyfriend, and boyfriend's mom in attendance at this feis. This feis featured a 20 and over age group split, which I am so thankful for! I can't tell you how nice it is to not have to dance with people nearly ten years younger than I am.

My goal for the feis was to make it through my hornpipe and reel steps without forgetting how they go. I learned new hornpipe and reel steps in January, and this feis was my first chance to compete with them, They are very stylish steps, and I am working to perfect them and get them in to my body as well as my old set of hornpipe and reel steps.

I did meet my goal and was about to get thorough my first two rounds without forgetting! Of course, there were points in my hornpipe that I knew could be better (especially since my only comment from the feis was "feet too straight"). My reel round went fine, though my ankles felt particularly wibbly-wobbly that day, and all I remember thinking about was "hold it together!" To me, my set round felt the strongest out of all. After competing with this Planxty Drury since 2011, I feel like it's finally gotten really good. My beats are strong and rarely missing throughout. I have the certain extra turnout points flagged (though execution is not up to par still).

Awards for this feis included round awards of chocolate bars for first through fifth place for all three rounds. I placed in each round! Fourth for hornpipe, second for reel, and third for set.

I love chocolate.

I also was super surprised to hear my number called for third place in the overall championship! I was not expecting to place so well doing new steps partially because I know they still have a lot of work to be done on them. This is a tie for my highest open placement (Rhythm of Ireland 2013).

I was very fortunate that I has so many loving family members come to support my dancing on Sunday. I'm glad they got a chance to see my new dancing steps, and to attend a feis where I placed so well!

Up next is the Hurley Feis on May 24th!

Goals: Work on new set, HP stamina
Days till NANs: 71

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

North American Nationals, Dancing Edition

Let's take a trip back to January of this year when I set my goals:

For 2013, my goals include to:

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

At my first Oireachtas, my biggest confidence boost happened the morning of my competition when I was warming up. I felt that same way the morning of my solo day at nationals.  Before my hard shoe round, I was in a photo on livestream taken by the gorgeous Ciara Sexton (who's outfits were classy all week long!).  I had two fairly solid rounds, even with being the first person in round two!

After the seniors finished their two rounds, my group decided it was time for lunch, so we went to grab some Baja Fresh and chill, figuring we had somewhere around two hours before they announced recalls.  I went back to the hall immediately after eating, not wanting to miss a second, while others went to their room briefly.  I laid on the floor, trying to rest or nap, be calm, and wait for the announcement of when recalls would be announced.

Without warning, a lady announced over the microphone that she had the recalls, and started reading immediately.  Never has anyone jumped off the floor faster than me.  I scrambled to get my program and pen to circle those who recalled, and waited with bated breath as the numbers got closer and closer to 31.  My number was called.  I may had said something along the lines of, "Oh my God," but mostly I started crying and shaking.  I have finally checked off one of two long-term goals I have had for myself:  I finally recalled at nationals.

There was an immense calm that I felt that afternoon and evening.  The kind of calm and sense of accomplishment that can only come with reaching a long-term goal.  I felt no pressure when I went back on the nationals stage for a third time to dance my set.  I looked out into the hall and saw, well, mostly people who don't know who I am, but the small core of dance teachers and friends who helped me get to this moment were there, and that's where my focus was.

The last time I stepped foot on the nationals stage was to receive my medal for placing 38th.  I am completely happy with cracking the top 40, and I was only five spots away from being a world qualifier.  I could tell my dance teachers were proud of me (and of course wanting more for next time!).  I am looking forward to working hard this fall so I receive that world qualification at the Southern Region Oireachtas this December.

Goals: Start building stamina again.
Days til Os: 128

Pre-Nationals Mini Update

Nationals: Here I go, off to my second north american championship!

• My goal is to recall, but I don't think I'll be bothered if I don't.  I have made excellent progress in my dancing since the Oireachtas, and I'm feeling good about where I stand, regardless of a nationals recall or not.  I'm trying to take this major with a no-pressure attitude.
• I'm looking forward to spending a relaxing five days in California at essentially a convention for one of my favorite things in the world.  I'm traveling alone, so Disneyland is probably out of the picture, but I'm hoping to spend lots of time pool-side with a book and an adult beverage when I'm not dancing, and/or making new dance friends.
• I won second place in the last instagram contest!  My prize is a photoshoot with Prine Photography while I'm in Anaheim, and also to be featured on the poster they are making.  Now, do I go buy a toy Cap shield for this?  I'm thinking yes.

• If you see me (or a version of me being Captain America), don't hesitate to say hi!  I arrive on the 4th (tomorrow!), dance in senior ladies A split on the 6th, and leave on the 8th.  I will be doing my best to send many updates through social media as I can in Anaheim. [Follow Rince go Bragh on twitter] [Follow sekubik on instagram]

Old Dominion Feis

• I placed 6th in open champs out of 15 dancers!  This continues to be a huge confidence boost for me, not only because I actually placed in open for the second time in my life, but especially so since my dad took a video of my set and it actually sounds fabulous!  After three years, my set is really becoming awesome.  I hope I can dance it at nationals.
• All three of my teams dances won!
• My social media updates were awesome (if I do say so myself).

Happy girl.

Goals: Don't become a head case
Days till NANs: 3

I've got those 3-day workshop blues

So, I'd expect most dancers took the week off after worlds (maybe it was just me?). For the most part, I did relax and focus on my recital (see: And now for something completely different). BUT (knew that was coming, didn't you?) we did have three days of step-learning workshops the weekend right after worlds.

And this? Is the carnage after day 3.

I've got the shin splints going on and the toe blisters artificially remedied by duct tape. What you can't see is the hip that started hurting, which got slathered with Tiger Balm.

Besides that, I really do love my new steps. Maybe I love them because after two years, I am finally doing reel/hornpipe for an extended amount of time (hopefully...stay tuned). My favorite out of all these new things is my set, Planxty Drury. I can't tell you why, other than the fact that I picked it up pretty quickly. I just like it.

Goals: Figuring out how to apply turnout to steps, left foot of hornpipes