Duh-duh-duh

These last two weeks of school are really going to test me, yo. I have seven performance exams, six finals, and over five tests before the end of the semester. I would like to keep my A's (physics is another story, and we are NOT going to talk about it...I have a B), so it seems likeall-nigters are about to become the norm for Simone. Sorry my posts have been so short lately, but I've been kind of busy...have you heard about the number of tests I have until the end of school?...just checking. I've already taken my SPanish II performance exam part I today, and I take part II  next week...sometime...After I get off, I will go and study for my APUSH performance exam where I have to study four out of the five POSSIBLE topics for a free-response tomorrow. I'm excited. Just printed out each topic from the internet off the "for dummies" website. Win. Good things should happen.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

We finally got our Christmas Tree! It's officially Christmas at my house! I actually don't have that much more to say. Thanks for reading.

Stuffed Turkey and Christmas Socks, too

IT'S THANKSGIVING! WHOO! I feel so pudgy it's almost ridiculous. Almost. Yesterday, I did my Billy Banks Tae Bo Ab Workout for 30-ish minutes just so I could have more room for turkey goodness today. I think my plan worked out pretty well because I ended up eating three plates worth of food and an embarrassing number of plates filled with sugar-ey delights without feeling all throw-up like. I'm proud of myself.
As much as I love the day of giving thanks, I love Christmas even more, and tomorrow is the start of it all: BLACK FRIDAY! I'm not actually sure where we're going...or if we are going (the parentals told us it was a "possibility"). Either way, I'm ready to break through those doors in the early morning with the crazies; I'm wearing my celebratory argyle Christmas sock on my left foot and my candy-cane socks on my right; my upper-wear is currently non-Christmasy (baby blue and lavender ain't gonna work), so, in a short while, I'll be changing into my red and white polka-dotted pants topped with my gingerbread-man t-shirt (courtesy of my "secret pal" of 2009).
I'm slightly embarrassed that I only have one legitimate picture prepared for today (the first one was taken a whiles back), so I believe this is where I will end.

The Gift 2011: Let's risk the ocean, there's only grace

Praise In Motion's The Gift happened this weekend! Good stuff. Being in the theater with forty-ish beautifully talented girls who love God and desire to praise Him and glorify His name is a truly remarkable experience. Both shows seemed to be full of born-again believers and thirsty non-believers, and many of the non-believers, I've been told, dedicated their life to Christ. I'm thankful for that.

We've been preparing for these performances since the end of July so it's easy to get distracted by the steps and the movements or wrapped up in performing for the audience rather than performing for our audience of one. This season, overall, felt more...comfortable, maybe...? Not going to lie, backstage, during rehearsals, was hectic, as always-- costumes were misplaced, shoes missing, and cues missed. On the days of the actual performances, however, even on the car ride over to Brenau, there wasn't as much of the nervous anticipation that I had grown accustomed to these past five years. Rather, we (me, Emily, Elizabeth) saw fit to take that time to focus on God and pray that His will be done in the midst of all the chaos. Elizabeth whipped out her nifty daily devotional journal and read a passage (can't remember what it said exactly...hold on, I'll google) that seemed to go along almost exactly with the day's plans: "Leave outcomes up to Me. Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out. Think of your life as an adventure... Live in the now...staying in step with Me... Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to Me... leaving outcomes up to Me." Crazy, crazy, CRAZY!

Before each performance we have a devotion; nothing new. Saturday, the 19th, our devotion discussed a servant's heart, and Miss Rhonda (co-director) read a passage from John 13, which is where Jesus assumes the position of a slave and washes the feet of His disciples. Deep. Well, it got deeper. We all went out into the audience, for our quiet time with Daddy, and Miss Rhonda called out all the Company members from the audience onto the stage; we thought we were in trouble (not really, but we didn't know what was going on). She took us back to the "green room" (it's painted black..whatevs) and told us that she and Miss Kathy (owner of En Pointe and also co-director) (Jesus=director) were going to wash our feet. I lost it. We split into two lines, half with Miss Kathy the other half with Miss Rhonda, and they washed our feet, massaged them with lotion of your choice, dried them, and then clad them in fuzzy socks also of your choice.

Following the spa treatment, each Company member was to go back into the audience where everyone else was still seated and grab an Apprentice so as to wash their feet in the way the Director's washed ours. The train would continue with Apprenctices washing Invititaionals. No one still seated in the audience was even remotely aware of what was going on backstage, and each time a Company member emerged from the wings, heads would fly. Loved it. I got a little excited after Miss Rhonda washed my feet and went out to washed my little sister's feet, Tomi; little Jonsie's feet; and one of my little Eastsiders' feet, Maggie. At one point, everyone's feet had been chosen for washing-- even Jesus's and Joseph's feet got washed-- and we were all standing backstage; praying for our little girls and watching as other's washed the feet of the girls we've grown to think of as our families. There was a peaceful silence about the room; among the Tech Crew, Families, and dancers alike.

These recent performances, similar to past performances, have been emotional for me. My BiFFeL Carolyn, aka Kay-Rollin, is moving on to higher education next year. She was among the first people I talked to when we both made it into PIM in 2007; she's done my make-up for EVERY single show (I have no clue what I am going to do next year...), allowed me to stay at her house when performances nearby and in, return, I've allowed her to stay at mine each summer for the summer workshop. I don't know what I'm going to do with that girl; maybe sign up for a "How to apply stage-makeup class," or something. My (yes, I got possessive once again) other senior Mary-Catherine, affectionately known as MC, also has desires to take her education to the next level. I've only known her for these past two years, but she's easily the sweetest person I've ever known, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to cry when she leaves. On top of all that, my big sissy Christian was there the whole week from college, no big deal, along with my loves Jessica, Melody, and Julia. It was like our family was back together and I just couldn't control myself.

The performances were packed out and the audience was cheering along, so it's only safe to say they were enjoying themselves. I feel like we all gave 110% for the performances; some ended up with bruised knees and sparined ankles, but they pushed through. We did so, not so that we would get the glory, but to honor God's name, and ensure His name would be praised. I think He was proud of us.

I'm going to miss not performing for a second time this weekend with my second family, but our goal to allow God to dance through us and touch the lives of the audience members was definitely achieved, and that's all I could ask for.

Ps: you're welcome for all the photos. I took over 50 this weekend and I needed to advertise them somewhere ;)

Pps: thanks for reading :)

When there's nothing left, let your healing come

On Monday, I went back to Clarkston for the first time in months; I died a little. Seeing all those kids again for what seemed like the first time, it took all I had in me not to cry. I probably held all the kids ten times each and ended up taking over sixty photos.

Usually when I go there with mi amiga Emily, and occasionally the Jonsie, we tutor them for about an hour to an hour and a half. We got there later than usual, no big deal, so most of the younger kids were already done and gone. There were, however, a group of fourth and fifth graders still hanging around--working out multiplication problems, writing short stories, the norm. I met a little 4th grader named Hussain; love of my LIFE! He had the biggest brown eyes I have ever seen...ever, and every time he talked, it was like his mouth forbade him to frown; love him. I really wish I'd gotten a picture with the cutie, but the professor (he was super smart) never came outside, which was where all the action was happening.

I only tutored for a little while because most of the ones that were left only had a few more problems to work out and then went outside; after I was done helping a little Korean girl and her friend, they practically pulled my arm out of socket to bring me outside; I didn't mind, though.Outside, there were five-hundred thousand kids (exaggeration) running around; it was mid-November, but warmer than usual for this time of year. I found my little Asian boy Sawyo (2nd grader) and we talked for a little while. I love him so much. The kids are precious. And I love them. All of them. A lot.

OH! There was a little baby--pretty sure her family just recently came from Africa because she didn't speak English, really-- and she would make the CUTEST sounds I've ever heard! It was like a wittle mouse! AHH! Adorable. Like I said, she didn't speak a lot of English, but she knew how to say "come" (she made me go down the slide with her) and she knew "gimme" (she really liked my camera. like...really).

It melts my heart to see how ecstatic my (yes, I got possessive) kids are when they us coming or when we enter the room; it melts your heart, really. We have a summer camp for them each year as well, and it's truly amazing an amazing experience when you get to talk about God's love to these children who's families came from third-world countries and own virtually nothing. It's truly remarkable. They trust you whole-heartedly that you will lead them in the right direction.I could go on and on about how much I love these kids, but I guess this may be a good stopping place. I love my Clarkston Babies. The End.

All Georgia, All Night LONG!

How 'bout them Dawgs!? If you are an AU fan, you may as well spare yourself future anguish and stop reading now, and if you're a UGA fan...WHY AREN'T WE FOLLOWING EACH OTHER? 

The game is only in the 3rd quarter, but the score is already 7-38 UGA. But is anyone really surprised? I mean, come on, UGA is ranked 15th in the SEC, respectively, and AU is said to be ranked 20th.

I recently took a trip to the land of the dawgs (see the shiny pictures?) and declared myself a baby bulldawg. I don't know if that's the kind of thing you can just nominate yourself as, though...Well, anyway, while we were there a shiny license plate...thing about GA vs AU was in the store (see shiny picture #2). I've never wanted to own a car so bad. When I get a car, I'm decorating it in GA colors. The only possible problem is if I end up attending a college other than UGA. Especially if I went to a rival college like Florida or somewhere (Auburn's not a possibility...sorry Tigers). That could be a problem.

Monday should be a fun day. My friend Morgan is a die-hard Auburn fan--her daddy played there in college, you see, and Cam Newton is beautiful, or so I've been told (NEWSFLASH: he doesn't even play there anymore, love)--and she's at the game...right now; more than likely crying. I feel bad for her.

And then there's my friends Carolyn and Maggie from dance who LOVE Auburn with a passion I just can't relate to. Mags wasn't there Thursday, but her FB statuses declare her love. And Crisco...well...I just don't know why she loves them so much. Something about her padge going to school there or something. I don't know.

*4th quarter started & scores haven't changed!

*I warned them this would happen, but you know tigers, they can't be tamed.

*jokes! UGA=6th Touchdown! 7-45 UGA. whateva*
*UGA WINS! look who's going to the SEC Championship!*

*excuse my use of capital letters...I just get excited sometimes :)*

Jazzercise is the best thing since Justin Bieber....

 SOOO....Halloween at dance? Probably the best thing. Best costume? JAZZERCISERS! WOO! (Please look below if you beg to differ). Neon leos and neon tights an neon headbands. Yeah. I don't know anything better than jazzercise. True chiz, yo (I'm practicing being urban..mane).

I realize Halloween already happened, like a month ago, but that's not the point right now. The point is that jazzercise is slowly, but surely, taking over the world; that along with zumba. If you've never jazzercised, GET ON IT! It really is the best thing since Justin Bieber. Not saying I'm in love with the Biebs or anything, but he is pretty awesome. But jazzercise....that's like a whole 'nother level...and then four more.

Totes ridic!  

Sadly, I was at dance (that's not the sad part) on Halloween (I was Minnie Mouse...Jazzercise happened the day after, Nov. 1st. No questions, please), so I didn't get to trick-or-treating *frowny face*. I did get Smarties, though. Smarties are always good, right? Not gonna lie, I'm not really a fan, but when that's the only candy you're offered, it's almost impossible NOT to OD. Always the exception to the rule, I did not overdose, thank yo very much. I simply continue to return to the studios each day and pickup my share of Smarties. No big.

Looking at that picture on the top left really makes me want to go out and buy legwarmers. The kind that are acceptable to be worn at school. I don't actually know what kind those are, but I will find them. And I will wear them.