My Dance Partners

I wanted to make a tribute piece, dedicated to my favorite dance partners across America, since I'm stuck here in Cleveland (not that I don't love it). Everyone listed here started out somewhere in Ohio, where I subsequently met them. I wrote this because I miss them, and my nights out dancing just aren't quite as fulfilling without them. They've complimented me on my improvement and are always so encouraging. All of these leads find incredible joy in dancing, and whenever I dance with them, it reminds me why I love it as well. This list is in no particular order.

Gordon:
Gordon was actually the dance partner with whom I first learned lindy hop. He's the one who first instilled the love of dancing in my heart. He's tall (quite nice for me), he likes to look good, but he also likes to be silly. He likes to be good at what he does, so he's always willing to work on things with you. Honestly, he was the first guy I ever actually considered to be my dance partner, and the first guy I ever danced with. And those first ones will always have a little place in your dance heart.  
Current location: Whittier, CA

Tristan: 
Tristan isn't really my dance partner. We don't get to dance together that often, and at most if not all dance events, he's a crowd favorite. Nevertheless, Tristan is the dance partner with whom I feel I have the most dance chemistry. He's another tall one, and he's so incredibly graceful. I first danced with him when I was still relatively new to lindy/blues and the tricks and moves that he was able to make me do just blew my mind. He really does put his dance partner on display and tries his hardest to make every dance the best you've had yet.
Current Location: Columbia, SC
Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of us dancing together, but here are some great pics anyway!

Nick:
Nick first introduced me to lindy hop and blues. He is the guy who no matter how tired he is, or no matter how tired you are, he still wants to dance to those crazy songs that are 200 BPM or faster. He is full of theatrical energy and every dance with him is almost a performance for everyone watching. He loves to do those moves that make people whoop and wail, and he always compliments you with a "Ooooooooooh yeah!!!" whenever you add some unexpected flair to your dancing. Dances with Nick make you feel good about yourself.
Current Location: New York, NY
Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of us dancing together either! Here are some great pics anyway!

Aaron:
Aaron dances every day; he dances when he walks, and when he's sitting. We both learned lindy together at Wooster, but we never really danced together until senior year when we taught lessons in our swing club. We quickly bonded and became instant dance partners and best friends. Whenever you're out with Aaron, if there's danceable music playing (even if there's no music!), no matter where you are he'll grab you and dance. You could be in a coffee shop, outside at an art fair, or in an intimate setting listening to live jazz. Even if there's not enough room, you will dance. Dancing with him is fun and celebratory. He gets so much joy from dancing that he doesn't care how it looks to other people. Aaron embodies a true dancer, living his life through it, and sharing it with everyone.
Current Location: San Jose, CA 

And now, thanks to everyone moving away, I have to force Adam to dance with me. Though I don't think he minds.....tooooooooo much.

*Gordon photos courtesy of ShortGirl Photography
*Tristan photos courtesy of  Maggie Hardesty and ShortGirl Photography
*Nick photos courtesy of Cameron Dunbar and ShortGirl Photography
*Aaron photos courtesy of Sally Soto
*Adam photo courtesy of ShortGirl Photography

My Life As It Were

In a sigh of relief and also, just for the sake of sighing, I have reached the end of this admissions period. And survey says: I did not get in. But I MADE A WAIT LIST! That wait list gave me a little glimmer of hope that I was all but lacking for the longest time. My rejection letter said the only reason I didn't get in was because the program filled up! How good does that make me feel, you ask? It makes me feel freaking FANTASTIC! Fortunately, I'm able to "roll over" my application there (Eastern Michigan) for the winter semester. I have already done so, and plan to send in a few more letters of recommendation, as well as a new and completely improved personal statement, full of emotion and narrative and power.

I figured I might as well apply to a couple more schools for the winter semester, just to open my odds again. There aren't many schools that accept winter admission, but I chose Baylor in Texas and Appalachian State in North Carolina. My friend Wes is going to Baylor for grad school, and he's really smart so I'm afraid it's one of  those schools in which you have to be extremely above the curve to get in. I'm trying to get ahold of him to ask since I'm not familiar with their reputation, but he's one of those people who are bad at communication. But Wes is more!

In lieu of grad school for this semester, I'm looking for a job more in my field. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and the people I work with, but "division secretary" is not my dream job. I've been a secretary for 5 years and I'm ready for a challenge. My friend Megan, who graduated from the same program as me at Wooster, just got a job as a classroom behavior therapist at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism. Here's the article she linked me to that tells all about it. Basically, this job requires a bachelor's degree in any field pertaining to psychology or one of multiple therapies (speech therapy being my forte). With a bachelor's in speech therapy, there are basically no jobs available in the field, so I was elated when I found this one. It's also the only job like it in the area. It pays a great salary, which is perfect for paying my student loans (that starts next month, eek!!!), and it will give me great field experience which grad schools absolutely love. Thankfully there was a brand new job posting on the website for this position. I quickly applied to it and am patiently* awaiting their correspondence.

So, here I am, awaiting with an optimistic smile, trying to save up my money for potential moving out when grad school inevitably comes around, as well as for paying student loans. I'm persevering and as my friend Nick always says, I'm "living the dream." 

It really bothers me that "excited" is spelled wrong.

*I'm not actually very patient with this type of thing.

Outfit post 3!!

This outfit post has a kind of theme: skirts with pockets! I absolutely LOVE skirts and dresses with pockets, and am even considering a wedding dress with pockets when that day comes (I watch too much Say Yes to the Dress). I feel like these outfits are both really me. One is a more business professional me, and the other is a more casual every day me. I love them both.

I was really excited about this first skirt because I had been looking for a gray one to wear to work. I walked in to H&M, saw it, and freaked out because it had pockets! Plus H&M is relatively cheap, so I was pretty content buying it. The black top border is great for defining a waist, and the gray goes great with bright colors. I wore black patent wedges to work this day. They're really comfortable.

Pink Shirt: New York & Co., Gray Skirt: H&M

This next outfit I wore just this week. I absolutely LOVE Lauren Conrad's designs and I feel like they really help define my style. Therefore this is one of my favorite skirts. Sadly in the picture I didn't put my hand in the pocket, but I assure you, they are there. The cardigan was a Christmas gift from my boyfriend's parents (his mom knows my style well). I totally love it and was excited that I could finally wear it since it has quarter sleeves. The back is a sheer crochet lace type of thing and it's so cute. I finally took a detail picture for you all! I wore some brown (I can't remember the exact name, kind of like a wood shade) flats. They're kind of uncomfortable, but way cute.

Gray Cardigan: American Eagle, Bird Print Skirt: LC by Lauren Conrad for Kohls

 

The back of the cardigan!

I'm feeling quite stylish as of late. Except for today, I went from scrubs to a t-shirt and shorts. Hopefully I can keep up the pictures!

Any style suggestions for me?

I Feel Like.

I feel like exploring.....yet I have nowhere to go.
I feel like writing........yet I have no words to pen.
I feel like reading.......yet I have no time.
I feel like learning.......yet I have no medium.
I feel like starting my life......yet I have no means.

I feel like I've been off work for way too long and my mind is going nuts. Maybe I'll start to make daily to-do lists. Or ACTUALLY find a means and medium to start doing things like learning. I think I just need to get out of my house.