Lucky Girl.

I am absolutely grinning at the thought of my marvelous week! The past week has reminded me what a lucky girl I am.

And why should I feel so lucky? Because despite the snow at the beginning of this week, my semester at HPU began with a theater full of eager bodies and minds. Those bodies and minds displayed beautiful dance work, which I know will only become more amazing as the semester goes on. I went to my first faculty meeting this week, and I am beginning to feel more and more at home at my workplace. I got my wish: HPU will be having its first formal dance concert next spring, during the 2011-2012 theater season! What's more, rehearsals for Thoroughly Modern Millie have finally begun, and I am inviting the challenge of choreographing this show with gusto. I taught the cast a fun combination for the opening number to begin, and to my excitement, it looked good!

This week also brings with it, an opportunity to take part in someone else's work. Karola Luttringhaus, artistic director of alban elved, a modern dance company here in NC, asked me to dance a piece in her upcoming show. It has been such a long time since I've learned somebody else's choreography, and I am finding it satisfyingly challenging! The piece I'm learning, called "Lena's Bath," hits home with me as I have always had an unstable relationship with water. How fitting is it then, in my quest to become more comfortable with water, to dance a piece about becoming comfortable with water?! I find Karola to be quite an interesting, knowledgeable woman, and I feel that I could learn a lot from her. She works with a certain intensity that I enjoy, but she is also loose and easy to communicate with.

As with every week, I speak to my friend and collaborator, Laura. We begin to speak about new ideas for our piece, "Common Threads," which we'll finally have a chance to rework for ourselves since our residency at NC State this past fall. We'll be presenting the piece in progress at SECCA at the end of March. We have decided to give ourselves the few days prior to our showing to do a workshop style rehearsal period. We've decided the experience of having this workshop period will enhance the work we already have to show, and allow the material to grow and change as it pleases. There is no reason why we should have to stick to a rigid form for the performance of this piece. Depending on who's in it and where we take it, we've decided to allow the piece to evolve naturally. As we discuss our ideas, there are overlapping thoughts and notions, which tells both of us, that we're on the same page. I love it when that happens!

Another happy occasion this weekend, as my mother graduated from her MFA program in creative writing. I am so proud! She looked so happy, walking across the floor to receive her diploma. And I hope she will continue to write her lovely stories. She inspires me to keep learning and changing and growing, even if you think you've finished doing all of those things. She teaches me that it's never too late to pursue your passions, whatever they may be on any given day.

Finally, I must comment on the amazing love of my husband. Through all of this wonderfulness, I still was feeling under the weather this week, with a mysterious headache/dizziness/shakiness. My husband took care of me, tucked me in at night, and spent quiet time with me. He makes me feel safe, and makes me feel grounded. While I'm walking around on cloud nine, he's supporting me all the way. While I'm in three places at once, he is the steady force in my life. The cherry on top this week was definitely him!

Yes, I am a lucky girl.