Troughs and Crests

Return to VA

Let's face it. When you finish a year off with an awesome production in Cardiff then Holidays at home, then a blissful week in Sydney, things must stop going up. Coming back to Virginia was a necessity (also very welcome), but I got back and went straight into the grind. I took a babysitting job for a couple of hours a day. I agreed to do some data entry and scanning for my mother, and I ended up with the household's weekly errands. It was a bit bleak and definitely stressful.

Most probably, I was just dealing with jet lag and coming down from a caffeine high (I mean, there was no other way for me to meet up with my Australian friends without teas and coffees galore). Plus, the cold weather sure can get you down! I did my best to combat it and embrace the weather, going on hikes with Father +Nick Horton and Ham-dog and +Caitlin Roberts. Below are just some shots of the "men" in my life. Things are looking pretty good if you ask me!

Hammer, Sniffing for Deer

Father, Also Sniffing for Deer

Heightened Perception of Deer through Tongue Receptors

Facing Defeat and Treading on Home

Ballet at Mrs. Haddad's

There's no denying that I probably should move on from my old ballet studio on Georgetown Pike. However, each year, I return to classes to make sure I get some exercise while I'm home and get back in touch with the infamous Mrs. Haddad. To my dismay, everything was difficult. I realised that although I was in shape for Company and had really good endurance on the tennis court, I had lost my "ballet dancer" muscles, i.e. turnout and calves. Three sessions in, I finally got in the groove and am getting better equipped for the upcoming auditions in the UK. Even landed some triples. I am certainly going to keep up dance however possible (already signed up for some free classes in Cardiff and gotten in touch with the RWCMD dance teacher)! Winning.

BUT WINNING MORE BECAUSE @Casey Jones and @Paula Novacki, dancers from my youth, decided to drop into a class too! It was so awesome to see them again, all impromptu. Also that class, the words, "Oh! Sally's stripping!" were exclaimed by octogenarian Mrs. Haddad. She is definitely an oldie but a goodie.

Probably the Only Civilised Photo of Us Ever.
LtoR: Paula, Casey, Me, Jessica, Sarah

The Crests of the Week

So after a few days of feeling "ugh" and "I can't believe people used to say I'd be a good mother", I got into the groove of things. I realised that these girls I babysit are some of the best-behaved toddlers I've come across (doesn't the prospect of twins scare you too?).  Plus, I was appointed their Royal Guard, and when they misbehaved I became the Sheriff; essentially what I'm saying is that I got to practice different accents with the girls!.... I'm so lame.

I Look Like the Hip Older Sister. #parked #safetyfirst

The 2.5 hour days seemed almost too short for the 40 minute drive to their house. However, I found myself doing some crazy things. Like sleeping over so I could see them off to school in the morning too! 

How Did This Happen & What Even Are These Sheets?!

After realising Fiddler on the Roof buddy @Anthony Mason was visiting the States with his girlfriend, I quickly contacted him, only to find out that he was already in DC! We met up in Tenleytown for a night of Trivia. Out of the 8 teams, we began in 6th place and... guess what. 

WE WON!!!!!

Trivia was hosted wonderfully by West Side Story friend Eliot Johnson, and the smartest man at the table? Another WSS friend, Brendan McMahon (who may or may not be auditioning for 1776. He'd be the perfect Thomas Jefferson!!!!). 

To Conclude the Week

I got to chill with @Elizabeth Kenis, my funny friend from High School. Unfortunately for our lives, she's part of the Coast Guard and I move all over the world, so our schedules very rarely matched up since graduating. Lucky me, I got to go over to her house and eat as much Chinese food as possible, and then we decided to make an ice cream sundae. We were out of chocolate sauce, but conveniently found some mint chocolate bailey's.

Old habits do die hard. I haven't eaten this much since I was last at her house...

Ultra Stuffed and Engrossed with 13 Going on 30.
Best Friday Night Ever? 

That Thing I Didn't Want to Share but Made Me Laugh So Much

Part of my worries this week were due to the fact that I wanted to purchase a rain poncho for biking through Cardiff. My inclination naturally would be to buy a bright colour to be seen at dark, and I really enjoyed this Coral colour. But they wouldn't match my rain sneakers' shoelaces.

If there was ever a time where I should be slapped, it would be about now. However, I knew that my tendencies were never to leave the house if I wasn't coordinated, so I braced myself and bought the "fushcia" to match my shoelaces. And oh, oh, oh! The wonder of it all. I know that the fuchsia (i.e. posh pink) would be just as tacky and gross as the coral, so at least I match my shoelaces! What a silly person! I even took a photo shoot and made my mom a Birthday slide show using the photos.

I kid you not.

 #Nofilter. and #Nosocialfilter.

Ciao Readers, and if you know her, greet my Ma happy birthday, and if it's your thing, say some prayers for her! She is a wonderful and accepting woman and I am so happy and grateful that she's around for me. xx