Today I discovered that it is exactly 80 days until I zoom off to the otherside of the globe for the Tattoo. I have mixed emotions about that today, part of me is terrified as I'm still not 100% confident with the dance, add in to the mix the fact that what I'm learning will probably change again as the music is not yet completed! The other part of me is ridiculously excited for a few reasons being that this is going to be an amazing, life-changing experience and I also don't have to go to work for 7 whole weeks!
A bit of an update of what has been happening...
Saturday night the Port Adelaide Caledonian Society kindly used their May Ceilidh to raise some money for Jess and I to help with our travel expenses. So we dragged our unsuspecting friends along to a night of Scottish music and dancing which I'm sure in some part bored them to tears but there were also plenty of laughs...strip the willow being a highlight and learning experience for all involved! They were also lucky enough to watch the Port Adelaide dancers plus Jess and myself dance a few numbers! See a preview here!
On the preparation front - my tights and leotard have been ordered, I've been measured up for my new kilt socks, bought my tattoo shoes (although I'm thinking of getting a second pair to cope with all the rain :p) and all that is left to do is get measured for my new kilt jacket (tonight thanks to Jess's wonderful mum!) and order a new pair of pumps (which I've been saying i'll do for weeks so probably should get on it!) I also did some shopping on the weekend for a few key wardrobe items to take away...trying to limit the clothes I take so i can buy more over there!!! Today I've been attempting to calculate a daily budget for the trip to ensure I won't run out before the end of the trip!
I have also spent today watching the dance DVD over and over and over! Trying to get it all to stick in my head and I've written it all down coz it's kinda hard to dance watching the DVD with someone facing you...ending up copying them and being on the wrong foot!
In other news... got the keys to the new house and moving in soon! The rellies coming down from interstate to help with the landscaping and shopping :P
So that's pretty much how things are sitting at the moment... this year is flying by so quick, I'll have gone and be back before I know it!
2.6 months, 11.4 weeks, or 80 days to go!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
DVD's and chocolate!
I recieved my practice DVD of the EMT routine in the mail last week - super exciting! There are some changes and some new steps to learn but not particularly stressed about it! Been working on it little bit by little bit! It's getting closer and closer... but i'm still waiting for my team tracksuit to arrive :( !!!
I had a good easter! Got waaaaayyyyyy too much chocolate, but it was a good chance to catchup with friends inbetween work! Caught up with the school gang on Good Friday and had a family dinner with mates down from Roxby on Saturday night. Worked Saturday, Sunday and Monday, so i'm really looking forward to that paycheck coming in...more spending money!!!!
Put three kilos on in the last month - i blame my silly toe injury for that one! So fairly disappointed in myself! Decided to enjoy my easter and eat all my chocolate so next monday it is back to the calorie counting and lot's of excercise to get into a great shape and increase my stamina for Scotland :)
Got the ceilidh coming up on the 5th of May for a bit of a fundraiser to hopefully pay for a little bit more of my airfare!
Only 105 days, 15 weeks or 3.5 months to go!
Cass xo
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Quarter of a century
Hi All,
Just a little post to keep you all in the loop!
Had a slight hiccup on the training front with an injury to my fourth toe on my L) foot during a ballet class - my toe was swollen and various shades of blue for about 2 weeks with me unable to weight bear on the ball of my foot = no dance for me! The bruising has completely disappeared but it remains an odd shape and quite sore making dance somewhat difficult! I have started seeing a physio on a regular basis for my shins, i have some exercises and an icing regime and fortnightly visits to hopefully reducing the swelling in my shins and desensitise the nerves. I have recently sent off a photo for my EMT security pass...SQUEE!!!! It's all getting super real! Our practice DVD's have apparently hit the post so we should be receiving them soon :)
Had a lovely weekend in QLD to celebrate Chris's fabulous grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. Despite the horrible weather we still went out on the beast and did a spot of slightly unsuccessful fishing! Then had a lovely party on the Sunday and home on Monday :) Finally got to meet the rest of Chris's family from NZ. A great weekend was had by all.
Had a slight hiccup with the house - having to pick all new tiles wasn't a fun task! All is now back on track and should be finished before we know it!
I celebrated my 25th birthday on the weekend with a fabulous 90's themed affair! I found a fluro top and denim overalls - complete with a denim turned up hat with flowers! There were some amazing costumes...lot's of high waisted denim, fluros and plaid skirts! Even had a visit from the Spice Girls!!! The birthday cake and collection of 90's candy was a big hit! Got spoiled rotten by all my lovely friends and family! Thankyou so much...you know who you are...love you all :) I got a gorgeous passport cover from my lovely parentals as a birthday gift and some pounds from them and my aunty as well in preparation for the big trip!
That's about all i have to report for now.
4 months or 17 weeks or 119 days to go :P
Love Cass xo
Just a little post to keep you all in the loop!
Had a slight hiccup on the training front with an injury to my fourth toe on my L) foot during a ballet class - my toe was swollen and various shades of blue for about 2 weeks with me unable to weight bear on the ball of my foot = no dance for me! The bruising has completely disappeared but it remains an odd shape and quite sore making dance somewhat difficult! I have started seeing a physio on a regular basis for my shins, i have some exercises and an icing regime and fortnightly visits to hopefully reducing the swelling in my shins and desensitise the nerves. I have recently sent off a photo for my EMT security pass...SQUEE!!!! It's all getting super real! Our practice DVD's have apparently hit the post so we should be receiving them soon :)
Had a lovely weekend in QLD to celebrate Chris's fabulous grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. Despite the horrible weather we still went out on the beast and did a spot of slightly unsuccessful fishing! Then had a lovely party on the Sunday and home on Monday :) Finally got to meet the rest of Chris's family from NZ. A great weekend was had by all.
Had a slight hiccup with the house - having to pick all new tiles wasn't a fun task! All is now back on track and should be finished before we know it!
I celebrated my 25th birthday on the weekend with a fabulous 90's themed affair! I found a fluro top and denim overalls - complete with a denim turned up hat with flowers! There were some amazing costumes...lot's of high waisted denim, fluros and plaid skirts! Even had a visit from the Spice Girls!!! The birthday cake and collection of 90's candy was a big hit! Got spoiled rotten by all my lovely friends and family! Thankyou so much...you know who you are...love you all :) I got a gorgeous passport cover from my lovely parentals as a birthday gift and some pounds from them and my aunty as well in preparation for the big trip!
That's about all i have to report for now.
4 months or 17 weeks or 119 days to go :P
Love Cass xo
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Not that anyone is counting...
I can't believe it's March already! That makes it 21 days til my birthday...Yay!
I've always loved celebrating my birthday and this year will be no exception. Life is always so busy and it's hard to find time to catch-up with everyone so birthdays are the perfect excuse! Planning is well underway for a small get-together with a 90's theme. Ipod playlist is almost completed, I've almost settled on a design for the cake, now all that is left is to find a killer costume. I'm thinking overalls, some kind of top and one of those turned up, floppy denim hats with the obscene flower on the front will do nicely!
On the dancing front, things are going well. I've been working on championship steps which are proving to be a bit of a challenge but one that i am thorougly enjoying! The tattoo has proven so far to be the best thing for my dancing. I'm pushing myself a lot further than i usually would, working a lot harder to improve my technique before performance time. I've also been dieting to lose a little bit of excess weight. Calorie counting has so far proven to be effective. I've lost 5kg to date, with 2kg to lose to reach my goal and I can honestly say I haven't been overly hungry! Yes, i do look forward to dance class days where I can eat just that little bit more! I think the tattoo is having a slightly negative effect on my ballet, in that i'm waaaayyyyyyy to scared to do pointe in the fear that i'll do an ankle or worse! But it's only until July then i'll be back up!
Scrubbed the house from top to bottom today so now it has that lovely clean bleach smell! Looking forward to clean sheets and possibly my onesie when I get home from work in the morning (the onesie is dependant on the weather!). Just got to get throught these nights then I shall enjoy a glorious 4 days off. Gearing up for a good friends wedding next weekend, bought a size 8 dress for the occaision...very excited!
That's about all I have to report!
20.5 weeks or 144 days to go.
Not that anyone is counting...
I've always loved celebrating my birthday and this year will be no exception. Life is always so busy and it's hard to find time to catch-up with everyone so birthdays are the perfect excuse! Planning is well underway for a small get-together with a 90's theme. Ipod playlist is almost completed, I've almost settled on a design for the cake, now all that is left is to find a killer costume. I'm thinking overalls, some kind of top and one of those turned up, floppy denim hats with the obscene flower on the front will do nicely!
On the dancing front, things are going well. I've been working on championship steps which are proving to be a bit of a challenge but one that i am thorougly enjoying! The tattoo has proven so far to be the best thing for my dancing. I'm pushing myself a lot further than i usually would, working a lot harder to improve my technique before performance time. I've also been dieting to lose a little bit of excess weight. Calorie counting has so far proven to be effective. I've lost 5kg to date, with 2kg to lose to reach my goal and I can honestly say I haven't been overly hungry! Yes, i do look forward to dance class days where I can eat just that little bit more! I think the tattoo is having a slightly negative effect on my ballet, in that i'm waaaayyyyyyy to scared to do pointe in the fear that i'll do an ankle or worse! But it's only until July then i'll be back up!
Scrubbed the house from top to bottom today so now it has that lovely clean bleach smell! Looking forward to clean sheets and possibly my onesie when I get home from work in the morning (the onesie is dependant on the weather!). Just got to get throught these nights then I shall enjoy a glorious 4 days off. Gearing up for a good friends wedding next weekend, bought a size 8 dress for the occaision...very excited!
That's about all I have to report!
20.5 weeks or 144 days to go.
Not that anyone is counting...
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Starting at the beginning...
I said a little while ago i was going to start a blog to keep a record of the lead up and my trip to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo this year so here it goes...
I suppose I should start at the very beginning...
I applied a little while ago to go to the Tattoo and on the 4th of November 2011 I received my congratulatory email and contract to say I'd been selected as one of 24 dancers to represent Australia at the 2012 Edinburgh Military Tattoo. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this Scottish extravaganza see www.edintattoo.co.uk. I was stoked to hear that another dancer from my class had also been selected so I had a travel buddy! I was able to negotiate 6 weeks of annual leave over winter... so after the completion of the tattoo I could spend some time travelling with the family who have decided to fly over and meet me there :)
Skipping forward a month or two over Christmas....
There was a workshop held in Bathurst for tattoo dancers to meet each other and begin to learn the choreography. Thanks to my co-workers for shuffling shifts to allow me to attend!
So a few weeks ago Jess and I headed off with her mum on the long drive to Bathurst... leaving at 6am on Friday morning and after some interesting sights along the way... rear to kerb parking, emus, bikies sprawled on the pavement outside pubs in tiny towns and Jess running over a lizard we finally made it to Bathurst at 9 ish pm! The lovely Laura's mum was kind enough to put us up for the weekend!
So we had a peek at the costumes, learnt a lot of the choreography,met some of the other dancers and even squeezed in some shopping and treats at the french bakery! All in all it was a great weekend and it was of great benefit to us to be able to make it over! So after two full-on dance sessions we headed off home at lunchtime on the Sunday after doing a lap of Mount Panorama! We made it to Mildura by 10ish pm and were up bright and early the next morning to do the last leg home! Making it home tired, weary, and just in time for work!
So apart from practicing and practicing and more practicing to make sure we have it down pat and are up to scratch... not much else happens on the dance front until we arrive in Edinburgh in July!
On the travel front...
Flights are booked and partially paid for!
The family got together over Christmas and a list of must see places was established!
We then got the maps out and roughly made up a route!
Leaving Edinburgh and travelling up through Scotland to Inverness, back down to Glasgow then across to Ireland then a quick trip to Paris before returning back to Oz!
After much emailing back and forth between families we have booked all accommodation for the 12 nights we will be touring around in our minivan and flights in between countries also booked!
It's starting to get exciting but there is still a fair way to go and many important events before the big adventure!
22 weeks and 4 days or 157 days...not that anyone is counting :p
I suppose I should start at the very beginning...
I applied a little while ago to go to the Tattoo and on the 4th of November 2011 I received my congratulatory email and contract to say I'd been selected as one of 24 dancers to represent Australia at the 2012 Edinburgh Military Tattoo. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this Scottish extravaganza see www.edintattoo.co.uk. I was stoked to hear that another dancer from my class had also been selected so I had a travel buddy! I was able to negotiate 6 weeks of annual leave over winter... so after the completion of the tattoo I could spend some time travelling with the family who have decided to fly over and meet me there :)
Skipping forward a month or two over Christmas....
There was a workshop held in Bathurst for tattoo dancers to meet each other and begin to learn the choreography. Thanks to my co-workers for shuffling shifts to allow me to attend!
So a few weeks ago Jess and I headed off with her mum on the long drive to Bathurst... leaving at 6am on Friday morning and after some interesting sights along the way... rear to kerb parking, emus, bikies sprawled on the pavement outside pubs in tiny towns and Jess running over a lizard we finally made it to Bathurst at 9 ish pm! The lovely Laura's mum was kind enough to put us up for the weekend!
So we had a peek at the costumes, learnt a lot of the choreography,met some of the other dancers and even squeezed in some shopping and treats at the french bakery! All in all it was a great weekend and it was of great benefit to us to be able to make it over! So after two full-on dance sessions we headed off home at lunchtime on the Sunday after doing a lap of Mount Panorama! We made it to Mildura by 10ish pm and were up bright and early the next morning to do the last leg home! Making it home tired, weary, and just in time for work!
So apart from practicing and practicing and more practicing to make sure we have it down pat and are up to scratch... not much else happens on the dance front until we arrive in Edinburgh in July!
On the travel front...
Flights are booked and partially paid for!
The family got together over Christmas and a list of must see places was established!
We then got the maps out and roughly made up a route!
Leaving Edinburgh and travelling up through Scotland to Inverness, back down to Glasgow then across to Ireland then a quick trip to Paris before returning back to Oz!
After much emailing back and forth between families we have booked all accommodation for the 12 nights we will be touring around in our minivan and flights in between countries also booked!
It's starting to get exciting but there is still a fair way to go and many important events before the big adventure!
22 weeks and 4 days or 157 days...not that anyone is counting :p
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