Signs, and a Paid Trip for Giselle!

Well, as I've continued to sit and stew about this whole SYTYCD thing, a couple realizations have come to me. Mostly, the fact of the matter is, while I do want to do this audition thing for myself, I mostly want to do it because someone who I look down on as a dancer did it, and I feel the need to prove myself as better than her. I don't think this is a positive rationalization for doing anything. Secondly, I have received some very strong signs in the past hour to further steer me away from thinking I should audition.

1-I was accepted to the NCUR (National Council of Undergraduate Research) held in Maryland the 2nd week of April. I had already been accepted for UCUR (Utah's...) which is an accomplishment in itself, but now I am committed to not only the trip, but the necessary preparation to present at such a conference. I actually got accepted for two different research submissions, one in Dance History, and one in Dance Kinesiology. If I were to make it through to Vegas, I would have to reschedule my finals to take them early, but now I won't be able to reschedule them due to my (school paid) trip to Maryland.

2-My partner for my auditions informed me that he wouldn't be able to miss school in order to try out with me. I could do something besides Ballroom, but honestly, I'm rusty, and even at my peak I would have a hard time competing with all the studio babies in Utah. There are 10 year olds that dance for Center Stage, Vibe, Winner School, etc that could kick my trash, let alone those recently graduated seniors who are dying to go professional. My jazz, contemporary, and tumbling need to be the back-up to my ballroom, but none are strong enough to stand alone for my audition.

I realize these posts aren't fun...but I figure rather than having this conversation 12 times with every member of my family and circle of friends, I can just put my thoughts here, and you can comment or ignore me until I post something exciting...

Love you all...I'm eager to hear your input.

Fun in the Sun!

This weekend we headed down to St George with Nate, Celeste, Justin, and Ali. We stayed in the World Mark Resort and spent a few days relaxing in a little bit warmer weather. We went miniature golfing, and I didn't lose!

The highlight of the trip for me was the "Short and Scary" hike through the crack in DIXIE rock. Crack is correct! All but the girls had to get down and scoot on their sides to make it past the most narrow part, but eventually we were able to work our way sideways up the crack until we found a cool cave on the side and climbed straight up and out the top. It was SO fun!

We spend another couple of hours hanging out on the rocks, climbing and hiking...it really was the highlight of our weekend. It was a beautiful, warm day and we were grateful to be in the sunshine for the weekend.

Christmas Break

Christmas break was, of course, fun and full of exciting things to do...Noah and I went snowboarding twice during the break with the Rasheta family at Sundance, as well as sledding in Provo. My entire McNeil family visited my parents in Woodland, and on the Rasheta side, Nik and Anissa and kids came for a couple weeks, Dak and Tara popped in after Christmas, Tere's brother Frank and his kids Roberto and Ana Patricia came, and Noah's best friend Jorge and his wife Anel came to stay with us! It was quite the marathon event!

Sadly, I did a poor job of keeping our camera with us, but we did get a few shots on Christmas Eve and during DDR at our house.Noah with Olivia (this was the biggest smile I could get out of her!! :)


Tere carrying on the Mexican tradition of rocking the baby Jesus with a song before putting him in the manger. Of course Nik and Noah were busting a gut because they couldn't remember the song!


Olivia putting the baby Jesus figurine in the manger...


Anissa and I in our matching p.j.s from Lary and Tere...

Nik and Kevin competing at Dance Dance Revolution at our house...
We were happy to hang out and play DDR and cards with Nik, Anissa, Kevin, Jorge, Anel, Roberto, Ana, and Patrick all night.

Stay tuned for New Year's Resolutions!

Christmas Preparations

The tree is full! We are ready ready ready for Christmas!!!

I decided to take a few of my favorite shots from our Europe trip and hang them up. I was so proud of myself as I did the whole process myself (except for Noah getting the nails straight) from taking the pictures, editing them in photoshop, making the enlargements, mounting them, and painting and sanding the frames. They're hanging in out kitchen now...the framed photos are below so you can see them better.

The London Eye, London, England

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Side "street" of the Grand Canal, Venice, Italy

Success!

Grades are in...and my 19 credit semester that nearly kicked my butt ended up not so bad after all. I was a couple absences short of a 4.0...Silly weight lifting.

Dance History (3 Credits) A
Dance Kinesiology (4 Credits) A
Current Issues in Dance (3 Credits) A
International Ballroom Dance IV (2 Credits) A
Aerobics II (1 Credit) A
Weight Training (1 Credit) A-
Senior Capstone I (1 Credit) A
American Social Dance Teaching Methods (2 Credits) A
Fundamentals of Coaching (2 Credits) A

Flight Update...

I just thought I'd update the family on my flight progress. On Friday I took the FAA written knowledge exam for my commercial helicopter pilot license. I passed with a 91% (a few airplane questions tricked me, those darn airplanes!) I'm pleased with my test score and on my overall midterms I scored a 98% getting only one question wrong. Once I re-read the question I realized I had answered it to fast so I should have scored a 100%. I'm at the top of my class right now and on schedule to be graduating sometime in March most likely. I started flying the R44 (4 seater chopper - Shown above) this week to begin working on my instrument rating. It's been a lot of fun learning to fly without ever looking out the windows...all instruments only! Pretty crazy! I'll let you know how it goes as I continue progressing. Love you all! - Noah

How much is that doggy in the window?

For real, people, how can you resist? If you don't have a yard (like me) I understand, but look at them! Please tell anyone you know who might be interested about these little guys and girls. They are so sweet! I got a puppy for Christmas one year and I loved it! Best Christmas present ever...

Christmas Tribute Video

Photo Portfolio - HELP!

I have to put together my portfolio before I graduate, which includes a photo portfolio with head shots and dance shots. Please pick your favorite head shot, and your top five dance shots, and list them in the comments...I want as much input as possible. Thanks!!
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Christmas Spirit

Well, when I got home from school today, I decided it was time to get the Christmas tree set up. I had forgotten how much I like my brown and gold ornaments I got at Tai Pan last year...

I also got started wrapping presents. So far, there are 5 for Noah from me, plus one each for Mia, Jack, Landon, Luke, and Noah G. Oh yeah, and one for me, but it's not wrapped, 'cause it's a big old fabric cutting board thing that was pretty impossible to wrap. Man, Noah is good at picking out exactly what I want, isn't he?

Mom gave me these little votive holders last year...

More Tai Pan goodies from last year...

The "Believe" sign Anissa gave me last year goes perfectly on the shelf in my kitchen. I want photos of everyone's decorations and presents as they go up, okay???