Adventures up North, version 2

May 16, 2010 - hard to believe! I started this blog 3 years ago to chronicle new adventures so it seems fitting to return to it now. Ever get the sense you are onto something big only you're not sure what it is? Well that's exactly where I am now. I'm 34 years old, recently married (to a wonderful guy), and (for a variety of reasons) probably about to quit my job and venture out into the great unknown. I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen next but (or perhaps I should say consequently) I thought it might be a good idea to take another crack at blogging. So here you have it - stranger in a strange land, volume 2. Of course this time, the stranger is you reading about the strange land that is my mind. Welcome to the weird! XO

How 'Bout Them Apples?

So, since I did finally realize that fall is here, I thought it would be fun to go apple picking. Friday afternoon Tim and I hopped in the car and went to Tougas Farm. After deciding that we didn't really need a bushel of apples, we purchased a single peck-sized bag and headed off into the orchard. Of course, we dutifully stopped and read the rules first:


Ok, so at least Tim follows instructions. Observe the two-handed approach to apple picking:

Of course, there's NO WAY he climbed the ladder without first reading the safety instructions...

Safety first kids! This clearly leads to happy apple pickers.

On the other hand, you could take the riskier approach. With an apple in each hand, you have to wonder how I made it down the ladder safely. The weight of that giant apple probably threw off my center of gravity. I guess I'm lucky I didn't end up as a bizarre CNN story (I can see the headline now - Girl dies due to intense gravitational field present in giant apple)

But never fear, all is well. While it's obvious that I didn't exactly use the lift and twist technique (which would never result in an apple with an entire tree attached), the apple still tasted good.

AND, as an added bonus, on the way out we walked by some raspberry bushes. YUM, free raspberries!

Now, if you are wondering what we did with all of our apples, you'll just have to wait until my next post to find out...

The F-word

So I can no longer be in denial; evidence is mounting and I fear that fall (gasp!) is here.

Exhibit A: The Maple leaf


See how it's red and no longer on a tree? That means leaves are falling off. Pout.

Exhibit B: Apples


Those big, round, red things? Yup, ready for picking (see next post). If someone doesn't pick 'em soon they'll fall off (and probably get bruised - what are you waiting for??)


Exhibit C: Sunrise and Sunset Times

Don't really have a picture for this one (nor have i figured out a way to use the f-word) BUT the sun now rises at 6:40am and sets at 6:28pm (ACK, dark before 7pm!) This is less than 12 hours of daylight. It's only going to get worse from here folks! (at least until Dec 21) In fact, soon it's going to be so dark in the morning that I won't be able to see when I get up and I might just trip over the cat and fall. (ok, that was a stretch, but I should at least get some points for creativity)

So, I think I really do have to admit that in spite of the 90 degree weather last week (loved it!) I am no longer in Florida and eventually I will have to put my flip flops in the closet and find some long sleeve shirts. At least apple picking is fun! :-)

Rain, Rain, GO AWAY!

Yeah, so it rained all day today and didn't even break 70. Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore. Further, I think I can no longer be in denial about the F-word...Fall is coming folks! (I even saw a few red leaves on the maple tree outside my window.)

In other news, I did teach my first ballet class yesterday and nothing exploded so I think it went well! Also, I finally uploaded all of my pictures onto the computer so maybe, just maybe, you guys might get a photo entry soon (now that everything is completely out of date and irrelevant....)

In the meantime, just imaging lots of raindrops and you'll know what things look like up here. :)

wow, i really do exist!

Check it out - I'm now officially faculty at a ballet school in Marlborough, MA. Hopefully I don't screw the kids up too much! :)

Musings on a Timeless Art

So it's 12:41 am and I should be sleeping (or at least getting ready for bed, since I spent all of last night in the office) but instead I've spent the past hour watching ballet videos on youtube. First I was just checking out some videos of Gillian Murphy, one of today's most technically amazing ballerinas (yes, her pirouettes are phenomenal!) , but then I started searching out older videos of some of my childhood idols. I stumbled across one of Natalia Makarova (in my mind, probably one of the world's greatest artists, and an extremely versatile ballerina) in class getting corrections from one of her teachers. There were also some other interesting clips of class at American Ballet Theatre in what looked to be the early 70's. Even though it was more than 30 years ago, the dancers did the same steps we do today, wore similar dance clothing (even rolling their tights up the way I frequently do), and talked about similar issues ("oh gosh, look at her, she's never going to get into a company." "you need to do a double tour after that arabesque." etc.) Watching all of this reminded me that the art I have chosen to pursue is extremely steeped in tradition, with steps, styles, and techniques being passed down through generations. The survival of this art is thus dependent on those who teach it, and teach it well! Classical technique in any discipline survives because there are those willing to pass it on. (just look at what's going on with Yoga these days!) I can't believe I am about to become a part of this tradition - I feel very lucky and honored that people are actually putting their faith in me to carry on the legacy of dance. I just hope that I can show my students how wonderful it is to be a part of history and how we are all connected to one another.

One more train ride...

Ever play "Where's Waldo??" No? Well here's a similar game: Where's Joanna?
In Boston? No
In Florida? No
In NYC? YES

can't keep up? don't worry, neither can I! Quick update - I'm in the city for the week to study at the Merce Cunningham dance company school. I'll try to update as i can - pictures of the journey so far will probably end up waiting until next week.

xoxo