When I was in 8th grade everybody in the class of 120-or-30-some-odd students had to participate in a career fair. We each had to select a career in which we were interested, or what we wanted to “be” when we grew up, to research and present at the “fair.” At the time I was really into figure skating. I never had taken any lessons, but in the winter I would skate on our frozen pond with the cheap pair of skates my mom got me for Christmas one year. I would watch every televised competition or event, and I knew who every figure skater was and what their strengths, weaknesses, and “signature” moves were. But at 13-going-on-14 I knew I was too old to be a competitive figure skater, especially since I’d never had any formal training and all those people on T.V. had been training practically since they could walk. However, I had an eye for artistry, so I figured I could make it as a choreographer. And that’s what I chose for my 8th grade career fair project. From my research, I learned that choreographers often start off as dancers who also usually begin learning their trade at a young age; yet another thing in which I had no experience. So after the career fair I pretty much scratched that idea because I figured I was too old to start. Sad, huh? Since then my career plans, or more accurately “ideas,” have jumped from Artist to Archaeologist to Art Historian to Illustrator to Costume Designer to (Movie) Set Designer to Pediatric Endocrinologist to Diabetes Educator to Personal Trainer to Special Effects Make-up Artist to Sculptor to Actress. Now, I find myself taking circus arts classes and sincerely wanting to attend as a student in one of the full programs; the current objective seems to be Circus Artist/Performer/Instructor. The story ripens from here. So, the New England Center for Circus Arts is in an old mill building which also houses many other crafters and businesses. There is an Open House the first weekend of December (2nd-4th) 2011. During the Open House, on Saturday December 3rd at 4:00 pm, there is an informal, low-key, FREE winter recital of the non-program students (those of us who take the evening classes but are not enrolled in either the Intensive or Pro-Track Programs). So, I signed up to perform on the German Wheel. It’s really just to show community members what NECCA has to offer and then on Sunday they actually have a chance to try some sample classes. But still, here I now find myself going over the tricks that I know and how to put them together in some sort of sequence; in short, I am taking my first shot at choreography for my first public performance on the German Wheel. They say you’re never too old, and I wish I had listened when I was a wee 13-year-old-babe.
Showing posts with label circus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label circus. Show all posts
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
So It Begins
Today is my little brother's birthday. He turned 23. It's 11pm and he's currently in the ER because we think he has diabetes. Happy Birthday, right? It occurred to me earlier, shortly after I did a blood test on him (and it was over 600 mg/dl), that I've had diabetes for longer than he's been alive; and yet, it greatly upsets me that he now probably also has it. Even though this disease is manageable, I don't want him to have it. I wish he wouldn't have to go through the daily frustrations associated with it. He has the worst luck, too. As our dad said, "If it wasn't for his bad luck, he'd have no luck at all." If only he had mentioned something last week, this birthday could have been a little better. Oh well.
That brings me to my first point: symptoms. These are the reasons we did a blood test in the first place. My brother was exhibiting some classic symptoms of diabetes, which include frequent urination (every hour or so), extreme thirst, unexplained weight loss, feeling generally bad, like sick to the stomach, run-down, tired, spacey, pale skin, and bags under the eyes. Yes, some of this could be due to sleep patterns and being over-worked, but when they're all together, it's best to see a doctor. Luckily, he was not throwing up.
Ok, so according to the American Diabetes Association, symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes are:
Now that that's out of the way, a word about the purpose of this blog. About a week ago I got the idea to write a blog about dealing with diabetes and not letting it dictate life. That is to say that I have this goal of attending the New England Center for Circus Arts (circus school), and there's no way I'm going to let diabetes stop me. It hasn't stopped me from playing softball or soccer, rowing for the UMass Women's Crew Team for 4 years, or bicycling across the country. Basically, I want to use this as a way to give other people hope and encouragement. Sometimes it is difficult finding others with this disease who have not let it slow them down. Then, when you hear about them, it's easy to say, "Well yeah, they could do such-and-such a thing because of such-and-such a reason, and I don't have that kind of resource or whatever." I've said it. Many times, these people were already participating in sports, ballet, swimming, or mountain climbing before they were diagnosed, so it might seem like they already have an advantage. Well, I've never done circus before. I learned how to do a cartwheel on the playground at recess in elementary school. That's it. I know it's a cliche, but you just have to want it, whatever it is. I know sometimes that's not enough; you also do have to work for it, because it's not just going to materialize out of thin air, but that goes along with wanting it. If you want money, you have to work for it, right? I know it's really not that easy, but you have to start somewhere, and sometimes it means jumping in with both feet. Now I'm just rambling. I'd better stop before I type complete nonsense. And my decaf tea is probably cold now. Shucks.
Anyway, a note to my brother, if he ever reads this, and to anyone and everyone else who is feeling down and overwhelmed: it could be worse. Really. Just take it one day at a time.
That brings me to my first point: symptoms. These are the reasons we did a blood test in the first place. My brother was exhibiting some classic symptoms of diabetes, which include frequent urination (every hour or so), extreme thirst, unexplained weight loss, feeling generally bad, like sick to the stomach, run-down, tired, spacey, pale skin, and bags under the eyes. Yes, some of this could be due to sleep patterns and being over-worked, but when they're all together, it's best to see a doctor. Luckily, he was not throwing up.
Ok, so according to the American Diabetes Association, symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes are:
- Frequent urination,
- Unusual thirst,
- Extreme hunger,
- Unusual weight loss,
- Extreme fatigue and irritability.
Now that that's out of the way, a word about the purpose of this blog. About a week ago I got the idea to write a blog about dealing with diabetes and not letting it dictate life. That is to say that I have this goal of attending the New England Center for Circus Arts (circus school), and there's no way I'm going to let diabetes stop me. It hasn't stopped me from playing softball or soccer, rowing for the UMass Women's Crew Team for 4 years, or bicycling across the country. Basically, I want to use this as a way to give other people hope and encouragement. Sometimes it is difficult finding others with this disease who have not let it slow them down. Then, when you hear about them, it's easy to say, "Well yeah, they could do such-and-such a thing because of such-and-such a reason, and I don't have that kind of resource or whatever." I've said it. Many times, these people were already participating in sports, ballet, swimming, or mountain climbing before they were diagnosed, so it might seem like they already have an advantage. Well, I've never done circus before. I learned how to do a cartwheel on the playground at recess in elementary school. That's it. I know it's a cliche, but you just have to want it, whatever it is. I know sometimes that's not enough; you also do have to work for it, because it's not just going to materialize out of thin air, but that goes along with wanting it. If you want money, you have to work for it, right? I know it's really not that easy, but you have to start somewhere, and sometimes it means jumping in with both feet. Now I'm just rambling. I'd better stop before I type complete nonsense. And my decaf tea is probably cold now. Shucks.
Anyway, a note to my brother, if he ever reads this, and to anyone and everyone else who is feeling down and overwhelmed: it could be worse. Really. Just take it one day at a time.
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