We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 18

Monday, August 23/10

Today we started new exercises in ballet and that felt more complicated this time, (probably because they were) but I was very off balance today. However it was a great class and we had a few viewers. Then we had modern and that was fun as usual. I ate lunch with the Mexican girls again, then we had variations. We had many viewers for that one. That was our last variations class. Then we had jazz and mom came to watch that one. It was a great class and I love Laurie, she is such a great person! We finished the combo we did and it was great! That was also our last jazz class.
Mom and I ate supper and then came back to the hotel. Jared called and said him and dad were getting ready to leave now and they aren't stopping so they should be here in the morning sometime. I'm really excited to see them!
They will be viewing tomorrow.

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 17

Sunday, August 22/10

This morning I woke up and went to church. So far I was feeling refreshed and happy. church was great. Then after mom and I ate a quick bite to eat then went to see Eat Pray Love. Very good movie, I really enjoyed it a lot and loved the quotes in it. After mom and I went back to the hotel to change because it was too hot to wear jeans. Then we walked to a church and walked back and wondered. When we got back to the hotel I went on facebook and stuff and found really good new songs by Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses. Fell asleep for a bit then tried to find V for Vendetta on the internet to watch for free and it took me about a half an hour to find one. Then finally watch like half of it then paused it because I had to plug in the computer, then I had to rewind it so I tried that and it didn't work and it stopped and it would only play from the beginning! Dumb! So I waited for half the movie to play then watched about 20 minutes past where it stopped and it stopped and said cannot play the rest of the movie unless you download now! So much for that.
Pretty lazy day but it was great.

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 16

Saturday, August 21/10

This morning we had ballet with a different ballet teacher and I can barely pronounce her name much less spell it. She is the one we had our placement class with and to tell you the truth I was a little scared to take a class from her because she is very strict and I wasn't the only one. Once class started it wasn't bad, like she was very nice and smiled a lot. I guess she was just like that for placement day. I actually really had fun in her class and I think she is very pretty.
Then after we had modern and for some reason I felt a little out of it today but the class was great. Then mom and I ate A&W for lunch and then headed to a movie, Eat Pray Love. I loved it. My favorite quote from it is, 'Loosing balance for love sometimes is a part of a balanced life.' I suggest that movie for sure.
Then mom and I walked back to the hotel and we went on facebook and stuff, went for supper then went back on facebook. I fell asleep just now and I'm just sitting here.

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 15

Friday, August 20/10

This morning I went to ballet class and I was very tired and sore. My knee was a little bothersome this morning but felt better after I stretched a bit. Ballet was very hard for me today because I was so sore but it was fun as usual. Then we had pointe and I did a little today, but I really couldn't do much just because those classes I was just watching really got to more complicated stuff.
I had lunch with my Mexican friends and then went to conditioning. I felt like sleeping at the beginning of class so I layed there for I while. Then we had Spanish and I liked it more because we did Flamenco.
I hung out with the Mexican girls for an hour and bought some sweats at the boutique there. Then we had dance history class and i was laying down waiting for it to end, then it finally did.
Mom and I went for supper then went on facebook while it thunderstormed here. Kind of a normal day.

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 14

Wednesday, August 19/10

This morning I stretched with the Mexican girls and talked with them. Ballet was great this morning and I was quite sore and tired. Our ballet teacher wore a shirt today that said 'Turn It Out' on it. Then we had modern and that was great too. We did some new stuff yet again and the drummer was playing 3 drums today. I ended up using some very different muscles today which was great! It'd hard to explain but it felt great and I am going to be quite sore in that spot tomorrow.
I had lunch with my Mexican friends which was really great and I love listening to them talk to each other in Spanish. Variations class we did with pointe shoes today and it went really well. better than I thought it would for sure. Then finally we had jazz. I talked to the teacher before class and found that when she was 12 or 13 Ms. Aablers taught her ballet. Neat! Then just randomly she pulled out the huge bag of jewelry and said, "I make jewelry!" And she was showing us the watches and necklaces and stuff, and they were really beautiful. She is a very open person and I really like her. Then she realized she wasted 15 minutes of the class talking yet again. She loves to talk to us. We had a really nice yoga stretch and then worked on our contemporary combination. At the end, Anna Sophia was sitting down because her leg was bothering her and she watched me do the combo and after I said to her, "That's what I've been waiting for. That's exactly way I dance. That is my style." And she said, "You are so good! You impressed me!" Hehe I love the way she says things.
After I went back to the hotel room with mom and ate and got ready to go out shopping with the dancers. I was with a few people I never got the change to talk to before but they are really nice people and felt really included. Then me and another girl just left while the others were in Lululemon. We didn't have enough money to buy anything in there and she was a really nice girl. we had a lot of fun shopping and I bought 3 shirts.
Now I'm back at the hotel.

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 12

Tuesday August 17/10

Today I got to ballet class feeling really good and my muscles felt great and my knee felt great today. Ballet was quite fun and hard to remember the exercises again but we got through it. Modern was a little different today, we learned different moves and did different warm ups. After class I asked what type of modern this is and it's Jose Limon modern. Anna-Sophia (the Mexican girl) was sitting out because her leg was hurting her and I told her she could use my Mercy MSM.
I ate lunch with Emily then went up to variations class. I brought the cream and she used it and then gave me a hug. We did Sleeping Beauty for our variations class.
Then we had jazz and Emily and I raced down there so I could help her before class started. Then that class was really fun once again and we added onto the contemporary combination we had going on Friday.
A walked back up after class with Anna-Sophia and she gave me a hug goodbye.
Mom and I went for supper and then after I went into the pool to swim. Then Fergie walks by and I looked at her and smiled and she smiled back. She went out to the balcony to have a cigarette. Then she walked back out then a guy from the Black Eyed Peas comes walking in. It was really neat.
Anyways now I'm off to bed!

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 11

Monday, August 16/10

This morning everyone was a little slow starting the day off. The ballet teach gave us all new exercises to remember. It was a great start to the day though for the weekend rest felt great and I am now able to move with no problem. I let the girls who used my Mercy MSM on Saturday use it again today, and also they asked me to show them how to tie their pointe shoes nice and neat. I showed them how to do and and they thanked me multiple times. Then one of them said, "You are such a nice person." I watched pointe then had lunch. I ate lunch with Emily and the four Mexicans. It was really nice to hang out with them. I also signed up to watch the professionals rehearse along with my friends. We had conditioning after and then one Mexican girl said she wanted to be my partner, and when we did this thing that involved a plie against the wall and the partner pushing on the inside of your legs, she told me multiple times to tell her if she was hurting me. We worked on turn out all class. Then we had spanish and again it was boring for me.
But after classes mom came by and took me and Emily to Second Cup and we grabbed a little snack. She is a really nice girl. Then we went back to the school and watched the company rehearse and that was really nice to see. I can't believe the muscles those dancers have! I love it!
Mom and I ate supper then I went into the pool again this evening. There was a nice couple there and their children and they were funny and enjoyable. Then we found out the Black Eyed Peas are staying in the hotel! Cool! Mom was really excited about that! Haha!
Anyways I'm off to bed!

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 10

Sunday, August 15/10

This morning I woke up on time to go to church. Mom and I walked down to it and it was freeing and raining outside. It was horrible. I cannot get over how beautiful that church is, and great acoustics. At the end they played the organ and it was beautiful. Then mom and I ate lunch at Boston Pizza, and when we got back to the hotel I showered then fell asleep.
Mom and I got ready to go eat then after we went to the Celtic Woman concert. It was amazing! They all have beautiful voices and the violin player was very impressive. It's one thing to play the violin but another to dance and play at the same time. Then drummers were awesome and the bagpipe player was absolutely amazing. I bought a T-shirt at intermission and at the end of the concert the bagpipe player was playing in the hallway so we stopped and listened. i couldn't believe how good he was!
Now we are back at the hotel and just chillin.

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 9

Saturday, August 14/10

This morning I got ready for ballet. Since it's Saturday we were allowed to wear a colored body suit and a skirt if you want to and we also just have the first two classes in the morning. I wore my blue body suit. We had a different teacher teaching us this morning and she was our variations teacher. I was an interesting class and I've decided I don't like the way she teaches because she goes too fast and is kind of unorganized. Either way she is a very nice person and asked about my knee and a lot of the girls as soon as I walked in the room asked how my knee was, mainly the Mexican girls. Very nice people.
After ballet it was our regular pointe teacher and she told me I could watch. While I was watching I noticed one of the Mexican girls was sitting out too and was icing part of her leg, (I can't spell their names that's why I don't say them when I write). I asked her if she wanted to try my Mercy MSM cream for sore muscles and she did and really liked it and thanked me. Her ballet teacher who was sitting beside here said to me, "You have to show my girls how to tie their pointe shoes, you do it very nicely. Very neat." I laughed, I thought that was sweet of her. Next time.
Another girl also came and sat out in the middle of pointe because she pulled a few muscles in her leg and we talked about dance a bit while we were watching and everything, but I didn't catch her name.
After class mom and I went to the mall and ate some lunch, then went to a movie, Winter's Bone and I thought it was pretty good but some things were missing so we didn't quite completely get it. After mom bought some nice shoes to go with her nice shirt for the concert tomorrow. Oh, w are going to a concert by the way, Celtic Women. Anyways, then she bought me a nice shirt to wear and it's really nice and dad is jealous he doesn't get to go with us.
When we got back to the hotel I fell asleep and had a but of a nap then we ate supper. After that I went in the pool and I can do the doggy paddle really good now!
I'm now eating a peanut butter cookie from Starbucks.

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 8

Friday, August 13/10

This morning we had ballet and I gave my teacher my note I had from the physio therapist saying no jumping, no grande plie and no pointe. She said that's unfortunate and to mark jumps but do the heads and the arms.
Next we had modern and right before class one of the girls from Mexico came up to me and asked what was wrong with my knee and after I told her she said, "I like your legs, they are very beautiful with extensions. Beautiful legs." It was kinda cute. Again I really enjoyed modern. Had lunch with mom (sushi and yogurt and chocolate milk) then had variations. I didn't really do much since there was a lot of jumping in that one.
She let us go 15 minutes early so I sat with Emily and we talked a bit and walked to jazz class. She asked where I go at lunch and I said I eat with mom up here and she invited me to eat lunch with her if I wanted to. When we got down to the studio we sat and everyone was talking including the teacher and another one of those Mexican girls started talking to us and asked what was wrong with my knee. Then we were talking about where we dance and what we take and if we do competitions or not. Very friendly people and there is a big group of people from Mexico staying in a hostel a couple of blocks away with their teacher.
The jazz class today was contemporary jazz and it was really nice to do that for me, I really needed that. We did that stretch where you lay on your back with you bum against the wall and you open your legs and gravity pushes on them. When I first started my toes could touch the ground when my feet were flexed and 2 of the Mexican girls said, "Holy! Her toes are touching the ground!" And after a while I had my toes on the ground when they were pointed and then they looked again and said, "Holy! Her feet are pointed and on the ground!" Then the other said, "That's why when you do those split jump thingys your legs go so high!" Hehe I love them. We did some steps across the floor and started a combo.
After class mom and I ate supper and it was pouring rain outside.
Now I don't know what I'm going to do, might go in the hot tub again unless there's lot's of people.

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 7

Thursday, August 12/10

Last night when mom and I were at the pool we heard a banging noise, and then another one, and we looked out the window and there were fireworks going off in the middle of town. Sweet! Anyways...
This morning after I ate breakfast with mom I went down to the school as usual. Had ballet and it was hard to do today because of my knee, it was getting really sore, and I was getting frustrated. But now I have finally got all the exercises memorized and in my body after 4 days, Pointe went well too, and we learned how to jump on pointe today... well I did, some people already knew how. At lunch with mom, same lunch, same drink and then we went off to conditioning. Today we worked on turn out. After that class we then had spanish and I personally find it boring because I get everything right away whereas the teach always has to go over and over the same things for everyone else. That's probably because I'm a tapper and I don't think very many if not then no people have even wore tap shoes. After that we had a dance history class and we learned about the history of ballet. I thought it would be different because it's 'dance' history, but I found out today that my brain shuts off with 'any' history.
After then I ate some yogurt and mom and I had to kill some time for a half an hour so we went on the observation deck and watched the professional dancers dance. It was really neat. Then we went to the physio therapist there at the school so he could check out my knee and he said he isn't sure what it is because bursitis wouldn't have lasted that long. He suggested I get and x-ray done and he said at my age it is common for a fragment of a bone to chip off and float around in there and cause irritating and inflammation or it could be a cartilage problem. We are going to see the doctor on Wednesday I believe. I am glad we went to see him, I think he knows what he is talking about.
When mom and I went for supper I ate my whole supper which was steak and rice and carrots and I ate half of mom's carrots and half of her lamb rack, cheese cakes for dessert and I even had strawberries and yogurt before that. Then I went in the pool and now I'm off to bed!

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 6

Wednesday, August 11/10

Today after I got ready to go, mom and I walked down to Tim Horton's for breakfast then walked to the school. My knee was bothering me today a little bit so a few things I had to take it easy on but as the day went on it felt better.
We had ballet and modern this morning and as usual they were both great, and I learned lots. I have decided that I would like to find somewhere that teaches good modern, and when I get home I'm going dance it outside with someone playing the drum for me. Don't you think that would feel just great? It's such a down to earth, natural type of dance... why not do it outside with a drummer not inside with a stereo.
Had a sub from subway and chocolate milk and I sat with mom. Then we went up and booked a physio appointment for my knee for tomorrow.
We did variations after lunch and it was easier today thank God and the teacher decided that she doesn't want us to do it with pointe shoes because we are having enough troubles as it is haha!
Then on my way to jazz I met a new friend, and her name is Emily and she's from here. We were talking on our way to jazz and she asked if I've taken jazz before and I said I've taken 9 years of it. Then she said she's never taken it before and when we had jazz on Monday it was her first time taking it so she asked me to help her. She is little miss ballerina so it was cute to see her try jazz but I had to explain to her that jazz doesn't have to be placed as much as ballet. She is a very nice girl.
After classes mom and I went to the mall and shopped! Se bought me a pair of shoes, a pair of jeans, a shirt and a sweater and we had very yummy sushi.
Then we went for supper and boy am I stuffed, and now I'm going to soak!

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 5

Tuesday, August 10/10

This morning mom and I walked to the school at 8:30am, and we got there exactly the same time as we did yesterday. We had ballet first again and we were trying to remember the exercises and we could only remember bits and pieces. But then the guy (Connor) comes in and we asked him if he remembered and we remembered everything and taught it to us again! After we had pointe and there were people who have taken it for 1 year up to people taking it fr 5 and 6 years. So it was hard for the teacher to satisfy us all but it was great for me. My toes and feet were killing me about half way through but I stuck with it. This one time we just finished an exercise in the center and we ran to the side, then a girl said to me, "You are very pretty on pointe." I was very honored to hear that.
I had lunch with mom then We were off to conditioning. We worked on strengthening our feet and legs for ballet mostly just that. I learned a lot. Then we had spanish and it was neat but I didn't like the way she taught. She just went and didn't explain much, but I liked the style.
After supper I went down to the hot tub and relaxed and oh boy did it ever feel good!
I learned a lot today!

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 4

Monday, August 9/10

I arrived at the school this morning at about 8:40am and started warming up for ballet. Our teacher's name was Kelly and she is a really sunny happy person. The class went really well. Then we had modern with Clair I think her name was and she brought in a guy named Ian to play the drum for us. It was very different and really down to earth movement and I really enjoyed it. I've never taken modern before and I am excited to take more of it. This one time we were going across the floor doing a series of movements, I got to the other end and she came up to me and looked at me name tag and said, "Oksana... very good job!" I was so happy! I can do modern and not look dumb!
Then we had lunch and it took me a while to find the cafeteria, I got lost.
We had variations after and I had no clue what it was and I still don't quite know. All I know is that it's ballet and you are supposed to have pointe shoes but for the first few days we are just going soft shoe. It was really hard and fast.
Then last but not least we had jazz with Lorie. It was fun and we had a nice stretch and did steps across the floor. It was then when I realized that almost everyone there were pretty ballerinas doing jazz and looked like they haven't take much jazz in their life.
Anyways I really enjoyed my day and after we went to our hotel that we moved into and had a nice birthday dinner for mom. Happy birthday mom! Now dad left to go back home and work and I think I'm going to go into the hot tub tonight!

We're Goin' to Winnipeg! Day 3

Sunday, August 8/10

This morning I woke up at 7:00am to have a shower then we had breakfast at 8:00am. When we were done I headed off to church in the big cathedral. It was amazing!
After that I went back to the room to get ready for placement day. I had my nice neat bun and bodysuit and tights on and was ready to go. I got there and registered, and we got a T-shirt, a number, a name tag and a schedule. Then we had an hour to stretch and warm up in the studio, and after we were taken to a different studio for the class. The teachers got introduced and they were sitting behind a table like judges while one teacher taught the class.
We started out at the bar and we had someone playing the piano there, and I was really nervous at first, but the teachers seem really nice. As the class went on they would pin a colored ribbon on the people they decided what level they should be in. We then moved into the center and did more exercises, and we did a developpe exercise and right after that they pinned a yellow ribbon on me. Then we carried on and did steps across the floor and such.
When we were done class we got our schedules for our levels, (I am level D, the second highest level) and got shown around the building. We left after to go back to the hotel so I can change, then there was orientation and a BBQ being held at the school. We ate there and talked a little bit to a few people. There are people there from across Canada, the US, Mexico and Japan.
After we took a walk and now I'm here sitting in my room.

We're Goin' to WInnipeg! Day 2

Saturday, August 7/10

Got up at 6:30am this morning and packed up. We had breakfast at Smitty's (wasn't the best) then we were on our way and out of Regina. We stopped a lot to go to the bathroom and I fell asleep numerous times. When I found a really good song on my Ipod it died. We got out when we reached the Manitoba boarder and took a picture of me! Beautiful sign.
The land here is the same as Saskatchewan only more trees, so it was still a long dreary drive. When we finally got to Winnipeg it took us a long time to find the B&B we are staying at. Meanwhile mom and I were admiring the beautiful old buildings and churches.
When we finally arrived at the place I gasped. It's beautiful, big, old and has pillars on the outside and wood floors, railings, ceilings everything... and the cats are friendly too.
After that we took a drive downtown to see where everything is, and we spotted the Government Building and a bunch of churches, Second Cup (we were pretty excited about that) and the school I'll be dancing at. It has 'Royal Winnipeg Ballet' written on the front... great big building. Then we found the Radisson hotel and figured it would be better to stay there because it's a closer walking distance. So we booked a room there for Monday until we leave.
We then went and ate supper at Moxie's and it was very delicous! Then I was looking around for a Catholic church to go to on Sunday and I found one right close to the school. The one road we were walking down you look to your right and you see the hotel, then you look to the left and you see the Ballet School, then you turn around and see the church. Perfect set up!
When we got back to the B&B we took a walk down the streets nearby and too pictures of the houses, (they are so beautiful), and now I'm sitting in my room.
Tomorrow morning we get breakfast then I'm off to church, then orientation.

We're Goin' to WInnipeg! Day 1

Friday, August 6/10

This morning we left the house at about 12:30pm and we headed into Red Deer to drop Jared off at my sister's place. It was hard to say goodbye for I'll be gone for about 3 weeks to the Winnipeg Ballet. Dad is driving and mom is with me too. As I listen to my Ipod and drive and day dream about things. I've never really been out that way in Alberta... the furthest I've been is Drumheller. It's quite flat and just driving by it's pretty boring, but barely seen any traffic at all.
We stopped about 20 minutes from the Saskatchewan boarder at a gas station to go to the bathroom and get some chips and beef jerky. Then we went on our way again. We stopped at the boarder and took a picture of me at the Saskatchewan sign and I made a weird face. This is my first time in Saskatchewan... I've only been in Alberta and BC. I think the biggest hills here are ant hills.
We stopped in Outlook to eat supper. I had a poutine and chicken strips and they were really good. When we walked back to the car, that's when I took time to feel the place. The air was warm and windy, and smelt like farmer's and fields. I like it.
We drove to Lumsden hoping there would be a place to stay the night but we had no luck. Very beautiful place and seen some nice houses and churches.
So we drove to Regina and found a hotel.
Now I am sitting in the room talking to people on facebook and enjoying the time.

White Lily

This piece of art is a sketched lily with ink, and the white petals are gouache. This is my first time working with gouache.