Reflections of last Sunday

I meant to write this post a week ago, but never mind. Here are a few reflections from my travels to London for a ballet class last Sunday.

1. If you're on a schedule (i.e. have to be somewhere at a certain time), don't travel by train on a Sunday. If you must, leave at least 3 extra hours to get there. Then you might stand a chance of getting there on time. But it's probably better to not bother going in the first place.

2. I try to like London, I really do. My overall impression of London is not bad. Except every time I actually go there, I end up near (or in) tears and wanting to get the heck out. There have been a couple sucessful trips to London in which I haven't gotten upset, but those occasions are rare. It's just so blasted crowded. I hate crowds. I mean I really, really hate them.

3. Props to me for ever thinking I would be in a professional ballet company, cause you gotta believe in yourself and all that. Aim high. Reach for the stars. Anything's possible with God. But I sure am glad that's not my desire anymore. It's just that good is not good enough. Really really good is not good enough. You have to be the best. And being tall and skinny with no breasts doesn't hurt either.
(I am talking specifically about ballet, not all dance, just so there's no misunderstanding.)

4. That thing where you judge yourself against other people (and judge other people, period) is so much a part of the dance world. Maybe not more so than in other areas, maybe it's just more physical and obvious. With a wall of mirrors in front of you, you look around and think "Well, I'm not the best here but I'm better than her, and her, and her..." And I do it. It's just such a competetive field, it's really hard to break out of that mentality.

In other news, I'm going on a walking trip in two weeks. I'm a bit nervous but super excited. If all goes as planned, I will be walking 80 miles of the 177-mile Offa's Dyke Path, which runs up the border between England and Wales. With Jesus.

And... Thailand in February is starting to look real. Before, it was a thought but I didn't really think it would happen. Now, I'm actually planning it. Whoo-hoo! So excited. (And don't worry, I'm not doing this one on my own ;) I might be a little mad, but not completely.)