Start of the Second Semester

Though I'm rather sore and tired (I still haven't recovered completely from the jetlag), I've made it through the first four days of classes after getting back from our winter break. At the begining of last semester, we had a week of just ballet classes, then we began out afternoon classes (duet, character, etc.) at the start of the next week, and rehearsals began a bit after that; this semester, we jumped right into everything - rehearsals and all of our afternoon classes are already in full swing. While I'm glad that we got started quickly, it's been an exhausting week (and I've still got two more days to go)! I'm sure I'll make it through Saturday, and then I'll have Sunday to rest and recover and get ready for next week.

A lot of things are back to normal now that we've returned from break, but the beginning of the new semester has brought some changes with it. Though almost all of the trainees have returned for the second semester, there are a four who haven't. Two might return later on in the semester, but the two others have made the final decision not to come back. This has been a sad change and I miss the people who aren't here any more, but I repect their decisions not to return. Each person needs to find the right environment to be in and no single place or school can be right for everyone. 

On a happier note, we've had some good change, too. A new girl from Hungary arrived on Saturday and moved into a room down the hall from mine (which was left empty by two trainees who have not returned for this semester). She's really nice and very funny, so I'm glad that she's here now.

I also decided that it was time for a change of decoration. Christmas is long since passed, but I still had green garlands, a miniature Christmas tree, and plastic snowflakes decorating my room when I returned from break. Those have now been replaced with heart-shaped paper doilies and other Valentine's Day decorations. (My mom gave me a bag of Valentine's Day decorations and candy before I left).

In December, I decorated out suite's bathroom door and mirror with shiny pink garlands. Those got to stay up, since pink is a good color for Valentine's Day.

Here's one last bit of change - I've made a resolution for the new semester (since it's a bit late for making a resolution for the new year) and it is to try not to neglect my blog like I did at the end of last semester. Hopefully I will be successful in my attempt to do so!