Visions Of Sugarplums And Bleeding Toes Still Dance In My Head

The music of the holiday season always puts me in such a cheerful mood with so many of the songs bringing back joyous memories of my life as a performer.  Listening to Pandora while at my desk generally strikes an urge to want to jump up and dance, but I’ve done my best this holiday season to not let myself jump up and bust a move.  Those at my current job know me as a dedicated professional and not one who used to wear ball gowns or pointe shoes.  However, all it takes are a few notes of The Nutcracker to make me want to waltz and leap down the aisle of cubicles with all I can muster up from inside.

I’ve only had the pleasure of performing in the Nutcracker twice in my life.  Once as a dancer who was just starting her journey and then later as one who was lucky enough to be featured.  Both occasions left such a lasting impact and deeply etched memories into my mind.  As other dancers know, each year you often have a yearly performance or recital and there are many of those that I have no memories of so it is a good thing my mom purchased the VHS.  However, I’m sure that both Nutcracker experiences will remain with me for many years to come.

I was hoping to be able to see a staging of The Nutcracker this year while I was traveling in Washington D.C. for work, but there just wasn’t enough time around my conference schedule.  Being in Florida has limited the Christmas shows that are on my “must see” list.  When I lived in New York during my younger years my mom would take me to see the New York City Ballet’s staging of The Nutcracker or The Radio City Christmas Spectacular so that I could see my favorite high kicking ladies.  It’s funny how even as a child I greatly appreciated clean choreography and precision.  I guess in the back of my mind my future calling was there all along.

During one of my first holiday season’s back in Florida my mom and step-dad took me all the way to Miami so that I could see the Miami City Ballet present their version of The Nutcracker.  Compared to the NYCB staging that I treasured as a child, Miami sure knows how to infuse the production with color and flair!  I think this is a tradition I might need to put back on my calendar during the 2012 holiday season as I have slowly spent the last 2 years returning to the things that mean the most to me.

It’s almost time to write those New Year’s resolutions, so start brainstorming now.  I’ve done quite well with my resolutions from 2011, so I think I’ll continue my trend of attainable and motivating resolutions for 2012.  Time to strap on my running shoes and get in a few last half marathon training sessions before the holiday festivities take over.  I’ve got a mere two weeks left until our 5K run and then the half marathon will be hot on my heels a handful of weeks later.  I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season filled with glorious music, sumptuous sweets, and those that they love the most!