This summer has been AMAZING!
Firstly, just to back track, the weather was brilliant wasn’t it?!
Then, to top it off, the school I work at got OFSTEDED! ‘How is that amazing?’ I hear you cry!? Well, it actually was, because it was during an inset day that they phoned, and everyone was already talking about how they wished they’d just turn up already and that our results this year would be great to show them and we were in the process of planning for them, with the headteacher saying in a half jokey way, ‘maybe they’re hiding in the bushes even now as I speak’ and they sort of were. And so we spent the rest of the day and night planning and presenting our best lessons and although the next day I didn’t get observed, it was great and ofsted thought we as a school were ace and it just meant we could all finish school on a tired high. And I had some ace Dance pieces, with no stress or worry performing at the end of the year, and the last day of term was brilliant and I remember feeling floaty and ready for fun…
So my summer was jammed packed. Firstly, I went out A LOT! Salsa nights, dancing at friends birthdays, eating out, I said yes to it all! Before I travelled down south I had agreed to work for Phoenix Dance Theatre for 3 days teaching their youth academy summer intensive. And it was great! I met all the new students and some returners who were moving up, and gained so much confidence as the three days went on. The highlight of this though was that three of my ex or current pupils had gained a place, and I felt proud. I got to know the staff even better and left feeling like they were family.
At the same time I had been spending my afternoons as a professional dancer, working tirelessly on a solo project I’ve been choreographing and writing for a year, and it felt really good to be back in the professional realm of class, lunch, rehearsal, and cool down. My body ached in a good way. And I welled up with joy on the last day when I finally pieced together an ending and an order for my work. It’s hard rehearsing alone and with no one to bounce ideas off. So when breakthrough happens it tastes that much sweeter…and to be honest I NEVER thought I’d get it done. But I had. I did. And I would leave it for two weeks and come back to it. To perform. Eeeeek!
Then I travelled home. I had some family meeting up planned and was flying shortly after so needed to see people. I got to see my niece who I’d not seen in 3 months, and she was crawling and still smiling huge smiles! I loved spending time with my mum, and had good time to rest before flying out, which was good because like any great summer, holiday, it wouldn’t be complete without the obligatory ‘TEACHER COLD!’ What? In July?? I know, I literally got on the virgin plane (premium I might add!) with a rucksack full of tissues and vapo rub all Over my chest!
I have to be honest that in the run up to my Cuban adventure, (see previous blogs for more!) although I had organised to the letter where I wanted to go and I had contacted locals to organise my time out there, I still felt unorganised and not excited, it all felt like too much!! It was only when I sat in my plane seat, took my complimentary orange juice (there was champagne but it was 10am and I thought that was pushing it, then regretted it when I realised it WAS REAL champagne) and plugged in my headphones that I even began to relax! I watched 4 films on that plane…unheard of for me! And ate well and rested and then my Cuban adventure began!
Oh and it was all and everything I dreamed it would be! Salsa dancing, tango, son, rumba, Contemporary, ballet dance…flips down the streets in Havana at 3am on a night out…name it and I tried it! A week in Havana learning dance, speaking Spanish as much as I could and exploring the city, followed by a week of travelling to Trinidad, Matanzas (the birthplace of rumba) and Vinales, and all the time doing tours that I wanted, and dancing all night to improve even more. My mind had been further expanded with the richness of Cuban culture and history on tours and events I went to, and while staring out at the sugar plantations on Caribbean soil I realised my travel journey was nearly complete. I had begun my solo venturing on the west coast of Ghana, standing on the cobblestones at the very spot where the slaves were booted off the land and squeezed into ships, to be brought to the land I now stood on to work 14 hour days for one meal a day and a shot of rum, and no hope of any choice or freedom. I had dithered here and there in the interim, but had made my journey west. And it felt like a small completion of something discovered, and at the same time a small ember began to flame for the next land…dare I say…Jamaica? God willing, I may see the land someday.
I returned from Cuba with an avid Cuban stallion follower, who still messages me everyday, and with a whole heap of happiness and fresh hope exploding from my being. People were telling me I look ‘good’ in every direction. Clearly I had done something right in travelling to the land of rum and romance! I began my rehearsal of Fierce! The solo work I had left hanging for two weeks, and it quickly morphed into the piece I was pleased with and proud of, and with a strong creative team, we performed the work just 5 days after my return to the north. Everything happened so quickly and I felt like was floating on top a rainbow and that glory was oozing from my pores. Not my glory I hasten to add, I know where my blessings come from don’t you worry. Two dreams completed in two weeks, and a summer to be proud of! And in and of it all, there was still time for friends and coffee and helping others and playing out with neighbours.
To conclude, life isn’t always easy. But all of a sudden, when you’re working hard and can’t see the wood for the trees, a small glimpse of hope bursts through. And then harvest. I have really felt 2018 has been a harvest year for me so far. Dance coming out my ears. Opportunities to perform and speak and dance and create. Easy, easy groups that don’t stress me out or make me worry, but that have gone in to perform and win competitions and stand out from the crowd. And freedom. Being able to walk streets I don’t know, and conquer my fear of being alone. And realising that it’s not all that scary. And that I CAN do anything I try whole heartedly.
Roll on Autumn. I’m welcoming change. 
Lou's Ponderings 