Now What?

I got my contract!

I have spent the last two years writing about chasing the dream, but now I caught the dream. I have spent so much time writing about catching the dream that I never thought about life in the dream. There is a lot that has been going on the last few weeks.

I have had shows for the Pacific Northwest Ballet the last few weekends and then this past week, I have been in the studios rehearsing hard for my two end of the year shows with the school, School Performance and Next Step. I have been very busy. Receiving a contract did not stop me from being busy today. Over these last few weeks, although I am focusing my time and energy for today, I have begun to think about tomorrow.

Who do I want to be in my career? What do I want to be known for in my dancing career? What are my goals in Austin? What will it be like transitioning to another company? Will they accept me? Will people like me?

These are just a few questions that I have been trying to answer as I gear up to move to Austin. Am I excited? Yes. Am I nervous? VERY. There is a lot of unknown down there in Austin and I do not know what to expect.

I have been talking to people in their career in the ballet world and outside of the ballet world. I am lucky to have mentors in ballet but also outside of ballet to give me a rounded perspective on career and life. I have been meeting with them and trying to meet up more as I eagerly ask questions. Sometimes the wisdom comes in conversation out of the blue.

This small nugget of wisdom I heard from a rehearsal with a woman named, Olga Kostritzky. Listening to music as a dancer is necessary but I also took this as the ability to hear other people. How do we interact with others? Are we hearing their perspective? If I want to collaborate with another, I need to hear their side first. These are just a few thoughts about what I have been thinking about as I take on the transition into the professional life.

My itinerary is I move out of Seattle on June 20th, 2016, live back at home in Boston until I move to Austin in late August of 2016. That is EIGHT weeks from tomorrow. That is no time at all. Although I have thought about the person I want to be in Austin, I have also thought about the person I want to leave in Seattle. I have made a lot of great connections with people, I have had amazing adventures, and I have had a lot of smiles. As I get ready to move, it can be overwhelming as to what I do in my last days and who I should be with. I have written out a list of things I want to do and people I want to make sure they are a priority of hanging out with. I might not see people for a few years. Who knows when I will come back to Seattle?!? I want to make sure that I leave on good terms with people, but that I have solidified my core relationships in Seattle. 

Sounds sad but it is actually epic! I get to do crazy things here in Seattle for the last time with some amazing people. Do you remember VOODOOGATE when I went to Portland for Voodoo Doughnuts and they were closed? Tragic. Well I needed to go after this famous drive/adventure one more time before I left. Last night, I GOT VOODOO DOUGHNUTS! I got to listen to the new Drake and Beyonce albums while driving. We just danced and listened to music the whole time. It was so much fun. 

I am excited for these next 8 weeks as I adventure around Seattle for the last time and discover more about myself.