Spot on!

Hello again readers, as we approach the start of summer I don't know about you, but my schedule is filling up faster than I can keep track of. Drivers ed, camping, dance intensives, and spending time with friends, it can be difficult fitting everything in and still have some time for myself.

Next week I'll be diving back into the dance studio and I cannot wait to see my friends again. My dance classmates have become some of my closest peers since we're together for almost six hours a week and that's not counting the extra time we spend in the studio during rehearsal season.

However excited I am, getting back into dance is always a challenge. We have to deal with the sore muscles, decreased flexibility, and just general loss of strength that results from having some time off. All the skills we were working on before break started are a lot harder when we haven't been practicing four times a week.

For example, before I left, our teachers were having us work on triple pirrouttes. They are turns that we do in center on one leg and a triple just means that you spin three times before putting your foot back down. I just started being able to do them sometimes in class, but when I tried one today the lack of practice showed. I wasn't even able to finish a solid double.

The reason? I wasn't spotting.

Spotting is the secret behind doing three turns successfully and falling out of one. If you're not a dancer, you probably have no idea what spotting means. Allow me to explain. Spotting is when you fix your eyes on something and keep your gaze there as long as possible. Sounds easy enough right? the problem is, the rest of your body is spinning. At the last possible second, to finish the spot, the dancer whips her head around and her gaze comes right back to that spot. If her gaze wanders at all, she will fall out of the turn.

If you think about it, the same principle applies to goals. You look ahead to the prize and don't let your gaze wander, and eventually you'll make it. Take your eyes away and the results can be a bit of a disaster.

This summer I encourage you, find something to spot for yourself. A goal that you want to complete, even if it's not something that seems terribly important to everyone else and run for that like there's no tomorrow. Don't lose your spot and you'll make it in no time. If you're feeling ambitious, make yourself a bucket list. It doesn't have to be long, the one I wrote below only has five items, but you can always add more. Hopefully it'll keep you from the typical summer boredom.

Enjoy reading through my list below, and maybe it'll even give you some inspiration for your own.

1. Gain flexibility. When I was evaluated for our class' new level placements one of my corrections was that I did not have the required flexibilty for my level in dance so this summer I'm working hard to catch up to the rest of the class and hopefully get my splits along the way.

2. Read at least ten of the books on my reading list. I've been keeping a reading log of books that I'd like to read (historical fiction, educational reading, etc....) and my goal to read ten of the novels on that list is slowly but surely coming along. I'll keep you all updated on my progress in the Book Nook.

3. Watch the Spider Man movies. I know, I know, it's kind of silly but with Spider Man Home Coming premiering soon, I have to get caught up. Plus, Spider Man IS one of my favorite heroes.....

4. Visit Tree Top Adventure Course. This place looks incredible! I'm asking for tickets for my birthday. I found their website online and let's just say for a girl like me who is not at all afraid of heights and loves adventure it's like a dream come true!

5. Get my drivers license. I only have three months left to get twenty hours so I really need to motivate myself on this one.

Anyway, that's all I have for now but I'd love to hear your guys' ideas of any challenges you'd like to see me complete. Feel free to leave suggestions in the comments below and I'll tell you what I think next time!

Sincerely,

Lara