July 17, 2009,

Well, as many of you know, my love turned 25 today!

We went to Babe's in down town Carrollton! (AWESOME!) Then went to see The Proposal. Funny but I was slightly dissappointed.

The night was perfect. All the way down to the temperature. Now, summer is my absolute FAVORITE season of all. And it is much too short. So, on evenings like tonight I want to get in my car and drive. Windows down, good music, and someone I care about with me. There is no purpose to this driving, except for driving and taking in as much of the perfect night as possible. Driving can start at sun down, or after, while continuing for as long as it goes.

These nights remind me of a friendship I used to have and my favorite thing we used to do together. Im not ranting and raving again about this but it got me to think. Both our lives have changed so much, hers more than mine, and we will never ever never get in the car and drive again. It cant happen. It wont happen. During those drives, I wished and thought they would last forever. Ive become a realist since then. Overall, I loved the ride home this evening. I live in those moments so much that I dont want it to end, I want the good music to keep rolling.

There is something about sitting in the car with your best friend and just experiencing driving for no reason, its almost liberating.

On nights like these, I think about mine and my friends good times more than at any other point in the year. Kinda still wishing we were still friends. But then I think, why waste time thinking about the past friends when I have such wonderful ones right in my face. Marcus is so right. 

Idk, just wanted to share.

~Ashley

Most everyone knows I am wanting to get back into Ballet/Dance.

I went and tried Chamberlain School of Performing Arts. (I know very official).

Anyways, my instructor was EASILY 80 years old. But, he could move more than any other 80 year old man I have seen. Also, his name is Dudley Davis. hehe. He was pretty short and had very thick rimmed glasses from the 1980's. All this together, he was a great instructor. He gave me directions, corrections and compliments which I love because I know they instructor sees me, and sees potential. It was crazy. Dudley asked me to demonstrate something...I thought that was cool!

Overall, it was a good class, kinda easy. But I can push myself within that easier class; I will move up soon in class level.

Things are lookin up!

~Ash

So, when I was on spring break 2 weeks ago, I went and saw the Metrapolitan Ballet at Bass Hall. I have not been to a Ballet in many years! My dad used to take me, my sister and my mom to the Nutcracker every year, but when I started doing Nutcracker, that family outing fell away.

When watching the Spring Performance of the Met. dancers I realized how much I EXPECTED my life to turn out the way theirs did.

I dont regret things in my life, and I am not planning on starting now; but it was a strange feeling. I felt like apart of me was supposed to be up there or up somewhere dancing 24/7 and the other half is so happy and anxious to be a teacher. Well you may ask, "Can't you combine those two and be a dance teacher?" -Yes I could but, that is not truley what I would want to do. Let me add, dancing for Christmas, Easter and randomly during the year is not the sort of dancing im explaining.

Let me share a little of my life, previous to knowing most of you reading my blog. I began dancing when I was 4-in California. My parents moved back home and I continued to dance. Eventually, I got to the level in early middle school and into H.S where I was teaching little childrens ballet/tap combo classes. Also, I danced so much my mom would leave work early to pick me up from m.s. school, have dinner ready in the car with my dance clothes. I would get to the studio sometimes before even the director (so I had a key.) and I would change into my dance clothes and stay at the studio from about 4-8 (sometimes later) several times a week. These hours are not including during performances or teaching. I would never take this back or change anything about my crazy life. I think that is why I expected my life to turn out in a dance way. In high school I was in the dance company, who traveled during the year for performances, while also dancing at a studio after school. After high school, in community college I took a total of 3 dance classes my entire 2 years.

I understood how parents or older people feel when they watch someone do something or their children/grandchildren do activities they once did or always wanted to do.

So, this revolation got me thinking and acting. 

Although I really enjoy running, I think for me personally it would be more beneficial to start dancing at a studio again. Nothing like the magnatude I was before, but at least 2 to 3 times a week. I have already found a studio I think will fit me nicely! Also, I am thinking once I get back into shape, I will audition to be in a dance company.--I miss  performing so much, and unless you have really done a lot of performing its hard to understand missing that adrenaline rush and the feeling of "Oh crap, I gotta PEE and I just forgot EVERYTHING"-then going on stage and having the best show ever!

--Maybe if/when I join a dance company, and we perform--I could have a group of really awesome friends and family to support me! (thats you!)

Sorry, I know this was long,

P.S. I still support all my running (and non running) friends in everything!

~Ash