Author Archives: ceciliamaria

~7 Quick Takes Friday – Episode 43~

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{Episode 43}

~ 1 ~

The countdown continues:

Charles’ ordination to the priesthood: 15 days

Jump on a plane for Michigan: 13 days

Nuptial Mass (which the newly ordained brother-of-mine will celebrate): 106 days

~2~

I can’t tell you how excited I am to go home!  Oh, sure I’m excited about the ordination and all, but I’m also aching to see my family, especially Grandpa and Angie.  I talk to Grandpa on the phone regularly, but Ang isn’t much of a phone-talker or email sender or video chatter.  Let’s face it, communication is not her strong suit.  She is best experienced in person.

See what I mean?

https://vine.co/v/bErYH2DWv7E

~3~

liebster

Two bloggers from the Ballet Adult Beginners Blogging Community nominated me for a Liebster Award!

They are such sweethearts!

I am so grateful for their encouragement and support!

I made a little speech.  You can read the transcript here.

~4~

Going to ballet class twice in one week was amazing!  I feel like my muscles retained a lot more information and I was able to execute movements better at Thursday’s class.  No wonder they suggest twice-a-week classes!  It takes me a little bit to get with the program…

~5~

Thanks for the prayers for our BIG move!  Karl and I were given way more furniture than we expected!  We are so incredibly blessed!  We won’t have to buy one piece of furniture when we move into our new home (wherever that may be).  For now, it’s all in storage.  Here’s a photo of Karl carrying me over the threshold of our “first place” together!

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Awe!

Read the whole story and see more photos here.

~6~

The Graduated Deacons

graduatedeacons

I’m so proud of these guys!

Especially the one on the right.  He’s my favorite deacon.

~7~

Today is the anniversary of my First Communion.  I love reflecting on what took place this day twenty-six whole years ago… Here’s a excerpt of a post I wrote back in 09:

I was dressed as a little bride of heaven in a simple white dress with “angel wing” sleeves, and a crown of flowers adorned my head.  Attached to the crown was a beautiful veil that flowed behind me as I approached the alter trembling in awe and reverence.

Read the rest here.

Today is one of my favorite days.

Happy Friday.

~

Don’t forget to stop over at Jen’s for more Quick Takes!

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In Active Pursuit

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Lindsay at What I Learned While Writing A Novel (who happens to be my future sister-in-law) is at the top of her blogging game!  She wrote a great piece today at her blog Young Married Mom and another stellar post about the difference between not having time and not making time to purse one’s expression of art, which in her case is writing.

It’s an easy trap to fall into, no matter what art form you favor, that trap of not having time to pursue it further.  Lindsay reminds us that ‘“I don’t have time” is a passive way of organizing one’s schedule.’  Art doesn’t just happen.  Novels don’t write themselves.  Dances don’t materialize out of nothing.  Time must be devoted, set aside, carved out for the creative process, and not just the creative process, also the creative reality of putting pen to paper or sitting at the computer or working out steps in a studio.  It must be actively pursued.

I often fall into the category of “not having time”, but the time is there.  I just need to find it.  Thankfully, Karl is supportive of my dance endeavors, especially when it comes to dedicating time to the active pursuit of learning and creating.

Be sure to read her original post.  Thanks again, Lindsay for a wonderful (and applicable) artistic insight!

 

Awwww Shucks!

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liebsterThis week I was nominated for a Liebster Blog Award by The Legal Ballerina and Back to First Position.  They are so sweet!  Thank you, ladies.  I humbly accept.  (LB previously nominated my other blog, but I was so busy at the time I wasn’t able to follow through with the acceptance requirements.  I hope this makes up for my inability to accept last time.)

The Liebster Award recognizes “blogs who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is a German word that means beloved and valued.” (quoted from LB and BtFP)

Here are the rules for accepting the award:

  1. Thank the person who nominated you and include a link back to their blog.
  2. List 11 random facts about yourself.
  3. Answer the 11 questions given to you.
  4. Create 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate.
  5. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate and include links to their blogs.
  6. Go to each bloggers page and let them know you have nominated them.

~

Here goes nothin…

Rule No. 1 ~ See first paragraph.  But how can one accept an award without a big speech?  *clears throat*  I’d like to thank the academy (aka The Legal Ballerina and Back to First Position) for this great honor.  I can’t tell you how much I appreciate both of your blogs and the community of dancing bloggers.  I am inspired and encouraged by your determination and dedication to dance as adults.  Thanks for your continued (virtual) support.

Rule No. 2 ~ 11 random facts about me  (Some of these I took from my bio page because I needed help getting my mind working)

2.1  When I get married in a few months, I am only changing the last five letters of my last name.  The first three will stay the same.

2.2  I was named after a nun: Sr. Maria Cecilia

2.3  I’m older than I look… Don’t be hatin’!

2.4  My brother will be ordained a priest in a couple of weeks, and I have a cousin who is a monk, so I will call my brother “father” and my cousin “brother”.  Ahhh, the joys of being Catholic!

2.5  I have a celebrity crush on Kermit the Frog.  (Remember when he modeled for Armani and Calvin Klein back in the 90′s?)

2.6  My day job (which funds the dancing dreams and the wedding bells) is in NYC in a high rise on Park Ave.  I love city life!

2.7  I am always cold.  Well, usually cold.  Even in the summer, I get cold easily.  Brrrr….

2.8  I am the second oldest of six, and my fiance is the oldest of six.

2.9  We are going to have a freakishly huge wedding party – 13 on my side and 12 on his.  Between our families, the wedding party, and their significant others, there will be 2 Cecilias, 2 Karls, 2 Johns, 2 Amandas, 3 Joseph/Josephines, 3 Lindseys (though one is a Lindsay), and 5 Michaels.  Crazy!

2.10  I started “officially” dancing when I was ten, but my sister and I had been choreographing our own stuff for years prior to that.

2.11  I am an introvert, but can be sociable when I need to be.  Just not all the time though….

Rule No. 3 ~ Answer the 11 questions given to you (Since I was nominated by two people, I am going to answer questions from both.)

3.1  {LB}  Favorite movie?  The Princess Bride.  It has everything this girl could want in a movie!  Well, there’s also Joe vs. the Volcano, which I love… and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty… Ok.  Those are the top three (today).

3.2  {BTFP} Why did you start writing your blog?  I started writing the first one because I had been sending email updates to family and friends for years.  Blogging was a natural step up from that.  I started Dance Immaculata to have a separate soap box for my thoughts on dancing.

3.3  {LB} If you could choose another occupation (and not worry about school or brains or yadda yadda yadda), what would you be?   Dancer Extraordinaire!  Sigh.. don’t I wish that I had started earlier and that it could be my full time job!

3.4  {BTFP} What is your happiest memory?  Oh, wow!  I have so many happy memories that it’s hard to choose… so I’ll just go with the most recent one: when my fiance proposed.  Sigh… I had always dreamed of hearing those words “Will you marry me?”, but the reality of hearing them was far more glorious than I ever imagined.  I’m such a sap!

3.5  {LB} Name the super power you have. (Yes, you have a super power. Think….)  I don’t have a super power, per se, but the Force is strong with me.  I use the Force a lot in every day life.  I don’t force choke people; I only use it for good.  (This is not the blog you are looking for…)

3.6  {BTFP} Can you drive a stick shift?  Not yet.  I really want to learn.  I need to learn if I’m ever going to drive my dream car (1967 Ford Mustang).

3.7  {LB} If you could look like anyone, who would it be????  My grandma…. Oh wait, I already look like her!  I love the fact that I look like my gram.  I wouldn’t change that for anything!

3.8  {BTFP} What has surprised you the most about having a blog?  Online friendships.

3.9  {LB} Favorite color and what does it remind you of?  Purple and yellow, and they remind me of springtime and graceful beauty of irises.

3.10  {BTFP} What is your favorite ballet?  Confession: It has been ages since I’ve seen a full ballet.  The last time I remember going to a ballet was high school.  What can I say?  I’m poor. I did go see the opera Carmen a few years ago when I lived in Michigan, which featured dancers from the Grand Rapids Ballet.  And that was a fantastic show!

3.11  {LB}  Clear your mind….Now tell me what is the first word that pops into your mind.  Latte.  Today is Latte Wednesday (the one day during the week I’m allowed to have a latte otherwise I’d go broke), so I always have latte-on-the-brain on Wednesdays.

3.11(.5)  {BTFP} Can you do the splits?  Heck no!  But I’m working on it…

Rule No. 4 ~ Create 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate

4.1  Who/What inspires you the most to follow you dreams?

4.2  Are you a tea drinker or a coffee drinker?

4.3  When you are all alone and dancing from your heart, what style describes said dance?

4.4  What is your favorite meal of the day?

4.5  Luke Skywalker or Han Solo?

4.6  When you need to retreat from the world, where do you go?

4.7  Fresh water lake or salty ocean?

4.8  What is your favorite flower and why?

4.9  If you were to go to the opera, would it be forced or by choice?

4.10  If you could choose, would you prefer to play a musical instrument or dance?

4.11  What was the last book you read?

Rule No. 5 ~ Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate and include links to their blogs.

A Dreamer’s Wife

Dancing for Food

Dance Me Free

Lupe y Vida

The UNiconoclast

Rmedina49

Victoriuss

Tufs & Tights

…Then Came Dance

The Dance Theorem

Through Harold’s Lens*

Honorable Mention: What I Learned While Writing a Novel**

Rule No. 6 ~ Go to each bloggers page and let them know you have nominated them. aaaaand….. Done.

Now it’s your turn, nominees…

*Harold also nominated my other blog for an award around the same time LB did a few months ago.  Sorry I could’t follow through, Harold.  I appreciate the gesture and hope this makes up for it.

**What I Learned While Writing a Novel is listed as honorable mention because she was recently nominated for (and accepted) a Liebster Blog Award, but I love her blog (and her).  You are not required to answer the questions, Lindsay.  I just wanted to share the love.

~7 Quick Takes Friday – Episode 42~

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{Episode 42}

~ 1 ~

Interested in the current countdowns?

Well, here they are, even if you aren’t interested.

Charles’ ordination to the priesthood: 22 days

Nuptial Mass (which the newly ordained brother-of-mine will celebrate): 113 days

~2~

But before the boy’s ordination, he must first graduate from seminary.

That happens tomorrow.

My parents will be attending the graduation, along with Grandpa and Angie.

I am expecting a full play-by-play, including whether or not Grandpa and Charles behave themselves (I don’t expect them to, but I did give Grandpa explicit orders yesterday to be on his best behavior.  He just groaned and said that takes too much work.  We’ll see what happens when Chuck the Elder aka Grandpa and Chuck the Lesser aka Charles (both troublemakers) hang out for the weekend…).

~3~

This is from Charles’ college seminary graduation in 2009.

sjvgrad

I’m a little sad Rosario and I won’t be there tomorrow to update this photo (and see the Deacon graduate), but we’ll get one at his ordination.

~4~

Also graduating tomorrow is Karl’s brother Joseph!

He is graduating from Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles.

Several of Karl’s siblings will be in attendance.  Karl was really hoping to go too, but it just wasn’t possible.  We are both incredibly proud of Joseph and wish more than anything that we could be there to celebrate with him.

{Sadly, I don’t have a picture of Joseph available… We’ll have to remedy that when he comes home for the wedding.}

~5~

We couldn’t be in two places at once (Mundelein and LMU) so we are neither places this weekend.

Actually, Karl and I will be working hard tomorrow moving furniture.

We still don’t have a place to live after the wedding, but a friend’s parents are getting rid of several pieces of furniture and are giving them to us!  Lots and lots of furniture!  The stuff needs to be moved right away, so we will be moving into a storage unit tomorrow until we find an apartment.

{Feel free to pray for our apartment search…}

{thanks}

~6~

If you thought you were going to make it through these Quick Takes without hearing/reading about my ballet class, think again.

I LOVE MY NEW BALLET CLASS!

I love it so much that Karl and I discussed the possibility of taking the class twice a week until we get married, even though we have a wedding to pay for.  My amazing, wonderful, generous, supportive finance was on totally on board!  I am used to making sacrifices to pursue my dreams, and I’m incredibly grateful that Karl is willing to make sacrifices for my dreams too.  Sigh… I love him (more than dancing, which is saying a lot).

So next week, I’ll start going twice a week (when my schedule allows), and after the wedding, I’ll go back to once a week, since I have several other evening obligations that will start piling up around that time.

~7~

Sunday may be Mother’s Day, but it is also my goddaughter’s 3rd birthday!

fairygoddaughter

Wishing you the Happiest of Birthdays, Lucia!

Love, your fairy godmother.

{photo is one year old; she’s even cuter now… the one on the right, that is}

~

Don’t forget to stop over at Jen’s for more Quick Takes!

The Heart of the Matter

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Back to First Position shared an email yesterday from her mom that touches on an aspect of dance that I had buried for a couple of years.

“Do you remember the time when there was a dress rehearsal for TFB*  for I think Cinderella or maybe it was Swan Lake…. Anyway there was a little girl who was severely crippled and in a wheel chair.   Her eyes sparkled with joy afterward when I and the other mom-volunteers were helping the exiting kids who had come as a school trip.   I can’t recall the exact circumstances of how she came to express her feelings after attending the ballet but her words have inspired me many times.  Click here to read the young girl’s response.

Many thanks to BTFP and her mom for sharing such a beautiful moment!

~

~7 Quick Takes Friday – Episode 41~

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{Episode 41}

~ 1 ~

Either my dancing skills have improved a lot over the past few weeks or I’ve simply tapped into abilities that were present but stifled in a less-than-edifying environment.  All I know is I am loving ballet class!!!  I feel like a broken record because I’ve mentioned this every week since I started this new class, but the atmosphere is so different than what I had experienced and I am in awe of the positive affect that difference has had on me.

~2~

I got my new/old computer last weekend!  There are a few things I still have to up, but it’s so nice to have my own little laptop.

*sigh*

~3~

Do you have a list of things you always said you would never do?

I do.

Read the latest Adventure of C&K to find out how that’s working out for me…

~4~

Last week, I mentioned that there are only 120 days until our wedding, but Wednesday of this week marked one month until my brother Charles’ ordination to the priesthood!!!!!

29 days, folks!  29 days until my little brother is a priest!

In 29 days, Charles will be able to celebrate mass.

And absolve people from their sins.

And consecrate bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.

29 days.

Wow.

~5~

Please keep Charles in your prayers, along with the two other deacons who will be ordained on June 1.

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I couldn’t find a photo of all three deacons, but here are two of the three.

Thanks for remembering Charles, Scott, & James in your prayers!

~6~

Karl and I are meeting with our priest friend tomorrow for another marriage prep session.

I’m still trying to convince Karl to dress up like Star Wars characters in honor of May the Fourth Be With You.

I think he’d be more willing if we weren’t meeting with two potential caterers after our meeting with Fr. Paul…

~7~

Anyway, Happy (early) Star Wars Day!

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~

Don’t forget to stop over at Jen’s for more Quick Takes!

~7 Quick Takes Friday – Episode 40~

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{Episode 40}

Jen is settling back into her hosting duties with a trip down memory lane.

~ 1 ~

This week seemed to saunter by, and I had to keep my impatience in check.

I reminded myself to be grateful for the slow passage of time since the rest of the month was a blur.

I hope the weekend takes its time …

~2~

I made it to ballet class last night!  This class, which I was so terrified of trying, has been incredible.  I left physically exhausted and spiritually rejuvenated, which is so different than what I have been used to as of late.  I was used to leaving the dance studio physically and emotionally drained.  But not last night.  Jessica, the instructor was encouraging and supportive.  She kept reminding us to dance; not to simply move through the exercises and combinations, but to dance them.  So I did, and dancing was fun again – hard work, but so much fun.

~3~

I also had some inspiration yesterday that helped give me that extra nudge in class last night.

~4~

Karl and I still have a lot to do over the next 127 days until our wedding, but we have completed (most of) the required stuff.

Check out our latest wedding news here.

IMG_4734Yeah, we’re just a little excited about getting married.

~5~

I’ve been surviving without a Mac since July.  Karl has graciously lent me a non-Mac laptop and at times his Mac Book Air so I could survive (since it’s impossible to survive without technology).  But I finally get my life back today – I mean, I finally get my own Mac today.

Last fall, my dear brother told me he was in the process of upgrading his laptop and would clean up his old one for me.

I know the life of a transitional deacon is insanely busy, so I tried to be patient.

Well, my new/Charles’ old MacBook finally arrived at Karl’s this week!

WOO-HOO!

Thank you, Charles!

(I’ll put your thank you/Valentine’s Day gift in the mail… you can expect it in six months or so… just kidding… for pretend…)

~6~

This photo is a few weeks old, but now that I’ll have my own computer I’ll be able to upload and share photos faster.

This was a Saturday afternoon snack.  Karl’s mom provided the strawberries, and Karl dressed them up with whipped cream and chocolate.

Yup… He’s a creative genius.

DSCN1921

~7~

One of the things I’m most excited about in regards to my new computer is being able to access all the music files on my hard drive.  I have a couple of exciting dance opportunities coming up and was feeling stifled with my current limited music selection.

But not no mo!

Get ready folks, cause this pent up creative energy is about to burst!

Happy Friday!

~

Don’t forget to stop over at Jen’s for more Quick Takes!

Movement Inspiration

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Inspiration comes in many forms and from many sources.  Today, I was especially inspired by this article about a dancer who lost her foot in the bombings at the marathon last week.  I can’t begin to fathom what she is going through right now, but I will tell you that losing the use of my legs and feet is one of my biggest fears.  She has a pretty impressive outlook and according to this other article is moving forward quickly, including a guest appearance on Dancing with the Stars.  I just might tune in for that episode…

But today’s first inspiration came from Finis Jhung’s blog.  He posted another Artistry In Motion video featuring a hip hop dancer, whose movement is memorizing.  Not only that, I love that the music is not what you would normally expect for a hip hop dancer.  I am working on a piece that does something similar, so I was excited to see how well it worked in this instance.  Do yourself a favor and watch this video:

Thanks for the inspiration, Mr. Jhung!

~7 Quick Takes Friday – Episode 39~

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{Episode 39}

Jen and her little lad are home, but Grace is hosting again this week!

~ 1 ~

It has been a rather taxing week, which is fitting I suppose since Tax Day was Monday.  Not only was there a lot going on in my life personally, but also throughout the country: in Boston, in Texas, in the Midwest…

~2~

The news of Boston was jarring for everyone, most especially for the running community.  Only two days prior, my mom ran a half marathon, her third half marathon.  I thought of the countless times I stood near the finish line at races to cheer her on.  My family members and friends used to try to encourage me to run in a race.  ”You could do the 5k” they would say.  But I refused.  Someone needed to be a spectator and cheer “Nice finish” and “Way to finish strong” as they closed the gap between them and their moment of triumph.

The entire running community, including the spectators, and all of Boston are in my prayers.

~3~

Karl and I went to a gala fundraising dinner on Tuesday night, courtesy of our friend Trevor who sponsored a table.  We ended up seeing many people we know and had a great time.  I wish we had gotten a photo of us, but alas there is no documentation of how good I we looked on Tuesday.

It was a late night for us, but I was happy because I got to see my man during the week.. and support a good organization.

~4~

I received a strange text from my mom yesterday morning:

Where’s Noah’s ark? I want to get on, if he’ll let me.

I don’t have the best reception at work so I wasn’t able to respond asking if I was supposed to understand what the blazes she was taking about.  And then Rosario shared a photo on Facebook c/o GRNow.com’s FB page, and Mom’s text made perfect sense:

grnowphoto

Ummmm… yea… that’s the river that runs through my home town of Grand Rapids…

Apparently there is a lot of flooding in that area right now…

The river is expected to crest on Sunday, just under the 100 year flood level.  Please keep my hometown of Grand Rapids, along with the rest of the Midwest, as they deal with the rising waters.

~5~

I didn’t make it to ballet class last night because I was sick.  I was so bummed; I wanted to go so badly but my body was desperately in need of rest.

Still it has been a good week in regards to dance.  I’ve been a part of two major conversations that will have a major impact on my life as a dancer.

All I can say right now is that I am so incredibly excited about the direction God is taking me!

~6~

Today is my mom’s birthday.

As I mentioned in QT #2, she ran a half marathon last Saturday.

Um… did I mention that my mom is a superstar?  Well, she is.

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Happy Birthday, Mom!

~7~

Karl and I have a marriage preparation weekend coming up, with a program called God’s Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage on Saturday and Pre-Cana on Sunday.

That’s going to be a lot to take in all in one weekend, but that’s just how our schedules worked out.  Please keep us in your prayers!!!!

~

Don’t forget to stop over at Grace’s for more Quick Takes!

Hail The Conquering Hero

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I did it!  I conquered my pitily fears of a dance class unknown, dangblastit!  And I have the battle scars to prove it!  Ok, they’re not exactly scars, but my muscles sure are sore today so that’s what I’m classifying as battle scars.

It wasn’t that bad, but it was the first time I went to a whole new facility on my own.  In the past, I took classes at Ailey Extension.  I was familiar with the place since the company sometimes rehearsed there.  Not this time – this was an entirely new experience for me – going to a new class at a new facility…  I’m not gonna lie: it was nerve-wracking and I almost turned back at the last minute, but I’m glad I persevered.

The new class is a beginner ballet class through the Joffrey School of Ballet’s adult program.  In some areas, I am more advance than the other students, but I’m on par with them in others (like combinations and turns).  I was definitely challenged and had to push myself, which is something I’ve needed.  The instructor, Jessica, was fantastic.  She was extremely encouraging, but also corrected where correction was needed.  She explained corrections and tips clearly and patiently.  It was a smaller class than what I was used to at Ailey Ex., which I really enjoyed.  Sure it will be harder to hide in the back in my weak areas; then again it will be harder to hide in the back in my weak areas.  I feel like those areas will be better addressed in the smaller class setting.  Overall, it was fun!  I worked hard and had a great time!  And I’m looking forward to next week!

Thanks for all the support and encouragement!