Break!

So thanksgiving break has officially started and I couldn't be happier! I drove home from Blacksburg last night and I must say driving in the dark is pretty scary. When I got hole my mom and aunt were there to greet me which was exactly what I needed. I've missed everything about home including sleeping in my own bed. When I woke up today I completely forgot that I had an appointment to eat lunch with my dad. The crazy thing is I haven't seen him in a year. We ended up eating at Clyde's which is an American style restaurant. It was nice catching hip with him and telling him all about college. While we were enjoying our food I kind of realized how similar we are. We're both outgoing and funny people. Sometimes I wish he still lived in the states but then realize how happy he is back home taking care of his mom. With my dad everything comes easy as if he never left. I can't wait to see what else this week brings me:) family to me means so much to me and knowing that it will be growing excites me! My brother is also coming from Ethiopia this weekend and I've missed him dearly! Well everyone I hope you all have a great break and happy thanksgiving!

I Live For The Moments That Will Always Linger

Do you ever have moments where you just want to go back to different points in your life? Well I couldn't think of anything to write about this week, so I thought I'd go back in time. In this first picture, my friends and I are about to perform at the Jazz and Tap Festival. This performance is an annual thing that our company performs at. We do about 4-5 dances, varying from contemporary to hip hop. These people mean the world to me and have been there for me since the beginning. Knowing that we all share the same passion only strengthens our bond. 

In this picture my mother had just handed me flowers after graduating high school. This moment symbolizes the hard work we had both put into get me to where I am today. This women pushed me throughout my whole life to make sure I received the best things in life. With her support, I was able to accomplish and experience many things. Throughout my High School career my mom was always at my performances and award ceremonies. This would be a moment I would like to experience again because of the happiness and excitement I felt that day.

In this picture I am with my mother and my grandfather. This picture was taken in Ethiopia when my mom and I visited him. Both my mom and I had no idea that this would be the last chance we'd get to see him. Most of my friends grew up with their grandparents. Visiting them for holiday dinners. From the stories my mother has told, I can only imagine how great of a man he was. I think my mom and him look a lot alike in this picture. I love this man.

After several hours of dancing at my audition, my cousin took a picture of me in front of the sign at Pace University in New York City. This audition meant the world to me. Against everyone's opinions, I decided to follow through with the audition as a personal accomplishment to myself. After a decade of dancing as a child I wanted to prove to not only myself but to the world that I was capable of greater things. I was so nervous that day...but I knew that all the training that I had done had prepared me for anything. And a few months later I received an acceptance letter with complete shock:)

This moment in my life is definitely one that I will never forget. That day I was shooting for the music video that I had auditioned for. For this scene all the dancers got to dance while the firetruck splashed water on use. As soon as the water hit my body, a ripple affect of pure joy rushed through my body. Nothing could take that very moment away form me. The 6 months of rehearsal leading up to that point was worth every second.

Just Some of My Thoughts

If Halloween is coming up that means both Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. Which ULTIMATELY means the first semester of my freshman year is almost OVER. How in the hell did that happen? Just last night I requested my classes for the spring semester. I will be taking a lot of business classes that are required for me to be able to transfer into the College of Business. I wish I could go back to the first week of college and relive all the crazy, scary, exciting moments again. Just like that all the things I was excited to experience flew right by me. I think I forgot to slow down and take in everything around me. The thing that I am most excited about is being home for my nieces’ birth. I already have two nephews and now that I will have a niece I am beyond impatient for her to arrive into this crazy world. To me nothing can replace family and what it represents. Before coming to college, my brother would tease me because I was going to be an aunt with 3 nieces and nephews. If I could I would bring them here with me and take them to all my classes. Unfortunately that would be impossible and people would think I was crazy. 

On another note, I wonder if all the time we’ll spend in college will mean more than just earning a degree. I wonder if I’ll see a difference in myself after just one year. If I’d see any changes or improvements in myself at all? I really hope so. I’ve always wanted to be that girl who took everything she learned and used it in a way to benefit herself. That never tried to adapt to what other people say or wanted and knew how to stand on her own. 

Change Is A Good Thing

Well this past weekend was Fall Break and I would say I had a good couple of days back at home. The decision to go home and visit my family was definitely a last minute one. I did not tell anyone that I was coming home so I could surprise my mom. As I was on my way home she kept trying to face time me but I had to keep declining her calls. Right before I went home around 7:30, I stopped by the grocery store to grab some flowers cause I knew she likes to decorate her room with them. As I began walking up to my house I called her to make sure she was there. I rang the door bell and could hear my mom approach the door asking who it was. By that point I couldn't stop laughing so I gave up and shouted "Mom it's your daughter, open up!" She couldn't believe it when she saw me standing in front of her. I think that moment was the best out of the whole weekend. The next day my mom and I decided to get our hair done together. Coming home I knew I needed to cut a lot of my hair off because it had been so long since I last got a trim. My hair stylist that I've been with for a while was a little skeptical about cutting my hair because I've never done anything so drastic. Even I was second guessing my own decision. Once everything was done I looked in the mirror and couldn't recognize myself. My hair reached my shoulders and as I tried to comb my hair through my fingers, they quickly fell loose. This was definitely the shortest my hair has ever been, and to be honest I loved it. It looks healthy and "fresh" as my mom called it. As I visited many friends over the weekend, they all told me I looked more like a college girl. I used to say that to my older friends when they came home to visit and now I'm being called that which makes me a little scared. Overall I believe that change is good and that this hair cut signifies how it can bring new things into my life.

DCVT. Dance Company of Virginia Tech.

It's been about a month since I first joined DCVT. Since then I've been rehearsing non-stop in preparation for our winter show. The best part about DCVT is the fact that we all share the same passion. To me going to rehearsal allows me to forget about all the homework I have waiting for me in my backpack. At the studio all the girls get along, we joke around and make fun of each other. Being apart of DCVT has made me feel apart of the school just like dance team did back in high school. It gave me an instant group of friends that I know would always have my back. Being in DCVT means we get to attend socials, semi formals, and formals. So far we performed last Friday for the pep rally. At first I was a little worried about messing up but after practicing on the side I felt more confident. Performing has a way of bringing happiness into my life. It has become so easy for me to go on stage and express myself. I hope that over the next four years DCVT will give me a chance to grow as a dancer and an individual. Each upperclassmen in the company have expressed to me that these girls will become long time friends. And that the bond between us should be cherished. I think that life has a funny way of putting scattered puzzle pieces of our lives together. I am a firm believer in things happening for a reason and understand that if something isn't meant to happen then it wont. I can confidently say that joining DCVT is one of the best decisions I've made here.

FOOD.

Does anyone else feel like they cant stop eating here? I was warned to be careful of the freshman 15 and now I know why! The food is amazing and I don't know how to say no to it. I must saw West End and Turner Place are my two favorite. Not really a big fan of Owen's or D2. Because D2's buffet style, it's hard to know your limit and when to stop. And not to mention, the desert section makes you want to grab 2 more plates. One of my goals coming into college was to become healthy and to utilize the gym or other forms of exercise. Back home I danced practically everyday which was my form of exercise, but coming to college balancing the different things I want to get accomplished is difficult. But this past week I've had auditions from 9-12. Which is WHY I look like a zombie in class. Sorry Mr. Sanders...
Although Im able to workout, the food seems to overpower everything I do haha. I am a victim to Virginia Tech's #1 dinning services. HELP ME!

VT Football

Is it me or is it getting harder to stay and watch a whole entire Virginia Tech football game. The first home game against West Carolina was brutal. Standing on the east side of the stadium with the sun beaming straight down on us, left half the student body sun burned. My roommate even got hokie foot prints marked on here face because of the tan it created. Right after half-time ended my group of friends and I knew it was time to leave and grab lunch. We all came to the conclusion that we need to head back and take a nice long nap. Dont get me wrong, experiencing my first Virginia Tech football game will always be a moment I'll never forget! Jumping in the stadium and screaming "Let's Go Hokies!" just adds to the thrilling effect of being in Lane Stadium.
This past weekend, the same group of friends and I, barely made it to the second quarter because of the wind and rain that kept blowing in our faces. First it was too hot and now I'm shivering in the stands barely able to see what's going on on the field. Although I love sports, it can get a little tedious having to stand throughout a whole entire game.

The Music Around Us

Have you ever wonder how a song can completely understand how you're feeling at that very moment? Cause I have. Music has allows been able to reflect my emotions, whether I am sad, happy, or pissed. Music has always been a big part of my life because of being a dancer and having 9 years of experience playing the violin. I honestly like any type of genre except for country and hard rock. I have so much respect towards artist and the hard work they put in their music. I literally do everything throughout my day while listening to music. I can even study while jamming out to a great John Mayer song or even some classic Jason Mraz. Music can be helpful in many ways. For instance, it can pump up an athlete before a game or calm a baby to sleep. Whether you like to listen to music or not, it is heard everywhere you go. Perhaps on your way to work a man could be playing his saxophone or patiently waiting in an elevator hoping the awkward music would stop. Overall if I didn't have music in my life I would think the world was so boring. Music makes me feel alive and appreciative of the world around me.

Time Flies

It’s crazy to see the little changes I see in myself. I no longer leave huge clumps of clothing on the floor or leave my bed all messed up. After just being here for 3 weeks, I’ve become extremely organized and aware that my 12 by 4 room is now my home. I’ve officially decided that Friday mornings are my time to vacuum, do laundry and take care of any other chores. Living on my own has made me even more independent and it scares me because in a way it means I’m growing up. One thing that hasn’t changed is the fact that my mother has been calling me 3 times a day since she dropped me off. And recently I’ve been getting a little annoyed when she constantly asks me “what’s up” or “what’s new in life” when she just called me a couple of hours ago. I love my mom to death but I wish she would understand that I’m growing up and that she needs to let go a little. I’ve dealt with this my whole life…having an overly protective mother who wants to be included in everything. Before leaving for college she’d joke around about moving in to the Virginia Tech Inn permanently…that was no joke to me! Another scary things is the fact that I will be turning 19 in a few months. How did that happen? I remember turning 18 and feeling so grown up and scared knowing I was no longer a child. Life feels like it’s just moving forward, relentlessly dragging me along for the ride. I want to make sure the next 4 years of my life will be memorable and not easily forgotten.  

How I Became A Hokie.

Hello, my name is Hermela Solomon and I’m going to tell you about how I became a Hokie. Ever since I was 7 years old, my mother put me in every dance class you could possibly think of. She used to tell me that when I was a toddler I would run around the house putting on performances for my family. Dance has been my life ever since I could remember. When I entered High School I even joined the Dance Team and stuck with it until I graduated. Dance has always been my way of expressing how I feel and sharing who I am as a person. When my junior year in High School was coming to an end, I knew that I wanted to go to school for dance and one day dance for Beyoncé. The winter of my senior year I was able to audition at Pace University in New York City for the Commercial Dance program. I was thrilled that I had a chance to live out my dream, in a city filled with opportunities. On the other hand, my mother was not as excited for me. She continuously preached to me how I needed a stable major that would guarantee me a stable job in the future. She praised and lectured how Virginia Tech would provide me many opportunities that would guarantee success and a happy life. But inside me heart I knew that my dream was greater than becoming a Hokie for the next four years of my life. After waiting for a little over three months, I got a very “thin” layered envelope that congratulated me for being accepted into the Commercial Dance Program. But surprisingly, over those three months I had an “Aha moment,” and realized I could do both at Virginia Tech. After many hours of researching dance at Tech, I realized that my future was guiding me in another direction.