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.