To love another person...

Several weeks ago I saw the teaser for the new Les Miserables movie that is coming out at the end of this year. I watched it at least seven times and by the end had tears streaming down my cheek. The next day I was talking to Tom about the movie. He has never seen the play or read the book (which is really a shame, both are incredible). I eagerly started telling him the basic plot line, describing characters, and explaining why I love it so much.

You see, Tom is not one of those people who generally enjoys "emotional" movies. It's not that he doesn't have a heart. When we watched the movie Up he cried for a good 2 - 3 hours afterward. He kept saying, "Don't die on me, okay?" (He's going to love that I wrote this.) He gets really involved emotionally with what he watches, and prefers to keep his "tough guy" exterior on. (Because, you know, he's such a tough guy. Ha!)

As I described the general premise of the story of Les Mis, I found myself choosing my words carefully because I knew this would be a hard sell. I wanted to see the movie with Tom, but how do I convince him to watch a couple hours of a show that's called "The Miserables"? I mean, when you think about the story it really is a lot of sadness, heartbreak, and misery. In fact, every time I told him another part of the story or had him listen to "just one more" song from the musical, I found myself getting choked up with emotions. Why do I love this stuff so much?

Ultimately, I think it's because it's a lot like life. Life can be hard. Really, hard. Life can be unfair. Life can feel like we got the short end of the stick and there's nothing we can do about it because often there isn't anything we can do about it. But the story ultimately isn't about the misery... it's about the character that drives us to do good. It's about love, sacrifice, and pushing forward for a better cause. It's about understanding who we really are, what we are really capable of, and why it's all worth it.

10 moments from 12 months...

Okay, so after my last post I was wondering what sort of documentation I had on my life. I began sorting through photos on my computer, saddened that I don't own a digital camera myself (and therefore depend on all my friends for pictures, and am missing some key ones!), but happy to revisit some fun times. So, in no particular order... other than chronologically (hee hee), here are ten random pictures from ten random memories from the past year. These in no way document everything that has happened over the past year, but they do serve as random landmarks in the random life of a Robin.

1. I need a hero!
Some may not be aware of just how cool I am when combined with Sarah, Elisha, Jon, a video camera, and a computer. This is our third music video in which we make complete fools of ourselves. I love my friends. I love that this is how we sometimes spend a Friday night. The memories are priceless. This photo, in no way, captures the essence of the ugliness from that day. But this video does. Check it out: A Big Strong Man Like You.

Sarah and Me, August 2006

2. Photos Fun with Katie
I love my youngest sister, Katie. We truly are kindred spirits. In the spirit of sisterly affection, she was oh-so-kind to help a girl out by taking some photos. It was almost a year ago to the date, but the sad thing was that there was snow everywhere--in September?

From a dance I choreographed, "and I'll do it with a smile..." Sept. 2006

3. As Your Advisor....
I was approached by a group of BYU students last year with a request to be their advisor for a trip to the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) Conference in Long Beach, CA. Amused that I could "advise" people my age, I agreed. I mean, hello, free trip to California. Well... as you would guess, sometimes my students were more mature than me. Here is one photo from the experience (and what a long DRIVE it was).

Megan and I trying to stay sane in the back of the van, October 2006.

4. Like a Horse Out of... HEY.Convinced I would die, but surviving like the CHAMPION I am, I ran my first 10k in sunny (but cold!) Moab, Utah. It was really fun until my ipod broke right around mile 3. Even so, I am planning on going back this year to do it again.

Ashley, Jen, Melissa, and Me. December 2nd, 2006.

5. I Pity the Foo'
So this isn't a picture of me or anyone I actually know personally. But this was my Valentine's project. I think I could market these and make a fortune, what do you think?


6. Pirate Day!!!
So every semester I have pirate day when I teach (and yes, there is actually some very specific and useful reasons why...) Last semester I had the most amazing students. This is them on Pirate Day. They really got into it, and it was just one of a million examples of why my job is the best.

March 2007

7. Intersect
It started as an idea in an email to a friend of mine in New York. Well, after a year of organizing, planning, and communicating only through email; six other colleagues from around the nation and I put together a concert. We performed it in San Francisco and it was such an amazing and worthwhile experience. I choreographed two dances, a trio and a solo, that I also performed. I took two great friends (who danced in the trio with me) and we stayed in a fabulous hotel and had a blast. I also celebrated my 26th birthday while I was there.

Happy Birthday to me! Krista treated me to cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. May 31, 2007
Me performing, "Little Red." June 1, 2007.

8. Golden Ticket!
I returned to California later in June to attend a film workshop. After the three day workshop, my friend Katie picked me up (she was staying with her parents who live near LA for the summer) and we played a lot. We were joined by three other good friends, went to Disneyland (for FREE! and didn't have to wait in any lines, thank you, Hilary) and to a Dodger's Game (also for FREE! Thanks you Mr. Jones) among other fun events.

Go Dodgers! June 2007

9. Over the River and Through the Woods...In what has become a yearly tradition, just before summer ended I headed up with some friends to my grandparent's cabin. In past years the number of people have varied from a few to many. This year, needing some relaxation after hectic school meetings, we had a girls' only retreat of yummy food and relaxing veggin'. Nothing rejuvenates me like the cabin.

Elisha, Sarah, Me, and Ashley... all wet from the river. August, 2007.

10. I get by...

Okay, so technically this picture came a week or two before the cabin picture, BUT I left it for the end because it makes me happy. Even though it only happens every few months (if we are lucky) that we are all together, when these four people are by my side, I feel good. They are true friends and I love them! Any day with them is a memory forever. (Clambake!)

Jon, Sarah, Me, John (In costume) and Elisha at Hale Center Theater's "The Secret Garden." August, 2007.

You Can't Stop the Beat

I went to Hairspray tonight. Loved it. Seriously, it was so much fun and made me smile the entire time. It's funny because as I was watching it, and I know this is cliche', but I seriously wanted to jump out of my seat and start dancing. This isn't the first time I've had the urge to get up and move this summer. I've also (brace yourself) become addicted to So You Think You Can Dance.

I guess it shouldn't shock me that these two shows make me happy. I mean, I am a dancer, right? And every summer I go through this same "Wow, I love what I do!" feeling because during the summer I don't get to do it very much. But I think there is something else to this joy I feel when I watch people move with so much energy and joy and who are having so much fun. What I see is the human spirit.

That's not to say that all dancing is spiritual, or that dancing is the only way to feel that mind-body-spirit connection; but for me it makes sense, and when I see someone dancing with their whole heart, my spirit wakes up and wants my body to join in the fun.

(and let me tell you, it is fun.)

Things I should be doing...

I love this time of year. It honestly makes my little heart giddy. I somehow always forget how "down" I sometimes get during January and February, but when March comes around (and the yummy weather) I just perk right up.

I have some things I "should" be doing right now. I have a press release I need to write up for dancEnsemble (anyone in Utah who actually reads this blog, you should go!) I have some other random things that are on my "to-do" list for the day, but I just can't seem to bring myself to it. Maybe it's because my students at UVSC start spring break and I'm feeling a little cheated that BYU doesn't take one as well. But mostly, I just feel like saying "no" to my list tonight. So No it is.

A few minutes ago I walked out of my bedroom to find my little dog curled up in a ball outside my door. She looked so comfy and peaceful so I decided to plop down next to her. My room is a little loft that overlooks a large window that provides a complete view of the Salt Lake Valley. It is absolutely gorgeous. And tonight, as I cuddled with my dog (I know, how pathetic, right?) the sun was setting between the mountains and it was absolutely stunning. All in all, it was the icing of a beautiful day and I was sincerely grateful to just be alive, breathing.

So to my list of things to do... eh, it will get done sometime. Meanwhile, enjoy tonight.

Moving on...

Since I moved (just over a month ago) I have yet to feel like I really "belong" anywhere. This is particularly true in my new ward. However, Sunday was really good. I was able to meet a lot of people, and for the first time since I've been there I feel like I'm actually IN the ward. Tonight, when I went to FHE, I actually knew most of the people there and had a really good time.

I read an article the other day about luck and it reminded me of the power of optimistic thinking. So I'm here to tell the world, in print, that I am ready for luck to come my way (the good kind, please). I feel like I've gotten over my usually two month "down time" that usually comes with January and February, and I'm ready to step up to the plate and hit a home run. This is my year to make something happen. I'm ready. I'm hopeful. And I am excited.

Bring it on. I'm moving on.