But it's no Canada

My shin is definitely up to something here. I've been massaging, stretching, and even icing during lunch; it's just being a booger. I think it's just tired and needs some rest, which I'll try to give it this weekend. One more week. 

Today I had a good relaxing/stretching day. As much flexibility as ballet requires, a ballet class itself does not really contain a portion of sufficient stretching. But luckily we stretched a lot in Pilates, Jazz, and Modern. I actually feel quite loose in my joints and muscles because of those lovely stretches, and Pilates and Modern today focused a good bit on relaxation and releasing tension from joints and muscles. That was pretty helpful.

I said goodbye to a lot of great new friends today. Several of the dancers won't be returning next week, which means today was goodbye. My three Spanish friends and my English speaking buddies from the first week will still be at next weeks classes, which will be nice. 

I've got a pretty busy weekend planned, and I'll keep updating as it unfolds but here's the plan:

1. Finish my online course. (Done! Yay!)

2. Sew a pair or two of pointe shoes. (Bleh.)

3. Visit Mt. Vernon. 

4. Get a haircut. (Oh I need it...)

5. Pack/Ship my stuff 

6. Figure out when my flight is on Saturday.

7. Visit Fairfax Community Church to see their children's program (specifically worship arts)

I'm excited to have another week, but I think I'll be ready to come home. It's weird. I wasn't nearly this homesick when I was away for 2 months in Canada. Probably because my heart considers it home. I really do love D.C.; I have made, and will make more, fantastic memories here. I'm so glad I decided to come to BalletNova, see all the Aunts and friends up here, and it's all been wonderful, but it's not Canada. I guess last summer, if I was at all homesick, it was only for South Carolina (which we all know my affections for extend only as deep as they do because my family is there). This summer, I've got a double-whammie, of missing my family and stuff, but also missing Grandpa's stories and scrapbooking and cooking (mainly eating) with Grandma, and oh, I miss those summer nights at Port Dalhousie with Tim Hortons on my mind, a camera in hand, and those just brilliant sunsets on the pier. Yes, D.C. is wonderful--the weather is lovely, the culture is charming and unique, the friends are dear, and the dancing is great. D.C. is truly amazing. But it's no Canada.