Under the ATA, a person cannot become a fourth degree black belt until they are sixteen. However, Master Mike as not been part of that ATA since before we arrived to his studio (almost seven years ago). Jesse is due to graduate in December, but because it was her fourth degree Master Mike had told her she wouldn't graduate for a few years.
A week ago today, Master Mike talked to Jesse. He gave her two options. Option one was when she turned twelve she would take off her blue junior training jacket and go back to a white jacket until she turned sixteen. Then she could test for her fourth degree.
Option two. She would exchange her blue junior jacket for a red "instructor in training" jacket, take on more responsibilities in class, and help teach more classes. One year from when she put on her red jacket, she could test for her fourth degree belt.
Before we got into the car that night, she had already decided. She was going to get her red jacket. Not only does this mean she will have more responsibilities, but it also means she will retain her senior student standing. She is nervous and excited. And we are so very proud that she made this choice on her own.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Chloe and "Music Man jr."
I have already posted the pictures from "Music Man jr.", but I have not told you the full story of Chloe in the play.
When the cast list originally came out, a part had been created for Chloe, "Hazel". At the time I wondered why a part had been created rather than just giving her a part. She was paired up with a 10yo named Gabi. Gabi was one of the sweetest people. In less than a week, whenever she saw me come into the theater she would hug me then skip off.
It was not too long after rehearsals started that we learned Gabi is diabetic. We found out when the battery on her pump was low so she had to leave early. The remaining rehearsals went well. And, as Candy planned, whenever you saw Gabi you saw Chloe, whether it was on stage or backstage.
The night before opening, Gabi fell ill. I found out after rehearsal her sugar shot up to well over 600. Candy told Chloe to make sure she knew all of Gabi's lines and cues "just in case". It was then Candy told us Gabi's mother had told her early on Gabi was diabetic and that is why she created the part for Chloe, as a "just in case." Well, Thursday Gabi was put in the hospital. Overnight her sugar fell to 19. She was taken off of her pump while they manually tried to level out her sugar. The problem was Gabi had gotten the flu and they could not keep fluids in her.
Opening night Chloe was scared. She was used to having Gabi holding her arm at every turn, and now she was alone (on a stage with 73 other students). No Gabi. I worked backstage that night, so when she came off she stood with Candy and myself. I asked Chloe what she was going to do the following night while I was watching, "I'll be with "Gracie"!" (Gracie was Gabi's character's name.)
Well, opening night came and went, so did Friday and Saturday. Still no Gabi. At Sunday's show I heard Gabi had 17! people coming to see her in the play. Of course, they were not coming because she was still in the hospital. It broke my heart. She had worked so hard and she was missing all of it. Gabi was finally released from the hospital on Monday. Chloe was "Gracie Shinn" for the entire play. But all Chloe wanted to do was to perform the play one more time so Gabi's family could see her as "Gracie Shinn", even without the sets and costumes.
When the cast list originally came out, a part had been created for Chloe, "Hazel". At the time I wondered why a part had been created rather than just giving her a part. She was paired up with a 10yo named Gabi. Gabi was one of the sweetest people. In less than a week, whenever she saw me come into the theater she would hug me then skip off.
It was not too long after rehearsals started that we learned Gabi is diabetic. We found out when the battery on her pump was low so she had to leave early. The remaining rehearsals went well. And, as Candy planned, whenever you saw Gabi you saw Chloe, whether it was on stage or backstage.
The night before opening, Gabi fell ill. I found out after rehearsal her sugar shot up to well over 600. Candy told Chloe to make sure she knew all of Gabi's lines and cues "just in case". It was then Candy told us Gabi's mother had told her early on Gabi was diabetic and that is why she created the part for Chloe, as a "just in case." Well, Thursday Gabi was put in the hospital. Overnight her sugar fell to 19. She was taken off of her pump while they manually tried to level out her sugar. The problem was Gabi had gotten the flu and they could not keep fluids in her.
Opening night Chloe was scared. She was used to having Gabi holding her arm at every turn, and now she was alone (on a stage with 73 other students). No Gabi. I worked backstage that night, so when she came off she stood with Candy and myself. I asked Chloe what she was going to do the following night while I was watching, "I'll be with "Gracie"!" (Gracie was Gabi's character's name.)
Well, opening night came and went, so did Friday and Saturday. Still no Gabi. At Sunday's show I heard Gabi had 17! people coming to see her in the play. Of course, they were not coming because she was still in the hospital. It broke my heart. She had worked so hard and she was missing all of it. Gabi was finally released from the hospital on Monday. Chloe was "Gracie Shinn" for the entire play. But all Chloe wanted to do was to perform the play one more time so Gabi's family could see her as "Gracie Shinn", even without the sets and costumes.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Where to start?!
I'll start with the rally, it went well. We had quite a few people attend. The funny part, to me, was during our protest a large group of high schoolers were above us on the steps having their picture taken with the medals they had just received. We don't know what the medals were for, but they were up there quite awhile taking pictures. Then they moved to one side of the steps and a group of private school high schoolers came out on the other side of the steps to have their picture made (no medals). Lauren and I kept snickering over it because it was too ironic.
January 10th the girls auditioned for Music Man jr. at the Kershaw County Fine Arts Center. They both received parts. Rehearsals started on the 24th of January and continued until this past weekend when we finally had the show. And what a show!! We had an amazing cast. Both actors who played Harold Hill and Marion were in the last Music Man jr. with the girls in Columbia. Who knew they would wind up the leads in this play. Alex (Marion) has the voice of an angel. When she came out singing after audtions, I looked at her Mom and said, "she has to be Marion". She only had one singing line in the last show. She was amazing and I cannot imagine how good she is going to get because she is only 11!!!
Another friend's son, Alex, played Harold Hill. He was part of the barber shop quartet and a foot shorter in the play. He made a great Harold! And I cannot begin to explain to how phenominal the mayor was for this show. I just met him during rehearsals, but to watch him on stage was incredible. He even amazed John!!!
We met so many wonderful people. The funny thing was yesterday I went to the doctor and a couple of people in there knew me because of the show. My name was in the playbill with a thank you from Candy, the director, for all the help I (and several others) gave her during the rehearsals and the show.
On top of all of that (like it wasn't enough), John surprised all of us with a trip to Disney two weeks ago. I think we had a week to get ready. We had so much fun! I have been wanting to go to the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival for a few years now. We were there for opening day!!!!!
There you go. I believe you are now mostly caught up with the events of our lives. I still have few more things to add, but that will be another post. ;)
January 10th the girls auditioned for Music Man jr. at the Kershaw County Fine Arts Center. They both received parts. Rehearsals started on the 24th of January and continued until this past weekend when we finally had the show. And what a show!! We had an amazing cast. Both actors who played Harold Hill and Marion were in the last Music Man jr. with the girls in Columbia. Who knew they would wind up the leads in this play. Alex (Marion) has the voice of an angel. When she came out singing after audtions, I looked at her Mom and said, "she has to be Marion". She only had one singing line in the last show. She was amazing and I cannot imagine how good she is going to get because she is only 11!!!
Another friend's son, Alex, played Harold Hill. He was part of the barber shop quartet and a foot shorter in the play. He made a great Harold! And I cannot begin to explain to how phenominal the mayor was for this show. I just met him during rehearsals, but to watch him on stage was incredible. He even amazed John!!!
We met so many wonderful people. The funny thing was yesterday I went to the doctor and a couple of people in there knew me because of the show. My name was in the playbill with a thank you from Candy, the director, for all the help I (and several others) gave her during the rehearsals and the show.
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| Chloe as "Hazel Shinn". |
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| Chloe with Gabi ("Hazel" and "Gracie") |
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| Noah as the "Mayor". |
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| "Marion", "Mayor Shinn" and "Harold Hill" |
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| Love it!!!! Jesse as "Mrs. Squires" and Chloe with her hat. |
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| Adam as "Marcellus". |
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| "Shinn family" last day of the show, less the "Mayor". |
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| She wound up with the same hat she had in the last show!! Now, it doesn't look nearly as large. |
On top of all of that (like it wasn't enough), John surprised all of us with a trip to Disney two weeks ago. I think we had a week to get ready. We had so much fun! I have been wanting to go to the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival for a few years now. We were there for opening day!!!!!
There you go. I believe you are now mostly caught up with the events of our lives. I still have few more things to add, but that will be another post. ;)
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