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Post by celticsweetheart on Feb 21, 2012 1:06:07 GMT -5
As the title suggest this is a once in a lifetime happening. This is my first post so please be gentle with your comments. After all I am a newbie. The story starts at the end of 2007, New Years Eve.
I've been taking Irish step dancing for a little over 3 years. Each year my teacher says I'm improving but I can't see it. Backstage after my class had finished our end of the year recital on New Year's Eve 2007, my teacher comes up to me with a weird look on her face as if she'd seen a ghost or worse someone had died. She tells me to sit down which is the code word for death. I wrack my brain trying to figure out who died but I come up empty handed. She then goes into this elaborate story about how she's been trying to find a diamond in the rough. At this point I'm a little confused, I was still wearing my costume from the recital. Then I start to think am I'm the "diamond in the rough" or am I hallucinating. She finally realizes that I'm confused so she decides to start from the beginning. We move to the dressing room because what's she's about to say to me will change my life. At that point I'm shocked. I say, "how is what your about to tell me gonna change my life." That is when she added, "this is a once in a lifetime occurrence."
Now we are both seated in the dressing room and I'm feeling a bit more at ease with this whole life changing event. So Ms. Anne, my teacher, proceeds to tell me about this Irish Dance competition that takes place in Ireland once every year and only the best of the best participate. So what does this have to do with me? I didn't think I was that good but that's not what Ms. Anne tells me. Apparently, she's been sending a video of my performances into a committee that chooses the best of the best. Little did I know I was about to embark on a journey that will change my life.
So I will end it there for now but will add more tomorrow.
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Post by celticsweetheart on Feb 21, 2012 16:09:59 GMT -5
Here's the continuation from previous post.
After what seemed like an hour had passed, I learned that I was a finalist for the 2008 World Irish Dance Championships to be held in Galway, Ireland in June 2008. It was still 2007, I had no idea what I would be doing in 2008 except working at the theater and attending dance class once a week. One minute I hear my teacher tell me I'm a finalist in a competition I didn't enter and the next minute I hear a strange voice asking if I'm alright.
I slowly open my eyes to see that I'm lying on the sofa in the dressing room. I must have fainted without realizing it. My head is aching and I've got an awful headache. I see my teacher and a strange man, who I assume to be a doctor, he's probably someone's dad so I guess I'm lucky he was here tonight. I listen to them talking. It seems as if I did faint and hit the back of my head on the chair but didn't hit it hard enough to make a knot so the doctor just gave me a couple ibuprofen and told me take it easy.
Finally, I'm alone with just my thoughts. Ms. Anne and the doctor left to attend to the crowd of family and friends who came to the recital. I try to sit up but decide that its probably best if I stay in my current position. I can't believe that I was a finalist in a dance competition and I will have to go to Ireland next summer. It was still a lot to take in even at my age. I never thought in a million years I'd be good enough to compete against others in an Irish dance competition. So I guess this was the journey Ms. Anne was referring to.
How was I gonna tell my parents and brother what happened tonight. Of course I wouldn't have to tell them because they were in the audience but I would have to tell them about going to Ireland. How am I gonna pay for a trip to Ireland? Previous web searches for cheap airfares to Ireland had ended unsuccessfully. I did remember seeing that airfares from JFK in New York to Dublin, Ireland were cheaper than going direct from Detroit to Dublin.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2012 19:13:38 GMT -5
Hi colleen, i love this story. so far good job.
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Post by celticsweetheart on Feb 21, 2012 20:57:19 GMT -5
Thanks for comment, I will add more tonight. Just wait to read about the tour.
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Post by celticbear on Feb 21, 2012 21:46:52 GMT -5
Coleen! You are off to a great start! I don't blame you for fainting! I would have done the same thing in your place! And welcome to Nox! Glad to have another of my PUB niecies onboard around here!
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Post by celticsweetheart on Feb 21, 2012 21:52:01 GMT -5
Finally, my head stops hurting those pills the doc gave me decided to kick in. I change out of my costume, which I must have been wearing for 2 hours. Must make a note to send it to the cleaners. Now I'm in my everyday clothes which is great cause now I can leave this room.
I find my teacher and try to explain the perplexity at which she has put me in. I mean even if I work everyday there is no way I will have the money I need to buy the tickets to Ireland. Ms. Anne explains this great idea she has to raise the money for me to go to Ireland in June 2008. I tell her that I might be able to afford the ticket from Detroit to JFK but not from JFK to Dublin. Apparently, she's been doing her own research into airfares to Dublin.
On my way home I kept replaying all the events of that evening. The recital was a success it was best one the school had put on in a few years. Ms. Anne had already organised a bake sale and spaghetti dinner to take place during the first week of January 2008. I told her I would try to come up with a few other ways to raise the money. I thought everyone could sell chocolate bars but that might take too long, so I started thinking about doing a silent auction. Then I ran into another road block what type of auction would it be? I figure after a good night's sleep and a clear head maybe I'd know what type of auction I'd have.
- I have to take a break my mind is flipping out seriously I'm getting a little headache, so now I'll go back to the pub.
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Post by celticbear on Feb 21, 2012 21:59:13 GMT -5
Coleen! At least you are thinking straight! Many schools hold fundraisers to pay for travel expenses! Can't wait to see what you come up with next!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2012 22:18:24 GMT -5
good good more please
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Post by celticbear on Feb 21, 2012 22:35:59 GMT -5
Hey Aeryn since you are online, how about an update to your story!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2012 22:56:19 GMT -5
Colleen i know oyu just posted but please post more tonight. i'm rightiing on right now but it wont get posted since i have to go to bed in 35min.
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Post by celticsweetheart on Feb 22, 2012 0:59:54 GMT -5
i had the greatest update and i hit clear instead of preview. gd how could i be so stupid.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2012 18:52:55 GMT -5
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Post by celticsweetheart on Feb 22, 2012 22:15:04 GMT -5
The next morning my head is so clear the ideas just come pouring out like sand through an hour glass. While munching on a granola bar and drinking my morning cup of java, I shot off an email to Ms. Anne about my idea. I then got dressed and went downstairs to take Ming for a walk. The exercise would do him good even if he hates the cold and the cold crisp morning air would do me some good as well.
After a walk around the block, Ming was exhausted and I was so tired I didn't feel like dragging my body up the stairs to my apartment. So I went into the office to use the computer. While waiting for it to boot up I grabbed a pad of paper to jot down a couple ideas that had been floating around in my head. First, a dinner date auction could possibly make more money than just an auction of movie memorabilia/gift cards. Second, an Irish themed auction which would be appropriate since the reason for the fundraising was so that I could go to Ireland in order to compete in the World Irish Dance Competition.
Finally, the computer was up and running; so I logged into my email and there were three separate replies from Ms. Anne. I scanned all three replies but opted to send only one instead. She liked my idea for a movie memorabilia/gift card auction because I have the connections to get the goods. Working at a movie theater will finally pay off; all that walking and cleaning up after patrons would be worth it. I just had to figure out how to go about my plan of attack. I knew what manger would give in but I needed to get more than just one theater to participate. I figured that I'd need every type theater not just the ones that show movies. I had a few connections in the film industry or at least in television who might be able to help me out I just needed to bend their ear a bit.
I knew Ms. Anne probably wouldn't send me a reply until later tonight which was fine by me because I could use a nap before dinner. I was really glad I had today off; after last night's accident I needed all the rest I could get. I made sure Ming had water in his bowl then dragged my lazy self up the stairs to make myself a chicken salad sandwich which I accompanied with a cup of hot cocoa. After I finished eating I moseyed over to my bedroom to take a nap.
- ok so this is as close to the original update as I can get, will add more before I go to bed.
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Post by celticbear on Feb 22, 2012 22:53:42 GMT -5
Good Update! I'm liking the movie/memorabiia/gift card auction. Love the name of her dog! Hope she gets the support she needs to make the auction happen!
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Post by celticsweetheart on Feb 22, 2012 23:07:16 GMT -5
That was his name, he died in 2009. My new dog is named Annabelle, she's a Boston Terrier. I'm a little upset I can't get into the pub apparently its down.
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