Where did they come from?

One of my committee members asked a compelling question today: where did the dancing masters come from? As I'm searching the web tonight.... I'm not finding much information. Based on names, some seem to hail from Ireland while others seem to hail from France. The video above is based on Kerry step-dancing style taught by the famous Jerry Molyneaux... so famous that very little is written on him (that I can locate). The shift between his style, termed Munnix here, and contemporary style is so subtle and nuanced, I'd be hard pressed to say what changes. Obviously the tempo picks up and foot beats per second increase significantly. 


 Better get back to my thesis. I'm finding too many great videos that aren't about the dances I should be focusing on. 

Mountains

I've been thinking about mountains lately. I've gotten to go on some fun hikes in the past week - up Rock Canyon and also Battle Creek Falls - and those have reminded me of other hikes and adventures. Falling down the mountain at Stewart Falls years ago... Getting left on a mountain in the middle of the Tetons with nothing but my water bottle and two knees that made me cry on my way back down. I also think of the hikes I still want to take in the future. I really want to meet a guy that likes going out for a nice hike in the mountains and will suggest it as well. (And not leave me on the mountain!) I think of how I'll probably never make some hikes, thanks to my knee and the challenges it gives me going downhill. But I'm sure there's plenty of easy enough hikes I can still make! 


I've made some metaphorical hikes lately, too. The thesis has definitely been a big one. Of course, it isn't exactly entirely done.... so there's a few more steps to conquer in that mountain. (And of course I'm procrastinating and blogging instead. Ah well!) I've also been climbing some personal mountains in the past several months. I don't think we ever really stop working up those slopes, actually, but sometimes the incline levels out and sometimes it's very steep. While I have been working hard to keep going forward, I think the climb has been balanced by some amazing views and perspectives. If you have to work hard, it's nice to have a pretty view! 


Speaking of views, here's some fun pictures from the past few months to show my awesome friends and what we've been up to!

Ananda and I going to an outdoor concert in April

Jenelle and I walking the Provo River Trail

Nohemi, Alexis, and Jenelle (and me taking the pic) at our outdoor Easter cookout

Crepes! I meant to have more people over but it ended up being Jenelle and I

Homemade crepes

Savory filling: Aspargus and mushroom with shredded swiss cheese

Berry topping. I made a delicious cream cheese filling to go with this and it was divine!

Insomnia

It seems that my last two nights of sleep (from about 12/1am - 4:30 and from 5-8/9 am) were flukes. So here I am working on my thesis. I'm totally tired of Facebook.... it's been helpful these past few days with keeping up with news in Joplin and the tornadoes, but I've been on way more than normal and it gets old after a while. At the same time, I feel rather isolated working on my thesis while the world around me sleeps. To keep myself somewhat connected, I'll document my progress and successes here for the unknown masses to read and be bored by!! Wahoo, I know you're excited, even as you search for the X button. (It's on the top right and is probably red). 

1. I finally figured out page numbers!! Mind you, this is just on the preliminary official junk that I have to include, not even the actual thesis. But it took me about an hour and two different nights of writing to finally get it. 
2. Started putting part of Chapter 1 in the final thesis format. With page numbers! (May I just add that it's hard to be intelligent at this time of day. I think it's about time to try and force the sleep issue.) 
3. I need a title. If anyone is good at coming up with intelligent, descriptive stuff like titles, please let me know ASAP.
4. 8 days until the pre-defense draft is due. I may very well spend the next days sleeping after that. 

Vogue- My Thesis

So one of my committee members suggested I add pictures to my thesis. Actually, I think she would prefer me to add videos, but I have absolutely no time or resources to add videos to a text document. Instead, I became a model for my own thesis. Yep, to avoid copyright issues, I contacted the excellent photographer, Ananda Henriksen, to do some shots for my thesis. She photographed, I touched them up for lighting in Photoshop, and here's what we've got! 

** Please note: the following images are exclusively copyrighted with the photographer's consent. Do not use without contacting me or her for permission. **

Sean Nos style dancing

 

Competitive Dance Posture

Common foot placement in early 1900s

Competition Foot Placement

 

Ghillies

Hard Shoes

Elaborate Lives

After reading this blog, written by a friend and folk dance teammate, this beautiful song from Aida came to mind. It's been a nice little reminder on a night when I feel extremely overwhelmed with the thesis and how much is still not done... there's just too much to be said!! Even if there weren't too much to be said, I still haven't written enough yet. There's some major organization and finalization of chapters 2 and 3 that needs to happen, ideally before I  meet with my committee member on Thursday. With this nasty wet and cold weather I just haven't had as much motivation to write. It'll be awesome in a few weeks when I just have to send it in and call it good as is. 

For tonight, though, I'm going to think a few moments on how blessed my life is, even with the fun and crazy challenges and deadlines I face. 

Life is not fair; life is elaborate; life is meant to be lived. 

Thoughts on a Tuesday

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.

Washington Irving (1783-1859)

I happened onto this quote (while reading my own blog...) and I absolutely love it! Lately I've been doing a lot of thinking about life: what to do after I graduate, where to go after I graduate, what I want out of life, and as always trying to understand why my life is the way it currently is and what I've learned from my experiences so far. Lately I've been looking at various job possibilities, and with that I also found a Ph.D program in Irish Studies. Given the topic of my master's thesis and my academic experience so far, a program like that would be an excellent choice. But do I actually apply for that? Spend another 2-3 years getting a terminal degree? I feel like I would be a competitive candidate. The school has rolling enrollment, so I can basically apply whenever. Their website seems to state that they cover tuition and even offer a stipend to doctoral students. But the university is not in a big city. It's about 40 minutes out of New York City (or 1.5 hrs in traffic). And while they say they have an excellent placement program, the world of tenure-track jobs is not easy. Teaching is hard and involves long hours, getting published requires time and original research, and the economy hasn't been exactly kind to Ph.Ds in education. Arguably, there are more out there than available jobs. Can I just say that it's hard to figure out what you want your career to be when you already know that your ideal career involves a ring, a man, some kiddos, and too much laundry, diapers and dishes. But, those things are not currently a reality. And they can't be scheduled or counted on. So I guess I'm just trying to strike a balance of moving forward with faith and accepting current reality. 

And to bring it back to the beginning.... I'm so thankful for my mom! She's been so wonderful at helping me through my whole life, but especially these last 7 years since I've been out on my own. We've become good friends and her advice has helped me so much.... especially the advice that I disliked hearing. Funny, but she really was usually right. I'm looking forward to spending time with her at home this June!! 

Sleepless in May

I've slept less than 5 hours in the last 36. I've been working hard on my thesis and am seriously worried/stressed about my chapter three, even though it's actually coming together more than my chapter two right now. I suppose I'll panic once I copy and paste and redo headings, but at least I'm writing. 


Almost a year ago, I had my heart broken and consequently met someone who would definitely change my life. I'm a whole new person from who I was then, and thank heaven for that. Literally. But, if you do still blog stalk me (which would be weird, what's your problem? Get over me!) then please know that I think you're a sham. A fake. A poser. One who can is great at presenting the "networking" image, but who I wouldn't trust with anything more than superficiality. Because, all things considered, that's where your level is, or at least was. You want certain things from life and relationships, and while I trust you'll create your ideal life (nice car, nice TV, nice stuff), I only hope that you manage to find what you want in a relationship. I feel like I've met many guys, not just you, who say they want this amazing accomplished woman, when, in reality, you can't handle it. That's right. I'm just too darned accomplished and independent and you're so competitive and proud that you just can't get past the fact that I am, in fact, amazing. Don't get me wrong - everyone deserves to find someone they can love and connect with, and I hope you do. But right now, I'm going to let that last drop of vitriol roll off my back. 


Wow, I'm out of things to say. And I feel good about that. For everyone that may or may not often read my blog, sorry for the massive spew session. Please see paragraph one for a small explanation of my mental state. Also, I don't usually obsess over this. I got over it a while ago... mostly. They say you never fully get over someone until the next one comes along. Either way, I myself am happy and doing great, and look forward to not being stressed by my thesis and finding new adventures in the coming months. I do feel the need to apologize because this post ain't my pretty side, not by a longshot. But I'm human. And seriously, blog stalking me after you broke up with me to see what if I would publicly declaim you?? I guess I have to give you props for being gutsy enough to tell me to my face that you did it and were "impressed" with how I was handling things. What a trollop. You knew nothing about me if you thought I'd do that. And now, here I have! Irony.... 


Friends, I promise to be more uplifting in my next post. And now I shall sleep.