Harvest Moon Ball

What a weekend.

I thought it would be a good thing to go ahead with the competition because it would be kind of therapeutic for me.

It was probably too soon....but I did make the best of it.  

It was still kind like the twilight zone.....a few disconcerting things happened...and a funny thing too...

This post is not for the faint of heart.....

This is my beautiful friend Karen who won 1st place in Gold Latin Scholarship/Championship.  That means she's dancing at the top level (Gold) and she was the best.  She's an amazing dancer.

Karen and her Pro teacher Rodolfo.  It's hard to capture the action shots...but I think this turned out OK.

Karen and Rodolfo

I just received this photo today of my September competition, taken by a friend.  I will be posting photos from this weekend's comp as they arrive.

During the competition, a male competitor collapsed during his dance.  He went into full arrest on the floor.  I happened to be there (I am a former paramedic and still teach CPR) and so I ran to him as did other competitors and spectators who were medical professionals.  We ended up giving him CPR.  We found out later that night, that he survived and will need surgery.

I am so thankful he pulled through....immediate CPR saves lives.  I think everyone should be certified.

Later that night, I went with Marcel and a married couple who are also his students to the high priced restaurant in the luxury hotel that housed the competition. We were starving!  I was walking toward the bathroom and spotted a frantic little MOUSE scampering the floor.  He darted left and I darted right to the bathroom door.  As soon as I opened the door, the little rodent scurried in MY direction.  I guess he needed to use the bathroom too...because he ran around and over my feet to get in there.  Of course, I let out a spontaneous squeal while I was doing a hat dance with the mouse.  In the ladies room he (or she) went.  I ran into the stall because I really need to go and slammed the door shut quickly.  Of course, I'm noticed that the door had a little space at the floor and I was afraid he would squeeze in under it.  He didn't, thankfully because I didn't want to share the small bathroom stall with him.  I opened the door cautiously and didn't see him so I ran out.
When I returned to the table I shared my story with the waitress and soon after the manager came and took away our check.  The entire meal was comped....we didn't have to pay the bill at all.  That's good because it was a very expensive meal; but I'm not sure it was worth having a frightful encounter with a mouse!

I thought I danced my best ever.  I placed with some 2nd's and 3rd's, but didn't win the scholarship (which means no money).  There was tough competition and I should be happy that I did survive the elimination rounds to be in the finals.   To win money, you have to place 1st, 2nd or 3rd.  I place 6 out of 22.  I should be happy with that right?  Sign.  I'm not used to not placing, so I'm going to have to take a better look at my dancing and figure out what I need to do to change it.

Marcel was happy with my dancing in some aspects...but his comment was "anyone who loses their mother and has to do CPR on someone gets a pass".

What a weekend.

I'm ready for things to return to normal.  Anytime now.