The Nutcracker- An Oxymoron

Tchaikovsky's the Nutcracker ballet is the only ballet many people have seen. And it is one of the only ballets people can drag men to in the name of Christmas. Why? Maybe because it is a ballet full of beautiful costumes, familiar music, and a story line that lacks flighty interpretive dance. Sorry Twyla Tharp. Plus kids love the Nutcracker and many of them dream of one day dancing Clara in it. What they don't realize is 99.9% of people with that dream (myself included) will never see is fulfilled. But hey, it never hurts to aim high. :-)

For dance studios and small ballet companies, dancing in the Nutcracker is a rite of passage. It shows that I am good enough to dance in a program people (who are not just in my family) will pay to see. While for many professionals it is something they do year after year and could probably dance a half a dozen of the roles in their sleep. For many, it is stale and is simply something to get through. But secretly, I think every pro ballerina can think back to the day when she dreamed of dancing Clara or he wanted to be the Nutcracker prince or that wily Mouse King.

The Nutcracker still holds a special place in out hearts even to those men who are dragged along only to examen the ceiling. I would say it is the most dreaded and enjoyed ballet of all time. It symbolizes the holidays are upon us, the dreams of children, and a ballet made for the people. So get out your tutu and tiara and enjoy.

Dress...inspiration

Sorry guys. I am always on the look out for awesome, modest, vintage-inspired dresses.

My fav clothing sites are...

*Modcloth- for the indie, vintage fashionetas

*Anthropologie - for when you had a lot of money in the bank

*Down East Basics-

cute and inexpensive

*Ruche- similar to Modcloth

Enjoy!

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth.

Wow. I actually visited my own blog and am writing on it too.

A lot has happened since my last post. Back then I was still living in Puerto Rico teaching school and attempting to be the perfect Mennonite girl who cooks, sews, bakes, and decorates like Martha Stewart and can sing like Charlotte Church. I thought my future consisted of finding a good Mennonite boy, getting married, and having half a dozen kids. I know that is really stereotypical and there is nothing wrong with it; that is what I thought I wanted.

Well, I was wrong. God gently squashed the box I was putting myself, my family, and Him in. (But let me just say I love all Mennonite friends and Puerto Rico was a great experience. I miss it there ubber-much and am praying that I get there this summer.)

Fast forward three years.

I am a full-time student at Everett Community College on my way to becoming an ESL teacher. I am a part-time student at Destiny International School of ministry on my way to becoming a radical leader for Jesus. I have a 14 month old brother name Jaden. I do the unromantic job of cleaning peoples toilets. And I have a church I love. Sometimes all of it just takes my breath away.

Anyway, that's my back-story. Stay-tuned there is much more to come. :-)

What to Write When You Don't Know What to Write About

Right now I have no idea what to write about! It's like so much happens & .......????? Where do I start? So, I'll just list some random things that have happened recently:

*On Thursday, Carver asked me, "What to you wish?" That really got me thinking. What do I wish for myself? How are my wishes different for God's plans for me? Should they be? Should I even wish for things? Anyway, I listed I few things...I wish I knew Spanish, I wish I had my drivers licence, etc. Than he popped this one on me: "Do you wish you had contacts?" I told him no, since I don't even have glasses I don't want contacts. :-)

*On Friday, Carver took his second Light Unit test & again past with 100%! Hooray for Carver!

* Friday evening was Youth Night in Anasco. We Barcolenettaites journeyed the hour & half to Craig & Kari's for Piazza, brownies, & lots'o fun. Craig had devotions on brokenness in the Christian life, which really spoke to me. Then we sang in English & Spanish while Luke played the guitar & Samuel the keyboard. Games topped the night off: pancake flipping relays, Bible trivia, & running around with marbles balanced on spoons. *Priceless*

* Twins Adam & Amanda & I stayed the weekend in Anasco. I think we all had a great time! I'd give you more details of our grand adventures, but it would take to long, so I'll only mention one- Amanda, Jessica, & Johanna went shopping on Sat. & ended up at Boarders bookstore. The other girls were in the checkout line while I continued to browse, an older man stopped me & started taking to me in Spanglish. He asked if we girls believe in Jesus and are saved, I said yes. He continued on to tell me how beautiful we were & how holy we looked with no make-up, etc. He said he could tell but our eyes we were Christians. Wow. It really makes you think about your witness by just being out in the community.

Love,
Hannah

The Potter's Hand

If ya'll ever get a hold of the Nathan Good family's CD it will make a great edition to your A Capella singing collection. Carver, my student, is the son of Nathan's oldest daughter, Jewel. So I got to meet Nathan & Mildred in early September, & I really enjoyed them. :-) Then Benji & his girl friend Ann came down in mid-September. By the way, Ann was a student of Linda when she taught first grade. There a great family! Anyway, enough of this Mennonite circle stuff. This song has come to mean a lot to me:

The Potter's Hand

Beautiful Lord,
Wonderful Savior,
I know for sure,
all of my days are held in your hand,
Crafted into your perfect plan.
You gently call me into Your presence,
guiding me by Your Holy Spirit.
Teach me, dear Lord, to live all of my life through Your eyes.
I'm captured by Your holy calling.
Set me apart,
I know Your drawing me to Yourself.
Lead me, Lord, I pray.
Take me, mold me, use me, fill me;
I give my life to the Potter's hand.
Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me;
I give my life to the Potter's hand.