Bloch Prolite II Hybrid Slipper Review

Just after classes started this fall, I got the Bloch Prolite II Hybrid ballet slipper, so I've had them for maybe 4 months now.  They are leather and split sole with a canvas arch insert.  At first, I didn't like them so much, but now that I've gotten used to them, I love them!  They're not too different from the Bloch Dansoft full-soles I'd been wearing.  I like them better than the Dansofts because the leather is a little less thick, so the pleating under the toes isn't thick and lumpy (which was really uncomfortable to relevé on).  It also clings to my foot better so you can actually see that I'm pointing!  So if you're looking for a new pair of flats, I totally recommend these!  A few other girls in my class also have these and we all love them!

2013 Wishlist

Exactly last year, I posted my dance wishlist.  This is an updated version, my wished-for items of this year.  It's a lot smaller than last year's; some things I have now, and some things I've found a cheaper alternative.

Dancewear:
Wrap Skirt from JanetsStore
Gg Skirt
Capezio Camisole V-Back Leotard 
Bloch Satin Trim Halter Leotard
Sansha Alicante Halter Leotard
And you can never have to many tights, am I right?  My favorites are Theatricals Convertible Tights and Body Wrappers Low Rise Convertible Tights.
My friends have been teaching me some little tap steps, so I really want tap shoes
Other:
First Position Ballet Documentary
The Ballet Companion by Eliza Gaynor Minden
Girl in Motion by Miriam Wenger-Landis
I-FLEX JR. Stretch Unit

What are some of your most wished-for dance items this year?

Winter Break

So much has happened since I last posted.  I didn't realize that the last time I posted was in October...it feels like it was just a couple weeks ago!  I guess time really does fly when you're having fun.  This post is going to be a giant catch-up post, and I'll try to remember everything that's happened since I last posted.  I'll try to keep it in chronological order!

They put out the cast list for Cinderella!  I'm a "lady of the court", not sure what that's supposed to be, but I'm really happy that I got cast for both the A and B showings.  Rehearsals start sometime in early January and we've already been fitted for our costumes.  Our costumes are a bright pinkish-purple with romantic tutus and sequined corsets, really pretty (and fluffy hehe).  Some of my friends are also court ladies, and I convinced one of my guy friends to sign up, so rehearsals are going to be super fun!

We had our vocab test, which included a performance section that I did not know about.  So it was the day after the written test, and my teacher hands me a piece of paper and says, "You have a few minutes to practice, I'll come get up when it's time!"  And I was just standing there like "what is this."  Apparently we were supposed to learn the combination that was on the paper then perform it.  For not knowing what I was doing, I don't think I did too bad; 94% overall for the written and performance tests.

So that was all good, but I kinda pulled my hamstring.  Again.  Did I post about that last times I pulled my hamstring?  I don't know if I did, but this is the 4th time it's happened since I started ballet (left three times, right once).  This time, it happened in class, during an exam.  One of our combinations was a barre stretch that ended with split.  I went into the split and it was fine until I tried to sink a little lower, but then my hip sorta popped.  When I talked to my teacher about it later and mentioned how it's a rather common occurrence, she recommended that I go talk to the athletic trainer.  We have an athletic trainer on campus (one of the many things I love about my school, they have everything on campus), so I went with a friend to talk to him.  He said I've been overworking by hamstrings by stretching so much, so I need to work on strengthening them and stretch them less aggressively (not exactly what he said, a shorter approximation).

Not really ballet related (meaning: you may skip this paragraph if you're on this ballet blog to read about ballet), but I finished my first semester of school ever!  Well, not ever, but does 1st grade really count after 9 years of homeschooling?  I took my first midterms last week, and they were surprisingly fun.  By the time we had to start studying for midterms, I was like 510% done with it all, so I just reviewed for Physics, since it's pretty much the only class where I care about my grade.  It actually turned out pretty well.  While most other people were stressing and doing all-nighters to cram, I just got lots of sleep and watched a lot of Doctor Who.  The tests were soo easy, I'm glad I didn't waste time studying.  I got an A on my Algebra II midterm (my first A in that class!!), but I'll have to wait until Winter Break is over to see how I did on the rest of them.

I know this was a really big post, but I guess we're all caught up now!  I'll probably be posting like crazy for the next couple of days.  I'm really sorry that I left for so long, and I don't want to stay away for so long again, no matter how mad life gets.  I have a personal goal to post at least once a month, if not more, and I plan on sticking to it!  Ballerinas, comment below, tell me what's been going on, how your classes have been going!  Is your studio starting recital prep soon?  Keep dancing!