more comeback stories

Caution: There is a fall off bars in this...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

"You have to believe in yourself when no one else does - that makes you a winner right there."

-Venus Williams-

Happy Halloween! Don't ask me what I was.....I'm still not sure...but I love dressing up! If I could, I'd be in costume every day :) so much fun!

Well today marks 103 days post op...and if all goes according to plan, I should be able to dance in 56 days....LiL Knee is feeling a lot better! It's not giving out anymore (thank you universe!), I can bend and straighten it all the way, and aside from the tendonitis, it's feeling great! I go to the ortho surgeon tomorrow and I'm hoping to get the go ahead to start running and jumping....

I'm doing everything in my power to get back to dance as soon as possible and the rest is up to the big guy in the sky......

Bring on the comebacks!

Day 102 is looking up!

Gemini Oct 30 2010
In a situation where things have been stalled for quite some time, you will suddenly start to move forward again. You will feel the sensation of sitting in traffic for a long period of time, then seeing the cars in front of you suddenly start to inch forward more and more rapidly. This is a good thing, Gemini. This means you can finally get on with a certain aspect of your life that you have neglected for quite some time. As you begin to make progress, reflect on all that you have learned while you were standing still.

for the non believers...this is after her knee injury!

New Pictures

The LiL Knee Diaries

Hey everyone! It's day 97 post op and I'm SOOOOO close to the dance I can taste it!!!! Ahhhh! I added more photos to the LiL Knee Diaries so click on the link above!

Can't Take That Away

bling!

What can I say, it's Rawktober and yesterday we got a pumpkin...and oh yes that's right....we blingified it.....

HAPPY soon to be HALLOWEEN!

me...

‎"ok. this is me. i am not perfect. i am learning to breathe. i am learning to fall and get back up and try again. i am willing to work. i am willing to fight. i am willing to grow. i am willing to try. i am trying to trust. i am attempting to look fear in the face. i am working on fearlessness. i will continue to learn. i will continue to try and one day i will spread my wings and fly..."

FYI...not dancing....killing me...miss it SOOOO much!!!

PURPLE

People keep asking WHY they should wear purple today....here is why:

Please keep in mind that this is NOT a political event it is a demonstration to express outrage over BULLYING. This is for gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and straights alike; this is us respecting and honoring those who were lost for being themselves.

"It's been decided on October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the 6 gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes and at their schools."

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l9o5koDBhG1qaaorso1_500.jpg

Gay Straight Alliance page: http://www.facebook.com/makeitbetterproject

It's definitely worth a look if you want to show what you're doing. :)

3 months....

90 days post op and check out my horoscope:

Monday October 18, 2010

If your life has been one long roller coaster ride in recent months, get ready to slow down. Even though it may still seem as though lots of things are up in the air, and there is no indication of peace and harmony finding you, you are very close to a spiritual place of respite. Very soon things will start looking up, slowing down, and generally you will be on a smoother, easier path to happiness. Don't despair if you are feeling exhausted and it seems like you just can't take another step forward. A wonderful warm breeze is rolling up behind you to help push you forward.

IT GETS BETTER

Broadway stars rock out in a celebration of life, in the wake of LGBT suicides across the nation.

www.TrevorProject.org

making strides...

Today was an awesome day! I walked with some amazing people and was surrounded by 30,000 others in the tri state area (according to ABC - TV) - Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - in Central Park. It's day 89 post surgery and I did the entire walk! I even got through all my PT after the walk as well as worked through some more dance moves! Oh, and, most importantly, the pig hat made it's debut....

Today I'm feeling very grateful for everything that I have and for all the amazing people I have in my life....and yes, I'm talking about YOU! My life is on this continuous roller coaster, every turn and up and down brings new challenges, new fun, new hardships....but it's not because of my injury. It's because that's life. I am learning how to have fun while healing...while learning new things....still trying to see the whole picture.

Oh and just to really make you laugh...I impulse bought at the arts and crafts store last week and yes, I'm learning how to knit...I know I know...I don't sit still long enough but I have learned how to start it and how to knit a few rows...I have also learned that the stabbers are called the needles and the thread is called yarn....what can I say...I like my lingo better :) Maybe one day I will knit you something....maybe I will learn to knit pig hats :)

Tomorrow is 3 months post surgery...the light at the end of tunnel is quickly approaching...now, the problem I am going to have once I am able to dance again...how am I going to pay for dance privates AND acting privates??? But these are problems I LOVE...I can't wait to start flying again...

I'M GONNA TAKE A DEEP BREATH.

GONNA HOLD MY HEAD UP.

GONNA PUT MY SHOULDERS BACK,

AND LOOK YOU STRAIGHT IN THE EYE.

I'M GONNA SING OUT . . .

I BELIEVE I HAVE INSIDE OF ME

EVERYTHING THAT I NEED TO LIVE A BOUNTIFUL LIFE.

WITH ALL THE LOVE ALIVE IN ME

I'LL STAND AS TALL AS THE TALLEST TREE.

AND I'M THANKFUL FOR EVERYDAY THAT I'M GIVEN,

BOTH THE EASY AND HARD ONES I'M LIVIN'.

BUT MOST OF ALL

I'M THANKFUL FOR

LOVING WHO I REALLY AM.

I'M BEAUTIFUL.

YES, I'M BEAUTIFUL,

AND I'M HERE.

-The Color Purple-

bring it on!

‎"...but i can handle it. you know i've been looking at this all wrong. nobody NEEDS challenges but that's what life is..."

-Angie, AMC

yep. it's true. i've been looking at this all wrong...day 87 post op...my knee still hurts....i'm doing PT on my own...but it IS getting better! I am walking more with less of the "giving out" feeling and am able to walk up and down stairs normally (but the down is still painful). I'm doing everything and anything I can to heal up. I know I keep saying it, but I am DYING to dance!

In the meantime, I had an acting private today. It is always the scariest thing to do, but I absolutely love it! Actually, I love it so much I'm having another one next week! :) Hmmm, I might need an extra job in order to pay for all the acting privates I want.....anyways, I absolutely love it and can't wait for next week!

It is time. Time to have fun. Time to learn new things. Time to find me...

‎"You are invited to a glorious encounter-with your potential, your joy, your self. And with letting the earth feel your feet and the wind play with your hair..."

-Mariska Hargitay

who knows why...

...but for whatever reason, it's just been one of those days...ugh....time to get in bed, hide under the covers and watch all my Law and Order SVU dvds.....and am hoping tomorrow is better than today...

day 83 post-op

Sometimes you just need a Monday fun day with Ruby and Lola!

one year ago today....

Who knew that one year later, I'd be sitting here, icing my knee, 83 days post op...remembering

We all know I can't just sit by and watch things go by...ever since I started volunteering with the missing kids organizations, I've found anything and everything I believe in and try to DO SOMETHING. Well, once again, last year, I found something. Broadway's HAIR tribe. Gavin Creel started this amazing organization, Broadway Impact.

Broadway Impact is a community of actors, directors, stage manages, fans, producers - pretty much anyone who has ever seen, been in or worked on a Broadway show - united by the simple belief that anyone who wants to should be able to get married.

So, one year ago today, I woke up at 4am, went to Times Square, got on a bus and went to Washington DC with Broadway Impact to march for EQUALITY for all. It was the greatest thing I have ever done. I went with friends, I made friends, and my life has been forever changed....

The Broadway community saw the national event as an opportunity to show its support. Upon hearing of the National Equality March, the cast of Hair canceled its Sunday matinee in order to march on Washington. Broadway Impact, a community of Broadway professionals united by the fight for LGBT rights (created by Hair cast member, Gavin Creel) organized a fleet of buses to take over 1,000 New Yorkers to Washington, D.C. for the march, free of charge.

In addition to the cast of Hair, the march attracted such theatre luminaries as Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Chenoweth, Marc Kudisch, Steven Schwartz, and Audra MacDonald. The rally featured rousing speeches from Nixon, who announced her engagement to her girlfriend earlier this year, lesbian poet StaceyAnn Chin, and the openly gay screenwriter of Milk, Dustin Lance Black. The march also offered something audiences could never see on Broadway: With the Capitol Building behind them and the Washington Monument in the distance, the cast of Hair performed a rallying cry rendition of "Let the Sun Shine In" with a 200,000 strong chorus of marchers.

Also in attendance was pop star, Lady Gaga, who made an appropriately dramatic impression donning sunglasses, a crisp white shirt and black suspenders. The diminutive star-standing on a plastic crate in order to reach the microphone-said, "Obama, I know that you're listening," then screamed, "ARE YOU LISTENING?!?"

The National Equality March was full of inspirational speeches, songs, and stories, but the most moving part of the day may have occurred in silence. As thousands of people gathered on that cloudless, Sunday afternoon to march with their friends, families and signs in hand, they looked up to find a rainbow arching over the city of Washington, D.C. Strangers embraced and tears flowed easily as the crowd started the march towards their nation's capitol.

-From National Equality March article - Broadway TV

Things to ponder #34

‎"...The other, equally important lesson is that healing and rest is as important a pursuit as anything else in life. I needed to learn to dive headfirst into healing, to get really good at resting—and that doing nothing can be a profound endeavor. I resolve to be more mindful and aware—to listen more to the messages from my body and my heart. And to become a champion of rest..." -Mariska Hargitay

"learn as much as you can...and go back stronger!"

‎"Open your heart. Seek guidance when you are struggling. Take care of your body. Fill your brain with knowledge and your soul with light and inspiration. Explore your spirituality. Trust your instincts. Transform negative thoughts into positive ones. Accept who you are and embrace your individuality. Be honest. Stand strong. Speak your mind. Love yourself. Then, share it..."

-Mariska Hargitay-

82 days post op

So many things happening! First and most importantly....LiL Knee. Took a PT break this weekend to let my knee rest. It's giving out a bit and hurting and it was decided that my knee needed a little break. So, tomorrow we start up with PT again. Slowly. I'm bummed it's hurting but looking ahead to getting stronger every day.

Went to see Ilene Kristen and Kathy Brier's cabaret performance last night. It was AMAZING! Ilene told me,

"January is closer than you think so so rest up catch up on things that you wouldn't be able to do if you were dancing all the time - and you will be before you know it...."

She also said that acting is therapeutic. So, I'm taking an acting private on Friday! :) I'm working on monologues and it's so much fun!

It's time to heal....in every area so I can get back to my one true love.

Rollercoasters

"Sometimes life can be kinda like a rollercoaster ride. It's like you're going along and everything seems cool...

And it's not like you're looking down but you're not necessarily looking up...

to see who's really in control.

When I was little I used to be so scared of rollercoasters. But eventually you have to face your fears. Obviously it's no big secret that my life has always kinda been like a rollercoaster. I've had my ups and downs and I've had my moments when it felt like I was being twisted and turned...When my life seemed to be upside down and inside out and every which way...And just when I thought the scariest part was over something even more horrifying would happen.

But then...after all the hysteria...everythin

g stopped.

There was a moment of peace. I had gained a deeper kind of faith. And I knew it was all part of God's bigger plan for me. So if whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, I guess I'm strong.

It's kinda like being on a rollercoaster. If you don't get on the ride...you won't experience the adventure."

-Mariah Carey-

78 days post op. More PT. More PT. More PT.

Important - PLEASE WATCH!

Improv Everywhere

Day 74 post op and yes this is me ------------------>

What can I say.....it was another day filled with FUN and JOY and CREATIVITY and of course, more HEALING!!! The improv everywhere event - awesome! Where else can you dance in a store, freeze on the street, exchange gifts and get mummified with complete strangers all while playing in NYC!

BEST. DAY. EVER.

‎"If you believe you can get through an injury and fight back, and you really love gymnastics enough, you can get through it."

-Courtney Kupets
DANCE GOAL SET: DECEMBER 25, 2010 - so excited!

Day 73 post op and today has been the BEST. DAY. EVER!!!! For the first time since May 22nd, I walked up and down the subway stairs!!!!!!!!!!! I also worked my way through the majority of a dance warmup! I know I still have a long way to go but the progress I made today.....I finally feel like I can see the end in sight! I can't wait to get back to dance!!!! Today was the best day in a VERY long time!