by Lawerence Knox, Tulsa Ballet Apprentice
Backpacking in Europe. Skydiving. Riding in a hot air balloon. Zip-lining in Canada. I would love to tell you that these ambitious adventures described my summer, but, with four siblings, it has become increasingly difficult to find a common week of time off. So, what have I been doing during this break? My first thought, when Amy asked me this question, was "Well, I got my haircut," but I won't bore you with the excitement that brought me.
This summer is actually the first that I have not traveled to attend a summer ballet intensive, so I have been fortunate to be with my family for the past month. However, this is not the only reason that this break has been unusual for me. From 10am to 3pm, Monday through Thursday, I can be found in a classroom at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. I am now two days away from completing my first two college credits, Math and English. At this point, I'm hoping to major in Journalism, as I continue my college education along side my ballet career. I am planning on completing the second semester of my English Composition class while dancing in the fall. Although I have enjoyed using this side of my brain again, I will take a full day in the studio over five hours sitting in a desk any day!
I have also been teaching private ballet lessons to girls here in Fort Smith a couple days a week. This has provided me the opportunity to share my passion with those around me who are not as aware of the professional side of the ballet world. Unfortunately, the arts are not supported here like they are in Tulsa, granted it is a much smaller city.
The time I've had with my family this summer, whether it be watching movies, swimming, running errands with my parents, or bike riding with my sister and friends, is time that I will always cherish. The summer had started off with a trip to Colorado for my brother's college graduation, and was soon followed by my sister's high school graduation. Not long ago, my mom and I helped with microphones backstage during my sister's theater week of "Hairspray" here in town, in which she played Amber. It was a fun experience for me to be on the other side of the performance. (Guess I can't stay away from the theater for too long!)
I will be in Tulsa for a little while as well. Babysitting three wonderful children while their parents vacation for eight days, taking some morning classes at Pointe to the Future, and teaching a couple of the adult classes are on my list of things coming up soon and before I know it, the season will be starting!
So, although I have not traveled far this summer and I can't provide you with a tale of how I survived free-falling out of an airplane, I have had a great summer— fun, relaxing, accomplished, never dull, and exactly how I wanted it to be.
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