Malta 2018- week thirtyfour

Monday

So this week our timetables we completely changed (still not sure why)- anyway we started the day with ballet. I though we would have technique right up until i leave but I only have two weeks left. I have no idea how I will cope without ballet. I have got my favourite exercises memorised to work on over the summer, or create new ones, but I will really miss having someone to work on me and correct me.

We went through our exam material, trying to go through the 1.5 hour class with minimum stops and only repeating centre practice twice. I am aware of my weaknesses and know this when dancing, so though I am confident I am always wanting to push for more.

Release- OMG. I have never known a teacher to speak to students how she did today ESPECIALLY as we had a guest in to create music for us. She changed every exercises, movement, time signature and then blamed us. Tomorrow I need to take a day off from here- which is something I would never condone- but in the 'real world' I would never work in such a volatile environment. No more words.

Tuesday

Though I didn't go in I ended up with a lot of things to deal with and this situation yesterday ended up falling into a 'good time' to not come in as i dealt through things.

I only found out its MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK- what perfect timing.

All I know is that no matter where I go in the world, I have the best support unit at home that I am forever greatful for- even if its a 6am call. Thank you to those people and I love you.

Wednesday

Another day off-- i know it looks bad but. I still went into University for appointments and booked a tutorial for my last essay to write.

I then spent my evening- catching up on rest and writing. Crazy student life ey. But honestly its not that bad- look at the positives everyday.

Thursday

The timetable went back to normal, so i missed most of the crazy, and the day started with release. I came into class full of anxiety for the time I missed that I would be treated even worse, but (even though apparently she stayed the same over the two days I wasn't in) today she changed her teaching style. The room was a little more confident and safer, and we even had a videographer come in to film us doing some phrases for University advertising. If i had known this I would have put some makeup on - or at least done my hair nice aha.

Ballet went by quickly, and feels so much easier on my body than it did when I started. ITS STILL HARD, but just the way I can pick things up and express through it now is remarkable. I will end up saying this everyday but everyday I am amazed and proud of how it has come along.

We ended up with a 'last last' body conditioning class that wast scheduled where we started with a 'salsa impression'. I had so much fun.

My last ever theory lesson, OMG IT WAS MY LAST, was to touch upon subjects we hadn't had time to look into in detail before finishing up with presentation tips. Proprioception is something that keeps coming up as something I REALLY need to work on- as i was trying to catch items blindfolded and when it dropped couldn't even work out which was it went 50% of the time. I shouldn't turn blind anytime soon.

Friday

Morning Ballet class all together showed the differences between the first and second year classes. We did our individual exams at the same time- to the same music and this often left us either holding or pushing a balance at the end of a exercise to fit with the other year. I am loving ballet, but wish we had more time between our study week and the actual exam. Next week, technically, we do not need to go into classes but with less than two weeks before the exam we would be stupid to not go into practical classes- especially as new things are still being set.

In release, which is never normally on on a Friday, we were given tasks for the 1.5 hour class to create gestural movement and then adapt and edit them to different dynamic qualities through a choice of random selection. It was nice to do something different in class-as we were missing improvisation- but I felt that we could have spent less time on the tasks and gone over some of the exam material too. I am more anxious for the release exam as we have never run it straight and still music and counts (movement) is changing.

After classes, I was part of Thea and Nicoletta's rehearsals for their final year choreography. We spent an hour on each, where we plotted through the structure and came up with new movement material. I love their concepts and will be interesting to see the final results- PLUS I'M SO EXCITED FOR THE COSTUMING/PROPS.

After a short break, my evening was finished by watching the TIP exam (technology in performance) by some of my peers in the studios- where they transformed the space into a house. The performance lasted 40 minutes and was interesting to see the University undertake a project that I haven't seen in Edge Hill.

Saturday

Saturday was a relaxing day- resting up for the exams to come.

Our excuse for going to Paceville is now a research project into how we unconsciously dance in a social situation- so for once my social life lined up very neatly with my dancing one.

Sunday

I have booked tutorials for my last essay to write, printed off all my essays and log books to hand in tomorrow. I am at the last stretch of University. I really don't want to leave my group here but am definently slowing down and needing a rest (as everyone is) and we drag through the last weeks before I am straight to work in the UK.

Next week is a study week so we are only in for half the day- even though we have workshops and performances coming in the beginning of next week- i am remembering to rest and recover my body for some intense exams.