his past weekend I had my last-ever performance with Knight Club (Arcadia's dancing group) and a few weekends before that had my last performance with Puro Ritmo (Arcadia's Latin/Spanish style dancing group), which means my final semester of dancing as a college student has come to a close.

I joined PR just last year and KC my sophomore year, and prior to that had been dancing in various studios, school musicals and church youth group performances, ever since I was a small child. It's hard to believe that since I'm about to graduate college I don't really have an official outlet for dance anymore.

I'm really going to miss dancing, everything about it. Especially here at Arcadia. My friends from dance have become like a little family to me after dancing alongside them for so long. However after many long hours of practices and recital weekends throughout the past several semesters (and when I was younger as well), I've come to realize that there are several thoughts every dancer probably has at least once during a recital.

1. "I really better get this one step or turn exactly right."

And you practice just that one step or turn several times prior to going onstage.

2. "I really wish I had more than one dance number to change costumes."

You're not above stripping down to underwear in front of everyone, girls and guys, because you give zero fucks anymore.

3. "Shit, my leg is cramping up."

That's what happens when you do 6 dances and forget to stretch.

4. "I sure can't wait to get all this makeup off."

Seriously, I'm not used to caking my face in foundation and wearing at least a pound of makeup.

It's even better when you have a thesis event to attend right after a dance show (yes, this happened to me this weekend).

5. "I'm so damn hangry."

Even though you know during every show that you'll get hungry, you somehow just can't bring yourself to eat beforehand.

That post-show grub (likely from a diner or Wawa) is so worth the wait though.

6. (if you're a choreographer) "I really hope everyone remembers their spacing."

Someone's bound to forget every time.

7. (also if you're a choreographer) "I hope the audience actually likes my dance."

It honestly came as a surprise to me that both times I choreographed, the audiences were quite well receptive of my dances.

8. "Did I remember all the parts to all my costumes?"

And you frantically search through your bag, only to be reassured that yes, you did.

9. "Thank God for hairspray."

No matter how much time you labor over your hair before a show, it will get hella messy after you become sweaty from several dance numbers. Hairspray is undoubtedly your best friend during a dance recital.

10. "Man, I'm exhausted. I want to sleep for 1000 years."

But you know, in the end, you'd do it all again. And can't wait to.

Or in my case, you miss it already and wish you could do it all again.

(photo of my dancers and me in the group dance I choreographed last semester)