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4 Reasons to Thank Dance

For more than just the seas of lost bobby pins

Erin Devine

Nov 13, 2018

The Ohio State University

420

Pexels

I was a dancer at the same studio for 16 years, practically all of my childhood since I was capable to be left in a room without my mother.
For many of these years, I didn't have an answer to the question, why do you dance? When I couldn't look at myself in a mirror. When I came home crying. When I had to say no to every plan I seemed to ever be invited to…

Well, I didn't have an answer besides the fact that I enjoyed it. I enjoyed dancing, being in a sport that was also an art form. An artistic way to express negative and positive feelings, even if some of your negative feelings were related to dance in some way.

And all I can say is I'm so thankful I was a dancer. And I'm so excited to say that after taking a break I truly am a dancer again because somethings never leave you.

It's thanks to dance that:

1. Costco aisles are magical

Thanks to dance Costco aisles are packed with ghosts of past and present, twirling. I never really walked like a human in grocery stores (not that i've ever been that good at walking, I quite frequently fall walking like a human).

2. I have weird music taste

A dancer's Spotify is unlike anyone else's. A dancer's Spotify is filled with memories, strange oldies and chill contemporary music that causes Spotify to compile similar playlists like "for the depressed."

3. I have some lifelong skills

Thanks to dance, I know all about quick changes and makeup lessons. And of course I have a knack for selecting and recognizing what classical or instrumental music is playing in any restaurant or elevator.

4. I learned a true work ethic

Thanks to dancing I learned the importance of work for the sake of a team, for the sake of the love of the work, for the sake of personal improvement. And the important lesson that passive work gets you no where, but active attentive, radical work is the only thing that changes you.

Dance taught me the importance of humanity and art beyond language, the importance of criticism, the joy of success and the attitude that has to come with losing.

I am so thankful for having had the blessing to spend so many years doing what I so enjoyed, even loved.

Thanks to dance I'll always be a dancer, a title I'll try to wear with my head held high, my stomach sucked in and my feet turned out.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

Syllabus Week As Told By Kourtney Kardashian

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Winter break is over, we're all back at our respective colleges, and the first week of classes is underway. This is a little bit how that week tends to go.

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Participation is mandatory and you have to play "icebreaker games"

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Looking outside anytime past 8 PM every night of this week

Nobody actually has any idea what's happening this entire week

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Syllabus week is over and you realize you actually have to try now...or not

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Whether you specialized in ringing people up or preparing the food, if you worked at Panera Bread it holds a special place in your heart. Here are some signs that you worked at Panera in high school.

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Recommended for you

4 Reasons to Thank Dance

For more than just the seas of lost bobby pins

In This Article:

1. Costco aisles are magical

2. I have weird music taste

3. I have some lifelong skills

4. I learned a true work ethic

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It's happening.

Excitement

Relief

Excitement (again)

Sadness

Feeling Lost During Syllabus Week? You're Not Alone!

The professor starts to go over something more than the syllabus

You get homework assigned on the first day of class

There are multiple group projects on the syllabus

You learn attendance is mandatory and will be taken every class

Professor starts chatting about their personal life and what inspired them to teach this class

Participation is mandatory and you have to play "icebreaker games"

Everybody is going out because its 'syllabus week' but you're laying in bed watching Grey's Anatomy

Looking outside anytime past 8 PM every night of this week

Nobody actually has any idea what's happening this entire week

Syllabus week is over and you realize you actually have to try now...or not

Chips, apple or bread?

1. You own so many pairs of khaki pants you don’t even know what to do with them

2. Chips, apple or bread is probably your most repeated phrase

3. Taking bakery items with you out to parties was a must

4. Taking bakery items home to your parents was also a must (if you wanted to live)

5. Your friends expected you to give them free stuff

6. Being put on dishes made you question humanity

7. You saw everyone and their mother (especially their mothers)

8. Working the opening shift was actually the worst thing to ever happen to you

9. Being able to predict what people would order

10. Making coffee was your least favorite thing to do

11.Being put on the dining room was the absolute WORST

12. Secretly putting in your Panera card number when other people didn’t have them or want them.

13. You would still come in on days you weren’t working to take advantage of your discount

It's Been a Long Winter Break

Making the world safer through language.

1. Use singular they for people whose pronouns you don't know, people who use those pronouns, and stop using him/her.

2. Stop using the words "opposite sex" or "both sexes" or "opposite gender" or "both genders".

3. Ask people's pronouns when you meet them.

4. Use the word cisgender.

5. Stop saying "born a boy/girl" about a transgender or non-binary person.

6. Stop using the term 'preferred pronouns'.

7. Stop using a transgender or non-binary person's dead name.

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