Sometimes it’s Not All About the Fancy Lights

Rosemont, IL

Even though we were close to the Windy City, we were just far enough away and with the weather as cold as it was, it was nice to just stay in our luxurious rooms.  We were basically living in our own apartments for the week with one room designated to the bedroom and the other for a living area.  Having the two separate rooms always makes the stay that much nicer and we were actually able to spread out.  We were not living on top of each other!

This made for lots and lots of movie nights and even bubble baths!!

All this space in the hotel made up for the lack of space at the building, however this did not stop the audience.  The lines outside the arena were extending as far as we could see even as we were just arriving for the shows.

With this many people, you would have thought the arena was huge, but behind the scenes though, it was a very cramped week that tested everyone’s patience.  Literally it was like choreography in the make-up and costume rooms just to tie your skates. 

Being this close to one another, we all looked forward to getting out of there, but that did not stop some of the fun. 

Thank goodness for a TV and US Nationals, the X-Games, and the Miss Universe pageant and those things alone helped pass yet another 9-pack. 

Topping it all off, we had ice cream at company meal!!

And before we knew it, we were off to the Windy City!

I'm Coming Home!

Cleveland, Ohio

There is no better feeling than coming home after a long time away.  Seeing familiar scenery and not having a worry in the world.  Yes, it was a only a short time, but it was just enough.  Home really is where the heart is and nothing will ever change that.  

Don't get me wrong having friends and family visit on the road is definitely nice and much appreciated, but there is something about walking in the door to the place I grew up and seeing the house still decorated for the holidays and sleeping in the my own room in my own bed.  It never gets old.  

It was the first time we have had four days off since before we left for rehearsals back in July, so needless to say, this was my first time home since then as well.  

Ah the country side…

The time always flies and I wished it could have been longer, but it was time to get back and bring all the skating supply presents from the skate shop.  

It was like Christmas all over again!   

And because I was relatively close to home, this time with my family was extended as well as some friends came to visit!

I know I say this every time, but saying goodbye never gets easy.  I know I will see everyone again at some point, its just the waiting process and knowing that they will not physically be there every step of the way.  

However, pushing those thoughts out of my head, it was time to enjoy the time that they were there and soak it all in.  And what a better way of doing so, than at the Chocolate Bar!

I couldn't even believe my eyes! I was lost in chocolate…

It was a great place to warm up after those negative temperatures outside and falling snow flakes.   

Just like all other good things, they must come to end and become a memory in the past.  

Moving forward, we were into a different time zone...

Tis’ the Season to be Jolly!

Philadelphia, PA

We had been gearing up for these two weeks since the day we found out how many shows there were going to be in Philadelphia.  Later of course, more shows were added and in the end we did 28 shows in 11 days including a 15-pack.  It was literally a marathon and on top of that, the bigger holidays for many people were thrown right into the middle of the mix. 

Luckily, everyone was in the holiday spirit and jolly, ready to take on the crazy days that were ahead of us.

Since we opened the show on Christmas Day, most of the holiday celebrations happened on the three days off we had.  It was almost our little holiday treat since that was the first time we had three days off since before the start of rehearsals.  

Enjoying the time off, we all took full advantage of it, from finally finishing the Christmas shopping, to exchanging gifts, Secret Santa exchanges, White Elephant parties, dinner celebrations, and sleep!

Some people were even able to see some friends and family from home while others were able to venture home for the beginning of the holidays.

For the others that were not able to do so, Santa did visit and oh boy did he ever!  The mail load was increasingly larger than what it normally is.  So, even though it may not have actually felt like Christmas with two shows on what normally is a day to spend with your family, we still made it as much like a holiday as we possibly could.

Keeping our spirits high and counting down the shows, it was time to bring in the New Year and no better way than to be surrounded by friends and the ones we care about.  

Happy 2015!  May it bring lots of luck and joy to everyone. 

We all survived Philadelphia! 

On the road again to Cleveland, OH, but not before some much needed time at home!