I'm not breaking up with you

Alright, I know it has been quite some time. I've been back from South Africa for over a month now and never clearly finished a post wrapping up on my journey. A lot of you kept asking me "What happened, why didn't you finish your blog?" Well there is two reasons... A) Because google decided to lock me out of my own account for a good week not allowing me to fill you guys in and B) I just didn't want to come to terms with my experience at Jazzart coming to an end. So I've chose to not let it come to an end and if I created a "final post" on my journey it would kind of feel like I was "breaking up" with Jazzart, so instead I've decided to keep us in an "open relationship". Or should I say "long distance"?

My last day in Cape Town I spent with all of JA in the studio. It was filled with a huge amount of hugs, laughs, tears, kisses, boogers, and emotions. Part of me was smiling because I was walking away with a new family of love, support, and inspiration, and the other part of me was frowning because well... I was walking away from that incredible family. But in fact even 6 weeks after I had left to return back to the states they are still behind me one hundred percent, and the distance really means nothing.

Upon returning home, I've set out to reach my goals of performing professionally which means auditions, auditions, auditions. Any artist knows that this is not an easy industry, you can simply get cut at an audition by the way you look rather than how fierce you work that stage. Currently I am in New York City, the land of dreams, auditioning for some dance positions of cruise lines, musicals, and some other things in between. I won't lie, it gets a little discouraging when you don't get a role you were hoping for. But what's more encouraging? Getting a message from someone half way across the world who is still supporting me, telling me not to be discouraged, to remember why I do what I love to do, and to believe in myself like they believe in me.

As I move on to this other chapter of my beautiful life, this final post doesn't serve as "The End"...just  a page into the next one.

See, Jazzart Dance Theatre? You are still with me. In fact you are stuck with me. I'm not breaking up with you....

Lots of love, hugs, laughs, tears, kisses, boogers, and emotions
XoXo - Annamaria

For those of you who would like to see pictures from my trip, please add me on Facebook at Http://we.facebook.com/annamariaklucevsek

Baboons

Try your best not to waste time focusing on the negatives. Look for the good in life, the positives are every where. Never get caught up with anyone or anything that brings your spirit down. Be good to yourself. This is your life so take control of it. If you look around there is an endless amount of life that we are blessed with.

If there is one most important thing I am taking away from South Africa, it's what the people taught me. The glass is always half full.


Here is a picture from today at Cape Point, South Africa...the southern most tip of the African continent. Crazy how I find myself here aye? 

Freedom fighters

Words cannot describe the amount of love and appreciation that South Africa has for Nelson Mandela, and really not just South Africa it is people from all over the world and anyone who has an understanding of the history of racial segregation. Today I got the chance to tour Robben Island, an island about 7km off the coast of Cape Town known for holding political prisoners. Robben Island was where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 out of the 27 years he was jailed. There is a tremendous amount of history that goes along with Robben Island, like too much for me to take in in just a 3 hour tour. But just standing on the same ground that such an influential part of apartheid history took place is such an amazing feeling. Really I has butterflies in my stomach standing next to Mandela's tiny jail jail cell where he fought for freedom.

There is this quote that keeps running through my head from Steve Biko, another political activist during the apartheid. And I don't have much to say about it because I think it speaks for itself. It goes like this...
"So tell me why you call me black when my skin is more brown than black? And why do you call yourself white when you're more pink than white?" - Steve Biko

Lots of Love
 -Annie

Lemonade

Today was a special day for me in South Africa. The JazzArt Outreach Coordinator, Mzi, took me along with him and another assistant to teach a handful of dance classes to a community outside of Cape Town. I was privelaged to work with children ages 8-14 with a variety of backgrounds. The children are not all fortunate to have supportive families or stable health, and they look forward to days like today to use the arts as an expressive outlet. Most of them seem so shy until you hand them some dance moves and some music then you get to see them come alive. It's truly touching watching a smile form on their face just by given the chance to let loose. And whats even more inspirational is their ability to keep that smile without a single complaint, nevermind what reality they are dealing with at home.  They are just happy to be there. Any dance teacher probably knows this, but one of the best feelings in the world is at the end of the day when a child runs up to you with a big squeeze and a thank you. But really I should be thanking them.  They are inspiring me to keep doing what I'm doing and to never give up no matter what kind of lemons life decides to throw at me.

Sleep well Cape Town...

7th wonder

On Monday JazzArt was invited to dance for a popular TV show here in South Africa called Top Billing, a preeminent lifestyle magazine television programme. I got to dance with the JazzArt company and trainee members in a flash mob sort of dance to celebrate Nelson Mandela's birthday coming up July 18th. Being behind the scenes of a camera set is actually alot of fun, some people say its intimidating but how can it be when you're just dancing with your friends?

Tuesday I had the day off to do what I wanted. So I gluttony slept till 9:30 then went off with a friend to Sea Point, a lovely beach area on the edge of Cape Town with lots of cute shops and good food.  Not to mention beach babes with six pack abs kicking round a soccer ball. Come evening, I was taken to Signal Hill which is a hill on top of cape town that many people come to sit and picnic while watching the sunrise /sunset. We were a little late for the sunset but I got to watch the last few minute of the sun fall over the Atlantic Ocean and the rest of Cape Town. It was an absolutely priceless moment, honestly so beautiful. I ended the night by eating out at a fancy restaurant in Camps Bay which is almost like LA. It's the "hot spot" in Cape Town where you can find celebrities or fast cars.

And today I got up early and hiked Table Mountain, the seventh wonder of the world. It took about two hours and I couldn't help but stop every few steps to look down where I came from to say "damn this place is beautiful". Once at the top you can see all of Cape Town and beyond, it is the highest point in South Africa. There is a cafe and tourist shop at the top as well. A cable car is also available for those who don't want to hike up, and only takes 5 minutes to get to the top. And if hiking that big mountain wasn't enough exercise for me today, I went on to teach a two hour contemporary dance class to a small company in Constantia. The days I don't stop moving are the days I don't stop smiling.

Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa 

Peace and love

 -Annie

Closing Night

Whoop whoop! What an amazing past few days this has been!!! Tonight was the closing performance of "Azishe!" with JazzArt, and it was on fire! Every night has been a different kind of performance with a certain energy and a certain audience. But every dancer knows that no two performances are ever the same, and it's in our blood to always critique ourselves when we exit the stage. You know that saying "You're only as good as your last performance" ... Tonight was that opportunity for me to leave it all the stage not to prove anything to anybody else but myself. And man I feel good.

I have really made a family here with some of the dancers. They treat me no differently than how they treat each other .... With love and respect.  I've noticed and admired the constant support between dancers. They will do anything for each other, whether it be fetch a busy girl food so she has energy to dance or to plaster a bloody boy with bandaids because he's too tired to do it himself. That kind of affection is so contagious. And in turn creates a positive environment for the dancers to take space in.

I've received a few comments from the viewers on how well they thought I fit in with the rest of the group. JazzArt is known or having a particular sense of style. Which is why hundreds of aspiring JazzArt dancers came to audition for the training programme, but only 15 were chosen. In the back of my head I know that I would have more eyes on me, being the only white cast member and only an intern. I knew that every little step I took on that stage was compared to the others. But I didn't let it scare me. I wasn't going to let the color of my skin be a reason for the audience to think differently of the piece.

Feeling humbled and on Cloud 9
 Xoxo - Maria

Azishe!

Opening night of "Azishe" is already here! Tonight is the night! I can't believe it. 4 weeks of hard work with Jazzart Dance Theatre will come down to this. I am feeling honored and blessed beyond belief to have this opportunity to be sharing the stage with such incredibly talented dancers and beautiful people.

I am wishing my home country a Happy 4th of July today and I will miss being with friends and family on such a big holiday. But what better way to honor myself as an independent American than by performing half way across the world?


Peace, love, and happy feet!!!
Xoxo - Maria

Boogie Shoes

This weekend I got to experience the night life of Cape Town...woof.  I went to a few popular places around town that all the cape townians go off too on the weekends to party. A few members from Jazzart took me to a place called Galaxy, the biggest nightclub of Cape Town, where we stole the dance floor and boogied till wee hours of the morning. The next night we went to Long Street which is infamous for never sleeping, where we also went into quite a few different places to check out what each club/bar was like, what kind of music they played, how they danced, how the people interacted...it reminded me a lot of the New Orleans scene with the high balconies and people jiving with masks on. I can't wait to bring back some township style dancing to the states. The people here have an incredible amount of soul when it comes to the dance floor.

Today was a relaxing day around Cape Town where I went into the suburbs along the water. I had a delicious lunch with Eltena and her husband Charles, and a member of JazzArt Tamsyn. Afterwards we strolled along the shops and crafts on the water and finally made our way to Boulders Point to see the penguins. Except when we got there we ended up seeing Michelle Obama instead? The Obamas landed here in Cape Town today to show respect to Mandela, who is in critical condition at the hospital. Funny how I am as close as I have ever been to my very own president here in South Africa than I am in my own country.

Tomorrow begins the start of production week for "Azishe" so it will most likely be very chaotic. I'm excited to get into the theatre and set the piece on stage. The adrenaline will be running high all week. Opening night is this Thursday at 7 pm in Artscape Theatre! Can't believe it is time already?!

Goodnight Cape Town...xoxo
 -Annie

3

Can't believe today is the halfway checkpoint of my experience here studying in Cape Town. Three weeks have gone by and still another three to go. I have gained so much already....knowledge, education, skills, technique, friends, family, and an even greater love for what I do. I'm excited to see where these next three weeks take me, but I get sadder by the day knowing my time is slowly coming to an end. I miss my friends and family back home also, my heart is being pulled in two directions. Jeesh time really does fly by when youre having fun. I do have to say though, I find myself much happier these days when I'm dancing as much as I am now. Dance is my drug.

Xoxo
-AnnaBanana

Hakuna Matata - It Means No Worries

After all the craziness and blood, sweat, and tears in rehearsal (no exaggeration) it's nice to come home after a long day to a cozy home and family. Tonight I asked if we could spend some extra time together with my host family by watching "The Lion King", my all time Disney favorite. To my surprise, the boys who are 7 and 9 have yet to see it until tonight. Shocking face. The whole time while watching the movie I just kept thinking how grateful I am to be doing this. I mean to a) be in South Africa b) interning with a world renown dance company JazzArt Dance Theatre c) be hosted by the most caring and warming family who really makes me feel like I'm at home d) this popcorn I'm shoving into my mouth and hot cocoa I'm pouring down my throat and e) the list can go on and on. Tonight was just a reminder for me that I one day really yearn for a family of my own with someone who I truly care about. Even after the craziest of days at work, coming home to a house full of love is such a rewarding feeling.

 Hakuna Matata
--- Maria

Lollipop

I get asked a lot what I like most about Cape Town. I could go on about a lot of things but what I like most honestly is the conversations with the people. It's so refreshing to just speak without feeling like you have to watch what you're saying or rearrange your wording. The conversations I have here are all open and honest and intellectual. The history of South Africa is brought up in conversation by someone every day, seriously every day. I love how the people are willing to talk about their history and how it has affected their lives today. I love hearing about the passion behind their nationality. And I love how even though Apartheid ended practically 20 years ago it is stilled used as a means of education to form a new South Africa...like the American civil war. And I love love love how I can speak freely to someone of a skin color other than my own about how we each feel we are represented in our cultures. It's funny because we are represented differently but yet we really are no different. Our anatomy...our histories...our blood. We are the same people. 

Stuck in the Mud

Fridays at work are always hard because your focus usually seems to be somewhere other than work. Today was a low energy kind of day where I sensed the focus of the room was somewhere other than where it was suppose to be.  Hey it's Friday, it happens to the best of us. 

Sometimes work gets difficult or frustrating when you spend too much time focusing on one thing which leads you to lose your focus entirely momentarily. We played a short game called "Stuck in the Mud" for a change of scenery. The game is played by designating one player to be a 'police officer' of some sort who runs around the room trying to tag other players whom don't want to be 'arrested' of tagged. If a player is tagged by the 'police officer', the player  must stand still with their legs wide until another player gets a chance to crawl through them, which will in turn 'free' the arrested player until they're tagged again. This may sound like games you've played in your childhood that you may have called something else. 

So after we had some time to act like children and let go of some different energy, we regathered and were better focused for the task at hand. It was a great change of pace because we got to laugh and get to know each other on a friendlier basis. 

Moral of my story here...it's okay to mix things up a bit when you're repeatedly doing the same thing. When you're feeling stuck in the mud, you're probably not the only one.  

"I get by with a little help from my friends" - The Beatles

Xoxo

 -Maria

Why do we choose not to give? Why do we choose to give?

I am getting to know the work ethic of the dancers at JazzArt very well while rehearsing in the studio, and they are all hard workers. But it's not until we step outside of the space that we get to know each other better, and spending time together outside of the 9-5 work day gives me a chance to really get to know the kind of people they are and gives us a chance to share each others stories. What I'm learning is a few differences between the character of a standard American and South African that I want to share with you...

A major thing I see here in South Africa that I don't see quite often in America is the willingness to give. In America, in most cases at least, if a homeless person or person in need is asking for food we turn the other cheek. We keep walking and we ignore the person in need. We automatically assume that it is all an act and that we work hard for our food so why should we give to those who are on the streets.  In South Africa, you feed the person .... These are their people! They look out after each other, and if a person is hungry you find food to give them. They know this person needs it more than they do. I was asked if we do that in America. Shamefully I said no,we don't feed the homeless unless they're in a shelter ... And they're jaw dropped. She said "What!? That's wrong! You're telling me you don't help a hungry person when you see them starving? That act is not appropriate here in our streets."

So to Americans that are reading this, there is some food for thought. (No pun intended)

Goodnight again,
 - Maria

June 16, 1976

The morning of June 16, 1976 high school students of Soweto, South Africa led a series of protests. A series of protests which involved the youth of South Africa to join together to riot in response of the Afrikaans Medium Decree of 1974 which forced blacks to use the Afrikaans language in schools. It is said that up to 20,000 black students participated in the protest, which was originally intended to be peaceful and carefully planned. As they marched and rallied down the streets of Soweto carrying signs and chanting "Down With Afrikaans" the police stood close by armed with deadly weapons and ready to attack. Colonel Kleingeld, a police officer at the protest, fired the first shot at a student who had thrown a rock at him and from there caused massive chaos and panic.

Today we honor the estimated 700 people, mostly South African youth, who lost their lives due to the protest.  June 16 or "Youth Day" is a public holiday in South Africa commemorating the Soweto riots of 1976.

Above is an iconic picture of 13 year old student Hector Pieterson who was shot by South African police during the protest being carried in the arms of 18 year old student Mbuyisa  Makhubo.  Pieterson was taken to a nearby clinic where he was pronounced dead at the scene. Makhubo was threatened and harassed from police after this photograph was released. He wrote a letter to his mother in 1978 while in hiding and hasn't been seen or heard from since. This image brings home the brutalities of the Apartheid regime to people inside and outside of South Africa. National Youth Day is a day to honor young people and to bring attention to their needs of an equality driven estate. 

Photograph taken by: Sam Nzima 

"I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself." - Nelson Mandela

Xoxo .... Maria 

Let the body do the talking

I have now been rehearsing the female piece of "Aziche" with Jazzart for about a week now. Today at the end of rehearsal we performed the completed piece in costume for the male dancers, the teachers, and the company administration. So we had a small audience in the studio to help the performance aspect of the piece instead of just focusing on choreography for ourselves in the mirror.

I received a comment afterwards from one of the teachers who said "The only time the color of your skin doesn't stand out is when you're dancing" ....

I think that comment goes along pretty well with what I wrote about yesterday, that dance is this universal language that we all speak. It's not the pointed feet or the triple pirouettes or the height of your jete or even the color of your skin. It's the way you portray you're story through dancing that keeps us all connected.

Being the only white dancer of a group of colored dancers was at first an  intimidating task for me. I was nervous that the color of my skin would be what brought a dragging eye or distraction from the audience's attention. I want my dancing to speak for itself, thats all an artist ever really wants.

Goodnight Cape Town,
 -Maria

Have I really been here a week already?

I don't have much to say today other than how blessed I'm feeling to be here in South Africa with this amazing opportunity, all while being surrounded by such great people who make you feel like your at home. Today I learned that dance is a universal language that we all speak no matter where in the world you find yourself dancing. And although we may not be moving our bodies in the same way, the feeling behind it which makes our bodies move is where lies the common ground. You will never dance like anybody else, no matter how hard you try. You can try to look the same as someone else, but the way in which you tell your story though dance will never be found in someone other than you. Embrace what you have and run with it because someone out there is saying "I wish I had what they had". Turn your difference into your strength and you'll be amazed at how far that can take you.

All the best,
 -Maria

One by One

Oomph. Not sure if I already said this but yesterday was a rough day at rehearsal where the choreographer chose to leave rehearsal for the remainder of the day because of frustration with the piece not looking the way she wanted it to on the dancers. Today she came back in and asked we each perform the whole 15 minute piece one by one. One at a time, to prove if you know your choreography, know your counts, know your ish. Mind you, I just began to learn this routine on Friday so I was shaking in my boots. I performed last out of 12 girls so I could have some extra time to learn some pieces that I was missing by watching the others go before me. I actually was really surprised with myself by the end of it. I was forced to concentrate harder and to give my 200% because I know if I didn't I wouldn't be given the chance to perform with the company members in the show coming up beginning of July called "Azishe". This exercise that the choreographer had us doing was practically an audition, and we suspected that dancers would be cut from the piece because threats of doing so were made previously. So I had no choice but to give it my all and I gave the choreographer all the material I had learned and was appreciated by her and the fellow dancers for putting myself out on the line like that. "Azishe" is a totally different dance style from what I had been training in for the past four years. Some things remain the same, but technique must be thrown out the window to really capture the grounded-ness and effortless fluidity of the intended choreography. I do feel good that I've managed to learn such a hard and long piece in just under a week and now I get to share the stage at Artscape Theatre with Jazzart and perform in "Azishe" in a couple of weeks. Go big or go home, right?

If you want to check out the website where they are posting details on the performance click here http://www.artscape.co.za/show/jazzart-s-azishe/698/

Big hugs, 
 -Maria ... (The new name I was given by Jazzart today)

Day I'm not counting anymore

Sorry everyone the Internet has been down for the past 4 days so I haven't been able to catch you up on what's going on! There's a lot to fill you in on... Here goes 

A) I'm sore. Dancing mostly 9-5 everyday except Saturdays definitely will rework your body and brain. 

B) I'm caught up on South African time so jet lag you lose. 

C) Kinder chocolate is sold here! My favorite. I always make my family from Germany bring some down for me. 

D) Saturday night the Jazzart company and I went to see a live performance of a traditional South African song and dance show in Artscape theater and it was AWESOME. There was so much soul in the theater, I'm talking cast members and audience. Everyone was just so into it and rightfully so. 

E) Afterwards, a few of the members of Jazzart took me to a small town called Observatory where they showed me around the local bars and hangout spots. The atmosphere was laid back and down to earth. There were pool tables, live singers, DJS, and hookah bars.  

F) It's cold here! Well not during the day but certainly at morning and night it gets "nippy" they say. 

G) I am learning the routine that is performed by the women of Jazzart. It is to be performed in the beginning of July (4-8 I believe) it is about 15 minutes long and intense. Lots of jumping and throwing your body (cue gripping back in pain with a smile on my face) but this is what I asked for. 

H) Everyone is so friendly! I am always greeted with a hug and kiss on the cheek followed by a "how are you?" 

I) The dancers of the company must like me because I bring in candy every day. 

J) The color of my skin definitely makes a difference. I have caught myself being the center of attention in many occasions. 

K) Yesterday, after rehearsal, the company took me into a township or a ghetto as some may call it. It was lined with small shacks, stray dogs, and lots of food. A lot of people like to hangout in the townships because they see familiar faces everywhere and it is a big part of their history they don't want to lose. 

L) Chicken feet? No thank you. 

M) The people of South Africa are very frustrated with their reputation and trying hard to change it. 

N) Yes there is a lot of crime like you hear about but there is also a lot of good that you don't hear about.  And that's what's frustrating for them.

O) Nelson Mandela will always be "Our president" as they say, no matter who is in charge. 

P) He is in an unknown condition at a hospital nearby and 95 years old.

Q) Not a lot of people are a fan of the new president. He is said to be almost creating another apartheid and promoting black supremacy which many South Africans are not pleased with. 

R) Suicide jumpers on the train rail are frequent, sadly, and often time tables of the train are not on schedule because of this. 

S) We are not in Kansas anymore. 

T) Iced coffee is extremely hard to find. They have frozen coffees which is like a blended ice drink almost like a smoothie but with coffee. 

U) I came face to face with a gecko for the first time. We had a staring match in my bedroom. 

V) Table Mountain is one of the 7 wonders of the world and it is my mission to climb it once before I leave. 

W) Choreographers will throw shoes at you if you are not doing what they ask.

X) They will storm out of the room too....

Y) South Africans will talk American politics with you no problem and without you even bringing it up. 

Z) I need to go to bed so I can be well rested for another full day of dance tomorrow! Goodnight.

To each his own

 -Annie 

Day 4- I don't like you Jetlag

So Jazzart told me to take the day off today so I can recoup and recover from the long traveling time. Of course I said NOOOOO I want to come in and dance. They were right, I was wrong. Woke up this morning and said to myself "damn it they're right". I could barely open my eyes so I took their advice and stayed in for the day, slept for a solid 12 hours and I'm feeling great now. I told them I will be in tomorrow like the energizer bunny and ready to go!

Cape Town is beautiful. I was welcomed in the city by Table Mountain and the beautiful Eltena Rethman, who is the fundraising manager of Jazzart and has great fully taken me under her wings during my time here. I got to meet the administration, the company members, the trainees, the dance teachers, and all the inbetweens. Don't ask me if I remember everyone's name...

I am staying with a South African family who is a friend of a friend of a friend. The family owns a Bed and Breakfast and it is quite lovely. It's a family atmosphere here and they took no time to make me feel like a part of their family. Karen and David and their two sons Brennan (7) and Tristan (9) have provided me with a "home away from home". The two boys greeted me with welcome cards that they had made, and have already talked me into reading to them, playing ball with them, and getting beat in card games. Karen is an amazing cook and makes great meals (vegetarian) and David took me for a run around the town as the sun was beginning to set.  Yes I went running today, can you believe it?

Yesterday I was brought straight from the airport to Artscape Theatre, home of Jazzart. I got the behind the scenes tour of everything at Artscape! Artscape is the performing arts center in Cape Town that holds all the big performances and shows. (Operas, Broadway musicals, Bands, etc) and has 3 main stages where Jazzart is home to one.

Goodnight folks, I get to dance tomorrow! 

- Annie

Day 3- zzzZZ

I have arrived in Cape Town and it is beautiful. The people and the city. Not going to write much today because I'm very tired as you can imagine traveling for 2 days. Off to bed I go so I hopefully wake up on the morning with an energized body and ready to dance!

Peace and Goodnight xoxo
 -Annie

Day 2 - Sore Butt

Okay, I have been sitting for so long now I think I there may be sores on my buttocks. The flight from Boston to London wasn't that bad. It was only about 6 hours long and I tried to get some sleep since it was a red eye but dang, I kept being awaken by staff throwing food and wine in my face every 30 minutes. As soon as you finish one thing they are on their way with another! Now I am at Heathrow International Airport (London) with a ten hour layover. What's a girl to do with that much time and no more room for shopping bags on her carry on? I've been doing a lot of walking around but soon enough my legs get tired and I want to sit again. Walk sit walk sit walk sit sit sit.

*Lightbulb* There should be a dance studio in here. Where fliers can take a fitness/dance class to get those limbs moving and not resort to falling asleep on the ground in the corner of the walkway like I'm watching this girl do. (She looks comfy though) Wouldn't that be neat? For long layovers it would be great to take a Zumba lesson or a Yoga class. Relaxing yet stimulating and prevents you from beginning to lose feeling in your tooshy.

I wasn't made to sit still, I was made to dance! Ugh.. Almost there.

Much love xoxo

 -Annie

Day 1 - Logan Airport

The International section of Boston Logan airport is no joke. There are so many characters here! I have a couple of hours before Igo to board for my flight. I have one connecting flight in London where I will be there for 10 hours! (shocking face) before I reach Cape Town, South Africa. I'm playing a game with myself called " guess his nationality" to pass the time.

For those of you who don't know what's going on here, I am enrolled in an Independent Study for college credit where I will be traveling alone to South Africa to study Global Dance and Education with JazzArt Dance Theatre of Cape Town, South Africa. You can catch me here to hear all about how it's going and what I'm getting out of this experience. So tell your friends and family to subscribe!

I said goodbye today to friends and family, and it was not easy. I made the hugs as quick as possible because I knew the longer I held on, the longer I would cry for. And I wasn't wearing waterproof mascara so....you know. Understandbly, my family is a little worried. But if anything, I'm more worried for them. I have the best sense of humor in the family so 6 weeks without me I'm not sure they'll get a good laugh. (cue laughter here)

Much love to all! Xoxo
 -Annie