Wednesday, April 9, 2008

A New Chapter...

Hello Blog World!!!
I graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in May 2006, Cum Laude, with a Bachelor’s in Communications (Journalism and Media Studies) an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Business Law. I jumped into Corporate America working for Target as a Human Resources Executive. However, I was still torn between the idea of “growing up and getting a real job,” and dancing. Three weeks after starting my job as an Executive at Target I called in late for a “doctor’s appointment” and went to an audition at the Caesar’s Palace Casino for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL). The audition was tough, testing us in many areas of dance, including: ballet, jazz, hip hop, and Broadway. There were about 125 people there and they slowly narrowed it down to 5 dancers 2 boys and 3 girls… and I was one of those girls! I told RCCL I wasn’t available until January 2007, which was no a problem for them, and then I ran back to Target. As January 2007 was nearing I liked the “idea” of dancing on a cruise but didn’t really see it as a reality. John (my husband) was just about entering his last semester of college at UNLV and I was doing very well at Target and had in fact just received a bonus and had been named their Executive of the Month (for October). So I turned down the RCCL contract to dance on the Mariner of the Seas which was cruising the Caribbean.
I started to regret this decision more and more as the months went on. Target made “promises” that were not coming to pass and I was unhappy. John did graduate in May 2007 and began working at Trendwest a timeshare company, where he upgrades existing owners. (He is still doing this and is doing well for himself) So with this new job security I was finally able to quit Corporate America! Wow, what a relief! I wanted to find employment in the things I love, dance, teaching, and helping people, but with a flexible schedule that didn’t tie me down too much. So I found a creative combination that truly made me happy and very busy! I worked as a dance teacher at a children studio and at a gym teaching adult jazz, a substitute teacher for the local high schools, a hotel nanny for VIP guests, and finally my most favorite job was working at the Rape Crisis Center as the assistant and classroom facilitator for the Child Assault Prevention (CAP) program.
All of this was wonderful, however I did burn myself out a bit because I just kept adding things to my plate and I kept being plagued with the desire to professionally dance myself and to stop teaching. I also had this overwhelming feeling to experience a new path in life. So I discussed my concerns with my hubby and we started coming up with options and the “cruise idea” came up and I was thrilled at the thought! John and I decided that together we would go work on a cruise and then come back and “start real life again.” So I contacted RCCL again thinking I didn’t have any sort of chance to get rehired, but to my surprise they remembered me and sent me a contract to dance on the Navigator of the Seas in the Mediterranean within hours!!!! I was ecstatic, but I still had to get John a job on the same ship. Well this actually turned out to be a lot harder than we thought. John was basically either too qualified or under qualified, and didn’t speak a foreign language… so we couldn’t get him a job. But John insisted that I still go and he supported me 100% and wanted me to fulfill my dreams to be a dancer. So we brought this scenario to our Bishop and to my dad and both were surprisingly very supportive as well. Then John and I prayed together about this scenario and we both felt a wonderful peace and feeling about me going on this adventure.
So here I am! I am in Hollywood, Florida (just outside of Fort Lauderdale) rehearsing for two months and then heading to the Mediterranean porting out of Barcelona, Spain. I live in an apartment with 6 roommates and am part of a cast of 14 (6 girl dancers, 4 boy dancers, 2 boy singers and 2 girl singers). We dance 6 days a week for 40-45 hours, with Sundays off, and a LDS church is less than a mile from the apartments … it is awesome! We are learning 3 shows titled All Access, Now and Forever, and Ballroom Fever. In just two weeks we have already finished our first show All Access which is an eclectic mix of 70s-early 90s songs from Queen “We Will Rock You,” to a Madonna Medley… it amazing! The dancing is so awesome and the singers are so talented! Tomorrow we start Ballroom Fever which is basically all partnering…which I have never done before! Wish me luck!!! :)
This blog is for my family and friends to see how I’m doing on this wonderful adventure and when I return to Vegas John and I will keep the blog going together. Please enjoy my shenanigans. :)

15 comments:

Love at First Listen said...

Julie! It's Christina. I'm so happy for you! It's amazing that you get to dance professionally on a cruise ship. And you've had quite the cocktail of jobs lately. I'm glad John and you are doing well. Em and I miss you. We should get to together or something when you get back, it'd be nice to catch up.

P.S. Why didn't you sub at my high school? :P Just kidding.

The Bryner Bunch said...

YAHOO!!! I am so happy that you finally started a blog! It looks great and this will be such a wonderful way to keep in contact with you especially when you take off to Europe.

I am excited for your future posts! Love you.

Iverson Family said...

Hey Julie!! I am so proud of you actually setting up a blog!!! I am sooo looking forward to checking it often! I miss you, but I know that this is going to be huge for you! If I can come up with the money...I am sooo there to see you! Good Luck!!!!

Lacy said...

Julie- Hey girl I am so glad to read your blog. You are so amazing at dancing and so brave. How exciting. I have a blog. Check it out. its lacyjenkins.blogspot.com.

Aunt Char said...

Julie -
Such AMAZING news - being able to fulfill your dreams as a dancer - FANTASTIC! How long is your contract - would be fabulous to see you. We love you!
Char&Sam

Unknown said...

Glad you finally got a blog and we will get to read about your cruise adventures!

Love you and miss you!

Brandi Lyn said...

HEY HEY!! Welcome to the blogging world!!! I'm sooo excited to keep in contact with you. Oh how i've missed you. :) Good luck with everything and please please for Heaven's sake DON'T be a stranger!

Have i told you i'm REDICULOUSLY excited for you?!

Linds Forrest said...

Hey Julie! CONGRATS on the dancing for the cruise line. That is HUGE!!! You are going to do so awesome. Good luck to your husband finishing school as well. I am glad you are so happy. I hope we stay in touch!! Love ya tons!!
Lindsey (Jacobs) Forrest

Sue Abbatangelo said...

Julie,
You go for it. You may never have the chance again--to do what you are doing. What a blast! Have fun. We will take care of John John the Leprechaun for you!
Love,
Sue

Sue Abbatangelo said...

Julie,
I didn't realize my profile name would be gypsywally! Anyway, I changed it...now you know it's your favorite aunt writing you.
Love,
Sue

Andrea Harper said...

JULIE!!! This is Annie (Haymond)Harper. I'm so excited for you! You have had such an adventurous life, I'm jealous! I am so happy you have a blog now so we can keep in touch. I was so glad to see you at Cassi's shower. You really are one of my all time favorite people ever. I'm not kidding. I have so many memories with you, most involve us being incredibly obnoxious somehow, mainly in Dance Company, and your feet... But I miss you so much! Me, you, and Cassi need to go do something when you are back from the awesomeness that is your job. Anyways, I'll be done now, love ya!

Aunt Patsy said...

Hi Ju Ju
So happy to get your blog info from Aunt Char....Have been wondering how you are doing...Geez! now I know you have been really busy...and what a wonderful opportunity you have...wished I could go with you..do they need someone to do the CHICKEN DANCE?? That's my dancing ability..good luck and I will be checking on your high adventure at sea!! You will be the most awesome of all...it's all in the good genes you know ;)...
Love you, Aunt Patsy

Vierra crew said...

Wow! Julie that is so amazing!!!!!! This is sheena (brimley) by the way. good luck with everything! You are just an amazing dancer and I hope one day I get to see you bust a move!!!!!!!!!!

Calli Hayman said...

Julie! What up! This is Calli that is totally amazing- i am so jealous it sounds like tons of fun! Congrats- sorry we didn't get to chat much back at cas's wedding but lets keep in touch! :O)

Dellany Higby said...

I wasn't quite sure this was you until I listened to the playlist HAHA. I hear about you from time to time but I want MORE. So start blogging, sounds like you would have tons to share! Hope all is well.