Last week, dreams I’ve had since I was little came true: not only did I get to visit the Happiest Place on Earth, I got to compete on a college dance team at UDA Nationals! We competed on the same stage as teams I have idolized for years… And I fan-girled an embarrassing amount to say the least. Was our journey all smooth sailing? No. Did everything go our way? Heck no. Was it one of the best experiences I have had in my entire life? Absolutely!
We'll start the story at the night before our trip. The team met in my apartment for a sleepover, since we had to take such an early flight. We were all set to hype ourselves up... And then disaster struck. We discovered that the song we'd used for MONTHS of six hour practices was illegally mixed. We had to change the song the night before leaving to compete!!! Long story short, after putting thirteen heads together, we figured it out and were ready to go! (Albeit a little less prepared than before...)
At 5:00 a.m. the next day, it was time to head to the airport! We were a little worn down, but that was all easily fixed when we thought of where we were headed!
After a long morning, we finally made it! We stepped out into perfect weather and hints of Disney magic everywhere, and you could feel the change in everyone... This was going to be the best thing ever!
The next day was my personal favorite-- the RMU Dance Team took over Magic Kingdom! I have have never felt my heart physically skip a beat before, but I think it might have skipped about 12 when I saw my girl Cinderella's castle. Us being us, the first thing we did was take this picture in front of the castle.
Be. Still. My. Heart.
Once we left the park, we got down to business with a stage rehearsal at ESPN Wide World of Sports. I was awestruck, to say the least. The stage was HUGE!! We felt like celebrities with our athlete passes, walking among some of the best teams in the nation. And then we saw what we were up against. Everywhere we looked, one team was out-doing the one before it. People were flipping, turning, and jumping with greater precision and unity than I've ever seen in my whole life... And then in walks little Robert Morris.
We were intimidated, nauseated, and a little saddened. However, once we took the practice floor, we found our resolve. We were not there to be University of Kentucky (my faves); they are in a league of their own, but so are we. We have improved and made this team the best it has ever before!
I can honestly say that we put everything we had into those two minutes. All of the six hour practices, the song changes, and the choreography adjustments fueled us, and we put the best dance that this team has ever performed on the floor.
Was it enough to advance into the final rounds? No. But, we now know what we can do to come back fiercer, stronger, and better to take this competition by storm next year!
So... What did we do with the rest of this trip? We had the time of our lives! We saw a baby elephant, we met Tarzan (wow, might I just say), we watched the most magical show at the castle that I have EVER seen, and we bonded as teammates and best friends. Having to pack up and leave our special Herbie Fully Loaded hotel was the saddest thing ever! But since coming back, I have seen what this trip did for us.
We are closer. We are stronger. We are better, simply for going on this adventure together. I love you guys with all my heart. Next year...?
(I am not Jasmine, I am Aladdin!)
