rehearsals are FINISHED!

Every time I sign on to do a new synchro job I always feel like I am in pretty good shape, then I get in the pool for the first time and I absolutely DIE, then after a lot of work feel much better.

For the Yas Water World show with Aquabatix it's a tank show, which basically means that not only do you hold your breath for quite sometime you also have to keep yourself about 5 meters underwater. I quickly found out that my ability to float easily (which is handy for regular synchro) made this routine that much harder.

But once I got a hang of it by working with my awesome coach, Jaz, and duet partner,  Laurie, I felt much more comfortable and was able to perform a little bit more than the basic survival mode from the first couple of days.

I did my first few performances in costume with an audience and they each went well.  I was really happy to have the rest of the cast and backstage crew rooting me on and making me smile when I started looking a bit nervous.

Laurie, Anya, Beth, and me 

I'm excited now that rehearsals are done and I can say every last piece of energy for each show!!

XO,

Jax

Color Run Abu Dhabi!

After a long week of rehearsals today we got to experience not only the Color Run, but the Color Run in Abu Dhabi. Bucket list items being checked off like crazy. I was able to score a last minute spot in the race, and I'm so glad I did because it was a blast! Now that I know the routines a bit more and feel more comfortable, I'm able to relax a bit, which apparently in my book is running a 5K and having people chuck colored powder at your face :)

XO,

Jax

Abu Dhabi and the Sea Sprites

I realize it's been quite sometime since the last post on LivelyJax, it's been quite a crazy time for both of us. I've recently accepted an adventure in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emerates, and wanted to document this wild 6 week ride as much as I can.

I took a 16 hour direct flight from LAX to Dubai airport, which sounds like a long flight but compared to the other options it was as easy as a magic carpet ride. I may be exaggerating a bit because my knees, shoulders, and everything else was crammed into a very small space.

I made it safely from Dubai to our apartment in Abu Dhabi about two hours away where I'm living with Laurie, who is a fellow synchronized swimmer world traveler. I somehow managed to get across the world without any traveling hiccups, which is always a blessing.

Driving by the Dubai Skyline

On my first real day, Laurie and I woke up pretty early and sorted out paperwork with Yas Waterworld Park where our show is preformed.

Later on in the day we explored the Emirates Palace. We took a short tour of my (cough cough) future home, I decided that I would fit in the the royal lifestyle very well after passing a few Bentleys and Ferraris in the parking lot and stairwells for days.

I forgot to mention the very convenient Gold ATM. Yep my new palace has Gold-to-Go.

loving the architecture Etihad Towers 

XO,

Jax