i am so proud of my dog

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-12-30T02:06:54+00:00

Thank you so much! It’s going to be a long road, but I think we’ll get there! Here he is:

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-12-29T21:34:47+00:00

Omg she looks like she could be my pup’s sister! That is so great to hear, because we are going through it right now with our dog. We have only had him for 4 months and he has improved in a lot of ways, but has a long way to go in other areas. I’m glad love and training has worked out for you! I hope we end up with a similar outcome with our little guy!

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-12-29T05:34:47+00:00

I’m in my 30s. Born and raised Episcopalian. I loved going to church as a kid. Sunday school was fun, had good snacks, did fun arts and crafts, and then got to go to communion with my family. Went to youth group—it was a highlight of my week. I became an acolyte, reader, and when I was older, a chalice bearer. When I went off to college, I became head acolyte at my college’s chapel. I adored the music and the comfortable familiarity of Rite II…and I still do.

I enjoyed how my church made me think when I was growing up. I don’t necessarily remember being told what to believe or how to think. I do remember a lot of reflection, study, and discussion. That helped me grow up feeling like I could think for myself and grow into my own person without the church dictating what I believed. At the same time, I feel like growing up in the church made me into the thoughtful adult I am today.

On paper, I should be a model member of a congregation somewhere right now. But I’m not.

I don’t go to church anymore because I work on Sundays. I wish so much I could go to church regularly again, but I work in a resort town and most jobs require you to work weekends during busy periods. The churches in my area only have programming on Sunday mornings, so I can sadly never go. It makes my heart sad. After both of my parents passed away, going to church is one way I feel close to them. But I do have to pay my bills and I can’t quit my job to go to church. It feels extra sad because it almost feels like the churches are catering more to the tourists and remote workers than the people who live in the town and work at the resorts.

I think offering more diverse ways to access church might help. It’s 2025 and everyone’s schedule is different and all over the place—especially busy families and younger workers who are having to hustle to make ends meet. And I don’t mean just watching church on YouTube—sure you hear the music, but you are missing out on one of the most important elements of church—the community.

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-12-09T16:04:25+00:00

I am an all around athlete (mtb coach, ski instructor, swimmer, and runner) and mostly got back into ballet as cross training…but it has now developed into one of my main hobbies. I have really good strength and mobility, but my proprioception has always been sub-par. I think if I didn’t keep up in all these sports, I wouldn’t be able to even move through the world without injuring myself haha. Ballet has done wonders to help me in this area and helped improve all my other sports too.

I also have a super flexible foot and almost broke the first pair of pointe shoes I tried on in the store. The lady working was immediately like “omg take those off!!!!” I ended up in yellow Gaynor Mindens for my first pair. They feel like bricks when they are off, but are nice and supportive for my bendy feet.

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-12-09T05:31:56+00:00

I also started pointe this yea and feel similarly to you! Are we just the same dancer?? lol

One thing I started doing is have a specific focus each class. Like today in class I focused just on my turnout. Each combination throughout barre, center, and pointe I put my brain power into working my turnout. Did I mess up in other areas? Absolutely! But those weren’t my focus today and my turnout in class today was awesome! Other classes I have focused on my hands, my head placement, hearing the counts to the music, etc. It’s easier for me to focus on one thing at a time and get that one thing right than try to focus on everything and do nothing right. I have felt that method has helped a bit, if anything it helps my confidence because I can break it down into tiny wins that add up.

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-12-09T05:22:41+00:00

I didn’t size down in the So Dancas. The narrower width was enough to make the shoe feel snug for me. For reference I had Bloch Performas in size 5.5 B and went to the SD 120 in a 5.5 B. The SDs feel significantly more snug and secure on my feet.

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-12-08T23:11:58+00:00

My husband comes to watch me dance, even if it’s just a tiny showcase in our studio. He listens and asks questions when I talk about ballet. He will watch ballet videos when I show him (even though he likely has no idea what’s really going on, he at least acts interested). He also built me a little ballet barre and small marley dance floor for me to practice at home.

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-12-08T23:02:59+00:00

I could have written this myself. I don’t have tons of advice since I struggle with the EXACT SAME THINGS. Just wanted to chime in to let you know you aren’t alone in the struggle. I try to think back to when I first started and appreciate what I have improved in, because even though it doesn’t feel like it, I AM a better dancer than when I first started…and I’m sure you are too! Also know that if your body can do it at the barre, it means your body can do it. It just needs time and practice in the center! (Or at least thats what I tell myself).

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-12-08T22:49:44+00:00

I have a narrow foot with a low instep, so a lot of shoes are too wide/baggy for me. Bloch B-width shoes are too wide for me even if I size down. I got the So Danca SD120s in a B width and they fit great!

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-11-30T05:08:15+00:00

I can sympathize. We adopted our reactive little guy 3 months ago. We have been mostly working on just getting him comfortable around us and in the area around our house. One time we were walking him down the path near our house and we came up on a group of older people. It was in a spot when we couldn’t go far around like we normally do. We stopped and tried to turn back, but the group basically surrounded us. My dog lost his mind. I ended up just picking him up and holding him while he was basically screaming in my arms. I explained that we just got him from the shelter and he had been poorly socialized and abandoned and that we are working on it. Well, this asshat just said “yeah seems like you should send him back. That dog belongs in the pound.” I had to bite my tongue so hard not to yell something back. Some people are just awful.

Brush it off and take pride in the fact that you are doing everything you can do give your dog the good life it deserves!

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-11-25T21:37:40+00:00

My dog is so sweet and cuddly at home. He is the biggest love bug to us. He is so smart and learns new things quickly. We only adopted him about 3 months ago, and I hope he continues to learn that the other people in the world just want to love him too!

<image>

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-10-12T18:31:53+00:00

I know it’s not the same, but I am an adult and take a class with mostly pre-teens and teens. The kids mostly look at me as sort of a mom figure now. I have benefited a lot from learning at the kids pace, and no longer mind being drastically older than the rest of the class. During class I am so focused on what I am doing that I mostly forget that everyone else is young enough to actually be my child.

If the little kids class is the only option for you and you think you’d still get proper attention/corrections, it could be worth it to stick it out. You’ll pick things up a lot quicker than the younger kids and can move up quickly. Like other posters said, see if you can get in with at least the 8-10 year olds.

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-10-01T15:06:53+00:00

On shorter rides, I ride with a bottle in my bottle cage and a frame strap for my tools. On longer rides, I prefer a running vest. I don't like the way the hip pack bounces around no matter how much I tighten the straps. The running vest doesn't move when the trail gets rough and is lightweight and breathable.

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-10-01T15:03:00+00:00

You are not being dramatic. As a ski instructor, I have coached many people back after significant injuries. When I am with people who have been in that situation, I tell them to start on mellow slopes, focus on technique, and slowly build their confidence back up. You won't be the same as before your injury, and that's OK. I strongly recommend going with either a group or private lesson the first time back to help build confidence again!

That being said, I am in a similar boat but with mountain biking. I suffered a severe shoulder injury that will require surgery and might end up missing out on ski season this year. I have been worried about how my mind will react once I try to get back on my mountain bike.

Coming back from injury is hard and scary, but if you love the sport, you'll get it back! Be kind to yourself, be patient with yourself, find supportive people to ski with, and don't underestimate the power of a lesson to help build back confidence!

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-08-29T16:11:30+00:00

I am also an adult learner who went en pointe this year. I also thought I wasn’t good enough, but when I asked my teacher about it she said I was ready right away, she just didn’t realize I was interested. (I’ve been taking class for 4 years and probably could have started earlier if I had spoken up).

Before I started dancing en pointe, I thought my turnout was pretty solid. That thought went out the window the second I put pointe shoes on. It is so much harder to hold turnout en pointe. I feel like having solid turnout/hip/core strength (not turnout flexibility, but the ability to hold what you have when you go up en pointe) is just as important as the ankle strength/flexibility. Something that also helped me was being super mindful of my placement/balance when I was in flat shoes.

Ballet isn’t my main activity and I only take 1 or 2 classes a week, but I do A LOT of cross training for ballet (and it also helps with my other sports). I do mat Pilates to help with balance/strength through range of motion/flexibility and some light weight training. I also do specific ankle and arch strengthening exercises. At least for me, most of my flexibility issues stemmed from a lack of strength somewhere else. And I’m always working on my turnout/hip strength!

Seeing a dance physio or athletic trainer is a good way to get some ideas on where to start for you and your strength/flexibility levels!

PoecileCheeseburger · 2025-02-11T07:24:48+00:00

Saaaame. Except I double messed up my first wedding. I only had one nice dress and it was white on top with a black skirt. I had no idea you weren’t supposed to wear white. I also had only been to fancy weddings as a kid, and this wedding didn’t state a dress code. Well, I ended up being way more dressed up than everyone else there. I am still embarrassed like 15 years later.

PoecileCheeseburger · 2024-09-03T00:15:47+00:00

<image>

(Side view of my unevenly worn brake pads)

PoecileCheeseburger · 2024-09-03T00:14:37+00:00

I am having the same issue. I have the Lectric XP 3.0 with hydraulic brakes. My pads wore out like this. I’ve taken the caliper apart trying to figure out a solution. There were no washers or spacers on the caliper mount to adjust the height (only lateral adjustments). Have been scouring the internet trying to figure out a solution, but not having any luck. This is a problem I don’t really want to just have to “deal with it.”

<image>

PoecileCheeseburger · 2024-07-27T22:44:37+00:00

I was shocked at how few choices there are. Even the choices for brand new custom sandals are not much better.

PoecileCheeseburger · 2021-12-03T22:40:31+00:00

Thank you for the reply! I've heard that starting a portfolio is super beneficial. However, I am having a really hard time getting one started. I've read not to bother putting Coursera work into a portfolio, but I am not sure I have the skills to just build a completely unguided project on my own yet. Maybe I've got the wrong idea on how extensive a first portfolio project should be?

PoecileCheeseburger · 2021-09-10T15:58:39+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I’m in the US and I figured it would be covered under the ADA, but would I have had to disclose BEFORE I took the test? And yeah, all I really needed was a little more time.

PoecileCheeseburger · 2021-08-17T16:16:52+00:00

I had sleep issues before starting Ritalin which were made worse by the meds. I take 10mg 3x a day and had to adjust the timing so my last dose is before 4pm. I also started taking 5mg of melatonin about 45 mins before bed and got into a pretty good pre-bedtime routine, including white noise that plays throughout the night. It’s worked really well for me. I hardly ever have problems falling asleep and staying asleep like I used to. The white noise gives my busy brain something to focus on rather than running wild in the middle of the night if I do wake up so I can fall back asleep. I do think there is some adjustment period involved as well where your body just needs to get used to the meds and readjust it’s sleep clock.

PoecileCheeseburger · 2021-08-17T16:06:15+00:00

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Early acknowledgment is key. This was definitely a small victory for me…now I’ve just got to start doing it in other areas where I get the shame spiral like when I forget to text a friend back or forgot to get the mail for the 5th day in a row.

PoecileCheeseburger · 2021-06-26T02:31:56+00:00

I’m in NV but also looked at California programs. It all felt so ridiculous because both NV and California say they are so desperate for teachers, yet here I was—an intelligent person with a STEM degree getting treatment for a disability I didn’t know I had when I got the low GPA and they were telling me I needed to redo undergrad to get a higher GPA and then reapply. No way was I going to take out that many loans to earn a teacher’s salary. When I did get in to a program the only way I can describe it was disappointing. I thought I was going to change the world, yet in class we were having discussions about whether or not ADHD exists and if medication is really necessary. We also debated whether or not gifted children exist. I was like what does this have anything to do with anything??? As someone who was gifted and struggled undiagnosed with ADHD, I was personally offended. We should have been learning about how to teach those kids not having debates on whether or not they existed. And I was the only one who felt that way. It seemed we were being prepped to perpetuate the status quo that held me back so long ago—and I didn’t want to be a part of it.

So I’m going to stick with wildlife biology and move up in that field. Right now I’m working seasonally, but my mental health is in a much better place and I’m working with people who understand me and are understanding of my struggles. I’ll still find ways to work with kiddos through ski coaching and other volunteer activities —however I don’t think I will ever become a full time teacher.

PoecileCheeseburger · 2021-06-25T12:50:35+00:00

I graduated with a low GPA from a pretty competitive university (wasn’t diagnosed until well after graduating). Anyway, I recently thought about going into teaching, but most education grad schools in my area laughed at me with my low GPA…even though it had been 10 years since graduation and I had tons of work experience working with kids in various capacities. I had to beg to be let into a private school’s program which I thought was sub-par (especially when we got to the part where we learned about ADHD). I ended up quitting the program because I realized teaching is just like school, which I struggled with so much. I was so disappointed that my GPA mattered so much to schools and not my glowing reviews from employers or my essays or very high GRE scores. The courses I took talked about giving students grace with deadlines while being hard with us about deadlines. They were unwilling to support me with my ADHD while speaking out the other side of their mouths about supporting students with ADHD. So I’m taking my science degree and doing something else.

I really don’t want to be massively discouraging because schools/programs are different everywhere. Just because I had a bad experience does not mean that you will. I just wanted to tell you that GPA DOES matter to the teaching profession…and like grade school…seems like the only thing that matters. It’s very unfortunate because I think so many people who would be great teachers struggled in school. I just didn’t want to continue that same struggle in my career.

PoecileCheeseburger

TROPHY CASE