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The Canadian Salsa Congress was a success!!!  Although I felt a cold coming on, I knew I could fight it off as soon as I entered one of those workshops.  Of course I entered the first workshop of the day, and my adrenaline just took over my body completely and the sniffles went away for the day. My students, Grace, Katie, Christina, and I took classes from some world-class artists, including Pachanga with Grupo Alafia (Italy), Salsa Styling & Partnerning with Steps Dance Studio (Toronto), Ladies Styling with David & Paulina (Mexico), Puerto Rican Shines with Tito & Tamara (Puerto Rico), and Colombian Salsa with Giovanni Torres and his beautiful partner Tia Lu.  We went into watch a dance competition, then went back for some Yoga for Salsa Dancers.  It was an amazing day, and an amazing evening, as I was presented from my wonderful parents and grandparents a gift to go to the Scott Miller salon in Rochester WOOHOO!!!  We went to dinner afterward, and I met back up with the girls and Nana Julianne to go see the Professionals dance… all of the couples were spectacular… my girls really loved Giovanni & Tia 🙂 The next morning we rehearsed at 8am UGH!  The girls and I separated and I went off with my husband to enjoy some breakfast (I honestly think it was the first time I ate all weekend).  I got nutella french toast with banana YUM!!!  I got a phone call from one of the girls, Christina actually, she says “UM, Miss Alaina, we kind’ve need you here”.  So Phil and I finished our breakfast fast, and got back to the hotel.  Once I got there, I noticed that the girls were just fine.  I helped them with their hair and eyelashes, their makeup was done by Katie’s mom, they put their costumes on… and we were off to the show.  The girls performed a red hot salsa number to Celia Cruz’s Quimbara.  The girls made AV Dance Co. flags that the their parents flew proudly when the girls were announced up onto the stage.  They were absolute Pro’s up on stage.  After they finished their routine, they were jumping for joy.  They were all so excited, because the crowd was screaming for them and some folks even gave them a standing ovation.  Katie swears it was her backflip in the routine that got the people clapping 🙂  It was a great weekend, and we are looking forward to performing and attending in 2013.   We were able to meet so many incredible people.  The girls all attended last year without me, and Grace has been trying to explain to me how inspiring it was… I was finally able to understand 🙂