A NURSING CAREER

          Choosing a nursing career requires a lot of studying and training, but it gives a wide range of job opportunities. To get a nursing degree will take me a minimum of four years and a lot of effort, because I have a full time job with an inflexible schedule. I know that to become a registered nurse in the United States, I must graduate from a nationally approved nursing program. In addition, I must pass a national licensing examination. Also a nursing specializations working in the emergency room, pediatrics, or oncology, require an additional qualification on top of the nursing program. However, once I graduate I will be capable to work in many different environments. A hospital is not the only place where I could find a job, but also hospices, schools, insurance and pharmaceutical companies, and, of course, physician’s offices.  Moreover, nurses have many benefits; for example, medical insurance, life insurance, and half-price tuition for eligible dependents, etc.  Nevertheless, getting a nursing degree is a long-term process, but it is worth it simply because of the opportunities and benefits that came with it.

                      

Gatorland

Hi! One more week ran away. During a whole week I entertain people, and on weekend I try to entertain myself by visiting different beautiful and fun places. Today, I would like to write about my last weekend. Maybe many of you know the small zoo called “Gatorland” located not so far from Oceola Campus of our college on Orange Blossoms Trail.  I love this place. I have been visiting zoos in different countries, but this “Gatorland” is little distinct from others because it has many gators.  One of my favorite things was a room with small parrots that I could pet and feed there. Because there was so many of them, I was afraid to step on top of them. I felt like I was in a fairytale because they were so bright and colorful. This “Gatorland” has a show with alligators and people that work with them keep the audience entertained during the whole twenty minutes show. The alligator trainers perform scary and life threatening tricks. But in spite of scary tricks, they make the audience laugh with comical comments. There I saw big turtles the size of huge rocks. If you want to pet and feed them carrots, you have to pay an additional fee, and personally it was worth it. I was surprised to see albino alligators, which I have never seen before. This place also has a park with trails where you can take a walk. You can make a stop on a bridge and feed fish. I really enjoyed my day. I would definitely recommend this place to everybody.

ZARKANA

Hi! This week I would like to write about a new show of Cirque du Soleil named “ZARKANA”. This is a theatre show. “Zarkana” is going to perform in three different cities for three months at a time. Cirque du Soleil has exclusive contract with theatres in New York, Moscow, and Madrid. A creation process of this show has started in Montreal about five months ago in a circus studio in Montreal, the resident place of Cirque du Soleil. Because of the large stage “Zarkana” uses an old Amway Arena in Orlando. This arena was rented to finish the creation process of this show. The artists of “Zarkana” are going to stay in Orlando for about five weeks. During this time they will visit our show “La Nouba”. In exchange, if they are ready, we might come and see the first “Leons Dan” which also means dress rehearsal.

     “Zarkana” is an explosive world where mysterious creatures, clownish characters, fabulous acrobats and a magician who has lost his powers all come together. This world is the stage for a fantastically bizarre story. This creative idea was inspired by an old photograph taken during a congress of clowns in the 1930s.

     A story of this show will bring an audience to the 1930s. Clowns from all over the world were invited to a congress by two of their counterparts, Hokus and Pokus. When they finally arrived at the theatre, they discover that it has been abandoned and left in ruins. Seeing the audience in the theatre, the clowns decide to call their friend Zark, a magician, to help them tidy up the mess and put on a good show. Unfortunately, Zark lost his powers when he lost the love of his life. He therefore sets out to find his beloved and along the way meets mutant women who attempt to dissuade him from his quest. Throughout the show, the theatre undergoes a progressive metamorphosis until it finally regains its former shape.

    The show is going to have an acrobatic skeleton consisting of a flying trapeze act, tight wire, Russian bars, and a wheel of death. Also “Zarkana” has a group of fifteen individuals; they call the movers. These clownish characters will allow an audience to offset the theatre’s immenseness. When there is a solo act, for example, they will take over the stage and play up the performance currently underway.

   I am so excited and cannot wait to see the show!

The Acting Workshop.

Hi! Today I would like to tell about artistic workshop that we had at the circus a few weeks ago. It was a big challenge for us but also an unforgettable and useful experience.  We had a four workshop classes with a professional acting teacher and a comedian from Los Angeles. His name is Stefan Haves. We did a lot of interesting acting tasks. Even warm up was unusual than the workshops that I have done previously. He taught us the basic of comedian school. We had to the four main tools in acting. They are body, voice, speech, and imagination. I and my coworkers did different tasks such as acting in a group, in pairs, and alone. I had to show different characters like being angry, in love, or happy. We also did an exercise where the person had to express different surroundings such as being cold or hot. In one of the exercises, we had to imagine ourselves being in the forest, looking for a gift. Once we found the gift, we had to show emotions that described what was inside the gift. The workshop lasted two hours for four days. After that I was very exhausted physically and emotionally. On top of that we had to do two shows every day.  I learned a lot. If circus would ever Stefan Haves again I would gladly participate in his workshop. I like that he is very professional in his field and he finds the best strengths in one person’s skills.

The Earthquake In Japan.

Hi. Today I would like to share my feelings about earthquake in Japan. I am very sad about and very sorry. It is just terrible what can happen on our planet. I feel miserable even from only the thought about earthquake.  I really know what the earthquake means. When I was in Fukuoka, Japan in 2005 with “Alegria”, the Cirque du Soleil touring show, I had experience of surviving after the earthquake. There was one of the strongest earthquakes for the past 350 years in that area. The strength was 7.2 on the scale. The earthquake happened unpredictably. We just arrived at the circus site by the shuttle bus. Some artists were in the kitchen; the other artists were in the artistic tent and on the stage. When the earthquake started I could not understand what is going on. It was like in my night dream. Everything shook so hard. Poles of the artistic tent looked like grass on a field during a windy weather. I began to run out at that moment. It seemed like I run for ages to rich the exit. I fell, stood up, ran, fell again, stood up and ran. The whole floor was like waves in a river. The earthquake was shaken for several minutes then it stopped. We all were in shock.  Our direction had cancelled both shows because our technicians had to check all constructions, stage, and equipment. Some equipment was broken.  When we came back to the hotel, everything was on the floor.  TVs, small furniture, lamps, personal stuff were on the floor as well.  I could see the cracked roads and buildings. Our hotel’s restaurants lost almost all plates and glasses. It was real disaster. Thanks God, we didn’t have tsunami.  Next couple weeks we could feel the new kicks of the earthquake with less strength around 5.1. I was afraid to take a bath in the hotel. I had prepared my documents in case of quick evacuation.  I will never forget these days of the Japanese earthquake. I follow the news on TV about Japan tragedy. I cannot watch it without  tears in my eyes.

Happy International Women's Day!

Hi! Happy International Women's Day! The 8th of March is a big holiday in all Eastern European countries.  I love this holiday from my early childhood. On March, 8^th there is a tradition to give a lot of flowers, candies, chocolates, and some special gifts to all women and girls. Even though we have Mother's Day, we celebrate this holiday as the Mother's day too! Exactly one hundred years ago on March 8^th 1911, Clara Zetkin was the first woman who started the "International Women’s Day”. She was an influential socialist German politician and a fighter for women's right.  The political roots of the holiday left in the past. Now everyone celebrates this day as beginning of spring and reassuring women’s beauty.  I feel special on this day because all my close friends are wishing me happy and warm wishes. I also got a lot of greetings online from my Ukrainian friends and family. Once again I want to wish to all the women a happy and joyful day!



CONGRATULATIONS TO MY MOM!  

                                                                                          This greeting card was my favorite one when I was a little girl



This greeting card I got from my friend today



Eastern European party.

Hi! Last Saturday we had Eastern European party at the circus right after the last show before weekend. I had a lot of fun. Our circus committee invited a Russian folk trio of musicians "Moscow Nights" from the North Carolina, so we had live music. Musicians played on Russians instruments like the balalayka, the balayka-conrabass, and the bayan. The balayka looks like guitar, but it has triangle shape and only tree strings. The balayka-contrabass looks the same as balayka just much bigger. The musician has to stand when he plays, because the instrument is big and stand on the floor. I had a very nice "venok", the headdress of Ukrainian national costume, also I had a blouse. Actually the blouse is Mexican, because it looks like Ukrainian. I decided to wear that blouse. We also  had Eastern European food context. I participated in this context. I made "vareniki", the Ukrainian dish. It is similar to Italian ravioli. I made three kids of vareniki with mashed potato, fried cabbage, and sweet cottage cheese. They was very delicious. We had games where I had a chance to try to play on Russian instrument "treschetki". We were laughing so much. I danced with a Ukrainian guy in the end of our party. Of course we danced a Ukrainian gopak. Gopak is the Ukrainian national dance. Many people made of lot of complements about the dance. It was unforgettable event. Thank you to our committee who organized this Eastern European party.

John Travolta's visit to La Nouba.

     Hi guys and girls! I would like to tell you about my circus. Cirque du Soleil’s shows are very popular around the world. So many famous people have visited Cirque du Soleil, especially shows in Las Vegas. Our show is located in Orlando, but once in a while famous people visit Disney parks and, of course, they stop by La Nouba. In the beginning of January John Travolta and his family watched the show. The whole cast of La Nouba was ecstatic, especially when stage manager made an announcement on the radio right before the show.  I always try to put in all of my energy when I perform. But if I know that there is someone special is watching the show, I want to do my best. During the show, couple of girls added some choreography movements from “Pulp Fiction” movie. Also our music band played a piece of music from one of the famous movie with John Travolta.

 I don’t have idols. I mean I am not a big fan of somebody. For example, I have several actors who I like to watch on the TV.  I respect them as a very talented people, but I don’t get crazy about. However, it is always a pleasure to meet talented and successful people. 

  That day we did a very spectacular show. Right after our performance the whole Travolta’s family came to meet us in the training room.  John and his wife, Kelly Preston, were open with all the artists. They shook hands and said a lot of warm words. They are such a friendly people. We were allowed to take only one group picture with John Travolta and his wife. Then I asked to take an individual picture with John, and he said yes. I was so excited taking the picture with John Travolta. In addition, I got his autograph too. Now I got one more picture with a famous person that I added on mi collection with stars.

My work place.



LA NOUBA



Hi! I would like to tell about my work place. I already told you that I work at Cirque du Soleil in the show La Nouba. La Nouba has 64 artists including 2 singers and 6 musicians. Our team is international. There are artists from USA, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Great Britain, Japan, Canada, France, Poland, Mexico, Brazil, China, and Australia. English and French are two official communication languages in Cirque du Soleil; English of course is first and French because the main residency of the company is situated in Montreal, in French speaking province Quebec, Canada. However, at work we have our own language the mix of Russian, English and other languages. Because our show has many Russian speaking artists, I speak Russian most of the time.  Even our powertrack captain, the American guy, speaks Russian very well.  Many times we have social events in the circus like Birthday and Christmas party, Cinco de Mayo, Halloween, anniversaries, golf competition, beach gathering, etc.  I love when we are gathering together and having fun.  We bring our own jokes to the conversations; sometimes the jokes after translation from original language don’t make any sense, but  it is funny anyway. 


      It sounds like we have fun all the time, but it only seems like that. We work physically, and do many hard tricks. It demands a lot of concentration every day. That is why we have a lot of injuries and microtraumas.  We have 3 physiotherapists who take care of us all the time. For example, if I have some medical issue I can sign up for the treatment or massage. I think it is big privilege compared to other circus companies. We do 10 shows a week, plus we have 2 practices and dance cleanings on the stage very often. Even now I have to run to the stage to practice for my perfection, and of course, show quality.  We are hard workers. That is why our show already celebrated 12^th anniversary.

     Here is a new commercial of the show which was filmed couple months ago. It just came on a big screen of the TV in front of the circus building. At 2 minutes and 1 second I do my trick the triple column:

   



Birthday Anniversary of our clown Sergey



Beach gathering

 

Cinco de Mayo

 

Trip to Las Vegas. Part 2.

    Hi! I want to continue my story about my trip to Las Vegas.  Oh, the last week was extremely busy for me. Because I had got a lot of positive impressions in Las Vegas, I did well all week without any stress. During my trip  in Las Vegas, I went to see another amazing show “Le Reve”. It is an extremely fabulous show. This spectacular show is entertaining and astonishing all public. Although “Le Reve” runs in Las Vegas for more than 4 years, I hadn’t had an opportunity to see this show before. Finally, on the last day of my trip we went to see “Le Reve”. The producer of ‘Le Reve” is Franco Dragone. He is genius and very talented producer. He produced several shows of Cirque du Soleil. In one of those “Alegria” I used to work, and in other show “La Nouba” I work now.  “Le Reve” placed in casino “Wynn”. It is an aquatic show. The show theatre is big, and seats placed all around the round stage. High ceiling makes audience feel like theatre connected to another world. There are 3 backstage entrances filled with water. Artists and decorations appear and disappear in water, or go down and up from the ceiling on lounges. There a huge amount of water runs from the ceiling. In fact, tickets on the first two or three rows cost cheaper, because audience can be a little wet. All show is about lost love. A girl, the main character in the show, searches for her love men who she met and lost in her dream. Actually, “Le Reve” means “The Dream” in French. The state-of-the-art special effects and high level of performance of acrobats, gymnasts, divers, and synchronized swimmers amazed me. I really enjoyed the show.
                                There is the trailer of “Le Reve” show on youtube website:

                                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45SW5LdYGZ0


                         Of course better one time to see it then hundreds times to hear about it :).

                


"LE REVE"   

Happy Chinese New Year!

 

       Hello everyone! It is already 6th of February.  It was Chinese New Year 3 days ago. 2011 is the year of the Rabbit.

               Happy New Year!

Trip to Las Vegas. Part 1.

     Hi everyone! It is almost 2 week had past since I posted my first blog. Yes, time flies by. During this 2 weeks I have been studying, working, and resting. Also I have had unforgettable trip to Las Vegas for 4 days. It was my fifth visit to the city of contrasts. There are tourists from all over the world. I could see poor people, middle class, rich, and famous people. There can be no doubt that Las Vegas is a world capital of casinos. Of couse I gambled a little. I even won more than I lost. I know 2 rules of gambling. The first rule is stop playing on time. The second rule is don't gamble too often.

Not only gambling attracts tourists in Las Vegas and places around. There are so many things to see except casinos tables and slot machines. During my trip I went to see 3 shows of Cirque du Soleil. I watched "O", "Zumanity", and "Viva Elvis". All shows are great and absolutely fantastic. I have friends who work for those shows. I used to work, compete, and practice in one gym with some of them. It was twice more excitment for me to see how they perform. There are links  on youtube where you can see trailers:

"O" showCirque du Soleil  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk5iG0_0Cho&feature=related

"Zumanity" show Cirque du Soleil  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nS4IoDH29g

"Viva Elvis" show Cirque du Soleil  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcg4FdVH8VU

Cirque du Soleil has 7 permanent shows in Las Vegas for now, and all of them are incredibly popular.

Continue next week...

My introduction.



Excitement of silver medals



    Hi, my name is Tetyana Zhovtopup, but I like to be called by Tanya. I think, Tanya is a short, simple, and cute name.

     I am a former athlete of Ukrainian National Tumbling Team. I had participated 3 World Championships, 2 European Championships, 1 World Cup, and many International Tournaments.  I won Ukrainian Cup in 2000 and some International tournaments. I am twice silver medalist of European Championship in 1998 and 2000. I got silver medal in World Championship in Denmark in 2001 and bronze medal in World Championship in South Africa in 1999.

    Now I am working for Cirque du Soleil La Nouba show. I am an artist of trampoline and powertrack act. I have been with Cirque du Soleil company for almost 8 years. Before La Nouba show I was working for another show of Cirque du Soleil Alegria. It is a touring show. So, I used to travel a lot. I had a dream to travel around the world. My dream became true :-).



Alegria . Powertrack team



Alegria. Old Bird character



La Nouba



  



La Nouba



I love my job. I enjoy to be on stage and share my smile  with all audience.

    I am interested in circus and sport. In my spare time I like to go to the beach, or park, or springs with my friends. I like to cook, solve crosswords and puzzles. Some times I collect a jokes and funny pictures. I appreciate people with a good sence of humor. I love to visit a new places, and take a lot of pictures with beautiful views. I don't like to be alone and keep silent for very long.

    I am a blogger beginner. I just learn how to do it. I will be posting a different things on my page. It can be a delicious recipe, or funny picture, or some interesting news from my life what I would like to share with.

  All my friends, my classmates, and teacher always welcome to visit my blog!