Dear Hoop City,

I really like the new banner with the hoop beyond the city. It is telling one to reach beyond one's own limits. Has anyone set a world record for largest handmade hoop? I think that would be interesting...

Anyways I wanted to get straight to the point. Tonight, something awesome happened. I danced in front of a lot of people, and I was, in a way, fearless. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptSjNWnzpjg

I hula-hooped for about three hours, with a small break. I walked back to my van for water because the bar was charging $1.00, which I did not agree with.

An Indian-looking man (he might have been another origin, I'm not 100% sure) and a younger white guy (probably in his twenties) caught me when I had stopped momentarily. They pointed to the stage and said, "Go up there." I did not want to until the go-go dancers performed. They are nice girls who I have met recently at the night club. One of them told me she wants to learn hooping, so I may teach her if she feels up to it.

I grabbed a beer and practiced hooping for another half an hour or so. The go-go's went on and danced for a couple of minutes here and there, incorporating booty pops and a choreographed routine. Their outfits were bright green and pink. The stage had a single DJ deck and a guy spinning behind it. By around 12:30, I replaced my battery which was dimming and put another one inside my LED hula hoop. Then I found Kristy and together, we went on stage to dance. Sabryna, another go-go girl, joined us. It would have been really cool if they were also hooping, or if I was in costume like them. Either way, Kristy told me to go in the middle, so I did, but soon they both left the stage! So I was left all alone, but I kept feeling the desire to dance. Nobody wanted me in the crowd - they wanted to see me up there!

I hooped my heart out. It felt so wonderful. I experienced a new kind of high. When it was over, and once I returned home... the experience already seemed so far away. Even now as I write, it looks like a distant bubble that I want to touch, over and over again. There are so many people who are encouraging me to live the dream I love.

My life and everything I have changed about myself makes me happy everyday. I have stopped worrying about pleasing people who never really took the time to know me. All the right ones will stand by me. I am so happy in these moments. 

Sincerely,

Jade Lily White