Waiting backstage before the big performance, her stomach is turning and twisting into knots. In costume and makeup almost all ready. She procrastinates putting on her pointe shoes, delicate and dainty as they look, the pain harbored up inside of them waits to relinquish upon her feet. Stretching her muscles thoroughly, warming them up and getting the blood to surge through her veins. As her heart beats at the speed of a humming birds wings, her dance instructor stands next to her, tugging on her tutu, nattering at her. All of this adding to the constant motion of thoughts in her head, choreography and corrections swirling like a tornado throughout her brain. As she bends over touching her toes, the tule of the tutu flops over her shoulders; a veil hiding her from the world, hiding her from the realization that this is her one and only chance. Scratching at her shoulders, nervous sweat beading along her hairline, she awaits her moment to step out onto stage.

How To Do a Pirouette:

1) You will need to find a wide open space, preferably without a very sticky or slippery floor, and definitely no carpet. This will ensure you not to get hurt if you fall or stumble.

2) Next place your feet one in front of another about a foot length away; this will vary with foot size and body type. Now that your feet are apart make sure they are turned out (toes facing away from each other towards the sides of your body, this may be slightly uncomfortable but is very necessary) Make sure that the foot that is placed in front is the one that is easiest for you to balance on.

3) Now take your arm that is opposite to your foot in front, and raise it to belly button height, palm facing to the ground. Your arm should be straight, but not overextended.

4) Bring your other arm to the same height, but out towards the side palm facing the ground. The arm should be straightened like your other one.

5) Straighten your back, put your shoulders back and keep your core tightened.

6) Before you get ready to turn you need to make sure your hips are placed evenly between your feet to balance your weight (if weight isn't placed properly you will most likely fall out of your pirouette).

7) As you begin to prepare for the pirouette you bend you knees and push off of your back foot (the amount of push needed depends on how many pirouettes you'd like to do). Simultaneously your front arm opens, and your torso will start to turn in the same direction.

8) The foot that you pushed off of will come to a retire position (leg bent, knee facing to the side while your toe is pointing just above your opposite knee), while your rise onto the metatarsals of your other foot. Your arms will have snapped into a position with them both rounded facing towards your stomach at belly button height (will look like a circle).

9) While turning around your head needs to "spot"; look at your destination as long as possible before needing to whip your head back around to see the destination point once again (this will also stop you from getting dizzy)

10) When you have completed as many rotations as you desire (or you can manage to balance for) take the leg that is bent to your knee and place it back on the ground. Your arms will open slightly to this sides but keep rounded.

11) Smile, you have just completed a pirouette!

Top 3

Disneyland is a magical place filled with wondrous rides that make you feel like a kid no matter what your age may be; I have chosen my top three favourite rides to discuss. I have critiqued these rides based on originality, thrill, and popularity. The top three that I have chosen are Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain.

Indiana Jones is a rustic ride that takes you on an wild adventure. As this ride lacks in originality because it is based on a movie, it makes up for in precision. Throughout the ride it feels as though you have been placed into a very surreal Indiana Jones film. Monstrous snakes attempt to strike at you, while arrows are being shot your way. All these elements make this a very thrilling ride due to the anticipation of what is going to come at you next. The ride is a fairly meandering roller coaster, more for the effect of the surroundings than huge upside down loops, but near the end of the ride when a huge boulder is swiftly rolling towards you the wooden cart quickly drops below it giving you that "classic roller coaster thrill" as well. Indiana Jones is a very popular ride, because it is something people of most ages would enjoy. Being so popular the lines can be quite long to stand in, although after the fireworks at night the ride is still open for those few sneaky people to race through for a few extra (line free) rides.

Splash Mountain is a ride that is sure to wet your appetite for fun. This is a ride that screams originality, from the log that you are seated in, to the unique characters surrounding you from either side. As well as original, it is full to the brim with thrilling excitement. Sitting in the log as it climbs up the slope, clunking the whole time anticipation builds in the pit of your stomach cooling for a moment as you come to the top, until you start barrelling towards the ground instead hitting a cold pool of water (very refreshing on a hot day in California). Having this be a very traditional Disney ride lines are long to wait in, especially since the ride is so quickly over. Although it is nice to wait in the line and be rewarded with the splash of water when the temperature is near boiling outside.

Lastly comes Space Mountain. A ride filling your head with stars and planets, while making your stomach flip and flop. The creator of this ride gets a 10 out of 10 on originality for this ride. Getting into the roller coaster in the pitch black pavilion forces you to focus on the beautiful (not to mention realistic) planets and constellations, distracting you from the drops and sudden twists and turns of the ride. This also adds to the fantastic thrill of the ride. As many times as you make go on the ride you'll never be able to predict which way you'll turn next or when you'll suddenly drop into the dark abyss. Once again this is a very popular ride, but is more targeted towards a little bit more of an older crowd because it is a roller coaster and may scare children or make some nauseous. The long line is definitely worth the wait, having no disappointment in the end.