Read Sy Schapp's Blog

— -- Wednesday

Well, today was the day. I got to wear my salsa dress that I totally loved. Yesterday we rocked the swing dance. I was pumped! But as you guys saw, today I choked. I blanked. I compare it to missing the game-winning free throw of a basketball game. I think it was all the "Dancing with the Stars" celebrities. Did you see them? It was so awesome!

What a blast this has been. I'm still trying to recover from all this. Tomorrow it's back to work at the hospital. Wow... I still can't believe all that I've experienced. Thanks so much everyone for going on this ride withme. I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did.

I got lots of pictures to share when I get back. For the last few days, I felt glamorous! I think I could get used to this. Anyway, this is my last note. I'm sure that I'll have lots of stories to share when I get back. I know that to be here and experience this has made me a winner. Thanks, guys!

Monday

Well the first dance is over. All that training and sweat and tears and it was over in 40 seconds. I was so nervous. I mean, the disco ball and the floor and the lights, it felt like "Dancing with the Stars." I'm sure most of you didn't recognize me with my hair and makeup actually done and me in a fancy dress, but hey, I do clean up pretty good!

After the show we hopped in our van and back to the dance studio tofinish up the Swing dance for tomorrow. Now I really have to smile for that dance. It's much different than the Cha-Cha, and I think it's a pretty good routine if I can nail some of the moves.

Hey guys, thanks so much for your comments. Like I wrote earlier, I love reading them; they just make my day, especially to hear from people from all over, and those I haven't seen in years. This experience has been unbelievable. I told Eric, my partner, that he should come to Edgerton and be on a float with me at the Dutch Festival dancing our routines in our outfits. Hey, I get to keep that fancy dress and I don't know where else I'll be able to wear it.

Watch tomorrow and keep voting! Tell all your friends and family. That Dutch Bingo thing is really coming in handy. Thanks!

Sunday

Today I got to sleep in. We had a late breakfast around 10:30 then off to the dance studio for practice from 12 to 3 p.m. I practiced the Cha-Cha in my dress and shoes so I could get the feel of it. I'm getting so nervous! Trying to visualize the liveaudience and the studio. I'm not used to performing on a stage -- that's Howie's speciality. The heels and fancy dress and bling-bling are a little out of mycomfort zone. Give me tennis shoes and the basketball court any day!

Howie and Sommer and Ly are here now. I'm so excited that they can be here to share in this experience with me. It's been so much fun and now thethree people closest to me are here. It's been unreal. I hope I can remember everything tomorrow. The routine is 40 seconds long, so it'll be over before I know it.

I have to remember to SMILE and have FUN! (And don't count out loud.) Anyway, I love those comments on my blog. Keep them coming because it really lifts me upto know that so many of you are thinking of me. Thanks again for all your support! Please watch tomorrow and remember to vote!

Saturday

Just got back from a long day of sightseeing. Today we had a day off from dancing and were going to take it easy. However, we wanted to do something so we did go to Greenich Village, NYU campus, Union Square; did Chinatown and Little Italy. It very crowded in Chinatown, lots of people, plus the rain and then thetraffic. It was exhausting! We did eat at a great Chinese restaurant, though. They had roast duck and chicken hanging up by the window so you know it wasauthentic!

We took the subway to Chinatown and that was quite an experience! The four of us did a pretty good job of getting around today. Tomorrow we will practice for 3 hours. I need the practice. I think I forgot my dance already with one day off. How can it be so hard to remember? I get blank right in the middle of the routine. Today we also shopped for accessories for our dresses. You know, this is themost shopping I've done all year! I don't remember the last time that I'll be wearing something in my hair and earrings and hihg heels.

Anyway, it's going to be a lot of fun, so watch on Monday. You will seeme like you've never seen me before. Thanks again for all your comments and support. Thanks Edgerton and Worthington Regional Hospital, also the clinics intown. This has been awesome so far! Don't forget to vote so I can wear my hot salsa dress on Wednesday!

Friday

Right now it's pretty late. We had a late dinner at La Vela. Tonight was Italian which was very good. If you haven't noticed, I write about food quite a bit. But of course many of you know that I love food and love to eat and try new things. Today was another busy day. My partner, Eric, and I finished the Cha-Cha andswing routines, but both of them are pretty slow and not very crisp. I'm terrible at this! I thought it would be easier but it's been very challenging. Ihave a couple of blisters on each foot and my knees and legs are sore.

Our producer came to the dance studio to see us do our Cha-Cha, but Eric and I were laughing most of the time. It was so hard to get into character when weare both very goofy! I guess the Cha-Cha is supposed to be a passionate dance, but it's not even close to that! I hope that I get it together for Monday! Anyway, I'm still having a great time.

The other moms are cool and we get along great. We are alreadyplanning another trip to New York some time after we go back home. Right now I do miss the kids (and Howie), but I know that this is a once in a lifetime thing. I have to make the most of it and ride that wave for as long as it lasts. Thanks everyone for all your comments and your encouragement and prayers.

This has been a real community thing, not just Edgerton, but Worthington and all the other surrounding towns and other states where there is an Edgerton connection. Keep watching, especially on Monday when you can vote again!

Cha-Cha Challenges

Just got back from 7 hours of practice. It was exhausting and frustrating and fun at the same time. It's so much harder than it looks! I'm glad my partner, Eric, has lots of patience because I am a slow learner.

Dancing is so much more than moving your feet -- that I can do. I thought I would pick it up faster than this, but I have to just keep pushing myself. My biggest problem is that I get frustrated and want to quit (sounds like high school), but Eric isgreat; he keeps me positive and makes me stay with it.

Today, Chris Cuomo surprised us at the dance studio. That was so fun because we were all screaming and acting like giddy school girls. This has been such a great experience. Thank you again for all the support. Tomorrow will be another 7 hour day, but I think it should be better. ...

Just got back from dinner. Had Greek tonight with the other moms. It's been so much fun eating at different places and trying new ethnic foods every night.

The other moms and I are getting along great! It's been fun getting to know each other and learning more about each of our families.

Today I finished learning the Cha-Cha routine. Now if I can remember it fortomorrow. I found out today that Howie, Ly and Sommer will be coming out this weekend to see me. I'm so excited! It's been a lot of fun here so far, but to share this experience with the people closest to me will be awesome.

Well, time for bed. My legs and butt hurt from dancing so much. Don't forget to keep watching and remember to vote on Monday!

Wednesday -- Shoes, Dresses and Dancing

Just home from supper. Ate at a Chinese/Cuban place -- very good! Today was a BUSY day! Up at 7 a.m. and to Capezio's for dancing shoes by 8:30 a.m.. Got threepairs of shoes that were so cool.

Off to the dance studio to meet our professional partners. Practicedfor three hours today, then off to Bloomingdales for over three hours of dress shopping.

Met Lisa Rinna, who was amazing. Got filmed by "Entertainment Tonight" whichwas so cool! Finally decided on three great dresses. This day has been exhausting but so much fun at the same time.

Tomorrow and Friday practice for seven hours.

Next Monday's dance is the cha-cha. Tuesday if I make the top three, will be a swing dance, and on Wednesday if I'm still in, we dance the salsa. I love the salsaand I have a great dress to wear for it.

Please watch and vote everyday next week so I can wear the hotdress. Thanks again for all your support and for sharing in this time with me!

Day 1 in the Big Apple

Hey everyone, this is Sy Schaap reporting live from New York City. I'm having a blast! This has been a dream come true!

Today I was up at 5:30 a.m. and off to the ABC studios for hair and makeup. We met Diane, Robin, Chris and Sam (yes, we are on a first name basis, ha-ha!) and they were great. Really down to earth and so nice to us, and very tall!

Saw The Fray perform live and saw Diane interview Rob Lowe, wholooks great in person. Did a whirlwind tour of thecity then back to the room for some rest.

Tuesday will be a busy day: Try on dance shoes in the morning, to the dance studio to meet my partner, then off to shop for dresses.

This has been an amazing experience so far. Thank you so much for your votesand support. It's because of you that I'm here. Remember to keep watching and voting! Love you guys!