Endurance

December 2011

What an incredibly productive year its been!!! December was nothing shy of excitement for me, as well. 

First, LA was poppin with Christmas decorations. One night down at City Walk a Santa Sleigh was left unattended, to which I immediately saw a photo opp. I was chased out by a security guard running down the escalator, but heck, whats the point of growing up if you don’t get chased by mall security every once in a while?? Plus its a cute pic! Totally worth it. 

Next I went to DC to visit Culture Shock and was able to stay w my best friend and meet her daughter, Autumn. 

While home i was also home to see a long time friend of mine, Nina. She is so full of life!

Also while home I got to eat “Bonchon” for the first time ever! Very delicious. 

After DC I traveled to NYC to attend the Mop Top 22nd Anniversary. They had asked me to choreograph for them, which was SUCH an honor for me. This crew is all the legends of the hip hop and house world!!

Here is a photo from my piece. 

Last, but not least, I was able to visit with my spiritual teacher, Mike. He has been such a guide for me, I am honored to be his student. 

I have no idea why its upside down; its not like that on my phone or my computer. Oh Mike, you and your trickery!

What a fantastic year!! Thank you so so much, 2011. I tried new adventures this year from throwing competitions, choreographing for people I have studied about, surviving natural disasters, choreographing for the #1 single in Japan, experiencing great friendships, winning a huge battle, eating lots of food, not having one drink or one cigarette, and laughing more times than I can count. I did not work one day this year!!!!! :D

November 2011

This month I spent most of my time in Denmark! Almost 3 1/2 weeks there. Was a really great place to visit. I met a lot of great people and I had a very good time. It actually ended up being one of my favorite places to dance. The dancers were all so open, and so hungry, and so ready. I hope to be able to make an impact on this place. 

I also went to see something called Lingerie Basketball. Yes - that actually exists!! A friend of mine named Delmar plays in it and a bunch of us went to go support her. Go Delmar!! PS - these almost naked girls are REALLY good! 

Last, but CERTAINLY not least, since I was in Denmark during Thanksgiving I was in a rush to get home to Olive Garden where I NEEDED to have the seasonal and often sold out pumpkin cheesecake. If you think this isn’t an event worth posting, you’ve never tasted it. 

I present you:

And November is a wrap!

October 2011

October is here! This month was fun and chill. First thing on the plate was judging for World of Dance again, this time in SD. 

Second, I did a production with a very talented choreographer named Alec Clawson who is known for his incredibly frightening and detailed stories for Halloween Carnival. I was honored to work with renowned make up artist Melissa Pizzamiglio who had us all looking crazy. The production included a functioning 25 ft wide back drop, complete with street lamp lights, a fog pipe, and a shutting door. This was such an experience!! 

This is me!!!

Third, (not in chronological order) The Dancers Alliance meeting was held this month. Such a HUGE landmark for my industry. These are all my ET peeps! :) 

Fourth, Positive Dose was this month by the talented and heavily packed Versa Style crew. In attending this I gained much perspective on what I wanted to do with my career. These are my Soul Shifter peeps. Ami (far right) made the backdrop and Angelo (far left) performed. I am so lucky!! 

Lastly, I choreographed one of my favorite pieces at the Federal. This piece is “famous” for its clapping at the end. Hope you watch, hope you enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i-_6mHSIq4

Another productive and blessed month, inside and out!!

September 2011

My birthday month! For my birthday my friends surprised me with cake and song at one of my rehearsals. I also had a birthday dinner at a Korean restaurant with some close friends. :)

I taught my first House class at Millennium. I think this is the most famous studio in the world, and this was a huge honor for me. 

I found a spot in LA called “The Floor” which is every 2nd Monday of the month. I had an ABSOLUTE BLAST. One of the funnest clubs I’ve ever been to. Live salsa/house music, with full out swing dancers, salsa dancers, breakdancers, freestylers and free spirits sharing the same circle. Incredible. Here’s a cool photo from the club.

Last but not least I decided to have a photo shoot for the T-Shirt Company. This is a silly photo with me and the models. 

Another fun month, and the mark of the end of the 3rd quarter of the year. I am fulfilled in every way, feeling so lucky to have such a great life!!

August 2011

August was great, not super eventful, but progress and some nice landmarks. We created a logo for the company, I achieved my largest House class ever at 80 students, and started an open training session for freestylers to practice every Sunday. I also threw another competition in Phoenix which had a larger turn out than before. Consistent growth in small steps was the name of the game this month! :) 

The new logo! :)

Turnout at the jam in Phx. 

Things are shaking and baking! Love is everywhere. 

July 2011

July was such a fun month all around. I threw my first jam in LA, went to see family in Cocoa Beach and taught in Mexico for the first time. 

The event was a huge success. Approximately 150 competitors, and legendary judges. 

I taught in Mexico, with an incredible group of people. Sureste Dance brought me out, and this was my group of students for the week. I fell in love with so many of them!!

One of the teachers I got to teach amongst on this trip assisted legendary Bob Fosse in his last few years of life. I’m standing next to him in the photo. Was so great to hear about Fosse as a friend/”real” person. 

This is my AWESOME driver in Mexico. 

This girl was asked to take me around while in Mexico, and we loved each other like sisters!!! Such a great friend to make! :) Thank you, Nany. 

In Mexico they jewel live bugs, very similar to cockroaches and keep them as pets. They live up to 2 years. Nope, not kidding. This is alive. I screamed. 

All the fam (+ Jen, who is now my adopted sister) at Cocoa Beach. What a fun week! 

View of our pool from the balcony/walkway.

It was nice to have travel both for business and pleasure this month. I was so grateful for a successful event and looking forward to more of all three!! :) 

June 2011

Company now adds new colors to the t-shirts and begins selling tanks. This is a major turning point. 

I had a great visit with Bestie. She came to see my carnival piece in Hollywood while visiting her family in San Diego. I have a great Bestie!!

This is the month I shaved the side of my head. It was a freeing and spiritual experience.

Final pose of carnival piece. 

Bestie and I after the show. 

Be

In June I also created a piece called “One Question” with Collective Uth. What an exciting time to see kids with such incredible talent!! :) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlHnI86AHF0

I went to see Burn The Floor with my good friend Pinky. :) Great show, ballroom. 

May 2011

I was so happy to be home, back with friends, people I can talk to, and sunny beaches!!

I went to visit my friends (who are my 2nd family) up in Big Bear Lake. This is their picture over their fireplace, and my favorite one. 

I threw a jam in Phoenix called “Get Up On The Get Down,” geared towards educating the community. A jam = a dance competition. 

I also went to New York City to judge a huge national event called World Of Dance. Incredible line up and such an honor. 

While in New York I got to have breakfast with a special and close friend and teacher of mine, Noel Pilotin. You can see his light shine. 

I also started my House class at Edge Performing Arts center in Hollywood, California and it was a huge success for me! I feel so happy to involving others in a culture so peaceful and dear to me.

I also went to Sedona with one of my best friends Karly Hansen. This was incredible for me, such a spiritual experience, and a great way to send her off as she is moving back home to Chicago. 

PHEW!!!! May was heavy indeed!!! I got a lot done, thank goodness!! :) All felt so great! Thank you!!