... doesn't mean I'm gone!
I'm renting an apartment now - yay! Don't have internet connection yet there, but will be fixing that soon. (Believe me, I'm as impatient as you are about it!)
More to come soon...!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Lots more snow!
This morning here - all snowed in.
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| Hard to believe there's a pool underneath all of that! |
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| At least a foot... |
Winter Wonderland - Empire City style
Enjoy!
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| 9:15 AM - I had just made it in time for classes after a lengthy morning commute and PACKED subways! I hadn't even gone a block out the subway when I was covered in snow. |
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| A few minutes into the storm and quickly accumulating! |
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| That's a very cool Barnes and Noble truck - books photographed on the side bookshelf-style looked very real |
Manhattan:
Manhatten: same intersection...
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| Right side of intersection, June 2010 |
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| Left side of intersection, January 26th, 2011! |
This was my first views of the village when I auditioned a year ago. I was looking forward to being there for its winter glory - and here it is:
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| Summer, June 2010 |
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| January 2011 |
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| Street view from studio 3 |
Snow Day!
Yay!! We finally got it - 12 inches of snow was enough to shut down the Big Apple. Check out snowy New York!
I am of course really enjoying my snow day. I woke up at 5:30 and checked the bus line website where I saw from a time stamp of 10 minutes before that bus services were suspended until further notice. After some digging and cross-checking I found that NYC public schools were closed for today with major delays for all forms of public transportation. (Time to go back to bed!) I slept well and woke up at approximately 7:29 after a pleasant dream where I had literally just said "I think it's a snow day". I checked my school's website where it confirmed no school. Yay! I'm sure all my classmates who were saying yesterday it was going to be a snow day are enjoying relaxation just like me.
We have a ton of snow - probably around a foot. It was coming down like crazy last night, and when I got home around 8:30 the roads in the area were not plowed. I'm guessing I'm one of the few buses to make it back. The snow was soon really coming down again. There were no cars out. I didn't even wait for the signal to cross the street - the lone car that did drive by made no sounds because of the snow on the road. After that, all was quiet, and I thought to myself, "what am I waiting for?" and crossed the street! It was half snowing and icing as I walked home listening to peaceful Russian chant, and there was a surreal beauty with the snow on the trees and all around that was not to be missed. Absolutely stunning heaven-on-earth - pure, holy, safe, peace.
Now the sun is shining and the wind is picking up a bit. At about 9:30 snow-covered cars started to drive by, having finally dug out. Only now are buses beginning to run on limited service. Stay inside, pile up the fire, curl up with a good book or movie and enjoy the day buried in snow - if you're one of the lucky ones who can take a snow day!
I am of course really enjoying my snow day. I woke up at 5:30 and checked the bus line website where I saw from a time stamp of 10 minutes before that bus services were suspended until further notice. After some digging and cross-checking I found that NYC public schools were closed for today with major delays for all forms of public transportation. (Time to go back to bed!) I slept well and woke up at approximately 7:29 after a pleasant dream where I had literally just said "I think it's a snow day". I checked my school's website where it confirmed no school. Yay! I'm sure all my classmates who were saying yesterday it was going to be a snow day are enjoying relaxation just like me.
We have a ton of snow - probably around a foot. It was coming down like crazy last night, and when I got home around 8:30 the roads in the area were not plowed. I'm guessing I'm one of the few buses to make it back. The snow was soon really coming down again. There were no cars out. I didn't even wait for the signal to cross the street - the lone car that did drive by made no sounds because of the snow on the road. After that, all was quiet, and I thought to myself, "what am I waiting for?" and crossed the street! It was half snowing and icing as I walked home listening to peaceful Russian chant, and there was a surreal beauty with the snow on the trees and all around that was not to be missed. Absolutely stunning heaven-on-earth - pure, holy, safe, peace.
Now the sun is shining and the wind is picking up a bit. At about 9:30 snow-covered cars started to drive by, having finally dug out. Only now are buses beginning to run on limited service. Stay inside, pile up the fire, curl up with a good book or movie and enjoy the day buried in snow - if you're one of the lucky ones who can take a snow day!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
DanceQuote 10
"The pointes for girls have to be, I always say, like an elephant's trunk; strong and yet flexible and soft."
-George Balanchine
-George Balanchine
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Perseverance
I had an interesting week. I might say I had a bad week. But that wouldn't be true. There isn't really such a thing as a bad week, though there is a bad day. Not a completely bad day - but nearly rotten to the core!
Frustrating, maybe. Thought-provoking. A day that comes along when you probe deep inside, "why am I doing this?" Every dancer has that day once in a while, but it doesn't make it easy, even if you've felt it before.
It's scary. And it comes along for everybody, absolutely no matter what one's occupation is. It arises with feelings of inadequacy, mediocrity (or fear of it), sensation of neglect...something along those lines. One feels insecure about feeling insecure - about questioning core fundamental beliefs and asking "why". It's scary to all of sudden feel indifferent or bored - like it's all too much. Perhaps it's just too many "bad" events ganging up at once. (Really, though - what's considered bad? More just annoying compared to many problems of the world and the many humans in it.) But it's just one horrible day that passes on, and the next, you're a mile high in the sky. It's strange how it works that way...
I had a very good and productive day on Friday, however, which was a pleasant surprise. On Friday morning I had a beautiful walk to the bus stop after the snow storm earlier that morning. It was snowing at my normal wake-up time and I made it to classes late, unfortunately. But despite my guilt over the matter, I stayed safe and was on the roads when they were much better. (And that's saying a lot for my state!) By the time I was out, the neighborhood looked like a living Kinkade painting, the sun shining, fresh fluffy snow glittering on top of the other two feet that was already there, and a brilliant blue sky that was absolutely stunning. It was a gorgeous sight to see in the crisp cold air - lovely. From there out it was a really good day - classes were great and fun. I've had a nice day today too - good rehearsals this afternoon that worked up a sweat!
Through the good and the bad, it can be hard to stay even, but really, perseverance is the key. Count your blessings!
Frustrating, maybe. Thought-provoking. A day that comes along when you probe deep inside, "why am I doing this?" Every dancer has that day once in a while, but it doesn't make it easy, even if you've felt it before.
It's scary. And it comes along for everybody, absolutely no matter what one's occupation is. It arises with feelings of inadequacy, mediocrity (or fear of it), sensation of neglect...something along those lines. One feels insecure about feeling insecure - about questioning core fundamental beliefs and asking "why". It's scary to all of sudden feel indifferent or bored - like it's all too much. Perhaps it's just too many "bad" events ganging up at once. (Really, though - what's considered bad? More just annoying compared to many problems of the world and the many humans in it.) But it's just one horrible day that passes on, and the next, you're a mile high in the sky. It's strange how it works that way...
I had a very good and productive day on Friday, however, which was a pleasant surprise. On Friday morning I had a beautiful walk to the bus stop after the snow storm earlier that morning. It was snowing at my normal wake-up time and I made it to classes late, unfortunately. But despite my guilt over the matter, I stayed safe and was on the roads when they were much better. (And that's saying a lot for my state!) By the time I was out, the neighborhood looked like a living Kinkade painting, the sun shining, fresh fluffy snow glittering on top of the other two feet that was already there, and a brilliant blue sky that was absolutely stunning. It was a gorgeous sight to see in the crisp cold air - lovely. From there out it was a really good day - classes were great and fun. I've had a nice day today too - good rehearsals this afternoon that worked up a sweat!
Through the good and the bad, it can be hard to stay even, but really, perseverance is the key. Count your blessings!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Don't like Mondays...
("Tell me why
I don’t like Mondays")
Today was a hard day! I'll admit it. After the weekend... I spent Saturday plodding through the day somehow though I felt exhausted!, and Sunday afternoon I took a nap, knowing that I would have to get up super early Monday morning. Luckily I checked train schedules, as the only available trains this morning were 5:18 and 6:51! My only choice therefore, to make it to an 8:30am class was the 5:18. I went to bed early after a bit of Golden Globes (not that great) and got up at 4:10am. Yes, you heard me right. Ha ha. The only bad thing was that I was subconsciously paranoid about missing the alarm or something, so every hour after midnight I woke up like someone had just awakened me to check my clock. I was getting annoyed at my neurotic subconscious, telling myself that "yes, the alarm will get you up!". But I ended up waking at 1, 2, and 3:10, and then for my alarm an hour after that. I'm pretty sure all were exactly the same amount of time apart - straight out of dreams, too. Very strange... Being a light sleeper can indeed be the bane of my existence.
But the train ride was good - very full. And then on the opposite end, New York was absolutely deserted this morning with the holiday! It was unusual to see - almost too quiet.
I'm only starting to feel sleepy now, and the day is hardly over. But enough about that...it just felt generally harder for me to push myself in class, though I was able to, when I was feeling behind and a bit blah. Our whole class, surprisingly, had a universal Monday reaction and we had a very slow morning class working on some core basics and fixing problems and things like that. The teacher we had is amazingly good at recognizing and seeing that and then proceeding to fix it! So it was a slow morning but good, though the afternoon seemed longer. Hopefully I will be able to pull myself out of this "slump" very soon. No fun to feel sluggish.
Well, that's all for now, more to come soon!
I don’t like Mondays")
Today was a hard day! I'll admit it. After the weekend... I spent Saturday plodding through the day somehow though I felt exhausted!, and Sunday afternoon I took a nap, knowing that I would have to get up super early Monday morning. Luckily I checked train schedules, as the only available trains this morning were 5:18 and 6:51! My only choice therefore, to make it to an 8:30am class was the 5:18. I went to bed early after a bit of Golden Globes (not that great) and got up at 4:10am. Yes, you heard me right. Ha ha. The only bad thing was that I was subconsciously paranoid about missing the alarm or something, so every hour after midnight I woke up like someone had just awakened me to check my clock. I was getting annoyed at my neurotic subconscious, telling myself that "yes, the alarm will get you up!". But I ended up waking at 1, 2, and 3:10, and then for my alarm an hour after that. I'm pretty sure all were exactly the same amount of time apart - straight out of dreams, too. Very strange... Being a light sleeper can indeed be the bane of my existence.
But the train ride was good - very full. And then on the opposite end, New York was absolutely deserted this morning with the holiday! It was unusual to see - almost too quiet.
I'm only starting to feel sleepy now, and the day is hardly over. But enough about that...it just felt generally harder for me to push myself in class, though I was able to, when I was feeling behind and a bit blah. Our whole class, surprisingly, had a universal Monday reaction and we had a very slow morning class working on some core basics and fixing problems and things like that. The teacher we had is amazingly good at recognizing and seeing that and then proceeding to fix it! So it was a slow morning but good, though the afternoon seemed longer. Hopefully I will be able to pull myself out of this "slump" very soon. No fun to feel sluggish.
Well, that's all for now, more to come soon!
Like nodding flowers
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| Photograph by James L. Amos, National Geographic |
Ballet Dancers, California
Like nodding flowers, these ballerinas flow together as much for the palette of their costumes as for the choreography of the dance. Photographer James L. Amos has wisely photographed from above, allowing the soft pastels of the tutus to seem suspended against the simple dark background of the floor. —Annie Griffiths
Saturday, January 15, 2011
First week
So, I had a good but exhausting first week back. It was definitely physically challenging to get back into things, and I'm exhausted today after it all! It felt great to be back though, into my regular schedule of things and commuting. It was a very productive week, even with feeling a bit "off" after the break. After a break, you don't feel as strong or maybe coordinated. Things that you had control over before the break might need to be reacquired, though I did feel more loose and flexible this first week back. My calves weren't tight during break as they usually are from all the walking around on hard concrete in the city, and they still feel good now. I just hope it lasts!
The break was good both physically and mentally, but now I feel ready to really dive into things. The first week over with, our directors have promised that everyone is going to pushed harder, faster, better this semester! I was pleased personally with my progress just this week - sometimes it's just little things, but it's exciting to notice progress and push yourself. We have also been working with some new teachers and that has been a lot of fun. So now I have this short weekend to relax a bit before I head back... Today I took classes with the teachers from my studio nearby. We're preparing a performance of Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens, and I am dancing a soloist role, mermaid, from the Aquarium. It's definitely a difficult little piece - with the choreography/mood being a nice challenge for an artist. I'm also understudying for another piece in the show, as well as dancing as the mermaid in minor roles in the opening and finale. It's going to be an entertaining show and is really coming together as of rehearsals this afternoon - with wonderful dancers/artists and great costumes! The date is Sunday, March 6th at 3pm ...stay tuned for more information to come!
I've heard that it may snow but hope that the weather will temporarily hold. The area where I'm staying got quite a lot this past week. It was beautiful to see the snow fall so fast and thick in the dark, well after commuting hours, but it wasn't pleasant in the morning to have to worry about getting out when I had to go to classes. Because NYC didn't get much snow as NJ, public schools were not closed as they were in NJ - for good reason - we got a lot of snow and the roads were terrible! Luckily my chauffeur offered me a ride, for which I was very grateful. I'm sure the train was much better than the buses, which were running, but probably not so well from the NJ end. Lucky too that the car we were driving was excellent in snow and only slipped once when going through a large drift. I wasn't too late and made it only a few minutes after the morning ballet class started. Somehow I was in a good mood and relaxed - and had a really great class! :)
So that pretty much sums up my past few days... I'm really tired right now, and therefore boring... Oh yes, I did have a long train ride last night to get home... some incident on the line affected train schedules and so the train didn't run express. I was on it for 2 hours - and it was quite a full train too. I didn't really mind though - had lots to occupy myself and it really didn't seem that long. People were fairly good-natured about it because seriously, what can you do about it anyway? I did hear one gentleman as he left joke with another passenger: "Is is Saturday evening or Sunday morning?" Another as I prepared to get off at the stop remarked to a fellow passenger how he had ridden a long train before (one that runs on a long line and makes every single stop) and promised himself he'd never do it again. He said he could hardly wait to get off the train. "Yeah," the female passenger agreed, "they stop at every inhouse and outhouse!" Then we got off into the cold - it's been quite chilly here.
Well, that's all for tonight - (you'd be surprised how long a blog post takes to write up)! Stay warm in the frigid January temperatures...
The break was good both physically and mentally, but now I feel ready to really dive into things. The first week over with, our directors have promised that everyone is going to pushed harder, faster, better this semester! I was pleased personally with my progress just this week - sometimes it's just little things, but it's exciting to notice progress and push yourself. We have also been working with some new teachers and that has been a lot of fun. So now I have this short weekend to relax a bit before I head back... Today I took classes with the teachers from my studio nearby. We're preparing a performance of Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens, and I am dancing a soloist role, mermaid, from the Aquarium. It's definitely a difficult little piece - with the choreography/mood being a nice challenge for an artist. I'm also understudying for another piece in the show, as well as dancing as the mermaid in minor roles in the opening and finale. It's going to be an entertaining show and is really coming together as of rehearsals this afternoon - with wonderful dancers/artists and great costumes! The date is Sunday, March 6th at 3pm ...stay tuned for more information to come!
I've heard that it may snow but hope that the weather will temporarily hold. The area where I'm staying got quite a lot this past week. It was beautiful to see the snow fall so fast and thick in the dark, well after commuting hours, but it wasn't pleasant in the morning to have to worry about getting out when I had to go to classes. Because NYC didn't get much snow as NJ, public schools were not closed as they were in NJ - for good reason - we got a lot of snow and the roads were terrible! Luckily my chauffeur offered me a ride, for which I was very grateful. I'm sure the train was much better than the buses, which were running, but probably not so well from the NJ end. Lucky too that the car we were driving was excellent in snow and only slipped once when going through a large drift. I wasn't too late and made it only a few minutes after the morning ballet class started. Somehow I was in a good mood and relaxed - and had a really great class! :)
So that pretty much sums up my past few days... I'm really tired right now, and therefore boring... Oh yes, I did have a long train ride last night to get home... some incident on the line affected train schedules and so the train didn't run express. I was on it for 2 hours - and it was quite a full train too. I didn't really mind though - had lots to occupy myself and it really didn't seem that long. People were fairly good-natured about it because seriously, what can you do about it anyway? I did hear one gentleman as he left joke with another passenger: "Is is Saturday evening or Sunday morning?" Another as I prepared to get off at the stop remarked to a fellow passenger how he had ridden a long train before (one that runs on a long line and makes every single stop) and promised himself he'd never do it again. He said he could hardly wait to get off the train. "Yeah," the female passenger agreed, "they stop at every inhouse and outhouse!" Then we got off into the cold - it's been quite chilly here.
Well, that's all for tonight - (you'd be surprised how long a blog post takes to write up)! Stay warm in the frigid January temperatures...
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
DanceQuote 8
Monday, January 10, 2011
Second Semester!
Well, after a very long first day I am back settling in again. Commutes were good. I feel relaxed and happy. Our first class of the day - a strengthening warm-up class felt sooo good! Even pointe class felt good. I am sore in strange places however - mainly my upper back, some parts of my legs...
It was nice and warm in the studios too because there is now heat, as opposed to the first semester where we froze! Everyone was happy to reunite and see each other after the break with almost everyone going home for Christmas and the holidays and even foreign students going home. Our main teacher was very happy to see us all. It was a good day, though we all felt a little loopy, floppy, weak... what comes after a bit of a break! There are many exciting things ahead for the school and students, so many things to look forward to. For now, I need to make sure I'm ready to go for tomorrow and lazily organize a few things that need to be put away. Till tomorrow...!
It was nice and warm in the studios too because there is now heat, as opposed to the first semester where we froze! Everyone was happy to reunite and see each other after the break with almost everyone going home for Christmas and the holidays and even foreign students going home. Our main teacher was very happy to see us all. It was a good day, though we all felt a little loopy, floppy, weak... what comes after a bit of a break! There are many exciting things ahead for the school and students, so many things to look forward to. For now, I need to make sure I'm ready to go for tomorrow and lazily organize a few things that need to be put away. Till tomorrow...!
DanceQuote7
“First comes the sweat. Then comes the beauty - if you're very lucky and have said your prayers.”
-George Balanchine
Saturday, January 8, 2011
New look again!
Hope you like the new winter-y look on the blog! Fun to play around - and I'm easily inspired, having just gotten snow that transformed my surroundings into a winter wonderland. There hasn't been any wind and so the snow has stayed on everything - making the trees, esp. evergreens look perfect! It's a lovely send-off after a well-needed Christmas break/vacation.
Tonight I've been putting the finishing touches on my packing efforts. My regular schedule resumes on Monday morning (8:30AM!) I'm pretty sure I have everything ready to go. If I don't have it now, it must not be very important then, right?!
I've had a nice Christmas vacation. Hard to believe it's already over. Feels Christmassy with this snow - not like the green Christmas we had! Current temps in the big apple: 28°F; "Feels Like": 18°. Winds at 17 miles an hour with 70% chance of snow and snow showers expected. They're looking at a whopping 14 degree low tonight! Goodness, can't wait to go back.
No, in all seriousness, I am very excited to go back. The only thing I'd rather not do is have to deal with is the whipping winds and commute. I don't mind the bus or the subway, but I do mind it going home - tired, sore, and fighting imminent sleep. Hopefully my current fairly rested state will carry over a few weeks! :)
Well, off now to make sure I have everything in order... more to come tomorrow!
Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year - 2011!
Tonight I've been putting the finishing touches on my packing efforts. My regular schedule resumes on Monday morning (8:30AM!) I'm pretty sure I have everything ready to go. If I don't have it now, it must not be very important then, right?!
I've had a nice Christmas vacation. Hard to believe it's already over. Feels Christmassy with this snow - not like the green Christmas we had! Current temps in the big apple: 28°F; "Feels Like": 18°. Winds at 17 miles an hour with 70% chance of snow and snow showers expected. They're looking at a whopping 14 degree low tonight! Goodness, can't wait to go back.
No, in all seriousness, I am very excited to go back. The only thing I'd rather not do is have to deal with is the whipping winds and commute. I don't mind the bus or the subway, but I do mind it going home - tired, sore, and fighting imminent sleep. Hopefully my current fairly rested state will carry over a few weeks! :)
Well, off now to make sure I have everything in order... more to come tomorrow!
Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year - 2011!
Entrepreneurs Tip Toeing Over Obstacles to Success
"On stages and screens across the country, ballerinas captivate audiences with their dazzling tutus, sky-high jumps, and one the most magical tricks of all, dancing on their toes. But have you ever thought of what those delicate yet rugged slippers, known as pointe shoes, are made from? Entrepreneur Eliza Minden said she was shocked when she found out, so she set out to create a technologically advanced pointe shoe and to convince the dance world that there are some things about ballet that should not remain traditional. "
Read more: http://www.foxsmallbusinesscenter.com/entrepreneurs/2011/01/06/tip-toeing-obstacles-success/#ixzz1ATZGWyeM
Read more: http://www.foxsmallbusinesscenter.com/entrepreneurs/2011/01/06/tip-toeing-obstacles-success/#ixzz1ATZGWyeM
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