and i u n f o l d

I (only just) realized what I’ve gotten myself into with this year’s Da.nce Reflec.tions, which is suicide.

I’m signed up in three items. There’ll be at least one rehearsal per item every week, probably two. Rehearsals will be in school (So! Freakin! FARRRRRR!). There’ll be some rehearsals on weeknights, after work. Which means I’ll probably be home at around midnight.

In the midst of rehearsals, I have work and I still wanna attend dance class. (Although with one rehearsal tentatively scheduled on Thursday, I’ll probably not be able to go for G&R’s classes, booohooooooooo.) And assuming work is gonna build up as I expect it will, I’m gonna be the busiest bee in the hive.

But no, I could probably handle that. The kicker is that I’ll miss 3 weeks of rehearsals because of my NY trip. And when I come back, I’ll have 3 weeks’ worth of choreography and/or blocking for 3 items to learn. O__o OMG. Plus, I’ll probably have to learn them second-hand (which I’m not really a fan of, cos something always seems to get lost in translation.) I knew all this when I planned the holiday but damn, the magnitude of it only hit me now. Prep for the previous Shu.tUp&Dance will seem like a walk in park compared to the crazy time-juggling I’ll have to do this year. 

I’m not even considering the most significant stress-inducing factor: my expectations on myself. I feel like I have something to prove to myself; I don’t even know what but I feel like I have this personal inner-yardstick to meet. Self-inflicted pressure FTW!

Also, my computer is down. BAH!

Thank you SYT.YCD, for introducing me to a(nother) dancer whom I might not have otherwise known.

Friends, please be informed that there’s a new name on my list of dancer!boys. That name is Mark Kane.mura.

Why I love him:
1) Mark beautifully dancing a M.ia routine - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEbzqwQMhEs

2) Mark burning up the dancefloor in an Argentine Tango (YOWZAAAA!) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEzCrIUdlhM

3) Mark kicking ass in LHH (although the HH vibe isn’t very strong in this routine) -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovjAuBuepVA

4) Mark’s YT account, wherein he choreographs some awesome combos (special love for Lon.don Bridge!) - http://www.youtube.com/mkik808

 
The way he moves, the intensity with which he dances, the little nuances he puts in his movements… his dancing is lovely to watch. He’s so magnetic, because he dances with his whole being and he throws himself into the character and the vibe so fully that you believe him. He is a different dancer/person in each of those routines. And then to see him get down in his HH choreography… the guy is massively talented. My favourite dancer this season, fo’sure. I can’t wait for him to do a more hardcore HH piece on the show cos I know he will KILL it.

And the fact that he’s absolutely GORGEOUS? Bonus point! Plus, his Hottness is magnified to the nth degree when he’s dancing. I’m intrigued by the juxtaposition of his cute, quirky offstage personality and his intense, passionate dancer persona. Very very cool.

 
… I still want a dancer!boy of my own.

It’s been about one year since I started taking classes at OScho.ol. I remember my first ever class there was LHH which Gin took and there was less than 10 people in the class, which was intimidating as hell.

One year on, and I do feel like I’ve grown into a better dancer. Still got a long way to go but then the bar is always rising. I’ve developed a better sense of musicality and finding/hearing the beats in songs. Feeling the music more, instead of just doing the steps. Hit a little harder. Lost some of that awkwardness in my movements. Lines cleaner and stronger. Isolations have gotten a little better. A bit more flexible. My own personal style as a dancer has evolved.

Was talking to R.yan after class yesterday and I commented to him that if I hadn’t already known the first part of the routine (cos he continued from his previous class 2 weeks ago), I would’ve felt lost. And he said something that made my life: he said I would’ve gotten it cos I have a strong sense of rhythm and can find the beats easily. Then I laughed and said that after almost a year of his classes, it would be sad if there was no improvement, and he said there was. Waaaah, I tell you… that was really good to hear. (Dancers are such insecure creatures!)

Of course, still got a long way to go. Musicality can still be strengthened. Can be more loose and relaxed when dancing. Hit even harder, gain more control over my limbs (esp arms!). Develop more grounded-ness in my movements. Be quicker on my feet and be more comfortable with transferring weight. Learn how to work with my height and lose all awkwardness. Practice isolations more. Branch out into different styles. Break through my mental block and take jazz technique classes.

And there’s a lot of dance-related things to look forward to. There’s Da.nce Refl.ections this year and I’m signed up for 3 items. Very excited about that, although between work, dance classes and rehearsals, my days will be very full. But whatev cos I’ll be tired but happy. Heh. Dance classes in NY will be a great learning experience. I hope seeing the dance scene there will be a motivational push. October marks the return of Proj.ect El.ement. 

Also, there’s Rhy.thm.Sty.lus. That’s the name of the group of us who have been sessioning. We’ve made some plans to be more serious and focused about our goals with regards to the group, which is quite exciting. Hopefully we’ll all be able to grow together as dancers and as a team. I think the DR concert might be our debut? In personal terms, I’m gonna be listed as a dancer/choreographer… which means I will be making my choreographer debut soon. Aaaaaaah. It’s intimidating cos the rest of them are seasoned choreographers so I’ll be the newbie in the group. I think I can do it; I just need to bite the bullet, kill my insecurities and sit down and seriously develop something. Stylistically, I have an idea of what I wanna go for, what my vibe is. I just have to learn to articulate and express it.

I am a happy happy girl today.

My flight to the Epal Besar has been confirmed! Woot woooot! New-freakin’-York, here I comeeeee (again)! I bit the bullet and booked Chi.na East.ern because of the monetary savings. I’m gonna start praying the flight will be tolerable, haha. Going down on Thursday with Roz to pay for the tickets and then we can decide on hostels and whatnot. Leaving Aug 1st and back home on Aug 19th. Aaaaaaah! I’m so so excited.

Also, this means: OMG I WILL SEE COOKIE LIVE OMGOMGOMGZOMGGGG!!!!! *flails like a flaily thing* Holyyyy craaaaaap. Just the thought of it slays me.

Speaking of Cookie, everyone please say hello to my 32gigs of pure unadulerated awesomeness, Cookie!Pod aka my new i.Pod Touch.

(Cal got back from her Cali trip this weekend so I’m in possession of all my loot, hehe. Thankssss Callllll!)

Hi Cookie!Pod, I loves you.

I spent yesterday loading it up with some music. And converted some videos to put in it too. It IS SO SPIFFY, you guys. I tried the wi-fi today at McD and it worked pretty well. Video quality is pretty good (although videos take up too much space, boohoo). And the touch screen is FUCKIN’ AWESOME. I bought a plastic case for him so that he’ll be safe. *pats Cookie!Pod*

St.eve Jobs, you are an evil genius. *bows in worship* I await the iPho.ne lustage that will surely hit me once September rolls around.

Cookie!Pod is my new best friend, y’alls! And I’m gonna take real good care of him. *caresses Cookie!Pod* (Okay, my dirty filthy mind went someplace, hahahaha.)

In random news, summer tv is great because there are 2 dance shows! Ameri.ca’s Best Dan.ce Crew and SYT.YCD4 are on! Lots and lots of dancing and more reason for me to feel like crap cos I can’t dance, hahahah.

My current fave song (aside from the D.Cook playlist that is still getting major rotation): Maybe She’s Sorry by Br.uce Boni.face. Love the beats.

SUCKTITUDE ALERT!

Yet-unconfirmed NYC trip is scheduled from Aug 1st (departure) and August 19th (arrival back home).  Mainly due to the fact that we can’t get other flight dates, it’s maximization of my leave from work and the ability to squeeze in seeing my DC in DC (because, yes, that is so important).

Because I am so not down with the times (stuck in my DCo.ok bubble yo), I only found out this morning that Jason fuckin’ Mra.z will be at this year’s Sin.gfest. And y’know who told me? Cal, who texted me from SF, saying we are all fired for not telling her M.raz was coming. (Hahahaha.) I DIDN’T KNOW.

So here’s the “best” part: Singfe.st will be on 2nd and 3rd August.

*headdesk*
*headdesk*
*headdesk*

Damn you, Mr.az. DAMNNN YOUUUUU. I’ll be seeing DC.ook but missing the Mr.az. WHY IS THE WORLD SO CRUELLLLLLL?!? (Even though Sin.gfest tickets are damn damn expensive: $200 for Sunday aka Day The Mraz is Playing, and $350 for both days. And I’m only interested in Mra.z, Alici.a Keys and One Re.public, so it’s not really worth it.)

Now, because I’m a greedy fangirl, I’m scrambling to find an alternative available flight date that will let me have Mr.az and C.ook. Which means leaving on 6th and arriving home on the 24th. *crosses fingers* But if we still have to go with the first plan, I’m not too bummed. I mean, I’d still be disappointed because I love Mr.az and he is awesome live… but NYC! And Cookie!

Anyway, the reason for the unconfirmed status of the trip is my hesitation about taking Ch.ina Easter.n. I’ve read some reviews and they’re a mixed bag, which is not surprising. You get what you pay for, right? I think it’s a matter of adjusting expectations (that is, not to expect much at all). I think I just need to bite the bullet before the flight becomes unavailable and then I will kick myself in the ass for procrastinating. Aaaargh.

My head, it hurts.

Went to watch The.Big.Groove (organized by my fave peeps, O.Sch!) and it was FAN-FUCKIN’-TASTIC!

I came in without any expectations and came out wow-ed. Major love for OC.rew as usual; watching them dance (particularly G.in & R.yan) is inspiring and makes me wanna work harder so I can be as awesome as them when I grow up. :P The local crews did their thang. The overseas crews were effin’ AWESOME. Kul.ture.Break from Aus. and W.C.O from Ja.pan. Talented and entertaining and damn damn good. I was at the edge of my seat and riveted to the stage. It was great. 

So now I’ve gotten an extra push to dance harder.  Damn freakin’ inspired and motivated yo. Dancedancedancedanceeeeee.

In other news, I’m most likely heading to New York in August!

Yet-unconfirmed NYC trip: Planning on going with one of my dance friends, Roz.ana, who quite randomly asked if I wanted to go. LOL. Val can’t make it, booohooooohooooo. *sadface* Found a cheap-ass flight on Chi.na Eastern but the ghetto-ness of it all kinda scares me even though there’s a $1,000 saving. Hmm hmm, I’ll have to get my dad’s opinion (pretty certain he’ll be disapproving, haha); the next best choice is a Cat.hay Pacifi.c flight at about 2k and the preferred choice is, of course, S.Q at about 2.6k. Ouchie. But hey, I can’t be an S.Q brat forever, right?

I’ve been looking at dance classes and it seems like Broad.way Dance Center is definitely where’s it at. LUA.M! And other awesome-sounding people whom I’m not (yet) familiar with. Classes at the Ail.ey Extension also sound cool. And hopefully there’ll be some guest faculty streaming in. I’m crossing my fingers that my boy Iv.an will be teaching in NYC somewhere; I loveeeee him and would die to take a class from him.

Since I’ve been to NYC before, I’m looking to do some of the stuff I missed out. See more of the Met, visit The Clo.isters (medieval art ftw!), do the CNN Tour (Andersoooon Coooooper) and go to a show taping. Broad.way (I wanna see The Lion King!). Check out Gos.sip Gi.rl related places (will they be shooting in August?). Shop my little shopaholic ass off.

I’m also hoping to make a side trip to DC. I know my friend Mike is at law school there so if he’s around DC then, it’ll be good to see him again. Last time I was there, I didn’t have time to hit the museums, which I’ll def do this time!

And, okay, major ulterior motive: I want to see my future husband! The AI7 tour hits DC on 14th Aug! Cookie! Live! Singing! Looking gorgeous! Aaaah! They’re also playing in Long Island on 4th & 5th Aug so I’ll go for that if a DC trip doesn’t pan out. Because, yes. I NEEDS TO SEE/HEAR HIMMMM. I’m super duper uber excited about the possibility of seeing him live. How fuckin’ awesome will that be?!? Squeeeeee!  /fangirl

A trip to Nia.gara Falls would be awesome too but I don’t think I could stand that long of a road trip. Egads. But if I can, I might as well do it? I’ve always wanted to see it.

At any rate, we need to book the airtickets very soon and settle on which hostel to stay at. It’ll be fun and I’m getting excited about it (even though it’ll blow out my bank account). I also know I need to get some solo me-time during the trip (cos I’m an intense and high-strung traveller, hahaha) and it’ll be cool to wander around NY by myself, hehe.
 

Anywayz, as my little fangirling gave away, I’m still crazy in love with DCo.ok. I’ve been quiet here cos I’m trying to restrain the DC-Squee, some of which has overflowethed to my LJ. Hahahah. He is just AWESOME and I can’t stop listening to him. And his new photoshoot in Pe.ople mag killed my brain cells with the overwhelming levels of Sexy. HELLOOOOOO, DAVID COOOOOK! Damn boy. I look forward to being an incoherent hot mess when I meet him, cos y’knowthat if I do get my ass to that DC concert, I will do whatever it takes to meet him. LOL.

And speaking of him, I should pimp out the Cookie media library I’m hosting: Wor.d Ner.d Media. It is a wonderful wonderful resource, maintained by fellow sgbsb-er, Pat, who is the queen of all things media. I’m just the provider of webspace and bandwidth, hehe. I highly recommended the I.dol perf videos cos they are super HQ and GORGEOUS to watch. Nothing compares to Cookie in HQ, my friends.