time to pretend

"time to pretend" mgmt

Here are a few select items from my dance bag:

#1
#2
#3
#4

#1. This foam roller is my savior. We have been together for about 4-5 years now. She has traveled with me to NJ, DC, PA, NYC, and FL. She is quite ancient, and almost too soft so massage me anymore. This roller has saved my hips so many times (I have tendinitis in both my hips). It is amazing for massaging IT bands and apparently it helps people's backs (it actually completely messes up my back, but it may work for you, so please don't be discouraged). I highly suggest every dance to buy one. Check out this website, although research more for better prices!

http://www.nefitco.com/foam_rollers.html?source=%22google%22&gclid=CLOZqafcnKcCFSVa7Aod4nKDbw

Also in this picture is my "Stick". It actually belongs to my physical therapist from last year, but I think I am permanently borrowing it :) Shhhh. This thing is even better than the foam roller! It's shorter and thinner, better for traveling. Only problem I foresee is that my friend got stopped at security in the airport because of it (just plea your ballerina innocence). This is amazing for massaging feet, calves, thighs, IT bands, iliosoas (forgive my spelling), or anything you name it! My "stick" is unique because my PT had it custom-ordered since they only make this particular model for professional football players. The others sold on stock are not as severe and hard-cored. http://www.thestick.com/
#2. These are my handy-dandy peds! Funny story; My best friend and I were shopping (many years ago, I can't even remember when) and decided to do the BOGO sale, so we bought turquoise and green HUE peds. They are (or were I should say) sooo soft. We each traded a sock, so that we would have both colors each (I know she still wears them to this day). I needed a toe pad not as thick as Ouch Pouches, so I decided to cut these socks in half to use as toe pads. They are the best thing because they let me feel the ground when I'm dancing, and I don't get blisters like I do with normal cotton socks. If you're looking for a toe pad more than lambs' wool or paper towels but less than ouch pouches, just cut an old sock in half (look for a thicker sock).
#3. These booties were an amazing find at the Nordstrom Rack this weekend. Got them for only $10!!! They are padded on the bottom and have rubber on the outside sole, so you can wear them outside, inside, and in the studio to warm up!
#4. KD Dance black overalls. Definately not cheap, but worth every penny. I've had these for 5 years now. Yes there are holes, but I have cheaply sewn them together. These are great for warming up and if your teacher permits, the beginning of class or rehearsals. I like wearing them on one shoulder and rolling up one of the legs. This way I can see a little bit of pink under all the black. These come in many different colors. All KD Dance warm-ups are amazing (I own several in different colors from various Christmases).

Love to hear anyone elses' favorites! Keep in touch!

Also, just found out from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre SI last week! I got in! Wooo. I'm looking forward to probably going there again this summer!

OK, I have to go to dance history now. We have a test on the Classical Era (Petitpa, Legnani, Tchaikovsky, Ceccheti, etc etc...)

seinfeld

watching seinfeld episode: Maestro




Just felt like posting some random artwork. I did this before the winter holiday. It's my best friend, and roommate. I admit drawing from photo is cheating, but I really enjoyed taking pictures of her. I think I still need to do some touch-ups on the drawing. It's on a colored canson paper with an ebony pencil and white charcoal. Plain + Simple = Awesome

I also did another photoshoot (I mean taking the photos) of my roommate. Not sure if she would let me post, but will ask. Plan on having another shoot sometime soon of another friend at my school.

We had a three day weekend! Half of the kids went to Universal, and the other half (me) stayed here. Luckily the weather was gorgeous! We went to the pool on Saturday, tanning yesterday outside on campus, and today I went to the beach! Got a little burned, but nothing bad. I don't think my teachers would be too upset since we have several months until the show. (At my school, the teachers go crazy if you get tan lines or sun-burned because it shows up on stage).

Anyways using some aloe vera for now, but it's not that bad even.

don't fear the reaper

"don't fear the reaper" blue oyster cult

Lets see: I made vegan pancakes this morning =P And just made vegan chilli. It is soooo good, and the hallways smell soooo amazing. I want a chilli perfume. Just kidding.






Vegan Chilli Recipe:
- diced tomatoes
- black beans
- optional chick peas
- half onion
- clove of garlic
- pinch of cayenne
- tsps of cumin, paprika
- papper
- optional: tiny bit of vegetable stock
- TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein).

The TVP takes the place of beef. It looks and tastes just like the real thing! It's soo good, and it's pure protein, no fat.

something

"something" beatles cover by across the universe soundtrack =D

Who am I really inspired by right now? Honestly I love my ballet teacher. She is just so incredible, it's hard to describe. She has invested her life in ballet so much that I don't think I have ever met anyone else so dedicated to her passion of ballet. The thing I love most about her is her utilization of her back in coordination with her movements. I have learned the correct placement of my spine with her, and it literally affects every single exercise, movement, variation, etc.

At the moment, I am in love with Alina Cojocaru, principal with the Royal Ballet. I saw her live in Sleeping Beauty with ABT last spring, and it was incredible (look at past blog to read about it!), and I have seen her in videos doing Giselle (her best role by far), Nutcracker, and Don Q.



Favorite Ballerinas of all Time: (definately not ranked)
Maya Plisetskaya, Natalia Makarova, Alina Cojocaru, Alessandra Ferri Carla Fracci Gelsey Kirkland Evgenia Obratsova, Natlia Osipova, Polina Semionova, Svetlana Zakharova, Alytnai Asylmuratova

non, je ne regrette rien

"Non, Je ne regrette Rien" Edith Piaf. came up on shuffle (as usual), and made me think I was in a dream (anyone else see Inception?)

OH MY GOSH I HAVE BEEN INVITED TO THE JOFFREY BALLET AS A TRAINEE NEXT YEAR!!!!! I just got the email like five minutes ago! I am very excited -- I don't know if I want to go, but it it definitely a HUGE possibility.

My sister and I have begun writing to eachother. Hopefully it will become a routine rather than a drag to write and buy stamps.... etc.

This is a letter my sister sent me!! <3 onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU6NvcfrNpOm01hOhXUiw4wp3pevrxpgZCpG54pMqv3uRlUgirUeLpajeYUb1FvX_YaUPIU8Es9WooMJvhKS3keeDD_vp0317oEGEl8SQXu_-h42NekMHRhE0aLLfVCX223P1fsFVkU8/s1600/CIMG4021.JPG"> This is my letter I'm sending my sister in return
It is a collage with the three-page letter stapled on top =]

Unfortunately as for my Gamzatti video, I am relying on someone else's camera, and she doesn't know how to use it yet, so we're having technical difficulties. For the time being, here are some stupid studio photos I took myself. As you can tell, I have bad whispies and bun-making skills.



Ta-ta for now, I have to get ready for Dance History class!!

yellow

"yellow" coldplay. classic song

I will have a post tomorrow with pictures and hopefully a video from my rehearsals this past weekend for Gamzatti! I promise pictures, and hopefully the video.

The other day I made a smoothie (or rather I've been having one everyday!!)


My Smoothie Recipe: Minute Maid Frozen Raspberry-Lemonade concentrate (1/3c), half banana, 4 strawberries, frozen berries (melt a little before blending), pineapple juice or pineapples (1/3c), soy milk (1/3c), whey protein.

It is delicious and soooo refreshing! Would be great on a nice warm summer day (which despite my being in Florida, it isn't warm). I highly recommend buying the "Magic Bullet". I have to thank my roommate for letting me use it almost everyday. It is awesome, very safe and easy to use and clean. It even comes with cups with handles to drink out of! I have only used it for smoothies, so I don't know how it works on veggies etc.

Oh yeah, I am on a fat diet now. Meaning I want to lose a few before the competition and my Pittsburgh audition. Right now I have gained some from xmas break. I would like to lose atleast 3, but 5 would be great. What I had today:
Breakfast: mini clif bar, half apple (it tasted horrible)
Lunch: salad with dressing, olives, and beets, and mini clif bar
Snack: Nutrigrain bar
Dinner: I plan on cooking some pasta or I will see what the catering has to offer. (Our school has a catering service instead of on-sight cooking which I would prefer). The catering is part of the reason why it is so hard to maintain or lose weight. Being a vegan/vegetarian, it is even harder because the only thing I can eat is bread.

Anyone have any suggestions to help lose weight within 2-3 weeks? Despite the rumors/facts whatever, I am thinking about skipping breakfast because it only makes me hungrier and adds so many calories. For lunch, the clif bar is perfect or else anything heavier hurts in ballet class. My problem is I snack/binge like crazy before/after dinner.

subterranean homesick blues

"subterranean homesick blues" bob dylan

here are some pics from a random photoshoot last week. I'm going to apply to American Apparel. Still need to have another outfit though.









Which ones should I use? I know that I need another outfit or two. Something more girly and American. not so dark. AA is all about layering and crazy colors (which I love), but it just wasn't evident in this shoot. I think I will send in some of my ballet pics so they can see my dancing. I love how AmericanApparel is so interested in their employees' opinions and other artistic talents. It really makes me want to work there ever more!

Will post more fashion pics once they've been taken!