Two art projects to work on this weekend. My 3D cardboard project and a landscape impasto painting. Also, I really want to see "Imagination" get finished. But if it doesn't, it doesn't. It's not on the top of my list.
I've gotten some really good opportunities this weekend by staying here! (=
I get to do a little photoshoot with Daniel on Saturday and photograph Josh's chapter meeting on Sunday before the Entropy meeting.
I just need to stay on top of my school work and art projects and I'll be A-OK. My 3D cardboard project doesn't need to be finished but, ultimately, I'm looking to put in like fifteen hours on it this weekend. The painting won't take long because I only need to touch it up and highlight it with 3 or 5 colors.
ALSO. OMG. The main point of my happiness and relief. I am getting back into working out! EC is starting to physically train me. Haha. And we just had a nice ab workout... Crazy. UGH. But he's having me do alternating days of cardio and strength because I just kind of really want to get rid of my tummy. So, I just finished a little homework and we're eating post work out. (: And I bought a swimsuit so we can swim instead of jog. YES. Haha. But we'll still jog.. I'm just glad we can also go to the pool now.
I feel better and more in tune with my life. Not sick. Not stressed out. Super happy.
Peace. Love. Live.
\(^_____^)/
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Late.
I missed my 9AM today because we couldn't find Stevie (our keys). Sad times. We really do need to get our lives together in that aspect. Like, for real. It's so much better to just build up a good work ethic now rather than later. I'm going to need to work hard all my life so why don't I just start now?
I don't know how exactly to get on that road but I think little things will help...like actually doing to-do lists and scheduling my time. Also, not procrastinating and learning to balance work and play will be a key thing in getting my ish together. I like doing things a lot but the only way I'll be able to do them is if I use my time wisely and keep up with all of it.
Here's a list of things to do to have a better work ethic and use my time better:
I don't know how exactly to get on that road but I think little things will help...like actually doing to-do lists and scheduling my time. Also, not procrastinating and learning to balance work and play will be a key thing in getting my ish together. I like doing things a lot but the only way I'll be able to do them is if I use my time wisely and keep up with all of it.
Here's a list of things to do to have a better work ethic and use my time better:
- Have realistic goals.
- Avoid procrastination. Don't think of a task as "schoolwork", think of it as something that will better you as a person.
- Take care of yourself so your self can do more.
- Actually use to-do lists. Don't just make them and forget about them. Have one that you can have open while you do the things on your list as some kind of motivation.
- For big projects, create deadlines, space out the time you spend on it. You'll be more likely to do it if it's planned and ready to be done and if it's not all at one time.
- Schedule time wisely. Make sure that along with the number of hours spent on school and work, there is also time for exercise and hobbies.
- Combine activities. Friends can eat with you, exercise with you, and study with you. Also, when studying with a friend you have a credibility partner where both of you make sure each other's work is getting done. Avoid study with a friend who will only distract you.
That's all I have for now. If I think of more, I'll add on to it later. (=
Peace. Love. Live. <3
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Love yourself.
It's easy to get lost in what you love and forget about taking care of yourself... but your self is what allows you to do what you love in the first place.
This week we need a break and that's exactly what's going to happen. Of course, dance will still be a huge part of my weekend but we just won't be traveling and taking class.
I'm going to really miss it but I think a break is much needed. We've been gone almost every weekend we could be gone and we just need some time to breathe and take everything in.
I've learned reflection and time is essential in being creative and letting the expressive juices flow. (:
Super excited to have some down time and not stress so much.
^-^
Peace. Love. Dance.
This week we need a break and that's exactly what's going to happen. Of course, dance will still be a huge part of my weekend but we just won't be traveling and taking class.
I'm going to really miss it but I think a break is much needed. We've been gone almost every weekend we could be gone and we just need some time to breathe and take everything in.
I've learned reflection and time is essential in being creative and letting the expressive juices flow. (:
Super excited to have some down time and not stress so much.
^-^
Peace. Love. Dance.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Weekend 3: Inspiration.
My jones and boints are really not having it right now. I thought they were okay but I super struggled up two flights of stairs right before my class. Super not having it right now.
Friday was the Entropy workshop but I was only able to make it for the last class because of working at Turchin.
I love working at the Turchin Center. I usually do office work and every Friday I get the chance to work with the kids that take the kids workshop. This is basically what I want to do for the rest of my life: working creatively with kids. Whether it's music or art or movement, I want to work with kids creatively and cultivate the growth of their imaginations. This has only been my second time working with them but it was just as, if not more, amazing. I talked to some of the kids and they not only do art; they also take swimming lessons, play piano, do gymnastics, take dance classes, etc. etc. etc. These kids really make me want to do more and be more.
After the workshop, we held a smaller audition for our piece in the set and then went to eat at Waffle House. I love spending time with my dance family. Especially my Entrofamily. (: As fellow dancers and dreamers, they make me want to work harder. I vibe off of them so hard when they freestyle or perform choreography. The best feeling in the world, for sure.
On Saturday, I worked on a group project before EC and I headed to Dance Marathon. Painful. We spent fifteen hours there. It was from 10 in the morning to 1 the next morning. We didn't have to "dance" the whole time. We took breaks to use the bathroom, watch performances, eat lunch and dinner, etc. However, being on our feet the whole time was not good for our bodies. By about 10 at night, we were struggling. Our legs were pretty blasted. Around 8, we had a mini-Entropy performance/class. We taught the nae nae and performed EC's Collard Greens. However, we made it to the very end not as injured as we could have been. The atmosphere was amazing. I've never felt so much happiness and unity towards one common goal: underprivileged kids and family. They raised over 30K... It was truly a sight to see. Especially compared to the kids I worked with the previous day. Seeing all the things those kids did in comparison to the kids at Dance Marathon was almost depressing. I want to see all kids allowed the same opportunities. That's my ultimate goal. Remembering that the reason my legs were burning as not just because I was standing forever but also because these kids deserve a good life, a life better than the one they were given. It kept me going, didn't let me fail.
The next day, early enough, we drove up to Reston, VA with Katie and Karli. Katie is new to Entropy and Karli was part of Minor last year.
We got there about 5:20 in the afternoon, ready to take class from some of JT's dancers: Lyle, Ivan, and Nick. EC and I were able to take Lyle's class but our bodies were dying at the start of Ivan's class which had a lot of jumping and kicking around... So, we decided to sit out of the last two. So unfortunate because we paid full price for all three classes.
I'm still pretty upset by it.
But I figure, I will be able to take class from the other two some day. I didn't want to wreck my body by taking class... Or else, I wouldn't be able to dance at all. EC and I have already talked about it. It's not just about taking class...we have to respect our bodies in order to keep dancing. I had to respect my body and decide wisely not to injure myself more than I had to.
Either way, when we got back at like 5 this morning, we slept until around 1 in the afternoon. Our bodies definitely need more time but as long as we don't push ourselves and rest enough, we will be fine. I'm really going to try and take it easy. I need to recover so I can dance better.
Also, I've been really looking into starting a workout regimen. My body needs to get stronger and through training, not just through wrecking my body by dancing full out like every day. EC and I are about to hit that gym. I don't really need to get thinner, or lose fat, I just need to gain muscle and through that lose weight and fat. I just want to improve my dancing and why not work on the entity that creates and controls my dancing, my movement. There is so much around me in terms of people and dancers and artists of all kind. To not be inspired would be a crime.
I'm going to keep going. I'm not going to give up.
My inspirations won't allow me.
Friday was the Entropy workshop but I was only able to make it for the last class because of working at Turchin.
I love working at the Turchin Center. I usually do office work and every Friday I get the chance to work with the kids that take the kids workshop. This is basically what I want to do for the rest of my life: working creatively with kids. Whether it's music or art or movement, I want to work with kids creatively and cultivate the growth of their imaginations. This has only been my second time working with them but it was just as, if not more, amazing. I talked to some of the kids and they not only do art; they also take swimming lessons, play piano, do gymnastics, take dance classes, etc. etc. etc. These kids really make me want to do more and be more.
After the workshop, we held a smaller audition for our piece in the set and then went to eat at Waffle House. I love spending time with my dance family. Especially my Entrofamily. (: As fellow dancers and dreamers, they make me want to work harder. I vibe off of them so hard when they freestyle or perform choreography. The best feeling in the world, for sure.
On Saturday, I worked on a group project before EC and I headed to Dance Marathon. Painful. We spent fifteen hours there. It was from 10 in the morning to 1 the next morning. We didn't have to "dance" the whole time. We took breaks to use the bathroom, watch performances, eat lunch and dinner, etc. However, being on our feet the whole time was not good for our bodies. By about 10 at night, we were struggling. Our legs were pretty blasted. Around 8, we had a mini-Entropy performance/class. We taught the nae nae and performed EC's Collard Greens. However, we made it to the very end not as injured as we could have been. The atmosphere was amazing. I've never felt so much happiness and unity towards one common goal: underprivileged kids and family. They raised over 30K... It was truly a sight to see. Especially compared to the kids I worked with the previous day. Seeing all the things those kids did in comparison to the kids at Dance Marathon was almost depressing. I want to see all kids allowed the same opportunities. That's my ultimate goal. Remembering that the reason my legs were burning as not just because I was standing forever but also because these kids deserve a good life, a life better than the one they were given. It kept me going, didn't let me fail.
The next day, early enough, we drove up to Reston, VA with Katie and Karli. Katie is new to Entropy and Karli was part of Minor last year.
We got there about 5:20 in the afternoon, ready to take class from some of JT's dancers: Lyle, Ivan, and Nick. EC and I were able to take Lyle's class but our bodies were dying at the start of Ivan's class which had a lot of jumping and kicking around... So, we decided to sit out of the last two. So unfortunate because we paid full price for all three classes.
I'm still pretty upset by it.
But I figure, I will be able to take class from the other two some day. I didn't want to wreck my body by taking class... Or else, I wouldn't be able to dance at all. EC and I have already talked about it. It's not just about taking class...we have to respect our bodies in order to keep dancing. I had to respect my body and decide wisely not to injure myself more than I had to.
Either way, when we got back at like 5 this morning, we slept until around 1 in the afternoon. Our bodies definitely need more time but as long as we don't push ourselves and rest enough, we will be fine. I'm really going to try and take it easy. I need to recover so I can dance better.
Also, I've been really looking into starting a workout regimen. My body needs to get stronger and through training, not just through wrecking my body by dancing full out like every day. EC and I are about to hit that gym. I don't really need to get thinner, or lose fat, I just need to gain muscle and through that lose weight and fat. I just want to improve my dancing and why not work on the entity that creates and controls my dancing, my movement. There is so much around me in terms of people and dancers and artists of all kind. To not be inspired would be a crime.
I'm going to keep going. I'm not going to give up.
My inspirations won't allow me.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Connor.
Connor,
You donated me fifty.
So, I'm giving you words.
It's not really fair. If you really think about it.
These are just lines on some paper.
They only mean something
because we made them mean something.
To literally every creature in the world
besides us
besides babies
and the illiterate
it means nothing.
Then again, it's the same with money.
But at least money could help
you build a nest.
That's what money should be for.
The reason I asked for money,
the reason I want donations
is to dance
for fifteen
long, excruciating hours
is for some kids.
Kids who ended up in the wrong place,
who have a little less luck than someone else,
a family bad off when they came into it,
a family that got bad as they got old,
a life with ups and downs
and
they
got
downs.
I haven't really stayed in contact
with anyone
after
high school.
You are one of the ones
whose kept
the FB messages coming.
And even if
you might deny this.
I feel like you care.
And even if you don't.
I feel like you do.
And that's all that matters in the grand scheme of things because even if you told me you didn't care, I would feel like you did enough to be able to deny your claim and keep believing in the warmth of your soul.
A soul warm enough to donate money.
To something intangible.
Something they can't really see.
For me.
Thank you.
See you FRIDAY. :D Maybe.
I don't really write poetry. This was hard and it turned out awful.
So.
But see you FRIDAY. ^-^ Maybe...
Oh. Connor is a friend from high school who donated to one of my causes here in college. I haven't seen him since high school so I'm very, very much indebted to his kindness. He's spreading super mega love and he makes me want to work harder. And dance for 15 hours... Haha.
Peace. Love. Dance. <3
You donated me fifty.
So, I'm giving you words.
It's not really fair. If you really think about it.
These are just lines on some paper.
They only mean something
because we made them mean something.
To literally every creature in the world
besides us
besides babies
and the illiterate
it means nothing.
Then again, it's the same with money.
But at least money could help
you build a nest.
That's what money should be for.
The reason I asked for money,
the reason I want donations
is to dance
for fifteen
long, excruciating hours
is for some kids.
Kids who ended up in the wrong place,
who have a little less luck than someone else,
a family bad off when they came into it,
a family that got bad as they got old,
a life with ups and downs
and
they
got
downs.
I haven't really stayed in contact
with anyone
after
high school.
You are one of the ones
whose kept
the FB messages coming.
And even if
you might deny this.
I feel like you care.
And even if you don't.
I feel like you do.
And that's all that matters in the grand scheme of things because even if you told me you didn't care, I would feel like you did enough to be able to deny your claim and keep believing in the warmth of your soul.
A soul warm enough to donate money.
To something intangible.
Something they can't really see.
For me.
Thank you.
See you FRIDAY. :D Maybe.
I don't really write poetry. This was hard and it turned out awful.
So.
But see you FRIDAY. ^-^ Maybe...
Oh. Connor is a friend from high school who donated to one of my causes here in college. I haven't seen him since high school so I'm very, very much indebted to his kindness. He's spreading super mega love and he makes me want to work harder. And dance for 15 hours... Haha.
Peace. Love. Dance. <3
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Weekend 2: Roots.
Friday, we had an amazing rehearsal with three of our friends to work on a video project and then stayed about two hours more to teach one person who could only make it at 9. It was amazing! I love working with like-minded individuals who share in a love of dance.
But yesterday was more than amazing. Entropy hosted our first Hip Hop cultural festival and it was everything and more. I was expecting a total disaster. When EC, Jay, and I got there it was completely empty and it didn't look like the festival was going to happen in the slightest. It was a total snow storm outside and the Student Union sounded completely dead. But we got there, set up chairs, a lot of people from our crew showed up and we got started. I quickly began to host the event. There wasn't much to host but I kept it going by introducing who was going to speak and making sure the next part was on track. I was so inspired by the whole event...by each and every part. From EC dropping hip hop knowledge with the help of Side Kick from Charlotte, Parker sharing his love of graffiti, a breaking class from Side Kick, spoken word from the lovely folks from Lyric, and a "performance" or in other words a mini Entropy showcase, more Lyric, and cypher.
I can't lie; it was so amazing and knowing even more of this culture is all the more inspiring. I still have shivers thinking about yesterday. I was lucky enough to be able to photograph and record the event.
Here is the video I quickly whipped up to recap the whole festival.
I love spending my weekends with this beautiful community.
This weekend, I'll be attending Dance Marathon, hosted by Western Youth Network and then (hopefully) getting a good night's sleep before heading off to Reston, VA for a Twenty-Twenty workshop from Justin Timberlake dancers that Sunday night.
I need to catch up on schoolwork from a week of sickness though...
I'm also doing a lot of research on arts education programs that cater specifically to low-income communities and a bunch of art projects to do...
Also, Entropy is doing a lot of fun things.
We're working on a set for Prelude Carolinas at the moment and it's going to be the best thing in the world. (: Haha. Also, Dance for a Difference planning should be commencing soon.
Peace. Love. Dance.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Weekend 1: For the love of dancing.
Yesterday, I had the extreme honor of teaching a class for Toxic Rhythm Urban Dance Crew. I was still a little sick so it was hard to teach but I still taught. EC assisted me. Despite my sickness, the class went so well. The other classes were amazing. There's so much talent in this community and it always surprises me.
I love taking class because it means training. It means connecting with other dancers. It means expressing myself in a way different from my own and thus widening my own ability to express myself.
Tomorrow we were supposed to have an Entropy workshop but the snow is moving it to next Friday. However, the snow hasn't stopped this Saturday's hip hop festival from happening. Entropy is hosting a festival about the culture of hip hop to bring the same kind of experience we had when we went to Chicago for the mL tour and attended a hip hop festival there. I'll be taking photographs the whole time. I'm super excited to document the whole experience!
Also, EC and I have started planning for ARTspo again. It's all trial and error; this time will be better than the last.
It's nice to just stop and think about all the things happening in our lives and really seeing why I should be grateful.
Right now, it's snowing. School's been closed since yesterday at noon and will reopen again at 11:00 AM tomorrow morning. So, I'll be going to work but the kid's workshop and the Entropy workshop will both be canceled. Unfortunately... But EC and I will probably still be able to go to the studio so I'm excited about that! I'm finally getting better both mentally and physically so I'm, obviously, able to dance better. With a clear mind and a healthy, young body, of course I am.
I love taking class because it means training. It means connecting with other dancers. It means expressing myself in a way different from my own and thus widening my own ability to express myself.
Tomorrow we were supposed to have an Entropy workshop but the snow is moving it to next Friday. However, the snow hasn't stopped this Saturday's hip hop festival from happening. Entropy is hosting a festival about the culture of hip hop to bring the same kind of experience we had when we went to Chicago for the mL tour and attended a hip hop festival there. I'll be taking photographs the whole time. I'm super excited to document the whole experience!
Also, EC and I have started planning for ARTspo again. It's all trial and error; this time will be better than the last.
It's nice to just stop and think about all the things happening in our lives and really seeing why I should be grateful.
Right now, it's snowing. School's been closed since yesterday at noon and will reopen again at 11:00 AM tomorrow morning. So, I'll be going to work but the kid's workshop and the Entropy workshop will both be canceled. Unfortunately... But EC and I will probably still be able to go to the studio so I'm excited about that! I'm finally getting better both mentally and physically so I'm, obviously, able to dance better. With a clear mind and a healthy, young body, of course I am.
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