2010 in a Flash

Wow time sure does come and go quickly. I mean, first its been about a month since I have updated my blog (so sorry!) but looking at the larger picture, its been a year since I have started this blog, and a lot has happened this year. Therefore, it is that time again to reflect on my year. 2010 was a good year for me and it is going to be hard to just pick a few good highlights, so bare with me. Like last year, I can't really par down to top 10 moments, but I think I have a good top 15! These are in no particular order, Just as I think of them.

1. Paul: Now I have been talking about Paul on my blog since he entered into my life 9 months ago, but he has defiantly been a huge highlight to my life this year. I have always taken pride of my independence and also had a fear of commitment, but Paul has really changed that. He has been a great companion, better than I ever imagined. Meeting Paul at Starbucks is kinda of a dream come true. Sounds cheesy and lame, but since I have been drinking coffee, I always fantasized that I would meet my dream guy in a coffee shop. Paul is a great opposite to me, really, he is just that, my opposite. The two of us are proof that opposites really do attract and I am so grateful that I met him. He cooks for me, I clean, we really don't like the same kind of movies but tolerate them, we have a few TV shows in common, I am over organized and he tends to be (in my book) under organized, I plan, he doesn't, I stress, he is calm... I could go on and on, but all that matters is that we really do make each other happy, opposite and all! We brought in 2011 together and I can't wait to see how we grow and learn from each other in the year(s) to come.

May 2010

August 2010

December 2010

2. Dancers' Group promotion: In January 2010 I recieved a great promotion at Dancers' Group. They doubled my hours and that allowed me to quite my other part time job and fully focus on my work at Dancers' Group. Spending all 5 days of my week at Dancers' Group has been an amazing change on my daily life; less stress, growth in my knowledge, stronger friendships with my co-workers, and the excitement that I will be receiving another promotion in 2011. Dancers' Group is an ideal job for me and I am so privileged to be working with such an honorable non-profit organization.

My Office

My Desk

The Dancers' Group Christmas Family Picture (DG Staff)

3. Moved into new SF apartment: In May I found a great room in a 3 bedroom apartment in the heart of San Francisco. I live off the major street (Market) right on the edge of Castro (Harvey Milk). I LOVE it. My room actually use to be the dinning room, but I have a closet, two big windows and plenty of space for Gerti and me. I live with 2 men, Steve and Frank who are really great roommates and Millie the dog. Life here is simple and easy. No fights, no conflicts, just 2 men and a lady! Rent is high but location is great and we are a great apartment family!

Our house (2nd floor)

My room, I know I should have something hanging above my bed, but I am too afraid of earthquakes to put something above my head, so I deal with a bare wall!

My room

My room (Christmas)

4. First professional tour to Chicago: In May I went on my first out of state tour with a professional dance company. It was an experience to say the least, but I am so grateful for it. While I was still recovering from broken ribs it was a crazy journey to get back to performing, but the best part of the tour was that I was performing in Chicago. I was able to fly out and spend a week with my family and friends and perform in a city I know so well.

After opening night show with my Chicago Besties!!

DHPCo (the company I toured with)

5. NYC in March: It is becoming a wonderful tradition that I visit my big brother in NYC each year and this year was a great visit as I was able to see him perform an amazing concert! I met my mom and dad there which was so nice to have the whole family together. My brothers concert was unbelievable and they were even asked to tour to Italy after an amazing review in the NYTimes! We also got to see Next To Normal, Come Fly Away and Mamma Mia (which I didn't like at all!). My mom and I are hoping to keep this tradition going in the coming years, well as long as Sean is living there I suppose!

Sean and me in front of an off Broadway theater he plays at each week

Mom and I went on the Sex and the City tour, so much fun!! This is in front of one of our stops!

The stage of Sean's concert

6. Mom came to SF in August: Another tradition that is starting is mom coming to visit me in August. This was the 2nd year that she came and I am so lucky that she makes the trip. Having her see my daily life means the world to me, and having her in SF forces me to take a break from working! We went to Sonoma this year for wine tasting instead of Napa and it was beautiful. My Godmother also came and they stayed in a lovely bed and breakfast down the street from me as my apartment doesn't house many more people. Mom also was able to meet Paul for the first time which really was special. I couldn't imagine her not knowing him at all, even if it was only for a few days, them knowing each other means the world to me. Mom also was able to see me perform a new solo at The Garage and meet Paul's mom and sister too. It was another great visit and really means so much to me to have her come visit. Now maybe we can get Brad here in 2011!

At a winery in Sonoma

Me at a winery, looks like I might have had too much wine ;)

We took Paul out to dinner and to see Beach Blanket Babalone (the longest running show in SF)

7. Friends Reunite: This Christmas while I was in Chicago I had 2 very special guests.They day after I arrived my long time friend Sarah came to spend the night and the next afternoon with me. A week later A, my longest friend (I've known her since I was 2) came for a day/night. Seeing both of these girls was amazing as I hadn't seen them since the day I moved to California, 2 years ago! They both have changed/grown so much. Sarah is married to her long time boyfriend, A is working an amazing job at John Deere and still dancing as well. They both make me so happy and seeing them reminds me of how much I miss them. They both share such a passion for life and love and I am so grateful to have them even in my life. While I don't get to talk to them weekly or even monthly, I know they both support me and love me and I couldn't ask for better friends. Now, lets hope we don't have to go another 2 years before seeing each other again!

Sarah and me

Sarah and me

A and me

A enjoying our feast of a breakfast!

8. Home for Christmas: Being home for 2 weeks for Christmas was amazing. So many people work jobs that allow them MAYBE a week off. I couldn't feel more lucky to be able to fly to Chicago, with Gerti, and spend 2 amazing weeks without working. Seriously, no work! I was able to see snow, spend time with my parents, brother, grandparents and friends. It was a great two weeks of not doing much and loving every minute. I got an iPad and wii for Christmas and my mom also made everyone a book of our trip to Europe which is amazing. Being with my grandparents is so very special and while I wish I could see them more, I was so thankful for the time I had with them. My family is the greatest so I am so lucky to have shared the holiday with them.

Sean, mom and me

Gerti and Grandma become friends quickly!

Mom's amazing homemade cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning

SNOW!!! Call me crazy, but I have missed it!

Gerti's favorite hiding place, under the tree with the presents

9. Thanksgiving with Paul's Family: This year was the first every Thanksgiving I spent without my family, and that wasn't easy. I was so lucky though to have been invited into Paul's family with open arms. I had two days of family and food with Paul's dad's side and mom's side and it was great. I met even more of Paul's family and really felt so loved by everyone. On Thanksgiving we hung out in Redwood city at his Dad's house baking, watching the dog show and hanging out with his sister before we went to his Dad's mom's house for a big feast. His aunts and cousins were there as well and it was the first time meeting everyone from the Salguero side. The next day we heading to his mom's parents house in Fremont with his aunts, uncles and cousins on the Nodal side and had another great day. The Nodal family is full of such spirit. They laugh, sing, dance, and really know how to eat (Cubans ya know!) :) I spent a majority of the evening sitting at the kitchen table with Erica (Paul's AMAZING sister who I adore), Eveyln (his fabulous mom who is such a light to a room) and his aunts (who really crack me up!) talking and sharing stores while Paul and his cousin played video games in the back. I didn't take any pictures either day, I should have, but it really was a great holiday. I missed my family in Chicago, but being so accepted into Paul's family was truly amazing. Another highlight to the day was that Paul and I started it by video chatting with my whole family in Chicago. It was the first time he met my brother, dad and grandparents, he was a trooper that's for sure!

10. Giants won the World Series: Yes, I became a baseball fan. It was because of Paul but I am so glad for it. The SF Giants had a great season and I was able to go to games and watch most of them! I am hooked. I didn't miss a game of the world series and I am already looking forward to next season to start! Go Giants!

At my first Giants game vs the Dodgers!

Giants Vs the Cubies (brr that game was FREEZING!)

Paul didn't shave his beard throughout the whole World Series in honor of our closing pitcher, Brian Wilson, "Fear the Beard." This picture is after we won, I was so ready for him to shave his beard!

As soon as they won, this is what the streets looked like!

11. Performed a brand new solo, "Love Thee...Not" I did a new solo in August that I really am happy with. I was also asked to possibly tour this solo in the Spring so I am really excited to continue it. I really am looking forward to the growth of my own solo and duet work for the upcoming year.


12. JoHo came to SF: Joho is one of my dearest and bestest friends and having her come visit me this fall was so wonderful. We make each other laugh over nothing and I always have a great time with her. We cook, we shop, we dance, we laugh, we are two peas in a pod. I see her almost monthly when I go to LA for rehearsals (I stay with her and her husband), but having her come up to see me when I was free and wasn't worn out from rehearsals was so nice. She is one of my best friends and I love her so much!

At the Farmers Market

Sharing a cafe Latte

It's now a tradition for us to go to La Boulange when she comes to visit, so good!

13. Love Everywhere: In Februrary, I took part in a wonderful piece called "Love Everywhere." This was co presented by Dancers' Group and Erika Chong Shuch Performance Project at SF City Hall on Valentines Day Weekend in honor of the anniversary for same sex marriages. The piece had a cast of 65 people (or so) and an orchestra with original music. I had a very small role in the piece, but it was a magical experience and an honor to be apart of. It also introduced me to a new choreographer who I am hoping to work with someday.

Rehearsal in city hall

Jesse and Alex

In rehearsal

14. Holly Johnson/ Ledges and Bones: 2010 was my first full year working with LAB and while I got injured right away in the process, I am so lucky to be apart of this company. Located half in LA and half in SF, we travel back and forth and train hard. The work is challenging, the company is tight. Holly is an amazing choreographer and her vision is unlike anyone I have ever worked with. This year marked a lot of firsts for me, but Ledges and Bones first tops the cake, I did a nude photoshoot, underwater! It was one of the hardest things I have ever done and so fulfilling. It brought the company together closer than we were to begin with and the images I have seen thus far are beautiful. I never have had the confidence, nor interest, in dancing nude, but the photoshoot was one experience I will never forget and I am so thankful I was apart of. It was truly magical.

Pushing hour 10, the company on break!

On location, this is the pool area where we spent over 10 hours.

15. Training: 2010 marked a big year of training for me. Once I could start dancing again after my broken ribs, I became very passionate about yoga, pilates and GST. Dancing is still my passion, but yoga as become a high interest and love. Pilates has brought me close to one of my best friends in SF as she teaches me, and has really brought me so much strenth and structure. GST is the hardest training I have ever done in my whole life, but has lengthened me and made me stronger than I ever thought possible.

Along with physical training. I have started to learn how to play pool, which Paul is a master at. I am not practicing daily, but I do really love it and its training non the less! I have beat Paul a few times now (I think he lets me win) but I am excited to continue learning and growing in all I train in!

Paulie doing what he does best: kicking butt!

There you have it, 2010. It's been a really successful, fulfilling and passionate year for me. A lot of firsts for me, a ton of learning and growing into who I am and so much love. I can't wait to see what 2011 will bring! So here is to 2010 and looking onward to 2011, Cheers!