Day 06 - A picture of a place you've been to

I feel so lucky that I have been able to go so many places in my 25 years. I have been to Europe, to the East Coast, to the South, I live in the West Coast, life is good. (of course there are always more and more places I would love to go). But, something that i feel really happy about is that I have been able to travel with my brother/ to see my brother and that has been something I couldn't be happier about. Here are just some of my favorite photos with him on our journeys (not even near as many as I would like to put but you'll get the idea!) These are in no particular order, just the order they downloaded in!

NYC 2010 Central Park

Durango, CO at Sean's Graduation (this trip will go in the history books for us, it involved early morning flight after no sleep, walking into graduation the moment he went to sit down, the start of an epic road trip, the end of an epic road trip due to a broken down car, a crazy plane ride and more)

We were on the Princess Cruise Ship, night one of our cruise, and lost!- 2008

NYC at the Symphony? 2010?

In London 2008 this picture makes me laugh cause it looks like his Starbucks straw is up his nose! haha! ALSO, this marks the start of his Starbucks addictions!

On the airplane back to the USA 2008

Imitating a sign in Paris- 2008

Cadiz, Spain- 2008

Morocco, Africa...not our favorite- 2008

Gibraltar- 2008- another funny sign!

Barcelona, Spain...not sure what the face was for, but pretty much defines how we act!

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory.

I have too many favorite memories. And not near enough pictures on my computer from them all (lucky kids these days have everything electronically!) So I picked since graduation from College (and even this doesn't do everything justice!)

Europe 2008- this was the summer before I graduated but was my graduation/Christmas gift and one of the best experiences of my life. I can't wait to go back. Europe (especially Italy) was a dream come true.

Disney Land in 2009- My co-wos and I went to LA to go to Disney Land for a long weekend in August of 2009. It was so much fun. We had free passes for 2 days for both parks and we had a blast. We stayed with Mo's mom and just spent all day long in the parks! To this day we still joke about things that happened on that long weekend vacation.

Aug 2009 I adopted Gerti and she is the love of my life [along with Paul :)]. Gerti couldn't have come at a better time and I will never forget the moment I saw her!
This is the first picture (self taken) of Paul and me. Not only is that part of the good memory but the story behind it makes it even better. Long story short, I just came from a pilates and yoga class and Paul was cleaning up a big spilled paint mess that had happened the night before. It was that moment that I knew our life would never be dull.

January 2010- Celebrating my 25th birthday with the 2 women I look up to the most: Mom and Grandma. Spending 5 days in the Midwest with Paul was amazing, celebrating my birthday with my Grandma (who shares the same bday as me) was long over due. I was thrilled to have my family meet Paul, have Paul see where I am from and to catch up to long time friends.

Day 04 - A picture of your night.

Okay I am back... I am not sure what in the world I was thinking starting a 30 day challenge when I was going into tour. Crazy.

Now there is a lot going on, so wish me luck to keep this up! As always, I can't wait for April to come and GO, it's never my month and already feeling the burden of it, oye.

But, now to it, a picture of my night (last night). I finally did it, I have been talking about wanting a bike since I moved into San Francisco from East Bay and now that I don't have the burden of my car, it seemed like the next step. I have been looking casually but Friday night Paul gave me the extra push. I went searching online big time and we were going to go out bike shopping on Saturday. Well Friday night I opened up a posting on Craigslist and feel in love. I mean I have been looking for almost a year (on and off) for a bike online, but never have I stopped and drooled like I did over this bike. It was perfect. I emailed the guy and he emailed the next day saying he would be happy to show it to me.

Now I will admit it was slightly more than I wanted to spend but I did some research on this bike, it is an '87 vintage Trek (amazing) and on ebay it was selling for $1500-1900! Believe me I spent FAR LESS than that! The guy who built it actually built Paul's bike too (we had no idea it was the same person until we got there). Paul has had his bike for 2 years and loves it so it was a good sign.

The bike builder custom adjusted it to me so it fits me like a glove. He watched me ride it and then would make adjustments to the sit, the handlebars the distance from the seat to the handle bars etc. The last adjustment was perfect and as soon as I took it for another stroll, I was in heaven.

As I type this now, the bike builder just texted me and told me to let him know if I need anything and he thinks I am going to love this bike (which I do).

Paul and I went for a bike ride last night after I got the bike (until it started raining) and my bike ride to work this morning took about 5 min- amazing!

So here she is, my new pride and joy! (the pictures were taken on my phone at work, so not great, but the bike is a BEAUTIFUL blue color!)

Pause in the challenge

I am on tour this weekend performing at San Jose State University for Holly Johnston/Ledges and Bones. I would love to say I will post pictures while there, but we have 3 shows and lots of rehearsals etc. Therefore I will try my best, but if you don't see a post from me till Sunday night or Monday, that is why!!

Wish me merde!

xo

Day 3: Picture of the cast from my favorite show

Like Sarah, I too have issues picking just one. I have a few that are no longer on the air and a few that I am hooked on. I love some reality shows like Project Runway, Top Chef, Man Vs Food (well any food show). But I have a list that I hate to miss...

First the ones that are no longer on the air, but I still watch all the time...

FRIENDS

Friends is my go to show. When I just want background noise, when I am going to bed, when I need a pick me up, I go to Friends!

SEX AND THE CITY

I didn't really start watching this show till it was off the air...but I LOVE it. Its witty, charming, and always makes me smile (and sometimes cry...yes)

MONK

This is a netflix one, I have watched every episode of every season, I am now going on to round two...might be one of my absolute favorite no longer on the air shows...SO GOOD! (looking for the series DVDs so if anyone sees them for a reasonable price...let me know!)

On the air shows...

MAD MEN

I think it was Paul's mom who got me hooked on this...so good... this show is beautiful, and so smart! I love the historical references and the characters are some of the best!

DEXTER

This is a random love. The first 2 seasons were on Netflix instant watch, so I watched them, and now I am utterly hooked. Might be my favorite right now.

MODERN FAMILY

This show is perfect. You don't have to think when you watch it but they always have something that I can connect to. My favorite characters are the gay couple with the baby...so perfect!

Day 2 (and already behind) A picture of you & the person you have been closest with the longest.

Since Sarah decided to go with the assumption that this isn't including family, so will I too! Yes I am a day behind, oye, I will try to be better about this I promise! Probably shouldn't have started a project when I am crazy busy/ swamped but oh well!

Now this is an older photo of A and me but I LOVE this picture of us, so I used it. I have known A since we started dance classes together when we were 2 years old. I wasn't potty trained and A wasn't speaking yet. We were a match made in heaven! I miss her every day!

Day 1: A picture of yourself with 18 facts

These images are from a previous photoshoot we did for Ledges and Bones in Feb. The photos are proof and are by our photographer Taso (who is AMAZING!)

1. I just finished a weekend of performances with David Herrera Performance Company. (the reason that I wasn't able to start this really until today)
2. I counted on Sat the bruises on my body, I counted 93.
3. I am tired of the rainy days we are having in SF
4. I am performing at San Jose State University next weekend with Ledges and Bones
5. I am trying to grow my hair out, but secretly want to buzz it off again!
6. I had my first El Salvadorian meal last night, it was amazing.
7. I hate daylight savings...a lot
8. I drink at least 4 litters of water a day
9. I have been working at Dancers' Group for over 2 years now...wow
10. I am looking to buy a road bike...soon I hope!
11. At this moment, I am super tired
12. Paul and I think we have been dating a year come May...we think :)
13. I miss my mom, a lot (well my whole family)
14. I am currently cold and wrapped in a pink blanket at work (and yes it is 63 degrees but I am still cold!)
15. I always consider my eyes to be green, but people mistaken them for blue all the time.
16. I really adore coffee beverages...I can't help it.
17. I talk to my Grandma every Tuesday on my way to rehearsal, I look forward to it every week.
18. I'm glad that this is 18 because I have run out of facts...umm... I am all caught up with Modern Family thanks to my dumb insomnia!

A new Challenge

Saw this on facebook, lets see if I can maintain. Life is crazy right now but I would like to find a moment or two a day to do this! Like all challenges, I may change things up a bit here and there, but thats what makes it individual right?

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with eighteen facts.
Day 02 - A picture of you & the person you have been closest with the longest.
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 04 - A picture of your night.
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory.
Day 06 - A picture of a place you've been to.
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate.
Day 12 - A picture of something you love.
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a impact on ur life recently.
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19 - A picture of someone you would trade places with for a day.
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.
Day 21 - A picture of where you were born.
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 - A picture of your day.
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you.
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss.

No Pain No Game

Is that the saying? "No Pain No Game." I guess as a dancer I have always lived by this, I mean come on, a year ago I was still dealing with my 2 broken ribs and 2 fractured ribs, but while working with Holly Johnston/ Ledges and Bones, there is always something in terms of pain, but boy is it worth it!

Recently Holly has really taken me under her wing, and its an honor. I am now her "Administrative Director/ Rehearsal Director/ teaching assistant/Dancer" For a small 6 person company, that can feel like a lot of hats, but I LOVE them all. I have been spending my weekends training under Holly as a dancer in her company and also as a teaching assistant in commissioned work at San Jose State University. She is preparing me for a future of work with her and I am honored and inspired daily by her.

Holly's new work, WANT takes ten dancers through a shifting visual landscape of expressive physicality interacting on a modular set and animating the space with Projection Mapping Technology. This work captures the active drive of pursuing desire, want and hope against the contrasting images of arrested intentionality and the suffocation of passive inactivity. We hope to learn more about what we want, what prevents us from satisfying these "wants" and how any individual's want impacts the larger culture. Holly feels many individuals are overburden by their desires, rather than satisfied by the pursuit of them. Life is not about denouncing desire; but perhaps it could be about encouraging one to vividly live as an uncensored passionate human being.

There is a preview clip that Holly put together from our last video shoot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBwXA4ydMiU

You can also see other work that the company has done in the past year (when I was injured, wah wah) http://www.youtube.com/user/ledgesandbonesdance#p/u/0/P4Q6_mZO_Ik

This work is powerful beyond words. We have had amazing photo shoots (2) for it so far, but we wont be performing this project until Feb 2012. It seems so far away but this work is going to be so lived in and I can't wait for it. We are using a set and so far we have been working on a homemade kitchen table that Holly's husband built (its beautiful). Anyway, recently, the table has decided to leave some marks on my pale skinned body which aren't too pretty.

Thought I would share a few of the bumps and bruises I have gained over the past few days, There are too many to show really and some are really not in "appropriate places" to put on the internet so I passed. But there is a pretty hand print bruise on my butt...thats a classic! Photos don't seem to really give the bruises justice, but I think you will get the idea.

My Right Knee

Top of my Thigh

Inner thigh (and I kid you not, its even more purple today!)

The right side of my stomach

My right arm

The underside of the right arm

We are performing excerpts from this work in a couple weeks at San Jose State University, and as I prep for it, I have body wounds to show, clearly. I am in love with this company though, so no matter how many bumps and bruises I have I will keep pushing forward! It is a dream come true to be working with such a high velocity athletic dance company!