My Baby turns 1!

Daydreaming again, she love staring out the window

So my little girl turned 1 today. I can't believe it! I have had her for 9 months that seems bizarre in itself! I tried to do something for her, but its hard to do something special for a kitty, no wait, a cat (wow I don't think I will be able to switch from saying Kitty to Cat) but what do you do for a kitty that has way to many toys, doesn't like human food and the only treats she likes I already feed her everyday. So I gave her some salmon wet food (which I only give her once a week usually) and bought new treats, which she wont eat, wah wahh!

So I guess Gerti is not an animal that is easy to party with... I wish...but I guess holding her and kissing her over and over will do, although I think she is getting annoyed with that as well!

But I just wanted to share with everyone's Gerti's big first birthday... I think I will help celebrate by making myself some salmon for dinner tonight.

My Little love bug and me :)

This one goes out to my mom!

Lunch break in LA

So Last week I received this email while I was at work:

Hi Baby,

Just thought I would write and tell you that your blog is getting a little boring!!! Note to self: People who are uber busy should not start blogs!! ; )

I LOVE YOU!!!!

Mom

I cracked up laughing reading this email and preceded to read it to my co-workers, who then informed me that my mother is hilarious, and also has a point. That day I kept telling myself, “I must write on my blog tonight!” I walked home (yep I walk to work now! Yippie!) thinking about what I would write about had all these great ideas, but of course as soon as I walked in the door I started playing with the cat and dog, made some dinner, did some unpacking and 4 days later, still haven’t written on the blog. Then my mother brought it up on the phone informing me that my blog is STILL boring…well no one wants to be boring (mom!) so here you go, this one goes out to you! Xo

Yes, it has been about 2 months since my last post and those 2 months were full, stressful, fulfilling, frustrating and so much more. I keep telling myself that once the month I am in is over, things will slow down… May was suppose to be the month that things started to slow down, but 10 days in and I haven’t touched the brakes yet, not even tapped. Why am I not surprised?

There seems to have been too much that has gone on for me to really give a full rundown of events, but the big things that have happened:

Performance for HNDC at ODC Theater
Performance for LABDP in Santa Monica at Highways Performance space
Taxes
Apartment Searched
Apartment Searched some more
Packed up my Oakland Apt (I had 4 days from the time I got back from my tour to LA)
MOVED to SF!
Trained/ training in Yoga and Pilates (besides rehearsals, dance classes, performance, and more rehearsals)
May Issue of In Dance (our biggest issue of the year at work…so much work went into that, for those of you who read In Dance, I did all the ads and the Summer Workshop Guide!)
…

Okay, so that list doesn’t seem to be that long or crazy, but being in it felt like a whirlwind. A big change for me in the past 2 months is that I had to put others aside and really focus on me. Don’t get me wrong, I still did for others, but for the first time in a long time my focus was more on me and what I needed. I stopped focusing on others for a little while and let me tell you, focusing on yourself is hard. I became tired of myself and all my stress, I enjoy life a lot more when I can deal with other peoples bull shit vs my own. On the flip side though, the past 2 months have taught me a lot about how to monitor how much energy goes to others and how much goes to me. I think that at age 24 I still struggle with finding me time. I use to love living by myself because that would be my time, my space etc. But since moving to California I have quickly realized the impossible task of living by yourself in this city, its just too gosh darn expensive. So my house is no longer just mine, I have to worry about keeping it clean and presentable for not just me but my roommates, my animal and myself. And, when I lived by myself, I wasn’t working 50 million jobs trying to keep my head above the water, so it was easy to take some time to just relax.

My little day dream believe looking out our 5th story view for a last few moments before we moved

On May 1st, I hired movers who packed up a truck in Oakland, sat in 45 min worth of bridge traffic over the Bay and then unpacked my truck in San Francisco. (These movers were amazing and really relived stress) I moved into a cute little apartment on Henry St in San Francisco in a neighborhood called Dobose Triangle. It is on the edge of the Castro, which is were all my amazing Gay boys are ! You know Harvey Milk and the movie Milk (Gay rights activist in the 70’s and ran for office)? It all took place around my neighborhood, in fact I live just blocks for the Harvey Milk Center!

I moved in with 2 men, Steve and Frank. Steve is a straight man in his 30s who works for a video game company testing and producing video games. He has a dog named Millie, who I love, drives a motorcycle and he is about 80% covered in amazing tattoos, he was on Season 1 episode 5 of LA Inked if you care to see him (he got his old cat, Buddy, tattooed on his leg!) Steve has lived in SF for about 16 years and has lived in our apartment for 12 years. Steve and I get along super well. He has taken me for motercycle rides, out for sushi and tonight i made dinner and we sat in the kitchen eating and talking. I really am enjoying his company and living in such a respectful environment. Frank is the other roommate. He is a Gay man in his early 40’s I’d say and is from Puerto Rico. He works at the Science of Arts Academy as an IT guy in the Lab. He doesn’t really ever leave his room so I really only have sightings of him, but he is very friendly and loves the animals. I really lucked out with good roommates, that s for sure. The funny thing is that their craigslist ad said “someone 26 or older, and no other animals” I decided to write anyway explaining that I surround myself with older people and I have the best kitty in the whole world, so I would love the chance to meet them etc. They wrote back right away saying anyone who is that confident to ignore our request seems like someone we should meet, I meet them and on the spot they asked me to move in! I accepted the next day.

Millie is our dog who loves to cuddle up on my chair. I LOVE this dog!

I have a decent size room (that is still stuffed full) but I love it. I walk to work, I walk to rehearsal, to dance, to the store etc. The worst part of it all is parking my gosh darn car. Because I haven’t spent the hundreds of dollars to get CA license plates, I can’t get resident tags, which means that I can’t park by my house because if I don’t have tags its 2 hour parking zones. Therefore I have to park about a mile away by a park that has not hour limit to park, just Weekly Street cleaning. A mile a way is a piece of cake, no problem, but then you have to ad the fact of SF land into the picture and that’s where it kills me, I have to walk a mile UPHILL to get to my car, not just a little hill but a big hill, so steep that the sidewalks are actually steps because its too much of an angle to get up without the steps! No one can tell me that I don’t exercise after climbing that hill multiple times a week.

See those houses down below, I live down there, I am half way up the hill to my car in the picture... the hill is so steep you can't even see it...I lose breath just thinking about that walk! :)

I’m currently in preparation for a tour to Chicago! My last tour for a few months at least! It will be nice to not have to travel so much, that’s for sure. It has been amazing having shows in multiple cities, but its hard being away from work and lets face it, I hate leaving Gerti behind! David Herrera Performance Company sets off to Chicago on May 23rd (well 3 of us do) with the rest of the company following on the 25th. We will be performing “A slice of Americana” at Links Hall in Chicago May 27-30. It is just an excerpt/ preview of what we will premier in San Francisco Fall 2010. Along with us will be RAW Dance, another SF company performing a duet and 2 solos. I am very excited to be back to my city performing! It’s a nice vaca to see the family, friends and dance!

My ribs are healing for sure. I am training intensely in pilates and yoga along with dancing. I feel like I am coming back stronger and smarter. I will be participating in Ledges and Bones Summer Workshops in LA and SF as well and will really get my butt in shape. Holly, the artistic director seems to be really dedicated in my healing process and getting me back to full performance capability! I feel like 2011 will be my year! I want to be healthy and strong and performing to the best of my capability.

Well, there is more to be said I am sure, but I guess I should save something for all my future blogs :) Don't want to get boring or anything! Thanks Mom for pointing out that I fail at blogs, and thanks for being patient as I get my life back together. For all you Chicagoans, I will see you in 2 weeks! yippie!

Pictures of my apartment coming soon! promise!

xo

What I do for Love

Yes I know, I am the odd ball in my field who can find a musical theatre song to basically go with any mood/ emotion I am in....and so often I find myself repeating "Wont forget, wont REGRET what I did for love"

As my training process becomes more and more intense, I develop more and more evidence that I am back...well trying to be back from my awful injury.

I wish I could say "no one says dance is easy," but ya know I spent a majority of college having people question getting a degree in dance. "so what, all you do is just dance all day?" people would ask. But people don't understand the mind and body focus it takes to do what dancers do. It is not like we just can go work and go home and rest. Since dance doesn't make a lot of money we all have to work many jobs on top of the grueling amount of training. Basically, if you don't love it, then you are stupid for choosing the life of a dancer, because it is far from an easy job.

With that said, I am in the midst of remembering why I love it. Now, I don't love the beat up body, but I love feeling my body. I love the feeling of all the very specific muscles I use, feeling stronger each and every day, and embodying how I feel. With that though, I exit the space all beat up, have a hard time walking stairs, who am I kidding, walking in general and feeling tired. But what can I say, I can't imagine life any other way.

Over the weekend I pushed hard to continue training in LA with Ledges and Bones on top of learning some new material with the company (the woman's trio). Its kind of a test to see where my strength, stamina, power and ability are. Let me tell you though, while I keep getting stronger, I am not where I want to be. So even though I was SO sore and tired, I got up Monday morning (after just getting back the evening before from my long LA weekend) and went to a private pilates class before work, then went to a rehearsal. Now, today I was VERY sore but felt the need to continue the push through so while I couldn't really move at a fast pace, I finished my day with an intense Power Yoga class. Tomorrow though, I am treating myself to a well deserved and massage! I can't wait!

Anyway, this post was really meant to share the bruises I got over the weekend while training and rehearsing. It's hard though b/c pictures don't really give the bruises justice, but totally worth sharing anyway! The worst of this, I was wearing knee pads and still managed to get these!

I took this picture this morning...This happened on Sat and it keeps getting worse!

I am not sure where this trail of bruises came from...but even with a knee pad, I got these!

Same leg on the actually knee!

A shin bruise (I landed on my foot...smart huh?)

Again, pictures don't really do justice, but my feet are all scabbed and bruised too!

Whoever says Dance is easy....doesn't do what I do! :) Not easy, body is a little sensitive, but its totally worth it!

Oreo Cookies: Chocolate or not?

After 12 or 14 years or something like that... (we can say 13- meet in the middle) I still do not eat (or like) chocolate, more specifically coco. Yes, I realize being female this is for sure a strange concept to understand, but being the baby in the office, and one of my many odd traits, this creates many debates and conversations.

Don't get me wrong, I highly enjoy a good debate, and so does Kegan (one of my co-workers) so lets just say its not an uncommon occurrence to have a debate about chocolate, or food on a weekly (if not daily) bases.

Today's debate: Are Oreos Chocolate?

Now I think this is a no brainer, I mean come on, you type in "What are Oreos" in google and the FIRST thing to pop up is: "oreo - chocolate cookie with white cream filling"....thank you google...CHOCOLATE! But while I feel that is case and point, no one else seems to agree with me. SO I further the search, Ingredients in oreos, and it states that both coco and chocolate are in oreos. Again, how much more right could I be?! BUT, while posing the question to facebook, other co-workers, random people that evening outside of the office, yes I took this outside of work because I feel so strongly that I am right, and I would say 8 out of 10 responses when I ask if oreos are chocolate I get, "no they are oreos" so I further asking what they taste like and I get the response "oreos."

I lose at many debates in the office when it comes to food (people in my office are gross, they will eat anything) but I will NOT lose this battle.

Please someone agree with me!!

"They Are Always Present"

A few weeks ago I had a great conversation with my co-worker, Vangie. Vangie is our bookkeeper who comes into Dancers' Group once or twice a week. It is always a joy to have her come in. She is a great listener and has some really great advice for this young-in in the dance field (she is a littler older so has had much more experience in life than me!). While talking about my injury (my broken and fractured ribs) Vangie said something that hasn't left my head. She said....

"Life is full of Opportunities and Limitations...They are always present."

I have been struggling with wanting to dance again and deep down inside knowing that I am not quite ready for it. While not dancing for 4 months I was getting so unhappy. I didn't realize how much dance fuels me, fills me with life and keeps my spirits high. But, it does. I was feeling unhappy, depressed, aggravated over everything and just unmotivated. After 4 months (the doctor told me 3-6 months before I can start moving again) I thought I was ready to be back at it. The truth of the matter is though, that broken ribs take up to a year before they really heal. A whole year...I knew that I could never stop dancing for a whole year so after 4 months, I was ready to move again. (so I thought).

Once I started dancing again, I felt like the sun finally came out and my life was starting to be fulfilling again. I understand that seems over dramatic, but honestly, I wasn't myself for those 4 months and I was so thankful to be back. But, what I wasn't being honest about, was if I was ready to be moving again. Movement was hard, energy was low, stamina...well I didn't have any... basically I was pushing very very hard, and while I was so happy I was very weak.

I kept pushing in rehearsals thinking that I would be fine. But then a few weeks ago the LA company was in town and things started to take perspective. Why was I pushing so hard? Why was I willing to take very dangerous risks? This is when I spoke to Vangie and she let me know that everything going on is my life is an opportunity but my injury is my limitation. She let me know that its not about choices, its just worth recognizing that they are present.

Vangie's words of wisdom added a whole new perspective. This all occurred during my "hell week" so I was even more in-tune with my body and my capabilities. Holly (LA choreographer) taught company class that week and we spent many hours discovering my weaknesses and where I needed to grow. I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it wasn't going to be easy to get there.

While I spent the week prepping my body for upcoming intense training, I had no idea how sever my desire to heal properly was until the closing night of the LA show in SF. Less than an hour before the LA show went on the stage, one of our male dancers did a movement from the show and ended on the ground rolling to the front of the room with tears in his eyes. We don't know exactly what he did, but what we did know was that he was not able to perform. I think I cried not because he couldn't perform but because I realized...that could be me.

Within 12 hours I made a change in my life. I contacted one of my choreographers and I re-evaluated my goals. While I was so happy to be dancing again, I didn't realize how foolish I had been. Rehearsing but not training was not smart and I had to change. I didn't want to be preparing for shows and at last minute not be able to go on because I was pushing too hard.

Therefore, I may not be performing much after March and while that sucks, I am so excited about the strength, knowledge and ability I am going to gain. Another one of my co-workers, Mo, is in the process of getting trained to teach Pilates so we now have weekly pilates dates, I am taking yoga 2-3 times a week, and technique 2-3 times a week (on top of the rehearsals that I am still going to.) After 2 weeks, my jeans are loser, my ribs are tender and muscles are sore, but I feel so rejuvenated and excited. AND, I will have abs!!

I hate not performing, but not performing for 6 months vs not being able to perform in 6 years (or less) hit me. I want to perform for a long long time, therefore now is the time to heal, rebuild and come back better than before.

This injury has really changed my life. I mean, who would have thought that the misery of broken ribs would ever be a positive thing, but at this point, it is. It reminded me that a dancer can't be a dancer if she(he) doesn't train and take care of oneself. While I may be missing out on some really great experiences, I can't wait till Aug (my goal of being back in business!).

The great and very honoring part of this, is that all my choreographers are willing to wait for me. They want me to heal properly and they want to work with me, therefore, this injury is not putting me out of the picture. I couldn't be any luckier to still be present in all the companies, even though I can't perform. I have a place in all the seasons when I am ready and I am so fortunate.

If this would have happened to me 5 years ago, I don't think I would be dancing today. I am so thankful that at age 23 I was able to have this injury, learn and be ready to come back stronger. Watch out rock solid body! :)

So anyone who is feeling like choices are having to be made and you are feeling conflicted. Remember that its not about choices as much as recognizing that:

"Life is full of opportunities and limitations...they are always present."

Therefore, stop thinking that you have to make a choice but rather accept the challenge and make the best of it.

6 Month Anniversary

Well In the midst of my crazy week last week, I forgot to mention a very very very special day...

Gerti and I celebrated our 6 month anniversary of being mama and kitty. No one can say that I am scared of commitment now huh?! :)

While my 6 month anniversary may not be with the man of my dreams, it is with the pet of my dreams and I couldn't be any happier with the spur of the moment rescue of Gertrude McFuzz Colett (aka: Gerti McStinky Butt).

How did Gerti and I meet you ask? So some may know the stories, but others don't. And since I love the story, I'll tell it again. (Please also be kind to any spelling errors as I do have a Gerti laying on me right now sleeping, and she does make it somewhat challenging to type!) Anyway, it was a Beautiful, warm and sunny day in San Francisco, the day of Hit and Run Hula (Dancers' Group's ONSITE) my mom and godmother were in town, and we had a full day planned. We meet up with Hit and Run Hula to start the day and then verged on our own to explore the AMAZING Ferry Building Farmers Market. While wondering around all the arts and crafts, we cam across the SF Animal Shelter who had cages ontop of cages of Kitties. Now of course I had to go over and say "hello" to them. (With no other intention mind you)

They were all so cute!! Probably 9 or 12 cages with multiple cats in them. The top left corner had 2 little tiny gray kitties who were so cute. One of them had their back to us and was a little bigger than her cage mat so of course I tried to get the little tiny kitty's attention and while doing so the kitty who's back was to us quickly jumped up and showed interest. I walked away to say hello to others, and before you knew it you just heard meows coming from the top left cage. I quickly walked back over and this little kitty (the bigger of the two...who had her back to us to start) had her paw on the cage and started purring like crazy. She was my match! The Animal Shelter rep took her out the cage and held her (I wasn't allowed too just in case she ran away) and as soon as I started petting her her purrs got louder and faster. It was crazy. I found my Kitty mate.

Now, I feel in love with this kitty within minutes and yet, I never thought in a million years I would get to take her home. While standing there, staring at her and falling deeper and deeper in love, my mom (being the most amazing mom ever) said "Do you want her? If Krystal (my roommate) is okay with it, then I will get her for you." I was in shock. Who would have thought a. that I would ever want a cat and b. that MY MOM would ever suggest getting me a cat! So I got her information, so I could go to the shelter later that day and pick her up if I wanted her. Her name on the paper: Tudy (the name made complete sense once I brought her home...whew that kitty had BAD gas!) and she was just 3 months and in need of a very loving home.

SO , I texted Krystal saying "I fell in love with a kitty, and my mom said she would get her for me, how do you feel about living with a kitty?" Now, Krystal has a dog that at the time was still in Michigan living with her parents. The dog was going to be in CA in less than a month and I didn't know how the two creatures would do and if Krystal would like having a cat. But to my surprise she said "Sure, Gabby (her dog) loves cats so get her!" OMG! I couldn't believe this. While we were waiting in line to take the SF Cable Car (trolley) to Fishermans Warf we decided that I was going to go get a kitty that day.

mom and I waiting to get on a cabel car...after we decided to go get Gerti!

I couldn't get her out of my head, I couldn't wait to hold her for the first time and play with her for real. So I rushed our afternoon and totally guessed how to drive to the shelter (seriously, never been to the shelter and I drove there with no directions...in SF I never can do that!) It was meant to be.

Once in the shelter I asked to see "Tudy" and gave them her number. They couldn't find her and I was almost heart broken thinking that someone else got this loving kitty. BUT, thankfully they found her. They took me up to her. Since she was in a cage all day for outreach they had her in a little room with her little friend (the smaller one of the two). "Tudy" quickly came running to me and started playing. I wanted to cry I was so happy to have her in my life. Over dramatic, maybe, but seriously nothing compares to finding your pet mate.

We went downstairs, I filled out paper work, and went through the interview. While finalizing everything, they then tell me that she has not been eating, had worms, fleas, stomach issues and just had been really sick. After reading a huge list of all of her issues they say "do you still want her?" I could see the fear of medical bills in my mom's face, but I couldn't let her be sick any longer...she needed to come home with me.

The whole ride home we started thinking of names. To be honest I don't even remember half of them. We were trying to come up with characters I had played in musicals and staying away from names that I could actually name a kid (if I ever chose to have a kid) We got home and we put her in the bathroom, like the shelter told me (keep them in confine spaces until they get comfortable. We then hit up wal-mart to buy everything you need when you have a kitty. I had NOTHING! We got home and I couldn't wait to sit and play with her.

The shelter was wrong with this kitty, keeping her in the bathroom was not needed. She was ready to play, cuddle and love. We got toys out and started playing!

Gerti Exploring her new home

My new Love! (She was so small...not that small anymore!)

Showing off her moves within hours of us bringing her home!

That night I put her back in the bathroom to sleep, by 6 am she was in my bed sleeping on top of me and not wanting to be separated from me.

Since then, we have been inseparable. She greets me everynight when I walk in the door, every morning when my alarm goes off she is right next to my face saying hello (no joke she says hello in meowing!) She cuddles when we go to sleep, she plays, she talks, she loves, and she brightens everyday of my life. I miss her when I don't see her, and I can't get enough cuddle time.



She was with me when I broke my ribs, she gives me strength when I am sick, she never leaves my side. She sits in the bathroom on the toilet when I get ready for work in the morning, she lets me know when she is cranky, and she kisses my nose to tell me that she loves me multiple times a day.

Kisses!

My mom saved my rough fall by getting me a true love. This angel of a cat has really made the past 6 months more wonderful than I could ever imagine. To those of you who don't have a pet, but feel like you need a companion, please go to your local Animal shelter and meet you petmate, they are out there! Soul mate ...I don't know if I believe in that...petmate though I believe in fully!

She loves TV

Our Christmas photo in SF

She is not so tiny anymore!

They day of our 6 month anniversary

*I have so many more pictures...but lets not get too crazy cat lady...Im sure Ill post them all someday! :)

Oh What a Week

Well, clearly last week took over and I didn't have any time to update the blog. I feel that I am long over due and I feel enthused to vent out the wonderful, insane, exhausting and inspiring week I had last week.

I guess going back over a week ago I had my Love Everywhere performance at City Hall. Love really was Everywhere and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Close to 2,000 people came to watch and support marriage equality, it was magical. The next day we spread the Love all over San Francisco in Flash Mobs. Wow is all I can say. 30+ people and Love is all we seemed to need. We walked about 8 blocks to downtown and at every stoplight, we crossed and hugged each other. I can't believe how many people we made smile by simply hugging one another. Once we got to downtown (at the trolley turnaround) we had about 10 couples doing "7 minutes in heaven." You know that game right? Basically couples making out for 7 minutes. Sounds silly but to see a majority of the couples be same sex and openly kissing passionately in front of the whole downtown population was kind of cool. The same time we had this awesome "Love Everywhere" backdrop and we got couples to take pictures in front of the backdrop. We then traveled into Westfield Mall, couples posed on the escalator embracing each other. The next stop was the food court, were everyone flirted with the workers, just to make people feel good :) Then, we all went to the Rotunda by the movie theater and slow danced with each other for about 10 min in silence, it was actually so comforting and beautiful, specially the same sex couples. We had some traveling things, but the highlight had to be Union Square. We went around to couples around Union Square and sang "L.O.V.E." wow, we made people smile. We had couples dancing, singing, kissing and just sharing love. Boy oh boy did we attract audiences, it was awesome. The day of events ended at a local bar where we all got drinks, hung out, and then sang "L.O.V.E" one last time. It got the whole bar singing and begging for more. So good! :) Our Love Everywhere audience statistics are showing that we spread love to over 5,000 people in 3 days! Yay Love (and marriage equality!)

So Moving on from the weekend of Love. Monday was the start of my, what I thought was going to be, "week from Hell." Boy oh Boy was I wrong about the week. I was stressing that it was going to be too much, too intense, and too stressful. To my delight, even though I worked 13-16 hour days, my week was amazing. It was full of such passion that I can't even begin to explain how very very fortunate I am for the life I have chosen.

Monday: Luckily Monday was Presidents day so I didn't have to work in the office (but got paid for 6 hours! Awesome right?) Monday was the day that I can only dream I could have everyday. The LA company was in town for the performances and so Holly taught class at ODC Mon, Wed and Fri. I took class Mon morning and while I was struggling to fully get through (still healing form my injury), I was so excited about really MOVING again, hard core. Then I went to tech rehearsal for HNDC's "Who is Mary Jane." Tech went well, until we got to the last section of the piece when we dance with in dirt for 13 minutes. So if we are keeping track of all my allergies, we can defiantly add dirt to it. Immediately my throat started closing, my eyes were swollen, my noise got stuffed up and a headache hit. Oh and all the skin exposed to the dirt, broke out into burns and welts. I felt like crap, but what do you do? The show must go on...right?! After tech I scooted over to ODC and immersed into Ledges and Bones rehearsal. It was so great to be with the LA (LAB) company. ooohhh so good! About 12 hours of dance in one day! Puts a smile on my face for sure.

Tuesday: I went into work at Dancers' Group for the morning. We finished Love Everywhere, and of course things don't every stop so now we are on to presenting Ben Levy's Visible Intimacy. I left mid day to go to Company Class with LAB, rehearsal and then back to Dancers' Group. THEN at 630 I left Dancers' Group to go back to ODC for LAB Tech rehearsal. At 12:30am we finished tech, and headed home. I got home at 1 am and crashed, fast. Oh and did I mention that this whole time my allergies from the dirt are getting worse and worse? I mean I was dying!

Wednesday: I got up early again, and got to Dancers' Group. I left mid day to go to LAB company class (oh so good yet again), and rehearsal. Then, I scurried to The Garage to prep for HNDC show! eek a Wed night show! I was thinking that few people would come since it was a mid week show. But I was wrong. Oh and I forgot to say, I had a premier of my work in the show. The show was packed. All the seats were taken, the aisles had people sitting in them and we set up rows of pillows on the ground that people sat on as well. I was so excited. The piece was going so well, and then the dirt section came...yes two days later and I am STILL extremely allergic to dirt. My throat started closing and I started swelling up, and couldn't breath. I thought I was going to die. We finished the piece I ran downstairs and luckily my roommate was there to calm me down, clean me off and help me breath. I didn't think I was going to be able to do my piece, but I wanted to so badly, so again, the show must go on. I performed and was just so thankful I did. The audience feedback was just outstanding. I could have never imagined having my piece be so well liked and respected. People were incredibly gracious after the show and I was thrilled.

Thursday: I ended up missing LAB company class and rehearsal due to work. I worked at Dancers' Group all day (which was pretty busy this week) Don't get me wrong, busy is good! I then rushed to the theater, warmed up, and prepped for night two of HNDC. Another sold out crowed and a very different performance experience. I was so sick from the dirt that my choreographer actually ended up performing with us so that she could do the dirt section while I sat out. My solo/duet went well again and was a completely different experience from the night before. All great though. I finished my piece and RAN out of the theater to rush to ODC theater for tech for LAB. Oh what a day that was for LAB. Our lighting designer had an emergency in LA and flew off for the day. His flight was suppose to be back at 8pm and at 10pm he still wasn't back...so his assistant had to light the piece. THEN I found out that one of our guy dancers had a possible fractured finger and could barley do any lifting (umm...this piece is full of INSANE lifts). At midnight, we left everyone feeling exhausted andworried.

Friday: I worked until 230 on Friday and headed to LAB company class and rehearsal. Can I just say, after not dancing for 4 months, to take company class everyday did me wonders. I learned a lot, figured out my MANY weaknesses and really started to come to reality with where I am at, where I want to be, and what I need to do. (more to come later on that). Rehearsal was encouraging and the spirits were up and ready to have a great show for the weekend. We then went to ODC, had dinner and prepped for dress rehearsal. Everyone was so tired that the first run of the piece (the one that of course the theatre director stood in to watch) was less than fabulous. Lights were funky, dancers were slow, bodies were not doing what they were suppose to be doing. They felt frustrated but 10 minutes later they did it all again but this time with such grace and perfection and we all left exhausted but so excited to have an audience experience the work.

Sat and Sun were the shows. Saturday nights so was unbelievable. The audience members were verbally saying "wow" and gasping through out the 30 min piece. we were all thrilled to a T. We opened champagne and celebrated! Talking to audience members after the show (now excuses my language but we are in the dance scene of SF...so this is not unusually language) everyone I spoke to could only a few words which were "fucking unbelievable!" We were a proud company that night. Sunday though, was not on our side. The weather turned nasty and the bodies became achy (as if they weren't already). We had a great 1.5 hour class and decided to do a mark through of the piece doing what needed to be done and marking what didn't . Well we had about 4 min left in the piece and a dancer on the ground who rolled out of the space in tears. Poor Brian, one of our fearless guys, got injured, badly. We got a doctor in, we iced, we heated, we gave him meds, we taped him up, and when we went through the piece to see what we could and couldn’t do, we found that we could not do the piece with him. So 30 min before we were set to perform, we reset the whole 30 min piece with 5 people instead of 6. It was heart breaking in many ways, but these dancers are so amazing and took the stage with grace and ease and performed a beautiful piece...not the same as it is with Brian, but they did a great job.

I am so excited though- while the week was exhausting, long, and full I have never felt so inspired and ready to get back to my old dancing self. With that realization though, this week has really been changing for me. More to come soon. Let just say though, strong body, here I come! Broken ribs you can't control me!

The Lunch Experiment

Many of you probably know 1. I never pack my lunch and 2. never go grocery shopping (because I eat MAYBE 3-4 meals total at home a week...)

Well, since I started my full time job and don't have to travel between a bunch of jobs in one day, I decided it was time to try to be responsible, go grocery shopping and pack my lunch for work everyday.

This proved to be a much harder challenge for me... I did complete the challenge but not sure how much I loved it.

Here proved to be the problems:

1. Buying a big load of groceries cost a lot of money... yes in the long run it probably does save... BUT spending $4-8.00 a day on lunch doesn't seem near as bad as spending $120 at the grocery store at once. (Food is way too much money)

2. I bought a lot of yummy veggies...but veggies don't last so I had to hurry and eat them and still ended up having to throw some stuff away (mushrooms, avocados, baby tomatoes, part of my cucumber, 1/2 and onion) Therefore, does buying groceries really save me if I have to throw things away?

3. You actually have to wake up earlier in the morning in order to make your food for lunch. Being that I am not a morning person and I don't move very quickly in the morning...that is not an easy task so I did a lot of rushing last week in the am!

4. I don't get to leave the office for 15-30 min when I bring my lunch because it is already there...so I either have to eat while I work and take a 30 min break later in the day to escape, OR I sit inside all day...

5. I have to do more dishes- and yes I do have a dishwasher but I don't put 1/2 my stuff in the dishwasher so I still end up hand washing it.

6. I got tired of the meals I was making.

But with all of that said, I actually was proud of myself. My lunches were pretty good and so of course I took pictures 1. to prove that I did it and 2. to show off my mad packed lunch skills :)

MONDAY: Smoked pepper turkey, swiss cheese, sprouts, avocado, cucumber, spinach on my favorite California organic whole grain protein bread.
Tuesday: Spinach Salad with: Mushrooms, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, sprouts, cheese, carrots, corn, Garbanzo beans. (the lady at Starbucks that morning asked if she could have the salad because it looked so good!)
Wednesday: Ham and Swiss with spinach and sprouts
Thursday: I was becoming pretty good at the lunch thing by Thursday! It was the best lunch! Spinach salad with, avocado, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, croutons, cheese and sprouts.


Friday: So Friday I was on the road driving to LA so I made breakfast instead because I never eat breakfast so I figured "why not." I just fried an egg, provolone cheese, and sprouts on an english muffin. It was a good breakfast (that tied me over for awhile) but don't think it influenced me to keep eating breakfast...
While I wish that this is something I could keep up...I don't think I will. Maybe once or twice a week... but there just seems to be so little options of food to make that I can take to work. I have a microwave and fridge at work...but no stove and a little freezer that doesn't freeze well so even frozen lunches are kind of out (not that they are good for you anyway). SO if anyone has suggestions on a good travel to work lunch that doesn't require too much time in the am let me know! :)

LA LA Land

LA LA Land

Well, I just arrived back to The Bay from La La Land (Los Angeles) Once or twice a month I travel down to LA for rehearsals with Ledges and Bones. There are three of us from SF that pack up my car and I drive the 6 hour drive...oh wait...6 hours would be in a perfect world...in the REAL world it can take over 8 hours.

While driving...Right before the Grapevine and the bad storm

Friday morning we got a late start which caused us to not only hit a terrible rain storm at the Grapvine but then we hit rush hour traffic and once we got into the city, our 10 mile drive (we were suppose to make it to rehearsal by 4 (2 hours early) turned into an extra 2 hours so we didn't arrive to rehearsal till 10 till 6. Lets just say I was feeling very cranky. In fact, I believe I had a few choice words towards LA and the drivers there (and the weather!)

Cali Landscape

The major highlights of drive to LA is that I get to see my AMAZING friends Joho and Steve Berger! They are so fantastic and let me crash in their guest room and hang out with them. This weekend we went to a party at one of Steve's colleagues houses. It had a bunch of yummy food, drinks, and lots of film people. The dancers at rehearsal the next day asked if I got discovered...not this time though! :) Seeing JoHo makes me so happy. She tells the best stories, and always makes me smile. I am not a big fan of LA but I am big fans of the Berger's so I can't help but love going to LA in order to see them.

These are pictures from over a year ago of JoHo and Steve and me...but I didn't take any this weekend with them and they tots deserve a picture!! So I figured that the best pictures to post of them is with In-N- Out (the best burger place ever in Cali!)

The thing I hate the most about LA...hmm...where to start....the traffic, the hundreds of interstates (oh wait in LA they call them "Freeways"), its super spread out, the traffic, oh wait...did I mention the traffic?! On any given day a 10 mile drive can take hours. And today, I drove on about 10 interstates. Can we say ridiculous?!

I was driving on the I-10 (interstate) and if you look at the bottom left of my Garmin you'll see that the speed limit was 65 mph and next to that number you will see that I was sitting still at 0 mph! I was sitting still long enough to take my phone out and take this picture...all while sitting still on a major interstate...

Check out all the Green signs for all the options of interstates...while sitting in traffic...I actually was moving a little faster at this point!

In the faint distance you can see the mountain and white on it...it is the Hollywood sign

Me in front of the Hollywood sign (an old picture)

Hollywood...

Luckily today, the weather cleared up and it was warm and sunny. That makes LA nice! The radio on Friday night said, "Unfortunatly, tomorrow's high will ONLY be 65 degrees." No joke, they said ONLY! On Feb. 6 2010 I woke up with the weather on my phone informing me that it was going to be raining off and on (yuck) and that at 8 am it was already 60 degrees!! It made me laugh and think about all the midwest folks are freezing.

More Cali Landscape

Well, after a long weekend of rehearsals and driving, I am happy to be back in the bay with my kitty, even though its not as warm and sunny here.

Feeling Inspired and Ready

This weekend was one of those weekends that made me cry, made me inspired, made me sore, made me cry some more, made me frantic, stressed and inpatient and yet, made me thankful for my life- my career, my friends and the inspiration that is found everywhere.

I had about 20 hours worth of rehearsals this week, a few which overlapped each other and therefore made me have to chose where I should be and what I needed to be doing. I hate that. I hate having to put one rehearsal a step above the next persons as I find all the work I am doing important and inspiring.

The hardest part of the whole process is that I spent a majority of the time in rehearsal for Ledges and Bones Dance Project rehearsals (fri-sun). Not that the rehearsals are hard, but sitting and watching but not performing in the work is hard. I signed on as the administrative director of the company along with company apprentice. Due to injury though- about a month into the work, I was seated in the front watching, not dancing. The work is so inspiring and Holly (the artistic director) creates work that will for sure take the audience breath away. I am deeply honored to be working with her and the company of LA and SF dancers who truly know what it means to make sacrifices. Their bodies are beat up, they travel for little/no money, they poor their heart and soul into this 3o min piece and they dedicate so much time and energy to it. They make me smile, they make me cry, they are some of the most beautiful people I have ever met. They make me want to heal faster, stronger and healthier so I can hopefully soon, one day join them in the amazing spiral of Holly's work. (I am sure I will mention again but it is performing the 20 and 21st of Feb and really is not one to miss if you are in SF!)

The front of the postcard for the Feb show (we are the top image...it's a shared evening performance)

The back of the postcard for the Feb show (we are the top description)

Other inspiration came from my showing of Michelle Fletcher's Here Now Dance Collectives, informal showing of "Grass," tonight. The showing was for all the choreographers and mentor of ODC's Pilot program. We just showed what we had made thus far and received really great feedback. The mentor of the program, Lizz Roman, is an inspiration of herself. She is honest, to the point and yet so insightful. She informed me that she could see me stand in a funky head stand all day (I feel a 45 sec or more in a head stand is enough, but I will not be surprised if next week that head stand turns out to be much longer) The feedback was great as they were receptive and laughed. To perform the work in fornt of a small little audience is helpful as well as it gives us as dancers more inspiration about what we are doing. To know our work is focused, funny in places, rhythmic and physical. I think we all left feeling alive and ready to take the next step in the piece.

This is the poster for HNDC piece in Feb

Last but not least I had one of the 4 long but so fulfilling rehearsals for Erika Chong Shuch's, Love Everywhere. The piece is made up of 50 dancers who will join together Valentines weekend with a 13 piece orchestra and a few lead vocalist (don't get me wrong we are all singing...but there are 2 more trained featured vocalist). Oh did I mention we will be performing at San Francisco's City Hall in honor and celebration of marriage equality. It is an honor, and for sure an inspiration to be moving with 50 people in such a huge space, speaking about something that i feel very strongly about, marriage equality. It breaks my heart that my best friends can't be married because their partner is the same sex as them, therefore I am feeling so blessed to be able to work with the community on a piece that stands up for people I love so much. The piece will take place 15 min (at noon) after a mass of 300 homosexuals come in to City Hall to ask for a marriage license, and get declined. For those of you who don't live in SF, please know that it is a very gay friendly community and yet it has been a debate back and forth for years on whether or not marriage equality should be aloud- it blows my mind that it is even a question, but it is. I am thrilled to be representing a mass of people who love each other and deserve all rights.

This is the company of dancers who are performing in "Love Everywhere" (we are all making hearts with our hands!)

Please visit the website to read more: www.loveeverywhere.org


Needless to say, my steamed broccoli and large glass of warm red wine was a perfect ending to my full and crazy weekend full of definitions on why I am a dancer, and performer and hopefully an addition to the inspiration that these pieces have on me.

Spiraling Through Life

wow- Another year older- 24 years old- wow!

I was recently asked "How old do you feel...and...how old do you wish you were?" I can't believe how hard of a question that is to answer.

For those of you who don't know, I am really the baby in all of my work environments. I am the youngest employee at Dancers' Group, I am the youngest company member in every dance company except for one (there is 1 girl a year younger than me), my friends are in their mid to late 20's and 30's, and while I am only 24, I feel that I have accomplished a substantial amount thus far. (Of course there are many more things I want to accomplish!)

So to answer the question "How old do you feel" is tough. I feel in many aspects I am older than I am. But, on the other hand, I am very aware that I am "the baby" at work, with friends and while dancing. So I said, I guess while my body feels achy (the life of a dancer), I don't stay out too late like I did when I was 20/21 years old, my idea of a fun night is sitting with a glass of wine and a good book or movie (wearing sweats of course) so I really do feel like the age 24 is appropriate for me.

As for "How old do you wish you were?" that is easy. Do I wish I were older? Not really. The only good thing about being 25 is that I can rent a car, but being that I own a car, its not a big deal! Do I want to be younger? No way! Teenage years were enjoyable but never do I need to go back to them! I enjoyed the fun I had in college, the joy I had being with my best friends, the ability to go out at night, use my loan money to live, be at the in between kid and adult state, but I was ready to move on. 24 is a perfect age for me. I am young enough that I have a whole life ahead of me, I can travel, go to grad school, work, dance, live for me. I am paying my bills, making my own decisions, living the life that I chose for me.

I share my birthday with my grandma (hints why my middle name is Colett- her name is Coletta). I don't think I ever really would care for my birthday if it weren't for my Grandma. Sharing my day with her has always made it so much more special. Ever since moving away from home, my birthday has never felt quite the same.

I can so clearly remember my 21st birthday party. A big house party with a ton of people, half of them I didn't know. I don't even think the party started until 11 pm. I spent my 22nd birthday at school- it was the first day back to school after break. Last year (23) I spent my birthday in an empty apartment that didn't have furniture yet, no kitchen equipment to make food with, a small selection of clothes and my roommate as my only friend. We spent the entire day waiting to have a 5 min interview for the new Cheesecake factory only to find out that because I had never served before they could never hire me as a waitress in a new location. (Nice that they told you that before you waited for 5 hours to get an interview) Therefore I was put on a "talent bench." I was suppose to call back in March to start serving. Needless to say, I took it as a sign. I decided right then and there that I had never been a waitress and never would be-- I was meant to work in my field-- dance.

And a year later, on my 24th birthday I got up, showered, ate breakfast (which I never do but my roommate made me pancakes), drove to my full time job, worked all day at a job that focuses 100% on dance, received 2 dozen roses, bought plane tickets to NYC (with my credit card, not my moms), went to rehearsal and then came home to warm up Mexican food I picked up before rehearsal, and poured myself a glass of wine.

Dancers' Group bought me a nice bottle of wine for my birthday. The back of the bottle reads:

"As humanity's oldest symbol the spiral represents eternal change, reminding us that life is not a straight line. It symbolizes new beginnings, renewal and hope for the future. It's the celebration of our quest for growth and love of life."

So for my 24th year- I am going to spiral through, ride the crazy adventures and love life. (Happy Birthday Grandma!)

Who Is Mary Jane?

My "headshot" for Here Now Dance Collective (taken in June of 09)

So I am currently working on my second project with Michelle Fletcher's: Here Now Dance Collective (HNDC) (herenowdancecollective.com). The first draft of "Who is Mary Jane" will premier on Feb 17th and 18th at The Garage.

Can anyone take a guess on what its about? :)

Michelle's work is fascinating to be apart of. We are never told how to think or feel. And when dealing with a subject such as "Mary Jane" (oh for those of you who may not know what Mary Jane is...marijuana...clearly a hot topic, especially in SF) its hard to make everyone feel the same way.

The piece is going to be a huge production when we actually get to premier the whole work in hopefully a year. Right now we are busy trying to raise money to do so. Michelle has great ideas though and a really supportive team. We have a composer who will actually be performing with us and many non-dancers involved in the piece along with 3 very talented dancers and myself. The show will start off with a 5 min video of people answering the question "who is Mary Jane?" go into the list section, which will represent the daily task that we get stuck in everyday, into our "joint circle/ community section" where we each are given a chance to tell our relationship with weed. The solos are so unique, some people sing, some play instruments, some dance to their own voice, some read stories and my favorite is the girl who just stands while a recording of her laughing plays (its great!). And the final section (for this round) is the "Lazy/Dazed" section. This is only the first half of what will most likely be an hour length show!

To see our promo video for this piece Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRIArHgm8LA

I was not there for the filming of the rehearsal and filmed the interviews the following week (minus my own of course) so I am not seen too much, but I edited the video so my hand is inserted still!

Michelle's last work "BURST" was highly successful, sold out and well received by all. You can view that promo video, that I edited as well, and I am in more of at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIp4_uPqmjs

The other great thing is that this same show will also be my San Francisco debut of my own choreography. Michelle asked me to choreograph a shorter piece to perform that night so my current roommate and I will be showing an excerpt of what will be a larger work (premiering in Aug 2010!!) that I have not named yet... that piece is for another blog session.

If you live in SF I hope you can make it to our first draft of "Who is Mary Jane?" HNDC will also be premiering the final section the piece "Grass" in the Spring 2010 ODC Pilot!

Needless to say Michelle is keeping me very busy these days exploring the subject of "Mary Jane!"

New Year, New Goals

So it's almost the end of January and I've decided that maybe it's not too late to start a New Year resolution. I mean why not right? I have multiple friends that stay in touch with friends and family using a blog, so I figured maybe my friends and family would enjoy it too? I'm incredible busy with little time it seems, but at 1 am on a Sunday, sometimes there is nothing better to do than just sit and write. I figured that since I have been in California for a Full year now (can you believe it). Maybe I should just do my top moments of 2009. I would say top 10...but that's just not enough...so here are the top 20 or so (in NO particular order...I tried to think of them in order that they happened...but that even failed so its just 20 tied for 1).

1. I took a 4 day road trip out to San Francisco with 3 of my best friends. I will never take the week I spent with them back. It was rough, long, grouchy, exciting, happy, sad, amazing and the list could go on. We stopped at some interesting places, Krystal's car broke down on day 1 in Iowa, we at crap food, I got a speeding ticket...but the most amazing experience and I am so glad I had my besties with me!

Coley, Krystal, me and Beans in Salt Lake City, UT for lunch

2. While in NV we pulled off the interstate onto dark, barley traveled roads to park our car away from the Interstate lights and were able to see the most breath-taking sky I have ever seen. I have always loved stars but I have never seen so many of them and so bright. I will never forget that sky.

3. Once I got out here I was able to work for my idol, Joe Goode. It was amazing, ask me and I will share the stories!

4. Since arriving in SF I have had the chance to perform at: The Cowell, ODC, The Garage, Dance Mission, CounterPULSE, Arts Center, and in San Jose.

5. I was so very lucky to take a trip to NYC to see my brother in May and stop in Chicago on my way back to SF. It was a break that I very much needed and cherished.

Sean and me in NYC May 2009

6. My amazing friend Beans came to SF to celebrate her 21st birthday! It was a blast! We went out dancing in the Mission, saw The Fray in concert, ate lots of food, laughed a lot, drank some and embraced seeing each other for a week.

Beans, K-Dawg and Me when Beans turned 21!

7. One of my favorite people from Chicago, Jon, has a little sister who lives in Cali and is a dancer as well. She spent the summer up in SF and stayed with Krystal and me for 5 weeks. It was a blast. We had Saturday morning pancakes, farmers market, making dinner, baking, sex and the city watching... it was so enjoyable having her here. I have actually missed her a lot since she left!

Kristie and Me on the way to Gay Pride in SF...don't worry we have clothes on, it was just hot and Gay Pride so we are slightly bare!

8. Steve and JoHo's wedding. 2 Amazing friends got married in Southern California this summer and I was so happy to have been there helping a hand. It was beautiful and I feel so honored that I could be there to share the day with them.

Me, Joho and Steve toward the end of the night!

9. My mom came to visit me. After I lived here for over 6 months my mom was finally able to come out and see where I live. The only thing that felt like it was missing with me out here has been my family. Having her come and see where I live helped it feel a little more like home!

Mom and me in front of the Bay Bridge

10. I work for an amazing organization called Dancers' Group (dancersgroup.org). Not only are my co-workers some of my closest friends in the city, but the job gives me opportunities to work for people like Anna Halprin. Its a truly amazing organization that I believe in fully and feel totally blessed to be apart of it!

Dancers' Group staff: Wayne (my boss), Jorge, Kegan, Mo and me

Anna Halprin

11. I never thought I would say this but Iowa has a better 4th of July than SF. Brian and I spent 4th of July in Downtown SF thinking it would be amazing...and it was far from! Bad enough that yes it made the list of 2009 because it was so lame! We ended up saying forget this and went dancing in a club in the mission!

Brian and I waiting for the fireworks...which were awful!

12. Napa Valley...need I say more? I have made 2 trips out to Napa and it is amazing. EVERYONE should go there at least once, but I beat if you go, you will go again. It is beautiful, the wine is amazing, the people are lovely and if you like wine, its a must! I am already planning my next visit (its less than an hour away so its not hard to get there for me, another big plus!)

Mom and me in Napa

My wonderful friend Al and me in Napa (they let each of us have a bottle... for FREE!)

13. When my mom was visiting she gave me one of the best gifts I could ever imagine... My "Gerti Butt" also know as Gertrude and further more, my Kitty. She is seriously the best creature EVER. She is loving, playful, cuddly and so much more. Her bday is May 11th 2009 so she is not even a year yet, but she is mommy's little angel. She greats me at the door when I walk in, kisses me often to tell me she loves me, tells me how her days was...she is amazing!

Gerti and me the 2nd night I had her...believe me she has grown a lot since!

Gerti and I on Christmas

14. In September I started working for the amazing Holly Johnston and her company, Ledges and Bones Dance Project. I am currently her Administrative Director, rehearsal director and training with the company. She is based out of LA so the company splits time between SF and LA. Needless to say, I have made my share of journeys down to LA in the past 5 months! While I don't love LA I love Holly so bring it on LA!

15. In October I had one of the worst injuries I could ever imagine, I broke 2 ribs and fractured 2 ribs. I was replaced in work and couldn't perform....well i couldn't dance at all. I could barely breath and I ended up seeing 3 doctors to verify it. I was in disbelief. I broke them while in Holly's rehearsal but it was also a 9 hour day of rehearsals for me and I was at the end of the day. They are still healing but I am dancing (trying to at least) as much as I can with out re-breaking them... did you know broken ribs can take up to one year to heal? Not what dancers like to hear!

16. In August (or September...I think August) I went to Disneyland with 2 of my "co-wos" (co-workers) and our friend Jane! It was magical! I have been to Disneyworld before but Disneyland was A-Mazing. We flew down, stayed at Mo's moms house, went to Disneyland for 2 days (had free passes because Kegans friend David worked there). Jane was fighting some hip problems so we got her a wheal chair and were able to get to the front of almost every line because of it! (ethical...kinda...don't judge us!) Kegan was amazing and really made my first time there one I wont forget, I got "my first time" "Im celebrating" "honorary citizen" and "Happy Anniversary" buttons (Kegan and I pretended it was our anniversary and it wasn't until our flight back to SF that someone called it out that he was gay and we were faking it!)

Kegan, Mo, me and Jane

Our "Anniversary" photo

Had to include Splash Mt picture!

17. I worked at a production company called RAPT Productions for almost the whole first year I've been here. I was their office manager. It taught me a lot and I made a lot of great friends. The best part of it though was that I got to play ping pong daily! You would think after a year I would be killer at it...but I'm not. I quit RAPT last week and on my last day, I still lost every game I played. Oh well!

18. I was so lucky to go back to Chicago for Thanksgiving and spend 2.5 weeks there for Christmas! I have a great boss who let me work from Chicago which was amazing. And, I was able to bring Gerti back with me. I could have never been away from her for that long so I was very happy. Being home warmed my heart, refueled my soul and fully energized me. Seeing my best friends who are irreplaceable, kicking ass in wii bowling, cuddling with my mom on the couch while she pet my head, and eating LOTS OF YUMMY FOOD! Being 3,000 miles away from home I can't believe I was so lucky to be able to spend so much time with my AMAZING family.

My amazing fam

19. I finally did it, I chopped my hair all off! It was liberating and felt so good to not have to worry about it any longer. Ladies, ya'all should try it at least once!

My new Hair cut by Mark Duthu

20. I was able to fly over SF on an Ariel tour. Krystal and my friend Joel is a pilot and took us up in a plane for an hour to fly over the Bay Area. It was out of this world Beautiful and made me appreciate even more the amazing land that I call home now.





So, there you have it top 20 things of 2009. I am sure there are plenty more I could have mentioned but as this took me an hour...I think i should probably go to bed since I am now a grown up and have to get to the office in the morning!