TIGER

this was a moment when i really hated my blackberry! the camera too so long that instead of capturing the nice pose we made, it caught us saying goodbye and thank you! darn! nonetheless, i have a pic with robin williams!

his autograph on my program

the marquee outside the theater

candid, looking good lookin good

photo of a photo... yes i am super dorky!

last night i went to go see Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo written by Rajiv Joseph and starring Robin Williams.  i went because i love Robin Williams but also because Rajiv is a friend of LR's brother! so he is my friend by association (even though we only met once)!  the play was dark, emotional, and extraordinary.  and how many times in your life can you see Robin Williams in a play? that was really neat.  so, because i am a big dork i wanted to wait and see if i could catch a glimpse of mr. williams coming out of the stage door.  not only did i see him, he signed tons of autographs and took pictures with almost anyone who wanted a photo. i got both! thank you Rajiv for a great night at the theater.

ps i am in a rush and this post looks weird, i will make it better later.

27

so, i just had a birthday. i turned 27 years old.  this is the first year that i actually feel older.  i think part of it has to do with the fact that both of my moms had children at age 27, and my sister in law is due any day now.  i actually feel like i am in my late 20's instead of my 20's.  silly, i know.  but as LR always says, feelings are silly and not based in any kind of truth.  so that is how i feel about 27 so far. 

for being 27 i feel pretty on track.  i have had a great career so far, and i think it is still going places.  i have amazing friends and family.  i live in a super exciting city, the center of the world practically.  (in my opinion)  financially not too stressed out.  could still use a puppy... not quite ready to think about adding a kid in the mix.  not quite ready to move to the suburbs and pretend that i am a quiet girl.  i think i still have a few more years of crazy in me.  maybe 27 will be a great year.  who knows!!

no picture to go with 27... sorry i know a blog is so much better with a photo.

CHICAGO

 a trip home always warms the heart! i went home two weekends in a row to teach movement workshops. the workshops went well, i taught at The Joffery Ballet School and The Academy of Movement and Music.  i had a lot of fun in both places.


i also had a ton of fun eating ice cream at the Oak Park institution for ice cream called Petersen's.  we always went there after dance recitals and ate our faces off! it was so great to return there and have their amazing cinnamon ice cream.

 i spent some time in Evanston as well.  i was lucky enough to have a birthday brunch with both of my brothers.  we visited an amazing place called Dixie Kitchen and ate some great food.  we talked about books, teaching, and getting older.... sigh.

i went downtown with a few friends, we stopped for coffee and took a trip to the park.  we saw the famous bean and the interactive water park.  we trotted over to Buckingham Fountain and i saw the Chicago Theater.  i also visited the former Marshall Fields, now sadly known as Macy's, and i got some Frango mints! the best chocolates to be had!

i got to spend some quality time with my mom... not enough though! i also got to see my childhood friend get married, she looked so amazing and her wedding was beautiful.  i spent time with my sister in law, rubbing her feet and helping as much as i could.  i even did some sanding in the basement, trimming of hedges, and chasing baby bunnies.

i love Chicago. i love my family. i love my friends. life is grand!

A DAY AT...

On Saturday, i went to the Jersey Shore.  it was nothing like the tv show.  i mean, i don't have tv but if i imagine what kind of show Jersey Shore is... i assume certain things. and this beach was lovely!








there was an antique car show.  varra and i loved the red car!

 this was amazing! the speedometer is so general... when you get pulled over and the officer asks how fast were you going.... you could say between 50 and 60.

it was a great saturday.  i wish more days could be like that! 

when it's HOT!

things to do when it is 103 in your home:

~go someplace else.  i thought about riding the train today and doing my work there just be in the A/C.

~if you can't go someplace else, take a cold bath! i just did that it is was AWESOME! it is like swimming at home. and then don't dry off, go and stand in front of a fan... that will give you temporary relief.

~drink a ton of water and fun slushy beverages.  LJR and i will make lemonade slushies later.  can't wait!

~have more than one fan blowing on you at a time.  right now i have two.

~make like a kangaroo and keep your wrists cool, and the throat as well if you can.  cold water running over the wrists is a great idea!

~do the rain dance in your kitchen while chanting for the heat to break!!

good luck NYC!!

the apple

the big apple.  it is amazing and exhausting.  what a fun place, so alive and rich.  so many things to do, so many places to see.  not enough money to do it all!  it makes you feel broke just living in a place like this.  you want to dash off and see every new broadway show and go out for dinner and meet a few friends for a drink...$300 later.... you don't feel so excited.

anyway, i like it here.  i don't want to live here forever, but i want to enjoy it as much as i can in this moment right now. i am sure there are more free events that i can be going to.  that way i won't have to feel so bad about spending money all the time! oi!

i came home from DC today.  it was a lovely weekend because i got to spend time with my family.  that rarely happens and i appreciated every moment.  we drove around a lot, talked about many things, watched the hangover, laughed until we almost peed our pants, ate good food, had excellent margaritas when Cirque cut me, played with dogs, and drank happy santa drinks.

looking up while looking down

well.  today i got cut right away at the Cirque audition.  i am not gonna lie, that really sucked.  but, there are so many reasons why it could have happened that i can't even begin to think about it or try to analyze it.    one thing i have learned from the dance world is that you can not try to understand a talent scout or casting director.  sometimes you are exactly what they need, and other times you are far from it.  and you can not take it personally otherwise the rejection will eat you alive.
so... i am trying to look up while i am feeling down
on a good note, i start dancing with someone new on tuesday, Michael Mao.  i got a part time job dancing for him and we have 2 shows in july.  i am also excited to be teaching a workshop at The Joffery Ballet on June 18, and The Academy of Movement and Music on June 25th (both in Chicago).  i said YES to the Golem project which starts in Sep with shows in November.  and i have 2 shows in Sep with Yoo and Dancers.  so, even though today did not go well... things are generally going well.

and i still want a puppy...

23rd Street

it was anything but quiet tonight.  there was a fight across the street, a man picking through garbage got his head beat with a stick by another man.  Police were involved, the whole neighborhood was out, or looking through their windows.  the police told the "garbage man" to scram, and he halfway walked away while the police left.  but he was back 2 seconds later to yell at the home owner again.  it was very scary, and then someone must have called the police again because 6 of them came back to look for the "garbage man".  somehow they could not find him, and the police left a second time.  and then "garbage man" was back again! it was so crazy and scary and i don't understand what is wrong with him.  he must be on drugs and really mad.  and i am worried he is going to do something really crazy.  i don't feel as safe here now as i did this morning.... maybe we can get a better lock and  a new door.