'Tis the Season...to treat yourself ;)

So technically I should be saving my money, shopping for others, blah blah blah. But after the crazy week I've had with exams, rehearsals, cold weather (aka aching body), and a breakdown cry to top it all off I decided to treat myself along with 3 other friends and go see the new movie "Black Swan."

It turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made in a while.

I had seen the trailer and accompanying clips on the NY Times website but I still wasn't sure exactly what to expect. Turns out it was everything I could have wanted and more. It was the perfect balance of REAL dancing, relatable scenarios, and craziness.

"Black Swan" dealt with very real issues like mirror complex, perfectionism, body image, and role immersion that are present in the ballet world and then multiplied those emotions and complexes by 100 for a psycho thriller.

Natalie Portman does a stellar job of playing this deeply afflicted ballerina who has unhealthy relationships with her mom, director, dance, and herself. While its obvious that she has a body double (who dances beautifully) when the camera follows Portman's upper body her port de bras is striking and surprisingly believable. You can tell that she's been trained well and fully prepped for the role.

I encourage all to escape the cold and go see it. It's only playing in select theaters but it's worth it. After all, how often does a good dance movie (that's not hip-hop and cheesy)come along? Especially one that exploits the fact that ballet can and will fuck with your head.

I'm Pregnant

Yes, the title is true (sorry Mom and Dad) I'm pregnant. It's weird though because I don't have morning sickness or headaches, I’m not showing, and it’s been wayyy over 9 months…144 to be exact. Don’t worry I know this isn’t typical, normal, or medically possible but it’s true…somewhat. See it’s not your average pregnancy where young girl gets knocked up by some boy in the back of a pickup truck and nine months later little Johnny is here. Instead I’m talking about an artistry baby that’s been growing bit by bit inside of me ever since I was 9 years old and performed in my first dance recital to “How Come You Do Me Like You Do?” (This is the song...get into it!)Itchy crushed velvet and all I knew I was home up there and have been chasing my dream to become a dancer ever since. 

I didn’t realize I had been carrying around this artistry baby until much later, last summer to be in fact. I was doing a program at LINES Ballet in San Francisco, taking class with the always inspiring Alonzo King when he asked us a simple question. “If you had a young child or baby, what would you want to teach it? How would you help it grow?” 


We went around the room saying things as obvious as feeding it to the more discerning actions like teaching it patience and acceptance. When we finished giving answers he told us that we in fact had our own child/baby within us right at that moment. It was our artistry baby and we must take care of it and nurture it just like we would a real baby in order for it to grow and develop into something beautiful. 


Wait what??


I knoww it sounds weird but think about it.


No, REALLY think about it.


It makes sense right?