Locavores!!!

Natural, locally processed milk.

  What a day! Last week we drove all the way to Tugbok, Mintal to buy milk. Yes! Cow's milk :) So far, Kim's Milk Corporation is the only local milk factory we know around here. We are trying to be Locavores now :)

lo-ca-vore \ˈlō-kə-ˌvȯr\ one who eats foods grown locally whenever possible

  The drive to the factory wasn't too long. It was a breezy day and light drizzle rained on us on our way back while we bought Pomelo.

  ...And we passed Teacher Agnes' place

  I'm so glad with this new discovery! I haven't been drinking any milk (excluding tiny servings with other food) for a really long time until Mom found this local brand in the supermarket.

  Well, we weren't allowed to go into the factory but the whole place was really nice. It was clean, the staff was polite and it felt sooo greeeeennn ^_^

  It even comes in Chocolate ♡ 

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Kim's Milk Corporation is located at Km 22. Los Amigos, Tugbok District, Davao City, Philippines. Tel.: (082) 293-16-78

All pics from Instagram...

Can't get enough of this...

  I've enjoyed watching Keaton Henson's "To Your Health" music video since class started last June. The music is one of those simple yet inspiring sounds and the clever lyricism of the choreography, by Marguerite Porter, goes so well with it. 

  Though the lyrics of the song express anger and distress, I somehow find peace watching this, especially after a tough class. The lighting of the video looks great to me and Elizabeth McRea (nee Harrod) displays such strength and musical precision. 

  I First heard about this thru Ballet News a year ago, I think.

  Enjoy! 

Private Concerts

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  My sister Ashley performed in her first 'concert' last Sunday. Her teacher, Teacher Chrissie, asked us if we could drive to Tagum (about an hour from Davao City Proper) for a small gathering organized by a British string instrument instructor living there.

  Other students also came to perform. Four others from the Agdao Violin Institute, also teacher Chrissie's students, and students from the Tagum Junior Symphony Orchestra.

  Here are Teacher Chrissie's students from AVI:

  My sister Ashley performing Humoresque by A. Dvorak:

  Here is the Tagum JSO:

In the end, everyone got together;

The Musicians:

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  I haven't been very devoted to blogging lately. My chemistry set arrived last week so my whole mornings are taken up with academics. 

  Well, according to "Blogging For Bliss", if you don't feel like blogging you don't have to force yourself :) I think I've overloaded this blog with a lot of useless stuff so this little break of inconsistency might be good :D

Ronan ♡

  I first heard about Ronan Thomson when a friend I met in camp posted a picture of him on Instagram. He is the first four-year-old I have seen with those kind of eyes.

Ronan Thomson

  Ronan passed away last year because of Cancer. I wish I knew about him then. How could I not have? His Mom ran a blog too; Rockstar Ronan. How could I not have heard of little Ronan???!!! I could have prayed for him, and I believe that prayers can make miracles if enough people with enough faith pray for something! One person can make a difference and thats ALWAYS true!

  I knew that Swifty had a new song called 'Ronan' before hearing about his sad story and I was like, "Oh, it's about one of her former flames again" and did not  bother myself to listen to it. Songs with stories behind them really change how they are heard. It brought a stream of tears down my cheeks T-T I think I read someone say that it's her best song yet and I have to agree. Proceeds of the song on iTunes go to The Ronan Thomson Foundation.

  Here is Taylor performing 'Ronan' live:

  I think I'm most affected by Ronan's death because he was the same age as my brother is now...

(Pointe) Shoe Repair

  Months ago at True Value in Abreeza, I spotted a pair of toe pads. They weren't of a ballet brand but they looked exactly like them! I wanted to get the pair and there but Mom advised me to come back when I had my pointes with me. So yesterday, you can guess that I did just that. Unfortunately for me, True Value ran out of stocks! Apparently, I'm not alone with this discovery -_- I found an alternative, though;

Corn Wraps. 

  Corns, also called Hyperkeratosis, are hardened skin caused by pressure. This can lead to deformities like hammer toes... Here is a photo of my foot from last year; an example of Hammer toes :(

  The Corn Wraps I got at True Value cost P 250 for three pieces. Washable and reusable, I plan to put them in a small pouch [shown above] before tipping into the washing machine.  

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  Last Wednesday, at pointe class, we were doing pique pasés from one end of the room to the other. Teacher Agnes went up to me when I had a dangerous slip on my first attempt. "Look at your pointe shoes, you have to do something about them" she said to me. The satin on the back part of the platform had rubbed off, exposing the slippery cloth-and-glue layer.

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'Dead' pointe shoes...

  Here yea, here yea! I have done something about it! I had to find a way to cover the slippery area and remembered Gaynor Minden's Sued Tips. They don't sell them separate form the shoes though so that was out of the question. Another choice was Moleskin. I couldn't find any.

 Now here comes the option I went for where you have to put aside your sentiments; cutting your old ballet flats. I glued and darned the edges of the cutouts to the platform like I have read of so many dancers doing. It isn't as hard as I thought.

 I oh so love tinkering with my pointes! 

  Last week, I think it was Saturday, Nina let me try on her Gaynor Mindens. They were so soft, not at all like pointe shoes. I was sold. My next pair will be Gaynors. "No wonder I feel so tired after pointe class," I thought 'these these GM's are pain-less!"

  Any how, wish me luck with tonight's pointe class. hopefully I have adjusted to the fatigue and pain... Maybe because I'm skipping my iron supplement?