My time capsule

     It was a smart thing for me to start this blog. 

     Whenever I need to look back or am having a hard time remembering something, I just open my blog and read about whatever it is I am looking for. It's my time capsule. A time capsule that recorded a part of my life, a time capsule that captured my dreams, and a time capsule that saw them fade away.

In life, we learn a lot of things the hard way. For me, I have that hard lesson written down in the form of this blog: never take in more than you can swallow, it says. I have recently abandoned this blog as a different part of my life—the ballet part of my life. The part of my life when I was younger, freer, happier, and more careless.

     I would like to say that this will be the last post I will ever make for this blog. But it will not be the last post I will ever write. Blogging about ballet and my goals gave me a skill I only thought I would acquire in the rarest of moments, a skill I had long taken for granted. Writing.

     You see, everything has a reason, through ballet, I found writing. And I was able to hone writing. Even if I quit ballet, and quit blogging for a while, I have no losses. I learned how to share my words, and most of all. how to live. I learned that one must not be too preoccupied about a future unseen and far off, because there is a present time. I quit ballet because I realized this and asked myself "If I don't enjoy dancing anymore, Will I enjoy it later?" I think this is the biggest lesson I have learned yet, and now I shall share a quote from the Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, said:“Man.Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

     So, after years of it being the point of my life, I quit ballet. And looked for something that would let me enjoy the present."

The Prix is here...

Photo from the Prix de Lausanne's Tumblr

  Probably one of the biggest events in the world of Ballet, the Prix de Lausanne, has just begun. Although a bunhead no more, it hasn't failed to excite me this year ^_^ Today is the first day of the Prix, but since my country sees the sun before Switzerland does, there isn't much that I can say :(

  Anyway, here's the trailer:

  This has made me reflect quite a bit about quitting ballet. Now I know it's not the end of the world and I'm just over reacting and being "passionate" again, but when I first heard about the Prix, I actually thought I could make it there. I actually did. Really. I don't think I'm a quitter and I don't feel particularly bad about leaving that dream and all. Wow! I've stopped beating myself up!

  I guess some people were a bit surprised that I quit ballet since I was so into it then but that's part of growing up and living! You have hobbies because they're a little something you enjoy! Just like adults; some adults don't like their jobs and they quit and find a new one and feel like they have a new life all together. Of course it's not that easy and not everyone can just leave their jobs but, it felt like that for me and ballet (now I sound like I'm going thru a break-up). I felt like I lost my purpose.

  You know, I look back now and I realized it wasn't ballet that I particularly liked. It was being onstage and performing. Per-for-ming. But maybe I'm just saying that and fooling myself to vindicate me, hehehe :|

  Ballet's super pretty, but it's not something I want to be a part of anymore. I'm just not that kind of person :)

  Peace ☮

  Kudos to the Prix de Lausanne candidates this year. You've done it ;)

Les Miserables :)

  My whole family has practically been waiting for Les Miserables since December. My Mom, I think, was the most enthusiastic person about it. She wanted to watch on the first day of screening! Initially, we could't because of her work schedule and that disappointed her quite a lot so we decided that we wouldn't rush it and watch in the weekend :)

  However, on the day of first screening, Mom calls from work and is like "OMG! No one came to my class! Let's go watch Les Mis." And suddenly not having any students attend your class was a good thing...

  So there we went rushing to watch Les Miserables. We bought more movie snacks than any movie we ever watched in the cinema before.

  I have to say, this movie followed the book more than the stage production. For one, Marius' grandfather was included, which I think is important because we know that Marius comes from somewhere, right?

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  Though, an important part, in the book; Marius and Cosette had been meeting each other each night for quite some time but in the movie and musical, it showed no hints of that. Only one meeting (A Heart Full of Love) and then letters, which would be kind of creepy in real life.

  Also a movie adaptation of a musical always brings out the serious side of it. The movie portrayed 19th century Paris in a very realistic way while on stage it was more colorful.

  I know a lot of people have been saying that the live recording they used for the movie made it more "realistic" but not for me :( I think it was a bad idea. In the beginning, I expected to hear a big bang of music in the song 'Look Down' which, I think makes the whole thing more exciting. Instead, I got a very subtle introduction. The lack of loud, "exciting" music stripped the movie of the musical's magic...

Les Mis at Queen's Theatre, London

Les Mis at Queen's Theatre, London

With Dad and little sis, Ashley at Queen's Theatre, London.

Chemistry

  I've been using this Chemistry program since it arrived last September. As you can tell from the name of the CD, this program is based on Creation Theory. It's very easy to use and I'm actually enjoying it :) The entire program is divided into 16 Modules which ideally take 36 weeks to finish. I'm still finishing the 3rd module right now, since my academics had to be postponed for our trip to London.

My supplies for the experiment

  The other night, I did an experiment called "Electrical Conductivity of Compounds Dissolved in Water." Basically, I did what every one says is very dangerous; let an electric current flow thru water. Fear not! The electric current was no more than a 9 volt battery so no, sadly, I did not create an explosion of epic proportions -_-

BUT! The highlight: The ends of the wires that were in the water were sizzling! I felt successful. Hehehehe....

  The reason for the sizzling is because, as I have learned, of the baking soda I added to the water. Baking soda is an ionic compound, and all ionic compounds conduct electricity. So, that is why, unless you have pure, distilled water running from your tap, it is dangerous for water to be around electricity. The water we have in the tap isn't pure, or distilled, you see, it has some chemicals mixed in it -_-

...more thinking

  Ate Gigi called from Locsin's the other day. She asked if I would come back to dance, something to do with the next recital's costumes, she said. I told her that I won't be dancing this year. Not until the summer, perhaps. I still like dancing after all (performing especially).

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  I have to start thinking about college now. Initially, I wanted to take Theater Arts at a college in Manila, but after some thinking (and researching) I now want to take Literature, something that will bring me close to Shakespeare and plays in general, before going of to drama school (RADA is currently the dream).

 

  I attended two acting classes in Pineapple while we were in London and the instructor, Adam, asked me if I was doing acting for fun or if I was really serious about it. I told him that I am pretty serious about getting into theatre and all and that I want to attend RADA. He gave some advice that I think will prove useful sooner or later. He said that there are many other good drama schools in London that are not as costly. And some of the teachers he had in the school he graduated from (which is now no more) also taught in RADA...

*  *  *

  I am such an obsessive person! Ever since the Hip Hop Shakespeare Workshop last July, ever since I got interested in acting, I've been seeing movies in a different way. I pay more attention to the actors' expressions and reactions to events rather than the movies' story :)

Home

V&A Museum, London

  I'm home now! We arrived in Davao City Friday night this week. I learned a lot of things about this trip; mostly about myself, people, common sense...

  The point of this post is that I'm quitting Ballet. If you've read a lot of my recent posts you can probably tell that I don't want to dance Ballet anymore, that I like theatre and acting, and am probably a little stressed and un-inspired. I could just continue dancing but just not be so serious about it, but, the problem is, it hurts! My foot, my back, I think I should start listening to my body and forget about what everyone else will say. My classmates will probably not fully understand, Teacher Agnes will most likely be disappointed, some people might say "I was right, she wouldn't stay" but it's not about them :)

  I'll probably make a new blog too. Not soon, when I've re-kindled the joy of blogging I will. I like to start from nothing. Start fresh.

  Since I wont dance anymore, I'm selling my new Gaynors for half the price I bought them, since they've already been used. So if you want a Gaynor Minden size 9.5 (8.5 in street shoes), Narrow, Box 3, Extraflex shank, please email me at amberspointe@gmail.com

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favorite places

★ Tower of London
★ Shakespeare's Globe
★ Richard III at the Apollo Theatre
★ Matilda at Cambridge Theatre

These are some of my favorite places and shows we've watched here in London. So far...

  Dad and I went to the National Theatre yesterday. We were looking around at their beautiful bookshop while waiting for their Backstage Tour to start. All the books there were about acting, Shakespeare, dance, and plays. I actually sat down on the couch there and was almost to the end of Act 1 of Terence Rattigan's "The Deep Blue Sea" when the tour did start.

  Our guide took us around two theatres, the Olivier and Lyttleton Theatres, and backstage to the workrooms of the building. The Olivier Theatre (named after Laurence Olivier) was really impressive. The stage was so versatile and the seating convenient for both performer and audience.

Dad let me buy a book afterwards and instead of chosing "The Deep Blue Sea" I chose "In-depth Acting" by Dee Cannon which I think could be a real essential in training for acting (which I am slowly diverting to).

  Today, We finally paid a visit to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. The lady at the reception area was very friendly and accomodating. Visitors are not allowed inside the campus, though, so we only got as far as the booking office at the opposite side of the building where I got a printout of the school's 2013 prospectus (which is available for download in their site).

  Having a lot of time in our hands, Dad and I went to a near-by bookstore which was just as good as the National Theatre's. They had a whole shelf of books on dance and dancer's bios. Also,  a section on Drama.

  So yes, it's a happy ending for me! I was able to get my hands on "The Deep Blue Sea" + more Rattigan plays (for a better price).

  My reading list is all fired up!

London

Hey There!

I'm actually in London right now. It's freezing! Today the temperature is said to drop all the way to 0ºC. Brrrrrr!

We're here for my sisters Scoliosis which you can read more about in my Mom's blog; Between Now And Later.

Last week, Saturday to be precise, I attended my first Floor Barre class at Ballet For You with Selena Cundari. It was pretty cool and relaxing with some Pilattes sequences and breathing.

I originally planned to join the class until the end of the term which would mean three classes. Unfortunately, due to Dad's travel plans and Ashley's busy therapy schedule, I desided to drop out.

Not to worry! There's Pineapple. Yes, Pineapple! Pineapple Dance Studios, in Covent Garden, holds open classes every day of the week (including Sundays). This afternoon I attended a Musical Theatre Jazz class. It was so fun! We did a heart-pumping warm up-- very much like the ones in LCB and spent the rest of the class perfecting a Fosse routine. The instructor was really concentrated on acting and performing the steps. I oh so want to go back, try out more classes!

We we're walking around Covent Garden yesterday and we (accidentally) found a Bloch store!

We watched the English National Opera perform Carmen last week. It was in English and that disappointed me, I was expecting the original French version, but the orchestra was so good! ♡

Time To Heal

  Aren't you supposed to feel better after resting!?

  Well during the vacation week, I went running with my dad almost everyday. I didn't like running before because I was always getting side stitches because of my breathing. After some research, I was able to run two rounds at Victoria Plaza though (my record) without having any side stitch so... I feel successful! Hehehe :D

  My foot started hurting the week before vacation time started. It got quite worse and I didn't know what to do. I tried not to cry during pointe class on Wednesday. A part of me wanted to quit ballet again! When my classmates saw me crying last night after class though, they were all so encouraging. Lois said that I shouldn't quit because I'm good, Christine suggested having my foot checked, and Teacher Sweet (whose babies ballet class I assisted in last summer) told me about dancing in a recital two weeks after she broke her foot.

  I guess this foot of mine just wants more rest. I think it would be prudent telling Teacher Agnes about it but (ok here goes) I'm scared. The exercise she taught me really helped my back but what an injurious person I would seem! I also don't see anything but rest for this foot anyway... + I'm not joining the recital again, but more on that soon...

  I've been alternating hot and cold compress and it seems to be working. I apply hot before dancing and ice after. It doesn't hurt in the morning, but as the day progresses, so does the pain.

  I should really asses how I react to these bad days. I guess I'm too-- passionate. I hear many say that that's  a good thing but, in my opinion, it could also mean being rash and impulsive. Take this week; after pointe class, I was lamenting about my foot and ballet, and wanting to quit, without thinking about anything positive at all! Without thinking that there is time to heal, and that I don't have to be too serious about ballet if I don't want it as a career anymore. The world's not gonna end.

  Just this evening, I thought to myself: 'I'll go to ballet tomorrow.' A pointe of my injured foot told me 'No'. Why should I compromise myself? It is an admirable thing to keep pushing on and have strong will but there is a difference, a big difference, between being strong and just (ugh) hurting yourself.   

So, what's up?

  I might just be going through a long mental block but I feel like such an irresponsible blogger if I don't post! We have a long vacation of one week coming up, no ballet class at all. Hopefully a trip to the beach; one of my favorite getaway places :*>

  My mom sent me a link a few days ago and now it's one of my fave sites, Mind Body Green. Speaking of which, there's this blog widget, a list of links, that I've been thinking of adding a long time ago. I think I'll finally apply it to my blog and maybe change my look again. I'm sorry for you, my audience if it's irritating to have a blogger constantly making changes to their site, but that's how I roll. I'm the kind of person who thrives with change. Hopefully you guys who read me are after what I write and not very much how I look ;)

  I just feel the simplicity of my blog's look right now is too lonely :(

  I also feel like adding an About Me page. Finally I didn't get stuck trying to write about myself!

  P.S. Gaynor Mindens aren't as I expected them... No words...

In The Shoes: Grishko

  If your traditional, get Grishkos. They last  f o r e v e r.

  I bought my second pair of pointes by texting That's D Pointe Dance Shop in Manila after my first pair gave up on me in two weeks. My first (and second) pointe recital was danced in these shoes which make them valuable in the market of sentiment...

  I think I chose Grishko among other brands because a) There was no other that had my size or b) I heard that they were Svetlana Zakharova's shoes. I quite forgot :(

© Kina De Mendoza

© Kina De Mendoza

  My Dear Grishkos lasted for more than one year. This is because they "fossilize". Somehow, if you don't use it for a long time, the glue in the shoe hardens, making it good as new! Credit for that info goes to R.A.D. Ballet Buddy Ingrid :) The shape of the shoe was also very foot-flattering, with a slight V in the vamp, and a long tapered look. Very Russian.
  

  Because of the shoe's hardness, I got a lot of blisters, also because I didn't have enough padding, causing hammertoes... This blister is the reason for the dark spot (which is blood) on the left shoe...

  This is also the shoe that me and a friend at LCB had a fight about. After a whole day of not talking to each other, I said sorry and she did too... 

  What I liked most about Grishko was it's box. I'm a fan of hard boxes, they give me some support, but are also rather heavy. The shank was good too, very pliable. This is probably the best shoe I've had so far, but I'm going to keep looking... 

© Jun Tupas

{Visit grishko.com}

It's Here!!!

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  My new pointes arrived today!!! On Thursday last week, I e-mailed Danse Boite asking if they had Gaynor Mindens. I'm so happy that they actually have my (huge) size! It took some trouble though, ordering it, there was a little confusion but it was all sorted out on Monday of this week when they replied to my text, confirming the shipment of my shoes :)

  They feel so light! I'm so used to the "traditional" hard, bulky, over protected feel of pointe shoes that these GMs feel like nothing at all!

  I got a size 9.5, narrow, box 3, Extraflex shank. I was a bit torn between a supple and Extraflex but decided on the latter because it's supposedly a good choices for tall dancers. I did my research before buying :) Downloading the fitting guide of whatever brand of pointe shoe your getting really helps. They usually give it for free in their website. You can download the Gaynor Minden Fitting Guidelines Here.

  Sentimental post coming up soon... an In the Shoes write up on my Grishkos ♥

 
  Pointe class tonight!

Milk Carton Cat {Recycled Halloween Deco}

  This is my first D.I.Y. ever, so bear with me :) This is a new addition to our recycled Halloween decorations. Milk Carton Cats!

Taken with Instagram.

Ok, so you'll need:

-Milk carton (cleaned and dried)

- Paper

- Crayons

- Scissors

- Embellishments (for eyes etc.)

- A little sister :P

We didn't have colored paper so we colored the paper! hehehe 

Next, we wrapped the milk carton in the (now colored) paper.

After completely wrapping the whole thing and trimming exes paper, we added embellishments. Here we used gem studs and curled strips of paper. You can also use googly eyes :)

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I hope you enjoyed this :) 

Hopefully I'll make better tutorials in the future...

{With better photos}

:D

Something New

Poster from the Tuburan Institute's Facebook Page.

  So I had a little mix up with my last post regarding the 'visit from a Swiss contemporary company'. They are not, in fact a contemporary dance company but are educators in a form of movement called Eurythmy. As I understand, Eurythmy was developed by Rudolf Steiner and is a part of the Waldorf education system. The Tuburan Institute, a Steiner inspired school here in Davao, brought The Arte Nova Eurythmy Youth Ensemble here. 

  Their performance yesterday, entitled 'Transitions', was a great way to share the ideology behind the movement. it was held at the Davao Convention and Trade Center. The program started beautifully with an a capela of the Philippine National Anthem in which the whole audience joined in creating a wonderful harmony of people.
 

Tickets and programme from yesterday's show.
Taken with Instagram

  I had never seen movement as free and formless until then. They were so in time with the music yet so human. Ballet is inhuman. Ballet tries to look human in that  it tells a story and creates an atmosphere. But it only looks so because everyone else is moving like dancers, like ballerinas. This, I think, creates a ballet world by humans, that is not human. Ok, I'm sounding a bit wierdo now but, I do hope you get me :( I'm trying to compare the free-ness of Eurythmy with the straight lines of ballet.

  The program included numbers where the performers used flags, rods, and balls which they juggled. there was also an interpretation of Tchaikovsky's Main Theme from Swan Lake.

  Today, the performers visited Locsins to give a workshop on Eurythmy. It was all so organic and natural and not difficult at all, just like Yoga. It made me feel like I could move in any way, awkwardly, gracefully, and not be wrong. The movement accommodation that. It was quite an experience for us dancers who were always told how to do what properly.

  We were doing coordination exercises with fruit as balls and wooden and metal rods this morning. We were joined by other kids, mostly really little ones. I enjoyed the rod throwing the most! We had to find a partner and throw and catch the rods :) We were also taught that each letter of the alphabet has a corresponding movement and some people had their names interpreted!

  I think I'll teach my little siblings what I just learned :)

at DavCon with Mom , little sisters and lil' bro <3

Buying New Pointes

Mom figuring out the Gaynor Minden tracing sheets at The POD.
Taken with Instagram.

  After pointe class one Wednesday, Ate Nikki asked me if my shoes were soft and said that I should change them as soon as possible. A few before, Teacher Agnes also told me that my Dear Grishkos are deformed. About time I got a new pair, and guess what I've decided on... Gaynor Mindens!

  I just got the email from the GM fitters about my fitting details earlier last week. I wanted to make sure that I got the right size because when buying Gaynor Mindens, you must get a shoe one size larger than your U.S. street shoe size. I'm an 8.5 and 9.5 sounds like a LARGE pointe shoe so I downloaded the tracing sheets as recommended by my Ballet Buddy Christine. But apparently, 9-9.5's the right size o.O

  I decided on GMs because, of course, of all the good reviews surrounding it. I also have never dance with toe pads and since Gaynors are already so cushioned by themselves, they might give me more comfort and I can forget pain... and ever buying pads if they make me happy. FACT: More people in Locsin's wear Gaynors than any brand of pointes.

  So I guess I'm gong to come up  with another In The Shoes post soon. My Grishkos have been really great, but we'll talk about that next time :D

Halloween Spirit!!!

Clockwise from top left: Cardboard owls, mice, creepy mirrors, bat mobile.
Collage pics from Instagram

  I'm so into dressing the house up for Halloween!!! So far these are what's in our will-be haunted house. Inspiration comes from the following:

{http://www.marthastewart.com}

{http://www.bettycrocker.com}

&

{A Beautiful Mess}

  I'm also planning a Halloween dinner for our household with creepy treats on the menu. Check out my Halloween Ideas board in Pinterest. I'm pinning every feasible idea I see!!! 

  I will hopefully post more on this, and maybe a D.I.Y. tutorial for the owls...

Learning 'Magkaugnay'

Agnes Locsin's 'Romeo & Juliet'
Instagam

  We started learning this new dance a few weeks ago. It's a modern number to music by Joey Ayala. I don't know if we're going to perform it or anything, but when Teacher Agnes told us about tackling the piece, she mentioned our having to synchronize. Maybe it's a sort of exercise for us? It was performed a long time ago in Locsin's and we are learning the steps via video.

  The choreography leans to the ethnic and folk, as most of Teacher Agnes works do. The steps are challenging especially in the part where we all hold hands. We run the risk of trampling on one another lest someone tripped which, thankfully, hasn't happened yet. I haven't quite absorbed that part yet. There are so many travelling side ways with many changes in the direction we face. It's more of a challenge for the mind, I think, and less of the body. It's not an "Olympic stamina" dance as many of Teacher Agnes 'babies' would say.

  I feel like I am immersing myself in Teacher Agnes work. I'm reading her book right now and it proves to be very enlightening. I wish I could watch all her works! She really takes the message of her dances deeply and seriously. It's much more than the movement...   

  For today's class, we had  'guest artist'. Kuya John is here for Ballet Philippines' tour. I'm not sure what they will be performing, but they'll be in SM Lanang Premier this afternoon :) I assisted Kuya John's Ballet 1b class last summer.

  There's a lot going on in Davao's dance scene since Encantada. A visit from a Swiss contemporary company (details out soon), BP's tour, a production of Romeo and Juliet....

 Roughly translated I think the word 'Magkaugnay' means 'unity'. Google translate says 'correlate' but I like 'unity' better ^_^ Anyway, here's an audio of the music: 

 

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

Instagram

  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