Pinterest, finally!

  Finally! I have Pinterest!!! 

It's pretty fun, you know. 

A lot like Tumbr :) 

Since I'm new and follower-poor, I will entice :P 

  I'm following my first 10 followers

  So go on, click the link :)

http://pinterest.com/amberhao/

   

Zero Plastic :D

  I just heard from my mom a few days ago that our city is eliminating plastic. Yes, shops wont pack things in plastic anymore so we all have to start bringing shopping bags. I have waited for this day when my still-beautiful hometown turns green... Looking out the window of an airplane you can se ethat Davao is still a pretty 'healthy' place :) I'm glad they'r doing something to preserve it.

Enjoying my handmade ravioli :)

  Went to Abreeza today. Mom has started buying local kakanin (rice cake) for snacks instead of stuff like hot dog or fries. It's really way more enviro-friendly because they wrap it up in banana leaves. It's also way cheaper. It's like 15 php. while a cup of Ice Tea is 35 php :O The thing is, you have to chose what kakanin to eat. The one I had this morning was really oily -_- Learned how to make pasta this afternoon with sisters and lil' bro ^_^


   Heard from a friend that classes in Locsin's for our batch doesn't start until July. Wow... I guess Teacher Agnes is busy :| More time for me to recuperate and get back on my feet. And also to learn some Oppera songs :D I also want to start a training regiment for myself, swimming, stretching, etc., though I'm going to be really busy with my academics... Back to Homeschooling. I'm catching up with Math so that hopefully I can start Geometry by June or July... Is that advanced? Delayed? Unnecessary? -_- I'll just work with what we have. We're planning to do this A.L.S. program that supports 'out of school youths'...

  Also, don't miss Season 6 of Dance 212 ^_^

  And thanks so much for all the likes on Facebook! ^_^

Summertime!!!

My "Johawk"

  Today started with a ballet class. Followed by another ballet class. Now that I'm a scholar I have to attend both Ballet 3 and 4. I actually found it energizing.Though I wouldn't say I did well. teacher Agnes. made me downgrade a bit. She told me not to turn during this one exercise and not to do the frappes on releve. I now know the reason for my back pains. Teacher Agnes said that I arch my back too much. I have to work on tucking in my behind O.o Someone must'v told her that I cried during the rehearsal for Midsummer...

  I went home for lunch since my next class Hip Hop was still at 4 p.m. I spent the afternoon styling a "Johawk". It's this hairstyle dancer Joey Dowling does on herself. It's like a Mohawk without having to shave off your hair :P Yeah mehn! My hair sure stole the scene ^_^ "How many hairpins did you use?" "Can I touch your hair?" "How did you do that?" Haha!

  Of course I had to join Hip Hop. Our instructor's style is very "Old School" We learned stuff like Scooby Doo, Jazz Split (iDentity crew member Manjo's signature move), Pimp walk, and a lot more :))

  Jazz was next. I'm in Jazz 2. In the first floor studio, the faculty and original Ballet 4 were also dancing Jazz under the instruction of Tita Bing, Achi Yam, and Kuya Kevin, my teachers at LCB! Tita Bing will be teaching Tap too. Since Jazz 2 is still at 6 p.m., I went upstairs to watch Jazz 1 and talk with a few classmates waiting there too ^_^

Jazz 1 taught by Kuya Arnel

  Jazz was super fun! I can still do a triple pirouette after months of not practicing! Our teacher is Kuya Arnel. Aside from   pirouettes we also did this awesome jump called a side jette. We also did some routines ^_^

  Tomorrow, we'll have Tap and Modern and I'll be assisting for Ballet 1b and babies. I'm particularly excited for Modern ^_^

* * *
The Locsin's Dance Workshop is offering classes on Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, and Hip Hop... For inquiries call The Locsin's Dance Workshop at (63 82) 227-4753 
The Locsin's Dance Workshop 89 Elpidio Quirino Ave., Davao City 8000, Philippines

Ballet Flats

Went to Locsin's really early today. I wanted to warm up really well before pointe class. Class is usually 9:00 a.m. for those on pointe. 9:30 is when ballet 3, 4, and 5 have class together on soft shoes.
  I later learned, from my other classmates, that there was no pointe class this morning because Teacher Agnes wasn't there :( So much for being early... Most of my classmates were relieved, though, "Whew! Thank goodness... I have a blister"
  The class was taught by Kuya Henry. After barre and center, we ran through the choreo twice... Good class..

When I got home, I fixed my ballet shoes... The cloth inside doesn't stick anymore... Just glued it back in place :))

  Thought: Should have had it washed during the vacation O_O

  I have a dark blister on my big toe >_<   Not the worst though... I've had others with water inside, with the skin coming off... with blood...

 Sorry :P I don't mean to be disgusting...

Jogging in Peoples Park and Anne Hathaway Stars In Black Swan?!?!

"Dancing Fountain" People's Park, Davao City

  Came home from jogging in People's Park. Sigh, the irony of fresh air in the middle of a bustling city. People's Park is only a short walk from Locsin's  and is as beautiful at night as it is in the morning. At night, they turn on the "Dancing Fountain". I've never seen it live, just pictures :P This morning, lots of prople were in the park. Jogging, sitting down, walking, there were even some people practicing Arnis! :D
  When we came home, Dad turned on the telly. We don't usually watch local T.V. because it's a school rule not watch T.V. on weekdays.On weekends, though, we watch mostly movies.
  The host in Umagang Kay Ganda was talking about Venus Raj's Black Swan costume. Gosh! She made a mistake with the credits! Its Natalie Portman who starred in the movie NOT Anne Hathaway!!! Outrage much!

  Oh well, we all make mistakes... Will try to post a video of it :P
 

Halloween and The Week After

Hahaha, read BalletNEWS' Ballet on Halloween-Shoes, Style, and Shivers and realized that there are ballet's for Halloween. There's Giselle, because of the Willis, and La Sylphide.

  Speaking of Halloween, I really went as a pirate for the School party, and, guess what, I won 2nd Place!!! Hahahaha :))

  This morning, at Ballet, I happily realized that class after pointe work is so much easier! It's actually relieving...

 There will be no class for this whole week, Ballet and school. Holidays... Except on Saturday there's Ballet. planning on doing Yoga and all those other thing to fill the spare time... :P

Ballet is Beautiful!

After fighting over the chocolate-pointe shoe thing :P

Ahhh... The world is beautiful again! I got my energy back and I don't feel down anymore :D I'm so happy... Had class today and the choreography is great! Class again tomorrow. One on one.

  Over the weekend my parents encouraged me to eat chocolate. Yes, chocolate! Ha ha! They said that when you eat chocolate, your body releases some kind of hormone that makes you... Happy :D So I had the privilege of eating a chocolate cake for desert after lunch and some pieces of chocolate before sleeping <3 Looks like chocolate is actually good for you :) Will find a way to smuggle chocolate somewhere in the house for my own personal enjoyment... One small serving per day will keep me on my toes, I'm sure <3

  Speaking of chocolate, and remembering my pointe shoes, I had this fight with a friend in LCB once because she put chocolate on my pointes! We did not talk for the whole day but in the end, we made up and hugged and cried :P

  LOL, Just read from Dance Magazine E-news that candies and chocolate can reduce your risk of being overweight! O_O Really?..

T_T

It turns out that the cause for my tiredness is actually this anti-fungal medicine I'm taking. It's side effects can lead to depression O_O I stopped taking it now but I still feel very tired... Had pointe class yesterday. I really have to work on my stamina. I mean, what's making me this tired T_T I'm doing everything on pointe all wrong...Oh :( We have choreography for our Christmas show... I'm a bit vague about my part but I hope I dance it perfectly :D
  I think I'll skip one on one and make it once a week instead of twice... and I can make up for it by doing Yoga with Mom... Really, I think I'm stressed.

Better... or Not

  Finally better. Attended one on one class today. Felt so weak. I don't know why I feel so tired these days. Maybe I'm burned out or something. I just don't feel like dancing. I hope this will go away.
  This morning, Mom found the website of the New Zealand School of Dance. I went through the site for the whole morning.
  Something bizarre I found on the net, it's not recent but I guess it's worth sharing:
Man attacks Russian Ballerinas for Speaking Russian.

One On One

I wish I could stretch like that...

  Had a one on one class with Kuya Henry, the Ballet Manila trained teacher, last night. When I woke up this morning I felt very sick. I think I'll have to miss pointe class tomorrow T_T. Why, why, why? This flu has been going around me and my classmates at school. My head hurts so much... I don't remember the last time I had fever. I'm just watching ballet videos and reading BalletNEWS' Cupcakes & Conversation Series.

  Last night Kuya Henry asked me if I was on a diet to which I replied no. It was time I started counting my food, he said, because my tummy sticks out. I tried doing sit ups every day before, when I was still in LCB, but my little bulge just wont go down! :P

  He taught me this stretching routine which they did in BM. Its called Vaganova Stretch. It's really different when there's someone there to help you stretch. It's easier and you get a better stretch. I should do this more often.

   On the barre he said, "Slowly when you move! In ballet your movement is as if you are in an aquarium." which gave me an idea of practicing Por de Bras in a swimming pool. We did pirouettes across the room. "When you turn, attack, no, the attack in ballet is different, were not going to war!"

  Oh yeah and we just used music from the radio, not classical. He said classical makes him sleepy :P

  He also gave me tips for a higher arch. I should wear my pointe shoes around the house and force my arch when sitting down.

  I hope I get better by Monday...

Haters

  So this guy tells me that ballet is boring and that dance club just makes our bodies hurt. What is he throwing at me? I mean what the heck will he get from saying these things anyway? He’s not even part of Dance club! Well, he was but he quit and told me he hates it.

  Ok, I have to understand that when you go professional there will be standing ovations and tomato throwing. There will be times when you’ll be booed off the stage and, when that happens, you just have to remember all the people who said you were talented.

  I still have my loyal Dance club-ers to count on for inspiration. Yes my own students inspire me. They inspire me to keep going because they like what I do, that what I do works for them. They are so much nicer than my little critic anyway.

  It’s useless to ask “What did I do to get this kind of treatment?” because we’ll never know. So many different things go on in people’s minds and there could be a thousand things for him to dislike me. Maybe he finds me annoying, self centered. Or maybe he’s just jealous or doesn't even know the magnitude of what he's saying… :P

  And maybe ballet is boring, TO HIM. And maybe dance club is a strenuous activity, FOR HIM. It’s all a matter of opinion and one guy with foul mouth aint’ gonna’ make mah dance club crumble!!!! Movie stars get it all the time, I mean all this talk of Justin Bieber or Charice being cyber bullied. That’s how it rolls…

Haters only make you famous!

A Visit from Ballet Philippines

Ballet Philippines Artistic Director Paul Alexander Morales

 Watched Ballet Philippines perform "Faces of Eve" in SM Mall Davao on Sunday. They were so good!! What I noticed most of all was that their jumps were silent, as in soundless! They performed both classical and contemporary pieces. I took some videos but, unfortunately, they won't upload.The pictures are kinda blurry too T_T.

  Most of what they performed were works by Filipino artists (Go Pinoy!) like; "To Whom It May Concern" by Novy Bereber, "Crisostomo Ibarra" <3 by: Paul Alexander Morales, and a lot more. They also performed Variations from "Harlequinade", and "The Sleeping Beauty".

  I'd say my favorite part was a contemporary piece in which the dancers wore white. I forgot it's title but it was  a really exciting piece.

Locsin's students with BP dancers

  I wish ballet companies would come to perform more often, I mean, we need stuff like this! There's barely any "happenings" around here and when there is the people of Davao flock in one place to be there.

  Anyway, here's a link to the company members of BP:
Ballet Philippines - THE COMPANY
I recognize some dancers including the one I was starstruck with <3 LOL :P Hehe

Dance Club Pictures

  Dance club. This Friday's Jazz class was great! Our students are improving. We didn't do progression this week, we went straight to the Choreography. We danced to 'Black and Gold' choreo by Pat. It rained so hard we had to shout to be heard. Water kept dripping from the gym's ceiling so we decided to practice on the stage... But it was still good.

  After class, we took random pictures around the gym... There was this huge puddle where we did some dance poses like baby freeze and arabesque :D Fun excited for next week. I hope I come up with some good choreo :D

 

Finally... Pointe Class!!!!!!

  Pointe class finally!!!! :D Teacher Agnes told us to bring our pointes next Saturday. So excited! Hello again, dead toenails, blisters, and bleeding feet...

  During the summer, the last LCB show that I performed in, we used masking tape to protect our feet. I wonder what Teacher Agnes will introduce to us...

My Ballet Bag

The Stuff:

1. Ballet slippers - Duh

2. Hairpin box - What a ballerina needs

3. Extra clothes and towel - my leotard's soaking wet after class.

4. Container for glasses - that phobia that your glasses might crushed...

5. Dance journal - I write down the corrections that I get from class.

6. Bug spray - Our studio's open air.

7. Pointes - Justin case that much awaited pointe class comes.

8. Tape - for toes during pointes.

9. Sewing kit - Just in case my I have some sort of wardrobe malfunction :P

10. Book - to read while waiting for Mom or Dad to pick me up

Walking To Ballet Class

 Quirino St.,Davao City. I walked underneath that building
to the left of the taxi. 

  I walked from Quirino Doctors Clinic to Locsin's! I guess that's less than a kilometer but its the first time I've ever walked in the street by myself!!! Yeah, LOL :P I love that part of town. Some buildings, like Locsin's, have been there since my grandma was a teenager. Others are really new and only opened this year. It's a busy but calm part of town, If you know what I mean. It's an urban jungle full of people, cars, and noise. But it's still got that old feel to it...
Mom needed to drop by the doctor's for my brother's check up and she asked me if I could  walk. I don't usually get chances like that. I'm not even allowed to go laag or outing with friends without my parents.  I hesitated at first but then I remember one of my friends walking from school to the mall to meet up with her mom. If this wasn't going to be my first time, then when? I clutched my ballet bag for more confidence and walked passed the mob of people waiting to cross the street. It felt liberating. I felt so at home. Davao is my home. What a milestone!
  When I got to Locsin's, I noticed that the studio on the first floor was fixed unusually, with table cloths and a barre draped with leaves in the middle of the stage. I entered through the back and saw one of my classmates. He told me that there was no class because it was Teacher Agnes' Birthday!!!

  Happy Birthday Teacher Agnes!!! :D

  LOL, hehe... Sigh, what a day! :D

Random Week

DEEEEEEEP Exhale... I've been feeling very un-inspired and un-energized and tired... in short kapoy, Bisaya for tired :P Teacher Agnes hasn't been teaching though. She went to Manila to attend the funeral of Noordin Jumbalon, Ballet Philippines' Principal dancer.. I think :(
  It's funny how close the people are in this country's Ballet world. I mean, everyone knows everyone, more or less...
 Dance club was rather unproductive this week T_T We only had 4 students... Were think of not having formally taught classes... You know poeple will meet up and bring any dance they want with them be it Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap... Like in Step Up 3. We might get our old members back... But some students want me to continue teaching so I'm thinking that anyone, OK, anyone, can teach what ever new dance move they learned... Still thinking about it... :D

Ballet, Airplanes, and a Ballerina Who Can Fly

 

 Hahaha I tried to get a picture of me doing a ballet pose beside one they called "The Queen of the Sky". It was os fail. Too blurry and I forgot to take off my glasses :P 

  The Pilot who guided us talked about the planes the way I talk about my pointe shoes! He called them "she," "Good girl" and those stuff!!!!

  

   I remember reading something that said your favourite movie will tell you something about what you'll be when you grow up. I guess my fave movie is still ballet shoes and you know what, the three sisters became a ballerina, an actress, and... A PILOT!!! <3 LOL hehe...

  Maybe it's true...

Yasmin Paige as Petrova in
"Ballet Shoes"

 

Music for Friday

 This Friday the music source, Pat, can't attend dance club. I downloaded loads of songs last Tuesday so I'm safe... Whew! My only problem will be if my computer decides to act up and break down unexpectedly :S Lets hope for the best and that I can take picture :D One of my friends took a video of the whole club  last meeting, hope I can post it :D
 
  Pat and I are think of this Jazz routine for our Halloween performance. We have a lot of ideas for lifting but we haven't checked on Eric about it who, obviously, will be the one taking all the weight. lol :D Pat's also getting excited about the costumes. Were thinking of hats and jackets <3 Typical Jazz...

  Only one person has given me their reply slip from the comittment letter since Friday... Hope I'll still have enough students... though, I should remind myself, we are aiming for Quality Dancers not just quantity... :D

 
  

So You Think You Can Dance

  Plus this Friday will be Jazz, the least like of the two dances we teach... I wish they'd like it, I mean, why not?

Weekend Reading List

  My grandmother came home from her vacation in Bangkok yesterday. She got us so many presents clothes, shoes, fruits, and books. Yes, books. She got me "Apollo's Angels" by Jennifer Homans and an issue of Dancespirit Magazine.  Can't wait till the weekend, when I can devour them page per page... You know, I'm supposed to be doing a report on Parenchyma Tissue for biology right now. Just saying...:P
  My mom is reading "Apollo's Angels" while I'm still busy. I hope it will broaden her understanding of the art form :P...

  Looking forward to the weekend...