A happy, go-lucky time suddenly turned into a monstrous disaster.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday night and Monday
Sunday night all the instructors were taken out to dinner to a pasta restaurant and the food was lovely. After the feeding we headed to the last bit of the dance. It was clearing by the time we got there, but there were a bunch of people for us to chit chat with. I got a bunch of social dancing in, which was nice and somewhat unusual for me. The highlight of the night for me was when Kevin and I did a pseudo-neo-swing performance. I asked Kevin to dance and he begrudgingly agreed, but decided to spice things up a bit. More people wanted to watch our old-school moves than dance, so it became a performance.
We headed home and I showered and washed out my clothes. Kev watched a movie while I played on the internet, but I didn't get to bed until 2:30am or so because I just wasn't tired.
Well, this morning we were awaken at 11am by a Swede. We said we thought check out was at noon, and he said that would be fine. Jane picked us up, took us to her place, offered to help us with our laundry, and then we headed to rehearsal. Kev needed to eat so we stopped by a nice place near the studio. We then needed time to digest so the first hour of rehearsal was spent reading Wired Magazine. Then we did calisthenics. It was much easier than our Friday practice, but we were still huffing and puffing at the end. We then did some ab work and then worked on the roll at the beginning of the routine. Janne (our current host) came to pick us up and then we headed back to his place. Dax and Alice stayed with him over the weekend and managed to leave a number of their belongings at the house. I assume they packed immediately before they left.
No surprise: Kevin and I hopped on the internet and did some emails (or tried) and then looked around on the internet for new dance clips. After a few hours we headed down the street and got some pizza with banana and curry....yum yum! We happened to eat enough to send us into food coma, so we laid down for naps but didn't manage to get up until about 1am. It's almost 3 am now.
We headed home and I showered and washed out my clothes. Kev watched a movie while I played on the internet, but I didn't get to bed until 2:30am or so because I just wasn't tired.
Well, this morning we were awaken at 11am by a Swede. We said we thought check out was at noon, and he said that would be fine. Jane picked us up, took us to her place, offered to help us with our laundry, and then we headed to rehearsal. Kev needed to eat so we stopped by a nice place near the studio. We then needed time to digest so the first hour of rehearsal was spent reading Wired Magazine. Then we did calisthenics. It was much easier than our Friday practice, but we were still huffing and puffing at the end. We then did some ab work and then worked on the roll at the beginning of the routine. Janne (our current host) came to pick us up and then we headed back to his place. Dax and Alice stayed with him over the weekend and managed to leave a number of their belongings at the house. I assume they packed immediately before they left.
No surprise: Kevin and I hopped on the internet and did some emails (or tried) and then looked around on the internet for new dance clips. After a few hours we headed down the street and got some pizza with banana and curry....yum yum! We happened to eat enough to send us into food coma, so we laid down for naps but didn't manage to get up until about 1am. It's almost 3 am now.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Saturday night and Sunday classes
We decided to perform our Swinging at the Cotton Club routine this evening and the performance went amazingly. I think it was our best performance ever. The energy was unreal - it fucking rocked. Even though the room was long and had very high ceilings adorned with large chandeliers, the audience packed themselves in tightly. We had a nice welcome out, and after the first few swing outs, the room erupted with claps. And the audience was on beat too! I was right under one of the sizable chandelier when we threw the lotus (and the back flip) so that added the dynamic of death to the whole thing. And we got the double applause: once at the bow, and then again after the flying vice. It was awesome. And then the audience kept clapping until we came back out and did a second bow (triple applause, I guess). It was so.... gratifying. And not only that, but afterwards we got some AMAZING feedback. People gushed about how great the dancing was and the performance, and the aerials. Even though many had seen the routine on Youtube, they said it was so much better in person (naturally).
Those 3 minutes of the evening are what I live for.
Ok, enough tooting of our horns.
After that we got home around 2:30am and probably got to bed around 3am. Kev and I woke up this morning exhausted but had to push on. Classes went well today. We had level 5 and level 2 after lunch. At lunch Kevin and I talked to Love & Ulrika (some local instructors) and they were really cool. He was very laid back and has a rather laissez-faire attitude (his name is pronounce Loo-veh) and she was bubbly. I think we made some new Swedish friends - nice!
Level 2 was an awesome last group to have. Even though it was after lunch and most of them were ready to take a nap, we did a bunch of 20's charleston stuff with them and they loved it! And people were laughing at our jokes as well (a nice pat to our egos). They were either better cross-cultural jokes, or the group knew each other better than the larger groups and felt more comfortable with us sooner. We also taught then some flash&trash and the ate it up. Sweet. Definitely one of the best class and group of people we have taught in a while.
All the instructors then had a goodbye meeting with the students. They thanked us and then said we were going to dance one more time for them, which I didn't know we were going to do, but we ended up jamming (not by choice). They put on Jumping at the Woodside and then we had to perform. Kev and I were happy with the stuff we did and fucking rocked the pancake (with my glasses on, I might add). We finished off the song with the California Routine and the students enjoyed it.
There was a quick run home, a nap, dinner at a restaurant, and then dancing. More on that story tomorrow.
Those 3 minutes of the evening are what I live for.
Ok, enough tooting of our horns.
After that we got home around 2:30am and probably got to bed around 3am. Kev and I woke up this morning exhausted but had to push on. Classes went well today. We had level 5 and level 2 after lunch. At lunch Kevin and I talked to Love & Ulrika (some local instructors) and they were really cool. He was very laid back and has a rather laissez-faire attitude (his name is pronounce Loo-veh) and she was bubbly. I think we made some new Swedish friends - nice!
Level 2 was an awesome last group to have. Even though it was after lunch and most of them were ready to take a nap, we did a bunch of 20's charleston stuff with them and they loved it! And people were laughing at our jokes as well (a nice pat to our egos). They were either better cross-cultural jokes, or the group knew each other better than the larger groups and felt more comfortable with us sooner. We also taught then some flash&trash and the ate it up. Sweet. Definitely one of the best class and group of people we have taught in a while.
All the instructors then had a goodbye meeting with the students. They thanked us and then said we were going to dance one more time for them, which I didn't know we were going to do, but we ended up jamming (not by choice). They put on Jumping at the Woodside and then we had to perform. Kev and I were happy with the stuff we did and fucking rocked the pancake (with my glasses on, I might add). We finished off the song with the California Routine and the students enjoyed it.
There was a quick run home, a nap, dinner at a restaurant, and then dancing. More on that story tomorrow.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Day One - Sweden
Today was a fulfilling day.
Kev and I got to sleep in until 11am (and we went to bed early last night) and it was soooooooooo nice. We have cute little beds that are nice and warm and rather conducive to a good night sleep, might I add.
I got up and showered and Kev got to his emails. After a bit, we realized that we were hungry, so we took ourselves to the restaurant we ate at last night and ordered the lunch special. Kev had a pizza (again) and then I ordered a Greek Salad, which I thought had meat on it. I was unpleasantly surprised to find that it was just like the salad they had at the “salad bar” thing, but with olives, feta cheese, and lots of onions. Now if you know me, you know that I don’t like uncooked onions at all. They taste bad and they make me smelly.
I digress.
Lunch was nice, but we still hankered for more. We headed down the street a little ways more and bought some goodies at the local grocery store before we had hustled back home to prepare for training.
Jane drove us to the studio and her card didn’t work so we couldn’t get in. Kev and I danced around for about 45 minutes before someone showed up and let us in. We realized how out of shape we were after our 20 minutes cardio session, but we prevailed. And to top it off, we did a fast Charleston song to push ourselves even though we were tired. I am so glad we did that, but MAN and I out of shape.
And then we worked on choreography. We have some good stuff, but we need to start stringing our ideas together.
Jane came and grabbed us around 5:15pm so that we had some time at home before the dance. I read through emails while Kevin napped and then we showered quick-quick and got ready for dinner and dancing.
The dinner was serve-yourself style and was nice and basic. Ooh, and there was a rhubarb cobbler for dessert. It was a tad tart, but still nice. Kevo and I danced a bunch, took some pictures and recorded some video of the evening, saw a performance, attended the teacher’s meeting, and headed home. We are getting up a little before 8am tomorrow, and we had classes to plan, so we figured it was best to head home early. And now it is almost 1am!
I am going to shower and then head to bed.
Goodnight!
Kev and I got to sleep in until 11am (and we went to bed early last night) and it was soooooooooo nice. We have cute little beds that are nice and warm and rather conducive to a good night sleep, might I add.
I got up and showered and Kev got to his emails. After a bit, we realized that we were hungry, so we took ourselves to the restaurant we ate at last night and ordered the lunch special. Kev had a pizza (again) and then I ordered a Greek Salad, which I thought had meat on it. I was unpleasantly surprised to find that it was just like the salad they had at the “salad bar” thing, but with olives, feta cheese, and lots of onions. Now if you know me, you know that I don’t like uncooked onions at all. They taste bad and they make me smelly.
I digress.
Lunch was nice, but we still hankered for more. We headed down the street a little ways more and bought some goodies at the local grocery store before we had hustled back home to prepare for training.
Jane drove us to the studio and her card didn’t work so we couldn’t get in. Kev and I danced around for about 45 minutes before someone showed up and let us in. We realized how out of shape we were after our 20 minutes cardio session, but we prevailed. And to top it off, we did a fast Charleston song to push ourselves even though we were tired. I am so glad we did that, but MAN and I out of shape.
And then we worked on choreography. We have some good stuff, but we need to start stringing our ideas together.
Jane came and grabbed us around 5:15pm so that we had some time at home before the dance. I read through emails while Kevin napped and then we showered quick-quick and got ready for dinner and dancing.
The dinner was serve-yourself style and was nice and basic. Ooh, and there was a rhubarb cobbler for dessert. It was a tad tart, but still nice. Kevo and I danced a bunch, took some pictures and recorded some video of the evening, saw a performance, attended the teacher’s meeting, and headed home. We are getting up a little before 8am tomorrow, and we had classes to plan, so we figured it was best to head home early. And now it is almost 1am!
I am going to shower and then head to bed.
Goodnight!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
We have arrived!
We finally made it to
I laid down for a nap while Kev played on his computer. I think at some point he napped because we both got up around 8pm to take showers and then meet Jane (one of the organizers) for dinner. The showers are very cute, but require that one squeegee the floor. There is no basin or anything to stand "in" so the water seems to spray/splatter all over the ground. After that, we headed outside and down the street about a block, there was Jane and Steven Mitchell! The restaurant we went to for dinner was only a block from our place and the place was super cute. The ambiance was calm and modern and the food was excellent. We all ordered pizzas which were thin but large. Kev and I both had a Tropicana (ham, banana, pineapple, and curry), Jane had something with meat, and Steven had an egg and something.
After dinner we headed out to meet up with Dax and Alice. It was great to see them again. We hung out at the dance studio briefly and then Steven and I headed home because we were exhausted. Kev stayed back and hung out with the gang and had a great time (so he told me the next morning).
Off to bed!
Goals for the Three Weeks
Work on our fast dancing – increase our endurance
Put together some mini-routines – hopefully 5
Finish our routine
Learn some jazz off of some of the videos I have
Work on Flash
Go through video collection – edit/pair down
Strengthening and conditioning
Create/polish
Work on girl routine
Work on the Big Apple (new version)
The Three Week Adventure Begins
Yesterday (or today really; I haven’t slept yet) Kevin and I left for our trip to Sweden and it was off to a great start, until I realized that I forgot my jacket and gloves! Total amateur hour! How could I, Miss I-am-cold-all-the-time, forget my jacket when I am going to Northern Europe and the Easter Block? Oh yeah, that’s right….because it was hot in Pittsburgh when I left!
Well, there has been lots of flying since that discover and still no new jacket in sight. At PIT I tried to find a jacket and couldn’t; at DTW I tried again and found a sweatshirt (I have one of those already, btw) for $120 which is WAY too pricey; and here at AMS I have found some sweatshirt things, but they are in Euros and I just cringe at the thought at how much it will really cost me.
The flight from DTW to AMS was pretty easy. I watched a movie and then watched some dance clips on my iPod and now I am pumped to dance! And guess what?! I have 4 hours until my next flight, so realistically, I have the time to dance before I take off for Sweden.
I didn’t sleep on that flight. I think it was the fact that I was thinking about dancing, choreography and all the things I want to accomplish, or I could chalk it up to the fact the seats were uncomfortable. Highlight of the flight: Kevo stopped by a Japanese restaurant before we left DTW and bought some sushi (which I got a bite of) and a bean cake for me. Delish!! He’s so thoughtful!!!
Currently, Kev and I are sitting in the internet area typing away at emails. After we write a bunch we are going to hop online, send these guys, upload the new ones, sign off, write some more, sign back on, and do it all again.
Last thing (this is amusing/ironic for me). I don’t like to check luggage because I feel wherever you go (unless you are moving), you shouldn’t have to check luggage. This trip required that Kevin and I check our heavy and oversized luggage and I was betting that my luggage would be delayed because that would make life even better (forgetting the jacket SUCKS, but having my luggage go missing on top of that would super suck). Yet it isn’t my luggage that will be delayed; it’s Kevin’s! It’s sad to hear, but oh so ironic.
More later. Cheers.
Well, there has been lots of flying since that discover and still no new jacket in sight. At PIT I tried to find a jacket and couldn’t; at DTW I tried again and found a sweatshirt (I have one of those already, btw) for $120 which is WAY too pricey; and here at AMS I have found some sweatshirt things, but they are in Euros and I just cringe at the thought at how much it will really cost me.
The flight from DTW to AMS was pretty easy. I watched a movie and then watched some dance clips on my iPod and now I am pumped to dance! And guess what?! I have 4 hours until my next flight, so realistically, I have the time to dance before I take off for Sweden.
I didn’t sleep on that flight. I think it was the fact that I was thinking about dancing, choreography and all the things I want to accomplish, or I could chalk it up to the fact the seats were uncomfortable. Highlight of the flight: Kevo stopped by a Japanese restaurant before we left DTW and bought some sushi (which I got a bite of) and a bean cake for me. Delish!! He’s so thoughtful!!!
Currently, Kev and I are sitting in the internet area typing away at emails. After we write a bunch we are going to hop online, send these guys, upload the new ones, sign off, write some more, sign back on, and do it all again.
Last thing (this is amusing/ironic for me). I don’t like to check luggage because I feel wherever you go (unless you are moving), you shouldn’t have to check luggage. This trip required that Kevin and I check our heavy and oversized luggage and I was betting that my luggage would be delayed because that would make life even better (forgetting the jacket SUCKS, but having my luggage go missing on top of that would super suck). Yet it isn’t my luggage that will be delayed; it’s Kevin’s! It’s sad to hear, but oh so ironic.
More later. Cheers.
Friday, April 18, 2008
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