Long Distance Friendships…

…why do I have them?

It’s already so hard for me to make and keep friends in person due to the fact that I’m not the easiest person to stomach, and yet I continue to make friendships that rely on communication through the internet where it is a tad too impersonal.  Granted, all these friendships I have started off with me meeting them in person… but since they do live in the States, the rest of our contact is done through chatting on the web.

Two of thses “friendships” have already fallen apart… now, the other 2 are very important to me, however it’s just been difficult lately.  There’s nothing much to say anymore, and with our schedules being so busy, chatting doesn’t happen very often… and there’s nothing to be done about it.  And on the off chance that we do chat… doesn’t seem like much is being said anymore.  It’s starting to feel like I’m expecting too much… it might just be a matter of time before I drive these 2 people, whom I love dearly, away from me… I seem to have a knack for it, as history dictates.

So what am I to do…?

Later days…

Update…

I should really make a habit out of writing here, shouldn’t I?  Well, here’s the news, Imaginary Reader…

PraiseTEAM competed at IDC Seattle 2 weekends ago and did very very well!  Here’s the breakdown of the placements and awards:

• Cookies N Cream (trio hiphop): platinum champion, best precision award, 2nd runner up duo-trio challenge champion
• Holiday (large group hiphop): high gold champion, 2nd runner up large group challenge champion
• Team Gorgeous (15-16 trio hiphop): high gold champion
• Karaoke Night (15-16 trio hiphop): platinum champion, 1st runner up duo-trio ultimate challenge champion
• Metallic (15-16 line hiphop): gold champion
• Scavenger (15-16 line hiphop): high gold champion
• Carbon Copy (17-19 large group modern): gold champion
• Heartbreak (17-19 large group hiphop): platinum champion, large group ultimate challenge champion, 2nd runner up overall highest score
• Anonymous (17-19 line hiphop): high gold champion
• Ridiculously Good-Looking (17-19 line open): platinum champion, 1st runner up line ultimate challenge champion
• Lovin’ The 80′s (17-19 line musical theatre / character): platinum champion, line ultimate challenge champion, entertainment challenge champion, best presentation award
• Slipped Away (17-19 solo lyrical): gold champion, qualifier for Ms IDC semi-finals
• Tectonic (13-14 large group hiphop): sterling silver champion
• And both “Center Stage” awards (junior and senior) went to PraiseTEAM!  Congratulations to Dayle de Guzman and Mickee Reyes!

Needless to say I am extremely proud of all the dancers that went to compete… some of the awards totally surprised us, too.  Like, Heartbreak… the last rehearsal before the competition was a hot mess but it somehow beat Lovin’ The 80′s, which has more rehearsal and performance experience haha!  You never really know what happens.  But nonetheless, it was an amazing start to our competition season.  I look forward to the rest of our competitions in the next couple of months.

I also just got back from judging at IDC Chicago last weekend.  It was a lot of fun and I met some amazing people and witnessed some amazing talent on stage.  I still can’t believe I get to do this!  I’m really looking forward to meeting more people in San Mateo.  After that, I flew into Seattle and spent a couple hours with Tanya (my friend from the Philippines whom I haven’t seen in 5 years) and her husband, Nick (great guy, totally got along with him).  We spent some time in the Seattle center during the Irish festival then went around Pike Place and the general downtown area of Seattle… during a windstorm… haha!  It came outta nowhere so it made for an interesting time walking around outside.  Oh, and I was also able to see the world’s very first Starbucks… haha!  Yes… the origin of my vice.  Good times indeed.  Here are some pictures…

That’s all for now, Imaginary Reader…

Later days…

Wow, It’s Been A While…

Hello, Imaginary Reader…

Where to begin?  I suppose I should just resort to the good ol’ point-form blog since there’s quite a bit to write but I don’t want to write that much… especially since it’s past midnight and I’ve got an early day tomorrow (or technically, today).  So here goes…

• Super belated Happy New Year.
• Had a pretty crazy holiday… Christmas with the Clarks (made a new good friend, Nick… Joel’s brother)… super wonderful family!  Then headed off to Florida to visit Chris and spent New Years there… it was an emotional roller coaster of a trip.  Lots of ups, lots of downs.  I was able to learn a lot about myself, learn from the mistakes I’ve made, and learned that maybe I should be careful of what I invest in somebody else’s life.  This past couple of months has really taught me a lot about friendships… that I’m probably not as close to people as I thought I was… that I need to let go of some things… in this regard, I believe I’m in a transitional point in my life.  We’ll see what happens.
• The dance life… ah, the dance life.  It’s going well, of course.  Busy.  But that’s how I like it.  Competition season is fast approaching.  I’ve got just about 2 weeks until IDC Seattle… pieces are still a tad messy, but I have faith that our pieces in PraiseTEAM will really come together and that the dancers will deliver really strong performances.
• Speaking of IDC… yes, I judge for them now.  It’s a pretty sweet gig, I must say.  Although I just lost 2 of the cities I was booked for… Ames IA didn’t have enough registration, and Tampa FL was a mistake on my part… I have never in my life double-booked myself or messed up my schedules (and I won’t go into it because it frustrates me and it will take too long to explain), but it’s definitely a lesson learned.  I have Chicago coming up in about 3 weeks.  I’m hoping that I can make up for the cities I lost, too… maybe another judge will cancel and I can be a substitute… and I’ve also asked to maybe judge for Boston nationals.  I’m new, though, so it’s not likely that I will get that job.  However, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
• Saving money sucks.
• I recently got my phone and iPod Touch stolen at OLGC.  I was able to replace the phone through an upgrade (however I now have to pay for the bills myself… and my current one is $335.03… this is due to my recent trip to visit Nick in Vancouver WA… and right when I got there, my students started texting and calling me about costumes and I couldn’t exactly ignore that… ugh).  The iPod, however, is gone.  I’m now saving up to just get an iPod Classic.  I wanted to get the green nano because a) it’s a pretty color, b) the 16gig can hold up to 4000 songs (and even now, I haven’t even filled up my dad’s 4gig which I am currently using until I get my Classic), and c) it’s a really pretty color.  But Nick convinced me to just get a Classic… for only $50 more than the 16gig nano, I get 120 gigs, which is about 30,000 songs.  I might as well.
• Last weekend was the Olympic Oval gala that I’ve been choreographing for since November.  It was really rough at first but the dancers performed beautifully at the event.  I’m definitely very proud of them.  The Olympic Oval in Richmond is a beautiful venue.  It’s kinda cool to know that we now have Olympic facilities here and that I was a part of a ceremony to open one of them.  Definitely a good thing to have on the resumé… I hope I get to be a part of the actual event in 2010!
• I have a new class at Harbor Dance… contemporary jazz 1/2, Fridays at 11am.  So happy to have a second class!  This will definitely help in saving up… well, ideally it should.  I’m being very careful about my phone bill and my shopping (you know how bad I get)… I still need a part-time job, though.  I’ve applied at some places… I just have to be careful where I apply.  Not many people will be very understanding about the fact that I will need to take days off to do competitions and leave the country, etc… so that’s something I’m praying for.

Well, Imaginary Reader… you are now pretty much caught up with my life since I last wrote an entry on here.  Good times.

Exit, stage left…

New Work…

…here are my two pieces that I showcased at Wintergroove last Saturday at Massey Theatre. Enjoy!

PraiseTEAM with Lovin’ The 80′s

Fresh Groove with A Beatles Trip

Hope you liked that, Imaginary Reader =)

Exit, stage left…

Image…

…wherever you go, you’re bombarded with images of what the media deems is “beautiful.”  You have to be this tall, this shape, wear this brand, have this hairstyle.  Of course, this is generally more of a female issue, but males struggle with it, too… especially me.  I’m not that tall, I’m Asian (and not the exotic-looking kind), I’m somewhat stocky, not in the best shape (although I’m stronger than I look… apparently).  That latter part, however, can be changed… I mean, I could work out, eat healthier… sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t… so that’s my fault.  Nevertheless, I can’t help but compare myself to other guys… it’s especially hard being a dancer.  When I auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance Canada, all the guys I went up with were tall, lengthy, lean / muscular, good-looking… and then there’s me.  I can’t jump, turn, or kick like they can, so I used the floor.  I figured I’m closer to the floor than they are, so I might as well use it.  Good thing my strength is in choreography… at least that field isn’t so much about how you look… right?

I guess this is the reason why I have so many clothes… I hide behind them.  And I’ve actually gotten quite good at hiding myself beneath my clothes.  When I’m feeling especially “unsightly,” I put together an outfit that has enough layers in it to create a structure that masks my shape (or lack thereof… do guys have a shape?).  When I can’t layer, I become very conscious… hence why I’m not so fond of summer.

So, believe it or not, I’ve made a decision to go and buy that 10-Minute-Trainer by Tony Horton (same guy who created P90X… google it).  We’ll see where this takes me.  I’m really gonna have to commit to this if I want results… much like how I committed to my dancing.  So hopefully this is a new start for me… I can’t change my face, height, build… but I can make myself look the best that I can with what I’m given and how I was created.

—–

Other musings…

• Why can’t people understand “walk left, stand right?”  Have mercy…
• I will be subbing for Tara Jean’s Jazz 1/2 class at Harbor Dance on Dec 9 and 12.  I’m kinda scared… I have some pretty big shoes to fill!  If you haven’t seen her work, YouTube it… or Facebook… she is simply amazing!
• Wintergroove this Saturday at Massey Theatre.  PraiseTEAM Sr. Showcase will be performing Lovin’ The 80′s and I will be performing my Beatles contemp piece with my FG contemp group… the one and only time it will be performed.  How sad.

• I can’t believe it’s December already!  My my my, the time sure has flown.  I love Christmas =)

That’s all for now, Imaginary Reader.

Exit, stage left…

Update…

…so, some time has passed since I last blogged on here.  I suppose I should let you in on what’s been happening, Imaginary Reader.

—–

• I’m currently choreographing (along with Jonathan Kol) for the grand opening ceremony of the Olympic Oval in Richmond.  We held an audition a couple of weeks ago.  The turnout was pretty big:  about 60 dancers.  In the end, we took 34.  I was hoping for about 50, but what can you do, right?  Our first rehearsal was a bit of a struggle for many reasons… some dancers just didn’t have enough experience, some were really timid, most of them have never worked with me so it took some time to get used to me… the second rehearsal, however, went a lot better.  Hopefully this all heads in the same direction from now on and will keep getting better with every rehearsal.  Even though there is no compensation for this project, I’m really hoping that this will give me a lot of exposure as a choreographer.  From what I hear, the event will be televised and everything.  Excitement =)
• I’m in the process of completing the competition registration forms for PraiseTEAM.  Last year, we barely had any forms to fill out since only Sr. Showcase and a few other classes competed.  Now, most of the company is deciding to compete (for example, we are bringing 103 dancers to IDC Seattle… that should be a riot).  I’m really quite excited, though… from what I can see, all the groups are doing some pretty awesome stuff.  I’m hoping that this will be another successful year for PraiseTEAM.  Oh, and we have our company potluck on Dec 13… we’ll get to see what all the classes have been working on so far.  It should be fun!

• Christmas shopping… oh man!  I’m actually almost done with my list (which is odd because I typically wait ’til the week of until I start buying things).  I have to give my family’s gifts early and late… early for my mom and sister, late for my brother and dad… why?  The latter are harder to buy for and I won’t actually be with them for Christmas.  Long story, but I’m bored so I guess I will explain it to you…  Chris’ (my little bro from Florida) mom bought me a ticket to visit him for his birthday / Christmas.  This ticket was purchased a few months ago… however, just recently, my dad decided to take the family with him to California for December… greeeeaaaaaat.  So there you go.  Actually, that wasn’t so long… I lied.  Oh well.  Anyway, I’ll just buy my dad’s and brother’s present down in Orlando… oh, and since I’m not spending Christmas with my family, my bro Joel invited me down to Portland to spend Christmas with his family… sweetness =)

—–

Alright, I’d say that’s a good enough update for now.  I can’t believe Christmas is coming so soon!

Now time for some spaghetti.

Exit, stage left…

Trust…

If tomorrow crowds you into a valley of your weakness
When failure makes you feel like your wounded soul’s defeated
Don’t go turning from what has brought you this far
He is enough strength to soothe your broken heart
All you gotta do is…

Trust in the things unseen
Trust, if you can’t believe
Beyond the circumstance, don’t give doubt a chance
Trust, as you carry on
Just… for it won’t be long
The rainbow will appear if you just trust

When fear collides into the faith that you’ve been holding
When trouble steals all of the joy that you’ve been knowing
Don’t go turning from what has brought you this far
He is enough strength to soothe your broken heart
All you gotta do is…

Trust in the things unseen
Trust, if you can’t believe
Beyond the circumstance, don’t give doubt a chance
Trust, as you carry on
Just… for it won’t be long
The rainbow will appear if you just trust

All you got to, all you got to do…
As you carry on, you’ve gotta learn to trust my Savior
All you got to, you’ve just got to trust my Savior

Trust and obey for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey…

Communication…

…there is a lot to be said about it. Whether it be in friendships, relationships, teams, work places… communication is extremely important. I personally feel that there are a lot of people who don’t seem to agree with me on this matter… or maybe I hold it too high? Can communication become too important?  Are my expectations too much?

As my history with past friends dictates, communication is extremely essential, and it needs to go both ways.  In many cases, I was the only one who ever kept that up… that has resulted in a pretty severe trust issue on my part.  So many people have flaked out, sold out, and lied to me that it is now very difficult for me to trust anybody.  I used to bend over backwards and keep trying to “chase” after that friend to the point where I practically come off needy.  Now, when it gets to the point where I feel I am the only one who is making any effort to communicate and to maintain the friendship, I don’t stick around for too long to give that person a second chance… I virtually disappear from their lives.  I can’t be the only one trying to make things work.

There is somebody in my life I feel extremely conflicted about… I haven’t heard from this person in 2 weeks (and even before that, communication was already quite rare and without substance).  I don’t feel this person is making any kind of effort to communicate with me and tell me what’s up.  I personally don’t know what to think at this time… instict dictates for me to just leave this person alone and move on with my life.  I know some people will tell me that I’m too needy or expect too much of people… but communication, I find, is a necessity and is really just common courtesy (which isn’t so common, unfortunately).

What to do, what to do…

Exit, stage left…

As Promised…

…here is the video link of PraiseTEAM Sr. Showcases’ debut performance of Lovin’ The 80′s… Google video won’t let me embed for some reason… I’m not geek enough to figure it out, either.  So just click the link… yay.  Enjoy!

TO NARNIA.

Exit, stage left…

Lovin’ The 80′s…

…so this post is probably a bit late.  I’ve been slackin’… not good.  Anyway, PraiseTEAM Sr. Showcase has finally debuted their first piece of the year, Lovin’ The 80′s.  It’s a high-energy 80′s-themed variety piece (a wedding reception, no less).  We had the privilege of performing this piece at Project Mabuhay last Saturday, a fundraiser concert held by Surrey Memorial at the Vancouver Playhouse in the hopes of raising money to send doctors and nurses into 3rd world countries (as far as I know).  The stage was a lot smaller than we had expected so we had to reblock a couple of things, but the performance went phenomenally!  Up to this day, I still can’t get tired of watching it… and I probably never will.  I mean, I still watch our Hairspray piece from last year.

*note:  I tried to upload our 80′s piece on Google video, but they’re having server problems so I’ll have to post it up on a different day.  Sorry!  Wait… who am I kidding?  Nobody reads this… hahahaha!

Now we’re concentrating on our Anonymous piece.  It’s looking really good so far (as per last night’s rehearsal) and I’m really anxious to put this piece together.  Hopefully this comes together quickly enough (and cleanly) so that we can start on the 3rd piece we’re hoping to do:  Ridiculously Good-Looking.  That’s pretty self-explanatory =) …I have a feeling we’ll get to do all 3 pieces, though.

—–

in other news…

• Sr. Showcase was supposed to perform in some pretty snazzy venues within the next few weeks:  GM Place and The Centre… unfortunately, the GM Place gig fell through and the gig at The Centre has been postponed to a later date (spring, perhaps).  Good call, Missy… well, no matter.  When God closes a door, he opens a window.
• PraiseTEAM is holding a retro-themed fundraiser dinner / dance evening on Dec 13… more details to come!
• My bank is being excessively inconvenient… I have been depositing so much money and yet, I can only use about $30 at this point.  I can’t believe they would actually hold a cheque indefinitely.  Ridiculous.  My money clears in the next couple days… afterwards, I will close my account.  I can’t wait.
• I wanna go shopping.
• There has been a setback in my life… it’s kinda minor, but kinda major.  But I’ll keep running with my head against the wind… this HAS to happen.
• I need to get new headshots… not very satisfied with the ones I currently have.

Exit, stage left…