FOMO

FOMO is the acronym for the fear of missing out.  To give you an example, pretend that all your friends are at an Eminem concert and they are posting pictures on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Seeing the pictures on social media will make you fear that you are missing out on having fun with your friends even if you don't really like Eminem's music. FOMO can relate to a wide range of things.  I am going through this right now. You can see what everyone else is doing on social media at all times.  People post pictures of their kids, going out with their boyfriend, and going on amazing vacations, and seeing those pictures can make you feel like your experiences are less valuable. You may say yes to things that you don't want to do and no to things we want to do because you are worried about the things that others think are important.  Every single person in the world is not going to experience every single thing there is to experience.  I am starting to believe that if you are not focusing on what other people are doing at all times you will appreciate what you are experiencing in the present moment a lot more.  Tell me what you fear that you are missing out on in the comments.

Dance With Me!

Hey everyone!  I have been taking lessons at a ballroom dance studio, called Dance With Me, and it is owned by Maksim and Val Chmerkovskiy from Dancing With The Stars. On Maks' Facebook page, I saw that people can sign up for complementary lessons at one of the studios because he is the current winner of Dancing With The stars, so I decided to give it a shot. You get a free private lesson, a free group lesson, and a free social party.  

I had my first private lesson in June. I told the manager beforehand that I used a wheelchair to dance because I wasn't sure how I would do and I didn't know if the instructor had any experience teaching someone with a disability. I was very impressed by how well my instructor knew how to modify the styles. He taught me Cha-Cha, Rumba, The Waltz, and Salsa.  I picked up each of the styles pretty quickly and my favorite style was The Waltz.  

Last night was the social party.  I have to admit I was a little nervous to go because I am new to ballroom and I am shy around people that I have never met before. As soon as I got there, people were introducing themselves to me and asking me to dance. One instructor spun me around so fast five times in a row.  It didn't take long for me to get comfortable because a lot of the other dancers were beginners, too. I was smiling the entire time.  I might have to go to the social party again next week!

The studio is absolutely beautiful! It has chandeliers and all of the instructors are dressed up like they are ready for a competition. The people I have met so far are so nice and welcoming, too.   I think I found a new passion! 

Here is more information about Dance With Me: http://dancewithmeusa.com/

It's Been A While

Hello everyone!  It's been pretty busy and I have been slacking with the blog, but I am back! I can't believe it is 2014 already! I hope you all had a great holiday season. For the past few weeks, I got to see family and friends that I don't get to see very often.

I had a great Christmas.  We just had company at our house and mom cooked. I got a new camera and I have been taking so many pictures of my nephew.  On Christmas, he was sporting a reindeer hat and an outfit that says, "My First Christmas." He looked adorable. He is quite a stylish one month old!  

Also, I just wanted to thank everyone who has been reading my blog since it started in July.  I have gotten so much great feedback and I really appreciate the support. 

Happy New Year! 

From The Heart

Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to touch people's hearts.  It was my dance company's second performance for Your Move and I think it went so much better than the first time we performed.  It was better because I think we connected with the story, each other, and the audience so much more than the first time.  We were in the moment and it felt amazing.  

The piece was about 9/11 and paying tribute to all of the people who were involved.  We started out the piece as if we were just having a normal day, and then all of the chaos happens.  The piece ends with the aftermath and just trying to pick up the pieces and move on.  I wasn't directly affected by the tragedy, but I tried to think about a person that I've lost who meant something to me.   Even if the audience wasn't directly affected by the story, they can relate to loss.  I think that's what makes dance so universal.  Everyone has a story to tell and everyone has similar experiences that they have gone through. I dedicated my performance to my friend Megan, who passed away in February. 

After we performed, I went back into the theater to talk to some of the audience members and I got a lot of great feedback. One person told me it helped her understand her 19 year old daughter better.  Even she didn't know what she meant by that haha. Another person said that they were only watching me. (no offense to the other dancers)  I have a unique ability because I dance from my wheelchair.  It feels good to change someone's perception about what dance is.  I may not have the technicality of an able-bodied dancer, but I can still connect to people.  I dance from my heart. 

Tonight was a lot of fun and I got to meet some really great people.  I just wish that I got to see the rest of the performances. All of the dancers in the green room were so nice and supportive of each other.  Most of all, I loved dancing with my group. They are the nicest people. I love you guys! Thanks for reading! 

4th Annual Your Move Modern Dance Festival

Come see marked dance project perform tomorrow and Saturday at 8pm!! We are the first integrated dance company to ever perform in the festival!


TICKETS:

$12/$18 at door


yourmove2013.bpt.me



LOCATION:

Art House Productions

Hamilton Square, 1 McWilliams Place, 6th Floor

Jersey City, NJ 07302

(201) 915-9911

Finding Your True Passion

Hey everyone! So, today I wanted to talk about having a passion for something.  I think everyone needs to find that one thing that they really love, want to put their all into and allow it to really take off.  Some people are lucky enough to know from a young age what they are passionate about and for others, it might take a little longer. That is OK. I know there was a time in my life that I wasn't really sure what I was passionate about.  

I believe there is a difference between being good at something and being successful and having a passion for something. You can be getting the amount of money you want and the grades you want, but you might not enjoy the process of getting those things. A lot of people are good at their job, but they don't love their job. It ends up just feeling like work.  You might just be going through the motions and you aren't truly happy.   If you can find something you are good at and you love it, then you are truly successful, in my opinion. You have to figure out what your definition of success is.  

You may go through phases in life where you thought you were passionate about something, but interests can change. When something starts to feel like work,  people start changing careers. It is very common and it is not a bad thing.  A lot of people in my Master's program were teachers for many years and decided they want to work with people on a more individual basis.  Other people started going through the Master's program and decided they didn't want to finish the program. That is OK too.

Another thing I want to point out, is that people might do something to gain notoriety or recognition.  To me, that's not really a passion. It goes back to my point about the amount of money you make. You can be a famous singer making millions of dollars, but if you aren't truly happy it is not worth it.  

In order to find your passion, you have to really think about what you like to spend your time doing.  There are endless possibilities.  What is the one thing you would do without pay?  If you like to go on Facebook, a lot of companies hire people to manage all of their social media.  Years ago, that would not have been a possibility.  You can even find your passion by watching other people and getting inspiration from them.  Choreographers can create pieces by watching other people all the time. Tyce Diorio even mentioned that he got the idea for one of his pieces by watching homeless people in Los Angeles. 

Growing up, I didn't really like dancing that much. I was a stubborn kid. I didn't want to do a lot of things to tell you the truth lol. It wasn't until I was about 14, when I really started loving performing for people and seeing their reaction towards a disabled dancer.  Now, everyone knows I am passionate about dancing lol. I get so much joy from inspiring others and making them happy.  There are so things that I have done and so many great people that I have met through dancing. I probably would never have gotten those opportunities if I wasn't dancing.  

 Your passion can touch people in ways that you never even thought was possible.  When you are passionate about something, it shows. It makes you a more positive person and it rubs off on other people.  It doesn't end with you. It Other people pick up on your positivity and it inspires them to go out and inspire even more people.  Nothing happens overnight. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get to where you want to be in life, but if you have the passion for something, you will be successful.Thanks for reading!

Writer's Block

Hey everyone! I took a little bit of a break from blogging because I had writer's block. Sometimes I feel like I don't have a lot to say, or I feel like I'm not going to offer something interesting and I don't like to write about it. There are times when topics easily come to me and I can write about them so quickly. There are other times when it takes me forever to think about what to say. I'm sure a lot of people go through that from time to time. I know I probably shouldn't feel that way because this blog is all about my view on different things. I just hope you guys are enjoying what I have to say.

What I am going to try to do starting tomorrow, is that I am going to write short blogs every day for the month of November. Does anyone have any ideas about how to get over writer's block or topics that you would be interested in reading about? Thanks for reading!

NYC Adventure

Hey everyone! Yesterday was quite an experience. I traveled with 3 other members of my dance company to New York City because we were asked to perform at NYU.  It was the first time I had ever been on a train and gone to the city with anyone other than my family. It was a very big deal for me. Accessibility was a little bit of an issue, but overall it really wasn't that bad.

As soon as I got to Newark Penn Station, I had a little time to figure out where I was going because the others were running a little late.  Newark Penn Station is pretty nice. It's big and spread out.  There were elevators that went to each track and had to go on Track 1.  I bought my round-trip ticket in the little machine that was on the side and I like that because it's a lot quicker than waiting in line if you don't have a lot of time.  The train ended up being 6 minutes late. When I got on the train, they had a little area for people in wheelchairs to sit. On the way home, the conductor asked if I wanted to use the platform. I'm glad I did use it because there was a huge gap between the train and the sidewalk.  I was surprised at how quick the ride was. I guess I'm so used to getting stuck in traffic.

NY Penn Station was a little bit of a challenge.  In order to get onto the street, we saw that we had to take an escalator up. We didn't see an elevator anywhere, so we went up the escalator. On the way back to NY Penn Station, a man told us where the elevator was, so that we can avoid the escalator.  We also had difficulty trying to find the elevator to get on Track 3, so I went down the escalator backwards and that was frightening.  We kept trying to ask where the elevator was, but no one knew where it was.  

We took cabs to and from NYU, and they were pretty easy to navigate. We just had to locate ones that had a big enough trunk to fit the wheelchair.  

We got to NYU and it was beautiful!  There were these amazing paintings all along the walls.  We performed on the 8th floor of their cultural center in a conference room. Our director gave a speech on multiple identities and his experience being gay, disabled and Latino. Then, our group did a group piece, a duet and I did a solo. After the performance, we did a Q&A and the students asked us very good questions. There were about 15 students in attendance.  It was such an honor being asked to perform there.  

The whole experience was awesome!  Thank you to everyone involved with the event, especially my dance family who helped me every step of the way. It made the journey so much more manageable. I couldn't have done it without you guys! I love you all!

Facing Your Fears

A fear of spiders is called Arachnophobia, a fear of heights is called Acrophobia and a fear of dancing is Chorophobia. A fear of music is Melonophobia.  Some of these fears sound silly, but they actually exist.  This website lists every phobia imaginable.  

Everyone fears something. Most of the time, fears are irrational, but sometimes fears stem from bad past experiences and are very real for people.  It can hold you back from enjoying life.  In my opinion, the anticipation of something happening is a lot worse than the fear itself. 
What are we afraid of? Our fears can't physically hurt us, but it can really hold us back if we let it.  The best thing we can do is face our fears and not let them control our lives.  

Today,  I was practicing a dance move where I popped a wheelie and I had to fall backwards onto the floor.  I had to do it a few times and I was so scared to hit my head, but I did it. In 2007, I was on vacation with my family and I fell in the shower and I did hit my head really hard on the soap dish.  I had to go to the emergency room and get stitches. Ever since that accident, I have been afraid of hitting my head again.  I also have the shunt, due to Hydrocephalus, in my head that could potentially break. I would honestly feel more comfortable with someone behind me. I practiced with a mat and the other dancers spotted me, but on the day of the performance I won't have that security.  I just have to practice breaking my fall with my arms a bunch of times and hopefully it will make me less nervous.  I have to find a way to fall safely.

What are you afraid of? Leave me a comment!

My Current Obsession

For the past year or so, one of my favorite things to do is watch beauty videos on YouTube.  I remember that I was looking for videos of tutorials on how to do different makeup looks and I stumbled upon all of these awesome beauty channels! There are tons of beauty gurus out there and it is a whole community.  There are videos about everything you can imagine, including reviews on products, favorites, non-favorites, tutorials, and lots of fun tag videos. 

My favorite guru is Emily Eddington. She is a former local newscaster from Illinois and now she does her YouTube channel full-time.  Her channel is called Beauty Broadcast. I always look forward to her videos because she has that "news voice" that makes you want to listen to her lol. She comes up with great content and she has the most honest opinions on things. Every Thursday morning, she does Beauty Broadcast Live on her vlog channel. Check her out! She is awesome!

Here is her newest video:

Where else you can find Emily:

Blog:         www.beautybroadcast.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeautyBroadcast
Twitter:      www.twitter.com/emilynoel83
Instagram: www.instagram.com/emilynoel83
Pinterest:  www.pinterest.com/emilynoel83

Breaking Out Of My Comfort Zone

Hey everyone! Today, I had a company workshop and dance rehearsal and we are working on a piece for upcoming performances and the big show in March called, "The Mark We Leave." This is a great group of people and I am so happy to be working with them! 

I had to really step out of my comfort zone during the workshop.  We did the same exercise that we did last week, where we had to follow the leader using a point of contact. We also did an exercise where we had to touch different parts of our partner's body to see how different amounts of pressure feels.  I have to admit it was very awkward at first, but once i got the hang of it I was more comfortable. We have to know each other's bodies in order to know what works and what doesn't.  I think my favorite part was the lift exercise that we did.  My partner and I had to figure out new ways for me to lift her and for her to lift me. I have never tried to do lifts, so it was very new and exciting to me.  The point of the exercises, again, was to strengthen non verbal communication and to build trust.  

Our rehearsal went very well, too. We rehearsed with pitchers filled with water because the water symbolizes the man-made and natural disasters that have been happening in the last few years.  It is coming together beautifully! I am excited to share it with all of you.    

Here is a collage of pictures that were taken during the rehearsal today: 

MDP Auditions

Today was the audition process for marked dance project.  We had about 7 people try out and their experience and abilities varied. They were all able-bodied. One thing none of them experienced was dancing with someone in a wheelchair.  We did an exercise where two people had to stay connected and one person led the other person with the movement.  Since I had to use my arms to move, my partner kept contact with my shoulder and we had to figure out new ways to move without my arms.  My partner did great. It was like he had done something like that before.  I also learned that I could turn my chair using my torso.  I have never made my chair do that before and it was really cool. I have to perfect the move.  I am also going to learn how to balance on one arm in my chair. Exciting stuff!!

Integrated Dance

Happy September everyone!  September means new beginnings.  People are heading back to school, starting new jobs, and for me, it means that I am going to start dancing again.  As much as I love Summer, it makes me miss dancing because I am not doing it as much.  I just love to dance. It makes me happy. It's stress relief. It's fun. It's exercise. It's a huge part of who I am. 

I have been dancing since I was 3 years old.  Throughout the years, I've taken classes for people with disabilities, but in recent years, I have been involved in various classes and a dance company with people who do not have disabilities. I am the only person in a wheelchair.  

It has been a great experience working with people who do not have disabilities because it forces them to figure out how to incorporate me into the movement and it forces me to modify the choreography that is given.  In the beginning of every class, we do leg exercises.  I have to use my arms during the exercises, so my teacher instructs the class using their arms and their legs for the exercises. It makes me feel included.

I love to hear the audience's reaction when they see someone in a wheelchair dance with an able-bodied person. It gives the audience a different perspective on how people, who have limited use of their legs, dance.  It also challenges me to work harder, because able-bodied people are capable of a lot more than I am.  I did really enjoy dancing with other people in wheelchairs, but after a while, I felt like I wasn't being challenged anymore.

Honestly, as a dancer, I am the happiest I've ever been.  I have been given opportunities that I never thought I would get a chance to experience.  A few months ago, I worked on a project with a team of dancers and a teen who was going through hard times.  The point of the project was to get her to use dance as a positive outlet to express herself.  She had never danced with someone in a wheelchair before. She was resistant at first, but as we got to know each other, she felt more comfortable with me.  By the end, she even sat in my chair and danced in it, while I danced on the floor!  I have also taken classes with world-renowned choreographers and learned styles that I've never done before.  I will never forget those experiences.

I am so excited to get started and see what the year brings. Good luck to everyone going back to school, starting new jobs, and whatever else you have going on.  Thanks for reading!

Make That Day Today

Music is so powerful and it is universal.  Everyone can find a song that they can relate to. Today, I want to tell you about a song that I love and can relate to. The song is called "That Day" and the artist is Greg Raposo.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, "A Reflection of 2013," it has been a difficult year.  Everytime I am sad or I want to give up hope, I listen to this song and it lifts my spirits.

The song was written for a Facebook friend of Greg who was going through a tough time.  After he finished the song, he told her that he would post it on YouTube for her.  Unfortunately, I don't think she got to hear the song.  The song is beautiful. The lyrics are powerful. The lyrics in the chorus are, "I'm not wasting anymore time. I've gone through this before. Watching life get taken away reminds me that we're not here to stay. I won't rely on the hope for a better day. Gonna make that day today." Life is so short. We have to do the things we love and we have to enjoy the time we have. 

Greg Raposo is a singer-songwriter from NYC and has been performing since childhood. You might remember him from the boy band, Dream Street and their hit song, "It Happens Every Time." I love that song haha. The band reached platinum status. They broke up after a few successful years and Greg went on to form several different rock bands. Now he is a solo artist and still plays shows every now and then.  I love going to his shows. He is a great performer and he is such a nice guy!

Last May, Greg released a new album, LossLoveLife, and the music video for "That Day."  I got to be in the video! This is the other reason why the song means so much to me.  It was such a cool experience. The concept of the video is doing things that you love to do and what I love to do is dance. 

I hope you enjoyed this blog and I hope that you will Make That Day Today and check out his music. See what I did there? ;) What do you love to do? How will you Make That Day Today and EVERYDAY?

Where you can find Greg:

www.twitter.com/gregraposo
www.youtube.com/raposogreg
www.reverbnation.com/gregraposo
LossLoveLife is available on iTunes

 

Weekends in the Summertime

One of my favorite activities to do on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in the Summer is to play tennis with my Dad. It's our father-daughter bonding day.

I started playing tennis at a camp for kids and teens with physical disabilities in Southampton, NY, about 10 years ago.  Wow it's been 10 years already! Time flies. Anyway, a professional tennis player came to the camp and gave us some lessons. I have to say I was pretty good at it from the beginning.  At the end of camp, the counselors give out silly awards at the end of the session like "Most Likely to Sing a Britney Spears Song" or something like that. I don't remember the exact titles of the awards that were given out, but they were pretty funny. I got "Best Tennis Player" two years in a row and both years had completely different counselors! How funny is that?!

So, my dad and I have been playing ever since my camp days and I still enjoy it so much. We don't play regular matches, even though I would like to try.  He just throws the ball to me and I hit it backhand, forehand, and I also practice serving with my racket.  I move my wheelchair to wherever the ball lands and I hit the ball. I can serve and hit backhand pretty well , but I still need to practice my forehand. I would love to be on a tennis team, but the closest team that I could find is over an hour away.  I wish I could somehow start a team where I live.

I cannot write a blog about camp without mentioning a good friend of mine, who sadly passed away on August 4th.  She was a really cool person. I will never forget all of the fun times we had at camp like participating in the nighttime activities. We chugged pitchers of water and sang "Stupid Cupid" together in the camp talent show.  I was not able to see her in the past few years because we live so far away from each other. I wish I could have seen her more, but I am glad that we were able to keep in touch through social media.  Thanks for the memories Tiesha. You will be missed by so many. RIP <3