Brunch at Julie's: Dance

Showing posts with label Dance. Show all posts

Thursday, March 31, 2011

to escape, to feel, to live

For one of my classes, we had to create a short "public service announcement," so I decided to make mine on Carolina Style, one of the dance groups at UNC. During Fall Fest at the beginning of the school year, I ran into my friend Tiffany, my Dance Director in high school (but a senior at CH now), who was promoting the company. After talking to her about it, I knew I wanted to audition. It disappoints me that Carolina doesn't have a solid dance program like other top universities, but from what I could tell from our short conversation, C-Style was her perfect outlet.

The company is divided into three groups (ballet, tap, and jazz), so of course I chose ballet. I learned three pieces last semester, and on Sunday I will perform four. Even though I've been doing C-Style since last September, it's really taken me up until now to realize how much I truly miss dancing all the time. It was such a huge part of my life for such a long time, and it's crazy how just going off to college can change all that. But this week, I think I've taken a new perspective. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to dance with other girls who feel the same way. We all miss taking class each night. We all miss rehearsals for recitals, Nutcracker, pointe shoes, the feeling of accomplishment after a triple pirouette. We miss these things, but I think in a way, it brings us closer. Another one of the seniors, while taking me home last night, told me that some of her best memories from college were from Carolina Style. I hope I can say that too in three years, and I'm looking forward to making the most out of dancing here.

(Video song: Cosmic Love by Florence + The Machine)

Monday, December 27, 2010

Belle of the Ballet

Rodarte's drawing for the White Swan in the film Black Swan. The costume on Natalie Portman, in my opinion, was picaresque. In terms of the ballet, my favorite between the two will remain the Black Swan (Odile), because of her precise movements, fierce fouettes, and overall eccentric demeanor. But I fell in love with the costume's elaborate headpiece and use of tulle and feathers. Gorgeous, darling!

I think the bizarre/horrific parts of the movie have worn off, so I might listen to my Swan Lake soundtrack as I travel this week. I'm heading up north to Maryland and then Washington D.C. for the ECU bowl game, then to Charlotte for the weekend. I'm almost getting used to living out of my duffel.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Fall Showcase

Dancing felt so wonderful last night. I've forgotten how it makes me feel just to move to the music, stop thinking about the steps, and enjoy the moments onstage. And the fact that everyone in the showcase was dancing for the joy of dancing was such a breath of fresh air. I think that's what made it so special. No matter how busy life can get, dancing always takes me away, somewhere where I don't have to think about the million things running through my mind, somewhere where I'm given an escape, somewhere where I'm at peace.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

How It Ends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h__U3ZF-iTc

First off, this was breathtaking. And the song fit perfectly. I can remember when my dear friend CCL introduced me to this song about a year and a half ago. It got me thinking though about the broken relationships I've had in the past, how individuals have hurt me, my so-called "friends." I can think of a couple people in the past two years. How they've gone behind my back, lying to my face, while putting on this facade that they still love or that we still have a friendship. And you know what the first thing I wanted to do to them after what they did? Hurt them too. But I realize that in these kind of situations there is nothing you can really do but move on, go your separate way, and only hope that they come to terms with what they've done. And of course, pray for them. Don't get me wrong, I've fallen into the sin of lashing back once or twice, and I deeply regret that. But as the summer's gone by, I've noticed that the past is the past and sometimes certain friendships are better left there.

That said, I'm excited for this weekend and the upcoming week so I can sit down, relax, finish up my summer reading book list at the beach, and get to packing. In addition, I'm going to try and write some more uplifting and fun posts for y'all.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Bittersweet

A few thoughts rolling around in this head of mine this evening:

It's hard to believe that this will be one of my last few weekends at home. I'm not quite sure I'm ready for this year to begin, now that I feel like it's all coming up so soon. Loneliness at first seems inevitable, despite being surrounded by so many people. New faces, new classes, new circle of friends. It's almost here. I'm excited, yes, but I can't help tofeel a little down. I'm going to miss the comfort and familiarity of what I have here. Dinners with beloved friends, watching cheesy chick flicks and reality shows with mom, waking up in the morning with coffee already brewed. It's those little things. But then I got to thinking, all those bits and pieces of what I cherish here will only make the memories that much sweeter. I know God has a bigger plan for me out there, high school was a mere stepping stone. My struggle has just been allowing him to give me a peace of mind when I feel alone and a little afraid of what is ahead of me. I've been a little uneasy about what the future will look like for me; I feel my interests are a bit scattered in terms of what I want to study, and I hate not knowing what's next. And it frustrates me that I always seem to reach out to God last after analyzing and analyzing every single anxious thought. But Lord, I'm ready to lay down this worry at Your feet, You can handle much more than I give You credit for.

That was refreshing to get off my chest :)

Alright updates, updates. So I caved.

And ordered a Longchamp bag with my hard-earned paycheck. Bad Julie.

And bought Something Blue to complete my Emily Griffin book set. I'm already on Chapter Eight, and I've only been reading it during the 27 Dresses commercial breaks.

And got addicted to Izzi drinks, thanks to the lovely ANH. Oh my goodness the sparkling blackberry was so good!

And saw Charlie St. Cloud with my dear CNN, even though it got a horrid review. (However, I really thought it was enjoyable!)

And got excited once I saw National Dance Day was written on my calendar for tomorrow. EEK that's awesome! Okay, I'll be the first to admit I'm a complete dork.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Eye Candy

A few things that have caught my eye lately...

Finally watched this piece this morning! And hello. Gorgeous. Travis Wall has such a gift for choreography.

Bought this polish in Dreamy Poppy for 99 cents! You can't beat that. AND it looks much better than some of the eight dollar stuff.

College Prep is hosting a huge giveaway, I adore her blog!

Persians and Pulitzer is hosting a giveaway as well. Go check it out!

This Vineyard Vines UNC tote! Check out the new VV blog too, I believe they have a pretty swell summer sale (nice alliteration, huh?) going on right now. If only I could afford to snatch up all those deals... :sigh:

Date Night? by iluvjcrew featuring J Crew

And last but not least, this entire outfit. How divine. I bought the same J. Crew vintage tee today (in seafoam green and on sale for $10!). But apparently you can't use your college ID to get 10% off of sale merchandise, it has to be REGULAR price? I had my One card out ready and everything, so sad.