Remember some time ago...I told you I was in a movie?
Well, since this event is very likely to not happen again, I must tell you about it one more time.
Come on! This is the only other place I get to gloat about my accomplishments! HA!
The scene, a beach hotel. Full of sun and sand, and yes, lots of humidity and some rain. The hair and make-up people chased the actors everywhere. Unfortunately for me, the heat and humidity are not my friends. Specially if I'm trying to look cute.
My make-up was runny with sweat and my hair was a frizzball. See, that's not cute.
But sometimes, if you stood in the right spot and away from the crowd, you may be lucky enough to get called to be part of a different shot...
And I did a few times.
Sometimes it was to do a "walk by" and others were only to just be with a group and pretend to have fun.
Although I can spot myself (my frizzy hair or my elbow) on those other shots, this shot was the one that stood out long enough for my family to create a little fuss about me....
These are of course youtube clips and their screen shots...
but hey, this was the one shot worth showing you....
or you can fast forward to 2:20 ;)
I just wish that maybe next time, I can actually be one of the dancers in the movie.
Maybe? Someday?
Do you think I should include "Step Up" to my resume???
It's Nick Lazzarini and Travis Wall from So You Think You Can Dance and All The Right Moves!
Ok...now deep breath in....out....
These boys are as beautiful in person as they are funny and sweet :)
I love meeting "famous" people, and by "famous" I mean those individuals that people other than my close friends recognize, haha! I tend to play 6 degrees of separation, and therefore, everyone's got a bit of fame in my book! Maybe I'll even take a picture with these celebrities if I'm looking halfway decent! Don't get me wrong, I am no paparazzo nor do I chase stars down Ocean Drive on South Beach. However, if the right amount of liquid courage is poured (a.k.a. lots of liquor is inhaled), I can become so uber ballzy, that I will even talk to you like if I'm your new BFF!!
Trust me, I have no business striking up a conversation with you unless I've had a few. Yeah, I know they are regular people, however, I'm somewhat nervously shy and hate small talk because it makes me feel awkward! I know...I'm a little crazy. Therefore tons of liquid courage is highly suggested!
I had already "met" Travis last year at the same club and around the time "Step Up Revolution" was being filmed in Miami, although he was not on set when I was filming scenes in the movie (click HERE to read more on my "movie stardom", totally kidding...but its pretty funny actually). At the moment when my friend Kelly spotted him while dancing, I was like..."SSQQUUUEEEEEEEE!!!!! They are herrrrreeee!!!!!!! *HICCUP* Travis is awesome! But I want Nick!!!! *mini hiccup* He is an amazing dancer too!" So after 4 glasses of wine and 2 vodka drinks just like that, I made BFF's with Nick because I recognized him! He was so hilariously funny the whole time, and I don't recall him ever giving me the "Get this drunk b!tch off of me" look. The tragic part of it all, is that hubby got more out of Travis than I did. So...yeah...maybe I should cool off on the drinks, but we had had wine and tapas earlier that night, and the club drinks were just the icing on the drunky cake...how did I not wake up with a hangover the next day...not sure but it was funny and a super fun night!
I even heard JLo's dancers were at the club...too bad I can't play 6 degrees with them! ha!
I stumbled upon a printed email sent to me by an old coworker (2 jobs ago). You see, we worked as group counselors hoping to help others and many times, we forgot about ourselves. Giulia always managed to send out the right vibes and words to make it through the day. The email read:
Author unknown:
"When I meditated on the word 'Guidance', I kept seeing 'dance' at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw 'G': I thought of God, followed by 'u' and 'i'.
'God, 'u' and 'i' dance.'
GOD, YOU, and I DANCE.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life."
I know I haven't told you yet, but I have a secret to tell you...promise you won't tell a soul...yes? ok, ready? I am movie star! What...you didn't hear me? I AM A MOVIE STAR...heehee!
You see, a certain dance movie was being filmed in my city last summer. My role, was a very important one, I had to be part of a crowd. Don't laugh! It was hard work! I mean, standing under the sun, club dancing, pretending to have a really good time while sweating, wearing heels on the sand and for over 12 hours was no easy feat! Specially when the unmentionable "other" actors were being whisked away to the air conditioned areas with refreshments, and hair/make-up staff chasing after them. Our refreshments while filming thanks to Hollywood's magic: fake mojitos and beer bottles filled with water. But all kidding aside, the folks in charge of the extras treated us to breakfast, lunch, and snacks during film breaks.
Fake Mojitos - a gelatin substance that looked
like dirty water after Day 1 of filming
Alas, my hard work paid off with about 10 seconds of on-screen "OMG! that's really me next to the lead actor" time! I mean, in a few weeks, if you want to press play and pause when it comes on DVD, I'm sure you can spot me (or my elbow) in the crowd. That will surely add up to 20 more seconds of fame for me! HAHA!
Movie Star pose aka Hiding my sweaty face behind my sunglasses.
I honestly have a new found respect for those who work in the film industry. It's hard work! From the extras, to the girls they hired to give water and paper towels, to the 100+ people that showed up and the amount of work involved in production, transportation, and logistics. It all amazed me every time.
So if you like dance movies and have enjoyed the Step Up series, I invite you to watch Step Up Revolution...maybe you'll catch a few people you know from Miami on the screen. I know I did :)
It is true that there is very little originality when it comes to music nowadays.
On the other hand, this remix re-introduces Biggie to the generation that didn't get to enjoy his talent.
And after all the crap that's been weighing me down, you know what,
I wanna *Party and Bullshit!*
I have discovered an amazing blog that has inspired me so much: "always carried away" by Mademoiselle Deva.
She writes about loving yourself and reminding yourself that you are your own best friend. Below is a quote that she included in one of her posts and that a very loving person has mentioned to me over and over for the last few weeks. I ultimately want to make peace with my very own best friend, ME.
"You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere.
You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection."
Wow...my first solo trip. Not work related of course. I mean, I had just finished unpacking from Orlando and then...bam must get ready for Indy. I was very excited, and a little nervous. I get off the plane and just in a few minutes I am bum rushed by 2 of my fave sister trio! Allysson and Elysabeth tell me stories about their most recent adventures on the way to the hotel. After a few hugs and see you laters, I am off to rest in my hotel room. Once I arrived, I find myself trying to decide between 1 out of the 5 dresses I brought (yes 5, a girl has got to have options!!). I may have rested for all of 5 minutes, but I was already making plans for a late lunch. The mini cab ride to The Bar made me feel like I was in my mid-20s again, well, at least I was told that I'm too young to be a New Kid fan (YES!) At The Bar, the food and rounds of grape vodka and sprite kept coming and I was enjoying my time with Jules, Jenni, and Devon. It was finally time to get ready for the concert and hug my dear friends I don't get to see often! So I admit it, I had a little dance party with Megghan, Allysson, and Elysabeth. And yes even Joey was trying to copy my moves, but all in all, a really good time! After show was so much of fun, laughs, and hugs with Jules, Lynnie, Sheltons, and Danny. We might've allowed some other Kids to make us laugh a few times too. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, we were startled by a truck tire explosion. And well after that it was the walk back, oh my little feet and toes, I love you both for still being part of me despite all of the torture I put you through.
This was the short version of the 36 hour trip I will never forget :)
I have been going to graduate school for what seems like an eternity (5 years!)! So now that I am about 7 days away from graduation, I am starting to think of all the things I want to do with my free time and haven't been able to do in a while....So here is MY list: 1) Dance - I feel like I haven't touched a dance studio nor a stage in about 10 years. I am dying to take a master class in hip-hop or even ballet. I really don't care as long as the class is fun. I can't wait to start calling my old friends for recommendations! 2) Photography - I picked up this little hobby right after my wedding. I bought an SLR camera which has been sitting and collecting dust for the last 2 years. I need to look over and edit the pics I have taken and take classes in photography as well! 3) Read - I do not remember the last time I read a book that was not for a class. I do not think listening to Harry Potter Book on tape counts as reading even if I did do it on my way to- and from- work/school. I need a good book and I have already placed my first order: Parisian Chic. 4) Gym - Go to the gym at least 5 days a week! I always start with a routine, but I would leave it behind as soon as the combination between work and school became more stressful. Probably not the smartest thing, since the endorphins you get from exercise can actually help you feel better and help you de-stress. 5) Travel - I did some traveling while in school, but this time, I really want to take road trips. If I am hired at my ideal job, I'll have the summers off and will be able to take trips around the world which will add on to my photography hobby. 6) Volunteer - I have been involved with a breast cancer charity the last 2 years. I want to continue doing that and if possible become even more involved with my local chapter as a liaison for the team my friends and I created. I have a passion for helping, creating, and winning, I think this can be the trick I need.
