August 4, 2014

Ballet Recital and Some Life Updates

Kristen_ballet_showIf you’re friends with me on Facebook, then you’ve probably seen some of the photos from my short ballet recital that happened last weekend. It was part of National Dance Day and we performed a short routine to Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful.”

It was a lot of fun, although I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for it. I was out of ballet class the second to last week before the performance because work was crazy and I was stressed (see here). But I went to five classes (plus a rehearsal) and managed to get somewhat up to speed. I wasn’t totally pleased with how I did during the actual performance–but it was all right given the circumstances. Here’s another photo (via Philly Dance Fitness’s Facebook page) of me making a totally awkward face:

Post by Philly Dance Fitness.

I’m excited because post-performance my ballet teacher is going back to the basics with a lot of the steps and combinations that we haven’t had a chance to practice in a while–something I really need still post-injury. I can tell that my feet and calves aren’t as strong as they were pre-stress fracture diagnosis.  I’m going to work on doing some at home exercises too not that I’ve finished the crazy process of moving apartments.

How has your summer been going so far?

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July 16, 2014

Busy + Stressed = No Posts, But I’m Here, I Promise

Work kind of got the best of me last week– I had a highly stressful, but productive week (just not on ABP). I spent my weekend being a teaching assistant at Girl Develop It Philly‘s WordPress class and felt way out of my league at times, partially due to the fact that I hadn’t had a chance to review any of the materials for the class ahead of time. In the end, though, it was a great feeling to help the people that I could learn more about WordPress.

I did  get the chance to get excited about all the cool improvements I can make to Adult Ballerina Project to make it looker better AND have more functionality–especially the studio guide.

I’ll also have my first (of many, hopefully) post going up on Geekadelphia this week (which I’ll be sure to share) and a ballet profile coming up on here on Friday.

Unfortunately, I haven’t made it to a ballet class in what feels like ages.

My legs have felt pretty crappy lately–I’m guessing due to them not getting a proper chance to heal and rest due to all that stress–but I’m hoping Thursday’s class will be alright. Fingers crossed (and stress-reducing tips appreciated).

P.S. My email was sending out spam Sunday night/Monday morning EST, so sorry if you got any of it–DON’T CLICK ON THE LINKS. It shouldn’t happen again (the issue should be resolved)–but please let me know ASAP if you get another. I’m so sorry it happened.

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June 29, 2014

Back to Work!

It’s been a fabulous two weeks off from the blog–but I’ve missed it! HQ and I spent three days on the beach to celebrate my birthday–which was wonderful.2014-06-20 10.47.36-2

After we got home from the beach, I quickly jumped on a train to head out of town again to help one of my friends, Sarah, pack her things up to move:

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Then on Sunday, I came back to Philadelphia pretty early because my parents were in town because my dad had jury duty. We went to Yards Brewery for a tour and then went on a boat tour of the Delaware River:

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Then I spent the rest of the week working. I was finally able to make it to a ballet class Thursday night, which didn’t go as well as I had planned. I was super tired (which seems to be the case whenever I’m in ballet class these days) and managed to mess up a combination that I was kind of upset about. Because I’ve been feeling super tired lately (lack of sleep, I guess)–I didn’t make it to Friday or Saturday’s class.

On that note–if anyone has any tips on how to be awake and alert in night classes–I’d gladly appreciate it. Or just general sleeping tips.

I’ve got another busy work week ahead of me–but I’m hoping to make it to Thursday’s ballet class at least before 4th of July weekend starts!

How has your summer been going so far?

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June 13, 2014

Beginner Ballerina Profile: Stefaniya Arsova

This week’s profile is of Stefaniya Arsova of Bulgaria, who is inspired by other late-starter ballerinas such as  Misty Copeland and Vanessa Sah. She’s also performed as  a soloist and played Malvina in Pinocchio!
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When did you start doing ballet as an adult?
I started ballet at age of  20!!! I am now almost 27.
Did you ever take lessons as a kid?
Yes, I took lessons as a kid. About 4 years. From age 4 to 8. Then my feet start hurting and my parents said I should not continue and so they made me quit- the worst thing ever happened to me.
Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?
When I started to live alone in the college and started work I got more independent and had my own money for lessons. So I bought a piano and started taking classes twice per week.
Where do you take classes?
I take ballet classes in the ballet school “Masha Ilieva” and my teachers are the best ballet dancers in Bulgaria, including Masha Ilieva herself- a famous prima ballerina.
What is your favorite part about ballet?
The opportunity to wear a tiara and pink tutu , haha. No, seriously, the feeling that you are overcoming your body limits every day and extend your boundaries far beyond ordinary people is amazing. Of course, I like being in the fairytale world of the Sleeping beauty and Swan lake, because when dancing I am able to recreate some of these great stories and feel like a princess.
What is your least favorite part?
As I started very late, the pain while stretching is very fierce, everything is harder, because my bones and muscles are not able to bend that easy in the desired ballet way. If I skip a class or two, because I have to work to earn my living, it pushes me a month back. Ballet does not forgive, when you skip a class.
Who/What is your ballet inspiration?
The late starters ballerinas like Misty Copeland and Vanessa Sah. But my favourite ballerina is Viara Nacheva, former prima in Berlin’s State Opera and Evgeniya Obraztsova from Russia.
What motivates you to keep dancing?
I see that there is a progress, although very very slow. I am able to do many things on point shoes now and sometimes I think I am close to perform almost on a professional level. I go to many competitions and recently I started winning prizes, so I am happy I am going in the right direction- professional level , despite of the late start.
Do you take any other dance classes?
I used to take contemporary dance classes, but I don’t have the time now.  I also take jazz classes when my favourite teaches from USA comes to Bulgaria- which is almost every year, for a week. I love his Broadway Jazz.
What are your hobbies outside of ballet?
Flying- I am cabin crew at the national carrier Bulgaria Air. I also love reading books.
What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started?
Go for it- see how far I went (2 years ago I was even accepted to study ballet in the National Music Academy in Sofia- and I don’t have the usual ballet school as most of the others do have!! ) Dream big! Dance is for everyone! You can become whatever you want if you really do want it!
Anything else you’d like to add?
I would like to tell also, that I was lucky to have a major part in the co- production of the Masha Ilieva’s dance school and the National State Opera Sofia – ” Pinnochio”  ballet. I was a soloist and played Malvina. This show was in the season 2011-2012 and we performed it every month in the biggest ballet stage in Bulgaria, home of the National Ballet.  It was like I was one of the professional dancers!

pink tutu5

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June 8, 2014

Ballet Class Recap: A Confession

Last week was a particularly rough week. We’ve been searching for a new apartment (which is never fun) and I’ve just been busy and under a lot of stress in general.

I went to class last Monday (with HQ) which doesn’t start until 8 pm, and usually leaves me pretty tired since sometimes I don’t get home until 10 pm. It was a good class (I always really enjoy going to a back-to-basics class)–but I think it may have thrown off my sleep schedule for the rest of the week. I spent most of it groggy and kind of tired.

I missed Thursdays class due to an event I had to attend–but I had every intention of going to Friday’s class–especially since it was the first pointe class at the new studio (which has really nice flooring). But I had a horrible headache and felt kind of spacey, so I ended up staying home to relax instead.

That didn’t exactly work out either–as our washer malfunctioned and filled our entire kitchen with smoke–so HQ and I ended up grabbing food out so we didn’t have to cook. I couldn’t make it to Saturday’s class either with an apartment showing and WordCamp Philly convention going on. I debated heading to the ballet fitness class this morning, but decided to relax and catch up on a bit of work instead.

This week, I plan on skipping Monday night’s class (since my normal teacher is out anyway) and seeing if that helps me catch up on sleep so I can make it to Thursday and Friday’s classes, which I really enjoy.

How have your summer ballet classes been going so far?

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