The Birthday Girl

Carly, Sarah, and Devon made this... with their hands!

On the pre-surprise walk to what I thought was a quiet din @ Vinegar Hill House

Joy and Merriment

When I was a little girl, my teacher asked me what my favorite holiday was and I told her, "My birthday!". "My birthday" was also my favorite game, and I frequently made my mom and friends play birthday party with me. For my actual birthdays, my mom would always think up the most amazing themes...I mean, she really went all out.

For my ninth birthday, we had a glow- in -the- dark party, where she replaced all the light bulbs in our basement with black-light bulbs and we covered the ceiling with glow -in -the- dark stars and planets. She wound neon strings with all the guests names attached in a web on the basement floor, each one leading to a surprise somewhere in the intergalactic glowing world she had created. Up until this past weekend, that birthday party was my favorite.

This year, I got annoyed when my family and friends were flaky about making plans. Being the antsy Nancy that I am, I decided to throw myself an Alice in Wonderland themed Mad Hatter's Tea Party at my apartment. I couldn't just let my special day go by unnoticed, could I?!?!?

People brought beautiful desserts, pretty drinks, wore hats and tea party dresses, and I, for the first time in my life- went blonde as Alice. Besides two sets of pissed off neighbors, the party was a GREAT success.

I felt really good about my party, but couldn't help feeling a tiny bit sad that my family, and even some of my best friends hadn't shown.

Fast forward past my hangover to Sunday evening, which Rex had asked me to set aside for us to have a nice quiet birthday dinner together. Of course I was looking forward to it.

To make a really long amazingly intricate story v. short- the next thing I know I am being ushered into a tiny log-cabin-esque room in my favorite restaurant (Vinegar Hill House) and there, bathed in warm light...

My entire family and my closest friends.

For a half a second, I thought I was in heaven. Then I was in shock and awe. Then I realized that all these wonderfully patient secret keepers had been scheming on me while listening to me whine for the past two weeks about my family's lack of attention to my big day. And then, I was just blissful. Because as phenomenal as my big bash was... I am never happier than when I'm surrounded by my family, the friends who are a part of my family, and of course--wholesome, delicious food.

In my 23 years, I can say with certainty that this was the best birthday weekend I've had. Thank you so much to my friends, family, and especially to Rex, for making my birthday wishes all come true <3

Spring Song & Day Dream

Today, after days of icky wind and rain, it is beautiful outside. If I didn't have to work and rehearse, I think I might like to explore a little country town. Antiquing, picnicking, a walk in the surrounding woods perhaps? Yes, I am a romantic, so sue me.
Since I can't do what I want today, I will grin and bear it, and live vicariously through this pretty video and lovely springtime song :)

Yoga to the People

I've been experimenting on and off with yoga for the past few years, but it wasn't until this past year that it really clicked for me. As a dancer, I generally felt like my body wasn't benefiting from all that stretching without being properly warmed up-- sometimes, I even felt like I was hurting myself. Then I discovered hot power vinyasa (power yoga, prana, Baron Baptiste Yoga are all included in this category). This form of yoga is done in a warm room (not as hot as bikram) and focuses on connecting the poses in a sequence, so you don't hold any single pose too long. It's about connectivity, breath, and flow of energy... I find it to be extremely cleansing and therapeutic too. The only thing I really DIDN'T like about my experience, was paying $18 per class. I couldn't go as much as I wanted because of the cost, which was frustrating because my body feels so great when I practice regularly. AND THEN, thankfully, Ilana told me about Yoga to The People , a community yoga class that, depending on which type of yoga you choose, is donation based, or $5 per class. I went to my first YTP class on Sunday, and afterwards, was kicking myself for not knowing about YTP sooner. Yes, it was as crowded as I had expected it to be, but so is my $18 class in Union Square! The teacher was wonderful and spent the whole class walking around the room to correct us and help us through the practice. The community vibe was palpable and there were all types of people there, which I really liked. Yoga is a physical and spiritual practice that should be for everyone, and with YTP, it really is!

Dancin' in the Woods

Rex told me this video reminds him of my latest piece of choreography, NEST. I will be posting NEST up here shortly for your viewing pleasure, but meanwhile, this Bonobo video is pretty gnarly, and I kind of want to be that dancer right now. Spring is springing and I want to spend as much time outside as I can!

Diana! My New BFF

Eric brought me this cool new toy last week on his most recent visit from Boston, and boy is she swell. Yep. Believe it, Diana Mini fits in the palm of your hand, takes regular 35mm film, and can take half-frame and double exposures like these ones I snapped over the weekend. New York winters are rough, and even though it's still frosty out, this convenient gadget makes me want to get out for some fresh air and take time out of my week to really observe whats going on around me. I'm still getting to know her, but I think me and my Diana Mini are going to be fast friends.