inspired by Bruce Wilkinson’s Dream Giver

The only one who can stop you from achieving your dreams, is you.

One day, the Dream Giver gives you a dream.  From that day on… for weeks, months, and years, you hold your dream close.  You think about it everyday and it makes you feel good, but for some reason it exists only in your mind… maybe because your dream is so wild and so much different than the life you lead, that you can’t imagine it to be something REAL.

There are people who can’t escape the desire to pursue their dreams… and it is CRAZY… because  when you really think about it, the YOU in your dreams might be a totally different YOU–and we don’t always embrace what’s different.  In your dreams, you do things you’ve always wanted to do, but are afraid to do.  In your dreams, you possess all kinds of treasures and talents that you don’t currently have, but constantly wish for.  Your dream is the closest thing to PERFECT, isn’t it?  Many people deny their dreams though, because the road to perfect will lead them to this completely DIFFERENT world.  Naturally, we want to be comfortable, and are afraid of the unknown.  This FEAR is what stops most of us from living the life we dream of.  The road to dreams is foreign… risky… full of challenges, surprises, roadblocks, and detours when you least expect it… and you’ll find yourself in the SCARIEST and most uncomfortable places once you start your journey.  Are you willing to face your biggest fears?  Because your dream will FORCE you to face them.  Once you start walking the glorious path to your dreams, the only way out is to take courage and keep moving forward–or you can turn around, and go back home.

You’ve heard many success stories about people who have almost nothing and rise up against the challenges to become the great people they are… so you should know that anything is possible even for you.  These people decided to stop hiding their dreams and turn it into reality.  Of course, BIG dreams require BIG actions on your part.  Sometimes the pressure is too much and people have backed out, but we must never give up or settle for comfortable when we KNOW that we are destined for greater things and when we’ve worked so hard to get to where we are.  The Dream Giver has given you your dreams for a purpose.  Don’t forget that He’s there to help you and fill you with hope even in the scariest and darkest times.

in God we trust
<33 apes x essence

Even nice people have their moments.  If Joesar hadn’t kept pushing ol’ girl away, I almost would’ve hit someone at the club last night.  It’s a little dangerous that when I’m drunk I feel like I can do anything–but I guess, that’s how self-centered alcohol makes people.. and that’s why people like it… and that’s why people shouldn’t do too much of it.

Anyway, this girl hellamadd ran into me as she was dancing.  I turned around, expecting her to acknowledge that she pushed  me… instead, she walked away.  She wasn’t the problem.  I could let something like that go.  It was her OTHER friend.  Her friend jumps in front of my face, and says

Eyy.. I saw you looking at mah homegirl!

Me:  Uhh… ya she bumped into me.

Well, you’ve been bumpin into me ALL NIGHT!

Me:  Really… all night?!

ALL NIGHT.. ALL NIGHT! .. ALL NIGHT!!  (as she pushes up closer and closer)

First of all, we were the ONLY people up in that boo-boo club on a Tuesday night–there was way too much room.  Why are you that close to me! I was chillin and barely dancing… I clearly was NOT bumping into her all night.

Before I could say anything, Joesar was pushing me back.. and all of homegirls’ friends bum-rushed her and forced her out of the club.  Aggressive much?!  Apparently, her friends knew better.  Get crazy girl out of the club!

Girls love the attention and the adrenaline rush when they’re drunk, I guess.  Nothing happened, but I was pissed off at that girl for being stupid and coming at me for no damn reason.  I spoke and intended to do immature things, as can be told by Tweets that night… but I do know better.  I’ma chill out on the alchie for a while–it’s bad news.  We all have faults and weaknesses that we struggle with, and we should not let them take over us.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

– Constantly praying for the strength to obey
and resist the natural desire to do wrong.

in God we trust
<33 apes x essence

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Colombia with Tony was so amazing.  Thank you to all the dancers, to Andres, and the whole crew for making my experience a good one.  It was definitely one of my favorite trips!  Hanging out with the old roomie, learning new languages, meeting new dancers, and eating new food

Click for more pictures

in God we trust
<33 apes x essence

In class a LONG time ago, one of my first Hip Hop dance instructors told me…

“This isn’t Hip Hop.  It’s Urban Choreography.”

After a few years of experiencing the dance community, I’ve realized the need to re-evaluate my title as a Hip-Hop dancer.  As a beginner who was very NEW to street dance, I didn’t understand what he meant and continued to believe I was training as a “hip hop” dancer, when I really wasn’t.

Different languages of the world (chinese, spanish, english) are kinda like different dance styles (ballet, jazz, hip hop).  We’re able to distinguish between different kinds, because each language uses its own unique rules of grammar and sentence structure, just as each dance style uses its own steps and technique.  Over the years, languages and dance styles have changed.  We’ve used the term EVOLUTION to describe what we see now in Hip Hop versus what it was in the past.  On the other hand, I think what has emerged over time isn’t Hip Hop itself, but instead a different dance style that was INSPIRED by Hip Hop.  Urban Choreography–an entirely separate language, born and inspired by a collection of the earlier languages.  For example,  Tagalog (Filipino) was formed and influenced by the Spanish, Malaysian, English, Arabic, and Chinese languages.  Couldn’t we say that like Tagalog, our dance style was inspired by Hip Hop as well as other styles of dance, and has collected all of that to become it’s own language with it’s own unique structure?  We wouldn’t call Tagalog “Spanish-evolved” or “Chinese-evolved,” simply because the three languages follow entirely different rules.

Nowadays, people have a few different names to refer to the style of dance being taught in many Hip Hop classes:  LA style, West Coast style, commercial Hip-Hop, new-style Hip Hop, but to call it Hip Hop is to assume that it follows the basic fundamentals of Hip Hop dance–techniques in breaking, locking, popping, wacking, funk, groove, swagg etc.  I’m no Hip Hop head… I’ll admit it.  But when I SEE breaking, locking, popping, and all other styles of true Hip Hop dance, there is no denying that there is a totally different look to THAT kind of Hip Hop compared to what we call “new hip hop,” which varies greatly according to individual interpretation and also lacks greatly in strict rules and technique.  In true Hip Hop, there are basic names of steps and techniques that aren’t completely present in this new style… so though we may dance as freely and as creatively as we want to Hip Hop and R&B music, can we REALLY say that it is Hip Hop?.. or are we just over-generalizing things to spare ourselves the trouble of analyzing & truly understanding Hip Hop history?

With so many new dancers coming up in the next generation, I think it’s very important for all those capable to educate them wisely and accurately… and that we don’t discredit or undermine the value of Hip Hop’s history.

in God we trust
<33 apes x essence

Dancers who don’t dance for artists don’t matter.

I won’t mention who said this or where I heard it (you might be able to guess that it came from someone who does dance for artists) but as someone who doesn’t dance for artists, hasn’t had the opportunity to dance for them before, and lives off of teaching others to cultivate their talent… I find this a little offensive.

To dance for an artist is definitely a great accomplishment for a dancer, but there’s a load of other things that factor in to getting booked, and I hope people understand THAT, before they let someone else tell them they don’t matter or that they don’t know how to dance or that they aren’t talented.  To book jobs after jobs after jobs in the industry requires more than an ability to dance.  Your looks are a factor… the way you look standing next to the artist themselves… your ethnicity.. your body build.. your hair… your face…. WHO you know… what you’ve done before… etc.

Don’t get me wrong.  Dancing for artists builds a lot of credibility and respect because of the competition.  I idolize lots of people who continue to book jobs over hundreds of dancers who audition.  I would LOVE to dance for an artist someday soon, and haven’t even done so myself cuz it’s not easy.

But on a personal note, there’s more to dance than dancing behind an artist.  Though it may be a great goal, it’s not EVERYTHING.  People express themselves through dance.  People are able to create and turn their imagination into reality through dance.  People are given a positive outlet through dance.

People who haven’t danced for artists yet, might have some more to work for… but as someone so experienced in the field, you should educate… not belittle or devalue other people’s hard work.

Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great
–Mark Twain

in God we trust
<33 apes x essence

Proverbs 14:1
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Artists face big challenges once they decide to make a living out of their talent and their passion.  They approach unknown territory, not knowing what they’re getting themselves into… fueled by the single, motivating desire to turn their craziest dreams into reality.  It gets pretty scary.  Routine and familiarity is something we’re so comfortable with, but many working artists don’t follow that kind of schedule or lifestyle.  Artists have chosen the adventurous route.

As a dancer, I find myself going through repetetive cycles of ups and downs… inspirations and voids… fire and laziness.  When I rely so heavily on my creative ability to provide food on my plate, I can’t afford to be un-creative.  This is a big challenge, when naturally, I’m a pretty chill kinda person.  I like to kick back… sip drinks… listen to music… enjoy scenery… pretty much, relax!  Don’t get me wrong.  I learn quickly… I work hard.  I can easily do things once I know what to do.  An artist’s line of work requires more than action, though.  It requires imagination…  constantly giving birth to ideas and nurturing them to survival.  It’s exciting, and I do thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to exercise my passion as my work.  I do thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to turn my dreams into my reality.  I thank him for giving me the eyes to see what I’m capable of and the surroundings to support me.  I just need to get off of my butt… and remember that He didn’t give me this opportunity for nothing.

Sloth is killer.  Diligence is life.
God’s plans for my life is my motivation.

in God we trust
<33 apes x essence

Happy Birthday to the biggest bully in the whole world–Matt Frock.
JK.  On the inside, I really love him.

My favorites:  Pad Thai and Pad See Ew

Matt really wanted to make a toast…

… so much that he broke the glass….

… and took off his shirt.

… and crashed another bday party @ the restaurant.

click for the whole album

in God we trust
<33 apes x essence

Check him out

Joesar Alva

Click and subscribe to his YOUTUBE page

He’ll be subbing at Debbie Reynold’s Dance Studio in North Hollywood for a while.  If you get a chance to take from him, please do

in God we trust
<33 apes x essence

I am so inspired, and it almost makes me want to cry that I didn’t appreciate stuff like this when I was younger.

Truthfully, no bs aside, I wonder if it’s too late.

in God we trust
<33 apes x essence

A few of us on Legacy (Clarizcel, Cio, Adele, JB, Allibon, Joesar,and I) had the opportunity to perform for UC Merced’s filipino club over the weekend.  We endured crazy long rehearsals trying to put two sets together–thank God for great dancing friends  Driving from LA to the OC every night for rehearsal was very costly.  On my long drives home, I’d reflect and realize that I sacrifice so much time and money just to do what I love and pursue dance as a career.  So much money and energy goes into this everyday, but it’s okay because the reward in the end is something intangible, yet valuable.  You get the experience… you connect with people… you strengthen your God-given talent…  you take something with you that builds the quality of your life.  I love that I get to pursue my dream.  I love dancing and performing.  In the end, our performance was really fun.  Being up on stage with the people I love… sharing that high with them, is what I live for and what keeps me looking forward to the next big high.  Meeting the people in Merced was nice.  Making new friends is always nice  Overall, I hope this isn’t the last time I visit Merced  It was pretty fun!

Before leaving for Merced, we went to ArcLight in Hollywood to watch Paranormal Activity.

No bueno for being late and locked out of the theater… but at least there was a bar.

Adele is Ariel

Jaybz and Gwerf practicing at the parking garage.

Ready for this 4 hour trip!  This fool’s always on his phone….

Guess who’s coffee?!  Pit stop #1.  Thanks for coming Greego!!!!

Pit stop #2

Frozen Yogurt after the show.

Karaoke

Beer pong and birthday/show after party

Carne asada to finish off the night.

click for more pictures

in God we trust
<33 apes x essence