7 weeks into my 3 month stay in LA, I’ve passed the half way mark. It’s starting to feel like home now, especially since I’ve recently got my own bed! Talks are already starting about when I’m leaving, and attempts at convincing me to stay longer. 6 weeks left and there’s still so much left to do! A list would include -

1. Hit Venice/SantaMonica/Malibu beach
2. Six flags
3. Disneyland with everyone and partying it up in the park
4. A weekend in Vegas
5. Another trip to San Fran
6. Another trip to SD, hopefully spend a week there
7. Visit the San Diego Zoo
8. Visit the Getty Museum
9. Bodyrock!

I’m sure there are a few things I’ve missed, at the moment that’s all I remember.

Anyway, an update of things that have happened -

My trip to SF was a success. I love that city!! The weather going from LA to SF is pretty much like travelling from Auckland to Wellington. So a few layers had to be put on. The Company’s workshop was as good as I expected! I could safely say that Pat Cruz is the best teacher I’ve come across so far. He really knows how to describe his movement in a way that allows you to understand how he wants it executed but also how to actually go about doing it.

Back in LA, I needed a haircut.. and so did Shaun. So he took me to his usual spot called ‘Floyds’. It was a really exciting environment and I imagine work to be pretty fun there.

It’s pretty cool to get to this stage of just doing normal everyday things with people who I’ve followed for years over youtube etc. being able to pick their brains and hearing about how they came about doing what they do, even before youtube happened. And down to the most common thing in each day… where should we eat? The most interesting place so far, has definitely got to be Katsuya. Shaun took myself and cousin Jino there bragging about how good it was, so I was interested. Never have I had so much REAL sushi than I did in that one day - I’m talking raw fish. So many different kinds; and the most exciting of all - LIVE SHRIMP. Still breathing and moving 5 minutes before being served to us, and watching it being prepared. Pretty gross when you think about it, but we were all down for the experience. And it was bomb!

Rocked shrimp sushi too, was amazing! Probably the best sushi I’ve ever had.. it was truly a taste explosion. Thanks for the recommendation Shaun.

In addition to all the eating, are all the events going on. There’s something to do almost every night. A highlight would be going to see Miguel perform live at the Key Club. I already loved his music before going so I was excited. Surely enough, with all the build up, it was really disappointing - a big let down. not! The guy was incredible live haha. His voice sounded exactly the same as his studio perfected tracks and he didn’t do too many wacko dance moves. It was an awesome night out and I would definitely go to another one of his shows. Thanks to Kelly and Phoebe for being a part of the experience, and Kelly for driving us! (Her bf is a dancer for Justin Bieber, so for the aussie dancers who may have met him, she’s the woman that holds him down haha)

Another highlight would be my first ever dance audition in LA! It was for one of the talent agencies MSA. Some friends asked me to go along with them so I thought it would be fun just to go for the experience. Rolled down with Ellen Kim and Lilian was kind enough to drive us (thank you!). I was blown away immediately when I saw how many people there were. 200 dancers lined up to get a number before squeezing into a tiny little studio where there was a panel of management people seated at a table ready to check out the goods. We were told about the formalities of things and introduced to Dave Scott who was running the audition. 100 of us then left the room and waited while the first lot learnt the routine. Not long after, it was our turn and it was a horrible learning environment. Everyone stood shoulder to shoulder trying their best to get the routine on lock. Then we all went outside and had some time to rehearse while they started auditioning people 6 at a time. The whole street was dotted with dancers all running the routine trying to get it as perfect as they can. This was cool to see. Everyone so hungry and even though we were auditioning individually, dancers would group together all over the place to help each other rehearse. Before I knew it, it was my group’s turn. We walked in, got positioned - dot dash, inverted. Performed it once, switched lines, and performed it again, the 2nd time ending with a freestyle as long as the music plays. There were no immediate cuts or callbacks, and they said they would ring us if we got selected to be under their agency. All in all, it was a fun experience, and to top it off, had an awesome surprise seeing some familiar faces!

Not long after the audition, well the next day really, was Cinco de Mayo! Which is the Mexican independence day on the 5th of May. Accordingly, there were quite a few ambulance sirens heard throughout the day as it is a day notorious for extreme drunkenness. Feeling like we had to take part in the festivities, a bunch of us went to Mexicali, a familiar place which I’ve been to once before. Pretty popular mexican bar and restaurant. Had some food and a few margaritas to join in on the celebrations. Aribaaaa!

(Myself, Cousin Jino, and ShmekaShmane)

An exciting occurrence which happened right when we were sitting in the photo above.. Dave Scott walks into the restaurant, Shaun says hi to him, I notice that it’s Dave Scott, he looks around the table and looks at me for a second. I gestured to say hi without saying anything cos it was really loud, and he shouts across to me ‘Hey, great job yesterday!’ cue *joe gets his thrills* hahaha true story. But seriously… it felt good to know he remembered me, out of the 200 dancers.

Anyway, that’s my little bit of excitement for the past few days. Along with the classes I get to take each day and the work I get to do with the mL family, things are going so great. I truly feel very blessed to be here. Things move fast and once something gets executed, plans are made for more things to happen. Life really is on the move non stop. So have a think. What moves you?

Haha cheesy yeah, but I do feel it is quite true.

Keep it moving y’all!

Just like a delayed birth… sorry for leaving y’all hanging.

Can’t believe I’m into my 5th week already!

I feel like I am pretty settled into this crazy city. Getting used to the lifestyle and the spontaneity of things, including the unstructured living conditions here in the mL loft. Things have been somewhat more settled in the past week, with many of the choreographers away traveling on jobs. As a result, there have been quite a few chilled nights at the office, instead of its usual craziness. Won’t last long though.

In terms of the dancing, classes have been awesome. So awesome that I haven’t made up any of my own pieces the whole time I’ve been here. It’s been such a blessing to be able to just take classes and learn. Fear not though, I am currently working on my next piece which I should put up within the next week or so. Pretty nervous about it. Don’t judge me. Hahaha

Some highlights since the last update include taking class from Lyle Beniga. By far the hardest class I’ve ever taken - spending the first half an hour feeling really uncoordinated and trying to get his groove. It was frustrating but enjoyable at the same time. Uncomfortable that I couldn’t execute the moves I was seeing him do right in front of me, but enjoyable knowing that I was in the process of learning more about my body, learning to move different parts of my body which I never knew I could. In the end, I got picked out to perform it in a select group *thrills*!

Another highlight would just be the simple joy of being able to meet so many people and make new friends from many different countries (especially at the studios where there are dancers from all corners of the globe), going to different events with them, being able to share in special moments with them such as birthdays etc.

I don’t feel as silly walking down the hallways of debbie reynolds with a grin on my face anymore. In the first week or so, I did. Cos people generally don’t care who you are unless they know you are or what you are capable of. I’d be smiling to people who would glance at me and look away. Hahaha you fool Joe. It’s not as bad now, I promise. Hahaha, I have a few friends now woohoo! Not that it ever stopped me smiling away anyway lol! I’m weird huh.

Anywhoooo… looking forward to this weekend. Road trip with Jeka, Dario and Gina to the BAY! San Francisco that is. Heading there for Jeka’s sister’s dance school’s annual show. That was a mouthful. Also gonna be hitting a baseball game - go Giants! And the Company’s workshop on Sunday.

In regards of photos. I have taken too many in the past few weeks for one blog post so I’m just gonna upload them all onto my facebook page. Peep it when you get the chance. Also, the video of Lydia Paek and Victor Kim jamming it out is sideways and I can’t get my video editing software to work. Frustration. It’ll be up when I figure this technology nonsense out.

Till then, stay funky!

Sorry for the lack of posts recently! Been meaning to update everyone but the internet has been playing up at the office. Terrible, I know. Almost feel like I can’t do anything when I have no internet access.. shame on our generation.

Fear not! It should be fixed soon and I will have more photos to load up!!

Peace! :)

Exhausted… drained… feeling sickness coming over me, but so blown away and very grateful for the fun times over the weekend.

Let’s reminisce.

In-N-Out.. how I’ve missed you!

Ikea session

EXCITED! On our way to World Of Dance

2 minutes later… hahaha

World of Dance convention… hordes and hordes of people.
source: shaunevaristo (2011)

Studio 429’s Friends & Family show.. waiting for the show to start.

We meet again! :) @biancavallar @tracytrace429

Partying with the @CompanyFAM back at the Holiday Innnnnn (sung with the Chingy swag)

Last men standing. 4.45am.

So we had to do it. Boardin the streets of San Diego’s Escondido suburbs. Hit up a 7Eleven - El Taco was our first choice but obviously they don’t work as hard as our peops at 7Eleven. Thanks Steven for serving us!

Beachin it the next day. La Jolla beach in SD, with the CompanyFAM, PRESS Play and some of the SGBM’s

Had to do it. Typical American beach shot.

Jeff’s Burgers

One more meal before driving back to NoHo. NABINA pretty good Japanese spot in Clairemont. If you are ever out those ways. Oh and this 19 year old beast can eat up a storm… Jason Rillera. Get familiar…

So here we are. After a fun-filled, action-packed few days. Quiet at last in the mL office. Looking back, can’t believe I’ve gotten to meet pretty much all of my hugest inspirations in movement over the span of my first 2 weeks in LA. Makes me wonder and squeal with excitement about what’s still to come.

Sitting in the darkness.. enjoying some down time. Gotta make the most of it now because who knows what will happen here tomorrow. Gotta be ready for anything.

Keep it movin’ yo!

If you didn’t know, the main reason I’m in LA at the moment is to complete a job placement as the last part of my 3-year business degree. I was thinking of doing it in LA as I was always interested in the culture and dance industry here. Lucky enough, I managed to secure an intern role with Movement Lifestyle, thanks to CJ Evaristo (what up son!). However, in the back of my head, i know that luck has nothing to do with it. I am exactly where I’m supposed to be, for a purpose that goes beyond my own anticipation. And you, yes YOU are where you were meant to be too. In this exact moment. Which just so happens to be at your computer or phone, reading my blog. Hahaha. Okay, I actually didn’t mean to get so serious and then it did, and I didn’t mean for that to turn out to be a joke. But it did. Are you confused now? Don’t be. You know what I meant.

So moving right along, I am here in this place blah blah blah, doing what I’m meant to be doing, making connections with people who I am supposed to specifically come in contact with, to make a difference in their life, and to have my life affected by them too.

Woohoo! However, I’ve got these progress reports to get done while I’m here; at different intervals of my stay, which brings me back to the title of this entry. I really should get back to it. It is due on Tuesday, but my foresight tells me that the weekend ahead contains no down time for me to get it done. Gonna be an exciting one (but means I have to finish it tonight)! World of Dance tomorrow, which has become the BIGGEST urban/street dance convention in LA, followed by Studio 429’s Friends and Family show down in San Diego. I can’t wait!

Okay, enough Joe. Get back to work.

And I shall leave you a lil somethin somethin which I’m feeling at this point in time