Interview on FloDance

Hi everyone!

Just popping in real quick to share some exciting news. While I was at Embassy Ball at the end of August, I was interviewed by FloDance. They’re part of the FloSports network, kind of like an online ESPN. FloDance focuses mainly on ballroom dancing.

They used part of my interview in the video The True Cost of Being a Dancer, but today, they released the video just about The Girl with the Tree Tattoo!

Check it out here: https://www.flodance.com/video/6057295-the-girl-with-the-tree-tattoo

Of course, I’m thrilled (after I got over my initial “Eeeeek! There’s a video about me! No one look!”) as well as incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share my story with another audience. Every day on this ballroom journey, I strive to stay true to myself, overcome my fears and doubts, and release the dancer inside me. I share that journey, with all of its ups and downs, in hopes that you’ll be inspired and encouraged to continue on your own journey.

So be confident, be joyful, and DANCE!
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Starting December Off Right – With Dancing!

I can’t believe it’s December already! I feel like I’ve said this before, but every year seems to go by faster and faster. Part of it is probably due to the fact that I’m getting busier. If you caught my Facebook livestream, you know that November was especially busy (not my choice). Thankfully, for this first weekend of December, I am not working overtime. I get to dance instead!

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Checking In and a Holiday Sale

Everyone survive the Thanksgiving holiday? I ate plenty, but not too much. There was more food coming at a birthday party on Friday, so I tried to pace myself. Now, on Saturday, I don’t feel like I’m still full so I must have succeeded.

I love 4-day weekends (who doesn’t?)! I’ve been off from the day job for two days already, and it’s only Saturday! Of course, I still have to do some overtime work for the office, but at least I get to do it from home. And I get to write to you guys too!

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Tis the Season to Give Thanks

In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I’m doing an Instagram series giving thanks for what ballroom dance has done for me!

Giving Thanks to Dance

This time of year has become very materialistic. Most retailers don’t even acknowledge Thanksgiving anymore, skipping ahead to Christmas because that is where the profits are made. A coworker who was born and raised in another country commented the other day that it’s so odd to her that this country created this holiday and now we practically ignore it.

Personally, I like to give each holiday in this season its due. So follow me on Instagram (@thegirlwiththetreetattoo) for the next seven days to find out some of the reasons why I’m grateful for ballroom dance. Hint: NONE of the things I’m grateful for can be bought in a store!

What are you grateful for?

Repost – Falling for the Illusion

I am WAY behind in reading other ballroom dancers’ blogs, but I finally made it to this one and felt compelled to share it. This dancer makes the great point that what you see is not always what you do, and sometimes that can even lead to “dangerous” dancing when an inexperienced lead tries to replicate the illusion instead of the actual trick behind an advanced dance move.

Check it out!

Dance is an illusion. That back-breaking dip isn’t so back-breaking as it is knee-bending and core-crunching. That light and lithe follow being lifted over her lead’s head is really a compact case of pure muscle. I once told a pro friend of mine how jealous I was that all her steps were always so clean […]

Continue reading -> Falling for the Illusion — A Step In Quarter Time

Mental Block

You know that feeling when you think you’ve got something? You understand a concept more or less. But for some reason, the puzzle pieces aren’t completely fitting together. You can see the picture, but it’s not 100% clear. You can’t put your finger on it, but there’s a disconnect somewhere.

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Inspired by Dance and You

One of the big unexpected side effects of ballroom dancing I continue to experience is the courage to dive into my other passions. I’ve always loved creative writing, but hadn’t done it consistently in years until I started dancing, after which I started blogging. I also realized my dream of being a published author. The tree of life tattoo idea I had since high school finally fully formed in my mind after I started dancing, and then I actually got it inked!

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Weekend Workshop and Practice

Happy Sunday dancers! I hope your weekend was relaxing and fun, and included a little dancing. I danced a little both days this weekend, with a workshop on Saturday and some practice time on Sunday. The workshop was taught by the current American Smooth champions (U.S., World, Blackpool…they’ve won them all!): Nick Cheremukhin and Viktorija! It didn’t go quite as I expected, but I was still able to take some of the teachings and apply them in my Sunday practice.

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