SYTYCD Tour, Season 5

On the blissful evening of Saturday, November 7th, 2009, I was fortunate enough to have a ticket that redeemed me a seat at West Valley’s E Center to see the top ten finalists from the television show So You Think You Can Dance season five, perform live. Words really can’t describe my ecstatic state as the lights were dimmed and Nigel Lythgoe’s recorded British accent rang from the speakers announcing the talent of such dancers as follows: Jeanine Mason, Brandon Bryant, Jason Glover, Kayla Radomski, Kupono Aweau, Evan Kasprzak, Rrandi Evans, Ade Obayomi, Melissa Sandvig, and Janette Manrara. As one of the show’s biggest fans (that is, alongside my sister/best friend Lauren), I feel almost as if these ten dancers are my close friends; I’ve followed every week religiously and have even spent countless hours re-watching my favorite routines on youtube. To see those same routines in person was simply and utterly amazing.





I really, sincerely wish I could express in words what a momentous occasion this was for Lauren and I. IT WAS HUGE! I thought I was the world's most embarrassing creature for having caused mascara to run down my cheek simply for witnessing their introductions. The thought of being so close to people I admired (and envied) was too much. It was right then that Lauren turned towards me; in the crazy colored luminescence, I could see she was crying too. We really are from the same family. Don't be fooled by our differing outside appearances.







For those of you that are not familiar with the show, shame on you. By the end of this, my goal is to have converted you. So forgive me for the long, arduous text that follows. This really can't go without being said.

One of the most recognizable and loved routines from this past season is a piece choreographed by Mia Michaels and danced by Kupono and Kayla, regarding the sensitive and traumatic subject of addiction. Though there are many aspects of addiction, the problematic obsession and the detrimental effects it has on family and other loved ones being only a few, this particular piece deals with addiction’s enslaving nature. The choreography depicts the struggle between an individual, portrayed by Kayla, and her addiction, characterized by Kupono. In all facets of their movement and facials, the dance feels real. Kupono has an ominous smirk the entire routine, symbolic of an addiction’s pleasure in capturing its subject, and dances calmly, but powerfully, almost serenely holding his new prey in agony and torment. With forceful, but slow reaching lines, Kupono catches hold of Kayla and never lets go. Despite her efforts to escape his release and in effect “kick the habit” (both literally and physically), he always manages to keep a hold on her, controlling her body and movement. The struggle between the two parties crosses nearly every corner and foot of the stage, illustrative of the toll it has on every feature of an addict’s life: relationships, work, school, happiness, etc. Kupono also always keeps in close distance of Kayla, the two entities nearly exist together as one, as she can only keep him away for a few counts before she relapses again into the addiction. While Kupono is menacing, powerful, tantalizing, and only has to use a limb or two to demand dominance, Kayla has to use every muscle in her body, producing very big, dramatic, contrasting movement. Her face illustrates the struggle and effort that coincides with such a forced energy, seeming weak and frail.

Every element of the routine is successful in portraying Mia Michaels’ message and purpose, which is why I believe this dance is so powerful. I’ve watched it a million times, and even when I saw it for the hundreth or so time in person, I was still catching symbolic details. The music of Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity” was so much more touching as it rang loud from the stadium’s speakers, the theme song to Kayla’s struggle. Although the costume was the same as on the show, I realized that Kayla was tattered and ragged, while Kupono wore an immaculate suit of authority, even accessorized with shards of Kayla’s costume material, again symbolic of his possession of her.

Really. Watch it. Be prepared to be blown away.




If you are interested, my other recommended routines to research are:
*Jeanine & Jason Contemporary
*Janette & Brandon Cha Cha & Disco
*Jeanine & Phillip "Mad" Hip Hop
*Randi & Evan Contemporary

The list really could go on...

The So You Think You Can Dance Tour was breathtaking and stunning, even down to the last spoof of the Russian Folk dance, which I normally wouldn’t find engaging. Despite the dancers having to rush into costume changes and perform an insane amount of routines, they kept up their energy and created an amazing show. They all were so much better in person and I’ve come to respect them not only as dancers, but actors, and entertainers.








Watch Season 6, it already has the promise of sensational performances!

AND Get tickets for the season 6 tour, just don't buy the ticket for the seat within the first three rows that is intended for me, then I might have to come kick your butt.

Let's talk creativity.

Emily & I still can't get over this...



We found it waiting outside our door one night....a cookie invitation from a boy to hike up to the Y. I wish I could say it was for me.

Totally speechless. Words, I have none. Calories, quite the surplus. (I can't decide if it's a blessing or a curse that Em likes to share.)

Do these boys ever sleep?

What haven't I done in the last four weeks?

This past month has been by far the busiest, most bizarre, most adventurous, most surprising, most almost-every-adjective-you-can-think-of in my entire life. Just as a little recap:

I embarked on my last official year as a teenager--the big (or not so big) 1-9. Two of my roommates, Emily and Mallory, had a birthday within two weeks of mine as well; it was a crazy couple of weeks of presents, chocolate molten cake, door decor, and celebrations!

Here's my belated birthday wish to myself! Cheers wawa.


(FYI-that's Martinelli's Cran-Apple Cider..not to worry)

Out of everything, even the ridiculously cute clothes from mom and dad, this was my favorite present by far...


It's still in my fridge....I guess that sign is really working!

Also in the last few weeks, summer turned into fall..



Pretty, huh? It's unfortunate that it only lasted two weeks. Now it's snowing, which was fun for the first twenty minutes.....but I think I'm going to have a hard time coping with this till spring. I'm buckling my seat-belt everyone, it's going to be a long, cold winter.

So I realize I'm not exactly going in chronological order...life has been one big blur so I'm not exactly sure I could even if I tried.

There's been some great (some not so great) football games..


Totem poles..


Trips to the ghetto of Salt Lake, the train station.


Reunions with friends I haven't seen in years!


(Travis Williams aka T-Dawg- my freshmen boyfriend who moved to Idaho & then Hawaii)


Cat fights...



Not pictured: I ran into a deer.....not a live one of course, it had already been hit, but nevertheless very scary. Even after being assured that no harm was done, mom didn't find it very funny.




One too many laughs with these lovely girls..


And now that my cd player AND auxiliary outlet are on the fritz (I swear I think my life is almost over) due to jammed pennies (don't ask) and other technical problems.....we've had to listen to Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" & Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" non-stop.


**Side note: my new mission: get Utah radio stations to find new songs to overplay!

Hope your last month has been just as eventful!!

And so it begins...

I LOVE FOOTBALL SEASON. Why?

Well first...because school puts on stuff like this:





They call it True Blue.









We made such a mess when we came home to shower....it was the cleaning room-check night too with our RA. Let's just say we didn't pass the first time around... :]


Second. Football season also brings good tidings of:

*Highly caloric & processed foods. (cotton candy, slurpees, hawaiian popcorn, and the like..)
*Crazed crowds
*School spirit
*Mascots!!
*THE wave
*Cheers
*The best of all? Being able to wear FALL clothes.

You know you feel the same.



Andrew is grey-shirting for the team this year and invited Trav and I on the field for warm-ups and the player tunnel. It was SOOO cool.








I got to be so up close and personal! We were standing on the sidelines as they did their thing and then all of a sudden they were charging at us! Before we knew it we were in the cracks of their HUGE formation. It was quite silly.

I nearly had a heart-attack when I turned to my left and saw Bronco standing less than ten feet away from me...and then a few minutes later cosmo came by. BYU has the best mascot. I've never seen any other of his kind do standing tucks and aerials.

Let's go Cougs!

This aint exactly easy.

What is this institution called college? Am I going to get through it? It's eight o' clock in the morning already? Another essay? Will I live till Christmas (also the end of the semester)? And people say this is the most fun you have in your entire life?!

These are the questions I ask myself about ten times a day. How come this is so much harder than before? Between classes, homework, and more classes....I find little time to do much else! I have to write about four essays in a week, something I'm not yet quite accustomed to. (Oh, and congrats to those of you who are....!)

Anyways. These are the things that are getting me through these long, LONG weeks.

Subject 1:


Even though it's always much earlier than I would like it to be, I get to wake up to THIS every morning, as it is on my roommate's wall. It's marvelous. Aren't you jealous you don't have him to come home to?

Subject 2:


Ya, that's my fridge. This is the only thing that prevents me from stuffing my face with sugar when I'm brain-fried from studying and am about to go insane. Course, I can't say it's worked everytime....

(As evident by) Subject 3:


Sharing an entire pan of white chocolate/caramelized brownies with your roommate at midnight? My sister suggested it. Lauren, my consequent Freshmen Fifteen and I thank you.

Subject 4:


My roommate has a few of these tucked in odd places around our humble abode too. And you all thought I was obsessed?

Subject 5:


The beginning of crisp Fall weather! Ah, it's honestly the best....and I wish you could all see the beauty of this campus with the lush greenery and encompassing mountains with it.

Subject 6:


For those of you curious, this is my current relationship. DJ i writes me a song for whatever my mood calls for, is a loyal companion, and even sleeps with me. (In an appropriate way, you weirdos!) Oh, but the best part? We never fight. Well, that is except when he runs out of battery..but he says that's my fault, not his...

Subject 7:


Thanks to the attractive English guy that gave this to me in class! Daisies are my favorite; don't they just make you happy? This one has lasted over a week!

Subject 8:


My eye mask. I know, it should have some cute bows on it or something to make it more visually appealing...but it does the job just fine. Allows me to fall asleep when my roommate still needs light for homework. (Remind me to thank whoever invented these in the next life!)

Subject 9:


The very best of all of them. Turning IN the essay. Ah, such a sigh of relief.

This reminds me, I got another one. Toodles! I hope you all have these blessed miracles in your life!

Blink!

...Blink 182 that is.

For Labor Day I wanted to do something FUN! Something different...

...so I ventured where this pop princess has NEVER been before.



An actual rock band concert. It wasn't the typical J.T.-Britney Spears-kind of concert I'm used to with loads of sexy background dancers and elaborate stage frills. Nope. They kept it simple and let the music do all the entertaining.



I went with my roommate Emily & my best friend Travis from back home.

We had way too much fun getting our inner rocker on.



Taking Back Sunday was good too :]

Stolen Identity.

There is nothing like the BYU campus during its regular semester sessions to make you feel more ordinary and insignificant. Everyone seems to have been a cheerleader. Everyone seems to have been student body president. Everyone plays the piano and has more musical talent than Jessica Simpson. And worse, you are reminded of it every minute...as there as lines and lines of these clones EVERYWHERE you go.

I'm making my way to my first classes...




Who am I again?



Kidding.