Project: Latin American literature

I would like to familiarize myself with Latin America a bit better. The way to a culture's heart is through its art. So here's what's on my reading list in no particular order:

I would like the books on this list to be written by Latin American writers, and to take place there as well. The Alchemist takes place in Spain/traveling to Egypt I believe, but it's The Alchemist.
Love the movie, time to delve a little deeper perhaps.

Historical fiction, love it.
Ok this just happened to be my next book out of the library, and it's by a Dominican author! And part of it takes places in the Heights! No, that is not in Latin America, obviously, but it is by Latin American author and how can I say no to the Heights? It counts!
Pretty much any major writer in Latin America that came after Gabriel Garcia Marquez is hailed as the next G.G.M. Exhibit A: Roberto Bolano.
I am not in general a huge fan of poetry. I LOVE a piece I stumble upon here and there, and I love the idea of poetry, but forging my way through piece after piece that does not resonate with me til I get to the one that does is tiring. And makes me feel stupid for not resonating with a hailed Poet. But I think Neruda and I will get along.
Aaaaah. I have read a good chunk of this already. I don't know if I'll get back to it, it's a big one. Obviously incredibly important. We'll see.

I've already done Lorca (a playwright and poet I enjoy very much), so that's one off the list.

If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment!

this looks good

Thanks again, Dave.

What a creepy day. It's grey, dusky, and rainy. And I just finished watching 'El Orfanato". And the lights are low. When I look out my window all I see is bare treetops. New York is inherently creepy, it's so old.

I trust you.

I laughed out loud a few times today reading a brief description of Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark, a musical slated to hit Broadway in January 2010.

Spiderman, a musical. Doesn't sound like a good idea, but ok. A $40 Million musical. ?!?!?!?! That's pretty much the most expensive musical ever, btw. U2 wrote the music for it. And they invented a new villain because all of the comic book ones obviously weren't enough... Swiss Miss. Whose costume includes rotating knives? This all sounds pretty wacked out to me.

And the director is none other than the amazing Julie Taymor.

Which is when it occurred to me: this could be the worst idea ever, or it could be A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Because Julie's on board.

Here's a description of a sort of preview they did this past week. I'm excited.

Watch this immediately.

You guys, this trailer makes me want to cry and laugh in the middle. It gives me chills. It makes me yearn to have been a part of the process. What a fantastically crafted trailer, and what a magical and meaningful looking film. Thank you Spike Jonze, Dave Eggers, and co. I can't wait.

Lennox and the Bear

Lennox loved his Carebear. A lot. He would spend hours trying to chew its ears off and tear the button off its butt. He would toss that bear high into the air, and bring him to me for a friendly game of tug-of-war.

This is Lenno and his bear, in their favorite perch, gazing out the spare bedroom's window onto Amsterdam. What good times.

Until Lenno ate that bear.

He made sure every last piece of stuffing was sufficiently dead.

Don't eat your friends. Just don't do it.

Something in this picture is not the same

Am I in Xanadu?

After my big trip and disruption of normal programming, I finally had a day off unhindered by any sort of Plan. So my plan was to get back to "normal". Including, primarily, a trip to Whole Foods and a much-needed trip to the gym. Hahaha.

My day was delightful, and probably needed, and it didn't adhere to my plan. It included a trip to the dog park (dogs are so therapeutic, they get you out of the house, into the sunshine, in the company of other nice people and animals), catching up on TV (goodbye Big Love), tidying up the common living areas, grocery shopping (not to Whole Foods, but to Gristedes which is closer and not as fulfilling), and cooking, baking, movie-watching. And eating Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Sarah and I have visited a certain bar/restaurant in the Village which serves a certain Most Delicious Sandwich in the World Either of Us Have Ever Tasted. It is a panini. It has eggplant, goat cheese, and garlic. The combination is simple and heavenly. After stumbling upon it's existence on a previous outing months ago, we returned last week specifically for said sandwich. We had literally been talking about this sandwich for at least three months. Both times we've split it, and regretted doing so as it is so delicious we could both consume five whole sandwiches in one sitting. So today we had the brilliant idea of recreating the sandwich in our very own kitchen. And I must say that my first experiment with eggplant (did you know it is technically a berry?), as weird as this produce item is, was a success. We need better bread, less salt, and ideally a panini-press, and we are in business creating the Most Delicious Sandwich in the World every week for our very own consumption. You can come over, we'll share.

And what is a day off at home without baking up a little vegan treat? Today it was Apple Peanut Butter Caramel Bars. Oh, pardon me, let me wipe that drool off the keyboard. I think the title sums up the experience.

And throughout the kitchen marathon: Before Sunrise and Before Sunset playing in the background. What could be better?

Lately we've been thinking of moving out of the Heights. But a small experience today made me very glad we stayed. Walking to the grocery store on St. Nicholas, we suddenly passed a cloud of glittery confetti. A CLOUD. Not some confetti sweeping down the street, a CLOUD of glitter and confetti traveling down the street. Out of nowhere. It reminded me of that episode of Ducktales where that cloud is blowing around town, and the Beagle Boys are vanishing everything with a ray gun. The pieces soon separated from the pack, swirling around the feet of weary New Yorkers, rolling down the pavement, and gradually scattering. We were mesmerized.

Washington Heights is a magical place. Or I live in a musical.

I'm J.P. Morgan my friends, the wealthiest man on this earth...

points if you connect that to Ragtime.

Two things that people said about the Train the Trainer program are: it is crazy intense, and you will leave a different person. It was certainly crazy intense for a lot of people there. I think that the role of trainer comes naturally to me, and I have been unexpectedly well prepared for not only the job I've been doing for the past year and a half, but especially for the role of educator the way Seph0ra teaches it. This is because of my performance background. So it was not as intense for me. And I did leave a different person.

The program not only teaches you presentation and coaching skills, it also teaches you how to communicate differently, which is something that you do constantly, and therefore affects your entire life, not just your professional life. Not only has the week affected me in that way, it also taught me more about myself. How I learn, how I relate to others, how I behave and react under stress, the power of positive thinking. I'm sure as I distance myself from the experience I will realize other ways the week changed me.

So the week was a resounding success. I was given the title of Product Expert, I received excellent feedback, and I have potentially made a place for myself in the world of Seph0ra Education if I continue to pursue it. I will actually be giving an hour presentation on the company's initiative on natural skincare, cosmetics, and fragrance on Sunday to my entire cast-- leadership included. And the head of Seph0ra education will be attending. That is a BIG deal. Our presentations this last week were ten minutes each, so Sunday will be a big jump. I am just out of the gate, and I am already meeting, and will be succeeding, in a big challenge. Suffice it to say, this week will be a busy one for me. No resting time after my 70+ hour work week.

Add to that the potential of moving to a different apartment. More on that to come.

the sound of birds and tipico

I think it always feels good to get out of the city. And thank heavens it feels good coming back. After my quickest flight from coast to coast ever yesterday, I returned to a city still trekking through the last dregs of winter. After spending a week in a city where there were COLORS popping out of the ground, I thought this return may be a let-down. On the contrary, it felt great to get back home. And it feels like home. Soon after I lugged my 49 lb. bag and various carry-ons up my three flights of stairs, I popped out to grab some lunch at Jou Jou's. Walking through my neighborhood, I realized that's what it felt like, my neighborhood. In my city. I have made a place for myself here and I belong here. I have a snug, light-filled apartment of my very own. With two dear friends and the loveliest rascal of a dog I'm so glad we took in off the streets. This is mine, this is my life, and I made it.

Thank you artsy people.

yummy in my tummy

aaaaah, San Francisco. It's temperate, and the air isn't bone dry. 50-60 degrees. No coats. A scmorgasbord of architecture. Chillax is in the air. THERE ARE LEAVES ON THE TREES. When I saw that, I didn't want to tear my eyes away. My eyes were just eating it. Last night, coming home from dinner, we passed a little landscaped not-even-garden outside of an office building-- I almost dived over the railing into the green vegetation and flowers. No joke. But I was pretty sure my fellow Sephora girls whom I'd just met would think I was a little odd. I am supposed to be making friends, after all.

One of the most delightful things about traveling on Sephora's money is that they give me a per diem for dinner every day. As you know, I've been laying off the eating out lately, so I am pretty much in heaven right now what with leaves on the trees and ocean and chillax attitudes in addition to eating out every night. I am staying in the Nob Hill area I think, which is supposed to be pretty trendy-- there are plenty of great restaurants around and my doorman seems to know where all of them are. Last night we wanted Thai, he sent us to :

Delicious. Local ingredients (how many times can I say I love you San Francisco?) And since I have a per diem, I can get an appetizer AND dessert. Talk about spoiled.

Tonight we wanted sushi, doorman sent us to:

Barley tea + edamame+ miso soup + Pokemon roll + Philadelphia roll + fresh mango mousse with fruit + all organic + very hip atmosphere = a very contented Laura. I will probably be visiting again before I leave.

Oh yes, and my work is going fine. Today we learned about learning styles and presentation skills. Everyone promises me that it's going to get INTENSE, so let me enjoy my sushi in peace. Here's a little picture of the binder I found sitting on my desk this morning:

I included my hand so you could maybe get a sense of the size of this binder to scale. It is the most massive binder I've ever seen. I feel that it will add 15 lbs. to my suitcase on the way home. Good times.

I never want to leave San Francisco.

"I've made a huge mistake"

Well guys, I think the short hair days for me will relatively soon be over. For the past six months I have been growing my hair out, but when I was at my haircut today I impulsively decided to go back to short. I'd always liked it before, and I was sick of those days when my long hair just wouldn't cooperate. But I regret it. I really do. I think I am a long-hair girl now. Or will be when this grows out. Guuuuuh, I hate haircut regrets! I want my hair back!

I guess it's kind of silly how much love I have for fictional characters...

I've been rewatching Six Feet Under for a month or two. I love this show. This round, this has been one of my favorite little scenes, the very end of season 4. It occurs a while after David has a traumatic experience that he's a having a difficult time dealing with. He's speaking with his father who died a few years ago.

dance dance revolution

Here in my hermitage I am a fan of HBO, as any repeat reader of this blog would know. I am really enjoying this season of Big Love, and I thought this simple scene from last week's episode was especially fantastic. I am sorry to say that I can apparently no longer post youtube videos straight onto the blog, so you'll have to do a little work in clicking over there.

A little background: this character's mother recently passed away, this is apparently how she's dealing with it. I love how sweaty she is, her dance moves, and her face. I think dancing is so beautiful. The general perception of dancing is that people dance to have a good time. If you just happened to pass by this character's door and didn't pause or look closer, you would think she is just dancing for fun. But here it is an expression of so many different, painful, complex emotions. She's having a difficult time processing, and trying to exorcise them in this physical manifestation. I think that translation from feeling something to the impulse of dance is gorgeous.

This weekend I went dancing twice (which was unusually but delightfully frequent). Saturday I went to a club for Valentine's/my birthday in Hell's Kitchen. Sunday I went to a Dominican club in Brooklyn to see a friend's gig, he plays merengue tipico. Different kinds of dancing. Some people go dancing for the opportunity to get close with a member of whatever gender they're attracted to. Some people, like me, love the exorcism. To lose (and find) myself in dancing. My roommate dances to feel a part of the music (only if it's good), or for it to feel a part of her. My friend Sara dances because it's in her, this vibrant, powerful force, and it has to come out.

When I was at that club in Brooklyn last night, watching people my age get out on the dance floor and dance merengue or salsa, or whatever latin derivative, with each other I thought, how sad that modern white American culture doesn't grow up with dance in their life like this culture does. Like so many other cultures in the world do. Yeah, we have ballet and hip-hop, but I mean dance that everyone grows up doing on a regular basis with each other as a cultural, social activity and expression. It just seems so healthy. It's something that I feel we have missed out on. It brings people together and gets them moving. I keep coming back to this idea of dance as exorcism because as much fun as it is, as much as dance can be an expression of just pure joy and happiness, I think it not only gets your body moving but your emotions as well. As much as science would like to separate the two, or explain one with the other, I think the synergy between the two is inexplicable, unpredictable, and, for lack of a better word, magical.

Dance used to be much more prominent in "white" culture. Country dances and balls in the 1800's all the way through swing in the '30s and '40s and even in my parents' generation. Even though they're not as earthy as other cultural dance, it still got people together and moving. I guess it's a recent loss, one that's occurred as other forms of entertainment emerged. I feel like my generation has really missed out on this.

Hermit Crab

My days of living while only marginally affected by the blasted economy are over. When I moved to New York I imagined scrimping and saving. Happily, that wasn't necessary, and I enjoyed buying a salad or sushi for my lunch break almost every day (not only was this convenient but also very healthy), while still having enough money to occasionally eat out for dinner, go to a movie, or even a play. Sure, I wasn't saving a cent, but you guys; I LOVE to eat out.

I love that someone else makes this delicious food and brings it to me. I love the constant water refills. I love the atmosphere (hopefully). I love the sociality of it. Just sitting down and talking and eating and drinking with a friend or friends? What could be bett

er?! I love how grown-up it feels to meet for lunch. I love not worrying about money enough to grant the luxury of eating out. I love the ENDLESS options in NYC. I love the regulars. Oh how I love the regulars. The places that you love so much that you want to go there again and again until you've gotten the chance to try every option and decide which one is the best. Friends, add something to my list of favorite things to do: it is Eating Out.

I wasn't eating out all the time. But I was eating out more 

than once a week, and this was in addition to the afore-mentioned salad or sushi I would purchase for my lunch break. And can you blame me? In a city where you can get anything and everything from anywhere in the world? And you're a twentysomething and friends from work frequently ask you to go out for a bite? Who wants to ever say no to th

at? Well thank you for ending this pipe dream for me, place-of-employment-that-

shall-remain-nameless.

This week they have halved my hours. HALVED. My hours? They are cut in half. What a karate kick to the gut. And the bank account. And eventually the savings account.

Well, I am trying to make the best of my misfortune. I am not going to quit the place-of-employment because 1) I need money 2)despite how they are currently treating me I like the place enough not to hate my life while spending half my days there

 and 3)they are sending me to San Francisco in March for a training program so I can't leave them until that happens at the very least.

Before you ask, yes, I have had a sit-down serious conversation with my store manager about this situation. And no, it obviously did not lead to a permanent solution. I just have to hang in there.

And perhaps get a new job. Here's hoping that Whole Foods would like to hire another part-time cashier, because I would sure like to have a discount on the only items that I am now allowing myself to purchase. And heaven knows, I really love Whole Foods.

Speaking of which, I am now, obviously unable to eat out. Happily, this coincides with a major effort I started a couple of weeks ago to eat healthy aga

in! Like, really healthy. With a giftcard to B&N I bought myself these three books the other night to usher me into this new era of preparing whole and healthy foods for myself:

Ok, that last one isn't healthy per-say. But it does allow me to make healthier and cheaper choices by using my own oven.

I am loving Animal, Vegetable, Miracle you guys. I definitely recommend it to anyone even remotely interested in farmers markets, our culture's food choices, eating organically or locally, leaving a smaller carbon footprint, or eating healthy period. It is really easy to read, and honestly more of a page turner for me than some fiction I've read recently. I am so excited for the Union Square farmer's market to start up again. This is weeks and weeks away and is only the tip of the iceberg of my SAD. But Whole Foods definitely embraces the eating locally effort. If you don't know, the book is written by a mother of a family that vowed to eat only what they could grow themselves or acquire locally for a year, and includes tons of research and exploration into the American food culture.

So here's to a new life of staying in, cooking for myself, exploring new delicious vegan recipes, pouncing on giftcards like they are blocks of gold, and all in all enjoying the life of an urban hermit. Hopefully not in a crabby way, but I'm sure some days will get there. Especially in this dead of winter.

It's a good things I have a couple of new roommates to entertain me:

This is the Craigslist roommate's dog, Scout. She's been here a month and half but is moving away soon. :( She's so well-behaved it's like having a cat.
This is Lennox. He was a sort-of-stray that my roommate brought home last week. He's not quite fully-grown and is a complete rascal.

You would not believe the knock-down drag-out play fights these two have all. day. long.

I will write a real post soon, but I just wanted to let you all know that you should go see Rachel Getting Married. I am so glad I finally saw it in theaters and supported this film. Great writing, directing, cinematography, acting. Great choices all around.

Plus I bought my first Little Black Dress for New Year's. How grown up I feel!

Follow-up

Loved Slumdog Millionaire you guys. And it was indeed the most perfect follow-up to Shantaram.

I love Danny Boyle's films. I think there are some directors and some films that just speak my language, and Danny Boyle is one of those directors. This story, told by most other people, would have been trite or lame. In Boyle's hands it was beautiful, unique, and visually stunning. It's one of those movies that left me smiling for hours afterward, and supports my faith in believing in the good of mankind, even though so much crap goes on in the world, because Boyle does not spare us of the bad in Mumbai. He walks us right through it. Over and over again. And we still see goodness and love despite it all.

P.S. This film is rated R, but I'm a little upset about it because I don't think it should have been. Usually I couldn't care less about ratings, but this rating means that most people in my family, and many Mormons won't see it. Which is a shame, because I think anyone in my family would really enjoy this film. There is no swearing, sex, or graphic violence. There is some violence, but it's more like you know it's happening, you don't really see it. It's not graphic. What. a. shame.

P.P.S. I think I'm in love with that boy in the movie. And the actor was excellent. I loved watching every second of his performance. So honest.

Oh Danny Boyle

My roommate just showed me this trailer last night. How was this not on my radar until now?! My film bat-sense has failed me. It is in theaters, and I will be seeing it Thursday night. I can't wait. Sometimes I watch trailers and I KNOW I will love the film. It is perfect timing too, I just finished Shantaram which explores the slums of Mumbai, among other things, so this is a fitting movie to follow that great piece of literature (go buy it, you will love it.)

P.S. a film adaptation of Shantaram=very bad idea. Johnny Depp, why are you doing this? And Mira Nair to direct? No thank you.

P.P.S. A good Christmas present for Laura? One of those movie ticket books where the tickets end up costing $7 instead of $12.50. Because I love going to the movies, and I will pay the outrageous price unless somebody stops me.

Spa Day

On Monday, I am getting my first massage ever, at the Caudalie Spa, in the Plaza Hotel, for free. That sentence just kept getting better and better.

I know that this territory has kind of already been covered, but I can't wait.

I went to Tryon Park today

Pioneers of Gentrification

I am loving living in Manhattan. Living in New York is a way of life, one that's not for everyone. But I've been drinking it in. I feel like my brain just opened up to possibilities when I moved here. I'm reading more, learning more, going out more, exploring more. I feel like life has a stronger hold on you here. That can be exciting and that can be exhausting.  There are so many opportunities. I've seen a couple plays, a few great films, been to a benefit, and a lecture by one of my favorite photographers (Rodney Smith, work featured above). I also live with a couple of great girls whom I love, and who know how to have adventures.

I am really looking forward to all of the fun and experience I'm going to get here.

I love Central Park. I love farmer's markets.

Life is good. Even when you believe pee is dripping out of your roommate's ceiling. (It was actually really dirty water, but given a couple of other experiences in our apartment, we really thought it was the former.) Being a pioneer has its challenges.

my plans tonight

good news: I love my apartment.

bad news: I see rats on a regular basis.

good news: we have one of those things to plug in the wall to keep rats out of our apartment. magical.

bad news: lots of cockroaches in the open apartment next door.

good news: that wall thing also keeps away cockroaches. I've not yet seen one in our place... knock on wood...

bad news: it takes me 45 minutes to get to work.

good news: Soho is, of course, charming, and the shopping is amazing.

bad news: I cannot afford to buy anything in Soho.

good news: my first day of work I accidentally got in the way of Sandra Bullock as she was trying to leave my store.

bad news: I still get very starstruck and I'm sure she thought I was staring at her just to stare at celebrity. I really was just surprised.

good news: people in my store are generally friendly.

bad news: skincare in my store is unbelievably boring because no one wants my help ever. They all KNOW what they want, or are JUST LOOKING PLEASE DON'T SAY HELLO TO ME IN THAT FRIENDLY MANNER.

good news: great roommates.

bad news: I waited for an hour for my train to come last night.

good news: I'm going to see Dave Eggers tomorrow night.

bad news: there is so much to spend your money on in this city that does not even include the shopping or the eating.

good news: one of the brand reps in my store is insanely gorgeous. He is a man, which is why I care.

bad news: he wanted somebody else's number.

good news: great rooftop.

best part of the Emmys

I love Ricky and Steve.

snack time

That's right, folks, I am flying the coop. Finally. Heading out. On my own. And the big winner: The Big Apple! About a week ago I finally got the official affirmative on my transfer to the Soho Sephora, the first American store. I am in the middle of applying for a gorgeous apartment in Washington Heights, found by my incredible future roommates, Sara and Sarah. And no, I did not do any of the apartment hunting-- I am so so so lucky. Plenty of craigslist browsing, but no actual leg work or any real contribution at all. But look!

Trees! Close by!

More trees!


Exposed brick!
Shiny!
Beautiful hardwood floors!
No, I do not know that lady.

I am THRILLED. And, frankly, cannot believe my luck. I am moving in two weeks. Things kind of just suddenly fell into place. I have zero pieces of furniture. No bed, nor a bedspread for that matter. But I don't care, because I will be living in the city, and it feels good. GREAT.

I am sad to leave behind some lovely lovely people that I met here. I wish I could bring just about everyone in my Sephora to the store in Soho. But I will be joining several friends in the Big Apple, and hopefully meeting many more. I am a little surprised to end up in NYC. My life plan hadn't included it quite so soon. But that's ok, I'll take it. It's a huge life change, a good one.

Wish me luck moving into my fourth floor walkup. And commuting from just about the top of the island to just about the bottom every day.

This. makes. me. sick.

Subaru: R.I.P. 1997-2008

I loved this car. It makes me positively ill that my idiocy was the means of its demise. You know, not as ill as the accident itself makes me, and the possibility of harm to actual human persons, but ill nonetheless.

I have been driving this car since high school. I took my driving test in it. I listened to my first mix tape in it. I gave many a ride home in it. I sang a lot in it. This car saw a lot of change in me. My friend Katie (who died almost three years ago) rode in it. She scootered through the pouring rain once to pick up keys from my brother because I had locked my keys in this car while it was still running. I have in fact locked my keys in it a few times. I drove from coast to coast of this country in this car. I have spent the night in it because I couldn't afford a hotel room. I have packed my life and all my worldly possessions into it. I have survived a couple of truly scary moments in this car. This car has been my home when I had none. It was also how I got away. I escaped so many times in this car. Into the mountains, out west, to the lake, merely for a drive, to the movies, conversations with friends. The ability to go wherever I wanted when I wanted. It was my own space. Even when I shared it. I have been through so much. in. this. car. I loved it. Seeing what is pictured above just breaks my heart. I think it is, in fact, worse than what the picture looks like. I know, this is just a material possession, and it wasn't even mine, it was my parents', but it meant a lot to me. And I'm going to miss it a lot.

I made my first really adult purchase today: an iPhone and 2 year contract with AT&T. And I was literally shaking a little bit as I hit accept on the charge authorization. I also now feel slightly nauseous. I hope that will fade as I get used to the idea of my very own phone bill every month. The family plan was nice, but it was just time.

I have a love for my mac and old school iPod that is slightly embarrassing considering they're material objects. So I think this phone will be worth it.

the best part of the finale

Wade, why have you not been in my life this season?

LOVE this dance.

I really think Katee and Joshua should have co-won. I think she's the most flawless, though don't get me wrong, Joshua is obviously amazing. But Katee is pretty much spot-on 100% of the time.

you guys

This is where Sephora is putting me up for Encore. No offense to my sisters and their lovely apartment, but it's the swankiest place I've stayed at in NYC. It's a $350 a night hotel! Last year, I stayed in a semi-sketchy hostel room with 9 other girls and one bathroom per floor. That's all I'm saying.

P.S. why did no dances on SYTYCD really excite me tonight? No posting youtube videos here.

Watchmen

I know, all my blog is now is youtube videos. But this trailer is pretty awesome. I just hope it's not as boring as 300 was.

ridiculous

in the good way. Though I hate the costumes. And I think it highlighted Will, when I'd prefer it to be about them dancing TOGETHER. But maybe Will is just a little bit self-centered... I guess it would be hard not to be if you were such a good dancer in a competition. And maybe the choreographer just liked Will more.

favorite

despite stupid camera angles

delayed reaction

This was one of my favorites from last week. I think Joshua had an awesome week, and didn't get as much attention as he deserved. I loved his solo, and we also saw a new, more confident side of Joshua.

Business Trip!

Today, as I was working, the store director called me, and I thought: "Very unusual. I think this is going to be good news." She told me that they had selected me to be one of three castmembers to be sent to Skin Encore! That means extra training on skincare in New York City. I have been dying to go to an Encore since S.O.S., my original Sephora training. And yes,  I would prefer Color Encore, since that's my world at Sephora, but I also love skincare. And skin training is way better than no training! I was super ecstatic. The reason I'm not going to Color Encore is that there's quite a list going for people who want to go, and I'm one of the newest people in the store. But I'm thinking that they must really like me if they chose me to go to this Encore, even though Skin isn't my world. I've been working really hard, and I think it's paying off! I'm going next week. I could not be more excited.

Different.

I thought this showed off Will so well. Jessica I found a little halting, she wasn't nearly as fluid as Will. After their second dance, Mia said that Will looked so tired of carrying his partner, and it was so aaaaaaawkward. Will did not know how to react correctly.

p.s. Comfort and Thayne have to go.
p.p.s. I love Tyce.

Sexy Chelsie

I like Chelsie. I like Mark too, but this really showed off Chelsie more. And I like watching her face. She also smoothed over her dress catching on Mark's suspender really well.

Viennese Waltz

I know I seem a little Joshua-Katee-centric, but Katee was so beautiful in this piece!

Bollywood number!

This was the best one from last night, I loved it! Katee and Joshua are awesome. Every time I watch a pre-dance segment I get all doubtful of them, and then they totally rock the number. I hope the show keeps doing world-culture dances. I would love to see a Bollywood group number.

Rock.

Our Sephora anniversary theme was Project Rockstar. This was my rocker look. And it was uber glittery.

The only one that I thought deserved a blog post

With twice as many dances last night I thought there would be more I loved, but... no. Not that they were all awful, they certainly weren't. They just weren't extraordinary.

These two and Mark and Chelsie are my favorites. Officially.