Ballet experience with Victor Ursabia

Last weekend has been a good experience and a busy one for Mabe. She finished the 3-day workshop with ballet master, Victor Ursabia. The workshop was held at the DancePull studio and ended with a short culmination program and photo exhibit opening at the Negros Museum.

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Cyber and Real. I'm back.

Yes. I am still here, living my life in the real world. It's been a real crazy busy week. JITB left the country last Friday. Mabe and I were trying to get back to our normal routine for a week now. 

A lot of things to do like Mabe going back to ballet, she's four weeks behind class trying to keep up. All of her ballet classmates are into pointe shoes class now but Mabe's too young to start the lesson yet. She just turned nine and ideal age for pointe shoes is 10 or 11 years old.

A friend of ours passed away last Friday night due to complications of his illness and was laid to rest Tuesday. His daughter is a good friend of Mabe. Helping his wife in little things like seeing the kid have lunch as she does other errands and stuff was the least we could do. 

 

My internet broke down. Apparently the power adaptor conked out and left us disconnected in the cyberworld. It's like a major meltdown in our house. Lol! I was able to be online in Twitter because of my Blackberry and Globe connection which was not enough because how about Instagram, Viber, Mabe's watching her cartoon series in Youtube, emails, blogs I have to read! haha.

Without internet made me a tv series freak. JITB downloaded some television series for me before he left. I can't believe I finished the whole Season1 of Falling Skies and Homeland. 

Anyway, life must go on. I have a PTA meeting to attend at exactly four hours from now, Mabe's ballet class later. 

So, bye for now.

Have a great weekend ahead everyone!! 

Mom-zilla

The past few weeks I was like balletmom-zilla. Mabe's everyday rehearsal has been eating up most of my time. I had a 3-day break when my cousins Alex and Aileen from Australia were here in town for some important business that I had to accompany them, after that I was back as balletmom-zilla.

Finally, the summer ballet activity was over. The dance studio had a cast party at Mambukal today and it was a hit. What a great way to bond with the rest of the kids and fellow balletmoms and stageyayas. Mabe and I had so much fun. 

The sight of the Hot Dipping Pool above was in fact inviting. Even if I got tempted to take a plunge, I was keeping an eye on Mabe the whole time so it's a no-no. Mom-zilla here.

One more schedule tomorrow (a costume party) then I'm done with kid activity.

Mom-zilla deserves a foot and back massage.

Good night everyone!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

this poster reminds me of mabe's chicken pox last december. she missed this pictorial. lol!

 

May 20, 2012, 10:00AM, Cinema 4, Gaisano City Mall.

See you there!

The last leg of Summer...

Sunflowers inside Changi Airport taken last June 2011

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Neo-Version Original is coming up this May...

Cousins from down under will be here in the city...

Driving lesson continues...

Battle with summer heat hopefully ends.

Prepare for Baguio vacation with JITB and Mabe in June...

I want my morning walk to continue, alone this time since my walking buddies went back to the US yesterday.

The month of May is going to be more busier than April. Ballet rehearsals will take most of my time. Yes, stagemother much.

Let's enjoy the last leg of Summer!

Scattered Thoughts

Since last week my schedule was focused in Mabe's summer ballet and contemporary dance classes in Dancepull School of Performing Arts.

I would do my other errands on days without dance classes, and that includes driving lessons. Scared as rat but I'm really trying my best to learn. I'm kind of shy to say this, but my husband gave me a second hand car, an advance birthday present for next week :)

I'm having scattered thoughts right now, first I have a number of books to read but I don't any time and plan to curl up in bed and read. Second, my pre-birthday hang out with my close friends next week is conflict with Mabe's pictorial in the dance studio. Third, driving is primarily in my mind, I don't want anything more . I know these are all petty thoughts. Don't mind me. Lol!

At the back of all this craziness, I have a personal concern I cannot tell you about because this is a happy blog with young readers so Parental Guidance. Maseselang Usapan ay Hindi Maari. Lol!

So that's it. Enjoy your weekend everyone!

ACB Exam 2012

Last year the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet exam was held in Iloilo City. This year it was decided that the DancePull School of Performing Arts (mabe's ballet studio) will be the venue, such a relief for us parents. I cannot imagine the heat in Iloilo City and going through the ordeal of sailing again, not to mention how stressful and tiring it can be.

The exam went smoothly, the kids had a moment with Prima Ballerina Christine Walsh after they finished. Results will be out before the summer class ends.

How Ballet Dance Floors Are Made

 

I did not realize how important dance floor is until I saw the construction of Mabe's ballet studio, DancePull School of Performing Arts, when they added an additional studio for baby ballet.

Dance Floor is a crucial part in choosing a ballet school for your kids. Proper installation leads to correct execution, improved performance and most important of all our concern as parents: SAFETY.

I do not mean to scare you but improper studio flooring will give your kids knee injuries, shin splints and back problems. Dancing in concrete is dangerous. 

When time comes that your kids wanted to pursue ballet or any form of dance, take a look at the studio's flooring.

From Ballet to Gadgets

The past few weeks our schedule has been focused in ballet class since the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet exam is getting closer. The kids has been working double time in mastering their precised movements and positions. 

But knowing kids (especially my kid) they are always looking forward to play after class. And talking about playing, even before class they keep themselves preoccupied with gadgets. I don't mind giving her the freedom when it comes to gadgets, kids these days are more comfortable with the language of electronics and technology, for as long as they are guided properly, let them tinker and explore the world with gadgets.

Today

Even if i'm about to drag my feet to bed, eyes about to close, brain switching offline. I will do this post. (Not to mention that my whole body ached because of morning walk: day 2) I will blog how my day was even if it will bore you to death, even if i'm too exhausted with mother duties the whole day, even if i'm toooo sleepy!!

I started my day in a relax mode. Coffee. Carrot Bread. Chillax...then morning walk.

Off to ballet studio, by 9:30AM mabe just have enough time to do some stretching and for mama to catch up with fellow ballet moms and ballet yayas.

Back at home after lunch, I had to deal with mabe's chipped and damaged toenails (her teacher said ballerinas got damaged toenails all the time). Problem toenails solved. Swimming party in Costa Brava tomorrow, go!

Inspired to draw a beach scene? Mabe we're going to a pool not the beach.

By 4:30PM I got a call from mabe's pre-school teacher. She was chosen to join a group to do some intermission number on Monday. I was informed two weeks ago, but I thought its not pushing through since I got no phone call from her previous school. They rehearsed from 6:00PM to 7:00PM. Dance done!

This costume is three years old and needs repair and makeover. ugh. Mabe used this in a hula number when she graduated from pre-school. They will revive the dance on Monday.

So, where do you think will you find me first thing tomorrow morning?  

(after my morning walk...ahem)

Where else but Central Market! lol looking for rafia of course.

I'm so sleepy. I know it's hard to believe but it's true. I will sleep NOW.

Have a great Sunday tomorrow :)

ballet in my mind: The ACB Exam

Here I go again, thinking of the upcoming Australian Conservatoire of Ballet exam that Mabe is taking this April. This is her second time, last year she passed Pre-Primary Level with Highly Commended honors. I was relieved. Now, anxiety is creeping again. (Yes, I am a ballet mom, a stagemother!)

Stagemother it is, but I am not pushing her to do something she's not interested doing. Mabe started ballet at the age of 5. She's on her fourth year now and will take the Primary Level examination.  

I am more anxious since the person giving the exam this April is no other than Prima Ballerina Christine Walsh, the Director of The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet. 

Last year the examination was held in Iloilo City, this time however Bacolod City for the first time is set as venue, it will be held at the Dancepull School of Performing Arts.

What is ACB?

The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet
Based on the Russian (Vaganova) Method of Classical Ballet

Devised by Christine Walsh AM, The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet's 12 year program is designed to suit the needs of all classical ballet students who are unable to take full-time dance training from an early age. The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet training and assessment program emphasizes correct placement, dynamics and performing quality which are all qualities inherent in the Vaganova method.

In addition to this, the program aims to develop in the student a professional attitude which will assist them in the pursuit of a career either as a professional dancer or dance teacher.

For teachers wishing to study this training program, Seminars are conducted by arrangement. The program is designed to be used by the dedicated ballet teacher who has had a good deal of experience constructing general open classes and not uniquely teaching from a syllabus manual. The teacher must be able to write class plans for each term covering the vocabulary at each level. It is desirable that the teacher has had performing experience at a professional or semi-professional level, in order to impart artistic performing quailty which is essential. Presently, this program is being used by teachers in Australia and Asia.(source:acbaustralia.com.au)

The Dancepull School of Performing Arts

The Dance Pull School of Performing Arts dance Program specializing in Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance and Street Grooves, is one designed to guide students from their very first acquaintance with dance thru a full course of study.

In ballet. the school accepts students, 4 - 12 years old to its creative movement, pre-ballet class, and through seven different levels of a GRADED curriculum of Australian Conservatoire of Ballet based in vaganova (Russian) Syllabus, in Contemporary, students 8 years old and above and in Street Grooves, 6 and above.

The program has been carefully organized to increase students  technical skills and stamina with special emphasis on placement, line and style.

The school reaches out to the young students who aspires to be a dancer, training not only the muscles, but also the mind, developing strength and achieving grace, remembering always that the stars of tomorow are the students of today.

At the same time, the school acknowledges that not everyone of the students will pursue a dance career, and to this end has structured the classes to demand concentration, discipline and quality which will serve the students the rest of their lives.

Adult classes are geared to all levels of proficiency, from absolute beginners, to those who have had some training (even if years ago) added to the joy of movements are the benefits of a very efficient form of exercise, the perfect antidote to desk-bound days.

The schools faculty are composed of professional dance teachers and dance- masters headed by Dwight Rodrigazo, formerly a principal soloist, choreographer and dance teacher of Ballet Philippines and one of the founding director of Airdance Philippines.(source:dancepullstudio.com)

What more can I say but goodluck boys and girls!

Mabe's Primary Level group,