Ninth workshop and post-holiday routine

December 11, 2019 by Grace Li in Ballet absolute beginners

So it turns out I spent a little bit too much money during holidays (oops) and I now need to think of new ways to save money again. Therefore I plan to cook my own meals and cancel my gym membership. That would probably put my savings back on track!

However, meal prep is def more work than it seems - there are lots of planning and logistics going on! Like during nights when you plan to be productive with book reading/blog writing, you find out you run out of rice and have to make a trip to the supermarket. Or you realize you dont have time to go back home tomorrow to cook but you only have leftovers left for 2 more meals. And also after I finish making dinner, eat it, wash the dishes and do all the chores, I am so exhausted that I am no longer productive. Ughh!!

I find that it is mostly because I sit in my bed a lot of the time, and then the next thing I know is when I wake up in the morning… today I try to avoid my bed before bed time and sit in a chair. So far, it works and I am still writing this blog! Sometimes, all it takes is some determination and a change of environment.

So far for the weekly thoughts, now back to ballet!

On Monday, we did a lot of rond de jumbe, did some tendu, pique, and ended with an exercise of the second port de bras.

Eighth workshop and holiday rituals

December 08, 2019 by Grace Li in Ballet absolute beginners

So… its officially holiday season! What have you all been busy with?

I had a relaxing four day weekend cooking at home… making chicken soup, meatballs, steamed pork ribs, wonton, and matcha swiss rolls! Going back to cooking is surprisingly satisfying, since everything you cook is exactly what you want to eat, and you just get very happy after a big meal you made yourself. It’s a very different feeling from having to go with whatever is on the menu at a restaurant or whatever is available at the Citarella hot bar (which is what I’ve been eating for many months). Cooking makes you feel like you are actually taking care of yourself!

Unfortunately, cooking had never been my priority over the past few months, as I was always so crazed about getting so many things done - learn new things, go to dance classes, go to the gym, go to museums, meet friends, read books…that I rarely have time to slow down and actually relax. I kind of overburdened myself a little bit, trying to accomplish everything. The holiday season is a good time to slow down, and have the peace of mind to enjoy not doing anything. You know, living in a fast-paced and career-oriented city such as New York can make you lose sight of such a little but important thing , which is that sometimes, doing nothing is ok!

Today is also our seventh workshop ( I didnt get to post about our sixth workshop and class was canceled on Monday due to a snow storm). So I will write everything I learned in the two workshops in below. After a week and a half’s break from ballet, it is definitely awesome to be back to class, listening to live piano while stretching on the floor and also learn to connect with your body and emotions through moving and dancing (:

Third workshop and a milestone birthday

November 08, 2019 by Grace Li in Ballet absolute beginners

I turned 25 yesterday! It felt amazing and surreal, to really be at an age when people look back to nostalgically, when you feel that anything can happen and the future has so many possibilities. I was on my dating apps in the last few minutes of being 24 years old, waiting for the number to turn 25. Idk why I was on dating apps at that time, probably because it is one of the only apps that has your age written on the profile! And it is a surreal feeling seeing your age being officially presented as 25 on a dating app. I now officially joined the more mature 20 somethings!! It’s an amazing feeling.