calm.

Ahhh...morning.

These past few weeks have been full to the brim with work, of the best kind.

I made a special trip back to the Okanagan to see my high school's dance program take their final bow (this was the final year for their annual dance show), teach a plethora of classes across the region, and one of my best friends proposed to me...to be her bridesmaid next summer!

Life in the fast lane is fun, but it catches up to you. After hitting the ground running last week dancing, teaching and in preparation for my two upcoming shows, I hit the wall.

Many entrepreneurs will tell you they work all the time. I confess, I'm one of them.

I usually have an "off" button to click into my personal life, but sometimes it has to be pushed aside, especially when your timetable is different each day.
I don't find it stressful, just busy!

During my intensive in L.A., Galen Hooks said it best - she drinks, thinks, processes, breathes dance all day.  I'm in the same place.

Literally everything right now in my life is moving towards a few goals in the artistic realm.

One being producing a show, but there are a few more that are still in the back of my mind I'm hoping can come to fruition.

This morning (and over the next few days) I'm taking a step back.

I've been so concerned with creation a high quality piece of art that I've forgotten to have a little bit more fun.

Isn't that why I got into this all in the first place? Duhhhhh Portia. 

From my bed, a large coffee in hand, and some Stevie Wonder playing in the background - good morning.

I'm taking this moment before heading into meetings and rehearsal this afternoon.

Life is good. Things don't need to be done at this exact second - one day at a time.

Have a wonderful week loves.

mountain.

Well...hello, hello! 

I detest blogs that haven't been updated, and I'm very guilty of that right now. However, the past week and a half has had me running around the city like a mad person - but I loved every single moment of it. 

Between last-minute CBR rehearsals, performing, networking, helping plan and execute Divas in the City 4, taking part in year-end festivities,  I have finally found a moment to relax. 

Looking back at everything that has happened over the last 10 months,  I have made some mistakes, make some leaps and made connections I will cherish for the rest of my life. 

There are a few more things brewing in my pot - for now, I'm looking forward to taking some time off and refuelling before making my next move. Expect more happening on the writing/social media side, and then some dance and instructional work coming up in the fall. 

But first, coffee and time to tackle the mountain (and I mean it, mountain) of laundry that has been glaring at me since I got back from B.C. 

Enjoy the sunshine and expect a more updated blog this month! 

veil.

Assisting Carla Catherwood teach our choreography last night in rehearal. 

I think choreographer Mia Michaels put it best: 

"...being acknowledged [with an Emmy] for being me, and not trying to be anything but me, is powerful...I always had to work so hard to be where I am, and I don't mind it. Because now, people know me for me." 

Obviously I don't have the same kind of mind as Mia Michaels - she's a brilliant creative director and choreographer - but her quote has really resonated with me. 

My parents, friends, students,  artistic peers and so many more have taken me exactly as I am. 

There's no veil concealing what I do. What you see is what you get. 

weird.

After a wild couple of days, it's finally the weekend. 

Enjoy your days off and hope you get a moment to soak in this beautiful autumn weather. 

Also, where will you be Thursday, October 25? It's one of the several shows I have coming up this season! 

Come see my latest dance show, "Dangerous Dames and Wicked Little Girls". It's going to fantastic (and I'm only slightly obsessed with my solo dance song). 

Check out the promo video here: 

medals.

Pretty incredible day at for Canadians in the Olympics.

To give some perspective, Canada didn't even win a medal until day eight in 2008. On day eight in 2012, we have won 10 medals.

Pretty cool to get to work at the broadcasting network the day Canada wins their first gold of the Games (you go Rosie MacLennan!) and also swimmer Michael Phelps last Olympic race ever.

I'm soaking this all in - feeling thankful, happy and blessed to be along for this ride.

As well, I'm trying to soak in some of my favourite summer essentials on this faux-long weekend.

Every free moment I get between my jobs will be spent in a bathing suit, outside and sipping on something lovely.

Thank you to so many for your support, it means the world to me. See you on the other side of London 2012!

solus.

It's hard to believe a month has flown by living at my new apartment. I'm absolutely loving living a bit farther west in downtown Toronto, and slowly but surely am learning and living in the dynamic of my new neighbourhood.

One thing I've been embracing for the past month was something that used to really scare me...eating alone.

Of course, it's perfectly fine to grab a coffee at a cafe and catch up on email solo, but I still feel like it isn't always okay for someone to go into a restaurant alone.

Even tonight as I made my way into a new sushi place I have been interested in trying, the sound of "Oh, just one?" was almost enough to send me out the way I came in.

However, novel in hand, I had access to the choice table in the restaurant (near a big window overlooking the street), was given samples of various pieces of sushi and finally got a good chunk of my book read that I have been meaning to do.

I took as long as I felt, paused, sipped and people-watched. In a city and lifestyle where one is constantly hyper-connected and surrounded by people all the time, taking an hour of solitude in a public place was fantastic.

Next on the list? I'm thinking Indian food (still looking to find a good place in Toronto - let me know if you have a recommendation).

This is also leading up to a very exciting week for me and my university peers. On Friday we will be donning caps and gowns and graduating from Ryerson University's Bachelor of Journalism program. My parents will arrive this week, and there will be many celebrations and cheers to be had!

Needless to say, I've just gotten really excited.

All the best into the upcoming week!

teenage.

One of the perks of my current job is getting to meet and interact with a lot of interesting and amazing people.

Some are trying to save the world, and others are known over the world. Each day is different, and I find that I'm constantly inspired by the stories around me.

This morning, I unexpectedly met actress Melissa Joan Hart, famous for her roles on Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

She was clad in normal, comfortable clothes, coffee in hand and very cheerful. She sat down in the makeup chair, turned to me and asked, "So what do you think about the whole situation in Syria?"

I was blown away with how down to earth she was, and we have a great conversation about world issues, politics and the US before she was whisked away to her interview. It's crazy to meet someone you grew up watching and idolizing, and I really got the impression that she's just as cool in real life as she is on television.

Now for those magic powers...if only those were real.

I also must wish my friend Emma a very, very happy birthday on this stunning Toronto day. Here's to many more years of laughs, YPF, dance and wine.