chosen.

What's the happiest place on Earth? 

Disneyland? In your lover's arms? Home? 

These past few weeks - between Kelowna, Toronto, NYC and Vancouver, I found home in my chosen families. I've had friends who's travelled far and wide, and those who've stayed close to their roots. 

I've struggled with where to call "home" after moving every few years growing up and now as an adult. 

Travelling around has made me realize Vancouver is home, geographically. 

This weekend, I remembered where home really was. 

On stage. 

Flanked by dancers. Lights. An audience. I don't even have to move big, far or wide. I can just relax and be. 

Welcome to my home. 

moss.

I've been dancing and training for nearly 20 years. 

It still amazes me how much time, sweat, effort, tears and laughs go into making live performances possible. Then it's over in 45 minutes. Done. You're off the stage, the next act is coming on. 

So why do we do this? 

Because you get to become someone else for that 3 minutes in the spotlight. Your brain shuts out the world, and the only thing that exists is the music, the audience and the lights. 

Oh stage, it feels good to be back. Hard to believe five years ago I never thought I would dance again. 

free.

No matter how much they deny it, every performer has a "moment" before they step in front of the audience. 

It's doesn't have to be classed as a full-fledged freak out, or even anxious twitching movement. Some deny it repetitively. 

"I'm fine, totally fine. Let's do this. I'm fine. Let's go. Yep. Yep. Yep." 

We've all been performing for long enough that it's second nature to just come out and lay it on the stage. I've been doing this since for 15 years - it all started at the recreation centre. Now I'm performing to sold-out crowds in Toronto. 

My moment always happens right before the music starts and waiting for the curtain to open. It just doesn't seem real to me, and more than once, I've thought to myself, what is my life? Whoa. 

The moment the light hits you, anxiety, doubt and pressure disappears. 

On stage, I'm free. 

Thank you to some of my dear friends who came out to see me dance last night. I can't wait to perform and finish choreographing our full-length show in June. 

Happy Sunday and have a great week. 

nuvo.

There are few things I love more than being on the stage.

Whether it be in an intimate small venue, on a football field for a halftime show or proper theatre - there's something otherworldy about standing on the platform and looking out to the audience.

All in all, the show went supremely well this past Friday, with approxamently 480 people coming to see us.

I can't even describe the feeling and energy that came alive that night. We walked onstage, and felt it. We hit it.

I am so proud of my dance family and all the hard work I have seen my director and other dancers put into this show, and I think it was our best one to date.

To be a part of something so much bigger than just me really blows my mind, and puts a reality check back into the situation.

But not too much reality - it was a Wonderland-themed show after all.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and after a good week off from school, work and life, we'll be back at for the next show in May!

Again, I can't express enough how thankful I am for all the support of my friends and family - I wouldn't be able to live this dream without you. Merci, gracias, thank you for coming!