Samba in Paris

Samba in Paris 

I recently petitioned Father Time for a 5-year extension on my 40th birthday. I figured since my actual bday is in 2 years, I would have 3 years to prepare emotionally for the big day.

My petition, however, did not go through. Either Father Time is ignoring me or he is too busy dealing with the bureaucracy of keeping things running on time (I like to think it's the latter).

You may think I'm crazy, but when I turned 27, I had an emotional breakdown as I walked out of my bday party.  I found myself drinking pink champagne (not the best choice) and crying at the realization that I, in 3 years, would turn 30. 3 YEARS (I do not like to procrastinate. In fact, "why do it later if I can do it now" is my motto).

Micaela           

Perhaps to appease my craziness or because she simply understands me, Micaela, a dear friend, suggested I along with her and Lea, another dear friend, enter my new decade drinking lattes in Paris. Paris!!! Yes, the capital city of all that is beautiful and regal, the current residence of Mona, the origin of croissants and lattes. I must go there!

                                                                                                 
 Why didn't I think of this before? I simply love the idea (Though with the time difference, I will actually celebrate my 40th ahead of schedule and will probably do it while drinking pink champagne). Best of all, Lea, Micaela, and I are all Aquarelinas who love to dance, so I am guaranteed a great time.

                                                                                                                   
Lea (FYI: She is wearing a g-string bikini under her seemingly conservative outfit)            

To prep for my trip, I began searching for samba related activities in Paris. Here are some great sites:

• Information Page: 
• French Samba Home Page
•  Baterias (Percussion Groups):
• Aroma do Samba. 
• Batala 
• Misto Quente
• Classes and Cultural Center: 
• Allez Samba   
• Samba School: 
• Sambatuc

Paris, here I come (in 2 years)!

Beijos and enjoy your day!

If you like my post, please leave a comment below or click on Follow. I love to hear what you think and appreciate your support. 

Private Samba Lesson

Private Samba Lesson

I'm a teacher at heart. As a kid, I would often line-up dolls and giving them wonderful, well-planned, engaging lessons. Needless to say, when the chance to teach a dance class came up, I was thrilled. The plan was that I, for 1 hour, would give a privet samba lesson to 6 lovely ladies.

My goal was to give the ladies a fun samba lesson and a great workout. For this, I knew I needed to prep ahead of time. Of course, I began with my outfit--girl gotta look good and it totally supports my teaching goals. I wanted something cute, colorful, and inexpensive, which I  accidentally found at Forever 21; love the store. I then put on large earring, loads of bracelets, and braided my hair--again, girl gotta look good. Next, I wanted the ladies to feel beautiful, feel sexy, and have a great time, so I asked each of them to bring a pair of dancing heels. Finally, I wanted to create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for them and for me, so I selected some of my favorite songs.  See the list below:

Warm-up

• Cabelo Raspadinho by Chiclete com Banana. This song has a fast beat but repetitive lyrics, making it easy to move around while focusing on just a few moves. Remember, the ladies are learning samba, so repetition is key.

Stretches and Cool-Down

• Sozinho by Caetano Veloso. This is the perfect break-up song. I always imagine the singer sitting at home with a bottle of wine (Vinho Verde if possible) and a box of chocolates. The song also happens to have a great melody and is perfect for stretching. Next time, I'll picture the singer drinking wine and eating chocolates while doing a downward facing dog. 
• Terra and Sampa by Caetano Veloso. I just happen to like Caetano and know he is a prominent Brazilian singer known by many non-Brazilians. 

Lesson

• Batuque na Cozinha by Martinho da Vila. Matinho da Vila is a key figures in samba and Brazilian culture. I can't teach a samba class without including one of his songs. Plus, along with Zeca Pagodinho and Alcione, Martinho the Vila is one of my favorite Brazilian composers and singers. The strong batuque (drum beats) makes this a perfect song for samba. The students can easily hear the beats while following the dance steps. 
• Quanto Essa Onda Passer by Martinho da Vila. This song also has a great beat but a slightly faster tempo, allowing students to gradually speed up their samba steps.
• Quem Foi Que Disse? by Martinho da Vila. I used this song so I could keep the tempo the same. I wanted to focus on the footwork and allow students to feel more comfortable with the actual samba step.
• Mulheres by Martinho da Vila. This is a classic. Here, Martinho talks about his past lover but claims they never made him as happy as his current love. I absolutely love this song and was surprised that one of the students asked if Martinho, while mentioning his past conquests, also discusses his venereal diseases (Love it!). Obviously, the significance of the song was lost in translation.

For Fun: Bring out the heels!

• Ai Se Eu Te Pego by Michel Telo. Like a plague, this song has spread to the far corners of the planet and artists from various countries have remade the song. I have had random people ask me about it, really. Apparently, being Brazilian automatically makes me the ambassador of all things Brazilian, so next time a random person asks if I know Sandra who lives in San Francisco, I'm going to say I do. This song also happens to have a cute and easy to follow choreography.

• Maozinha by Tchakabum. Much like the previous songs, Maozinha has a simple and cute choreography that goes along with it. However, the rhythm of the song gradually increases until your  butt is moving at the speed of light. Best of all, you have to do it all while performing specific arm moves. It's CRAZY!

With my busy schedule, I can't regularly teach; it's just too much for now. However, I had a great time and look forward to occasionally teaching samba again. Call me!

If you like my post, please leave a comment below or click on Follow. I love to hear what you think and appreciate your support.

Beijos e tchao

Photo Shoot

Photo Shoot

Aquarela has been around for over 20 years and we are known in the dance community as a strong Brazilian dance group. We have 7 San Francisco Carnaval queens and 2 kings; by far, the most number than any other group. But as with anything that has been around for a while, Aquarela now needs a facelift :) Like Dolly Parton says, "If it's dragging, nagging, or sagging, I'm going to nip it, suck it, or tuck it."


The first bill of order ended up being our photos and website, and just like Congress, it took us a LONG time to decide on the photos, costumes, place, photographer, dancers, and rational, but we DID!


Micaela and Akiva took lead in the process. Micaela, our artistic director, focused on the creative aspect of the photo shoot. She selected the costumes, brainstormed the poses, and kept us focused. Akiva dealt with David Yu, the photographer, and logistics of the shoot. Their joint efforts made the experience enjoyable, seamless, and productive. In 3-4 hours, we got all our shots and still liked each other (having 7 opinionated woman in one room for 4 hours can be dangerous).

Steps: Once we were set on a date, and photographer, the process took only a few weeks. We began by brainstorming and practicing poses. (Remember that we are dancers and not models. Put me in front of a camera and I freeze up). Deciding and practicing the poses took us two full rehearsal days and numerous emails, but it was worth it. Once the poses were set, we began working on our appearance. For the first time in my life, I got a spray tan and loved it! I also got my nails and make-up professionally done. If you have never worn false eye-lashes before, you must. With my faux tan, full-out make-up and faux lashes, I felt like Kim kardashian at one of her weddings. Lastly, we arrived on time, set the mood with a little pagode and Beyonce (I secretly sang "Kiss" by Prince when taking my individual shots. Girl gotta do what a girl gotta do), and, for the most part, had a very friendly and positive attitude (remember we were 7 opinionated woman in one room for 4 hours. It was not always harmonious, but it was always exciting). I had a great time preparing for the shoot and loved the end result.

 I can't write about the experience without taking a moment to discuss David Yu. He is an amazing photographer, who made us feel comfortable and beautiful at the same time. He, with the help of his wife Cherry, gently guided us and took the time to make sure our smiles and eyes were perfect in EACH shot. Best of all, we got to work with an amazing local photographer who understands and is actively involved in the local dance community. Thanks David. 

Costume TLC

I love dancing, and much like teaching, it is something I was born to do. There is nothing like putting on a beautiful costume, stepping on stage, and performing your best dance moves. LOVE IT!

For me, a costume is a huge part of dancing. When I put on a carnaval bikini and step on stage, I transform into my alter ego, Jessica (I secretly love the name and often use it at Starbuck's). For the past few year, however, I have not been very kind to my costumes. In fact, I completely neglected them. Remember, I became a mom and was working on a master's degree. Costumes, unfortunately, were the last thing on my mind.

Needless to say, my costumes are now a hot, outdated mess. I have mismatched and incomplete outfits, dilapidated backpacks, and featherless hats. It's not pretty and it's beyond sad.

Now that I'm near the end of my master's, I have decided to fix my costumes and get back to costume making and dancing.




To begin, I'm fixing up my black samba bikini. I love the hat but know that the bikini needs major help.






Wish me luck!

Bra and boot covers in serious need of a little TLC.

 

Favorite Fashion Blog: SuperVaidosa

SuperVaidosa by Camila Coelho

Don't think I'm vain or superficial (okay, just a little). Really, listen. For the past 2 years, I have diligently worked on my research and now that I'm close to the end, I just want to have a little F-U-N.

To achieve my new and very beneficial goal, I have spent hours searching for new and mindless forms of entertainment. After all, I can't let my research skills die once I'm done with school. This is how I found Camila Coelho's blog, SuperVaidosa. Camila is the top fashion blogger in Brazil and recently started a YouTube channel. She now has two channels: MakeupbyCamila2 is the English version, and MakeupbyCamila is the Portuguese version. She has great tips on clothing, make-up, and other things related to fashion and beauty.

Recent videos I found interesting:

Lipsticks: I never owned more than 4 lipsticks. Call me old fashioned or strange but the idea of having a case load of lipsticks seems out of the ordinary. Well, Camila has loads and lets you know how to use theme. This  video is in Portuguese.

Nails: I'm proud my mom is a nurse and happy for her FDA updates on medicines and colds. But thanks to mom and a former professor, I am now afraid of visiting a nail salon. Really, I may contract some crazy, incurable disease, like Hepatitis C. My professor did :(
Well, to solve this issue, Camila gives a tutorial on manicures and nail care. The video is in Portuguese.

Bad Hair

Hair: After sporting a bad haircut for over 3 months, I am now on a mission to reestablish my Latinness and rock long, undamaged hair. For this, I, once again, turn to Camila.
Portuguese version.
English version.

Beijos.

Glue for Kids

Glue

Growing up, I marveled at my mother's ability to make something out of nothing. In fact, I often think of her as the female version of MacGyver. Really! If you put her inside of a sinking ship, she will conjure up a lifeboat out of plastic spoons and a bra strap; she's that good.


Recently, MomGyver came to the rescue, again. While getting materials ready for a homemade pinata, I noticed that I was out of glue. After hearing me bitch about it, mom suggested I make my own. WHAT?! Yes, homemade glue. Here it is:

• 1 1/2 cup of water
• 1/2 cup of cold water
• 2 Tbs of flour
• 1 Tbs of white vinegar
• Food coloring (optional)

Mix 1/2 cup of cold water with the flour. In a small pan, bring the 1 1/2 of water to a boil. When the water begins to boil, reduce the heat to medium and add the flour mixture. Stir occasionally for 10 minutes. Remove the mixture from the stove and add vinegar. Finally, add food coloring to change the color of the glue. This is not necessary but Camila loves everything pink. Let it cool before using.

The glue really works and I love that my little girl will, too, think of me as MomGyver. Some of my fondest memories is of my mom building or sewing an amazing art project.

Mom, thanks for being my mom. Happy Mother's Day.

Skinny Jeans

Skinny Jeans: The Inclusion and Exclusion of Groups

Skinny Jeans. The name itself brings up positive and negative connotations that appeal to some while excluding others. Originating in the 50s, skinny jeans were synonymous with youth, rebelliousness, and sex appeal (Hayashida, 2006). Today the tapered legs and form-fitting cut is found in major retail clothing stores, fashion magazines, and college campuses.

            Often paired with a loose top and casual pumps or form-fitting blazer and stiletto heels, skinny jeans appeal to a young and thin female population. Soon after the birth of her daughter, Gisele Bundchen, Brazilian supermodel and goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), reclaimed her slender appearance by debuted her post-baby body in a pair of white skinny jeans (Gisele Bundchen, 2013). Noticing the appeal and attention given to skinny jeans, Stephanie Haddad (2012), a freelance writer for Yahoo, wrote an article giving women suggestions and tips for finding the right pair of skinny jeans. As its name implies, skinny jeans are often marketed for a slender and fashion forward population. 

Do not kid yourself into thinking that skinny jeans are only for women. Its trendy looks and sex appeal has attracted the likings of men, such as major music icons Lil Wayne and Justin Bieber (Cocozza, 2013). During a 2012 survey of 2,000 British men, 50% of the men surveyed reported experiencing discomfort while wearing skinny jeans (Rattue, 2012); however, 40% of the men also reported they “would rather look stylish than be comfortable” (Rattue, 2012). For many men, the desire to follow the latest trends trumps discomfort.

Often associated with rock stars, skaters, and fashion models, skinny jeans connotes a sense of youth, fitness, sexiness, and beauty. During the 2012 MTV Music Video Awards (MVA), One Directions, an all boy popular British music group, stylishly strutted down the red carpet in skinny jeans (Hobza, 2012). They were not an exception. One year prior, Lil Wayne, a renowned hip-hop recording artist, sported a pair of cheetah print during his MVA performance (Twana, 2011). Its narrow shape and numerous colors draw the attention of a young fashion forward crowd willing to experiment with the latest fashion styles.

However, skinny jeans are not for everyone. In “Staying Young with Skinny Jeans,” columnist Teri Agins (2013) advises only older women with a “youthful attitude” to wear skinny jeans. According to Agins (2013), baby boomers interested in skinny jeans should follow fashion tips from How Not to Look Old by Charla Krupp and wear jean variations with a higher waist or bright colors. By doing so, Angis (2013) claims older women can “shave years off” their appearance. The attraction as implied by Agins (2013) is for older women to appear younger and fit. Agins (2013) also makes a point by letting her readers know that only older women with a youthful personality should attempt to wear skinny jeans.  The exclusion doesn’t stop here. For year, Alice Dogruyol, author of “Big Girl in a Skinny World,” searched for a pair of jeans. Frustrated and often discouraged, Dogruyol swore off jeans until finding a pair of high-waisted stretch jeans (Dogruyol, 2010). As illustrated by Dogruyol, skinny jeans are marketed for skinny people. Only through adjustments and variations are older and plus size women able to comfortably wear skinny jeans. The jovial and slender appearance associated with skinny jeans excludes many.

Though designed for a slender and young population, skinny jeans provide clothing retail companies lucrative benefits. In 2006, Guess Inc., a clothing retail store, doubled its profit from a year earlier (Semuels, 2006). Its monetary gain, in part, came from the lucrative sales of skinny jeans (Semeuls, 2006). Similarly, on October 2012, Market Watch reported a sale increase of 40% by the makers of Calvin Klein jeans (Cheng, 2012). Skinny jeans with its slender looks draw the attention of many and benefit the sale profit of popular clothing retail stores. 

How long will skinny jeans stay in style? This is a difficult question to answer. However, one can deduce that the style will continue to thrive as long as it continues to bring lucrative gains for clothing retail companies and provide fashion forward individuals with stylish looks and notoriety.

References:

Agins, T. (2013, January 30). Staying young with skinny jeans. The Wall Street Journal, Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323375204578272302496548998.html

Cheng, C. (2012, October 21). Home depot, lowe's jump on sandy boost. Market Pulse, Retrieved from http://www.marketwatch.com/story/home-depot-lowes-jump-on-sandy-boost-2012-10-31

Cocozza, P. (2013, January 09). Skinny jeans: The fashion trend that refuses to die. The Guardian, Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/2013/jan/09/skinny-jeans-fashion-trend-refuses-to-die

Dogruyol, A. (2010, March 08). Big girl in a skinny world: Forget muffin tops. on me, we're talking a volcanic eruption read more. Mail Online, Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1256182/Big-girl-skinny-world-Can-big-women-wear-skinny-jeans.html

Gisele Bundchen Debuts Post-baby Body in Skinny White Jeans Holding Daughter Vivian. (2013, February 08). U.S.Weekly, Retrieved from http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-body/news/gisele-debuts-skinny-post-baby-body-holding-daughter-vivian-2-months-pictures-201382

Haddad, S. (2012, August 19). The skinny on skinny jeans: Can you wear them? Yahoo! Voices, Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/the-skinny-skinny-jeans-wear-them-11652572.html?cat=46

Hayashida, L. (2006, November 08). The skinny jean: A brief history. Ezine Article, Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Skinny-Jean:-A-Brief-History&id=351854

Hobza, K. (2012, September 07). And the dude on the moon goes to… She Knows Entertainment, Retrieved from http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/970715/mtvs-2012-vmas-the-awards-you-didnt-see

Rattue, G. (2012, July 14). Skinny jeans cause health problems for men. Medical News Today, Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247826.php

Semuels, A. (2006, November 02). Guess inc.'s profit doubles in 3rd quarter; its shares soar. Los Angeles Times, Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2006/nov/02/business/fi-guess2

Twana, T. (2011, August 29). In blankstare news: Lil Wayne in his cheetah print skinny jeans @ 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.  Twana tells da truth and nothing but da truth so help me blog, Retrieved from http://twanatells.com/2011/08/29/in-blankstare-news-lil-wayne-in-his-cheetah-print-skinny-jeans-2011-mtv-video-music-awards/

Twana, T. (2011, August 29). In blankstare news: Lil Wayne in his cheetah print skinny jeans @ 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.  Twana tells da truth and nothing but da truth so help me blog, Retrieved from http://twanatells.com/2011/08/29/in-blankstare-news-lil-wayne-in-his-cheetah-print-skinny-jeans-2011-mtv-video-music-awards/