buckling down, settling in and a search for a cure

Well, I have completed my first week of school, and it was completely overwhelming, terrifying, and fantastic. Week 2 has now begun.

my schedule is a lot crazy to say the least... I basically dance from 9am-8pm every day with maybe an hour for lunch or so. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to handle all of this physicality and I am concerned for the stress on my body. Every night I elevate my legs and feet for 10mins, I use my back roller and tennis balls for minimum 30 mins, I drink 1-2 liters of water a day, taking a daily vitamin, and eating as healthy as possible. So far so good, but this air mattress is taking a toll on my body for sure.

Before I go into that story I'll just give you an overview of my first week and give you a peek into the life of a graduate student dancer here at Sarah Lawrence (SLC).

I have class every day day starting at 9am, Most days I start with contemporary class with Gwen Welliver, who is beyond amazing! The class is so relaxing and invigorating, I learn so much from her and the other students. Gwen was a Doug Verone dancer for 10 years and also was the rehearsal director for Trisha Brown for many years. She is possibly one of the kindest, most supportive people I have ever met. She is very different from any technique I have encountered before, but she allows us to utilize other techniques while giving us new suggestions as well. I love that there is no right or wrong in her class (as long as you're not hurting yourself) just a sense of exploration on how to solve the problem presented to us and self learning from how each of us approach it with our own solution. 

I have 3 graduate seminars, which are the only classes with only grad students in them. Graduate Seminar 1 is our research/writing course where this semester we are discussing world dance. Graduate Seminar 2 is our choreography seminar where we can try out ideas and concepts on each other. Graduate Seminar 3 is a mix of anatomy and dance together.

As a first year student I also have to take Lighting design, Dance History, and Anatomy on top of dance making (choreography showcase), music seminar, composition, improv (I chose contact improv). Then I also decided to take teaching conference (might have been a stupid idea, possibly should have taken next year... oh well)

On top of all of my classes I also have 4 hours of personal studio time to work for myself, 4 hours of rehearsal for my own dance piece, 4 hours for Dawn's piece, and 3 hrs for Heather's piece. As well as a bi weekly meeting with the program director, bi weekly meeting with my music advisor, monthly dance  department meeting, and weekly classroom time for teaching conference (starting in Oct), and reading assignments and homework.

Basically my entire life for the next year is completely booked...

So my classes went well and I love all of my teachers, the grad students are so different and amazing.

Over the weekend I finally broke down and bought a bike so I don't have to rely on getting a ride or walking everyday. Which to me was a great relief. I even realized while riding the bike home that I kind of enjoyed it (yes that's right I will eat my words, bikes are not stupid but they are uncomfortable).


Next post will be on my bike day mattress debacle and a surprise...

The Backseat

I hate to say that life is catching up with me, but it is. Today is the first day of dead week and I feel like I am already losing the fight. But if you know me at all you know I love to declare war on things and at this very moment I am declaring war on school and the end of the quarter! I will win this battle gosh dang it, a few law classes will not get in my way.

Variable has also gone into full swing which is ridiculously exciting! I have been a crazy person the last couple of weeks working out 1-2 times a day 6 to 7 days a week. Sometimes I even get up before 7am to get to the gym before class. I'm a nut I know. But I gotta work off the last of those French pastries before putting on the finals week pudge.

I have a couple new dance phrases that I like, they are very physical and demanding on the body so I can't really film them in my apartment unless I want to commit suicide. Sorry. I also need a video camera which I think is what I will be asking for, for my birthday in May. So if you would like to donate to the Lauren's documentary camera fund please let me(or my parents) know! I would love to be able to take more than a minute of video at a time.


Paris has been on my mind lately, and France in general. I miss it a lot, I miss Paris streets and markets. I miss hearing French all the time. I miss how beautiful the city is and how it exceeds my expectations every time I go. It never loses it's magic. I LOVE Paris.

Study music for the dancer mind

I am slightly obsessed with Steve Reich and his music, I use it to study A LOT. I find it easy to focus and block out the world while listening. I feel almost as if it transports me to a new place.

this is one of my favorite pieces he has composed

it reminds me of rinding on trains in Europe and the peace that the trains always gave me. Hours to just look out the window and the world around me and think. There was no problem too big to be solved on a train ride. My favorite train ride is Rouen to Paris /Paris to Rouen along the Seine.