DC Freestyles: Ballroom Dancing the Weekend Away!

My third DC Freestyle Ballroom Dance Competition with Arthur Murray was this past weekend and holding true to tradition, it was amazing!  I competed in 19 heats: Open & Closed Waltz, Open & Close Foxtrot, Open & Closed Tango, Two Step, Samba, Mambo, Open & Close Rumba, Open & Close Cha Cha, Open & Closed Triple Swing, Hustle, Salsa, Bachata, and a random partner dance that happened to be a Cha Cha.  Closed dances are only school figures with strict lead and follow. I am Associate Bronze, so I can dance Bronze I & II school figures during "Closed" heats.   In "Open" heats, choreography is allowed and you can dance outside of your level.  Personally, I am so much more comfortable during my "Open" heats because they follow the "Closed" heats, my muscles are warmed up and I have generally worked all my jitters out. 

 

Here are some videos of a few of my rhythm dances:

 

 

 

A post cannot be complete without some pictures!  Here is the Arthur Murray Virginia Beach Fall 2013 DC Freestyles Team in our rhythm outfits!!  We all did wonderful!  Congratulations!

 

 

I have some self shots this time around too!  I felt super sexy and sassy this time.  I was definitely having a skinny day and I was tan and since it was my third time competing, I was slightly less nervous...until I walked into the ballroom.  Having hubby there for the first time was definitely great for me!  He kept me from over thinking everything...which I have a tendency to do.  Thanks babe!  Love you!

 

Here's one for my baby.

It was fun to have Ryan take pictures of me!

 

What's rhythm without a some classy smooth dresses to balance out the fringe?!  Here we are looking elegant!

 

A Tango shot!

I like this picture because it captures the floor and really shows you what the audience sees when they are looking at the floor!

Dancing is such a wonderful experience for me mentally, physically, and emotionally.  The fulfillment I receive from conquering a certain step, grasping a concept or just feeling a song and rocking out to it, is simply amazing!  The rush of knowing you just danced one of your best dances, and it was being judged, is fantastic!  I felt it a few times this weekend and I continue to relive it in my mind.  That competitive spirit is burning inside of me.  It's a neat feeling.  I've always been a team player and I am definitely Team Virginia Beach, but when push comes to shove, I want to personally do the best I can and absolutely dominate.  When I am on that floor, I am competing for the studio and for myself.  I represent the Virginia Beach Studio and by God, I want to represent them in the best light possible. 

 

Thank you to the instructors for letting my light shine and for bringing out the competitive spirit within me.  Ryan is really appreciative!

 

SPIL: Simple Pleasures In Life

+Competitive Spirits

+Fringe Dresses

+Feeling Sexy and modeling for you hubby

+Dancing your heart out

 

Much love.

Off to the Ball

If you would have asked me two weeks ago if I thought I'd be able to compete in the Fall 2013 Arthur Murray DC Freestyle Ballroom Dance Competition, I would have told you no with an extremely sad heart, but my knee has healed quickly and I can in fact compete this coming Friday!  I am beyond excited!  My knee injury was a result of overuse.  I basically strained my IT band and staying off it, icing it and stretching it, was exactly what I was supposed to do.  The doctor was completely find with my dancing, but told me not to run or cycle for 3 weeks.  The constant repetitive motion is what irritates the IT band and in turn my knee.  Luckily for me, dancing isn't repetitive or pounding. 

 

While I do not feel nearly as prepared for this competition because I missed three weeks of lessons and I am not dancing with my traditional instructor, I am still very excited to compete.  When I dance, I feel so alive.  There is an energy that exudes from my body.  I absolutely love it!  When I dance, I feel. I feel the music. I react to the lead most of the time. I'm focused. I'm smiling. I'm in a different world for those two minutes per dance. 

On Friday, the studio had a "spotlight" or a mock competition for all the students competing in DC, so Ryan was able to see me somewhat in my mode.  I wasn't in costume and my hair and makeup weren't done, but I was all smiles and much more confident while I was dancing.  He was thoroughly impressed and said I like seeing you like that.  You are way better than you used to be.  It's cool.  He has never seen me compete, but fingers crossed he will be able to see me this weekend!  It's a different world and for those who aren't competing it's like watching a movie.  There are costume ball gowns, an abundance of fringe, tan bodies, fake lashes, an insane amount of diamonds and glitter, constant dancing, and plastered on smiles. The one thing that bonds us all together, we love to dance and we want to be great!  It's such a fun family to be a part of.  We are competitors on the floor and friends off the floor.  I watch in awe of several dancers, take mental notes on how to improve my skills, compliment others, but the second I get on the floor, I dance and if you are in my way, I'm sorry, buy you'll probably be hit with my arm extensions or stepped on my by heel.  It goes both ways.  I've had my fair share of damages.

Here is a picture of a picture of my during my last competition!  I've got some swag, but I also have a ton of room for improvement.

 

Oh and for pure entertainment, each competition has a theme and this year it is an 80's theme!!  Like my costume?!

 

 

SPIL: Simple Pleasures In Life

+Feeling like a rock star on the floor

+Fringe dresses that give you sass

+Amazing instructors and friends

+Dancing

 

Much love.

P.S. If anyone has any digital pictures of me, please let me know!  I don't have any because I am always behind the camera...

First School Dance for Little Man!

On Friday, June 7, 2013, J-man had his very first dance…err social.  It was just for the 5^th graders and it was only from 6-8pm, but boy o boy you would have thought it was prom!  J-man and his best friend, Caleb were so excited about this dance, and rightly so.  The start of dances is a rite of passage for youngins.  I remember my first dance, the butterflies I had and the high hopes of dancing with my little crush.  But, I will admit, I was far less cool than this little dude.  J-man has a confidence and sense of style that I lacked until much older.  Heck, who am I kidding?  I’ve never been cool and never will be and that perfectly fine by me because I’m happy and quite content with the woman I’ve become, but I digress. 

Back to cute, super cool, little 5th graders...

 

He was a little nervous that's for sure, but he was super cool about it.  He asked me how to slow dance because he didn't know where to put his hands.  Hehe!  I love him!  Hubby and I showed him how to slow dance...the PG version of course. He's used to watching me dance, so the poor kiddo was probably really intimidated when he heard "dance."  The sense of relief on his face when he saw hubby and I demonstrate was adorable!  My dad told me he probably thought he was super cool because he learned to dance from a pro.  In his mind I'm a pro.  In reality, I am far from a professional dancer.

I adore the pictures above!  Thank heavens he humored me and let me take tons of pictures!  This was a super memorable moment!

Mr. Cool Guy is over the pictures, but I'm not!

Fake Smile.  He really was giddy though!

Ok, I'm done torturing the kiddo. It was getting close to 5:45 i.e. the time he was supposed to walk to his best friend's house.  We all headed down, saw the boys in all their handsome, super cool guyness, and told them to have a blast. 

 

Hubby and I went on a little dinner date and then we headed to the school to pick up the boys!  They sprinted out to us covered in sweat with huge smiles and tons of stories!!  It was priceless!  Both boys asked their little ladies to dance!  Jared asked Lena!  Caleb asked Maria!  Brave little buggers!  The both screamed in really hyper pre-puberty voices that it was the most fun they have ever had!  Snap!  I'd call that a successful first dance! 

 

To cap the night off, they had a sleepover! 

 

Much love.

Derek Hough + Virginia Beach = Happy Sarah!

Do you watch Dancing With The Stars?
Have you ever watched Dancing With the Stars?
Do you know the hot blond, Derek Hough?
Come on. I know you secretly adore him.
He's cute.
Has wicked  awesome moves.
Uses his hands when he talks.
Flirts with old ladies.
And smiles a lot.
Oh yea I met him on Saturday.
I kept my cool.

On Saturday, Derek came to Virginia Beach for STYLElicious A Show for Women and Arthur Murray Virginia Beach franchises opened the show!  Wendy and Taras are absolutely stunning dancers.  They feel every ounce of the music through their bodies.  It's breathtaking and beautiful.  I know I say this often, but I truly am extremely lucky to be part of such an amazing studio.  The passion, the love, the true friends that I have made, the exercise, the high expectations, the constant challenge, the people...it's perfect!

For the ladies... DEREK HOUGH!

I adore the facial expression!!!  

He's a hand talker!

Asking a lovely lady to dance!

Rocking the dance floor and I seriously mean rocking it!  The both had moves! Just check out the faces in the background! Everyone was stoked!! I will be her when I'm 70+ years old!

Much love.

Halloween 2012: Black Swan

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays!

Thinking of a creative costume is the most challenging part,

but this year I think I succeeded. 

Making the costume is super fun!

Play the part is hands down the best aspect of Halloween!

If you are going to dress up, go all out.

 

My attempt at a pose...totally incorrect probably, but I tried.

Love this "Swan" pose

Love the eyes

Black and white

 

Prim & Proper

I can still do a leg extension!!  Yay!

My face.

I am in love with my eye makeup.

 

I won the "most original" costume at the Dance Halloween Party on Friday!

On Saturday, my dance studio and I danced along the Wicked 10k. 

We did Gangham Style and the runners loved it!!

What are you being this Halloween?

Do you make your costumes?

 

Much love.

Professional Dance Photos

The professional photos are out courtosy of Time Line Media Photography!

I took snapshots from my phone because they are so much better than the photos I presented earlier. 

Enjoy!

 

Rhythm dance photos with Eric!

 

 

 

I love the joy in all of these photos!

 

 

Making eye contact.  It's vital.

 

A rhythm dance on smooth day in a smooth dress.

 

Smooth dances with Taras!

 

These close up shots are some of my favorites.  I felt so pretty this day!

 

 

 

 

Much love.

 

Dance Pictures of me!

Thanks to my wonderful brother for taking and sending me these pictures! 

You're the best!

Love you dearly!

 

Rhythm dress = FRINGE!

 

Oops.  This was entitled "complication" by my brother.  Taras and I went on the floor for the Merengue thinking it was West Coast Swing.

 

Probably a hustle...

 

A little arm action...it needs work.

 

Getting back in hold while the fringe is on the move!

 

Umm..My fringe is attached to Eric's button...just smile and keep dancing!

 

Look at those loops...they are trouble makers :)

 

Smooth dress time!!

 

Waltz with Taras

 

Being judged.

 

I actually look tall from this angle!

My scores:  (Bronze, Silver, Gold, High Honors)

Smooth...

Bronze - Associate Bronze West Coast Swing

Bronze - Newcomer Closed Foxtrot

Gold - Newcomer Closed Waltz

High Honors - Newcomer Closed Tango

High Honors - Associate Bronze Waltz

Rhythm...

Gold - Associate Bronze Closed Swing

Silver - Associate Bronze Closed Hustle

Bronze - Associate Bronze Closed Rumba

Silver - Associate Bronze Salsa

Silver - Newcomer Closed Salsa

Bronze - Newcomer Closed Triple Swing

Silver - Newcomer Closed Merengue

Gold - Newcomer Closed Single Swing

Gold - Newcomer Closed Rumba

Gold - Newcomer Closed Club Swing

Silver - Newcomer Closed Cha Cha

Next time I will do better.  My focus at the moment is on perfecting my technique and accenting my legs and movements....I think.  I'm just going to work hard and do my best!

Much love.