Back To Reality (04.02.16)

A DAZZLING Reality

Why DAZZLING is so important to me:

It’s never easy for females to jump to the top of their industry. Now, to add the Asian oppressive culture on top of that, not to mention their age, school work, and physical limitations, I have come to respect those who fight to support those they love even though they may never be recognized by their idols. Personally, I’m in the same boat, thus I have more sympathy for like minds. Which is why, I think, DAZZLING is unique, special, and I’m a fan of theirs.

If you claim that you’ve never been a fan of a fan, you’re lying. Our idols today are fans of others. DAZZLING came together because they were fans of Shinee and then stayed together because they found friendship and comfort in like minded companions. Their story may be common but it is one often untold and should be. So, in a year, I’m hoping to shoot a film of their story and struggles, because I find them inspiring and, of course, because I am their fan.

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On my recent trip to Taiwan, on the last day, I had the opportunity to meet and hang out with DAZZLING from Taiwan!! They're a group of dancers, predominantly girls, who do cover dances of popular K-pop songs they like. They got more famous because of their enthusiastic and energetically manly styled dances despite being women. As of right now, the are all female, but they do have one male member who recently moved to the LA area because of reasons. He's the one I met first and I grew the connection to their team leader. After miscommunicating a lot because her English and my Chinese was not up to par, we finally managed to meet and talk and come to a conclusion!!

Here are the DAZZLING ladies minus Rita!

It is my honor to let anyone who reads my blog know that I am going to shoot my debut feature film in Taiwan... and DAZZLING will be my actors and subject. This film explores the reality of the dance community (or the lack there of) in Taiwan. It will bring to light how different it is compared to what we, here, in America, know and understand. It will explore the  mindset and issues these young people face. And, of course, though the film will be a story, there will be a behind the scenes documentary that goes into the truth of what is going on and how things work in Taiwan. There will be interviews, footages, and the like! So, I'm very excited and starting to figure things out is all the more exciting... YAY!!

The biggest issue I have right now is getting the music licensing rights for "Danger" by BTS. So, if you have any suggestions or advice, please leave it in the comments section!! For those of you who don't know who BTS or Bangtan Boys or care about k-pop... here's their MV of the song I want to use!! And HERE it is DAZZLING dancing to it. ... Not so bad, eh??

Adjusting to Jetlag (for Rookies and those curious)

STAY AWAKE WHILE THE SUN IS UP. That’s the first and most important rule or trick of the trade. It’s a given, it’s a must, and yet, it’s one of the hardest things to do when you feel the wooziness of jetlag, especially when your night becomes day and your day becomes night. Anyone that has traveled to Asia knows what I mean. I’ve been to China and Taiwan, and it’s never gotten easier despite my change in age, weight, shape, size, and sleeping habits. When jetlag hits you, the only thing you can do is keep to the basics, stay hydrated, eat when you’re supposed to, and pray to God your internal clock adjusts to the external time zone.

EAT WHEN YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO. Three square meals a day, that’s it! Avoid snacking! Don’t let your previous eating schedule throw off your current eating schedule. Your bowel movements will follow once you’ve established a steady eating schedule. Your organs will adjust if you don’t cheat and stay focused on the task of adjusting. Not only that, but your energy will shift so as to match your dietary functions and you will find that there is hope for you yet! Drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. Don’t overdose on sugar or caffeine just because it might keep you awake. It might just keep you awake when you’re supposed to be sleeping. Your body can only move SO fast. Be considerate. Be kind to your body. It’s with you till the end.

REMEMBER TO EXERCISE BUT NOT TOO MUCH.  Most people think vacation is a time when you ought to move more. The truth is, most people who think and do just that get injured far faster and more often than those who lay back and chill. Overusing your muscles that you don’t normally use as much can be quite catastrophic. One year, when I was in my early teens, I felt like I could jump 6 stairs to show off my flexibility. I ended up rolling my ankle and the rest of my vacation was spent on the couch, on crutches, or hopping through uneven streets. Another year, I reached up to show off a spike in volleyball and dislocated my right shoulder. I spent the rest of that vacation in a sling, somewhat able to feed myself, and barely able to do any more than a child could. I was MISERABLE!! So, remembering to exercise is good. But don’t overdo it!! The same physical laws that you are bound to in your home life still binds you when you take a vacation. To enjoy your vacation to the max, just keep it simple and safe!

LAUGH AND STRETCH AS MUCH AS YOU CAN!  Laughing, obviously, helps to keep your abdominal area in check, but it also brings more oxygen into your body, which makes life and all else seem better. Breathing is important. Laughing also makes you feel happier, lighter, and much more energetic. Laughing to the point of tears is great once in a while, but remember to allow your body to release anxiety and doubt! And when you can, whenever it is, stretch your body a bit. To relieve stress and pressure that you might not have known was there, you have to take deep breaths, loosen your muscles, and what better way to help you than to stretch your body? Simple arms in the air and then side to side is just fine. Whether you’re on vacation or at home, worry and stressing out about stuff that may not presently matter is not healthy. Learn to relax your body whether through your own means or meditation; JUST CHILL OUT. Your body will appreciate that!

I feel like a guru trying to calm the masses, but, in truth, I’m working just as hard to get over jetlag as you are at this moment. And, as if it wasn’t obvious enough, the last bit of advice I have for you is simply to KEEP YOURSELF BUSY. Sure, it would be easy to give into sleep. OH, SO EASY!! But to do a few things before going to sleep would make you feel more accomplished, take up more time, keep you awake longer, so that your sleep would be THAT much better. Like yesterday, for me, I wanted to sleep through the day. But had I done that, I wouldn’t have been able to sleep at night, and I wouldn’t have had a wonderful lunch with a dear friend, deposit money at the bank, and gas up my car for the upcoming week of adventures. I wouldn’t have washed my clothes and watched a few anime episodes as it dried before hanging them into my closet and reclaiming the extra space the luggage took up in my room. I couldn’t have slept as long as I did last night, and after recording a podcast with Ed, I’ll eat something, stay awake until about 7-8 and then enjoy a nice sleep until I need to get up again in the morning. Life goes on faster when you’re busy. You’re more entertained and excited when stuff’s going on!

Any questions? Concerns? Suggestions? I’m all ears!! ~~ Seriously, give me something to ponder on!! 

KEEP ME AWAKE!!