#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 45

Day 45

Where: Home

Why dance?: The inspiration for this picture comes from something I spend a lot of time doing: driving. While I am not nearly stupid enough to try and take a picture, dance, and drive at the same time, I wanted to find something to show this very, very daily activity. Without my moto, I have no idea how I'd manage, and trust me, driving in Phnom Penh traffic is its own kind of dance.

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 44

Day 44

Where: Home.

Why dance?: I'll make it simple -- I have a 4 minute classical variation to perform in a week and a half. I train once a week. Something doesn't add up there -- so on the advice of my choreographer (Stephen), I've started doing a half hour ballet barre every day to work on my strength. Dévéloppés especially. Not pictured: a very sweaty Gillian.

And no, I couldn't find matching socks, and my shoes, as seen in a previous picture, are...not at their best, and yes, I am using my desk chair as the barre. If the shoe fits, right?

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 43

Day 43

Where: Central School of Ballet studio

Why dance?: This is not a 'dancing' picture, per se. I wanted to take it, however, because of how clear it is that hours upon hours of dancing have been done in these shoes, and they look better in the photo than they actually are. But I'm still using them, and will until they completely fall apart. The dance goes on!

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 42

Day 42

Where: My friend Lizzie's new apartment, BKK 3.

Why dance?: Lizzie, one of my best friends in Phnom Penh, just moved into her new place. Somewhat embarrassingly, I didn't really help at all, besides scrubbing the bedframe (which was nasty), but I did come by to hang out (and drink champagne). The place desperately need cleaning and Lizzie has great taste in music, so when she put it on and start jiving with the mop I knew this was the picture! I call this the mop and bop -- the best way to clean!

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 41

Day 41

Where: CTN Studios

Why dance?: Dancers through the looking glass -- I shot this in the reflection of the big silver LED stands on the Reatrey Komsan (Entertainment Tonight, CTN's Saturday night concert) set, while my team was performing.

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 40

Day 40

Where: In the hallway near the gym at Hotel Cambodiana

Why dance?: After the giddy excitement of this project wore off, I knew there was going to come a time when I'd used up all my usual places, taken pictures in all my rehearsals and usual hangouts, when it was going to get very tough to find original ideas and places. I knew I didn't want to repeat myself, but the point of the project is also not to go out of my way to take pictures in crazy places. I knew there was going to be a day when I started to forget, like yesterday when I nearly forgot to take the picture, and today when I nearly forgot to post it. But still -- I like this picture.

The story is simple. As we were leaving rehearsal, I stopped and shouted, "Robin! Dance!"

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 39

Day 39

Where: Cyberspace

Why dance?: So I had some ideas about today's picture and as usual, they all went out of my mind at the precise moment I needed them around. So when I mentioned this on skype with my fabulous parents, my dad said, "hey, I'll dance for you!" and struck this pose. I screenshot the moment, and voilà. The spirit of 100 days of dance in a nutshell-- it's not about going out to find dance, but letting dance come to me.

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 38

Day 38

Where: CTN studios

Why dance?: Every so often CTN calls me and says, come do this thing, except they don't really explain what it is and I have to kind of fly by the seat of my pants until I figure out what exactly it is. This happened last Saturday. As it turned out, I was asked to participate in their program "Penh chet ort" (Like It or Not, pronunced "Peng jut aht"). They had three groups dancing and each was assigned a 'star' - I guess that's me now - to rehearse with them and dance a bit with. I told these guys to work on dancing together, the same thing at the same time. I think they tried, but didn't really get there and as such they got "Ort penh chet" (or not like) from all five judges. Whoops. You win some, you lose some!

This is a screenshot from the performance. Can I note also that yesterday CTN was debuting this giant new stage for some program and it took them all day to change it -- which is great except for the fact that we were supposed to do this shoot at 9am. By the time we actually shot, it was 6pm.

Life in Cambodia!

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 37

Day 37

Where: Home.

Why dance?: Working, or at least trying. It was a quiet day, and very tired. But there's always time for a stretch!

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 36

Day 36

Where: Parkway gym, Phnom Penh

Why dance?: When I was a teenager I almost ran away with the circus (no really it's true). I used to love hanging around on things and climbing on anything that stood still long enough (Dad can tell you as much). My youtube even has some video proof I used to climb around on fabric. I was a whole lot stronger then, so taking this picture was an interesting experience, but it's kind of fun to throwback to that time. Dance on or off the ground is still dance!

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 35

Day 35

Where: Central School of Ballet studio

Why dance?: Rehearsal time! Rehearsal for a ballet, which means ballet slippers and skirts and a heckuva a lot of turns and legs. Don't be fooled by the music -- Lady Gaga's "Americano" -- this piece is super classical, and super tricky. I haven't performed ballet in ages -- except for the soutenus into double en dedans pirouette turns, I'm doing fine. (Hey, I still have two and a half weeks!)

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 34

Day 34

Where: CTN studios, Phnom Penh

Why dance?: These are four of my team of six at CTN. I get the music on Tuesday or Wednesday, and we rehearse Wed, Thurs, and Fri in the morning, but I always make sure they brush up before they perform. Unfortunately, we don't exactly have a studio to work in -- this is the best option. 

Yes. 

It is indeed the toilets. And yes, it does double as the dressing room, and yes, it does double as our rehearsal space. Every day an adventure! 

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 33

Day 33

Where: Home

Why dance?: Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Today was one of those days. I managed to come back from the beach with a cold and was running a bit of a fever today. I spent most of the day like this. I'd like to say I was dancing in my dreams -- hopefully this picture will inspire my dreams for tonight. It'd be a lot better than the manic anxiety versions of last night.

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 32

Day 32

Where: Beirut Restaurant, along the Riverside, Phnom Penh

Why dance?: There wasn't much dance to be found today -- it was a very quiet day for me, the after vacation haze. Everything is still mostly shut down and I came back from the beach with a cold (how is that possible???).

But the building across from where I was having lunch (beef shwarma) was very cool and Asian looking, and with the palms trees I decided to take today's picture Apsara style. My fingers don't bend back nearly as much as the classical dancers' do (google 'apsara hand,' you'll see what I mean, but you get the idea of the shape.

As a side note, the sign for draft beer was just there -- it didn't actually factor in my lunch. :)

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 31

Day 31

Where: In the back of a tuk tuk, near the Riverside, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Why dance?: Tuktuks are cool, and I think it'd be fun to do a dance piece entirely inside a tuktuk. The photo is blurry because they bounce around a lot when they're in motion, but I'm trying anyway to do some sort of samari-ish move. This particular tuk tuk even came with lights inside -- the vague green glow you see on my arm is from that. Party tuk tuk!

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 30

Day 30

Where: Serendipity Beach, Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Why dance?: Do you even need to ask?

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 29

Day 29 

Where: Somewhere on the road between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.

Why dance?: I'm playing a bit catch up now -- the internet at the beach was not reliable or strong and I didn't bring my computer, so I just posted the pictures on Instagram, but now getting around to doing the stories.

Khmer New Year means Phnom Penh empties, more or less -- me too. Stephen and I headed to the beach at Sihanoukville, down in the South of Cambodia. The road there is actually decent for Cambodia -- and it has to be, as the whole shipping port is there. It looks like rain in this photo, and it did, a bit -- but there was still plenty of sun to be had! This picture is taken in full anticipation of a fantastic vacation (which it was.)

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 28

Day 28

Where: Cambodian Television Network Studios

Why dance?: This week is Khmer New Year, one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. Everyone takes the week off and goes to the provinces with their families or friends. I'm not sure why Cambodia is on a different year calendar (Thailand's new year is this week too) but there you go. The A1 concert at CTN today was all traditional songs and dance -- like Christmas, this holiday comes with its own music and songs.

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 27

Day 27

Where: One floor above the Central School of Ballet.

Why dance?: This week has been kind of strange. I don't know how to describe it or why. Not really happy or sad, not really unsatisfied or satisfied, just kind of going through the days. I'm sure you've noticed in my grand lack of inspiration this week in terms of pictures.

This picture is what I should be doing -- being a little more centered. I don't do yoga so I have no idea if this pose means calm, but it's what I want it to mean. It's a bit ironic that the background faces out onto the ever changing Phnom Penh skyline with the latest tall building in construction -- something you can never get away from here. Building, breaking down. Building, breaking down.

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 26

Day 26

Where: Home.

Why dance?: Do you know how hard it is to get a kitten to stay still long enough for a picture? Elvis is a bandit, and most of the pictures are him in motion -- and well, he does dance. Cats are natural dancers. But taking pictures? I had to run around the house after him, trick him with food, set a timer, and have a little tango to get this. He was much more interested in the food, but don't get me wrong -- he does dance. All around the house, after the big cat, out the window, and at anything else with a string or something dangling. When he was smaller, I couldn't hold him without him going for my necklace. But why dance? Cuz it's an adorable cat, that's why!!

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 25

Day 25

Where: You can guess. 

Why dance?: Okay, I confess. I had several ideas of where I was going to take today's picture: at the rooftop bar for cocktails, at the cinema, in the restaurant for dinner -- and I forgot. So I was going to compensate by taking a picture of the cat, just because who can resist, but in fact, I can't find the cat. So I was reduced to kicklines with my fingers, which is kind of akin to the sound of one hand clapping. I promise you -- I can find dance everywhere. 

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 24

 Day 24

Where: Legend Cinema, Tuol Kork, Phnom Penh

Why dance?: Sometimes you'll hear expats here saying that every day is an adventure. It is, because random things like this crop up: a friend of mine was shooting a commercial for Legend Cinema and asked me to be an extra as a backpacker. The concept was that these people come for the movie and run into the various characters of the movies now showing -- like Spiderman and Captain America (including Kung Fu Panda, which is not playing, and a couple other identified people). So there was a Captain America shield, and I couldn't resist using it for today's shot!

As an aside, to compensate the extras for having to wait around (me, being me, was one of the first people there), we were served popcorn for breakfast. Mmm, healthy.

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 23

Day 23

Where: The aerobics room in the gym, Parkway Shopping Center, near the Chinese Embassy, Phnom Penh

Why dance?: This is Alexora. He is a Khmer celebrity for modeling, some TV commercials and music videos. Currently, most people are convinced that I'm his girlfriend. I am not, but that's beside the point. The point is, Alexora happens to be very interested in contemporary dance/ballet and recently started taking classes at Stephen's school. He and I are working on a duet for a live TV concert in early May. This is him attempting to dance ballet. Behind the camera, I'm busy saying "Shoulders down!!!"

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 22

Day 22

Where: Tea Secret, Sovanna Shopping Mall, Phnom Penh.

Why dance?: I needed a change of scenery. This shop is one of the little standalones next to the main plaza by the shopping mall entrance. I'd seen it before, and wanted to try it. It wasn't much to speak of, but it was sunny and open, the decor in sharp angles and making cool shadows on the floor. When I figured out I could take a picture of the shadows -- I couldn't resist.

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 21

Day 21

Where: Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, St 57 and 306, Phnom Penh

Why dance?: The internet was working far too slowly for my liking at home, and I wanted to stream a movie, so I went to one of my favorite hangouts. I was having trouble being inspired today, as I've already posted pictures from CTN and Rambutan, my two destinations today, but this seemed appropriate.

Why dance -- because I never stop, of course.

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 20

Day 20

Where: Bar Sito, Alley 240 1/2, Phnom Penh

Why dance?: Because I'm at the "barre" of course! Because I couldn't resist the terrible pun of taking a picture at the bar and calling it the "barre"; naturally.

My best friend Stephen (featured in Day 5) and I headed out for a couple cocktails. In lieu of our usual hangouts, we decided to go for the speakeasy style Bar Sito, which is hidden down an alley and behind a wooden door. I decided to dress up, and he then outdressed me, so I was forced to then dress up further and go for heels.

Besides. It's a bar! It's made for tendus, no?

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 19

Day 19

Where: Studio 1, Cambodia Television Network, National Road 5

Why dance?: This picture was a lot cooler in my head. The two pictured are singing a Khmer cha cha cha song to open tonight's live concert, which is a sort of variety show with pop stars, comedy, famous people, etc (I choreograph the backup dancers for the ballads, by the way). In fact, this opening piece was also a comedy sketch, apparently, though I never understand a word of those -- I just can always tell because whenever two people are screaming at each other usually it's supposed to be funny.

Anyway, they were happily boogying to the beat. I was watching from the side -- you can see a bit of the LED screens to the side, but this photo doesn't really give a sense of how tricked out the studio is. Rest assured, there will soon be a picture to show you the extent of it.

For now, enjoy this behind-the-scenes peek!

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 18

Day 18

Where: Same as yesterday

Why dance?: NO BUT SERIOUSLY WHY CAN I NOT HAVE

#100daysodance (v. Cambodia): Day 17

Day 17

Where: Leaving the dance studio from Hotel Cambodiana, passing the pool. Riverside. 

Why dance?: It's hot. 

The heat boils up from the pavement and leaves waves of it on your skin. Riding a motorcycle is like driving into a hairdryer. 

So why dance? There is a pool there. 

WANT. 

#100daysofdance (v. Cambodia): Day 16

Day 16

Where: Looking out on the Riverside from the window at The Blue Pumpkin, near St 136

Why dance?: Every day, at 5:30am and 5:30pm, groups like this gather all over the city (and probably all over Cambodia for all I know). Someone sets up shop in the front with a basic sound system and starts blasting the nnnn-ztz nnn-stz (the boom boom I mean). For about a 1000 riel (payable at the end I think), people join in for a dance aerobics class. 

Because it's taken from far away -- which I framed on purpose, to show you the whole setting -- you can't see how happy the people are. The teacher was whooping it up, the ladies were bouncing and grinning away, and everyone was just heartily enjoying themselves. And that, I say, is what dance is for!!!