Some sun, lots of rain, two birthdays, and a whole lotta love.
Tagged: Chung family, family, Rehoboth Beach, travel
Our Everyday
Sharing our stories, big and small.
The American Trade Hotel’s building dates back to 1917 and was the headquarters for the American Trade Developing Company. At the time it was the first skyscraper in Panama. After World War II, the neighborhood started its decline and by the 1970s the building was abandoned and vandalized. Before being bought by a development firm in 2007, it was the headquarters of the Pentágono gang. The abandoned building used to be a crack house called “Castillo de Greyskul”. Some of the old gang members have been rehabilitated and work in the hotel.
Tagged: Casco Viejo, family vacation, Panama, photography, street photography, travel
This kid won a Team Vibe Scholarship, an Artistry Scholarship from David Moore, scored multiple Vibe Awards for his team routines and placed in the top 20 of Senior soloists out of over 100. But before all of that I enjoyed an uninterrupted 3 hour and 30 minute car ride listening to music and catching up with my son. And between all of that we both enjoyed countless laughs and celebrations with our dance family.
Tagged: CDC, convention, Creative Dance Center, dance, dance life, dance moms, Hollywood Vibe, Norfolk, photography
We walked so many streets yet there are so many we didn’t. We enjoyed so many delicious bites yet I dream of the bites we did not. Our days and bellies were full, no minute spared, yet there is always more to be enjoyed, to be seen at dusk and dawn, to be tasted in the morning and night. 
Tagged: Casco Viejo, family vacation, Panama, photography, street photography, travel
Each family vacation is different. Not only with the changing of destinations but the changing of the kids. No two experiences will ever be the same.
Our trip to Panama was seven days, three hotels, the city and the beach, three bags and five backpacks. I didn’t need candy to distract them or false promises to bribe them, I didn’t hear moans of tired feet and legs or field endless questions of what was coming next. They were simply travelers, experiencing the new. They took each new experience as it came; hearing, smelling, tasting and seeing everything, drawing comparison to what was familiar and identifying what was new. They took the discomfort of being in a new country and not knowing the language and embraced it for the adventure that it is.
When we travel we come with expectations, plans, baggage, we leave behind routine, responsibilities and stress and we hope for renewal, fun and lifelong memories. This trip we came away with a newfound understanding that our kids have benefitted practically and spiritually from all our travels. We have left an indelible mark and planted the seeds of appreciation and gratitude of this wide, wide world. 
Tagged: Casco Viejo, family vacation, Panama, travel
Every day we do things, say things, make decisions, choose friends. Each day adds upon the first, the joke continuing, the story unfolding, the friendships building, the love returning. Up close one day is hardly distinguishable from another, but take 16 steps back and the whole becomes clear. The love, the nurture, the stings, the tears, the laughter, the growth, the layers of days built upon days that create a perfectly un-perfect 16 year old.
You were celebrated by friends that appreciate you, siblings that adore you, and adults that admire you because of all the things you’ve done and all the things you’ve said day after day. Embrace all the love and gratitude and let it fuel you on the days you don’t want to smile, on the days all decisions feel wrong because these friendships you are building are for life and the love you are giving only makes your story richer, bigger and brighter.
Friday
July 14, 2022
Thursday morning, around 11 am
Tagged: California, Crystal Cove, family, travel
Artists Simply Human (ASH) Dance convention was our second team convention of the season for Lucas and Penny’s first. While we’ve attended a few optional conventions this season with a smaller group, being there with your whole team is always the best experience.
Matthew Smith has been choreographing and teaching master classes for our studio for the past five years. Part of the faculty at ASH, attending this convention gave our dancers the opportunity to take his classes and continue learning from him. And also gave him the opportunity to see our dancers continued growth. Matthew remembers Lucas from five years ago and has been able to see his growth bit by bit, year over year. Sometimes in classes the choreographer will select a dancer to be filmed. What a tremendous honor and opportunity for Lucas to have this first shining moment with Matthew.
Tagged: ASH, CDC, competition, convention, Creative Dance Center, dance, Lucas, Penny, scholarship
DanceMakers Richmond is the first team competition and convention of the season. DanceMakers is also one of our favorite conventions having gone year after year, the kids getting to know the choreographers and the choreographers able to see their growth. We compete against the same studios year after year and we measure our progress against theirs. We went from not being known to being the Hip Hop studio to being the studio that wins the Overall Group High Score. 
Tagged: competition, convention, Creative Dance Center, dance, Dancemakers, Lucas, Richmond
Creative Dance Center’s Leadership program provides opportunities for students to lead from assisting teachers in classes, supporting the Baby Ballerina program and leading fundraisers. Lucas has participated for the past few years and regularly assists classes every week. Recently he was asked to step up and fill in for a teacher to teach a Hip Hop Class, Penny’s Hip Hop class. The choreography was challenging but Penny got it and the entire class was thrilled to have Lucas, a friend and teammate, teach the class.
Tagged: CDC, choreography, Creative Dance Center, dance
