Jamie Ortega
 

left wrist after class, the scratch got swollen and it just looks funny

left wrist the day after

less scratches on my right wrist! :D 

So I think I've graduated from leg wounds and bruises, moved on to wrist and arm wounds.
I just want to say how much I love pole dance. It's really having the effect I want on my body. I just basically feel much stronger. My arms feel better and I feel like it's doing wonders for my abdomen and bum (or that could be wishful thinking) :p

It's really good because every meeting, our teachers push our limits. So every meeting, I can do something new. And the feeling of accomplishment is just amazing. Also I realized I'm the youngest in class. Most of my classmates are like 25-30+ and some already have kids. They often tell me that it's great that I started young and that once you get older, it gets harder for your body and all. And when you're younger you can learn things faster. Okay I admit I do enjoy getting compliments like being a fast learner, or being a professional pole dancer (or so my elder Chinese classmate tells me). Haha. Point is, I love the encouragement I get from my teachers and classmates. The whole class environment feels really nice and home-y and just really really fun. For someone who isn't a very sociable person (especially in school) like me, pole class does a lot for your confidence.
 
" I think Mockingjay had to be tragic and it had to leave scars. Suzanne Collins said from the beginning she wanted to be real about war and the aftermath... especially when talking to children. "


I love how Katniss realized that Gale was never what she really needed. I think people suffer a great deal from not realizing this in their own similar situations.

I loved falling in love with Peeta even though I was Team Gale at the beginning of the first book (shush!). I love Peeta for the same reason I love Stefan. " I kept thinking that Katniss was struggling to hold their friendship together because it was one of the few things she had left, even when it was clear to her that they were moving in opposite directions."

I love how Collins killed off Prim - adorable Prim. I don't think anyone thought she would die. Her character was built up very subtly but effectively, making us fall in love with her only to have Collins break our hearts into a million little pieces. She made a great point in taking her away. 

One of my biggest heartbreaks in the series was when Finnick died. He had one of the nicest subplots and he was such an interesting character. And gawd, Annie. Poor Annie.

I love how I first read Hunger Games and didn't think of it at all as a love story. I love how realistic the whole thing was and had to shudder at how close we are to getting there. I love how Collins seems to take a jab at reality shows *cough* Big Brother *cough*. I love the tragedy of an ending Mockingjay was. Suzanne Collins gave us no closure at all to convey her message. 

I love how even though Katniss and Peeta ended up together, they were left broken. And I love how you can turn that around: "That even after all the crap they've been put through, they at least found some semblance of happiness amidst their broken selves."

If you read the books and did not feel that punch in your face, I'm sorry for you.
 
I had my 2nd class at Polecats yesterday. I got to work on my arms with the lifts they made us do. This session we did a few lifts to strengthen our arms and abdomen area. My arms are pretty sore today.
I was also able to do more fancy spins, I haven't gotten the hang of all of them but I'll get there. I got my arms bruised from gripping too tightly. I've improved my dreamgirl pose and the basic spins if I do say so myself. The biggest challenge had to be the chair position where you don't climb up, you have to lift your body up, cross your legs into a sitting position then move your upper body in front of the pole. I think I pulled a muscle.. or vein and I hate it. I get all nauseous but I'm learning to control that now. The chair pose is a killer to your thighs. Getting up is not the problem, it's staying up that's quite a bitch. I have to work on my climbing. I need to reach the top of the pole. It just hurts so much with a wound on my foot. Oh well, really looking forward to my next session. I only have time to go once a week and it sucks. But I'm loving the effect of pole dancing on my body. I really need to keep at it to get killer abs like Teacher Kayleen, heh! :)  
 
You're Welcome! :)
Thank you TheHungerGames twitter account! Posted this here and on fb (first to post
I AM SOOOOOO HAPPY! I JUST DIED
Prim is just adorable and so is Rue.
Effie is as imagined (minus the seemingly British accent).
Peeta.... oh Peeta
Cinna... Haymitch... ahhhhhh!!!!
Cato is hot
And I am excited to watch Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss! Go Katniss!
Thank you movie makers for making an awesome trailer! Stoked!


I CANNOT WAIT TIL MARCH 23. Will definitely buy tickets in advance.
 
I think I would like a little scrapbook of my bruises :)) Nothing too bad so far :)

So that's my knee

and this little scratch is actually on my foot

 

She's a lady and ladies shouldn't be messed with ;)

►LIV5: Forever The Sickest Kids, A Rocket To The Moon, A+ Dropouts, The Ready Set and The Summer Set Live in Manila @ Alabang Town Center(Feb 16)
►LIV5: Forever The Sickest Kids, A Rocket To The Moon, A+ Dropouts, The Ready Set and The Summer Set Live in Manila @ Glorietta(Feb 17)
►LIV5: Forever The Sickest Kids, A Rocket To The Moon, A+ Dropouts, The Ready Set and The Summer Set Live in Manila @ Trinoma(Feb 18)
►LIV5: Forever The Sickest Kids, A Rocket To The Moon, A+ Dropouts, The Ready Set and The Summer Set Live in Manila @ Market Market(Feb 19)


FROM http://manilaconcertscene.blogspot.com/2011/11/upcoming-concerts-and-events-in-manila.html

AND THE SHOWS ARE FREE!!!

 
1. Titanic: The Legend Goes On
Okay, a lot of people hated this. I watched it a long time ago and I liked it. I don't know if I'd still like it when I watch it again. I loved the animal passengers especially the dalmatians and the love story of Angelica and William. I also loved the ending of this Titanic!

"An animated retelling of the worst passenger ship disaster in history. In this version, love blossoms between the upper-class Sir William and the blue-collar Angelica, who is hoping to find romance in America. At the same time, there are also a number of animal passengers, including talking dogs, cats and mice, who are also looking forward to arriving in the New World"
2. The Black Cauldron
I don't remember much of the story anymore but I do remember Taran is a pig keeper. And I remember that cute little fella Gurgi who I think is a dog. I'll have to download this again to put the pieces together though :D

"A young boy and a bunch of misfit friends embark on a quest to find a dark magic item of ultimate power before a diabolical tyrant can."

3. Happily Ever After
This one was really good. It's the story after Snow White and her prince got married. It's a really creepy film though. The villain was freaking creepy especially when he pretended to be the prince. Also there are 7 female dwarfs in this film.

"The story is an unofficial sequel to the fairy tale of Snow White. Aside from Snow White herself, the prince she falls in love with, the magic mirror, and the references to the wicked queen, all of the characters in Happily Ever After are unique to this film."
4. The Care Bears Adventure in Wonderland
Adorable characters and a very amusing story, need I say more? Ahhh I loved this so much.

"The cuddly Care Bears star in this charming feature-length adaption of the classic story of Alice in Wonderland. A young girl named Alice and the Care Bears travel together into the whimsical land of the Mad Hatter and the March Hare. In this magical story about friendship and trust, Alice and the Care Bears try to thwart an evil wizard's attempt to become the King of Wonderland."



5. My Little Pony: Princess Promenade
Basically ponies and prom. Too cute!

"The ponies' annual Spring Promenade goes awry when a 1,000-year-old dragon awakens and fulfills a royal prophecy."
6. Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders
This was a series, I just found out when I watched it recently. I only had episodes 1 and 2 on VHS before so I thought it was a movie. I love their pretty costumes and pretty magical animals. I didn't know who I liked more before between Tamara and Gwenevere but I think I like Tamara more now :D I still know every line to this! This is definitely a favorite and I still wish I was the owner of the Heart Stone. The opening and ending themes never fail to make me smile.

"A young princess and her friends defend the throne of New Camelot against an evil sorceress."

 
So today I took a pole dance class at Polecats Manila for the first time. (I used to go to Movement in Greenhills for dance classes but they closed the studio and the Polecats studio is much bigger) It's located in General Studios 3F Pearl Plaza just across UA&P in Ortigas.

Anyway I arrived early to sign some forms and because I'm always nervous when it's my first time in a new studio. There were only 5 of us probably because today is a holiday. I wish the number of students plays around that number because that way the teacher has more time to focus on each student. I was told that on most days there are about 15-20 students so they're separated in two groups.

I haven't had any workout in so long so the warm-up killed me! The leg stretches weren't so bad but my back really hurt like fuck. We started with spins - beginner's spin, fireman's spin, and fireman's spin extended. I have yet to perfect the fireman's spin extended. We then moved on to climbing, Whoever thought you could climb in a sexy way without looking like a monkey? This was a real workout for me especially in the abdomen area, arms, oh and your bum as well. Then we learned this hold (I do not remember the name anymore). You basically climb then fix your legs and lock them so that you're holding on to the pole with your thighs. You let go of the pole (remove your hands from the pole) and you lean back. Hey, it's harder than it sounds. The last I did was the dream girl position where you're up on the pole and you're body is in a diagonal position - legs crossed holding your position with your thighs, arms lowered, you lean back with your arms fully stretched. That must not have made sense so I'll post a picture below.

photo from official polecats manila FB page

Yea it kinda looks like that but with two hands on the pole and the back is less arched. We ended the class with a choreographed routine and cooled down.

While I now have quite a few bruises on my legs and I'm sure my whole body will be sore in the morning I really enjoyed the class and I will definitely be back for more. I haven't posted any pictures of myself but I will - when I am finally awesome at it! :)

Check out their websites:http://www.facebook.com/PolecatsManila
http://polecatsmanila.wordpress.com/
http://www.polecatsmanila.com
http://www.twitter.com/polecatsmanila
http://www.youtube.com/polecatsmanila
http://polecatsmanila.tumblr.com
 
"No need for revenge - Just sit back and wait...those that hurt you will eventually screw up all by themselves ...and if you are lucky, God will let you watch."
 
I used to watch H20: Just Add Water (it was on Nickelodeon). It's pretty cool how Cleo is now a hot witch on The Secret Circle and Emma is now a thousand year old vampire on The Vampire Diaries. I only hope Rikki gets her break too. :)

Jamie Ortega