iBOCY

At the very least, now I have something to look back at and see all the cool stuff I got to do.

[ibocyj]

Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in this moment, this is the only moment.

Forgive not because they deserve forgiveness but because they deserve peace. 

Lets live more in the present moment and less in the past or future. Whatever comes, let it come.  Whatever goes, let it go. “All that we are arises with our thoughts. With out thoughts we make the world.” (Buddha) There has been much on my mind; with this very moment and each moment that passes by I feel there is also much to be said, but sometimes, silence is the best response. 

“If you want to know someones mind, listen to their words. If you want to know their heart, watch their actions.“ -uknown

[mxnrique]

“Taylor Swift couldn’t go to the Women’s March because she’s too famo-”

[vasmemeas]

please let’s not forget

[ibocyj]

“When another person makes your suffer it is because he suffers deeply within himself and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment, he needs help. That is the message he is sending. “    ― Thich Nhat Hanh

If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path. Words have the power to both heal and destroy. In light of recent situations, I wish everyone peace and loving kindness. 

[ibocyj]

2016 Bgirl City. 

Finally made my way to Houston, TX for Cypher Addikts & Bgirl City 2. Was able to teach COTC Workshops, assisting Bgirl Candy, be apart of a dope bgirl build session -the first of its kind- run by El La Katrina and Macca per GIRLilla Tactics and also got to get down in the 1v1. Most of off, I got to connect and build that bond on and off of the dance floor with all my fellow ladies who also love the culture. I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. 

[ibocyj]

Always an amazing opportunity to exchange on the floor with friends. Worked my way into top 8, being able to compete against my Street Rats fam and Bgirl Candy along the way. Continuing to grow on and off of the dance floor. Always learning. 

[ibocyj]

Making more of an effort this year to support more of my local scene. Had an amazing time getting down last night at Shamrock, a 2v2 in Raleigh, NC. Was dope to see familiar faces and touch the floor. Also, so amazing to see our student there entering with a local dancer in our city with the support of his family, crew and community behind him all in one space. That truly was the highlight of the night for me. Lets keep that next generation building. 

Check out our Class Facebook Page for the full video, pictured above. 

[ibocyj]

Stories End.

“I didn’t leave because I stopped loving you. I left because the longer I stayed, the less I loved myself.” -Rupi Kaur 

My mom introduced me to this writer, her name is Rupi Kaur. The more I read her words, the more I could find my inner voice finally making sense. For quite sometime now, I have been placing my needs on a back burner. After ignoring what made me happy for so long, I just grew used to it and before I knew it, I was living an empty life and was content with it. 

At the time of my decision, the words in her poem above describe it to a tee. There are no words I could string together to say it more perfectly than that. Being too young and inexperienced to what love and a partnership should actually function like, I allowed myself to compromise and accommodate to values that were not my own. It’s never too late, but it did take way too long for me to finally realize what it was that I was doing to myself. 

I was sacrificing my own happiness.

No one will ever really know or understand exactly how it is that I felt. You can try to put yourself in my shoes and see from my view, but you never really will be able to. I have lost many relationships over ending just one. That is ok. In the process, I also managed to gain many, too. Enough time has passed that I feel ok to publicly post about this (not that my tumblr reaches a large audience anyways...). Two broken people do not make one another whole again. The courage and strength that I had to find within myself did not come easily, nor did it come quickly, to do what I did. Divorce is never easy. 

I will never regret any of the decisions I have made; they have brought me to this point in my life and helped shape who I am today. Even though I may not show pain, it does not mean that I am not hurting. Even though you don’t see me gasping for air, it does not mean that I am not struggling. I am at peace with my decision and I absolutely love where my life is now and I love all the people that have come into it. 

However, to all the people who made my divorce an opportunity for you to choose teams and decide who’s more of a victim or who is more at fault, for lack of better words, you suck. Everything happens for a reason and I realize that my divorce comes with many; one of them was to rid of all the toxic relationships in my life. When I thought I only had one toxic relationship, it showed me that I had many. For this, I am truly thankful. 

May 2017 be full of new love, new happiness and finding new peace.  

[ibocyj]

Two Years Strong.

As of yesterday, I’ve had this handsome devil for 2 years! He was my rescue baby from the shelter in Cumberland County. 6 months old and nobody wanted that sweet sweet face. For two years, he has been the light of my life and has gotten me through the toughest of times. Baby Titan is my ultimate best friend. 

I saved him... no, he saved me.  

[ibocyj]

New Generation

The breakin’ community has offered my something that no other group of people ever have. With that being said, as a Bgirl, my main priority was to never “get big” or “blow up” in the scene by any means; it is to take everything that I love about hip hop and breakin’ and offer it to the next generation in a platform that introduces the culture to them and their families in a comfortable environment. I can still remember my parents when I first got into this- always worried I was going to break my neck. Doing what I do now, I hope I eliminate some of those same fears for families as they allow their kids to come dance with me and at the opportunities that I make for them. I do not see what I do as teaching a class, but building a family. We dance together, laugh together and most importantly we support each other inside the classroom and outside of it. I never miss the opportunity to support my students at their school talent shows, offer free workshops and do street performances. 

Seeing the kids come back to class, time and time again is everything to me. I may not be the worlds greatest instructor- but I have given them a place to be free with dance. The fact that they return shows me that at least I have given them the love of dance. 

[ibocyj]

2016 Recital

All those months of fundraising, networking, performances, rehearsals and pure hard work paid off. Was able to give my kids and their families an event that they deserved. The most precious thing these families have given me this past year was their time, so it was important to me that I give back to them through this recital. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love to do and for that, I am so very grateful. I could not have done this without the families and without my amazing volunteers. Their support means everything to me. A HUGE shout out to Tori, Treviour, Kid J and Glen - a few of our local bboys from crews Fayettevillians, Just Roc Crew and Massive Monkies.  Their support, passion and love for the kids made all the difference in their growth as dancers and young humans. Lastly, a huge thank you to Candy for making the trip from FL to support our event and contributing with Silent Revolution Headphones. I didn’t make recital happen, WE did. 

Follow my instagram @ibocy to view the video clips and see more photos. 

I am so very proud of this moment. 

[ibocyj]

Props to TXRH for partnering with us to make this fundraiser happen!! We will get my kids to Atlanta for the kids battle this year, I promise you that!!!

[ibocyj]

Honored that Inspire Dance Studio in Fargo, ND flew me out to be apart of their first ever hip hop all styles event as a judge and a teacher. Was an amazing trip!!

[ibocyj]

Supported my crewmate/student at his talent show with the fam ! He killed it!

[ibocyj]

Difficult tops day but the class got the moves by the end!!!

[ibocyj]

Working hard and getting my classes ready for recital.

[ibocyj]

Giving back is amazing. Seeing that the kids and families love class, its a no brainer as to why i keep showing up.

[ibocyj]

Got the opportunity to throw a bgirl jam with my crew in Chicago and it was amazing. New Moons shined light on our next generation of bgirls and all of the supporters that stand behind them. Awesome to see so many families, bgirls and bboys coming out to support.