Wednesday, September 26, 2012

One Week


Reflecting
With only one week left of my trip, I am starting to look forward to the next few months at home in Seattle, but I am also looking back on all that I have been able to do here in Hamburg.

While here accomplished quite a lot.  I taught my first weekend workshop.  That went so well, that I also started a weekly Authentic Jazz class.  I partnered with this swing club this past month to teach two weekly Lindy Hop classes. I've learned quite a lot of Tap and am excited to keep working on that back home.  I also started German lessons for the first time.  I've picked up a lot so far, but I do plan on taking more when I come back again.  And finally, I created a piece of original choreography, taught that piece to dancers, and last weekend we put the piece on film. It won't be edited and ready for a while, but when it is I will post that too!  On Friday, the dancers and I will perform the piece at the local dance. I think it will be a great way to wrap up my trip, and hopefully when I come back I can pick up where I left off.

So yes, leaving is sad, but I will be back. And I have quite a bit that I can look back on too. In the meantime, I am full of inspiration and anticipation.  I love what I have accomplished so far and am only encouraged for the future.

-Ellen

Friday, September 14, 2012

I Am Three

Thomas has edited together a second video of the show we performed last spring. The show, Drama, was about expressing text through dance. Here, Thomas Marek, Thomas Kolczewski, and Laura Mogalle perform "I Am Three."




Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Language Learner

Last week and this week I am taking intensive German Language classes.  I'm really learning a lot.  One way I've been learning is posting these handy Post-it notes all over the house.  The hardest part so far has been learning which article goes with which word.  Der, Die, or Das.  Luckily my notes have been working and I'm getting better every day!


Sunday, August 19, 2012

Hochzeit

Yesterday I shot another wedding with Thomas.  I think I learned a lot from the first wedding and improved from it.  The biggest thing I noticed right away, was being able to feel much more relaxed as I was shooting.  This helped me be more creative, specifically when thinking about the composition of the photo.  Here is a small sample of yesterday's shoot.












Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Coconut Island

For about a year, when I lived in New Orleans, my friends and I put on The Lil Big Vaudeville Variety Show.  Recently a picture from one of my favorite numbers was posted on Facebook.  It made me want to re-watch the video, and so as I did, I thought I would share it here too.  If you'd like to watch for me, I'm the first hula dancer to enter.


Monday, August 13, 2012

DOM

Yesterday, Thomas and I decided it would be a great day to visit Dom. Dom, pronounced sort of like "dome" is a fair in Hamburg. I'm not big on rides, so mostly we walked around. I took pictures while Thomas ate various fair foods.

I really enjoyed getting to check out this Hamburg tradition.  It was fascinating how similar it was to an American fair, and yet so many small things made it feel very different as well.


DOM Entrance


Rides


Ice Cream or 'Eis' is one of the first German words I learned!


Thomas enjoying a pickle.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

5 Things...Surprise Favorite German Things

Here I present a list of the five surprise things I have most enjoyed in Germany.

1.) Coke. I know, seems weird, but its so good here. It is always made with real sugar (not hight fructose corn syrup). And it comes in this great skinny can. Seriously the can is half of why I like it so much.

2.) The fruit! In Germany, they do not allow GMO’s so all the fruit is so flavorful and delicious.

 3.) Dancing. Of course I knew I would be dancing, but recently Thomas has been teaching me tap and that has been VERY fun.

4.) The cosmetics. I’ve found a couple of great, affordable, German make-up brands. I really like one called essence. So far, I’ve only bought a mascara, but its amazing and was only 2.5 euros! From the reading I did online, it seems you can find it at Ulta or Fred Meyer in America.

5.) Riding my bike! Since this is the third post where I mention my bike, I think you get the picture. Hamburg is great for cycle commuting!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Biking Hamburg

A few weeks back, I mentioned how I got a bicycle so that I could get around the city.  I really love my new bike and today, Thomas and I went for a ride around Hamburg.

In the center of the city is "The Alster."  A large lake with paths around it.  The area reminds me a lot of Greenlake in Seattle. Just as there are at Greenlake, there is an inner path and an outer path, and in between the two you can find children's playgrounds, exercise areas, and plenty of park benches to enjoy the view.  Also similar to Green lake are the many people jogging, walking, and biking both directions around the lake. To go all the way around The Alster, it's 7.6 kilometers.  Which is a nice jog, and today proved to be a great bike ride.

Here is my bike.  Cute right?



Deutsch!  I also really love the headlight.  No battery, just pedal power!


All throughout Hamburg are red brick bike paths on the sidewalk.  I really like this set up.  I don't have to worry about cars and most of the time there is plenty of room for bikes and pedestrians alike. 








Monday, August 6, 2012

Swedish Summer

For the past 2 1/2 weeks, Thomas and I have been in Sweden.  He teaches tap at a Lindy Hop camp in Herrang.  Actually, it was there where we met for the first time last summer.

We drove from Hamburg to Herrang, Sweden.  Making stops along the way.  It was really nice to get to see the Swedish countryside.  Although, I do have to say for the second year in a row I failed to see a moose despite all the moose crossing signage. I'm very disappointed and holding Sweden responsible.

I didn't take very many photos while actually at the camp.  I learned last year that it is not my favorite place, and so I guess I just didn't feel inspired.  If Thomas will let me I may share a few of his another time.  The photos below I took on our way to and from Herrang, and also a day trip we took to Uppsala.


First, we took a Ferry from Germany to Denmark


And then there were some bridges.


Here we found a nice lake at a rest stop.


Another stop, and a surprise hike down to another lake.



Finally, we made it to Herrang.  We had a great little cottage the first night of our stay.


I learned how to use the self timer.


About a week into our stay we decided to get away from the camp and go for a visit to Uppsala.



And, when all was over we rode the ferry back to Germany.


It was a beautiful evening and many of the passengers enjoyed the ride too.


Thomas cruises through Hamburg after a very long trip


Sunday, August 5, 2012

2nd Shooter

A few weeks ago, I accompanied Thomas as his assistant, to one of his photography gigs.  This was my first time shooting this kind of event.  I think I learned a lot just by participating.   Many of my photos made it into the final selection which was given to the couple.  Here are a few of the shots I took.





In Germany, the couple sits at the front of the church.







Thursday, July 26, 2012

Behind the Scenes

Laura Mogalle, one of the dances in the show I was in this winter, has posted a nice "Behind the Scenes" sequence video.  We worked very hard and managed to have some fun too.  Here's a look!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Family in Film

I recently had the opportunity to spend a whole month at home with my family. Part of the time I was in Portland and part of the time I was in Seattle. I used this chance to try out color film for the first time.  I am really happy with the results, I think I got some really nice photos out of it.