Hello World ; )

 Feeling a bit like a 'jack of all trades' at the moment. I have a lot of things starting and going to really focus, manage my time, and make big things happen!

TLC Jewelry: is back up and running in South Africa. This is my jewelry line of all real gemstones from Silver Hills Hartbeespoort. I hand make and design it all and have amazing prices. You can book a party with games and prizes at your friends, or you can buy directly through me. I wish I could have gotten things running a little bit sooner for the Christmas season... There is a great little market happening on the estate and I think I might jusssst miss it.. There's just no way I can build stock in three days time.

Chace Dance Co: Finally finally started my company!! It feels amazing. I have been studying grants and applications for future projects and funding so hoping a good foundation is built. This is VERY time consuming and takes a lot more admin than I had thought in the beginning. We are working on putting together our first workshop Jan 12th & 13th. It is going to be so hard core! I really can't wait. I hired a professional photographer to photograph and help me video all the amazing moments as well. And of course the company will make its debut there. The goal is two group pieces, two solos, and a duet, buttttt we are cutting it kind of close so we will get as much done as possible.

SECRET: oh yes, there is an AWESOME secret business idea brewing. But still in proper foundation mode... so not ready to release the details on this.

Dance Garage: We have repainted, building a ballet barre, and students are growing just from word of mouth. I'm really hoping this takes off in the New Year as well. Students ranging from all different ages.

On top of all those there are quite a few studios calling me and asking me to start some open classes at their studios as well. So word of my kick ass classes is definitely spreading in the area. I'm SO happy. Maybe teaching and choreographing is more me than performing anymore.. I have had such a hard time finding performance work and making friends in the dance world I am just making my own opportunities happen. That's the way you have to look at it I guess. I don't want to get on that subject for tonight.. But I am going to be happy this year. I am..

x. Tam.

Chace Dance Company

Chace Dance Company Presents "Collaboration!" What Callaboration is is a semi-annual dance workshop consisting of two days. We will host one every Jan and June each year. This will be our FIRST international workshop and it will be taking place at Dance Junxion in the Mall of Rosebank.

Date/Time: Jan 12th & 13th 9:00am-2:00pm
Place: Dance Junxion Rosebank Johannesburg
Price: R1,600 Due in Full in order to secure place.
Registration/pay: TamraLChace@gmail.com

This is a very intimate affair, limited places available! We don't want it to be like your everyday major convention curcuit in America with 1,000+ dancers in a class. This workshop will give you more quality time and even one on one time with the professional teachers.

Also every workshop will have a Featured Guest Artsist! This time is is Jonathan Prater! His credits include: Shakira, Michael Jackson "This is It", footlose, SYTYCD, Rock of Ages, Brooke Hogan, Country Music Awards, Snoop dog, Sean Paul and more! He is top top of the line in commercial/rock hip hop! This is a once in a lifetime oppertunity to work with such a talented person from the states!

Our other guest teachers will be myself (Tamra Chace), and Alice Kok.

I cannot stress enough to book your spot today well in advance. Please email me if you have any questions!

**We are changing lives in Africa, one dance at a time!**

                                            Me and Alice dancing the dance in Jburg!

Wix Site

Still working on this but can check it out so far-

http://tamralchace.wix.com/dancer#!home/mainPage

Hope.

I am struggling a bit here at the moment. Trying to get settled in and my feet back on the ground. Jumping back and forth from country to country can take its toll when you are trying to get things established. As soon as things pick up, it would be time to leave and move back to either the states or south africa.

At this point for any whom don't know, I am back in South Africa. Going to get lessons going again in the garage at Pecanwood. I got two call backs from two different agencies here in J'burg, both for modeling. But my skin is acting up terribly so trying to postpone meeting up with them until next week, while praying my face and skin heal properly. But that would be pretty cool if it works out with them!

I also came across a really great studio space in Fourways that I am SO excited to hopefully start working in!! I contacted the owners to see if I could rent it for a few hours and host my own classes. A contemporary class and Hip Hop fusion class. Will have to keep everyone posted on that as well!

Been doing a lot of studying for something to come in the near future, but that's a secret I'm not willing to release until all the paperwork is finalized and I can take charge and open the idea to the public of South Africa!

Have a blessed day!!

x-Tamra.

Perfection is my enemy.

In the past I have had my confidence ripped out of me, shredded to pieces, and stomped on to bits.

Once someone does that to you, how do you pick up the pieces and build it back up?...

What is Sexy?

Had an interesting work experience today and brought me to the question of 'what is sexy'? 

The answer will be different for everyone, but I want to give you mine.

Society makes us think and feel sexy should be difined by either a sultry look, big relaxed lips, enticing 'come to bed with me' eyes, and always the more skin the better. It's a look I have always felt I struggled a bit with when it comes to modeling. Because that deep seductress isn't my personality, it isn't me. And I can't let that stop me from sending a message through  photographs. So how do I make that change?

Sexy is being comfortable in your own skin, and my sexiness is through my happy eyes, and bright smile. That defines me, and if it doesn't sell as much then so be it. If a photographer doesn't like that, then that's okay too.. if you do what you like with confidence the end result is always better than feeling unsure and trying to be something you're not. You just aren't going to get anything out of that but more dissapointment in yourself. So walk with your head tall and do what makes you happy, and that will make you both sexy and beautiful without even trying!

Pixie More?

oh, and as for the casting for the hair shows- big fat NO! From myself to them. They wanted girls willing to go for a fohawk/pixie cut, which is not something I am looking to do right now. So on to the next one.

Central Florida Brides is a magazine here I have been submitted to for a bridal spread, to model a few different local designer's gowns. Now that is more up my alley = )

xx.
T.

Today was the shoot with Roland Smith (www.RolandSmithPhotography.com ). I find every photoshoot I do I break through my shy little turtle shell more and more. There is something to learn every time you get in front of a camera, what works and what doesn't work. I am still finding myself scared to try new things with broader more abstract poses in fear they will just come out ridiculous. But you'll never know until you try right? So that's my goal with the next shoot.. what meanings can I bring out in more abstract poses?

xx.
-T.

Tonight is the casting for stylist Nick Arrojo's Goldwell hair show in Orlando, FL.
I am actually quite nervous. It has been a few years since my last one in philly and don't really know what to expect! I think this one is a bit more intense than the goldwell show up north.

They can do whatever they need color wise, I am up for anything so long it looks nice. But cut.. I have been growing this out for awhile from my oopsey bob cut in SA. So maybe refusing a little cut might actually get me cut... lol. We shall see.

Resume... check. Headshot/comp cards...check. Great attitude... CHECK = )

What is the worse that can happen? I don't get booked but my life will still go on.

Be a Busy Bee

Still feeling a little stressed from life happening too fast yet too slow...

I am anxiously waiting my departure back to South Africa! I am leaving in September and hoping to get my life back on track and rolling. I feel like I have just been waiting and waiting around to get things going. Can't wait to be in one place again and to be with my boyfriend for good, he is home to me now no matter what country we are in!

I came back to America for the wrong reasons and I am not afraid to admitt it to myself anymore. It's time to grow up, do what I want and what makes me happy for me, and not other people... I no longer have anything to prove to anyone.

With that said I can't wait to get the business ideas I have had up and running in South Africa. I want to change peoples lives through dance and that country could use a little artistic influence from the states! I want to start my own school and contemporary company there, have a massive scholarship program of some sort to offer classes and workshops to kids that would never really have that oppertunity. I want to give them hope.. To know that there is more in the world than the country that they live in.

With that said, I will have to keep you all updated on the progess and status of it all.

First step- to land in J'burg safe and sound!! And wrap my arms around my amazing man of course! lol.

'til then-
Tam.

Fear is an emotion that can effect you in many different ways. It can make you stronger and you can break through those barriers, or it can tear you down to the lowest of the low. You have to decide how to take it, and what to make of it. And every situation that fear is involved in is different. I have two situations where fear is the case... In my professional life and in my personal life.

I have a lot of pressure on me from certain people surrounding me. Saying I should be this or that by now in my life and making this much money, not that. I am at a constant battle with myself about why I make the choices I make, and I am always scared of dissappointing people. Not only scared of failing them, but then I feel the need to prove people wrong about who I am and what I do with my life. I have to start doing things just for me.. I have nothing to prove to anyone anymore. You can have your perfect makup, costumes, and boastful resumes. Maybe it's not for me right now, my time will come when it is meant to come, in a way that suits me for me. There is more to life then putting things down on a piece of paper. Will all that matter to you in ten years?

Have you ever been scared to lose something or someone you love so much you would sacrifice yourself for it? I'm so scared I am going to lose the one person who knows me best and loves me for me all because I made the wrong decision. The decision to follow the wrong dream for the wrong reasons. Only time will tell and I have to trust that everything happens for a reason. That's why I feel the need to build up new walls around my heart, so when the thing I fear most happens I won't crumble down as hard.

xo,
TC

New Post, New Body

So for the next few months I am going to be working extra hard on molding my body and making it perfect for dancing and modeling. Today I took an hour weight lifting class and an hour yoga class. It was a great over all body workout in each of the classes and the teacher was great! I went down to Gold's gym for the classes. Going to shoot for working out atleast 5 days a week on top of taking my usual dance classes whenever I am not working..

As far as my diet and eating habbits I have been eating fruits and veggies, a lot of protien and no carbs after 2/3pm latest. I will be taking a photo every two weeks to see what the changes are. I figured if I make it public I'll be more apt to working hard on it as to not embarrass myself on the internet! lol. However, I did forget my camera with the first photo to upload on here so you'll have to forgive me this once. I will post it here soon though = )


After all that.. its time to actually GO to my work! I have been working at the Dance Wear Corner now for about a week. It was really overwhelming at first but it is slowly getting better. There is just a lot for me to learn there and I still believe it beneficial to what I want to do later in life. Learning all about the different types of dance shoes and how they are supposed to fit on all different types of people. (I haven't gotten that far yet, but will be learning it soon enough = ) It surprisingly gets super busy in that little corner store, shocked me. And we get a plethora of different characters to respond to as well, and thats a WHOLE other post.

off to work now..

xo.

I have to say I am stressing quite a bit about the next few days. Going to be living out of a suitcase for awhile again. Hopping around from house to house, apt to hotel, etc. I fly up to philadelphia tuesday morning and up to new york the 3rd for the most attended audition in the city- The Radio City Rockettes.

I am trying to think 100% positive but of course my nerves sometimes get the best of me and I can doubt myself at times. I havent auditioned like this in quite awhile since being in South Africa. But we'll see how it goes, i know there is nothing to lose by going up there (except the big wod of cash it is costing me! lol). Just worried most about dissapointing the ones that are cheering for me both here and in africa.. I'm doing this for all those dancers over there that might never have this oppertunity..

A bit shocked with some people I have contacted to help me out with a few things. Only got a few responses from people and all I have to say is in circumstances like these you find out who your friends are..

All landed in the lovely US of A.
Was quite a mission of a trip. 17 hours to ATL, 2 hour layover and 2 hours to MCO. The plane was full full of americans and maybe a handful of South Africans.

I flew Delta and did you know you are now only allowed ONE free bag?! that is actually insane, it used to be two and that is what the average traveller would use. I had to pay $270.00 for my bags!! The only thing that keeps me flying Delta is their Skymiles. Other than that I am a hardcore SAA flyer. The food and custumer service/flight attendants are much much better. That is the airline I would reccomend others.

Meanwhile I had to collect 4 rolling suitcases and my carry ons in Atlanta and re-check them into baggage. Of all the people on the flight only 3 men offered and did help me with my bags. All three of them were different South African men. I made a comment to the last one "Of course, you're south african".. he asked what I had meant by that. And I said, "Because I know none of these Amercians are going to help me.." It's terrible to say but the absolute truth. And I don't mean ALL americans, but the majority really don't care about other people here. It's a fend for yourself kind of world here, that is the main reason I like South Africa so much better. People are friendly and feel they are all connected together even if they aren't genetically connected. I want to live in America for a bit to dance and perform, but want to make sure I get out of it before it makes me too cold...

-Tamra.

I *LOVE* all my fellow bulls dancers, you were all so kind and thoughtful. Will see you all again soon!! xo.

Counting down the days and counting down the hours.. My emotions are tending to run like a rollercoaster, one minute I'm in tears the next pure excitement runs through my veins. I didn't think it possible to SOOOOoooo many different feelings as I have had in the past fourty-eight hours.

Everytime I spend quality moments with Justin I tear up and try to memorize all the different sensations, file them away so I can re-open them when I need. This is definitely going to be a hard thing to do, I just hope it is for the best..

On a lighter note, I organized a class schedule for myself when I get back. Classes at Orlando Ballet, Space Coast, and Raskins. I need to get myself back into dance shape and fast..

Scheduled my first audition in Orlando for an upcoming show. Not for a little while longer, so will keep you all posted.

And within the next few days I'll start my new health craze diet with a slight detox. America, here I come!!

xo-

Tamra.

Goeiemiddag!

Two days until departure, back to the rockin MCO. I have been a bit sick the past few days... running a bit of a fever and the other usual symptoms. I always get like this before I have to leave Justin.. My mind says I'll be fine, be strong and don't cry. But my body shows all the prime symptoms of unconscious stress.

I am basically all packed up, a few remaining things to stuff in my suitcases. Went to Silver Hills Gems one last time (http://www.bronnrocks.com/?gclid=CI6Q0J-Qqq8CFaYJtAodPgRaZg) to stock up on even MORE stones and beads. I am nervous i'll get questioned for importing or something funny because it actually is ALOT of stones I am taking back with me. But strictly for my own beading purposes. Really hoping they dont give me any problems, I saved so much money to buy these to take home with me. If I distribute it all evenly throughout my bags I should be alright don't you think?

Selling all the last pieces I have here in SA. If you are interested let me know, I will not be taking it back home with me and need to get rid of it all.

xo-Tamra.

The most popular question of all time, What is Love?

..Is it willingness to give up your own wants to put another person first?

.......Is it just rolling over to that special face every morning?

There are plenty different aspects and opinions on this subject that can be viewed so broadly. Love is honest, and not blind. Love is not loathing, but patient, soft, and kind.

It can be taken away at any second, so enjoy it while in your grasp. It is fagile and needs to be mended time to time. Do not take it for granted.

Some love tales are novels... some just short stories. But that does not make them filled with any less love. Be appreciative towards eachother, and grateful to have someone on your side.

xo. Tamra

I think I am a bit more stressed than I thought. About my last Bulls game, dance in general, and moving once again to another country. I keep worrying about what to pack, what to leave behind, and what to give away; will all my beads, tools, and books be too much weight in my suitcase? what about border security and all the precious/semi- precious stones I'll be carrying. AH, hectic but I'm sure it will be fine.

We got the boot to the house this weekend and it's my final weekend here in South Africa. So we are crashing at Justin's parents house until the owners leave on Sunday.

Very excited for my last game on Saturday!!! Bulls vs. Highlanders!! I have so many friends and family coming out to support me for this one so I am actually extra excited to give it my all = ) Afterwards the girls planned a going- away joll at a club in Pretoria called Tys. VIP sections, free entrance, pop a little champaigne and have a go!! But I am sad to leave the girls and my coach behind. I have had my ups and downs with living here but I made some connections with certain people I am going to miss.

I never told her, but my coach Nicola I look up to alot. She has the life I really want to strive for when I get to her age. Has such a lovely husband and kids, her personality and social skills are perfect. She looks stunning and is always active, positive, and so nice. But also not afraid to tell you when you are in the wrong! Nix: I want to be you when I get to that stage in my life! xo.

Most of all I am going to miss my boyfriend. That's a door I'm not ready to open at the moment. I'll let the water works fall when I get to the airport lol.

<3

Today was a very peaceful day, nothing unusual, nothing unplanned. went and stocked up at the local bead and stone store called 'Silver Hills Gems' in Harties South Africa. Got all the last minute beads before going back to america. I am really trying to sell it all so I can just start fresh when I get to America.

ah America.. I am very stressed about stepping back on your soil.

<3
Tam.

Check out my youtube channel-

http://www.youtube.com/user/TamraLChace?feature=mhee

<3 Tamra.