As most of you guys know, I’ll be heading to the airport the day after tomorrow… to be whisked away to the land of cuteness and all things I adore: Tokyo, Japan. I’ll be there for a week, but upon returning to the US will be having another busy week. Because of my vacationing, all orders made from June 11th until the end of month will experience delayed shipping while the shop is on mini-vacation. Due to a current promo, however, the shop will remain open for pre-orders. I will have minimal access to internet, so I apologize that I will not be able to answer your e-mails or ship out your orders until early July.

I’ve put this notice up on my shop announcement, and hope this information finds you. Thank you so much for understanding, and I’ll be sure to come back from Japan with gifts, inspiration, and some new goodies! So, despite the delay, I promise it’ll all be worth it!

My feature in ISA Magazine is now being distributed on the UCSD campus, and available for viewing online! You can view and read the article here. I encourage you to skim through the whole issue as there’s quite a bit of good content in there, but do feel free to skip over to pages 3 through 6… heehee.

The actual interview and photoshoot took place two months ago, and my blog post that followed it shortly covers the behind-the-scene experience and includes a few more photos that weren’t included in the magazine. You can view that blog post here.

Thank you again to ISA for the opportunity! And please let me know your thoughts on what you think of the article! I’d love to hear your feedback or commentary on the topics that were covered!

Does anybody watch So You Think You Can Dance? Well, if you caught last Wednesday’s epsiode covering Hollywood week, you might have seen a familiar little ninja on your television screen! I actually didn’t catch it live, but thanks to the ladies behind the infamous Unique LA and LA Street Food Fest — yes, you heard me, the big dogs! — I got alerted of the ninja sighting quickly after it flashed screens all over the west coast!

Thanks so much for the heads up, ladies! Quick like ninjas!

And boy, whoever you are rocking your ninja tee during SYTYCD auditions, you rock.

Today marks the day when things get a little more profesh.

After a week of back-and-forth tweaking, I finally got to pick up my first batch of “official” Steppie tags that will be sewn onto the inside neckline of all my clothing. It’s been something I’ve been wanting to do for a while, and it finally seemed like it was time to make the move… especially since things are taking an international direction. Now, don’t get too excited… it’s a small move, but at least it’s a move in an amazing direction…

In exactly one week from today, my feet will be standing on Tokyo concrete for the very first time. Aside from getting to run around the streets of Japan and creating a ruckus with 20-or-so of my favorite people, I’ll get the opportunity to dust off my Creative Recs and dance again with my old hip hop crew from college. CADC is seriously the gift that keeps on giving, even when I’m an old alum, but I’m so grateful and so ready to soak up this experience. I’ve spoken about CADC before, but if you’re unfamiliar, here’s a video from my first year on the team (seems fitting since it’s a Japanese-themed set):

Wow, the video quality makes this performance look ancient… lol.

If it weren’t for Boogiezone and their expansion in Japan, we wouldn’t have had this opportunity to begin with.  Moreso, if it weren’t for Boogiezone, I wouldn’t have had the chance to begin my long journey in trying to make a name in Japan. Elm (the brain behind Boogiezone) approached me a month ago about a possible collaboration for an official Japan Launch t-shirt. I was flattered, honored, and beyond excited considering how much I look up to Elm and what he’s done for BZ and the hip hop dance community. I admire anyone with big dreams, and moreso, anyone with guts to go out there and breathe life into them. And for me, an open door was being served on a platter, and I ate it up like chocolate cake.

The “I Am A Ninja” x Boogiezone Japan Launch tees will be debuted in Japan for the official “United We Boogie” event. The fuscia design is printed onto an American Apparel dark navy tee with the BZ x Steppie logo printed on the back of the shirt. And in case you haven’t guessed it already… yes, these shirts will be the first to show off the new Steppie clothing tags!

They will be sold in Japan during the event next week, and upon our return, will be sold through Boogiezone in the US. Thank you again to Elm, Kanako, Mr. K, and the Boogiezone team for helping me make this happen.

I’ll try and post again before my pandas and ninjas land in Tokyo, but ’til then, if you’ve been to Japan before, please recommend places to see and experience!