So I Thought I Could Dance Reality Show!

Watching Idols the other night reminded me of a time when I thought I had talent. I think a lot of the time when you watch bad talent on reality TV you just wonder what that contestant was thinking signing up for this show?   “I mean it is obvious they can’t sing!!!” Well let me tell you of how I ended up being just another lousy contestant who thought they had talent for “So You think You can Dance Canada!”

In 2008, Canada brought, for the first time, “So you think you can dance Canada” to the streets of Toronto.  My brother Hama, and I had heard the rumours about the auditions and thought if any reality show was for us….it would have to be this one!  I mean we loved to dance. Ever since we were kids we believed we had real raw talent because we would get all dramatic and perform no matter who or what was watching. We were no professionals but our friends told us we were good and that was all the motivation we needed to know to push ourselves to enter the competition.

Us waiting in line I am wearing the white glasses

At 4am on the Sunday of the auditions Hama and I were on the road to Toronto! I couldn't believe we were up so early. We read on the website that you could only start lining up at 6am but auditions start at 9am. We got there at 6:30am and already there were over 800 people in front of us. Front street was bustling with young energetic people it was CRAZY. Some people had camping chairs and picnic baskets, others had radios and stunt gadgets. There were video cameras and reporters grabbing interviews with random people. I loved the energy and I was excited to be part of it all..this was our moment!

After four hours of waiting outside we entered into the main theatre doors and were debriefed on how the auditions worked. We were apparently entering the filter process, meaning that whatever gets shown today wouldn’t be on TV. Contestants would wait in the theatre for their turn then come onto stage 10 at a time (5 contemporary and 5 hip hop dancers). What happens is the judges made you dance to their music (either Hip hop or Contemporary) for 30 seconds. That was the only time you had to show them your raw talent, just 30seconds… Then they give you either a yes or no score. If Yes you come back on Tuesday and get auditioned and actually filmed on TV and if  No you have to escort yourself to the No Door which was written in big human sized letters (you really couldn’t miss it).  Keep in mind that everyone is watching!

While waiting for our turn to go on stage Hama and I witnessed first-hand that Canada did have dance talent we thought we had raw talent…but these people were even more raw…I am talking SUSHI! With regards to Hip hop moves I am talking STep1 Step 2 ...Stomp the yard kind of moves. People were actually part of dance crews that performed on regular basis. The contemporary dancers were ridiculously amazing with leaps and spins you name it. As each performance went on Hama and I got more and more drawn to the reality that – we just are not going to pass as real hip hop dancers.

Hama and I entering the doors to the theater after 4 hours of waiting

The lucky thing is if you were anything but a hip hop or a contemporary dancer...You would be given a YES for sure... with NO questions. Even if you were a bad salsa dancer or terrible tap dancer...you were in! The main reason was because the judges wanted variety and if anything you would be a good laugh on T.V. …just like those useless idols singers. I sat there debating on doing an African dance. I envisioned myself up there just busting some ridiculous African move..From Swazi to Shona to Zulu to Congolese  all in 30 seconds. I knew that I would be in the next round NO DOUBT. But then what…I would probably just end up on one episode of the show because  I can't leap.....I can't spin.....I can't stand on my head and doo a booty shake......EEEK. I had nothing but Kanya and her club moves???? And African dance??? What was I risking just to be on T.V for a brief moment? It could destroy my reputation I thought ..imagining someone stoping me in the street saying “Hey aren’t you that girl from that dance show….man You were so bad! But I liked the energy!”. So I decided to ditch the African Vibe and stick with the Hip Hop.

The crowed which watches while they wait their turn

When it was our turn to go on stage we were accompanied by 2 tap dancers, a Hip hop girl dancer and 5 contemporary dancers. The music started playing and the first hip hop girl starts dancing to the song LOW….She was really good and I wondered why did I have to go after her L. Then it was my turn  the song continues "Apple Bottom Jeans, Hips with the curve...the whole club was looking aather...she hit the floor...next thing you know...the shortty got low low low low low" So I think I was doing fine till the low low low part. Now you can't help but go low when you hear those words right? ....my body was going low...but my mind was like "kanya what the hell are we going to do when we hit the floor......we have no moves for the floor !!!!!! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" I distinctly remember facing the Judges and being on my knees almost like a moment of silence but I some how I managed to jump up and glided off the floor where I spun into Hama who glided onto the dance floor....Out of breath and still pumped I just cheered on Hama. I loved watching him move. Loved it! He had the energy and even did a handstand walk up to the judges! He was my star at that very moment because I knew that no matter what the judges said I had the satisfaction that I tried my best and enjoyed it.

It all ended so quickly and both Hama and I were given the big NO. We picked up our bags and headed for the door that said NO......one of the guys that was standing in line with us shouted...."we still love you Kanya"..... I was like " I love you guys too" lol. The door lead to a stair-well and opened to a back door on a curb.. in some random ally.. Still out of breath, disorientated and confused we couldn’t help but laugh at the fact that "we got kicked to the curb" lol.

Although we didn’t make it we left with a great sense of satisfaction that at least we tried and maybe that’s what all these people experience when they enter these competitions. It really wasn’t about being the best dancer in Canada it was about actually putting the effort in and enjoying the experience. We met cool people that day and got to really bond as brother and sister. You may ask me if I would do it again and my answer is “Helll Yhea, just don’t play that same song!”

lol PEACE!

Work "Photo Scavenger Hunt"

So these are some of the photos that were taken during our works "Photo scavenger Hung!" As you can see I totally enjoyed it....the whole getting into character is like my middle name :). We  had to get really creative and guess what???? WE WON  Whoop whoop!


Photo with a stranger and a fire Hydrent (what idots lol) that is a hose pipe



Most Lame photo



Photo of the group next to an indigenous tree



The most wildest photo

 

A photo that represents SEF





Photo of the group all in one car



McDonalds Commercial

Have a look at the Mcdonalds commercial below. And look out for the chick with attitude!!!! I think my level of fame has increased by 0.5 seconds. Which is huge progress for me lol. I think my friends in Canada must be laughing at me right now... Because I never used to want to go into McDonalds with them....but I would gladly do a commercial! Ha ha ha.

Anyways this was a commercial which we shot about 3 weeks ago. I had to pretend like I was really upset with my "boyfriend" because he didn't like Cheese on his burger and I did. I had to bring out the seriouse Kanya Attitude out.... which was actually pretty hard. It was funny because after every shot I had to laugh out loud just to get the gitters out. In my mind I was thinking of a moment when I was really upset with Avon...(which is very rare). But that helped me to have a seriouse face....aint nothing funny about being upset!

I thought it was a good thing that I had to be upset with my "boyfriend" rather than all lovey dovey...which would have just been a bit awkward..... I would think!

The whole experience was loads of fun as usual. Go and grab a cheesy burger or Vote for which one you like on their website http://www.beefyorcheesy.co.za/ or else you will get BEEF from me.

Perfect Bridal Gown Photoshoot

What would you give if you had the chance to wear beautifully designed wedding dresses, get your makeup and hair done, and have your face in a wedding catalogue? ….. Anything right J. Well that’s exactly why I couldn’t turn down such an opportunity when Perfect Bridal Gown was looking for models for their new seasons wedding catalogue.

Seven girls shot in 30 beautiful dresses from overseas, was the task of the day (October 24, 2010). We began at 8:30am and shot right through till 5pm. But it wasn’t your average photo ..not that I would know what a average photo shoot is like .lol... This shoot was fun and energetic. It was similar to the vibe at the Special K photo shoot. The girls had spunk the photographer had style and Raymond, Tanya, Lizette and their crew had great energy helping us get in and out of our dresses.

The whole experience was like playing dress up except this time you had a real hairdresser, makeup artist and got to wear super beautiful and quality styled dresses. No it was more like a fairytale ….were we were each different types of Cinderella’s with the Fairy godmothers being Lizzet and Raymond. The lights were on us, the bling was on us. If I was a bride to be I would have struggled to pick which dress would be mine. They all had such unique detail. Some dresses were simple and elegant and others were extravagant and sassy.

Being in front of the camera required confidence which at first I was scared I wouldn’t have…because 1. My braids ssooo needed to be taken out and 2. I was almost as sick as a dog. But somehow somewhere I got the energy to smile and pose. My advice for those of you who may ever go to a photoshoot. ..... try to stop taking yourself too seriously and relax…if it’s a bad photo they can take it again. For me I would pretend like it was a Vogue photo shoot and I was a some big shot model who travelled on first class to shoot here.. and there was no time to be SICK. ….even though I was far from a Vouge Model …it helped me relax J. But I also tried to be myself…because the camera can see that too...there is a fine line between fake and genuine smiles. Being yourself also helps you enjoy the whole experience because its fun…Relax…dance… pretend the camera is not there and you are just in the bathroom naked making yourself laugh. ….Oh there is a word of advice - If you ever feeling down…take all your clothes off and dance in front of the mirror….ITS Hilarious!

But like any fairytale the ball had to end so when 5pm came we all turned into pumpkins, out of the beautiful dresses and back into the scummy cloths we arrived in. If you are looking for a wedding dress…please stop by Perfect Bridal Gown on Beyers Naude, Johannesburg. You are sure to have a wonderful experience and find a equally beautiful dress. Or just call them at 011-794-7101 and book an appointment

Me and The GOOGLE

I find it so amazing how much information is at our fingertips just through The GOOGLE.. I mean have you really just sat and gone wow…what isn’t there out there that I can’t find out about through the internet. Maybe I am suffering form some serious delayed action but …. Yooooooo…the internet is hectic.

You can be sick and The GOOGLE can cure you. The other day I was suffering form a very bad headache and stiff neck. So I got onto THE GOOGLE and typed “stiff neck and headache” and BAM..there hundreds of diagnosis. I read through pages and pages of possible symptoms that could add onto what I thought I had. I went form sinusitis, to hey fever to meningitis. What worried me was that one article said “suffering form a headache and stiff neck are key symptoms of possible meningitis. Brrrrrr… I started to sweat just reading it. Then I read Fever…and for sure I was having a fever. Okay maybe I didn’t have the symptom of bad vision wasn’t going bad. The thing that truely saved me form diagnosing myself with meningitis was when I read “ If you are feeling a bit mental and are not thinking straight.” Well I don’t think I think straight every day but I was sure I was thinking straight on this day…I mean I was diagnosing myself using the internet….there should be some sanity in that right. J I concluded that is was definitely sinusitis and began using The Googles at home curing remedies of draining my sinuses with Water and salt. ..no I didn’t but the thought did cross my mind.

My absolute favourite thing to do on THE GOOGLE is finding recipes. But this requires a great amount of skill because you got to know exactly what you are searching for. My tip is to start with what you have in your fridge…that way you save yourself from driving to the shops. So say you only got Bacon and Broccoli. Well you just type that in THE GOOGLE and look through what comes up. You will find stir -fry bacon and broccoli to creamy bacon and broccoli casserole. Now what I am about to tell you next is absolutely crucial in succeeding with hunting for recipe…..You must add THE BEST to the beginning of your recipe. So type “THE BEST BACON AND BROCOLLI SALAD!” That puts you in a whole new playing field. Once you have gone through the best of the best Bacon and broccoli salads…..you simply print it and call your self SHEFF Ala Kanya!

Whenever I can’t figure out how to do something at work….I head to THE GOOGLE and just say it as it is. “How to mosaic classified images using…!” and BAM I find myself reading through forums of other idiots like myself trying to solve the same problem. It really makes me think…if I got a ridiculous question …..I am positive someone else in this world has asked the same ridiculous question on The Google and some saviour has answered the question on The Google. Although I often think to myself, “who has time to be answering such questions?”

Basically I just wanted to express my excitement for The Google.
..I know its not called THE GOOGLE. Just wanted to clarify that J.

Kanya’s Top 10: You know you live in Craigavon when?

I know some of you will relate to these top 10: You know you live in Craigavon when? But only if you live in the Craigavon Suburb. For those of you who don't live here this will give you and idea of some of the funny situations we go through. With all the little problems..we can only find humour in it all. Enjoy

1. You have large bottles of water stored for the “just in case the water doesn’t come on days.” And you do dishes every night because you get haunted by the time when you didn’t have water for 3 whole days and your dishes began to grow things.
2. Phone signal can only be picked up in certain areas of your apartment.
3. You believe you are the unknown neighbours security guard because you back door looks over their large house. And you are still trying to figure out what exactly they do to live in such a house because they never leave.
4. You get concerned when there is a different beggar at your regular intersection.
5. Purchasing sunglasses and phone chargers on Witkoppen or William nicol is a quite a bargain.
6. You grocery shop on Thursday and Friday nights because you know on Saturday Morning between 10am and 2pm…cedar avenue is way to stressful for your weekend. But you can deal with it during the week.
7. You have a gym membership but only use it to go shower when the water stops flowing.
8. You get disappointed when the billboard has changed from a pretty lady advertising a drink, to a pink Vanish advertisement selling stain remover. Its like contamination of your visual space….could the bottle get any pinker.
9. You can’t wait for the rainy season because paying R60 a week for a car wash is starting to affect your budget.
10. You wouldn’t be caught dead walking to Fourways mall which is less than 2km away but you will run around your block 4 times to get your exercise.
    
    And here is the bonus one:
11. 11. You have a “lights out radar” when you drive home. If you are driving on your way home for dinner and the lights are out at Cedar Square you can guarantee you don’t have electricity. You are able to instantly strategise where to find your next meal.

Have your cake and eat it too..Lies!

After a hectic weekend of craving cake, I could not resist an invite, from Marcia, to a treat at Isebella's bakery/restaurant (Pretoria).

Marcia had warned me about the cakes from this shop and she was so right, this was not your average piece of cake. It was beautiful, it even smelt good, just sitting ther on my plate. As I sunk my teeth into the Turkish delight cake I could feel all my female sense come to life. Woooooooooo...... HELLO WORLD. The icing was rich with flavour, with hints of Turkish delight pieces hidden within it. I hadn’t tasted anything like it before. The moisture and texture oozed with perfection. I savoured each bite like a kid trying not to suck on a sweet for too long…just so it wouldn’t finish too quick. It was indeed a taste of heaven.

Two hours and 3 cups of earl grey tea later, it dawned on us that we were not young anymore….we couldn’t have our cake and eat it too…we were getting to the age where we have to pay the price of eating cake L. The older we were getting the more the cakes were staying with us.…. On the hips and thighs. Marcia and I laughed at how when we were in high school we would eat 6 slices of bread minimum….. and we would still be skinny and hungry. Gone are the days … Soo gone

The A-Team Premier

Date: 12th August 2010
Location: Nu Metro cinema complex at Montecasino, JHB,
Highlights: Two members of the A-Team crew: Mad Murdoch played by Sharlto Copley (from District 9) and Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson(from Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Title Holder).

Being invited to the A-team Premier was just the right medicine I needed for my very sick day last week Thursday. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to get up close and personal with the rich and famous. Going to events like these is like going to the Zoo for me. I observe every creature...how they interact with each other, moved, talked or eat.

I got waves of nerves when we arrived at the venue and saw a huge red carpet crowded around with people. I was here to observe…not to be observed. But I daydreamed about walking on it. There we would be Avon and I holding hands pretending to be famous and walking with such confidence. The next thing you know a random reporter would whisper to the next “Um who are they?” other reporter: “Maybe they are in the movie too”…..Since no one had watched the movie yet everyone would just start taking photos just because the majority were doing it. I could just see myself waving gracefully …ha ha ha ha. Then I would walk up to a random person and sign their note pad as if they wanted my autograph. Qwa Qwa Qwa.

My daydream ended abruptly when we got handed our PRESS PASSES and then got scurried around the back of the crowds towards the stage. Well I guess a press pass is better than nothing. By this time Sharlto Copley who was playing Captain Murdok and Quinton who was playing Mr T were now on stage chatting about the movie. We were not in a great position to take pictures. But all I could think about was if I didn’t get a picture no one would understand my experience. Plus I had to earn my PRESS PASS.. you know what I mean. (Just working on them acting skills)

The A-Team movie was packed with action. But I must admit the fact that we had actually just seen the characters before we got into the movies made the movie even more ‘real.’ There was loads and loads of action, with a hint of romance and comedy, which is just the kind of movie I can sit through.

What really made my night was the premier after party. There were cameras and lights everywhere; waiters were walking around with free food and drinks. Avon and I were approached by a TV crew asking if we would like to share our views. I didn’t even know who they were filming for but I was so in. THIS WAS MY MOMENT. I was going to have a say on TV, a voice or a smile or something, who cares for WHAT J. The interview was going fine till they started asking me specific questions like “What did you think about Sharlto Copley!” You can’t do that to a dyslexic chick …names and me don’t mix. As soon as you ask me a name of someone I don’t know personally you can forget me relating to that question!” Unless he was Nelson Mandela, Mugabe, Oliver Mutukuzi. These are brothers I know. Sharlto rings no bell to my brain…maybe VICUS would but SHARLTO. I haven’t called him, watched him (WHEN HIS NAME IS CALLED SHARLTO). Maybe if I had watched him on a TV interview where a guy would say “Tonight we have Sharlto Copley in studio” Then he would walk in and only then would my brain click “ Hey ain’t that the guy from District 9….VICUS” But nooooooooo…… I have never had a moment like that.
So I smiled and gave a gentle turn to Avon with a look like “Baby you answer the question!” and AVON SAVED THE NIGHT J.

When I actually did meet Sharlto Copley for a picture, I wrapped my hand around his back and just thought damb if only he knew I didn’t know his name 5 minutes ago. I felt sooo bad. I mean I was like the reporter in my daydream…..the one that took pictures of others just because everyone else was taking pictures. That felt terrible. I watched him as he signed autographs and thought gosh was this what it was like being famous. I mean the interactions between him and the fans were not anything to write home about. How would I feel if everyone were to be handing me pieces of cardboard just for me to put a little scribble? Don’t get me wrong … the guy was very friendly and so down to earth. It all just made me wonder how would he feel when he gets to his hotel room having met thousands of people but having not connected really with anyone of them. Did it really matter?

When I met Mr T I was so nervous. He was just so massive and yet so soft spoken. He knew Avon form the interviews before the show so he was cool to get a picture with us. Man I love my Husbands job J.

The whole experience made me think about being an actress/actor. The industry felt so near when you stood with the actors, yet at the same time so far when you watch the movies. I am sure that the fact that Sharlto Copley is South African made the dream “to be big” feel possible for many of us. But where is the substance in such an industry???? Do we really appreciate famous people for their accomplishments or is it because everyone knows them so we should know them? I really wonder sometimes.
Stay tuned for more adventures

"Umm....Sorry Where Do I know You From?"

I am sure we have all had these moments where you have absolutely no clue where in the world you know the person who just greeted you. You stand there thinking heck should I play along coz clearly this person seems to know me well…..or do I just point blank say “Sorry Where Do I Know You From.”

Well there I was standing in the long Woolworths que (line up) in my boxing gym clothes holding my groceries in my hand. Avon and I had come to Woolworths in two separate cars and I realised I had forgotten to buy something so went back and Avon headed home.

Setting the Scene: Now for those of you who don’t know Woolworths … it is the upper class kind of grocery shop of South Africa…almost like a Sobeys in Canada but even more unique. The prices are high the food is top notch quality the veggies are crisp. Man woollies is the place to shop when you got cash. Avon and I usually only go to woollies for something specific or something special. Like if we were having guests over and we wanted some quality dessert…..Woolies is the spot… like the Nandos commercial says….. “Only the best for AmaVisitors!” lol

If you look at the people that shop at woollies they tend to be people who can spend that extra amount for quality. In my 7pm shopping experiences at Cedar Square…I tend to see single coporate people shopping there like the bachelor or the sofiticated lady that isn’t got time to cook. You also see the tourists there. I have also noticed that it also seems to be the pick up spot for single people. In my past 2 woolies experiences I have been hit on twice. So for me I try to make my woollies experiences short…as much as I love the store……I got to worry about over spending and being attacked by old bachelors or even married men which is just sick!

So back to my story: There I am standing in my sweaty boxing cloths holding the last few bits of our shopping items and just resisting to buy sweets….The next thing you know some guy just shouts “HEY Kanya!” and waves at me like he seriously knows me. I turned, I looked, I paused, I think “DAM I have no idea who this guy is” …..My mind goes into photogenic mode thinking of all the people I knew that could fit his description. Maybe he was someone From Zimbabwe, Swaziland…Work???? Shucks my pause time was running short and I could feel the silence from the sophisticated people around me….who are already sensing that I have no idea who he is.

Then I just say to myself… Screw it Kanya…what have you got to loose. So I say it “Ummmm, Sorry Where Do I know You From?” My heart starts racing and I am worried that he will be like “You got to be kidding me!” But the guy starts laughing and says….Don’t worry you don’t know me.. I went to school with Avon. I just saw your husband and he told me to play a prank on you. I got a huge sense of relief and just started laughing and enjoyed a decent conversation with an almost perfect stranger.