Impressions of the Eurodance Beachparty

What happens when you give your camera to a 10-year old longboard gal? She's shooting some impressive pictures of longboards at the beachparty the night before the very first European Longboard Dance Contest. Yes, it is the first one ever!!! :)  It's all happening in Berlin sponsored by Funky Summer and I'm super glad to be here to watch, taking pictures, help and just enjoy the longboard community. 

I'll post about the big Contest this weekend, so stay tuned :)

And if you're also happen to be in Berlin, come and join us! 

We'll be at Landsberger Allee, Berlin.

Love, xo

Meanwhile: Read my longboard story and enjoy the few summer days left ;-)

Nature x Longboard x Me-Time

This saturday I really felt like being alone for a bit. What to do best in this summer heat? Get out, hop on your longboard, bike or whatsoever, go for a tour and swim in a lake, all by yourself! Yes you've heard me!

For me being alone does not mean being lonely. These are two different words and also different meanings. Sometimes I like being alone to just enjoy myself, to do stuff for myself and being just me, my thoughts and my dreams. Nobody to influence or to talk to. Often I tend to ask people to do stuff and then if they are not 100 % into it, I have to wait and wait.. and nothing happens. So better, I just go by myself and do not have to wait for others. If you really want to do something, just do it. Do not wait for others!

Additionaly ask yourself: Are you able to take yourself as you are? Are you able to spend time by yourself and just do stuff you and not others like? I feel like a lot of people cannot stand the idea of being alone because they will feel lonely then. In my opinion I think that those people are too dependent on others because what I've learned so far is that you cannot be dependent on others because they might be gone soon. Be dependent on YOU. The only best friend will be YOU, forever. 

My friends do get that, so whenever I need some downtime to focus and to get back to the present I'd call it: Me-Time. People surrounding you should always understand that.

I've decided to go to Schlachtensee Berlin, to again, get out of the city! It is so beautiful to get up early and to be in nature then. The air will smell and feel fresh, there are not as much people around and the water is still cold from the night before. I didn't take the train to the lake, instead I got off 8 km ahead, rode that route to the forest, walked through the woods and then swam for a bit. You do not want to imagine how much sweat my body perspired! After the 8 km and a 30 minute walk I've reached some water and got myself comfy at a waterfront. 

Greens and water everywhere!

My mind-tip: Do not say 'yes' to others by saying 'no' to yourself, believe me you're worth it and no, it's not egoistic. And yes, JUST DO IT!

Beat the summer heat x let's skate

What to do when the thermometer shows 38°C (100°F) and you still want to stay active? Get out of the house and get your butt moving! In the heat? How? Spend some time in nature, go hiking in a forest, it will cool you down or go to a lake and swim a bit. When you're an early bird, get up before work and go for a run.

Working from Monday to Fridays I'm always longing for some get-aways over the weekend. Sometimes I just want to get out of the city and see some trees! A bit of nature, a bit of fresh air to rejuvenate my mind and soul. What did I do this weekend? Well, I met up with some friends, took a train to a station close to a lake and then we rode 8 km to the swim spot. Riding my longboard on big and empty streets is so much fun although the sun is burning on my skin, but there's nothing better than feeling some freedom! After a good ride I'm always feeling superduperüberamazing, haha. It's like: Rolling, swimming, yoga, sports, sun bathing, eating healthily, rolling, swimming, yoga, sports, sun bathing, eating fresh and repeaaaaaat!!! :)

The other day we also went up to the Berlin Teufelsberg and it was just nice to have an overview of the city and being on top of it. I love being out in nature, it's a nice contrast of working in front of the computer all day. You can suck in some fresh energy and just enjoy the present moment of it. No rush, no hectic, no electronics, just being here and now.

Yes, I am enjoying Berlin a lot!!! :)
Hope you guys can get some fresh air and enjoy the summer as well ;-)

xx

P.S.: Here are 12 tips from health.com to stay active when it's too hot to workout, try them! Next time I'll try to take some pictures of the road, the lake and will show some nice spots of Berlin to have your city-get-aways ;-)

Vogue Netherlands May '13: A longboard story

Model: Anne-Marie van Dijk in Vogue Netherlands May 2013, Photographer: Anne Menke

How would you incorporate a longboard into a high-fashion editorial?

Just shoot a model who rides a longboard, put some designer clothes on her and let it print in the Vogue Netherlands May 2013! Sounds fun, huh? I'm sure it definitely was! Look at the pictures, I can imagine these guys had tons of it shooting this. In my opinion the photgrapher did a great job and the female model just looks super cool with the board. The outfits with the prints and colours make it more exciting. These looks don't look too boyish, still fashionable and I suppose it is possible to ride a longboard in these clothes. I love this editorial by mixing up one of my favorite hobbies with another passion of mine: Fashion x Longboarding.

My favorite pictures are: the one above, orange colours go well with the blonde hair and her pants are great! The third one below with the black oversize sweater and the green/blue pants- doesn't it look super independent, cool, stylish and like: 'You know what? I don't care what you think!' Love it! And the one with the olive green jacket is nice, as well. Oh my, I really need sweaters like these to longboard, especially when it gets cooler at night.

My longboard story: Gold x green

Look at this perfection of a longboard. Yes, this is it! Gold to green to the fullest!

Long story: I was sick, became a bit depressed, life was monotonous and I was longing for something which sparks my eye. Do you know what I mean by saying: the glowing in your eyes? I've missed that!

Until the next day, it was like someone heard my call: I met a girl on a longboard. I was like: WHAT IS THAT? CAN YOU TEACH ME?!!! That was a month ago and since then it became one of my passions. The moment I was standing on my friend's board I felt: Freedom. My second thought was: Dedication. I felt free, energized, motivated, so childish, yet very very happy.

I had and still have fear, but I know I have to overcome it. Doubts came up and my mind was telling me things like: 'You need time for it. Do you really want it? Aren't you too old for this? Maybe it's just a phase.' Furthermore it wasn't only my mind, it was also people who surrounded me. They were like: 'Honey, we've all had our skater-girl phase, get over it.' I wasn't sure. I borrowed one for a month and have to say: I used it often. 

Time passed and I've made a decision: The fun and the kick is worth more than anything else as long as you're happy! Hell yeah! I don't give a f***! I want to prove myself that you're never too old to start or learn something new. Listen to your gut more and just do what you love and love what you do! Decisions are no decisions without execution. Today was the day: A Loaded Dervish Sama board, golden Bear trucks and green ABEC 11 wheels. An investment for the next couple of years, hopefully for a lifetime. 

Longboards are bigger than skateboards and are used for many disciplines: downhill, dancing, cruising, slalom riding and transport. Surfers tried to invent something for times when there weren't good waves to surf on. So, why not surfing the streets? The result: Longboards and skateboards. It has been always a dream for me to learn how to surf. I am fascinated of being in the middle of nature and flowing in between waves. Since it is a bit difficult to try it out in Germany, I thought: Well, longboarding just popped up. Give it a try and you'll gain some experience in actually standing on a board.

The moment I stood on mine I was one of the luckiest girl on earth or at least Berlin! The feeling of freedom is still intense and this new hobby widenend my perspective once more. I love changes and I love life! Yes, sometimes I want to be a kid again! :)

Many thanks to Funky Summer Berlin. These guys really know what they're doing and selling! Since 1999 they are trying to establish the longboard sport in Germany and spread out the word. They were super friendly, open-hearted and they really took their time to give me advise. I ended up being there for two hours and testing some boards. I'll definitely return and try out their dance class! I might join them on a longboard tour which they offer every Tuesday night (Cruiser Day). The owner Franky (above) said something beautiful: Longboarding is somekind of meditation for me, of being calm with your mind, body and totally focused on the streets.

Oh and girls can surf and skate, too ;-) 

Mind Body Green has an exercise to get rid of fear and trusting the universe

and TinyBuddha gives some advice for overcoming the fear of taking risks.

STAY FEARLESS AND JUST DO IT

NOW!

M