Back In The Saddle

I got back into teaching today. Like, REAL teaching. Not shepherding/policing bratty little kids who are too young to care about dance. No, I'm talking serious teaching--actual training. And you know what? It felt good.

It's been a long time since I've taught a a class full of dancers who are motivated and focused. I lost sight of why I love to teach. So, I took a much-needed break from teaching dance. That is, until tonight when I subbed a couple classes for my friend.

I admit, I was a little nervous about it. But once the class got rollin, it felt just like old times. The good old times, not the bad old times. I think the students enjoyed the class too. They stayed with me and were sweating at the end (a sure sign they were working hard!).

I'm relieved about all this because I start teaching private lessons tomorrow. I've also had a few job offers for the fall too. It's good to be back into the teaching swing of things again. Someday I'll fill you in on why teaching is important to me, but that is for another post.

(I used to teach cute little nuggets like these girls and loved it.)

Live Performance Thrills Me And I'll Tell You Why

Whether you're watching someone perform what they love to do, or you are the actual performer, you are sucked into this new, thrilling dimension.

To be completely encompassed, totally focused and zoned-in on what you are doing--what you are creating--is a powerful feeling known only to those who have put their whole soul into creating art.

( The Passion of Dance - Drew Jacoby)

Although this can be experienced in an intimate setting (like a painter quietly bringing life to a canvas), there is something to be said about performing in front of an audience. I just witnessed a concert where amazing musicians became totally engrossed in their music-making. It was exciting to witness their passion and it was equally exciting to see and feel the audience feed off that passion.

( Fictionist )

That connection between performer/artist and audience member is one of my favorite things about dancing. Giving the viewers (or listeners) a little view inside your soul and sharing with them your passion for your art form--even for a brief moment--is exhilarating and extremely fulfilling for me.

Restless

- When I have no structure, I fall to pieces. Actually, it's more of a blob-like consistency.

- Wedding announcements are eating my life away. I've had nightmares about them... Can I please just move on with my life?........please?

- I watched the pilot episode of Pushing Daises and I think I'm hooked, but I can't tell for sure because I haven't had a moment to watch another episode.

- I feel like I haven't had a moment to watch TV, yet at the end of a day I wonder what the heck I accomplished.

- Theories on why I'm restless include: upcoming wedding (22 days), not exercising like I should, and of course, NOT DANCING.

I think restlessness is among my top 7 most uncomfortable feelings ever. What makes you restless?

OPERATION: Key Lime Pie

Of course, when I was itching to do a post, Blogger decided to have a freak-out.

But once again, all is well in the land of blogging, so let's get on with this post, shall we?

Peter and I have been busy sprucing up the new house we're going to live in once we're married. Actually, he lives there now, so technically I'll be moving in. In the meantime, we're having fun making it OUR HOME.

When we moved in, we were greeted with this lovely sight:

The minute we saw it, we knew the glowing green headache HAD TO GO. Hence, Operation Key Lime Pie was born and quickly became the #1 priority on the to-do list.

There was an extension of the operation--a "secondary mission," if you will, that involved de-grossifying the kitchen as well...

Observe the ugly yellow counter tops clashing with the boring, dull tan walls. ewww...

And so we were off! We taped and primed, painted and repainted like fiends. (We had some helpers too! Shout out to the painting posse!) After painting, we moved stuff around. We hung paintings and pictures, built bookshelves and hooked our electronics up. We really made it ours and are quite pleased with ourselves and the outcome. The transformation is complete!!!

(sorry for the blurry pics... I was in a hurry)

(we hooked our computer up to our TV!)

(even the gross yellow counter tops aren't as gross anymore)

(we love our white board. we glued a sheet of magnetic metal to the back of it so we can hang stuff up! look at us go)

It feels good to have a place of our own. I can't wait until I can actually start living in it! Thanks to everyone who helped out. Come over and we'll make you dinner anytime!

Do You Know The Omelet Man?

Well I do. He's my dad. And he's the best. Look, I'll show you why:

(our mother's day breakfast feast...)

(...with fresh parsley...)

(...brought to you by chef dave!)

Thanks, pops!

Momma Knows Best

Just a bit of the lifetime of knowledge, skills, and love my Mom has given me...

(Instilled within me a love for traveling--This is Venice)

(Supports me in all my ambitions and activities, even when they aren't convenient--This is a last minute trip to NYC so I could audition and dance)

(Put away her ambitions and goals to raise two daughters--Thanks for putting up with us, Mom. It has been no small task...)

(Passed on the wisdom--and style--from generations before. Love you Grams.)

I love my Momma. Thanks for everything.

**side note shout-out to my future mom-in-law, Karen. You've always made me feel included and loved. I can't wait to "officially" join your family. Love you.

Cannot Compute Question

The wedding is close. 39 days, to be exact. Everyone always asks me how wedding plans are coming along. I'm not really sure how to answer that....

"We are working on it."

"Pending."

"Still in progress."

"Not done yet."

How much detail do they want? Do they really care that we are compiling the guest list as we speak, or that we just decided on what flowers to use and what the cake flavors are? Or are they just asking to fill in the awkward silence/conversation gaps?

I have to gage the answer based on the situation: who is asking me, how much time we have to chat, and the way they asked the question. Usually I go with a safe, vague, "The plans are coming along nicely."

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate everyone who cares enough or even remembers to ask about it. I am surrounded by people who love and support me in a humbling way. I just find it amusing that I have such a hard time answering that silly question.

In case you were wondering, things really are falling into place perfectly. All thanks to my detail-oriented mother, supportive father, advising sister, and perfect fiance'. I am a lucky woman.