ZUMBA!

I've received multiple requests for more info on Zumba. I love YouTube, so here's a sampling:














My local friends - take Zumba with me! It'll be a blast!

Tears of Joy!

I have found a new home!

Please allow me to back up a little:

I started dancing at age 10. I fell in love with dancing, and dance was my LIFE until I graduated high school. I danced after high school, but gone were the days of 5 nights a week.

When we moved to New York in 2002; I “auditioned” dance studios. Mostly, kids only in the classes, and they were focused on recital. I became discouraged, fast.

Fast forward to about the past six months where I have NEEDED to dance. Literally, I felt an ache in my body because I wasn’t dancing.

Last night, I checked out The School of the Arts at the National Museum of Dance. I knew other “studios” rented space from the Dance Museum’s dance studios, but I didn’t think the Dance Museum had a teaching studio. (The physical studio space is BREATHTAKING!)

Turns out, School of the Arts is about 2 years old (who knew!). The best part: They WELCOME adults with open arms. In fact, last night, it was mostly adults in the classes. I have found a studio that has Zumba, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Hip Hop where I can dance as an adult “that used to dance”. This school focuses on technique vs. “preparing for performance”. From the studio of my childhood, I learned that nothing can replace solid technique. Jazz class was just that; JAZZ CLASS – not hip hop! I love old school jazz! It’s really like coming home for me.

On my drive home from class, I was tearing up because: I am home! I have found a studio that fits my needs PERFECTLY! Complete tears of joy!

Also, on the drive home I was thinking: HOLY MOLEY I am so out of shape! In my head, I’m still that 16 year old that could dance 5 nights a week for multiple hours a night, run a couple miles in the mornings before school and weight train. Sooooooo….. last night my body was like “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!!”. I haven’t danced AT ALL in 5 years… and last night I did an hour Zumba class and an hour of jazz.... I need to ease into this!

Finally, my birthday is coming (I’m a BIG birthday person). A week ago I decided this year I wanted Amazon.com gift certificates. Now, I’m thinking I want class cards for the School of the Arts OR Amazon.com gift certificates. (oh, ya, I forgot; this studio allows me to drop in and pay per class or buy a class card where the classes are slightly cheaper per class – and the best part, the classes are used as I show up for class – instead of paying for a semester, and if I miss a class or two, I don’t get a refund. This studio is PERFECT! I am soooooooooooo HAPPY!)

Thanks for reading…. I have come home!

Randy Pausch Last Lecture

As, I am sure you have heard, Randy Pausch has passed.

If you have not watched his Last Lecture, carve out an hour of your time, and watch this:




Peace & Many Blessings to you Randy

Reminder To Focus on the Positive

http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/

Peace & Blessings & Focusing on the Positive Aspects of Your Life

Tugging At My Heart Strings

I'm still working on my house and other things.... however, I NEEDED to share this:





Peace & Blessings!

Blog Hiatus

I have been streamlining my house - not just cleaning, or quick organizing. STREAMLINING! Where everything has it's place. I'm about halfway done.

I will return...... once my house is put back together.....

Peace & Blessings!

Corn Rows

(I've been cleaning out old stuff, and have found some old photos. These are too much fun - had to share!)

In 2001 we went to Jamaica with family, and I got my hair cornrowed:





After my hair was cornrowed, it bleached out in the sun. Here's what my hair looked like AFTER I took the cornrows out:


I'm not that blonde anymore!

Peace & Blessings!

Only in Jamaica....

Sparkles!

I pulled this technique from TV Weekly / Forever Diamonds Technique. Of course, the photo doesn't do the card justice! It shimmers and sparkles, and is simply FABULOUS!

Peace & Blessings!

Old Photos

I was going through some old photos recently. Here are a few gems:

Merlin, 4 weeks old

Alison with Merlin (6 months old)

Apollo, 3 Months old



Adam with Apollo (2.5 years old)


Apollo and Merlin (3 years old)

My "boys" are going to be 7 this September! Hard to believe!

Funcycling on Cannon Beach, Oregon!

My brother and sister-in-law flying kites on Cannon Beach

Peace & Blessings!

Cracked me up!

Anniversary!

It’s my Wedding Anniversary today.

8 YEARS!

WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I scraped a photo of Cannon Beach (where we got married) for your viewing pleasure:

If you’ve seen the movie Goonies…. Does this beach look familiar?

I think the funniest part was we just walked out onto the beach and said “Here’s a good spot”. Oh, AND, we are on someone’s vacation video somewhere. Seriously, during the ceremony, some random person videotaped it.

Anyway….

I’ve been married for 8 glorious years to my best friend, the love of my life, my partner in crime!

I love you Adam!

Peace & Blessings!