Work

Sometimes my job is fun. Like building this gem on a sunday morning.

Oy

I started back up on working out after the concussion this week. Didn't really do a slow progression. It's not really my thing. I did 5 miles on day one. 15 miles on day two. And 21 miles today. All of this on the bike. I must say, however, my bony behind does not take kindly to a bicycle seat for over an hour. I had a difficult time getting off when I had finished. Yikes. I hope to set back up the tredmill this weekend. We took it apart and moved the heavy part downstairs, so now I have to put it back together. Then I'll start running again.

We had Ray in town last night. It was the first time in over a year that something wasn't wrong with me while we had our coaching. Usually something is really hurting or I have a concussion or I haven't slept. So I was more than overjoyed that everything was good yesterday. We had a good lesson. We are prepping to compete in January in two styles, not the four we were originally planning on, because Ray has decided to change all of our Standard routines. So we have had to start back at square one on all of our Standard. We haven't even touched Latin yet, so we will see how that goes.

Chris and I have joined a small group through our church as well. It meets on Monday nights. I have really enjoyed the fellowship and challenge of this group. I find that I am still missing the amazing bond I had with my Nav study. I am so grateful for that group of women who helped me grow so much and likely nothing will ever compare to that group, but I am grateful for a group of women to talk to and who hold me accountable again.

We are heading for Disney World for our honeymoon in the not too distant future. I am very much looking forward to it. It will be great to go on a real vacation with just the two of us. It is enough time away that I think we will really be able to truly relax and let go of pressure and stress.

We are still working on the house and the kitchen is getting closer to being done. I will post some pictures when it gets all the way there. It is a very good change so far.

Calli is doing much better, she has come to work with me every day this week. Everyone comments on how well behaved she is getting and how much more social. I think the key is to just keep exposing her. The trainer is fantastic and I am looking forward to getting back to that after 3 weeks away due to busy schedules.

I took a little breather after biking and sat in a more cushion-y chair, but I'm ready to get up now. Happy Day to you all.

Random

It's been a long time. But, in my defense, its been busy. I am officially married. Yup, that was weird to type. I have been calling Chris my husband to an excess and not using his name, in hopes that it will start to sink in. I have some bits to talk about.

So yesterday at church, I was doing my normal thing and asking the kids what they have been learning about. And, I discovered the amazing difference in the kids. They are learning their facts. They are learning the bible stories, but the exciting part is that they are starting to really understand who God is and what he is like. That to me, makes my work start to feel worthwhile. They are also now encouraging the adults to bring a bible to church. Sound familiar? I now have a ton of kids who bring theirs every Sunday and perhaps the example of the young is starting to reach the older generation. Lifts my spirit some and helps me to see maybe there is a reason why I am at this church.

My dear sweet husband bought me some new cleaning tools. While that doesn't seem like a good thing, I am apparently much more like my mother than I knew. I love an incredibly clean house, but don't have the desire to do it. So, I had been researching these steam cleaners by shark. There is both a mop one and a sort of smaller multi-purpose one. I used them last night to clean out the dog-nastiness in the lower level. They are amazing! I have never been so excited! I was almost giddy. I know this sounds a tad commerical-ish, but it was so easy and quick. I didn't even have to scrub to clean up stuck on stuff.

On my way home, I heard this song. I love it. It struck a chord with me, made me realize what weight is on my husband's shoulders and how desperately he needs me to stand behind him and support him and pray for him.
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New

It's been a while so I thought I would venture to do an update.

Chris and I spent 46 hours this week painting a mural in the basement of the Methodist church. He was off work and I owe him big time for working like a dog on a week off. But the mural looks good and I am just that much closer to completing the projects I promised I would start here. The other big one should be starting in the fall it is a midweek program. I promised to get one of those up and running, so I will be pleased when it finally hits.

I will be headed to Arkansas on the 29th of August to pick up a car that Chris' mom is giving him and I will be meeting the parents. It is kind of a frightening prospect, but he has already met mine. He actually knew my mom long before he met me and he just met my dad a few weeks ago. Thanks Sir for meeting us and treating us to lunch. But I have never really done the bring her home to meet mom and dad thing before.

In other news, I have now switched to a new instructor at the studio. Tim is expecting his third child now and is feeling too stretched between his wife wanting him to be home and needing to continue to study to keep up with his students, so he has decided to take a break for now. It was a wise decision on his part. Family comes first, but I was sad to see him go and I think he is bummed to not be dancing.

However the move to John will be a very good thing. He has spent a great deal more time lately training and knows a great deal more and I know I will learn a lot from him. Not to mention he is taller than me so I can wear real dance shoes and not have to be as low into my knees. It feels really good to stretch out after years of going so deeply into my knees. But as Ray told me long ago, learning how to dance low into my knees will just make me that much better of a dancers and will put me that much further beyond everyone else.

I think that is about it for now. Sunday School is almost over and I can head home soon. Happy Sunday!

Upcoming

7/5-7/11 - Prepping for VBS. Organizing materials. Begging for more helpers. Creating Emergency Info Sheets for Children. Finishing Decorating Sets.

7/12-7/18 - VBS. 9AM to 12PM. Friend's Wedding in Lafayette on 18th. Anniversary Party at the Studio.

7/19-7/26 - California. Lessons with Ray. San Diego Zoo. Beaches.

7/27 - --- - Prepping for the Fall

That's the basic outline of what is happening with me for the next several weeks. I find I am overwhelmed with the amount of work I need to do and also the enormous elephant in the room. At least I have something to distract me from the work load.

Hectic

Wow. I just realized that I haven't blogged in a long time nor have I read anybody else's blogs. So I did some reading catch up and thought I would explain my absence.

First: I have another showcase coming up. I picked a dance that is without a doubt my weakest in order to challenge myself. My instructor picked choreography that is way way way over my head. So I am busting my butt to try to be ready. Showcase is May 17th. I have a lesson with Ray to prep for the showcase on April 22nd, so I have to get a huge chunk of it done and ready to be critique by then. Yikes. Between Monday and Tuesday, I had spent 7 hours in the studio practicing. I have been dancing at every opportunity possible to further develop technique and skill to get me closer to me end goals.

Second: Easter is coming. It is without a doubt the busiest time in the church. Last weekend for example, I was at the church on Sunday from 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Long day. I had regular church stuff, taught dance at the church for a couple hours, then had to set up and run "The Bunny Hop" for the remainder of the evening.

Third: A very dear friend of mine is in a very bad place right now. I don't really want to disclose too much information on here, but he is not well and my closest friend in the world is his only advocate right now. So I have been trying to help out where I can and stay informed.

Fourth: I have resumed as rigorous of a workout schedule as time will allow again. I am headed to San Diego California in July to spend some time training with Ray Rivers in his own studio and spending some time on the beach. Therefore, I need to get a better beach body and improve my core strength for several concentrated hours of coaching with Ray. I am really really looking forward to this trip, as it will be the first real vacation I have ever taken.

Fifth: VBS is just around the corner. Ok, its in July but the preparations for VBS have already begun. I also have to find teachers for the summer for Sunday School and try to line some up for the Fall. Busy Busy Busy.

Sixth: I am still trying to maintain some sort of a social life and spend as much time with Liskeys and dance friends as possible.

Seventh: Still doing early morning Job which messes up my sleep schedule and means I am sleeping while most people are awake.

Determined

Things on the Determined List:

• Tell John and April I want to teach and ask what I need to do to get there.
• Take more lessons with Ray.
• Practice no less than 4 hours a week in the studio outside of regular groups and private lessons.
• Focus on technique
• Work on Arm styling and Facial Expressions
  
• Do not settle for inadequacy in my dancing
• Watch more dance videos
• Watch and observe instructors during groups and parties to pick up technique
• Read my bible everyday
• Go to church every Saturday
• Stay positive about church job and continue to work as though for the Lord
  
• Stay on top of my laundry
• See Liskeys as much as possible
• Keep house cleaner
• Save as much money as possible for dance
• Lose twenty pounds by July.
• Lose twenty more pounds by December.
• Start eating more vegetables and fruits
• Drink a Nalgene full of water everyday

Checklist

Okay... This is really only for my benefit... I need to do a mental checklist of things I need to get done before the competition weekend.

Church

• Create and Print out new attendance sheets for March 1st
• Find a replacement for myself for March 1st
• Ask Julie if she will replace my Nursery worker for March 1st
• Ice skating outing on the 22nd. (I will not be skating for fear of injury right before the comp)
• Get Kiddie Kamp up-to-date
• Order 1st shipment of bibles
• Get church card paid off so I can buy bibles
• Talk to Pastor Mark about aid for Kindergarten Teacher
• Talk to Pastor Mark about aid for Kiddie Kamp
• Record Attendance for 22nd.
• Record perfect attendance for the month of February
• Select new song for kids to sing during offering
• Change bulletin board for new unit
• Create calendar for month of March
• Call Personal Journeys and Desperate Housewives small groups to remind them I need an attendance count every week.

Personal

• Wash and put away all clothes
• Clean clutter out of bedroom
• Vacuum bedroom
• Get Danno's Birthday Gift

Dance

• Coaching with Ray Rivers on 2/18
• Group lessons with Ray on 2/18 and 2/19
• Lesson with Tim on 2/20
• Final Lesson with Tim 2/24
• Pack for the hotel stay
• Try on dresses again
• Find appropriate undergarments for final selection of dance dresses
• Find a cover up to wear over gowns for the evening
• Decide how to wear my hair for both days of competition
• Pack beautifying stuff (hair, makeup, false eye-lashes)
• Test out putting on fake eye-lashes
• Manicure and Pedicure
• Tan four or five more times
• Chip in my portion for hotel stay
• Charge up Camera
• Pack highlighters for program
• Pack dresses in garment bag
• Pray and try to eliminate my nerves.

Waiting

I feel as though I am waiting for my life to begin. Waiting has often been a common theme in my life. I am working towards the things I want in my life and I am working hard to make it happen. I have taken on a second job to make enough money to continue to learn enough about dance so I can teach someday. I will soon be keeping crazy hours to make sure I can get the money I need, dance, and still be able to spend time with my favorite children in the world. Just FYI, please do not call me before 2PM on Saturdays as this will be my day to catch up on sleep.



So what am I waiting for?



To be "discovered" and asked to teach.

To earn enough money so that I don't have a panic attack every other week.

To perform in my showcase and competition and be able to pay for both events.

To find someone who loves me. Yes, yes, singleness freak-out. But, I spend 90% of my time with people who are older than me and already in the married stage of their lives and I find myself over eager to be "in love".

So, as I have been wasting time looking for comics to match the thoughts, it occurred to me, I am comparing myself to others. The people who I graduated with are either, still in school and thus haven't started "The Real World", or are getting married, or have started their dream career that their schooling prepared them for. I don't fit in any of those scenarios. I guess I am one of those modern kids, who is looking for something beyond ok or normal. I want a job that I absolutely love to do. I want to wake up and be excited to go to work. The job at the church is great, and I do find satisfaction in it, but it isn't the "perfect" job for me. I am not willing to settle on somebody who is less than what God has for me for a mate. I believe God has someone who he created just for me. So, here I am waiting for my life to begin. Trusting that God, who created me with the passions and talents that I have, will bring about an abundant life for me. In the mean time, I do the best I can, to serve, love, live, and be the best I can.

Busy

The past several weeks have been crazy.

I drove into Chicago for the first time in my life on the 19th. I must say, I will always prefer to ride than drive, but at least I know I can do it. The Harvest Moon Ball Competition was that Saturday. I went with a friend of mine. It was a interesting weekend. The professional show was unlike anything I had ever seen. They were the World Latin Showdance Champions. I realize that doesn't mean much to most people, but suffice it to say, they were incredible. I drove home early Sunday morning on only about 2 hours of sleep to get to work at the church. Then went on a hay ride with twenty people as a children's ministry outing. Shortly there after, I crashed for a solid 16 hours.

On the 20th, I realized one of my tires was losing air fast. Mom followed me to a tire place where I was told that my tire was too bald to fix and I would have to have a new one. Bummer. I then asked if all of my tires (besides the one I had fixed at the beginning of the summer) were in the same condition. I was told that they were and that the other two would need to be fixed before winter. This was a scary reality. I consider myself to be paying for college right now while working a full time job. I am paying to learn to dance so I can eventually get a job dancing, so it is similar to paying for college and just about as expensive. So with the showcase coming up, and the competition just around the corner, I was really bummed out. At staff meeting on Thursday, they were asking for prayer requests and I explained my situation. Low and behold, the next day I am told that a good friend of mine pulled some strings that he had and found me an incredible deal for the two tires I needed. I didn't ask him to do this for me. I wouldn't have asked him to do this for me. I was raised to be self-sufficient and that's what I am. But because he has a servant's heart, he found a way to help me out. I am so grateful. So my tires got fixed just before it started icing this weekend.

On Sunday, the 26th, I taught dance for the first time. It was incredible. A local church called me up and asked if I would teach for 6 to 8 weeks on a volunteer basis. I figured it was a step in the right direction to becoming a paid professional. As it turns out, there were several times while I was teaching, that I had an out of body experience, and realized that I was incredibly happy. I was smiling and laughing and enjoying myself. I got excited when the kids understood what I was teaching and was able to duplicate it (something that never occurred while i was student teaching). It was definitely a confirmation for me that I need to teach dance. I can't wait to teach dance. I will do whatever I have to do scrimping and saving in order to continue my training so I can do it.

I am training with Tim for the past several weeks for my showcase on December 7th. We are dancing a Bolero, which is a slow (requiring great control) rhythm dance. I am hopeful he will have a least half of the routine worked out by this Friday so we can start working on nit-picking instead of experimenting with what could work. For those of you who might like to attend, Tickets are on sale now. If you get them before the 14th, they are $25. If you get them after, it is $30. The ticket deadline is the 28th.

New

I haven't been so good at the blog updating. It seems like there is too much and too little happening all at the same time.

I hurt my shoulder, pretty badly about 3 weeks ago. I tore it out of socket. lots. And as most of you know I am way too stubborn to admit defeat and I have only missed one night of dance since the injury. The night that I missed, I ripped it out again. Lesson learned.

I finally went to the Doc today. He was rather impressive. Not overly technical, which is always a plus for me. Plus he was familiar with butterfly without me explaining it and knew that there was more than one variation of swing dancing. Anyway, he informed me that I could still dance all I wanted, just to be careful not to pull it out for another 4 weeks. Then I will be starting some form of physical therapy.

The children's sabbath is this sunday. We have a practice on this saturday. This would be the service where the children are in charge of every job except the sermon and they have a part of that as well. Which means this is the first time I am solely responsible for a huge project. I am trying to not stress about it and leave it in God's hands. After all, He did manange to get all the teachers I have been needing for Sunday School and a new small group I started.

It has been a weird couple of weeks for me socially. There was a guy at "The Ranch" on Sunday who threw me for a loop. A really big loop. And then I experienced on of my dance friends freak out on Monday because of something I was related to. It was weird. I sort of lost my faith in the male population for a few days thanks to both of those guys. Oh well. I woke up this morning really chipper. Maybe because I didn't have to go straight into work?

I have selected my dance for the showcase in December, but I am really struggling with finding a song that I like well enough. I am doing a Rumba and I can hardly wait to learn the choreography, but I have to pick a song before Tim can create the dance. So, I'm working on it.

I have danced everynight since Monday the 1st, including saturday and Sunday. That is without a doubt my longest stint. I love it. I love dancing everyday. It brings such joy and confidence. I will continue on every night until the 12th. Then I will have no place to dance on Saturday and Sunday.

Ray Rivers is here tonight and tomorrow. I am excited for that. His lessons are always amazing. I am a little apprehensive about my shoulder though. The Doc made it hurt quite a bit through his manipulations today. I hope it can hold out through the night.

Well, I am still at work, trying to wait around to meet someone to give them a message, but I am getting impatient. So, I am off to go check and see if they are around. I am busy, busy, busy and that's the way I like it.

Trustees

I went before the Trustees yesterday with a proposal about repainting the downstairs. Not only did they accept my idea, but they also granted me the money to make it happen! Sweet! I feel like a big girl today. I know that Mark went in before hand and made it happen that way, but I'm still okay with that.

Welcome to the Underground Church!

Back

Well, between the stress of the last month, being in a dunk tank on Sunday, and dancing, I have hurt my back. I know, I know, old news right? Nope, it hasn't hurt like this since high school. I took some heavy medication last night to get to sleep and try to relax the pain. It quit working by 3 AM. I was up the rest of the night.

This morning, my concerned mother, who was disgusted at the amount and type of medication I took last night, asked me if I wanted to make an appointment with my doctor today. My totally irrational dancer brain answered, "no way, Ray is in town tonight and tomorrow and I don't want him to tell me I can't go."

So what am I doing to ensure that I can go tonight? I packed my heating pad to take to work. I am leaning on it as I type. I will not move much today or spend any time off of it, other than my education commission meeting. As soon as I am done here. I am going to go rest horizontally at home, until the time comes to go to dance where I can damage myself further and repeat the whole process tomorrow.

Totally irrational, but totally worth it.

Alive

I have resurfaced.... Finally.... I'm starting to feel like a normal human again.

VBS was this past week. Power Lab was the theme. It was science-y, which is right up my alley. 150 Kids. I worked 70 hours the week before. This week I was totally burned out but still managed to work almost a full week. Falling only two hours short. Which I more than made up for the week before. I think the week went really well. But there definitely needs to be some reorganizing of people according to their strengths. And better organizing all the way through. It will be much easier when it is my project from the very beginning.

Tim has been gone for both of those weeks. Dancing with him helps me to unwind, so he was SORELY missed. He was back on Thursday and challenged me like I haven't been challenged in weeks. It was amazing. I love having to think that hard. I love watching him do something and think there is NO WAY I am going to be able to do that, then he continues to challenge me and never slows it down or thoroughly explains it and then I get it. It's an amazing feeling. I can't wait to have a lesson with him next week. Group lesson on Tuesday. Group in Highland on Thursday. Private Lesson on Friday. So exciting.

The guy that I practice with each week and I danced a viennese for the first time at a party. It was scary. I have never successfully danced a viennese with anyone other than Tim at a party. We were both rather exhilarated at the end of it because we not only survived but did pretty well. So much so that we even got compliments from others who were watching. One guy said he was watching our silhouettes and they were perfectly in sync. Which is an incredible feat especially as two students dancing together.

To further clinch how dancing obsessed I am, I bought a book. I had been waiting for this book to come out since January. It came out this month and I have been completely engrossed. It's scary how reminiscent it is of everything I think and feel. It is an autobiography of a ballroom dancer who competed at a champion level back in the 70s. Quit, and then restarted in her forties. It would be totally boring to anyone who does not understand the dancing world or sympathize with what she undergoes in her lessons. I think it is supposed to be geared to being a self help book, but I would say it is very low quality in that respect but to read her experiences dancing is common to all dancers. It's amazing.

The Liskeys are home. At least for another two weeks. I miss them when they are not around. It's hard for me to have a real job right now because I am unable to spend time with them like I used to. I would love to have gone to Michigan to spend time with the kids the week before last, but I just couldn't take the time off. I love being a part of that family. I want to have a home like theirs when I have one of my own. I want an open house in which people feel comfortable being a part of. Amazing. I love them.

Stumble

While prepping for Sunday School for next Sunday, I stumbled across a verse. I love it.

Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

Incredible.

Tuesday

It's Tuesday. I have about 10 more minutes here and then I am off to the Liskeys to babysit while Jack has baseball practice. While I am there I am going to wash my pants because they are drenched with baby formula from my best work buddy, Dan. Then off to the studio for a wonderful Waltz and Cha Cha lesson with Tim. Hooray! All in all, a good day!

Except still no volunteers. :(

Ball

The Crystal Ball is this weekend. I would love to go and watch. I would love to compete. Oh well, Indiana Challenge here I come.

Work is busy and hectic and stressful, but I am learning more everyday.

Dance is great, but I have hurt my foot. I nurse it back to feeling ok, by the time I have dance, but by the time I am done, it hurts even worse. I don't get to dance tomorrow night so it will be a good time to rest it for the dancing marathon on Thursday and Friday.

Desk

The View from MY Desk:

I never thought I would enjoy cubicle life so much. It's great to work sitting down. This is the first job I have ever had in which I was allowed to sit, much less expected to sit. And my back loves it.

I love listening to my music as I am working. That is, when my Hawaiian music loving office mate is not in the office.

After sitting all day, I am totally and completely ready to dance. At Borders, I would usually be tired and ready to get off my feet. But now, despite my soreness from yesterday, I am ready to dance!

I like having an office next to the playground. It lets me watch the kids while I am working and remember why I am doing what I do.

I like that I now have weeded out one file drawer and have it organized in a way that makes sense to me.

I can't wait to hang up my own personal items on my grey cork walls.

People have been really great around here as far as trying to make me feel comfortable and answering any questions that I have.

Showcase Update

Yesterday was amazing. I love dancing and performing. Despite my normal, overly self-critical nature, I thought I did really pretty well. I have caught the bug. Unfortunately that means I have to scrimp and save so I can keep doing it, but it is totally worth it. I definitely want to dance for the rest of my life.

News

I got the job! I am going to call and officially accept it tomorrow! Yay!


Update:

I accepted the job this morning and was scammed by my first insurance company this morning and lost seventy-five dollars in the process. Crap.

Wednesday

Tomorrow is my interview with Staff Parrish. I am really hopeful. I am trying not be nervous. I work tomorrow from 10 to 7. My interview is at 7:30. So it doesn't give me too much time to worry. So that is good.


I practiced tonight in the studio. I am usually petrified of practicing in the studio, but Shawn made me stay so we could practice together. It is much less terrifying to practice with someone else. It would be better if there was a male to actually dance with. But having someone else there is still less scary. I will dance again on Thursday and practice before the group lesson. I am looking forward to the weekend of dancing again.