How do you wish?

Do you wish upon a star, do you wait for the clock to read 11:11 and then wish upon the time, do you hold your breath through tunnels silently repeating your wish over and over until you are through, do you pick a dandelion and scatter the seeds with your wish into the breeze, or do you (like me) do all of these things as often as possible?

I've always been a "wisher" and a firm believer in never telling anyone what I've wished for, especially over birthday candles. Those wishes only happen once a year, they are extra special. Never mind the fact that none of my wishes have actually come true, I still make them and I still believe that they are out there somewhere figuring out how to come back and make all my dreams come true. They're just waiting for the right time, I mean to come true right after I wished for them would be a little too obvious don't your think? Wishes have to be more subtle than that.

I'm not sure what got me thinking about wishes today, but I keep finding little ways to make them and if I could share them with you I would. But I can't, otherwise they will know and they'll never come true.

On being Awesome

Something I've had for a while now, started with good friend Stephanie, is my "I'm Awesome List." The theory behind this is simple, it's a list of all the reasons for which I am Awesome. For some reason it's easier to believe the negative words that are hurled at us either from ourselves, others, or even the media. So anytime I actually start believing those things I can reference my "Awesome List" and remind myself of all the good things I bring to the table.
Last week during my "adult" contemporary class (adult in quotation marks because all the people in class that day were high school age) I stopped to have a chat with my students about confidence and self-esteem. The dance we were doing required a certain level of badassness and ferociousness; I could tell these girls were a little scared of what I was asking of them so I took myself back to what if felt like being me at that age and realized what I was asking them to do was bigger than just dancing. I told them all about my theory on creating an "Awesome List" and told them they should all create one. We danced for a little longer and then I let them go. This week they were noticeably better at the dance, part of this can be contributed to being more familiar to the music but I could tell it was more that that. So I checked in with them, and sure enough almost all of them had gone home to create a "reasons why I'm Awesome" list. I was so proud and inspired.

I was inspired to revisit my Awesome list, to recreate one for myself soooo.....Here it is for you, my friends, my Awesome List

I'm Awesome Because...

• I dance
• I have blue eyes
• I have cute feet
• I love to read
• I'm easily entertained
• I'm funny
• My laugh
• My ability to enjoy a nap
• I have lots of cute shoes that I can walk in (most of the time)
• I have strong legs
• I have curly/wavy hair
• I love to love
• I'm forgiving
• I'm loyal
• I love brownies and cake and cookies
• I love to eat sushi even the raw stuff
• I enjoy music
• I like to write
• I have a crown tattoo
• I knit
• I like to craft
• I love camping
• My daydreams are awesome
• My cats are cute (how does that NOT make me awesome?)
• I give good hugs

Hmmm....that's where I'm at for now. As you can see anything goes on an "I'm Awesome List" add anything you'd like that you like about yourself. Now go...Go make one for yourself.

Sell Out

I don't have a DVR (or cable), so at night when I get home and I want to unwind I am at the mercy of live television. Or I suppose I could watch one of my movies but I try to reserve those for the weekends when there is absolutely nothing on T.V. Tuesday nights are bleak nights of entertainment for me, I don't get home until after 9pm which also limits what I can watch. There is a new(ish) show on NBC called Fashion Star and it's not that great but I watch it every week because it's either that or Dancing with the Stars and since I am anti that show I really only have one choice.
I feel like the only purpose for this show is to boost consumer consumption. It's like one long advertisement to buy clothes at either Macy's, Saks, or H&M. Unlike the show Project Runway where the focus is on the designers and their journey the focus on FS is on the buying of these items. Each "bought" item is available for sale online immediately following the show and in stores the next day. I checked it out sometime last week to see what they were selling for....it was not cheap. It was not even reasonable. Granted, my range of what I consider a "reasonable" price range is super low but even so...these prices were HIGH. And they were sold out. SOLD. OUT. NBC is doing their part to boost the economy one piece of fashion at a time.

Cute skirt right?
cost: $350!

Like a Proud Mama

Falcon Fever Dance Team

Moving back to Kennewick nine months ago was not the easiest choice to make. I felt at the time it was what I needed to do so I went through with it; over and over again I am shown that not only was it what I needed to do but that it was the best possible choice to make. There are so many things in my life right now that I couldn't have gotten any place else.

This weekend those girls up there in that picture, those beautiful girls, danced their hearts out and I was so very very proud to be a part of it. I ran the gamut of emotions during competition but the one that never left me was pride. And because the season is now over I do not feel bad sharing the videos of them dancing. (links to the dances are at the bottom with the times.)

On a side note, I fell down the stairs. I have a huge scrape down my shin which will surely turn into a gigantic bruise as well since it's tender basically from knee to ankle. Luckily only a couple hundred people were around to bear witness. Moments like that are why I don't feel guilty at all when I laugh at other people falling, I have given the world more than my fair share of "point and laugh at her" moments.



Kick Routine - They start at 3:27:00. They were given third place for this routine. I believe however that they deserved first, not because third is bad but because I truly feel they out-danced and out-performed their competition. We'll come back and get 'em next year!

Jazz/Lyrical Routine - Starts at about :44 minutes. This is where the magic happens, after watching it I think you'll agree that the judges should've come up with something higher than first place to award them.

These shoes weren't made for walkin'

Here is a story about something that sounded like a good idea but turned out to be a very, very bad idea...

Today I woke up, looked outside and on the ground was....wait for it....snow. Yup, March 22nd and snow was on the ground. I wanted to write a letter to Mother Nature reminding her that snow is decidedly "winter weather" and since Spring has officially begun the use of snow is no longer appropriate but I don't have her address. So instead I decided to revolt by getting myself nice and bronzed in a mystic tanning booth. I prepped my skin, got it all exfoliated then refused to put on an ounce of lotion and headed to practice an hour early so I would have plenty of time just in case there were others out there feeling the same way as I and there was a long wait. As it turns out, there was not a wait, no paperwork to fill out, I got in - got out and had a lot of time to fill.
By this time the weather (which has obvious problems with bi-polar disorder) was in the mid 50's, no wind and sunny. I figured that since I had time to spare I would walk the rest of the way out to the high school; I would spend my time getting some (light) exercise and soak in some extra sun along the way. Win-Win right? Wrong. Here is what I failed to take into account, or more accurately, took into account but promptly dismissed because I figured "how bad could it really be?": New shoes. Not tennis shoes, not even any shoes with socks, but these shoes --

Ooooh they're so Cute and I lurve them.

I also underestimated how far I was from the school, I knew that these were not the shoes to be walking in for very long but I thought...really how far could I be? TWO miles, I was two miles away. By the time I made it to practice I had eight, that's right EIGHT blisters on my feet. One of which was red, do you want to know why? You guessed it...blood.
Now, here I am at the end of the night, and the end of my story, feet slathered in neosporin and covered with band-aids, wishing I could go back to this morning when I decided those shoes were the right choice for today. Wishing for the chance instead to put on a cushy pair of socks inside a cushy pair of tennis shoes.

I'd purr if I could

My plan for today was to walk to the grocery store but when I woke up it was drizzly and grey outside and my house seemed to say "stay inside, there is nothing you need so badly as to leave me today." My house was right, I did not really NEED anything out in that cold grey world so instead I've stayed inside and read, plus I also took a long hot shower. I'll have to leave in a few hours to go teach dance but by then my house will probably need a break from me anyhow. 

Days like this serve as reinforcement to my belief that I possibly would make a better cat than human. I'm an expert at taking naps, I love cuddling while taking said naps or just for general cuddles, I am temperamental but loyal to those who take care of me, I love snacks and treats throughout the day either before a nap or as a reward to a good nap or night of sleep, and I am particularly fond of patches of sunlight. 

I like games

I got tagged by sister Gina, and even though I know I don't HAVE to do it, I like things like this. So here it goes...

Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules.

2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.

3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.

Channeling my inner Rock Star

1. I have to fall asleep watching T.V. If there isn't something on to distract my mind I'll lay in bed forever with my mind reeling.

2. I hate beets and cooked carrots. All other foods I like, even raw fish on sushi (YUM!)

3. Sometimes when I'm supposed to be getting ready or cleaning I get distracted when a good song comes on and I find myself dancing around instead of doing what I should be.

4. It makes my eyes bleed when people use "you're" and "your" incorrectly (along with all the other misspellings out there). This is happening more and more on the internet...on posters and pictures and random sites and I wish I could anonymously contact them and tell them that what they're (not "their") saying is nonsense.

5. About one day a week I need an entire day at home in my house doing nothing. It makes me feel ready to do all the other things I do.

6. I used to say I would never ever have pets. Never. And now I have two cats.

7. I am very easily entertained, so if I find something boring it probably means it is SUPER boring. 

8. I have a difficult time making decisions. The smaller the decision the more difficult it is for me to make.

9. It's really hard for me to get rid of things. Clothes, papers, shoes...anything. I hold on to things and when I try to get rid of something I wind up thinking "but what if I need/want this someday but I've gotten rid of it?" That thought terrifies me so the things get put back away.

10. I like having my fingernails painted. It makes me feel fancy. But I'm not good about removing the polish once it starts to chip which looks the opposite of fancy.

11. I don't like wearing shorts, even when it's 100 degrees outside. I'm making it a goal for this summer to try to make myself wear shorts in public, to force myself to get over it.

1.What is your favorite day of the week?

Monday. I know most people hate Mondays but I get to go to practice and teach contemporary so I love it!

2.If you could pick an actress to play you in a movie of your life who would it be?

Reese Witherspoon. I think she's cute and funny and not super hollywood-y. She seems pretty down to earth with a little quirkiness.  

3.What did you want to be when you were a child? (ex. I wanted to be a power ranger when I grew up)

I always wanted to be a teacher, but I think I also probably wanted to be a movie star a little bit.

4. What is your favorite book and why?

This is too hard for me to answer. I have too many favorites for lots of reasons. But I think I'll go with the "Harry Potter" series as a whole. I never get tired of them, not only are they a good story but they have a lot of good lessons about life and friendship in there too. They always warm my heart and make me cry.

6.Would you rather have your flight delayed or lose your luggage?

Flight delayed. Having a delayed flight is just more time to sit and read which is what I'd probably be doing anywhere. Lost luggage means lost things...things I'm attached to. I would hate that.

7.What celebrity do you want to meet most?

Tori Amos. I've always wanted to meet her and yet I'm afraid that if I actually did I would just stand there staring at her dumbfounded. I've had dreams about meeting her, becoming friends with her and they were awesome. OR If Adam Levine would like to dump his model girlfriend and marry  me I would dump Tori and pick him instead.

8.What is your favorite tv show?

Like I said before, I am easily entertained so this is a long list of "favorites": 30 Rock, Modern Family, Cougar Town, Parks and Rec, and then of course....So You Think You Can Dance!!!!

9.What’s one thing from your bucket list that you want to do next?

I don't have a long bucket list. I think I decided on trying to go to the Gorge to see a concert...not very exciting? Fine, another thing on my list is sky diving but that's expensive so if someone wants to sponsor my bucket list I'm ready.

10.Who is your hero?

I've said I'm not good at making decisions right? So you're prepared for another list of people where only one was asked for? Good. I'll start with my Grandpa and Papa, they were/are generous and kind, loving, forgiving, and made/make my family stronger. Which leads me into the rest of my family...there are things I admire and strive to be in every member of my family. I want to be like them when I grow up.

11.If you had the chance to go back to high school, Would you?

Oh hell to the no! Sometimes I have nightmares that I'm back in high school and they terrify me. I had a good time in high school but I've learned a lot since then and would never want to go back! 

I'll tag the people who I know read this who I would also like to learn some things about...Shannon and Rachael. But....if you read this and want to do it then TAG you're it too...just leave me a comment that you played so I can read what you wrote! I like learning things about people.