Dance like no one is watching...

When I was a kid, I loved to dance. I didn't know how to dance, but at the time, I didn't really care.  When I heard a song that I liked, I made the adults sit down on the couch and watch my performance....which consisted of a few leaps, jumps, and sprints from one side of the room to the other.  It was quite comical, as they have loved to tell me even to this day.  And somewhere along the path of growing up, I learned that dancing should be done a certain way, should be contained and left to those who 'know' how to do it.  In some ways, it's sad, because there really is no joy like unrestrained DANCING.  This video, done by Matt Harding, is so inspirational because it shows that people from all over the world know this same joy and that it connects us.  And in a time when the news has a different war story on it everyday, it's important to search for these connections, to know that despite different beliefs, languages and colors, we all have a desire to know joy and love and laughter.  Enjoy....

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Twenty-eight in Review.

I am turning 29 next week, so in the spirit of reflection, here are 28 things I did when I was 28:

1.  Laughed and celebrated with friends.

2.  Changed my hairstyle.  And ate a lot of sushi.

3.  Spent time with family.

   

4.  Went to my first hockey game.

5.  Dressed up for Halloween.

6.  Carved our first Halloween pumpkin.

7.  Got engaged!

8.  Went to the zoo.

9.  Held a Sushi-making party.

10.  Listened to some amazing refined music.

11.  Goofed around.

12.  Attended my first black-tie wedding & spent quality time with my new family.

13.  Got "Maui'ed."

  

14.  Got "mugged" by a humpback whale.  It was heart-stopping & beautiful.

15.  Jumped into a canyon with only a helmet and a cable to support me.

16.  Lost my sanity.  Adopted Sadie that same day.  Coincidence?  

17.  Had a wonderful visit with my Georgia family.

18.  Golfed.

    

19.  Hiked to a waterfall.

20.  Bought a hammock.

 

21.  Went on some great dates.

 

22.  Slept.  A lot. 

23.  Went to a John Mayer concert.

24.  Changed my hairstyle again.

25.  Went to a Dodger's game.

26.  Danced. 

27.  Reflected on the past.

28.  Looked forward to the future.

What a year!

Puzzle me this?

Rich and I have been spending our evenings putting together a puzzle. Kind of strange for twenty something year olds, isn't it? I'm the one who bought it, and I think Rich is indulging me by participating, but nevertheless it's methodical and therefore comforting. Who knew? We're almost done with it--so maybe we'll move on to Bingo or Shuffleboard next! :)

Friendship

Saundra came to visit me this week. We drove from Phoenix to San Diego to visit Alice over the weekend. The three of us have been friends for four years, and even though that may not seem like too long, it is amazing how much we have gone through in that short period.

Here is a photo from our training class in July 2004:


And here is one from this weekend:


The obvious change is a new face: Emily! She's now two and a half, and a sweet, beautiful little girl. The rest of the changes can't be seen in our photo. So much has happened in these four short years, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for all of us.

As for this trip, some highlights:
*Box seats at the Dodgers game, complete with a view of Larry King Live. Really, as in he was "live," five seats away from us! Alice is pinching him in this photo:

*A late night chat that was wonderful and soul-soothing
*A delicious breakfast at the Pancake House and a yummy homemade gumbo dinner by Alice
*A detour to Mexico by Saundra and me, or so the border official told us, as seen below:

*Some fun photo opps, like this one:


Overall, it was a great reunion trip. I wish we lived in the same part of the country, but until then, we'll have to keep up on our little visits!

Today I am thankful for....

* the little love note that Rich left for me in our pile of mail
* the ability to play the piano, and how much of a stress-relief it is
* text messages
* patient people, especially when I am driving
* Rich letting Sadie sleep with us for the first time last night!
* Sadie not getting sick after she ate a mushroom from our backyard this morning
* my manager, who makes Ride-Alongs actually fun
* chocolate-covered, peanut-butter-filled pretzels from Trader Joe's that are only 35 calories each
* my mom calling me all the time. She's in Alaska right now, so I miss that!

I'm a student again...

I've enrolled in two classes (Microbiology and Anatomy & Physiology) that are pre-requisites to Nursing School. They are actually online courses, the first I've ever taken, and I have to say that I like the format. I was reluctant to take an online class, but it's been a week, and despite a few setbacks I'm impressed.

A few highlights from my first week....

*Studying for 3 hours so I could take my first quiz and then my computer freezing on the second question.

*Listening to the Tech Support guy tell me that this is a common glitch with their Mac users. Would have been a good piece of information before the quiz.

*The "How to use a Microscope" DVD that came with the class. You sit and watch a video of someone looking into a microscope. I think it's akin to when I watch the exercise shows on FIT-TV and never get off my couch. Not very effective.

*The "virtual cadaver" CD Rom where you use your mouse to "dissect" open the body parts. No smelly lab. Yay technology!

And finally...

*Feeling so excited to be learning something again. I've missed it. I would be a life long student if I could afford it. But this will do in the meantime.

Okay, I'm off to go study some more.