Life gets busy, right?! I am sure that we all feel, at least sometimes, like there is not enough time in the day, week, or year, and time seems to pass more quickly as you get older. Before you even have time to get the year right on your checks (who writes those?!) and handwritten notes, it's time to change that one number again. Have you ever accidentally written 2003 or some other year and wondered what the hell you are thinking?! Sometimes it seems completely absurd to me that I'm going to turn 30 this year. I'm not scared of 30; I'm actually kind of excited. I hear the 30s are even better than the 20s. And to be honest, a good portion of my 20s really sucked. Upward and onward. Progress not perfection.
As many of you may already know, I have a deep love and true passion for dance. I have always loved to dance. I've probably been dancing since I first learned to walk. I miss it a lot. In some ways, yoga has replaced a portion of my urge to take dance classes. And actually, I think yoga has helped my posture and flexibility much more than dance ever did or could have. But, I still miss taking dance classes, choreographing dances, being a part of something fresh and exciting, and constantly being exposed to new movements. I often find myself creating mini-dances in my apartment as I do chores and wishing that I had the financial capability to take as many dance classes as I would want to each week.
The truth is, and I know this is going to sound horribly cheesy, that I watched a movie this past weekend that totally sparked new life in me. Sometimes I go through periods of time where I don't think about taking dance classes because I have too many other things going on. I lose focus; I become too hard on myself--not being as good as I'd like to be or wishing I had been better all along. Then I'll see a movie with amazing, fun, and exciting dance choreography, and it completely inspires me and refuels my dance fire.
I spent many hours on Saturday and Sunday looking for interesting dance classes for adults. There are so few dance classes for adults, and as I get older (now approaching 30, as I mentioned just a few short paragraphs ago), I find it less and less appealing to take classes with teenagers, or pre-teens for that matter. So what am I left with? An unfilled desire and a longing for something that isn't really available out there. I'm not gonna lie--it sucks.
So I was sitting here tonight wondering how many other people my age or older feel nostalgic about something from their youth that they wish they could do again. I have a feeling no one will respond, so I'll just put that out there and wait for someone to pipe in on my comment page. No pressure though. Ha.
In the meantime, you have to check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnBau6fL8S8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I rock out to this song too! This kid has good dancing taste! :)
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
LAB Photography
I guess I'll finally make a push on my personal blog for my "photography business." I wouldn't say it's quite escalated from a dedicated hobby to a thriving business yet, but I have to start somewhere. I think I've had quite a few opportunities to improve my skills and grow as a photographer. I've learned how to appropriately adjust the shutter speed, capture a moment as it is happening, narrow my composition to include only the important or most interesting elements, and use an attachable flash to enhance a photo (among many other things). I've had great teachers--my brother and his photographer friend Lauren--and I've had some wonderful opportunities to practice with friends.
Earlier on my blog, I posted pictures from Kate's birthday party. I was the "party photographer" and had a great time taking pics for Kate and her friends that day. I was very appreciative that Meg and Loren allowed me the opportunity to not only be a part of Kate's special day, but also to capture her every smile and scream of joy.
Not too long after Kate's birthday, I had the most marvelous opportunity to photograph a friend's wedding. I was unbelievably honored to be asked to do it and was so excited to have my first experience as a solo wedding photographer! You might be a little shocked when I tell you that the wedding was back in October, but it took til Christmas day for me to edit all the photos and finally send them to the bride and groom for review! It's kind of difficult to edit wedding pictures in a timely manner, in addition to teaching and traveling.
I'm going to put a few on here for all of you to see, but if you'd like to see more, please go to my photography blog: www.lb3photo.blogspot.com ... And if you are looking for a photographer, or know someone who is, please mention that I'm available and willing!!
Earlier on my blog, I posted pictures from Kate's birthday party. I was the "party photographer" and had a great time taking pics for Kate and her friends that day. I was very appreciative that Meg and Loren allowed me the opportunity to not only be a part of Kate's special day, but also to capture her every smile and scream of joy.
Not too long after Kate's birthday, I had the most marvelous opportunity to photograph a friend's wedding. I was unbelievably honored to be asked to do it and was so excited to have my first experience as a solo wedding photographer! You might be a little shocked when I tell you that the wedding was back in October, but it took til Christmas day for me to edit all the photos and finally send them to the bride and groom for review! It's kind of difficult to edit wedding pictures in a timely manner, in addition to teaching and traveling.
I'm going to put a few on here for all of you to see, but if you'd like to see more, please go to my photography blog: www.lb3photo.blogspot.com ... And if you are looking for a photographer, or know someone who is, please mention that I'm available and willing!!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
New Bike, New Apartment
Why would I want to stop at one post today? Why not make it two? Or three? I mean, I have all day to do nothing. I have accomplished a whole lot of nothing as well, except maybe taking pics and updating my blog. I am attempting to do some laundry and did take a shower. Those are two pluses, right?!
Anyway, my bike is BRAND NEW! I have only had a chance to ride it once since it's been super cold, and I have a bit of a sinus infection. My apartment is new-ish, as of October. I have had several people request pictures over the past couple of months, so I finally buckled down today and took some. Enjoy!
Anyway, my bike is BRAND NEW! I have only had a chance to ride it once since it's been super cold, and I have a bit of a sinus infection. My apartment is new-ish, as of October. I have had several people request pictures over the past couple of months, so I finally buckled down today and took some. Enjoy!
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| My new bike!!!! Yay!!! |
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| Kitchen and eating area |
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| Entrance, coat, scarf, etc. area |
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| Living room / Laundry room |
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| my office / creative area |
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| Living room & kitchen from a different angle |
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| In the back corner, behind the blue chair, is the "Laundry room." |
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| I assume you all can guess what this room is. |
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| The other side of my office...books and shoes! |
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| My bedroom ... a little messy. |
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| I love this closet! |
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| Here is what I see when I open my door. |
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| My front stoop - salt bag & wreath courtesy of the landlords. Super. |
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| Oh, and here is my new car for those who haven't seen it yet. Well, new as in May. |
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| My door is on the far left! On the right is the rest of the house (where my Russian landlords live). |
North Carolinians and bad weather
Today is the 3rd snow day of this school year, and the second one this week. The first one (at the end of December) may have been valid and today's "snow/ice" day may have been valid because no one knows how to drive on ice around here. However, yesterday's "snow" day was just infuriating. My school canceled the school day on the mere prediction that there would be a horrible snowstorm all day. After I had dragged myself out of bed and gotten in the shower, my phone rang and I knew that meant school would probably be canceled. Was it snowing yesterday when I got out of the shower and listened to the message telling me that indeed school would be canceled? No. After blow drying my hair and then deciding to go back to sleep, had it snowed at all by the time I woke up at noon? No. Did it snow at all before school would have gotten out at 3pm? No. For that matter, did it snow in anyway whatsoever that would have inhibited us from attending school yesterday? NO!!! Why did they cancel school then? They canceled school based on mere blind trust in the weather meteorologists to actually come through on their weather prediction of 1-3 inches of snow. Ridiculous! Yesterday, I sat at home fuming because I never actually saw any snow come out of the sky until well after dark.
Now, you might be wondering: "Why would you be so upset that you didn't have to go to school to teach your kids yesterday (and today)?" Well, the first truthful answer to that question is that we have to make-up every snow day some other time in the year. Our first three snow days will be made-up during every day off that we have in April. With no days off, April and May are going to be two treacherously long months. The second answer to this question is that, if we have fourth or fifth snow days, we have to make up the school days on SATURDAYS. You might not think this is a big deal, but trust me, 5 days in a row with kids is enough. Sometimes 4 days is enough, so 6 days in a row is entirely too much. For my third reason, I believe that no snow day should be taken preemptively, i.e. "Oh! It might snow; we must cancel school!"
Therefore, based on the fact that yesterday was an unnecessary snow day, which our administration made us take part in, I think they shouldn't make us use one of our snow days to make it up. How many parents do you think had a conniption yesterday because they had to find daycare for their kids, even though there was no inclement weather to necessitate such an action?! I imagine there were many furious parents. I am sure there were quite a few furious teachers and students as well.
It was hard enough to get back into the swing of things last week, the first week back from Winter Break. The first week back is always a trying week for teachers--getting the students back into school mode where they have to behave and pay attention for 6 hours every day. Now, this week will be a waste with two days already gone. It'll be like pulling out teeth to get the kids to be back on track again, and then we'll have a long weekend for MLK day so next week will be an unusual week too. It's not good for the kids to be out of the school routine, and so far, January is not looking promising for getting the kids back into the "swing of school." I just hope we will be back to school tomorrow!
I'm going to go take some pictures now. Maybe I'll finally post pictures of my new place. I'll post pictures of my new bike too. I guess snow days are good for one thing: updating my blog. :)
Now, you might be wondering: "Why would you be so upset that you didn't have to go to school to teach your kids yesterday (and today)?" Well, the first truthful answer to that question is that we have to make-up every snow day some other time in the year. Our first three snow days will be made-up during every day off that we have in April. With no days off, April and May are going to be two treacherously long months. The second answer to this question is that, if we have fourth or fifth snow days, we have to make up the school days on SATURDAYS. You might not think this is a big deal, but trust me, 5 days in a row with kids is enough. Sometimes 4 days is enough, so 6 days in a row is entirely too much. For my third reason, I believe that no snow day should be taken preemptively, i.e. "Oh! It might snow; we must cancel school!"
Therefore, based on the fact that yesterday was an unnecessary snow day, which our administration made us take part in, I think they shouldn't make us use one of our snow days to make it up. How many parents do you think had a conniption yesterday because they had to find daycare for their kids, even though there was no inclement weather to necessitate such an action?! I imagine there were many furious parents. I am sure there were quite a few furious teachers and students as well.
It was hard enough to get back into the swing of things last week, the first week back from Winter Break. The first week back is always a trying week for teachers--getting the students back into school mode where they have to behave and pay attention for 6 hours every day. Now, this week will be a waste with two days already gone. It'll be like pulling out teeth to get the kids to be back on track again, and then we'll have a long weekend for MLK day so next week will be an unusual week too. It's not good for the kids to be out of the school routine, and so far, January is not looking promising for getting the kids back into the "swing of school." I just hope we will be back to school tomorrow!
I'm going to go take some pictures now. Maybe I'll finally post pictures of my new place. I'll post pictures of my new bike too. I guess snow days are good for one thing: updating my blog. :)
Monday, January 10, 2011
For my first post of the new year, 2011...
What should I say? I don't make New Years Resolutions. I think you should improve your life all year long every day of the year. However, I know it's important to some people to give themselves that extra boost on January 1 of a new year. If only people could reaffirm their resolutions at the beginning of each month or halfway through the year. I know it's hard to keep those resolutions, but instead of making them once a year, try to make a lifestyle change that lasts throughout the year (and year after year) rather than a fluke commitment that will fade away as the year fades. At the gym every year, January and February are the busiest months. I have seen it year after year. Not that I'm the biggest gym buff, but for the past 3 years or so, I have taken yoga twice a week for most weeks of the year. In January, the parking lot of the gym is unbelievably full and the classes are packed. By December, the gym parking lot is empty and the classes are too...or should I say that only the "regulars" are left in the classes and in the parking lot. It has happened every year that I have been at my current gym. It's kind of mind-boggling to me. I've been through the gym addiction and the fall out process, but I have to say that the only thing that has kept me going over the past couple of years is finding something that I truly enjoy and something that enhances my mind, body, and soul. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true. Yoga isn't for everyone, but I know that everyone can find the same passion in some sort of exercise, if they look for a lasting experience rather than a quick fix. Okay, I'll jump off my soap box now. :) For those of you who do make or have made New Years Resolutions, I hope your resolutions stick for all twelve months (and into 2012)!
I have had several requests from friends to update my blog (julie and staci) so that they can have something to do during their lunch hour. I didn't realize that my blog provided so much entertainment...or should I say, I didn't realize it provided a "time-filler" for work boredom. I guess that's better than no one reading it at all. ;)
I've kept myself pretty busy since the start of the school year. I stopped working at the Ox and Rabbit at the end of the summer, so I would have thought my weekends would be pretty free. However, I filled most of my Friday and/or Saturday nights with babysitting for my favorite little girls. It's the best job ever because I get to spend time with the best girls in the world and get paid for it! Weekends that I haven't been babysitting, I've been traveling, which as you already know, is my favorite past time. Teaching a new grade has also kept me on my toes. I LOVE teaching 3rd grade. I am even more convinced that 3rd grade may truly be my calling for teaching. Every day, I love going to work, I love teaching my kids, and I love the curriculum. It's not because it's easier than 4th grade, but I definitely take home less work to grade, which is REALLY nice. The kids are different in 3rd grade--they are sweeter, kinder, and just learning how to be more independent. It's absolutely marvelous! I wouldn't trade moving from 4th to 3rd grade for anything in the world. Pure joy; less stress.
Maybe I said a lot of this in my last two posts?! So now I'm being repetitive...super. Moving forward...let's get caught up on some pictures from the past couple of months. Starting from the present and moving backward, here are pictures from NYE in Charleston, SC, from when Alison visited in November, and from babysitting the girls one night during the fall. Most of the pictures were taken with my little crappy camera, so the quality is not the best, but I hope you'll enjoy them anyway.
As a side note, I did get a new lens from my brother for Christmas and a flash from my dad for Christmas. Plus, I bought myself a bike with some of my Christmas money, so I am hoping that once it gets a little warmer (i.e., not in the 20s outside), I will be taking my bike outside with my camera, new lens, and new flash and will be taking lots of beautiful pictures to add to the blog!
I have had several requests from friends to update my blog (julie and staci) so that they can have something to do during their lunch hour. I didn't realize that my blog provided so much entertainment...or should I say, I didn't realize it provided a "time-filler" for work boredom. I guess that's better than no one reading it at all. ;)
I've kept myself pretty busy since the start of the school year. I stopped working at the Ox and Rabbit at the end of the summer, so I would have thought my weekends would be pretty free. However, I filled most of my Friday and/or Saturday nights with babysitting for my favorite little girls. It's the best job ever because I get to spend time with the best girls in the world and get paid for it! Weekends that I haven't been babysitting, I've been traveling, which as you already know, is my favorite past time. Teaching a new grade has also kept me on my toes. I LOVE teaching 3rd grade. I am even more convinced that 3rd grade may truly be my calling for teaching. Every day, I love going to work, I love teaching my kids, and I love the curriculum. It's not because it's easier than 4th grade, but I definitely take home less work to grade, which is REALLY nice. The kids are different in 3rd grade--they are sweeter, kinder, and just learning how to be more independent. It's absolutely marvelous! I wouldn't trade moving from 4th to 3rd grade for anything in the world. Pure joy; less stress.
Maybe I said a lot of this in my last two posts?! So now I'm being repetitive...super. Moving forward...let's get caught up on some pictures from the past couple of months. Starting from the present and moving backward, here are pictures from NYE in Charleston, SC, from when Alison visited in November, and from babysitting the girls one night during the fall. Most of the pictures were taken with my little crappy camera, so the quality is not the best, but I hope you'll enjoy them anyway.
As a side note, I did get a new lens from my brother for Christmas and a flash from my dad for Christmas. Plus, I bought myself a bike with some of my Christmas money, so I am hoping that once it gets a little warmer (i.e., not in the 20s outside), I will be taking my bike outside with my camera, new lens, and new flash and will be taking lots of beautiful pictures to add to the blog!
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| Nora and Julio with champagne and good luck grapes! |
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| Mark and Nora waiting to leave the house. |
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| Chris and Jacob (i.e. "Bert and Ernie")...great smiles, right?! |
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| Aww...Nora and Kat looking beautiful and ready for a night out on the town! |
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| Ju, Chris, and Jacob - Cheers! (and good luck grapes) |
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| I'm pretty sure you know who these people are. |
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| Lou ... a new addition to the family festivities! |
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| Nora, Ju, Chris, and Kat's brother, Andrew |
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| Kat is ready to par-tay! |
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| When Alison visited, the 3 college roommates/friends got to share a night out on the town together! |
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| Where else? East end! |
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| Lucy Linh! So cute! |
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| Annie Allen, the talented and creative artist! |
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| Gotta love Lucy Linh's faces! |
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| AA, LL, and Freja |
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| And last but not least, Luna. |
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