Thank you, Christmas...

There is just no better time than Christmas! Its goodness comes from a combination of things that I've touched on in previous posts: time with family, delicious food, exchanging gifts, lights, etc. However, I failed to mention the real source of Christmas spirit.

The true magic of the season comes from a united focus on the birth and life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. His teachings bring hope and joy, giving life worth and meaning. His sacrifice makes it possible for me to overcome all things, repent, and become the person I want to be. Because of His gospel, I know I lived before coming to earth and that there is life after death. I know there is a purpose for all we endure in this life and we can always turn to Him for strength and assistance. I know that our God is a just God, and He provides a way for all of us to be saved, and return home to live with Him again. I am so grateful to my Savior, Jesus Christ for choosing to follow the will of our Heavenly Father by coming to earth and teaching us (by example) how we can find true happiness in this life and the next. I am truly humbled by such a thought.

Thank you, Christmas, for being a constant reminder of the love I have for my Savior.


In conclusion--thank you, Christmas, for providing the moments when:
1) My brother opened a pot I had thrown, fired, and glazed for him, and liked it better than any other gift I had purchased. It sure made my heart swell.
2) We just sat around the dinner table talking and relaxing--waiting for the delicious food we had just eaten to settle.
3) Tears were brought to my parents' eyes when they opened a sentimental gift from my sister. I love that my parents get more presents now than the "kids" do, since all of us no longer have to ask my parents for money to buy them gifts. It is so much fun to watch them open things.
4) A favorite quote was put into practice through trips to the gym, hiking in the snow, and group yoga. ("The family that sweats together, sticks together."- Kent Mecham) This quote could also be applied to the time when all seven of us piled into my brother's extended cab and took an intense drive in the snow-covered mountains. It took an hour and a half, and it was warm in that cab, let me tell you.
5) My Mom said: "Every time I see that iPad it just calls to me and--ooooh!!--I just want to touch it!" Needless to say, she is having a lot of fun exploring the functions of her new high-tech gift, and the rest of us are also sharing in the joy. :)

Thank you, Christmas.

Is there a Santa Claus?

I so appreciate the words of newsman Francis Pharcellus Church in response to one of the most-asked questions of childhood. I never really inquired about the reality of Santa Claus, because I've always known the truth in my heart.

Aaaaand let's just roll it back, for a little sentimental brilliance: 

"The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see... Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the world... there is a veil covering the unseen world which not even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond."

I believe it.

Waiting for Christmas

The Christmas season is well under-way, and I could not be happier about it. Christmas is hands-down my favorite holiday, as I'm sure it is for most. I adore the lights, music, smells, decorations, and the thick feeling of anticipation--almost tangible enough to hold. But the thing about Christmas that really frosts my cookie, is the giving of presents. I LOVE giving presents. I keep an eye out all year for items that I feel my friends and family may enjoy. In my case, gift-giving is the true cause for any feelings of excitement during the holiday season. (Well, that's if we're not talking about food, which we're not.) Someone shared the following ad with me, and I just had to post it. It totally exemplifies my feelings year after year, and it does it with incredible style and thought.



I can't wait.

Thanksgiving Tribute

I LOVE Thanksgiving. And if anyone says they don't like it, I get really confused. Do you hate happiness as well? What is there not to like about this glorious American holiday? 

1) You get to feast on some of the most delicious dishes known to man. (Mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, fresh cranberry sauce, rolls, homemade strawberry jam, stuffing--I can't even continue, due to all the drooling.)

2) Pie is the star on the dessert menu. This should be the case at every meal.

3) Families have an excuse to travel great distances to see each other.

4) Football is in the air, on the TV, and in the backyard.

5) I am given another excuse to just ponder, reflect on, and verbally express how amazing my life is, and how incredibly blessed I am on a daily basis.

Thanksgiving is a win-win-win situation, and I cannot wait for this week's winning festivities. As a tribute, I have posted two low-quality videos of my family playing a soft game of football on Thanksgiving, three years ago. Nothing too spectacular here, but boy do they make me laugh. Happy Thanksgiving!

My favorite parts: "FUMBLE! FUMBLE!" and "Run! Run, Harrison, Run! Run Harrison!...oh, he's crying."

Candy, indeed...

A very bad cold/cough and burdensome fever has kept me close to bed-ridden the last few days. As a result, I was able to catch up on a lot of online window shopping. I came across many exciting new products: some things I would love to have in my possession, others that that would make great Christmas gifts. But everything I had browsed seemed boring and pointless once I laid eyes on these delightful roller-skates and learned the real meaning of eye-candy:

I have never, in my life, felt a stronger desire to own something that I would need less. I am swept away by the juxtaposition of funk and class that these sweet little debbies exude. When was the last time I owned a pair of roller-skates? 16 years ago. How often did I use them? Maybe three times. But who cares? Those candy-colored beauties just beg to be worn and flaunted...and I yearn for that opportunity. As long as I don't think about the price of a pair of skates of this magnitude, the dream will live on.

*Happy Halloween, everyone. But more importantly, Happy Birthday, Daddy-O. You are worth more to me than a million pairs of these righteous skates.

Dancing in the Buff

WARNING: This post is about to get real, raw, and un-cut.

This last week was the first time that I thought practically, I can see why some people choose to do nude pieces. I know--I surprised myself. The only reason I even thought such a think, was because I have learned to hate dance costuming. I have had to come up with 1-2 affordable costumes for each of the seven dance classes I teach, and it is the biggest headache I've yet to encounter. Also, most dance costumes are ugly, or ridiculously expensive, so I find myself resting between a rock and a hard place. And how the heck do I find one outfit that looks good on 20 different female bodies? (Not to mention, find something they don't complain about.)

After letting my mind wander, for what sometimes seems like days at a time, I thought "Wouldn't it be easy if we could all just dance naked? Think of the money I could save on costumes! Think of the time I could save from measuring, searching, and fitting. Think of the free range of motion! Yes, nudity is the answer."

But this thought was fleeting.

Nudity is not the answer, and here's why:
1) It is not so great to watch someone else be nude on a stage. (I have never witnessed full nudity on stage, but there was a frighteningly close incident involving a man in a nude dance belt a.k.a. man-thong.)
2) It would be risky! You are just asking to be accidently scratched or stepped on in the tenders within a group number, or get floor burns in places you never knew were capable of getting floor burns.
3) Any feeling of freedom would soon be replaced with an awareness of all the jiggling. It doesn't matter how skinny you are--if the human body is moving, then it is MOVING.
4) Sweat, everywhere. No further explanation necessary.
5) I guess it would be immodest...

I truly think the human body is a work of art. But that art should not be unveiled with movement on a public stage. After expressing and processing all my thoughts, I guess I'll just need to fork out the cash and find some real costume solutions. Even with the complaints I might get from some of the dancers on their dislike for a certain costume, I can tell them without hesitation, "Well at least it's better than dancing naked."

Happiness is...

You may be familiar with the "Happiness is..." series from Charles Schultz's Peanuts cartoons. A few years ago I inherited an old calendar from my mom that had a selection of phrases from the series along with pictures for each month. I tore out my favorites and hung them on my bedroom wall for some color and decoration. They soon became a staple in each new place I lived, and will probably stay that way. Some of my favorite phrases from the series are:

Happiness is knowing you have a pretty face.

Happiness is a cat nap.

Happiness is getting together with your friends.

Happiness is a blow-dry hairdo. 

Well, I recently decided I would come up with my own list of things that describe happiness to me. Now, I am the type of person who finds happiness in the smallest, most mundane things in life, so it was difficult to keep the list simple. However, I am happy with the current result. (I'm sure such a list could never really be finished.) And I urge you to ponder, what is happiness to you?

Happiness is a day without make-up.

Happiness is indulging in a day of nothingness within a long-term goal of productivity.

Happiness is losing yourself in a good film.

Happiness is getting the giggles.

Happiness is driving with the windows down and the music up.

Happiness is finding a new pair of favorite kicks.

Happiness is finding a new favorite food. In fact, finding a new favorite anything.

Happiness is accomplishing difficult things.

Happiness is a payday.

Happiness is seeing one of your best friends after too much time apart.

Happiness is popcorn.

Happiness is watching someone open a gift you picked out for them.

Happiness is not having to set an alarm.

Happiness is successfully forming something of relevance on a potter's wheel.

Happiness is making a new friend.

CELINE

Oh, yes. Just look at all her majesty... 

To the woman who needs no introduction or explanation: her name speaks for itself. Your show was incredible. I still think about it daily, even though it's been weeks since seeing it. I cried, laughed, gasped, oohed and aahed, but mostly cried. My early admiration for you was no mistake. Thank you for the ballads, the gowns, the grandeur, the chest-thumps, the passion and inspiration. There's a reason you'll always be one of my favorites.

And all I can say is, "you know that's right..."

Why I Love My Job:

If it wasn't obvious enough...


1) My body aches every day when I get home, but it hurts so good. Those aches and pains mean I'm dancing daily and I wouldn't have it any other way.
2) I have an excuse to spend lots of money on iTunes without feeling guilty.
3) It is hard. Each hour, day, week, presents new challenges to work through and overcome. It's invigorating.
4) I got paid today. Oh, sweet salary, how I love you.
5) There is plenty of daily, personal pondering time a.k.a a long commute.
6) I get to say the Pledge of Allegiance every day. :) It's a constant reminder, "Oh yeah-I DO love America!"
7) I have the opportunity to do butt-loads of choreography. Nothing stimulates my brain more.
8) Everyone around me thinks I'm an amazing dancer. I love the times when the dancers finish a combination going across the floor, and look to me for approval. It makes me want to be better.
9) It makes me laugh. Have you ever seen a beginning dancer who's learning how to spot and do chaine turns? It is hilarious, and terribly endearing. Just ask me to do an impression of one of my favorites...
10) For this reason alone: I was a little worried about starting my beginning dancers with barre work, thinking they might get bored with it. There are also a few girls in one class who are little tom-boys so I didn't think they'd get too into it. But then I noticed something when we were at the barre going through the ballet positions. I told the dancers to look at themselves in the mirror so they could check their alignment. With her arms in fifth position above her, one of the girls peeked around to the mirror, smiled to herself and held her head just a little higher. I knew at that moment that she felt pretty. My heart swelled.

These last few weeks have already been full of ups and downs, but this blessed job is so worth it.

--For those of you who don't know, I teach dance full-time at a charter school. Seven classes, two times a week, an hour-and-a-half each. Three day weekends, every weekend and all the regular school breaks... I could go on and on about all the perks to this job... :)

Information Overload

I have logged onto this beloved blogger.com almost every day since my last post, just wondering what I would do for the next one. I feel like my brain is saturated with information, none of it really ready for sharing, or worth the time it would take to explain.


So--what are the thinks that I have been thinking lately? I think it goes something like this...

new car or used car? class plans. student schedules. mpg. cost of living. dental insurance. commute. costumes. show themes. choreography costumes. class uniform. discipline. structure. example. meetings. new rules. friend. tears, Celine Dión, more tears. pp 100. rates. kelly blue book. jd power. 2011 ratings. New or Used? I hate Vegas. make that better. out of shape. poster. overall presentation. technique organization. moving. not moving. calling. test-driving. dirty. hot. slurpee. distance. efficiency. debt. financing. taxes. saving. time. weddings. unpack. childhood. estimated worth. scam. diploma. New or Used? payments. salary. ten months. conference. emotional breakdown. grades. transportation. pick and choose. out of the box. eat. insurance. retirement. grad school. craigslist. classifieds. dealership. strange sound. automatic. upholstery. talking. trying. boy? New or Used? new language. decoration. image. understanding. money money money. too much information. decisions. storage space. wardrobe. waste of time. assignments. emotional level. state standards. seth. New or Used? budget. new or used? tickets. new or used? denial. Information Overload.

Someone save me from all the decisions, and the research I need to retain in order to make educated ones.

...you might be a dance major.

My brain is overflowing (even more than usual) with dancing. As I prepare to teach dance full-time in the Fall, I am constantly thinking about important information I want to share with my students, dances I want to do, music I want to use, and techniques I want to teach. In this constant state of brainstorming anything and everything dance. I remembered a list that I wrote my last semester of college (feels so weird to put college in past-tense) that illustrated what life was like as a dance major. I am now learning that was only the beginning...

1) If you realize that Sunday was the only day you wore something other than sweat pants...
2) If you use a leotard as a back-up when you can't find your bathing suit...
3) If you get hungry every two hours...
4) If you know the meaning of RICE, and you do it at least once a week...
5) If work and play have the same description (dancing)...
6) If you always have a stick of deodorant in your back-pack...
7) If the lady giving you a pedicure rolls her eyes before getting to work...
8) If you wear your hair up every single day...
9) If you are always the first on the dance floor at a wedding or party...
10) If you change your clothes in front of people without thinking twice...
11) If your professor has ever kicked you in the face...
12) If you get cascades of compliments on your appearance whenever you shower, put on make-up, do your hair, or wear jeans...

...you might be a dance major.

And you wouldn't have it any other way.

*I lovingly dedicate this post to all of my dance homies in the program or on Dance Alliance. Miss you! And feel free to add to the list! :)

Deutchland Do's and Dont's..

...as in, Things I DO and DON'T love about Germany:


1) I DO love the pretzels. Soft pretzels are everywhere and they are a delight! I often dipped mine in Nutella. Terrific decision. I also loved the lemon Fanta found in Austria... I could never drink my fill.
2) There is so much to do and see! There is definitely something for everyone.
3) I love the colors in the cities... such a broad spectrum. 
4) The parks are bangin'. Much of the equipment is too dangerous for parks in the U.S. but they are the most fun. (Can you say, zip-line?)
5) Everyone seems to notice each other more... You rarely see people absorbed in technological gadgets as they walk through the streets. It was really refreshing.

Passau

1) I DON'T like how all the drinks are served without ice. Not so refreshing.
2) Everything is so expensive. It's depressing.
3) I don't like the "trophy shelf" found in many German toilets. They are made so your business lands right onto a flat surface. It's much more fragrant and I don't like it.
4) The service is not very good at restaurants. Servers don't have to refill beverages or really tend to you at all during the meal. (Did I mention refills are not free and cost about four dollars? Boo.)
5) I don't like the old trains that shut their doors on you prematurely and don't open, even after much force, calling for two other people on the train to assist you.

A surprising trend in European streetwear...

I have been baffled by many different public displays thus far in my time in Germany. These may include any of the many PDAs: Public Displays of Affection, Awkward-ness, Articulation, Air-bending, or Awesome-ness. (Yes, I may have just thought alternate options for the "A" in PDA, but look around you--you'll see that these options are truly realities.)

Short Vocabulary Lesson:

Public Display of Affection/Awkward-ness: Self-Explanatory


Public Display of Articulation: Someone purposely shows off their extensive vocabulary in a casual conversation in order to impress you. Sometimes can result in incorrect use of a word.


Public Display of Air-Bending: Just as bad as the movie, someone audibly breaks wind in a public area, causing a visible reaction...(Crinkled noses, hands over the face, scattering of crowds, etc.)


Public Display of Awesome-ness: When something happens in real life that you feel could, or should have been a scene in a movie.


After that outrageous tangent, here I finally reach the true point of this post. 

Ahem... I have been baffled by many different public displays thus far in my time in Germany. However, the public display that has confused me the most, and eeked its way into my wandering thoughts, is that of the manpris. Yes, you read me right. Manpris! They are everywhere, and on all ages. I'm not talking long shorts, I'm talking full-on, "check-out-my-ankles," manpris. When I see them, my brows instantly furrow as consideration sets in. "There is a man standing there. He is wearing capri pants. Those are manpris."

 Where are they coming from? 

What guy is purchasing these pantalones cortos and what girl is telling them that they look alright?

Why does this feel so wrong? 

Europe is supposed to exemplify the height of fashion, street-wear at its finest. Why then, oh why have resorted to this? Perhaps this is too much thought focusing on a matter so trivial as the clothing options in Germany. But after two weeks of seeing the streets of multiple cities dotted with such a visual, I've become concerned. 


Please, oh please, manpris. Do not reach your short little legs over to the men of America and entice them with your easy-breezy lifestyle. If you belong anywhere, it is here, among the Lederhosen.

...and after careful consideration, a new blog is born!

I have been thinking about starting a blog for many months now. Because of recent changes in my life and location, I thought this would be a good place to keep people informed. However, I'm not quite sure what sort of blog this will morph into. I don't necessarily want to document everything I'm doing, but I did want a place where I could share my thoughts about... whatever I want. :) Movies, music, people, places, fads, fashions, actions and alliteration--You get the idea. Will this blog be boring? Perhaps. But that's a risk I'm willing to take.

The start of this blog was most recently put off because of my lack of inspiration when it came to a name. Do I try and be funny? Deep? Witty or clever? Instead of trying to reach any sort of creative standard, I just went with one of the first things I thought of. I don't know if my chosen title deserves any sort of acclamation, but it I'm happy with it. The full influence on my title came from a book written by Dr. Seuss entitled, "The Thinks You Can Think."

"...think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think if only you try!"

So here I am, thinking, and wanting to share my thinking with anyone who cares to read. I guess it's a way for me to know myself even better, as I attempt to share what goes on in this random brain of mine. Strange opinions, tendencies, likes or dislikes... everything's out on the table. Tune in.