You Should Visit Sweden If...

I had the amazing opportunity to join up with my friend Shannon and go on a wonderful Swedish adventure. This was my second time in Europe, and it didn't disappoint. We were able to see the islands of Oland and Gotland as well as exploring cities in the mainland. Sweden was not at the top of my list of places I wanted to go and see, but I sure am glad I took the opportunity, because it was truly splendid!


So if you are like me, and have never really thought about taking a trip to Sweden, here is a list of reasons why you should.

You should visit Sweden if...

1) You like to drink tea and coffee. It's everywhere. And it's cheap, if not free.

2) You like old/ancient stuff. Want to see some viking artifacts? Maybe a medieval structure or 24? Sweden is the place.

3) You want to enjoy charming architecture in even the smallest of towns.

4) You like pastries, or just plain old mind-blowing desserts. (Ask me where I got the best cheesecake I've ever eaten... It was not the Cheesecake Factory, or New York.)

5.) You like castles, fortresses, palaces, etc. and you want to see what they look like inside.

6.) You like techno music, the accordian, or a combination thereof.

7.) You enjoy beautiful green countryside. (Granted, you'd have to visit in the summer...)

8.) You like having days with about 20 hours of daylight. (Another summertime perk.)

9.) You appreciate well-preserved ruins dating back to the 1100s or something crazy like that.

10.) You like kind people, clean cities, and deliciously clean tap water.

People have asked me if I would go back to Sweden if I had the chance. The truth is, there are a lot of other places that I would really like to visit before I made a return trip there, but I would highly recommend it as a stop to anyone who is making a European excursion. It is truly beautiful, charming, and the people are kind and helpful. Sweden will always have a special place in my heart!

Dance Matters

After writing too many drafts to count, when it comes to this specific post, I realize I have too many feelings and inadequate words. So I'm going to forget about making it flowery and earth-shaking and just tell it like it is.

Dancing matters. I don't care if other people don't understand why or how, because I know that it matters to me and has been a huge factor in my becoming who I am today. Nothing else in this world feeds my soul and body on so many different levels. Through movement I have been able to feel and process a whole spectrum of emotion, create and communicate meaningful messages of hope and purpose, and grow to become a more whole and self-understanding human being. I have always loved this quote:

"Dance is the only art of which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made."

-Ted Shawn, Time, 25 July 1955

That means dance is pretty important stuff. I remembered how important dance is this week when I had a friend and former student come and teach my classes for a few days. It truly provided me with relief during an emotional time, and reminded me of how much I need movement in my life. I wanted to share a couple videos of that combination so others could hopefully get a taste of what I've been rambling about. Enjoy! 

And remember: Dance matters.

*The beautiful movers that created this wonderful choreography are Jasmine Benton and Majee Bouey.

For Mom

Hey Mom, remember when this happened?

That was a great day for both of us, I think. I hope. Very painful for you, kind of traumatic and confusing for me, but I don't even remember it so I can't complain. :)





It's been too long since I've written a blog post. What better reason could I have to jump into one than thanking you? So, here goes.

Thanks, Mom:

For teaching me how to wipe off a counter-top really efficiently.

For teaching me how to be gentle in word, deed, and... baking. 

(I never over-mix, thanks to you.)

For showing me that women can do anything men can, by being the first to beat Zelda in our house. :)

For taking me to dance classes at least four days a week for, I dunno... 10 years???

For showing me how to laugh at myself and not take things too seriously or personally.

Teaching me to stay positive and rise above the bad in life. There is good in any situation.

For being my accompanist any time I feel like singing at the piano.

For passing on your appreciation for music, changing skies, nature, art, people, new places, all things beautiful, and... any sort of citrus desserts.

(Speaking of desserts, thanks for all the pies, Mom. And for letting me eat the leftover cinnamon-sugar crust.)

For teaching me patience, and love, and more patience.

For making sure that I knew I was beautiful, that my body is a blessing and I need to treat it as such.

For not getting annoyed when I do impressions of you. It's all out of love, Mom.

For all the times you tickled my back at night because I asked you to.

For teaching me to enjoy the quiet moments in life.

For going on long shopping excursions with me, even though you hate shopping.

For providing me with wonderful guidance, while letting me make my own decisions.

For your constant love, support, encouragement, and faith in who I am.

For teaching me that family is most important.

For showing me, through your example, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the truest path to happiness, and that we can stay on that path if we choose to do right and keep an eternal perspective.

I can't thank you enough, Mom. Especially for that last one. You are wonderful, and I'm so glad I will be yours, and you will be mine forever.

Vampire Weekend

Back on September 27, 2013, I saw Vampire Weekend perform with my dear friend Dave. I'll admit, I was exhausted and not in the best mood for a high-energy, put-a-little-pep-in-your-step concert. But, I'm glad I went, because it was really fun.

I have always liked Vampire Weekend. They employ an intense variety of rhythms, instruments, vocal techniques and beats to make up a pretty unique sound. Almost all of their tunes could easily cause you to break out into some spontaneous dance moves. (That's not really saying much coming from me, but you get the point.) Vampire Weekend is simply fun, and interesting; a great combination.

So, I was a little disappointed when I felt like their live performance was a little flat. It just wasn't as mind-blowing as I expected. Don't get me wrong--they sounded GREAT! But I think their showmanship suffers due to the complexity of their music.

I did love watching the bass player, though.
Those guys always know how to move. :)

I will continue to love Vampire Weekend, listen to their albums, and use them for dance combinations/work-out soundtracks. I still think they're great, and will recommend them to a friend looking from some new tunes. Will I pay money to see them perform live again? Not likely.

Young the Giant

Last week I had the opportunity to see Young the Giant perform. 

Not a mistake

Never a mistake.

Got that?

It was the first concert I've been to in a while where I felt truly lost in the sound and experience. It was incredible. I soaked up every moment of the concert like a sponge.

The lights weren't anything crazy or over the top, no special effects or choreography, nothing cheesy or over-produced, because none of it was needed. The music was enough. I loved it. 

And that lead singer of theirs? A natural. He just knows how it's done.

You know a band is good when they're better live than on their recording. 

In saying that, let me say this: 

Young the Giant is great.

You know what else is great?
Sharing it with some choice
people.

Thanks to Two-Thousand and Thirteen

Happy New Year!

Isn't it interesting how the world just keeps turning and turning? New years come and go, life moves on, changes occur. Hopefully lessons are learned and personal progress is made. Here are thirteen things that I learned, thanks to the wonderful year of 2013.

1. New York is great! ...But maybe... Boston is better.
2. It is better to be trusted than to be loved. My Dad has always said that. It earned greater meaning this year.
3. Orca whales should not be kept in captivity. Disagree? Watch the movie "Blackfish." I'm sorry I ever went to SeaWorld.
4. Don't forget how much you love to read.
5. It doesn't matter how grown-up, mature, or independent you think you are; if you are sick, all you want is your mom. And that's okay.
6. When it comes to dating, things are lot easier if you just make small decisions. One day at a time. Believe me, if applied, this advice makes a very positive difference.
7. When in doubt, just eat the doughnut. 
8. Make sure that you have a fire extinguisher in your house, just in case. But seriously--check right now.
9. Don't be so busy documenting your life that you miss living it. (This is more in reference to social media as opposed to something like journaling.)
10. If you get the chance to sail on a sailboat around some Caribbean islands, take it.
11. Life is so much better when you love people, and serve them. If you are unhappy in life, it might be because you are only thinking about yourself.
12. Don't take life too seriously. Remember what is most important.
13. Be who you are. Love who you are. Share who are. There is only one of you, and the world needs you.

*Want to know what I learned the two years before this one? Read about 2011 and 2012...