I did it, I'm a teacher! Ok, not officially but for the last two Mondays I've taught a group of 17 people basic ballet. And, not surprisingly, I love it! The group varies so much (from ages 13 to 62) and there are so many different life stories (one girl danced till she was 17, two are cancer survivors), but I feel so honored to have them all in class together. They've really surprised me and have not only picked up on moves really quickly but been really supportive toward me as a teacher - I didn't hide the fact that this was my first time teaching.
I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I'm doing, but the goal of the class isn't to have seventeen people emerge as these graceful and perfect ballerinas. Rather I hope to bring some of the beauty of the art into the lives of these people and work with them to show them how to use and celebrate their bodies. The human body is an amazing instrument - I don't know why more people aren't dancing.
While this is clearly a class about the participants, it really is a class about me too. Most of what we've learned is really basic, but to me it feels huge to teach it. I don't normally get nervous before teaching a class (I guess part of me is naturally inclined towards being in front of people) but I got really nervous before our first class last week. Maybe it's because dance was such an important part of my life for a long time. I started dancing when I was 13 and kept going until around age 20, taking seven classes a week at my busiest. Part of me has always regretted my decision to stop training. I was by no means the best, but I tried hard and wanted to learn and put visible heart and emotion into every practice and performance. For years I've wanted to go back but some injuries toward the end of my training convinced me I would never be as good as I once was, and that I was too old to get back into it.
Teaching this class has helped me realize it might be that I'm not technically as good as I was before, but that heart and emotion is still there, and few things give me as much joy as music, an open studio, and some ballet shoes. Perhaps this was what I needed to start stepping out and stop being afraid of what might be and learn to embrace what is.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Middle school thoughts
Today has been a crazy day, even though my calendar normally says "day off". I taught Sunday school, hosted a chat session with Em and a mutual friend, prepped my ballet lesson for tomorrow, and led at a middle school youth group. But this post isn't supposed to be me whining about my busy day; rather, I wanted to take a moment to comment on the intellegence and insight of kids (something I think we miss a good bit of the time).
The project and talking points for last week's youth group included making a bouncy ball out of 6 household ingredients and touching on the miracle of creation. The kids were able to compare the balls, made with only a few ingredients, to people, who are made with hundreds of "ingredients" and are infinitely more complex. Tonight, we made valentines for the Rescue Mission (one of the leaders is going to speak tomorrow evening and will take them with her). All throughout the project I was trying to come up with an easily understandable way to connect creation and the making of valentines. Here are some of the thoughts the kids shared:
"We created the cards."
"We were created out of love, just like we created the valentines out of love."
"We all used the same paper, glue, and glitter but none of our valentines look the same."
"We are giving love like the love God gives to us."
Wow. I just love these kids and I'm amazed (pretty much weekly) at their depth and insight into the world. I was even more touched that when we prayed together, so many of the kids prayed for the people that would get their cards tomorrow. I don't recall being that aware of the rest of the world at that age. I think I often forget that in an age run by computers and cell phones, where countless hours are spent in front of a screen, that kids have a lot more to say than we give them the time or space to express.
Let's not discount this generation - they have a lot more to say than we realize.
The project and talking points for last week's youth group included making a bouncy ball out of 6 household ingredients and touching on the miracle of creation. The kids were able to compare the balls, made with only a few ingredients, to people, who are made with hundreds of "ingredients" and are infinitely more complex. Tonight, we made valentines for the Rescue Mission (one of the leaders is going to speak tomorrow evening and will take them with her). All throughout the project I was trying to come up with an easily understandable way to connect creation and the making of valentines. Here are some of the thoughts the kids shared:
"We created the cards."
"We were created out of love, just like we created the valentines out of love."
"We all used the same paper, glue, and glitter but none of our valentines look the same."
"We are giving love like the love God gives to us."
Wow. I just love these kids and I'm amazed (pretty much weekly) at their depth and insight into the world. I was even more touched that when we prayed together, so many of the kids prayed for the people that would get their cards tomorrow. I don't recall being that aware of the rest of the world at that age. I think I often forget that in an age run by computers and cell phones, where countless hours are spent in front of a screen, that kids have a lot more to say than we give them the time or space to express.
Let's not discount this generation - they have a lot more to say than we realize.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Welcome to Adulthood
Tonight was the first night in the apartment where I made a dinner that required more than a microwave. I channeled the talents of my grandmother, hoping some of whatever it was that made her cooking so good was still left in the pots. The final product - Tyson frozen chicken nuggets and Kroger mac and cheese. Heaven. It probably took me 15 minutes to boil the water, and I started the oven about 3 times before finally calling mom and promptly announcing "I don't know how to work my oven." Her response, laughter. Gee, thanks mom. At my busiest moment, I was on the phone with mom, sirring boiling pasta, checking two timers and preparing to open the oven to turn the chicken. I didn't sit down to eat until almost 8:30 and it was 9 o'clock before the dishes were washed and the leftovers put away. Being an adult is rough.
A second notable apartment adventure - laundry. I waited a little over two weeks before doing laundry and set aside a Saturday to sort though it all. My first load I sorted and loaded, and stepped back to survey my options, before realizing I'd made a fatal mistake (Ok, not really fatal but that makes it sound more dramatic). After putting my clothes in the washer I poured my liquid detergent into the drain-compartment-thing, a normal next step when doing laundry at my parents house. Come to find out, that drain-compartment-thing had a label...Liquid Bleach Only. Crap. On the upside, an extra rinse seemed to take care of the problem (at least it was an easy fix and not really a fatal mistake) and the washer held way more clothes than I thought, so the whole ordeal ended up taking half as long as I thought it would.
Hopefully these risky undertakings have kept you smiling. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming posts on my first ballet class and a special joint post with Em.
A second notable apartment adventure - laundry. I waited a little over two weeks before doing laundry and set aside a Saturday to sort though it all. My first load I sorted and loaded, and stepped back to survey my options, before realizing I'd made a fatal mistake (Ok, not really fatal but that makes it sound more dramatic). After putting my clothes in the washer I poured my liquid detergent into the drain-compartment-thing, a normal next step when doing laundry at my parents house. Come to find out, that drain-compartment-thing had a label...Liquid Bleach Only. Crap. On the upside, an extra rinse seemed to take care of the problem (at least it was an easy fix and not really a fatal mistake) and the washer held way more clothes than I thought, so the whole ordeal ended up taking half as long as I thought it would.
Hopefully these risky undertakings have kept you smiling. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming posts on my first ballet class and a special joint post with Em.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Reality checks #1 and #2
"Moving is something to be enjoyed" - Daphne Moon, Frasier
Even though I've only been ending my day in a new location for slightly more than a week, my expectations are already being changed. I'm still not totally moved in, and this only adds to the feeling of being in transition (Just in case you were wondering, the quote is purely for entertainment purposes and should not be taken as an accurate record of my thoughts on the subject). Hopefully this feeling will leave soon, and when it goes I can regain use of the backseat of my car.
My first reality check is the fact that Em and I almost never see each other. With me training for a new job and her working the opening shift, we're on opposite schedules. She's up and gone before I get up and then it seems to vary on who gets home before 9:00. The good news is we do see each other enough to keep informed on comings and goings. This is hopefully going to change in the next few weeks, but once I finish training, we'll be the exact opposite of what we are now, with me out the door before she stirs.
Despite these mismatched schedules, we did enjoy our first sit down dinner together, both of us, hot food, no tv. We had spaghetti and salad (and the best crunchy bread I think I've ever had - I'm still not over it), and it was all kinds of cute. We actually got to talk and catch up a bit on each others lives. This is, at least to my knowledge, only the second time we've dirtied up significant pots and plates. I had always hoped the kitchen would be used consistently but I think that's out of the question until we get more settled into a routine.
After dinner we went downstairs and introduced ourselves to Ms. Ross, the neighbor who left pears for us a week ago.
She.
is.
adorable.
We sat in her living room and talked a bit about what's going on in our lives and she showed us around her apartment. She talked about her two daughters (one of whom I'm certain would know my aunt - small world) and her grandchildren with great pride. Before we left she gave us three wine glasses and a glass pitcher. She said she was preparing of a party tomorrow night and found that she had extras. She was warm and genuine and let's face it, Em and I are always down for a good party. I think we'll be good friends.
Ok, I promised two reality checks, so here you go - grocery shopping is not all I imagined it to be. I've never grocery shopped for substantial food before, and I have a new respect for all those mothers out there (including my own) who provide hot meals every night and keep the pantry well stocked. Living in a residence hall in college meant that all my main meals were provided for me and any food I kept in the room was mostly snacky food with little nutritional value. However, not only do I have to learn how to navigate the aisles at Kroger, I also have to think about healthy eating (especially since my new job has me sitting for 8 hours).
On the up side (I like to end on a positive note), it's starting to feel more natural ending my days here and I can't wait until Em and I settle into a more regular routine. Hopefully our attempts will not be foiled by a snow day tomorrow. Although I won't lie, we're already planning skipping work and taking a walk in the snow (maybe).
Even though I've only been ending my day in a new location for slightly more than a week, my expectations are already being changed. I'm still not totally moved in, and this only adds to the feeling of being in transition (Just in case you were wondering, the quote is purely for entertainment purposes and should not be taken as an accurate record of my thoughts on the subject). Hopefully this feeling will leave soon, and when it goes I can regain use of the backseat of my car.
My first reality check is the fact that Em and I almost never see each other. With me training for a new job and her working the opening shift, we're on opposite schedules. She's up and gone before I get up and then it seems to vary on who gets home before 9:00. The good news is we do see each other enough to keep informed on comings and goings. This is hopefully going to change in the next few weeks, but once I finish training, we'll be the exact opposite of what we are now, with me out the door before she stirs.
Despite these mismatched schedules, we did enjoy our first sit down dinner together, both of us, hot food, no tv. We had spaghetti and salad (and the best crunchy bread I think I've ever had - I'm still not over it), and it was all kinds of cute. We actually got to talk and catch up a bit on each others lives. This is, at least to my knowledge, only the second time we've dirtied up significant pots and plates. I had always hoped the kitchen would be used consistently but I think that's out of the question until we get more settled into a routine.
After dinner we went downstairs and introduced ourselves to Ms. Ross, the neighbor who left pears for us a week ago.
She.
is.
adorable.
We sat in her living room and talked a bit about what's going on in our lives and she showed us around her apartment. She talked about her two daughters (one of whom I'm certain would know my aunt - small world) and her grandchildren with great pride. Before we left she gave us three wine glasses and a glass pitcher. She said she was preparing of a party tomorrow night and found that she had extras. She was warm and genuine and let's face it, Em and I are always down for a good party. I think we'll be good friends.
Ok, I promised two reality checks, so here you go - grocery shopping is not all I imagined it to be. I've never grocery shopped for substantial food before, and I have a new respect for all those mothers out there (including my own) who provide hot meals every night and keep the pantry well stocked. Living in a residence hall in college meant that all my main meals were provided for me and any food I kept in the room was mostly snacky food with little nutritional value. However, not only do I have to learn how to navigate the aisles at Kroger, I also have to think about healthy eating (especially since my new job has me sitting for 8 hours).
On the up side (I like to end on a positive note), it's starting to feel more natural ending my days here and I can't wait until Em and I settle into a more regular routine. Hopefully our attempts will not be foiled by a snow day tomorrow. Although I won't lie, we're already planning skipping work and taking a walk in the snow (maybe).
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Play dates and pears
This morning I got to spend some really sweet time with a church friend of mine and her two year old son. On my way to her place I stopped and picked up some donuts from a nearby shop (her son kept calling them cookies, and one time he called it bread. To make the whole thing even more cute, he only ate the chocolate pieces). We updated each other on our goings-on, and I confessed to her some nervousness about teaching a ballet class next month. She offered unwavering encouragement which was so much appreciated.
It was so nice to get to know this friend better, and get to spend some time getting to know her son too. I continue to be amazed with her openness about her life and can't help but wonder what the world would be like if more people were willing to share their experiences. Watching her son play was beautiful, and I'm humbled by the constant learning and growing that he does every day. Her family was in and out, and despite being a guest in their home, conversations with her sister and parents made me feel more family than stranger.
Em and I have plans to introduce ourselves to one of the neighbors downstairs Monday evening. This lady seems so sweet; the first day both of us were in the apartment she put a pink gift bag on our door. Inside were two ripe pears and a note welcoming us and inviting us to stop by sometime. (What is it with old people and giving fruit? The lady next door to my grandmother used to give us apples every Halloween.) But I like pears. And new neighbors.
It was so nice to get to know this friend better, and get to spend some time getting to know her son too. I continue to be amazed with her openness about her life and can't help but wonder what the world would be like if more people were willing to share their experiences. Watching her son play was beautiful, and I'm humbled by the constant learning and growing that he does every day. Her family was in and out, and despite being a guest in their home, conversations with her sister and parents made me feel more family than stranger.
Em and I have plans to introduce ourselves to one of the neighbors downstairs Monday evening. This lady seems so sweet; the first day both of us were in the apartment she put a pink gift bag on our door. Inside were two ripe pears and a note welcoming us and inviting us to stop by sometime. (What is it with old people and giving fruit? The lady next door to my grandmother used to give us apples every Halloween.) But I like pears. And new neighbors.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
New year, new adventures
"It's about choosing your path and being committed to it" -Mary Horowitz, All About Steve
I started this blog to document all the crazy things associated with living. We live 98% of our lives between walls, whether physical or metaphorical, and I wanted this to be a small piece of the electronic world where I could leave my thoughts - and you could leave yours.
I recently changed the physical walls I live between and hope to use this to document all the crazy goings on. At 24 I am finally out there, on my own, trying my hardest to be an adult. Tonight marks the second night in a new apartment. New apartment, new roommate, new job, new...life. Last night, new roommate Em and I watched a movie and drank some wine to christen our new space. Super cute and super fun.
Let's start this first entry putting out there some of the expectations I have about this new stage.
1. We're going have people over like every night.
2. I'm going to discover I have an natural inclination toward cooking and/or baking.
3. We are not going to sit in front on the t.v. but rather expand our minds with books and deep, meaningful conversations.
4. I will try my hand at interior decorating and, again, discover I'm very talented.
5. Em and I will spend nights after work together, perhaps partaking in many of the above activities.
6. This new found freedom will suddenly make me more appealing to the opposite sex.
And this is just a start. I'm sure more expectations will surface while old ones are shattered with harsh reality checks. Regardless, I look forward to growing in this new space.
I started this blog to document all the crazy things associated with living. We live 98% of our lives between walls, whether physical or metaphorical, and I wanted this to be a small piece of the electronic world where I could leave my thoughts - and you could leave yours.
I recently changed the physical walls I live between and hope to use this to document all the crazy goings on. At 24 I am finally out there, on my own, trying my hardest to be an adult. Tonight marks the second night in a new apartment. New apartment, new roommate, new job, new...life. Last night, new roommate Em and I watched a movie and drank some wine to christen our new space. Super cute and super fun.
Let's start this first entry putting out there some of the expectations I have about this new stage.
1. We're going have people over like every night.
2. I'm going to discover I have an natural inclination toward cooking and/or baking.
3. We are not going to sit in front on the t.v. but rather expand our minds with books and deep, meaningful conversations.
4. I will try my hand at interior decorating and, again, discover I'm very talented.
5. Em and I will spend nights after work together, perhaps partaking in many of the above activities.
6. This new found freedom will suddenly make me more appealing to the opposite sex.
And this is just a start. I'm sure more expectations will surface while old ones are shattered with harsh reality checks. Regardless, I look forward to growing in this new space.
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