Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Anatomy of a Zumba Class

I *heart* my Zumba class.

I've mentioned it before, several times, but I seriously love it.

R is an amazing teacher. We all love her.

So much so that we line up outside the classroom no less than 15 minutes before the class starts.

Some, I suspect, take the class before Zumba just so they can already be in the classroom when the doors open. I'm not even kidding.

As soon as the door opens, it. is. on.

Women take their shoes off and leave them at their spot, so they can put their belongings on the outskirts of the room without losing their spot.

People actually do the "split stand" so no one will grab a spot too close to them.

The jerks try to form their own row in between two established rows, while the established rows try to edge them out.

The regulars have their preferred spot and they are vicious about it.

The newbies come in and try to figure out where they can see the front, without actually being in the front.

Smiling R bounces in, greeting everyone, and telling newbies to feel free to come towards the front.... the regulars smile and hope they don't.

THEN the class begins and the personalities come out. While the players may change up, the roles are always filled.............

The Big White Girl - There is always a big white girl who keeps up and shakes what her mama gave her.

The Performer - There is always a chick who spends the entire class looking at herself in the mirror, making faces, and putting on a show.

The Worker - No matter how hard R works and pushes, there is always someone that goes harder and faster than her. Like they're on speed or something.

The Lost - There are several of these. Enough said.

The Singers - Over half the songs are Spanish. Which means 90% of the class doesn't understand what in the heck they're dancing to. They must be awesome songs, though, because there is always a couple ladies singing at the top of their lungs.

The Fun and Carefree - With wild abandon, they dance and work and just have fun. Sometimes they look good, sometimes they don't..... really, though, they just don't care.

The Flat Butt - This one can shake everything, but her poor flat behind. Hips sway and pop, shoulders shimmy, body rolls......... the booty? The booty just is too flat to make much of an impact. This may or may not be me. Allegedly. You haven't seen it, so you can't testify to it in a court of law.

The Washing Machine - Goes in dry, comes out soaked. I'm talking water on the floor, the spin cycle clearly didn't work, soaked.

The Call It A Day - It never fails. Every single class, there is at least one (usually more) that walk out of class halfway into it.

The Bouncers - There are a few men that are characters. They've taken to flanking R on either side, at the front of the room. It's actually really amusing.

The Non-Flexible - At cool down, several ladies leave. I don't get this. It's not good for you to skip stretching, but they just won't do it.

After the hour is over, we all walk out. Worn out, but a part of the exclusive club that is R's Zumba. We know the truth. She rocks better than any other Zumba instructor. We survived and challenge you to try to do the same.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Weekly Workout Confessions and Sunday Stealing


Weekly Workout Blog - Week 87


Monday - Curves

Tuesday - Nothing

Wednesday - Zumba

Thursday - Nada

Friday - Nada
Saturday - Zumba

Sunday - Nope

This week was horrible. I didn't track half of Thursday, Friday, and none of Saturday. Only one day of Curves and two Zumba classes. This week was. not. good.


Here are my goals for Week 88...........

  • Track ALL food.
  • Attend Zumba at least once.
  • Curves at least three times.
  • C25K - Week 1 (who am I kidding..... I need to start from the beginning)
The next two weeks are going to be tricky. My cousin Heidi and her family are coming to visit (YAY!!!!!) and we have Radiothon at the end of the month. So, I'm going to try really hard to do well this week, because I know the next week is pretty much a wash, lol.


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1. What is your favorite Mexican dish?

Enchiladas

2. When you were a kid, did you get started on your homework right away after school, or did you procrastinate?

I procrastinated. I was a "wait until 10pm to start a paper" type. I think I just work well under pressure.

3. What is your favorite store for home furnishings?

Pottery Barn

However, my wallet prefers Bed, Bath, and Beyond or Target, lol.

4. When you were young, did you like school lunches?

Nope. Not at all.

In fact, I brought my lunch to school every day. When I started Kindergarten, I ate hot lunch for about two weeks. Then, I got a cold fish stick and vowed never to eat it again.

In the following 13 years, I probably ate school lunch a dozen times (if that..... seriously). Mainly just when they were having holiday meal or the occasional pizza for $1.

5. Is religion a crutch?

No. I think it can be an excuse for sinful people to do bad things.... all in the name of their religion. But, sinful people can just as easily do bad things just because they want to.

I am a religious person, but moreso, I am a faithful person.

6. In your region, what is the “big” high school sport?

Football.......... one of our hometown teams is HUGE in football. They've been ranked nationally.

For my school, our big sport was soccer. We were legends in soccer.

7. Do you consider yourself rich?

I don't. However, based on our sermon today, any of us that lives in the US and makes more than $2 a day should consider themselves rich.

8. Which of these would you have the best chance administering:
A) CPR
B) Heimlich Maneuver
C) Changing a flat tire

You better pray that your life doesn't depend on me changing your tire. CPR or HM, I can probably handle. Tire.... not a chance.

9. Which dance would you prefer to learn & why:
A) Salsa
B) Hip Hop
C) Waltz
D) Swing

I like all of them, but I'll pick C. I've had less experience with the Waltz than the other three.

10. What’s the worst news you’ve ever delivered to someone?

Probably telling someone about a death.

11. Name something you learned in college that had nothing to do with classes or academics.

Hmmmmmm.......

12. New variation on an old question: If there’s a song in your head that just won’t get out, what is your favorite (or most repeated) line in that song?

I don't know, lol.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Now, that is what I was hoping for........

So, this evening, I went with a coworker to visit a potential client. We had a lovely time.

Afterward, neither of us were ready to go home, so we stopped by a Starbucks to grab some tea and chat.

As we ordered, I thought to myself that the guy behind the counter looked familiar. He kind of looked like a guy I went to high school with.

I looked at the name tag and the first names matched. So, I asked, "Is your last name Smith*?"

(Not quite looking at me) "Yes. Yes, it is."

"JOE SMITH!!!!"

He looks up at me and gets a small look of recognition.

"Jessica...... Jessica --------------"

"Jessica! Oh my gosh! How are you?! I didn't even recognize you!"

We then continued to chat for a couple minutes, catching up. He was 4th in the class and has his Master's Degree. He's trying to get a job in his feild, but is having trouble with the current state of things.

Anyway, we caught up and I moved on to chitchat with Mama M. She asked if I went to school with him...... yes, yes I did. For 13 years, actually. We hadn't seen one another since a year after graduation.

And, he didn't recognize me!

SCORE!!!!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Hot Fudge Blurb, with a side of TMI

Early in January, we had an event which I never really posted about. Here's a quick recap.........

We hosted a show on Jan 8th..........

Freddie Mitchell and I. Freddie used to be a NFL player. I'd never heard of him before, but he was super nice, so I got a picture with him.



Ever wonder what happens when the curtains are closed? This is what happens......



Mama M and I



M and I



Willie Nelson's twin...........


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TMI Alert........

Can getting a massage make you start your period early?

No, seriously.

Saturday night, I was at an event and they had a guy with a massage chair. So, I got one. It was awesome.

He did get to two spots on my lower back where I almost came off the chair, though.

The next day (yesterday), I started. Four days early........ FOUR DAYS EARLY. That is unacceptable.

This has happened before..... the last time I got a massage on my cruise, in fact.

So, I repeat...... can getting a massage make you start early?

Either that or my ovaries are hyperactive.

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The above probably explains why, yesterday, when Marianne's dad was offering to buy us dessert, I was having a war with myself.

I wasn't hungry.

I'd eaten a yummy lunch.

Yet, I would have killed for a brownie sundae.

Thankfully, everyone else didn't want dessert and therefore, I shamed myself into resisting. Because no one wants to be the fatty eating dessert while everyone else watches.

Later that night......... when I'd actually started (TMI, again.... sorry)....... I may or may not have made myself a giant Root Beer Float.

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Clearly watching The Bachelor as I type this......

If a man took me to a bat cave, I'd leave him there.

How did they get to the middle of a lagoon for dinner without getting wet?

Michelle is crazy.

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I didn't hate the Halftime Show, last night.

In fact, I'd rank it #3 in like the last 10 years.

#1 being this, of course.........



The 2nd place being Justin and Janet. Minus the boob flash.

Because, before the boob flash, it was a really great performance.

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I kind of want a brownie sundae, right now.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Sunday Stealing and WWB

So, I just realized that I haven't posted in a week. I don't know why. I have a couple posts to write about various things. However, I guess I was busier and more stressed than I thought, because I just didn't write a darned thing.


Weekly Workout Blog - Week 86


Monday - Curves

Tuesday - Nothing

Wednesday - Curves and Zumba

Thursday - Nada

Friday - Curves

Saturday - Zumba

Sunday - Nada..... unless you count walking around baywalk St Petersburg with my awesome blogger buddies Marianne and Jenna. No? I don't count it, either, but it was super fun!! (Post to come!!)


Eh..... not the best week. I have tracked all my food and DID workout four times. Just didn't quite get around to the Elliptical or C25K.


Here are my goals for Week 87...........

  • Track ALL food.
  • Attend Zumba at least once.
  • Curves at least three times.
  • Repeat C25K - Week 3 (for real, this time)

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68. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?

Grey's Anatomy still gets me. Big Bang Theory is also a favorite.



69. WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE THAT YOU DON'T LIKE?

I try to be polite, but distant.

I'm often accused of being "too nice" or "fake." Here's the thing........ while I do like some people better than others, if I'm talking to you then there is something about you that I at least relate to.

There are a handful of people throughout my life that I've actually truly disliked. And, I find it really difficult to be nice to them. Because being nice feels fake when I just don't like them. So, I try to remain as polite as possible while not engaging with them.



70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?

Vanilla....... you can just do so much with a good scoop of vanilla ice cream.

I also love Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.



71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?

Yes.



72. SO IS IT GOING TO BE THE STEELERS OR THE PACKERS?

I truly don't care........... however, at this point in the game, it looks like it will be the Packers.



73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?

Watching the Super Bowl commercials. I'm also looking forward to the Halftime Show.

Then, I will watch Glee.



74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU RETIRE?

I'm still trying to figure out where I want to live during adulthood. Don't rush me.



75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?

If they so choose.........



76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?

Super Bowl commentary. And, Lydia walking around going, "Sooooo cute!!" over her newly fixed hair.



77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?

Tea at lunch. I should probably drink something.



78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

My brother.



79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE SEX(ES) YOU'RE ATTRACTED TO?

Eyes and smile/teeth



80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

Sleep..... read..... watch TV..... go to the movies........ go to Disney..... hang out with my friends/family



81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?

I don't understand this. I don't love to hate anything. If I hate it, I hate it. Like mice.



82. FAVORITE SEASON OF THE YEAR?

Fall



83. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?

Starbursts........ Airheads......... Milky Way..... Butterfingers



84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?

I sure have...... I'm blessed to have several.



85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?

Brown



86. EYE COLOR?

Blue



87. SHOE SIZE?

9/9.5/10...... Depends on the shoe.



88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?

Chick-Fil-A........ Chipotle......... Five Guys



89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Melting Pot......... Outback........ Carrabbas



90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?

I like non-raw rolls.



91. WATCH TV TODAY?

Just the commercials, in between the game.



92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?

Christmas and my birthday :)



93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?

Couldn't to save my life......



94. POLITICAL PARTY?

I'm a Republican.

Does that really surprise anyone?

Once, my friend assumed that I was voting Democrat. My other friend was shocked that ANYONE would assume that........."Um, anyone that has met you for more than five seconds should know you are Republican. You are pretty much the definition."

Another friend....... who is Democrat... decided to assume, based on my political leanings, how I feel about certain things. He was very quickly corrected.



95. KISSES OR HUGS?

I like them both :)



96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?

Relationships



97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?

The bridesmaid dress that I'll be wearing in my friend's wedding in June.

I *have* to lose at least 5-10 lbs. The dress size I ordered is a little snug in the waist....... it fits, but I won't be comfortable all day. However, the size up was way too loose.



98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSE SPOUSE?

Um, what is a house spouse?



99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?

Sacred Singleness



100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE:

See the above