wait, what, its September already?

This summer has gone by so fast. Too fast. But... as it is 50 degrees and raining outside right now... I am glad its gone. (Kinda) There will still be a few 80 and 90 degree days in our future. But, I am ready for the cooler temps. September!
A few things have happened so far this month, so let me fill you in:
First up, some friends of the family came in from out of town over Labor Day weekend. What did we do? Go whiskey tasting of course. Denver boasts its very own whiskey distillery just outside of downtown.

It was a little weird to be tasting whiskey at 10am. But... it was a lot of fun!!!

This past weekend, Jay and I headed up to Miller Farms. We went up there last year, because its a great way to pick fresh veggies to take home. We brought home 8 bags of veggies this year. 8 bags! Sweet corn, green beans, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, onions and pie pumpkins. Yum! IWe'll be eating a lot of veggies over the next few weeks.

The summer adventures continue

Its been hot here this summer. Like, really, really hot. I know its been hot everywhere this year... but jeez, am I looking forward to some cooler temperatures.  In order to escape a little bit of the city heat, Jay and I headed up to Mt. Evans a couple weekends ago. We packed a picnic lunch, grabbed the camera and headed up, up, up!

The drive up to Mt. Evans is gorgeous...as long as you're not afraid of heights. Some of those roads seem a bit precarious! Luckily, Mr. Jay is an excellent driver and I had no worries except for taking pictures. Which I did. A lot of.

 First, we came around a corner and saw these two little guys pop up on the road. Mountain goats! Jay was able to get closer as the scrambled up the rocks on the other side...

 We kept heading up the mountain and saw a HUGE group of Mountain Goats hanging out by the side of the road.  They did not seem to care that there were cars and humans and everything else. So of course I had to take advantage of how close they were.

 There were a ton of little baby goats too, this one kept trying to hide behind the adult... but I managed to catch him a few times.

When we had left Denver, the temperature was 88 degrees. Pretty warm. By the time we reached the top of Mt. Evans, the temperature was 55 degrees. It was WONDERFUL.

The road actually stops a bit down from the peak of Mt. Evans. Where it stops is an old building and the DU observatory. Jay and I wanted to be at the very, very top of the mountain. So up we climbed. Its not too bad of a climb, but as we passed a lot of wheezing, slow-moving people, I was glad for all the boot camp and dance I have been doing.

 We made it to the top! And... of course I had to take a jumping picture. Jay managed to catch me at the perfect time! I knew I kept him around for something ;)

We enjoyed the view from the top for a while and then headed down to feed our hungry stomachs. A short drive later and Jay and snuggled into the back of his truck with a giant blanket and some yummy food.

View from our lunch spot

The clouds had started rolling in and it looked like rain, so Jay and I headed down the mountain after that. Back to the hot, hot weather. But, it was so nice to escape for a little while!

Cross Training and my pinterest obsession

While I struggle with my current dance situation, I have found myself more and more determined to get into better shape.  For dance. For life. For me!

So how am I working on my health? Boot camp classes at Fitness in the City (I've mentioned these before) have definitely added to my overall cross training.  I love that not only does it push my already formed "dance" muscles... but it pushes muscles I've never used, under-used, and didn't know I had!  And its AWESOME. After each class, I find myself sweaty, hot and tired. But it also gives me this high, that I just accomplished something I've never tried before! Like... pulling another human being in a tire across the floor. Or... executing pull-ups from a prone position on the floor. Or... crossing the span of the room while doing push-ups. Stuff that doesn't benefit my everyday life, but it benefits my health.  And my friendships! This past Saturday, Mary, Julie, Stacey and I attended one of the biggest fitness gatherings around. Fitness on the Rocks!! What is that? It was an all day, fitness event with classes in Kickboxing, Zumba, Yoga and of course, Boot Camp (called Total Body). It couldn't have been in a more beautiful setting. Red Rocks! The day was warm and sunny, but we all worked our booties off!

love my fitness buddies!

Gorgeous day, gorgeous venue

So... how does all of this have anything to do with my Pinterest obsession? Have you been on Pinterest? If not, do so. Immediately. Or don't, because you'll invariably get sucked in. For example, since I have been more body and health conscious, I find things like this to add fuel to my fitness fire:

Are they necessarily the best ideas ever? No... but there are so many easy things I can do at home. Introduce new foods into our diet (although for the most part Jay and I eat pretty healthy). Try new recipes. And attempt to do some of these "easy, at home" exercises.  I am working on being more consistent with that. But hey, I am trying, right?

Here is to more cross-training, more healthy eating, and an all around better lifestyle!

Tripping over my tangled laces

Why am I tripping over my laces? Because, I am still dancing, but right now, my heart is not in it.
Why?
To answer, I first have to explain that my passion and love for dancing hasn't changed. I love dancing. I look forward to working myself until my legs are shaking and my feet are aching. But... I am not loving the school I am right now.
Remember my Post St. Pats post? I mentioned that I was struggling with the change in new teachers at our school. Well....3 1/2 months later, I am still struggling. Except now its because I feel like I am an afterthought.  Oh, you're an adult dancer thats not a champ? That's too bad.
Wait, what??!? I work just as hard, if not harder, than some of the kids in my class. So...why do I not get any feedback? Any suggestions? Any support? Hmmm.....
I mean, I know I am "old" for a dancer. I started late. 23. I am 28 now. I get it. I struggle with steps and moves. But, you know what? I WILL get them. Because I want to. I am not there because my mom and dad make me. I am there because I WANT to be.

I think its time I start looking for a different school to dance with. 

Time off from dance...means time for adventures!

So... I've been taking a bit of a break from dance. (Although heading back today). So... what have I been filling my time with? Summertime adventures, of course!

To start... Memorial Day weekend was planned with a camping/rafting trip. Unfortunately, I got sick right before we left... and camped with a wretched cold the whole weekend. It later turned into bronchitis... so, it wasn't the most pleasant of trips.

 We did have a beautiful campsite up near Kenosha Pass. Jay and I shared our huge tent with Heather and Pontus. It was cozy... especially considering how cold it got at night!!  We grilled up some yummy food over the campfire, and introduced our resident Swede to the gloriousness of S'MORES!

Jay - master chef

 The rafting portion of the weekend was incredibly disappointing. We had reserved spots on an all day trip down the "Numbers" portion of the Arkansas River. Too bad the water flow was sooo low they switched us to another section.  That had very little water as well and most of our day was spent fighting the wind the threatened to blow us back UP RIVER. Ugh.

Heather's bro came into town last weekend... and we decided to race go-karts! Oh yea... real deal, get suited up, wear helmets, go fast... racing! If you have the interest, check it out! We went to Action Karting up next to Bandimere Speedway. We went early in the morning before it got too hot... and had a blast!

our racing crew

the boys are thinking of getting into a new line of work

All in all, some good adventures so far this summer! More to follow...

Vacation, baby!

I've been MIA for the last couple weeks. Partially from the Spirit of Ireland production... and partially because Jay and I went on vacation. A well needed, well deserved (I think!), well earned vacation. To JAMAICA!!!! It was fabulous. A week of laying on the beach, swimming in the ocean, snorkeling, parasailing, drinking, eating, sunning, laughing and RELAXING. Pure Bliss.

I can't wait to start planning another vacation!!!

What's a girl to do?

Despite the success of this past show... I have been struggling with dance. Struggling, how?  Struggling with the fact that despite my love and passion and excitement for dancing, I am frustrated with the changes that have been happening in our school.  After St. Patrick's Day, my friend and teacher Mary, decided to leave the school.  In the wake of her departure, the school has brought in two new teachers. One of which I have had limited class time with and the other typically comes to Thursday night classes.  So, why the frustration? Our Thursday teacher seems like he will be really, really good. But.... BUT he hasn't been able to come to class when we start. He is typically 45-50 mins late. Hmmm.....
So, what's a girl to do?

That is the question that has been rolling around in my head for a while. As of right now, I have decided to take a bit of time off - at least the rest of this month - and then see what happens from there.

Fingers crossed...

Spirit of Ireland 2012

Every year, our Irish Dance school puts on a big show/recital. Spirit of Ireland.  Its a great opportunity to let all the dancers showcase their talents (regardless of how budding or advanced they are). This year I was pretty busy helping out with make-up and pre-show prep work, so I didn't get a chance to take pictures. Luckily, there are plenty of camera happy parents snapping pictures for us!

helping with make-up before the show

our a capela number

prizewinner's hornpipes

all ladies Warrior's

my beautiful friends!

Despite the last minute planning and changes, the show went off without a hitch. Another successful year!

A girl can dream, right?

I will most certainly not be as good as these guys, but I like it! And... it gives me hope despite how down I've been feeling about dance lately.

The post St. Pats lull

I feel like after St. Patrick's Day swoops in... and leaves all of us Irish Dancers in its green wake, things become a bit dull.  For me at least.  I always feel a bit ragged and run-down after St. Pats. This year was no different. It was a long, long day... and on top of it, it was the last day at Bennett for my friend and teacher Mary Pearl.  So, not only have I had to struggle with getting back into the swing of things after St. Pats - because no, my body does not want to dance for 12+ hours a day- but I have also had to struggle with the change of routine that comes with new teachers.

As an adult &over... my brain doesn't learn as quickly as the 12-16 year olds in my prizewinner class. My body doesn't want to cooperate when I tell it to push higher, dancer longer, move faster. I am afraid of how the new teachers at Bennett will deal with my "adult" brain in a kid's world.  Luckily, I am not alone in that class and my fellow adult &overs probably feel the same.

To try and keep myself from getting to Debby Downer about the whole situation, I have added something new to my workout routine to spice things up a bit. With the weather getting warmer its back to running, dancing and now... BOOT CAMP! No, not military boot camp. But an all around, full body workout, push yourself to the max, get your butt kicked - boot camp. And its awesome.

Courtesy of Fitness in the city

Heather and I have been going to boot camp at Fitness in the City for a couple weeks now. I am using muscles I never used in dance. And I feel better for it!! I am hoping that this strength gaining, muscle building, full body workout will improve my dance stamina, form and overall performance.

We'll see how it goes - I figure, it can't hurt, right?