Monday, November 28, 2011

Buckets of fun

My post about the dance competition got me to thinking about bucket lists. I've never seen the movie...but I like the concept. I think a bucket list helps to ensure you are living life to the fullest. It keeps goals visible so that day to day life doesn't get in the way of some really great experiences.

I'm going to list mine out, it will be short to start. I'm going to include some things that have already been accomplished.

  • Teach a Zumba class -Thanks to a good friend, this dream came true over the summer. I was able to sub 3 of her classes. It was so fun. I couldn't believe I had done it. Me. Standing - dancing, really - up there on a stage all by myself, leading the class. Wow!! So thankful to have a friend who trusts me to lead a class that she built herself.
  • Learn to dance - This is on-going. Learning to ballroom dance has been so fun. Competing in a dance competition...and actually placing!? Well, that was just the icing on the bucket :)
  • Be a nurse. - done!
  • Travel the world - on-going (Ecuador in a week, woo hoo!)
  • Have a baby - hopefully when Ryan's done with school.
  • Be in a musical production. Local theater counts.
  • Change a life - oh I know, small acts of kindness can change lives everyday, and yes, that's quite special and should be valued. But, I'd really like to change at least one life (in need of changing), directly, irreversibly, and for the better.
More to come...what's on your bucket list?

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Giving thanks and getting fat


Ok... maybe not that last part.

Lots of food, family, and fun this week. I was lucky enough to be off work on Wednesday and Friday - even getting my Sat/Sun shifts covered so I could spend the holiday with Ryan and family at his parents' house in Gates-Mills.

It was nice to see our nephew Josh, who is way taller and way grown up since we saw him a year ago. We hung around and played with legos, ate chocolate rocks, and warmed our feet by the fire.
Ryan's Sis and Josh at the Thanksgiving table:

On Friday, after hitting up a few places (Performance Bike, Marshalls) We came back, had a bite to eat, and headed to Youngstown for my second-cousin's wedding.

We ate, danced a little, and caught up with my cousin, aunt, and grandparents (mom and Greg, too - speaking of Greg; good luck on your knee surgery on Monday!)

We drove back to Gates-Mills, and here I sit waiting for brunch. So glad to have a break from work and everything in Columbus, I'm sure Ry feels the same about some time off school.

On Sunday Ryan and I will head back to Columbus for about a week or so and then its on to Ecuador! We can't wait. It will be nice to come home just in time for Christmas this year, after missing out on the festivities last year (although we can't complain too much, we were on our honeymoon, after all.)

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Ohio Star Ball


Whew!!!

I did it! I actually competed in a dance competition....and came home with something to show for it!!

Another item has been crossed off my bucket list!Ok - lets get to it.

Monday morning I went straight to TanPro to get my "chemical bath"-as Ryan calls it. After being sprayed up, down, and sideways, I went for a last pre-comp lesson with Michael Paul. It felt pretty good. I went home and practiced my make up, put on my dress, and glued on my nails. I have to say, taking out contacts with fake nails is a huge pain.

Anyway... Tuesday morning rolls around and I'm up early to put my face on, hair on, dress on and head out. My friend Rachel let me borrow a huge blingy sparkly wrist cuff for the competition, so that was also applied. My mom, Greg, and Baba picked me up and we headed to the Hyatt. Unfortunately Ryan couldn't join us. He had to be in Emergency clinic all week :(.

We arrived at the hotel and I found our group. I had to have Michael Paul fasten my shoes because I couldn't do it with my nails on! What a guy.

We were getting ready to warm up, but there was a registration problem with one of his other students. We mambo'd for a quick minute after that was sorted out, and then it was time to line up!

Deeeeeeep breath. There I was. We walked out onto the floor. Picked a spot, and got ready for the cha cha. Music, and go! Ahhh! I was dancing! Was I stiff as a board, well, yes. Did I get through 95% of it with out messing up...yeah! My mom caught some video of it, and now I can see 100 things I could improve...(number 1? smile more!). But all in all, it went off without too much of a hitch.

my cha cha


I think the rumba was the best dance in the rhythm category. I didn't feel any hiccups in that one. Bolero was ok, but with each step I felt my dress getting shorter and shorter! By mid-song I was positive that I was offensive, so I tried to slyly (yeah right. me? sly?) pull the hem down during a turn.

Cue mambo. Mambo was "eh". I think I stayed on time for most of it, but when I decided to put my arm up and get fancy...well, the feet suffered.

Just like that, it was over. Michael Paul gave me a quick "Good job!" before he was off to line up for his next heat with Dianne, his other student. I sat back down at our table, and for some odd reason, I felt tears in my eyes!

I don't get it. I was satisfied with my performance. I wasn't thrilled with it, but it wasn't terrible. I didn't feel upset...but somehow there I was, opening my eyes as wide as possible, looking up, pretending to fix an eyelash - all I could do to keep my lacrimal glands in check.

For the next 30 minutes, every time someone congratulated me or asked how it went, all I could do was squeak out a "good."

We watched the other performers for a while, before mom, Greg, Baba and I left to get lunch and head home.

Diane, Michael Paul and I

After hanging at the hotel, we went to dinner at City BBQ and recapped the day to Ryan.

The next morning it was time to start again.

I was up early with Ryan, layering on the eye makeup and clipping in the hair. I had lost one of my eyelash strips the day before, so I cut the remaining one in half and stuck one on each outer corner - I think it looked better than before!

In much the same fashion as the day before, I was picked up by the fam and we went to the Hyatt. Only this time I left my coat and cell in a bathroom, never to be seen again. I'm annoyed that all my contacts were lost, and I really liked that coat!

Anyway, Michael Paul and I warmed up, and darn it, the warm up was better than the actual performance! WHY?!?! Oh well... we were in the first heat again.

The waltz was satisfactory, I belly-slammed him in the tango, foxtrot was ok, and I enjoyed dancing the Viennese waltz, even if there was hesitation on a few steps.
I left the floor a little bummed that I didn't perform as well as I thought I could/should have. I didn't have much time to lament that fact before MP was off to dance another heat with Diane.

After watching countless other heats and dancers, the announcer asked everyone onto the floor to announce awards. MP and Diane were already standing out there. I asked myself if there was any point to me going out there since, like yesterday, I wasn't exactly a shoe-in for anything.

But, I sauntered out and stood behind some tall people as they started calling names. They started with pre-bronze waltz. The guy says into the mic "Third place Stephanie and...uh...Stephanie and Michael Paul..2nd place..so and so..".

SAY WHAT? WHO? Was that me? Did he say me?!?!?! Now I was holding back tears for a whole new reason! MP and I walked up and got the 3rd place token from the guy...I was so totally shocked and floored. Especially since I didn't think my performances were anything to write home about. After we got our coin...he said my name THREE MORE TIMES! For each of the other dances, 3rd place. Oh Em Gee.
Before I had a chance to understand what just happened. Baba and my mom were right there, attacking MP and I with hugs, kisses, and tears. Wow. I still can't believe it. I am over the moon!!

We danced one more time in an extra round...again I tripped up on a few things, but at that point, I was so happy about the third places, I wasn't too worried. We headed out for lunch at Wendy's and my mom, Greg, and Baba headed back to Y-town.

Baba purchased a dvd of each of my dances - so thankful to have that!!! I watched it with Ryan so that he was able to see everything. Its a great keepsake to show the grandkids someday :)

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Ryan and Steph go to Bollywood


No, we haven't changed our Quito flight to Mumbai, but we have spent an evening being entertained by India's finest.

Now...I'm going to have to back-track a few years to really illustrate what strikes me as so incredible about this event.

Picture it, fall quarter 2003 at Ohio State. A suite-mate of mine was participating in an Indian-American Association event involving some song and dance numbers. I went along to see the show and support her. Of all the performances, one song stuck in my head. I'd later find out that it is called "Chalka Re."

Years would go by before I looked up the song on YouTube (I'm amazed that I remembered the name of it!) It was maybe 2007 or 8 by the time I looked up the video. I realized the song was from a movie called Saathyia. Fine. I watched the clip, and started clicking on some "related videos" in the side bar of the screen.

One video showed a young girl singing the song on an Indian TV show, appearing to be the equivalent of American Idol. Here is the link to this video. (This isn't the original video that I watched, although same performance.) The girls name was Anwesha, and I would later learn that she was runner-up on the show.

I really loved her version and it was one of my favorite videos. I literally watched it at least 2 dozen times over the years since.

Cut to January 2011 when I get a job with this Indian physician. I'm working, occasionally attending small social events such as a party at the anesthesiologist's house, a birthday party for the Doc, a lunch at an Indian restaurant nearby, etc.

This brings us to last night. My boss was the MC for this fundraiser for the Central Ohio Bengali Cultural Association. She offered tickets to Ryan and I, and though we weren't quite sure what to expect, we looked forward to the show.

When Dr. S handed me our tickets, I noticed the performers were listed. Yes. You guessed it...ANWESHA! Can you believe it?

It all started in 2003 with a chance performance by a bunch of students... And now here I am sitting in the McCoy Center for the Arts. All the way from India...through 8 years...and here I am sitting in a crowd of Indians and Anwesha is preforming. Tell me thats not crazy!

I know a total of maybe 3 Indian artists: Anwesha, A.R. Rahman, and a song from the movie Dil Se. Of all the artists in all of India, Anwesha came to sing. Wow.

Some pics from the night.
We were told to come early, ha!

Here she is!We werethe only white people in attendance, and the others weren't afraid to do a double take as we walked to our seats. We think we caught 2 of the ushers discussing what the hell Ryan and I were doing there. This whole thing was a double rainbow experience for me.

Monday, October 17, 2011

"You're overdue on your blog"

Thanks for the reminder, Mom!

The past month has ushered in fall. Ryan and I made a failed attempt at a pumpkin pie (it ended up tasting like a milk pie). We went apple picking (2 of them are baking in the oven as I blog). Ryan completed his first marathon in under 4 hours. I signed up for a dance competition in November.

So yes - things are happening :) Ryan bet me 10 dollars that I wouldn't be able to hold off on the pumpkin spice coffee creamer until our regular half-and-half is gone. I lost this bet, but since we are both broke, he agreed not to send his bookie after me.

With this competition coming up, I am forced to again address my look. Fake eyelashes are purchased, as is a fake "bun" for the back of my hair. I bought it at a store that sells wigs, extensions, cheap jewelry and nails. I brought it home only to discover that it was not a match for my hair color. It was too light! Of course the woman at the store refused to exchange it. I stood at the register for a minute with a really sad expression on my face, just like my mom taught me, and it worked! They didn't exchange it, but the owner and a staff member comped me some gel-type stuff to paint onto it to make it darker, and now it is a closer match.

Instead of looking like a fake bun that's too light for my hair, it now looks like a fake bun that's too light for my hair and covered in shoe polish. Oh well. Honsetly, the hair is the least of my worries.

I have an ebay dress on the way that will either fit or take me back to my tap days at the Canfield Dance Company. I won't bore you with the details, but I looked very patriotic and very well-fed.

My other outfit is from a legit dancewear company so I have more hope for that.

And then there is the dancing itself. Oh the dancing. All I can say is that I really hope I can get it together by the time I have to do this in front of people. I want to at least get out there and not look like a fool with my shoe-polish bun.

But anyway - lets dance across that bridge when we come to it.

ECUADOR!!!! We are pretty much done planning! Hotels are 90% booked and confirmed, flights are settled. All that's left is printing out all our directions and confirmations, color-coding them by city and packing! I am SO excited for this trip!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

One Year!

September 11 marked one year since Ryan and I married. Wow - it really flew by! We had some wedding cake about a week earlier, it still tasted pretty good too!

What did we do to celebrate you might ask. Pretty much "ran for the (opposite) hills." Ryan jetted off to Utah for 10 days with a buddy from school. They rappelled down huge canyons, rock-climbed, mountain-biked, and camped all over at various National parks out there. He had a blast and got some great pictures.

While he was sleeping in puddles in the desert, my mom, Greg and I headed to Hocking Hills for the annual Indian Run. My mom came down to Columbus earlier to spend a few days, we zumba-ed, salsa-ed and had a great time.

My mom placed 3rd for overall women, and first in her age group. Way to go, Mom! When she wasn't mopping the floor with the competition, we zip-lined, took a lampworking class to make some glass beads, and had "trial" horseback ride.

Unfortunately 45 minutes on a hours did me in for about 2 hours of itching and sneezing afterwards, even on Zyrtec-D! Looks like no riding in Ecuador, which really sucks. But hey, at least we are going to Ecuador, right?

We were also treated with in0cabin massages and some really great food while we were there. Grouse Nest, Inn at Cedar Falls, and Glen Laurel really know how to serve some delicious food.

I'll try to add more later!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Caballeros!

The trip planning is coming along slowly. I have 2 activities nailed down with e-mail confirmations. One is a 2-day mountain-bike tour of Quilotoa Crater Lake and Volcan Cotopaxi, the other is a horse-riding tour of Pululahua Crater. There are a couple potential problems...one is that bike seats hurt my butt and I like to complain about it loudly and often (I doubt they will have gel seats). The other is that I have a pretty strong horse allergy. We are going to take a test run with Zyrtec before the trip.

We are trying to get to a cloud forest for some bird watching too :)

Monday, August 15, 2011

It's the little things...

...That make a job not only bearable...but maybe even a little fun.

Don't get me wrong... I love taking care of the lovely folks at Trillium, but sometimes work is work, and it can get a little monotonous. Which is precisely why Associate Appreciation Week couldn't have come at a better time.

My buddy Miranda and I made T-Shirts at the end of our shift yesterday and had a ball. Here's mine...it glows! My shirt:
It was also a good weekend because 2 of my cousins came to visit. We hung out at Easton, ate at Pasquale's (which was delicious might I add), rented a movie and painted nails. It was good to spend some QT with them.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Worth their weight in gold..

I love the Golden Girls.

There is a picture of me as a 6 or 7 year old laying on my grandma's bed watching a black and white tv...if you look closely you can see Dorothy Zbornak opening the door for Stan.

Somehow the show takes me to a happy place. I just love Blanche and I love Sophia too...all four characters are wonderful. I like seeing their various boyfriends, weekend trips, parties, dances, schemes, etc. I like their outfits; Blanche and Rose running around in heels, Dorothy in flats.

Thanks to my mom I have the whole series on DVD. Right now I'm watching the bowling competition episode :)

Your heart is true/You're a pal and a confidant!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Birthday nails?

I guess... A few days late though.

I saw a tutorial on youtube on how to paint mini cupcakes on fingernails. So I gave it a go last night. Not too bad for my first try! Here is the video I used: Tutorial.

And here are my nails!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Another check off the bucket list...


Well... I did it!!!

I taught a Zumba class! 2 of them actually. I subbed for a friend of mine out in Plain City. I was really nervous. It's one thing to take a class...but to teach is a whole different animal.

A person doesn't realize how much she depends on instruction until it is taken away...and she becomes an instructor herself. But, I practiced before the class and I think it actually went pretty well for the first time.

I started out with "Boro Boro," a Bollywood-esque song that my friend had been using as a warm-up. After that I went out on a limb and taught a merengue that the girls had never heard. By the end they all had it.


Since the studio is on the 2nd floor of a somewhat abandoned building, it was roughly 130 degrees inside. We are talking about some serious heat. Everyone was drenched by the end...but the class went on despite the temps.

On Wednesday it was even hotter - Lifetime canceled a 5k for the safety of the runners...and there we are baking ourselves in Zumba! But honestly...even if it were 200 degrees in there I would have held the class. I was so happy that my friend came to me to sub, and so excited for my teaching debut. There was actually a pretty good turnout too, 20 people on Monday and 15 on Wednesday.

A special thanks to my Mom for coming down to Columbus to take the class. She drive in on Tuesday and we got a hotel and relaxed and partied with our protein shakes until class started. Even this morning we were able to spend some time just hanging in the apartment, cleaning up, making stuffed peppers for Ryan and I. It felt like the weekend. She also bought me some workout gear for my bday along with some groceries. Thanks mom!!! Love u!!!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

two, three, fooouuuurrr...


Ryan has a book called "The Rock Warrior's Way." There should be one called "The Dance Warrior's Way." I'd buy.

For some reason I have not yet been able to grasp the basic concept of the rumba. I get the count, I watch others -both on video and live- and I see how they are transferring their weight, I know the timing...but as of yet, the execution has escaped me.

I try to apply rock warrior principles during the lesson. A thought will come into my head "I hate the rumba." Immediately I strike the negative thought from my mind. "You do not hate the rumba," I tell myself, "You are learning the rumba, and learning takes time and practice."

...No wonder I'm not getting it...with all this self-dialog going on when I'm supposed to be paying attention to Michael Paul.

Hopefully replacing all of these negative, self-defeating thoughts with positive ones I'll come a little closer to putting what I know into my feet.

On a happy note, we did more paso doble today and I enjoyed it. I also had fun with our samba on Monday.
_________________________

Unfortunately I have some sad news to share. I got a very upsetting phone call today from my cousin. Her boyfriend died suddenly last night. This was unexpected. She was traveling and is flying home tonight to be with family, both ours and his. We love you, Jen, and we're so sorry for your loss, come home safe.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Late night...come home...


You know the rest of the lyric.

TGIF...although I do work tomorrow and Sunday. There is a Pelotonia cookout tomorrow that Ryan and I are going to so that should be a good time. Thats pretty much all we have going on this weekend.

We just watched "True Grit" (Ryan's pick). It was ok. I have an issue with the way the characters speak...but I'm sure the Coen bros know what they're doing.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Holy Sweat!


Zumba left me drenched tonight! I took my friend's class tonight in Plain City. I will be subbing for her in about a week so I want to take her class a few times to get the feel. What a workout!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Quasimodo


I felt like the hunchback of Notre Dame today at my lesson. I need to keep my shoulders DOWN! Apparently a decade of chiropractics and massage therapy hasn't made a dent.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Stage fright


The hours of grinding my Dove deodorant into Michael Paul's black sleeve have finally paid off. I danced the jive in front of people!

Last night started off with a group lesson. Ryan even joined in! I must say, people from all walks of life show up to these sorts of lessons/events. Its neat to see how everyone interacts and comes together...perhaps with absolutely nothing in common aside from being here to dance.

After the lesson music started for social dancing. About a half hour or so after the "foxtrot mixer" and "steamy bolero" it was time for Michael Paul and I to dance. I was chewing my Winterfresh into a pulp and I stood there listening to our introductions. "Please don't screw up," I begged in my head.

Then the music was starting and without a whole lot of warning we started our "rock step." After about 10 seconds I hear Micheal Paul say something to the tune of "We are slightly off beat, lets pause." Pause? Oh sure...I'll pause. Me pausing looks a lot like a woodland creature facing a 4x4 with one headlight. But, watching the video getting back on beat went over without much of a hitch...why did I ever doubt him?

Next thing I know its time to end! He gives me "the signal" and I come in, jump onto his thigh with my tibia, and we spin around, giving an unparalleled view of my nude-colored Spanx.

All joking aside...I had a really good time, there were no major mishaps, and I'm really thankful to have Michael Paul as an instructor. Ryan took some video, I'll see if I can post it.

My Jive - you'll have to settle for the link. Blogger is giving me problems.

Monday, June 6, 2011

How do you solve a problem like...Ma-rhythm?

Well, the cha cha has been scrapped in favor of a jive for the showcase. We are also planning on doing a waltz...which I've had frighteningly little practice with.

I ordered a dress online with the cha cha in mind...but now that we are doing a jive I'll either send it back or keep it for later. That is if it fits at all. It's a one-shoulder style. I tried on a one-shoulder dress at the mall earlier and it felt like a serious wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen. I think it takes a certain shape to pull the look off...and my shape (I mean lack of shape) up top isn't conducive to holding anything up.

That said...I dove into my closet and fished out an old polka-dot dress from college that still fits. It's good for the waltz, but a little long for a jive I thought. I took it to get hemmed up a few inches. I think the cost of the alteration was more than what I paid for the dress, but whatever. I hope it comes out ok. I now have to focus on trying to get my hair to look sleek. I remember it looked sleek one time as I came up from underwater in a pool...but thats the only time I can think of.

If I may rant for a moment... I am starting to seriously hate Sam's Club. I ran in to buy peanut-butter today and it took forever to get checked out. They only had a few lanes open and all these people were lined up with carts full of bulk toilet paper and pretzel sticks. I was told to go check out at customer service...but that line was just as long! I finally wised up and checked out at the snack bar.

Ok..off to make dinner. Peanut satay noodles with spinach and chicken tonight!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

On the spot


Yikes, OMG, wow and whaaa?

Michael Paul suggested that it is time for my student spotlight. This means at one of their Sunday night "parties" we will do one of the dances I've been working on for all the world (room) to see.

AHHH! I'm so scared. I'm excited, but really nervous already. What happens when, I mean if, I mess up? What if I get my feet mixed up and can't un-mix them for the duration of the dance? What if there are constant stutters that make even my mom want to look away?

I still have a couple of weeks till this happens, thank goodness. Michael Paul suggested that I have a friend help with my hair/makeup/dress. I think he's worried I'll show up in my prom dress from 2003. Just kidding...I really do need help on figuring out what I am supposed to look like for this whole thing.

I'll keep you all posted on my progress.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day!

Ryan and I got up early to head to Sunny Street Cafe (formerly rise and dine) for breakfast. It's been a while since we had breakfast out. We both got omlettes. After eating we headed to Antrim Park to catch the Olentangy Trail for a bike ride. We rode for about an hour before coming home.I had a dance lesson with Michael Paul at noon. We reviewed just a bit of rhumba, jive, and cha-cha, but mostly worked on technique. I really need to practice some of the foot work he taught me. I want to be able to dance well and correct.

Practicing made me realize how unbalanced I feel. I'll be sanding there trying to take a pretty simple step. My ankles shake, toes try in vain to grip the floor, next thing I know I'm wind-milling my arms like Goofy.

Current me:
Future me:

We did some grocery shopping and now I am sitting here with my ballroom shoes on, trying to tear myself away from YouTubes of the dances. I have an Ecuador trip to plan! We plan on getting the tickets this week hopefully!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Keeping the ball rolling...

Well, I still haven't learned Paso Doble, but Michael Paul did go over several others with me. I am learning the foxtrot (which for the longest time I though was the jive...turns out it's a slower dance) and waltz. Sometimes it feels like I am trying to learn too many dances at one time, but I know there is a method to teaching these things.

Foxtrot freezeframe:

I am starting to enjoy the Samba a lot more. The first time we went over it I though it was tricky, and I thought I'd struggle with it. This morning though, I actually really liked it! Michale Paul said I'm moving quickly though the Bronze level so far, so that made me feel a little more confident. It's hard for me to tell if I'm learning fast, because I'm learning at my own pace. Who else's pace have I to compare? My pace could be that of a snail or Michael Phelps. So yes, it was good to hear that I'm moving along.

Sometimes it's so frustrating when I feel like I can't get a simple step. Even more frustrating is when I DO get a step down, but then at the next lesson, somehow I've backslid and can't do it anymore. Oh well, I'm sure this is all part of the process.

When I'm not trying to take up new hobbies, I'm working. Things have been going well at the surgery center. I am still manning the front desk until the regular gal comes back from maternity leave. It was an ok gig for a while, but I'm worried that I'm forgetting nursing stuff while I stand at the copier cursing it for another paper jam.


In other news, Ryan had a great time climbing and camping with his buds in the Red River Gorge this past weekend. He took some good photos with our new camera. He's also trying to raise some dough for his Pelotonia ride this summer.

We are going to a BBQ tonight for one of his friends' birthdays, I am off to sit in my closet with old business casual attire, fleece sweat suits, too-summery tank-tops, and try to find something to wear. Have a good day everyone!

P.S. Thanks for the prayers for Dad...he's out of the hospital and back in the skilled nursing facility.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Lo que paso...

Paso?

Paso Doble is one of the dances Michael Paul (my new ballroom dance instructor) is going to teach me. I had no idea what it was until I 'tubed it yesterday. It's some ort of Spanish bullfighing dance in which the man can represent the matador, and the woman can represent the cape. Neat, huh? I'm hoping we start it this morning at my lesson. :) I also hope that I can get some ballroom dance shoes by next week. My wonderful mom has offered to fund the purchase. Thanks, Mom!

Also - some prayers for my Dad, please. He's not in very good shape right now.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Going to have a BALL...

...In a ROOM!

Ok so its not my best heading...but I'm too excited and high on youtube to care. I have my first Ballroom Dance lesson Thursday at 4:45! Ahhh! I can't wait! I have been wanting to do this for over a year now and I can finally dedicate some time and funds to this little-explored interest (dare I say passion?) of mine.

I love Zumba so much and I loved going out to the clubs to salsa with the Zumba gang. I loved Ryan and I's wedding bachata...so naturally I think I'll love ballroom dancing as well.

It ain't gonna be easy, I know that much. I suppose that will be the true test. I will have to see if I want to pursue this bad enough to fight through the tricky footwork and physical demands. I took an Argentine Tango lesson in undergrad, and that was no cake walk.


Oh Boy...

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Ecuador 2011

Today marks the 4 year anniversary of Ryan and I getting together. I think it's high time for a second honeymoon!

We are planning a trip to Ecuador in December, and we are already brushing up on some spanish! We are looking at flights everyday, and so far everything seems pretty affordable.

Stay tuned for planning updates!

Tomorrow we are going to a party thrown by one of the Doctors that works with my boss. It will be neat to get together with everyone outside the office in a casual setting. I'm excited too for everyone to meet Ryan. April really flew by.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

I lac it...

...I lac it alot.

We are going to Lac Viet tonight for dinner with 2 other couples from Ryan's class. It should be fun. I can't wait for some Pho! And summer rolls...can't forget those!

It was so nice outside today. I went to class this morning with Ryan and read a book until he was done at 8:30. We headed to breakfast at this little joint in Clintonville called Nancy's. It was so good! Great food and a great price. They have the best potatoes.

After a chiro appt, we went to Premier. Ryan did a spinning class while I did Body Pump. I still don't enjoy lifting weights, but I'm working on losing the negative attitude about the whole thing.

I got my shifts for Easter weekend covered so now I can go home! Yipee!!

Monday, April 4, 2011

I'll be your sunshine...

You can be mine.

I go back to work tomorrow at the surgery center after over a week off! Its been nice, but I hope I didn't forget too much from being away. Luckily Tuesdays are usually our short days.

This December Ryan and I really want to take another trip. We have nothing planned yet, but are looking for inexpensive international destinations. We plan on being home for Christmas, however.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Breakfast of Champions


Ryan and I made pancakes and eggs this morning :) Don't mind my mismatched PJs.

Molcajete


Last night Ryan and I finally went to a restaurant we've been wanting to try. Nearly a year ago I met someone at one of the Salsa nights at Martini Park who is from Mexico. I asked him to recommend an authentic restaurant in the area and he suggested La Plaza Tapatia.

My rusty Spanish was tested, but we were able to take a look at the buffet (which we will get next time) and order Molcajete from the menu. We pretty much ordered the molcajete without knowing what it was. Lucky for us we both enjoyed it.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Life is what happens...

...when you're busy making other plans.


Monday my mom, step-dad, and grandma came down for a visit. We went out to lunch, I showed them Trillium, and before I knew it they were headed back to Y-town. Looking forward to (hopefully) going home for Easter.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Spring break

...isn't what it used to be.

I wish Ryan and I could go on a real spring break. We see so many great deals in magazines and online. He's getting his wisdom teeth out during his break. I don't have a break at all. It's too soon to think of asking for time off from the new job.

Vietnam was such a great experience, it only made us want to travel more. Maybe this December we can take another trip. My time off won't be paid of course, but it would be worth it.

We've been getting through the winter here one week at a time. We were both sick this week, but luckily it didn't last long. I've been seeing my chiropractor with good results, and Ryan's been climbing and playing soccer with his buddies after school regularly.

We attended a outdoor activity night at the Outdoor Adventure Center on campus, and we were able to tie our own "wooly bugger" fly fishing fly! It was neat to do, and afterward they had us practice casting.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Adjustments

...literally and figuratively.

The literal:

I've been seeing a chiropractor lately and I have been feeling quite a bit of improvement in my spine. I used to be pretty uncomfortable, but after a month or so in her care things are looking up. I have a foam roll on which I do some exercises, and I've been trying not to sleep on my stomach.

The figurative:

I've been adjusting to the new job pretty well I think. I haven't even cried over it yet! (For those unfamiliar with my typical method of dealing with starting jobs, this is a big step). I am finally working as an RN. My commute is about 20-25 minutes, but I don't mind it.

The surgery center is run by one doctor, and 3 days a week she does EGDs and Colonoscopys (oscopies?). I am usually in the room with her and the CRNA and one other RN as she takes looks around the digestive system for polyps and such. I help with the forceps when she takes biopsies. I also take turns cleaning the scopes afterward, which Is quite the process.

The doctor is really nice, and so are the other staff. I'm catching on and learning every day.

In other news, Ryan has been doing swimmingly in school. He and his classmates start injections later this quarter. I can't imagine having a classmate give me a shot...let alone in the mouth!

As we get a preview of the warm weather to come, Ryan has rocks on the brain. He's trying to get some friends together to go to the Red River Gorge as soon as they can.

That's about it for now. Hope everyone is doing well.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Be Mine

Someday I'll get through the honeymoon, but it looks like its going to take a while. A lot has happened since my last post. Mainly a new job. Its starting to get (slightly) warmer around here.

I have to leave for the new job now (its part-time, I'm still at Trillium on the weekends). I'll check in later!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Part 4: More Hanoi

We had time to run up to our hot, tiny room to "freshen" up. Soon Phuong was at the front desk talking to a staff member about where we should go for lunch. She explained that she lived in a different part of Hanoi and didn't know our hotel area very well.

We began heading over to the recommended restaurant, with Phuong holding my arm as we crossed the impossibly busy streets.

We stopped in front of a small store front where a woman was grilling meat and boiling noodles right on the street. She was squatted down low, maybe on a small stool with all sorts of ingredients in front of her. The room behind her was full of locals bent over their bowls chowing down on whatever it was she was making. "there's no room for us," I thought. Phuong led us up a very narrow stairway about 3 floors, each floor we passed was just as crowded as the one below.

Finally we stopped on the 4th floor and were shown to seats at the end of a long picnic table. The server put a large bowl of noodles in front of us, with a blob of noodles falling off onto the table. What did the server do? Why, she picked it up with her bare hands and threw it back in the bowl of course!

Soon there was a large plate of herbs and bowls of pork in front of us. Phuong helped us pick out a decent pair of chopsitcks from the holder on the table and we ate. The food was very good, I could see why it was so crowded. It was about 99 degrees in that room, but we were so consumed by blending in with the city that we forgot out the temp soon after sitting down.

We enjoyed out meal and talking with Phuong about our plans. She gave us the number to a taxi company she recommends (tourists have to be careful about getting ripped off my cab drivers). She walked us back to her hotel and buzzed away on her motorbike. We were glad to have knows our friend back home who owns Lac Viet, it was neat to be put in touch with someone.

We decided to finish the Old Quarter walk that we'd started the day before. We ended up at "Fanny's" for ice cream, which hit the spot. They also had a decent bathroom in there which means it gets an "A" in my book.

That's all for now...to be continued

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Part 3: More Hanoi

After we parted ways with Phoebe, Ryan and I walked around a little, exploring the area around our hotel. Eventually we started thinking about dinner, and our hotel called us a taxi to go to Old Hanoi - a restaurant that Ryan had read great reviews about.

It was pretty fancy. Beautifully decorated, and we were the only ones there. Our server didn't speak much English, and we spoke zero Vietnamese, so ordering food was an ordeal. Ryan ordered some beef skewers with pineapple. The server turned the page and pointed at a list of sides. Ryan was like "Oh, do sides come with the meal?" "Yes yes" with nodding and smiling was the answer. Ryan picked out two.

By the time our tea came out exhaustion had hit us...hard. It was only 6:30pm, but I was about to fall asleep into my "Pork in clay pot." We were so tired that we barely said a word to each other the whole meal. As we sat there and ate like zombies, the server stood in the corner watching us. It was a little uncomfortable. Finally we were done and she cleared our plates. And didn't come back.

We found this to be a trend in Vietnam. Once your table is cleared, the server doesn't come back with the bill until you ask for it. So we sat there for what seemed like forever and eventually just stood up. They got the picture and brought the bill. Ryan was charged separately for each additional side - ha! Pretty sly, Old Hanoi.

We paid and took a taxi back to the hotel where we went straight to bed.

I woke up again with my rooster friend at the crack of dawn. After emailing back and forth with mom and eventually sleeping a little more, Ryan and I headed out. We had breakfast at "Paris Deli." Ryan ordered Pho and I had a western breakfast with eggs and OJ.

We decided to start a walking tour of the Old Quarter. The streets were packed. Packed. Be bounced between walking on the side walk and walking on the road because people were sitting on stools eating all over the place. Motorbikes were parked right in the middle of the sidewalk too.

We strolled further and bought a bookmark here, a doo-dad there. I saw a guy carving wooden stamps and just had to have my name carved. I paid and was told to come back at 2 for my stamp. He carved my name, but I expected it to be embellished in some way. You know, like a dragon around it or something. It was just a rectangle with my name in it. Oh well.

Every now and then we'd see a chicken run along the sidewalk, but I'd say one of the stranger things was a kid dragging a speaker on wheels behind him as he sang loudly to music. No one was paying particular attention to him.

Soon it was time to head back to the hotel to meet Phuong, a friend of the owner of Lac Viet here in Columbus, for lunch...

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Part 2: Hanoi

We stepped off the plane at 10:20pm and followed the people in front of us past baggage claim. There was a crowd of men holding up signs with various names on them. My fingers were crossed that our hotel would come through. I was worried no one would be there for us, even though I reconfirmed a few days before. Sure enough I see my name on a sign. I practically jump into the man's face out of excitement and relief. He tells us to wait on the side walk and he goes and gets the car.

"Were you waiting long?" I ask. He doesn't answer. Ryan and I spend the rest of the ride looking out of the windows into the darkness trying to catch a glimpse of Hanoi as we sped down the road. Every now and then a motorbike would whiz by. As we got more into the city, our driver pulls up to a corner and other man jumps in the passenger seat. "My friend." The driver says, without looking back at us. The "friend" turns around and looks at us. I smile as I pray we don't get robbed in out first 15 minutes in the country.

We start to drive down increasingly narrow roads and alleys. Eventually we come to a truck parked in an alley blocking our way. The friend gets out and directs the driver through. We had less than a centimeter to spare on each side of the car as we slid by the truck. And then, just like that, it was over. Out hotel appeared before us, the driver helped us with our bags, and away he went.

So there we were. The hotel staff were friendly and showed us to our room. Room 104. I have to say, when we walked it I was a bit disappointed. It was hot and humid inside, and the bathroom was teeny tiny. The shower was hand-held, and basically right on top of the toilet. As I got ready and showered for bed, I ended up soaking an entire roll of toilet paper and nearly filling the little trash can with water. We learned to remove those items before showering for the rest of our trip.

We were both exhausted and got into bed. The whole room had a dampness about it, and for some reason I didn't feel comfortable putting my face directly on the pillow. I used the leg of a pair of capri's I brought to lay over it.

The next morning (around 3 or 4 am to be exact) I woke up, wide awake. Hell0 jet-lag. I layed in bed playing with my ipod and listening to a rooster perfect its crow somewhere outside. Eventually Ryan woke up too and we got ready for the day.

We booked a guide through "HanoiKids," a not-for-profit organizations in which students at a University in Hanoi volunteer to share their knowledge about the city and its culture. At 9am we met Phoebe in the lobby. She spoke great English and she quickly called a cab to take us to the Temple of Literature.

She told us all about the symbolism and landscaping of the temple, and quite a bit about the history of the Chinese universities in Vietnam. At one point we walked by an area where people were playing music on traditional instruments. We walked up just as they had finished. Some German woman, also a tourist, looked at me and said "Give them money!" while pointing at a box on the ground. I was stunned that this stranger picked me out of the crowd and told me to fork over some dong. I threw in a 20,000 (a dollar) and we kept walking.

We saw some paintings, sculptures, and impressive temples. We eventually made our way back to the entrance where we took a taxi to a silk handicraft village. Before leaving we did stop in a fair-trade souvenir shop and got an ornament for our tree.

After a somewhat lengthy cab ride we were at the silk village. At this point Ryan and I were starving since we'd had no breakfast. We split a Cliff Bar in the cab, but we were ready for lunch. We walked in and out of a few shops, and quickly realized they were all essentially the same. We weren't in the shopping mood, but we were interested to see a big wall of silk works at the entrance to the factory filled with looms.
After looking around a little more we headed back to the cab. I spotted a stand on the street and bought us all a coke, and Ryan and I spit a banana.

We sucked down our drinks and asked Phoebe to help us get a SIM card for our phone. We had brought a cell phone with us from home, so that we could by a SIM card there and get a Vietnamese number for our parents to call, and us to call home. She helped us buy one, along with a ancient bag of peanut m&m's (I was in survival mode, as I like to call it when I overeat on vacation.)

Next we stopped to buy tickets for the water puppet theater the following evening. Finally it was time to eat.

Pheoebe took us to the coolest restaurant of our trip. It was a very large corner of a city block, all open-air with large tapestries providing cover. There were many long tables, so you sat with other parties. It was packed. Ryan and I got some bottled water, Phoebe got a drink, and we ordered some appetizers and entrees. Phoebe got snail soup. I got some watermelon for dessert and Ryan ordered a coffee. Phoebe got some strange looking drink with what seemed like different layers to it. We say other people ordering them too. As we looked around dozens of people were drinking them. We were really curious, but there was ice in it, and at this point of the trip we were being really cautious about the water. There was ice in Ryan's coffee, so he didn't end up drinking it. The entire meal for three only ended up being around 10 bucks!

We called it a tour after lunch. Phoebe took us back to our hotel and we snapped a picture before saying goodbye. It was a great way to get our bearings in Hanoi. She helped us with the phone, helped us get tickets, and even showed us which cab company to trust.

To be continued...