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!

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!!!

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.
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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.

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.

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!