Hello world.

I had 40+ students at Zumba tonight! It was quite amazing to see these students dancing and having fun and smiling all while watching me for the moves. Sooo cool! I teach again tomorrow to the faculty/staff class, which is a little different than students, but still fun.

I leave for a 7 day vacation in 3 days and I can't help but think about work and things that I will miss when I am gone. I have a very hard time fathoming 7 days of sun (hopefully), friends, laughter, and relaxation. My father told me tonight on the phone to enjoy myself and not to think so much about life but rather live in those days of vacation. I hope I will and when I'm sailing away on the ship with a glass of champagne I wish everyone back home a great week...but mine will be much better ;)

I shall report back when I return to the mainland.

Just a picture on the wall.

Finally free of illness and happy to be working out again :) Lifted tonight, which means I will be sore tomorrow. Zumba at the Y tomorrow at 5:30p--yes! Can't wait, it'll be nice after a long work week.

I've been feeling reflective and very thoughtful this week about my life, my future, my present...anyways, I was in the meeting and there were pictures of very old 1920s men on the wall. I couldn't help but wonder that maybe I'll just be another face on another wall. To prevent this from happening, I'm saving up money to name a building after myself. Genius.

In other news...the cruise is slow approaching. YES!

If I were you...

Sleep update: I'm doing okay. It'll never be perfect, but it's better than it was about a month ago. I try to go to bed around 11pm and get up around 7:30am.

I quit my half-marathon...maybe I shouldn't say the word "quit." I feel that I could not completely dedicate my time to training between Zumba and weightlifting. Honestly, I enjoy running a good 2 miles, maybe three but not 13...at least, not at this point in my life. Instead, I'll run the 5K with my friends by my side. The first couple of days of the decision I was disappointed in myself, but I've realized there is more to me than this decision and I'm happy that I've lifted the weight from my shoulders.

Zumba chewed me up and spit me out tonight. It was a good ending to a nice weekend :)

Off to watch Brothers & Sisters so I feel like I am a member of a big dysfunctional family...

To sleep or not to sleep?

Welcome to the 7am hour.

I've never been a morning person. It is safe to say that if sleep were a person I would marry it. (However, sleep would have to a male and not female because the government says I can't legally marry a woman...since I am a woman. Just wanted to clarify.) I've known people that have converted to getting up early due to jobs, kids, dogs, full bladders, etc. Me? I'm not sure that I will fully convert but I will attempt to get my lazy ass up at least three times a week until I work my way up to Mondays-Fridays and then sleep in a little Sat/Sun. The truth is I feel better when i get up, get to work, and get moving. I just can't get out of bed! I've tried early morning phone calls from early-rising friends (some on buses to work, some with kids, some brushing their teeth). Here's how the conversation typically goes:

Me (morning voice): Hello?
Friend (chipper early riser): Hey Sara...you told me to call, remember? Time to get up...
Me: What? Who are you? Wrong number? No speaky english?
Friend: Sara, are you going to roll over and fall back asleep.
Me: No..I'm up, I'm up (the whole time adjusting my alarm by one hour). Okay...thanks...

Since I should no longer lie to the people I love I decided to have an intervention with myself. TOMORROW, I shall set the alarm for 7am, hit snooze once, take a quick walk while listening to some easy listening, shower and be in the office by 8:30-ish.

I will report back with the results. Yes, yes we can. Wait...I mean, yes, yes I can!

Don't Stop Believin'

I'm proud that I lifted and ran 3 miles today! It feels good because I really wanted to quit running at mile 2 but thought about it some more and pushed through. Also, the new playlist helped and Eminem and Jay-z are great men to keep me moving.

I know I can do this and I'm not sure why I doubt myself.

In the spirit of my marathon-running friend Amanda, I've decided that I need to run for a purpose. If you have something you'd like for me to run for--I will. It will be inspiring to think about my friends and family and run for people who believe in me.

Today I received a thank you note from a former staff member. I live for those moments and pray I continue to inspire others as they inspire me.

In other news, if you think squirrels are cute creatures of God you should stay with me for a night. They see me coming and throw stuff at me. It's like they are waiting for me to enter or exit the building...silly squirrels. I wish to cast a spell on you to make you normal squirrel folk.

Nintendo Thumb

Holla!

I don't think I've had Nintendo thumb since 1992 when the Schaller kids received their Nintendo from Santa. Turns out my sister is pretty amazing at Nintendo, mainly Super Mario Brothers which you can now find for Nintendo Wii. I became addicted to this game over Spring Break and I even had a dream about the game last night. Crazy? Yes but awesome still. I'm not that good but sometimes I try to channel my sister on the tougher levels. My Mariokart obsession has decreased. I no longer want to drop banana peels in from of people to watch them fall nor do I have a desire to run into giant rainbow question marks while driving. I think this is healthy. However, I wouldn't mind a yoshi to ride during the day.

Spring break is officially over, but if you are the Shirk Center (where my Zumba class is held) you are still on Spring Break since the building is closed, this means no Zumba. Sad story for me--better luck next time.

In other news, my NCAA bracket was destroyed with the loss of my two final picks, Villanova and Kansas. No sense is watching anymore...I'd rather play Super Mario.

I'm excited for work tomorrow. I had a very relaxing break and I'm ready to work hard and wrap up the end of the semester while preparing for May Term and summer. I need my schedule back...my sleep is off and my workouts are not where they should be, especially with a half-marathon on the way.

That is all :)

i carry your heart with me by ee cummings

To my friends--home or away: i carry your heart with me by ee cummings

Chelsea Handler

I typically end my day with Chelsea Handler on Chelsea Lately. She is extremely hilarious and I can't get enough of her. Since I'm also currently stalking her, she's on her book tour for her third book, "Chelsea, Chelsea, Bang, Bang," which was released yesterday. Her second book, "Are you there vodka, it's me Chelsea?" was a great read. I highly recommend it.

Yesterday I went to the grocery store and then to JoAnn's Fabric to buy some pins for a staff developer. Lately, I've had a strange fascination with buttons. I'm not picky about my buttons--they can come in all different shapes, colors, and sizes. I walked down an aisle filled with buttons. Then I realized I must live a pretty lame life if I get excited about buttons. Then I laughed to myself in the store and probably looked a little silly. It was also during this time I contemplated learning how to sew, but decided against it for now.

I encourage everyone to boycott Dancing With the Stars. Mainly because one of the "stars" is Kate Gosselin. Very silly. Watch your eight kids already.

I lifted and ran two miles yesterday. When I came home, I ate five Peanut Butter Patties (Girl Scout cookies).

That's all. thanks.

I'm missing something. If you find it, let me know.

National Margarita Day!

It's National Margarita Day! A time of great joy! :) Be sure to celebrate...sometime this week...

Run. Lift. Zumba.

So....I ran four miles today, right after I lifted weights. While running, I decided that anyone can run and is capable of running. It's definitely a mind-over-matter mentality and once you get into that state of mind, you don't even realize you're running anymore. You could be on your couch or on a beach or reading a book. I was watching Ohio State beat Michigan State while running and I forgot I was running. HA!

I've been preparing all afternoon for my Zumba class tonight. I'd like to learn at least two new routines each week to get a variety going. Right now I'm up to a 40 minute class and eventually I will reach a full hour. Some things just take time and I need to memorize, memorize and memorize. I hope I don't disappoint!

In other job news, I have a Skype interview tomorrow which should be interesting.

I can't wait to relax and enjoy my evening after some Zumba love.

A disappearing act

Have you ever gotten busy without really realizing how or why you got busy? When you break things down, it seems like the only reason the busy-ness exists is you. When you said yes to a movie over the weekend, started the to-do list, signed up for a half-marathon, thought it might be a good idea to teach a class, attend some professional development, and still try to maintain your job...and then you look around and think, "Did I remember to breathe?" I think my perception of work/life balance might be a little off. Hm...let's work on that.

I will call this "The Middle Syndrome." All of the sudden without really knowing it I'm in the middle of all this work. I'm also the middle child. I also find myself in the middle of many different personalities. Weird.

To completely switch topics, I've decided my next endeavor will be snowboarding. Shaun White seems to be my long lost red-haired brother. My dirty little Olympic secret is that I only watch figure skating to see people fall because it amuses me.

On the weather front, it's still cold and I can't wait until Spring.

And now the couch is calling my name...hello couch, it's good to see you again.

Reflections of a Zumba Instructor...

I'm just so proud of myself. I think I can say that because only like...5 people read this blog and it sorta feels like a journal at times anyways. I'm proud that I'm a Zumba Instructor...me! I guess I never thought I was good enough to teach people something that involves physical activity. It's also strange to me that I remember when I first started feeling "not good enough." Now, I a bit angry at myself that I let it all simmer for so long. I'm not even sure if I was always fully aware of this self-doubt, but I'm happy that working out and dancing have been a great release for me :)

Thank you Zumba gods!

February, butts, and Zumba

This girl happily welcomes FEBRUARY. January happens to be my least favorite month and it's usually long, uneventful, and depressing. This year, it was long, eventful, unhealthy, and depressing. Welcome February, the month of puppies and rainbows and Lady Gaga music!

Saying that, I'm a little angry at the groundhog who saw his shadow today. I'd rather celebrate by watching the movie, "Groundhog Day," which holds great memories of my youth and not taking things for granted. I still can't believe that little rodent is going to tell me SIX more weeks of winter, the only thing that would make this worse would be in the Phil was a squirrel.

On a more positive note, I was leaving work at a approximately 6:30pm today and I saw a hairy butt crack and it made me laugh. Pull up your pants, kid!

In Zumba news, my first class is Sunday and I should have about 6 routines ready to go. Thanks to Olegra, my Zumba mentor and instructor, we'll be ready to go. She's helping me. :) I ordered some SWEET Zumba gear---a cute little tank top and baggy Zumba cargo pants. JOIN THE PARTY!

Today I spent all day on RA Interviews and I'm impressed with our RA candidates--the students here are truly amazing. I'm also amazed at my fellow colleagues. Work this time of year is busy and while it may get stressful, we have a darn good time in the process.

Speaking of jobs, I've applied for another today in the great city of Chicago. Waiting game continues. Let's hope February brings some follow-up phone calls!

As my good friend Jacob would say..."Cheers"

Sara

Winterfest is this weekend and unfortunately I cannot be there :( Go Warriors!

Work is consuming me and it's certainly a good thing I enjoy what I do. It's also a good thing that I have a Wii that will take me to Marioland.

Go Luigi go!

work. work, work.

sunny sun sun

Today I was reminded of a song from Barney:

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me...

I woke up this morning, the sun was shining and I knew it would be a good day. Despite the busy-ness, meetings, quick workout, confusion, it was a good day.

When the sun shines, life is good.

Sara

In a Perfect World...

Some days I think about my perfect world and I'm almost positive that it exists.

In my perfect world, the sun would shine nearly every day and I would be okay with snow on the ground because the sun would be shining.
In my perfect world, I would go to Zumba every day after work in a studio with a big window that would show the largest mountains.
In a perfect world, I would live in an apartment with a bay window and I would have pillows on a large ledge and would read. There would be a fireplace and a nice bottle of Chanti and a good book and a nice puppy to cuddle with.

In my perfect world, I would give speeches and people would stand up and clap after everything I said. lol.

orange?

I'm watching the Bachelor and he just made out with girl who's complexion was orange. Hm...do I need to be orange in order to find my bachelor? Tonight, I ponder this.

A New love...

Yesterday, I had a whole workshop full of dance, fun, and exercise. I learned how to put together a Zumba routine and to feel the music and energy. I was like a sponge soaking up all I could about dance and fitness and how to teach the world how to Zumba. Throughout today, it was all I could think about--the music, the movement, the energy. I felt alive, which sounds crazy to say.

Who knows where Zumba will lead me, but right now, it makes me happy.

When the future looks uncertain some people pray...me, I research tarot card readings to find my answer! (Of course, I also job search...but when that gets rather depressing I switch to playing Wii, which is a pretend world where I wear a green outfit and drive a sweet motorcyle...)

More to come on Tarot...I think I'm gonna like this...

Sara

Tonight there was a little voice inside my head while I ran on the treadmill. That little voice helped me run 3 miles...thank you little voice!

I'm proud of your determination. Stay strong kid.

Chelsea Handler To Embark On "Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang" Tour | AHN

Chelsea Handler To Embark On "Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang" Tour | AHN

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Snow

I wish to live in a world without snow. Top 5 reasons why I don't like snow:

1) I'm a bad snow day driver.

2) It is difficult to walk in.

3) I never feel like leaving my apartment.

4) It makes me angry.

5) It makes me crabbier than normal.