Are you Ready for 2010?

... I am. I'm certainly ready to say goodbye to 2009... what started out as such a fantastic year has ended up pretty ho-hum. Yes, there were some major highlights... RT and I doing our Cha Cha Routine...and received the first ever pro/am standing ovation for it! I got to compete for the first time in Mini Match. I had some of the BEST lessons in dance EVER...made some SERIOUS progress in what is now becoming my dancing skill...I met a new practice partner and dance friend...I started selling t-shirts and things here... RT showed his true bravery in following his dreams and moving out of state to do it! Finally, I've made a major commitment to blogging and lifestyle changes (more on that to come in January!).

So when I think of 2009, that's what I'm going to think on... but not for too long, because it is not the time to dwell on the past...

NOW is for looking to the future! NOW is the time to recollect ourselves and set forth on the exciting new adventures that 2010 has in store for us!

I thank you all for sticking by me as readers, fans, and friends..... just wait.. it's only gonna get better from here!

My wish for you all is a happy and successful 2010!

Happy New Year!

Happy Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!

Hi all!


I am fully aware that not everyone celebrates Christmas. However the spirit of Christmas, of giving of yourself to help others and wishing everyone good tidings is appropriate for everyone, regardless if you actually celebrate or not... So that is what I would like to do here...





I hope this finds you all well and with loved ones, and that you want for nothing.





To quote my favorite Christmas story Twas the Night Before Christmas

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a Goodnight!"

The Last Dances with RT.... Farewell to a True Professional

Sorry the blogging has been quiet since last week, but I do have some exciting news! Shortly after my last post, I received a call from RT. RT was calling to let me know that he had an exciting new opportunity to expand and grow in his professional dancing! See, for the last couple of months RT had been auditioning with a new partner, a lovely gal who is very strong in her own right in dance and was looking for a professional partner. I was lucky enough to see one of these practices early on, and I was excited because they seem very well suited for each other. I had been very excited to hear more on this possible partnership for him, the hope was that she would be coming to the area to work and be based here in Chicago.

I am very pleased to tell you that the auditions paid off, and they will now be dance partners! This is something I have wanted to see for my pro for a long time! There is another bit to the news though... In order for this partnership to work, and for RT to be able to grow in his professional career the way he's always wanted, he is going to move to be with her in a brand new studio in Minnesota, NOT here in Illinois as a lot of us had hoped. More surprising still, was that his last day with the studio we've always danced at would be Friday. That's not much time to prepare a proper farewell, let me tell you!

Upon receiving the initial news, I was in a bit of shock... unfortunately I was probably not as warm and excited for RT as he was hoping, but then I always go into a bit of an emotional shut down when I receive big news. I assured him that I was happy for him and that it was going to take a second for the news to sink in. Shortly after the news had sunk in, and I was able to regain composure, I remembered about the one lesson I had saved for a rainy day... I immediately called KIT to have it scheduled. There was NO WAY RT was gonna get out of the studio with out one more lesson with me!

That Lesson was Wednesday, I had thought about trying to schedule the lesson to be on Friday...trying to be the last lesson he would teach on that dance floor...but it didn't seem fitting. A Wednesday lesson was better, we started dancing on a Wednesday 3.5 years ago... it was only fitting that we end on that day of the week as well.

I walked in for my lesson, I had Holiday baked goods for the whole studio...and Holiday cards for RT and Largo, all of which I set out and changed into my practice skirt, new ballroom shoes, and a t-shirt of my own design. My mission was to have this lesson be fun, and a little memerable... I had heard of other students crying, and while I did cry a LOT for how much I would miss RT, I was determined to not be one of the students he sent off in tears, he didn't need that.. he needed his students to be happy for his decision... and I was gonna be just that! RT picked me up for my lesson, and thankfully... I didn't feel like crying! :-) RT wanted, perhaps needed, this to be a happy occasion...and so I'm glad I was able to oblige.

"Hi Kat, let's go." RT said as he picked me up and pulled me to the dance floor.

"Hi, I want to do every dance you've ever taught me all in this lesson!" I replied.

"Ok, then that's the plan," he listened to the music playing "lets start with your favorite." We took up frame to Waltz.

Most of the smooth dances were spent talking or what have you, we chatted about this blog, about my future plans for it, about whether or not I'd be staying at the studio. It was kinda nice to just dance and chat... two of my favorite things to do with RT.

Each time at the music machine was my turn for questions, what's his plan for teaching, what's his plan for competing, and anything else I could think of asking about regarding his move and future.

We roared through all the dances he's ever taught me... see, what most people don't realize or remember is that for the VAST majority of my 3.5 years of dancing... probably at least 2 solid years if you put the time together... it was just me and RT... I didn't have another pro as the Fred Astaire teaching method suggests... it just never worked out that way until Largo hit the scene just over a year ago. So RT has actually been the one to teach me the foundations in ALL the dances. It was a busy lesson!!!

Here is what I call the fast forward version.... cuz while we did them all, Waltz, Fox Trot, Tango, Cha Cha, Rumba, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Hustle, Bolero, SALSA... (not in that order) there were really only a few that are worth noting.

Cha Cha - started out as a normal Cha, then suddenly I was being lead through my routine... which I think neither of us were on point enough to remember, but it was fun that we tried.

Rumba - We did two, one where some finer points were brought up for my wrist (I bend it or "break it" at in opportune times, so I'm working on keeping it straight) and the second was quite connected almost really good.

West Coast Swing - Again, the dance I do about 4 times a year... I was asked if I do a particular step, I said I'd only done it if he'd lead me through it. He asked if I danced it with Largo ever, I told him no, and probably wouldn't for a while, because RT has a particular lead that I quite enjoy for that dance...and no one I've tried to dance it with yet quite measures up. RT said he was flattered. :-)

East Coast Swing - Only notable because we almost made it through without it, and RT suggested dancing it at the party (Friday), where I responded that our LAST and FINAL dance had to be a Salsa. I was met with RT trying to tell me that he knows Friday won't be the last time we ever dance. Which I found adorable, but only time will tell.

Bolero- This was actually at RT's request... I don't consider Bolero a dance I know, I've just been lucky enough to follow it a few times, but hey if he wanted to Bolero with me... I'm not gonna say no. What ended up happening was kind of a mix of Bolero and International Rumba... and it probably looked a little messy because I don't know either very well...BUT... this had to be one of the most connected dances I've ever danced with him! Oh YAY! That's exactly what I wanted out of this lesson... at least one or two moments of DANCING!!! We danced the whole song, and while I made a few mistakes, was able to recover and it was GOOD. I'm pretty sure he was on the same page as me with the connection and performance side of things... I could have danced that Bolero forever.

Salsa - We did three, all pretty good, and exactly what Salsa is supposed to be... fun flirty and all that... the first, unfortunately I stepped squarely on his toe with my heel...something I've NEVER done before! (I had wanted RT to remember me, but not for that!!!) Thankfully he ended up being ok... One Salsa was pretty connected, I think it was the one after the Bolero, which is nice... I was put through and failed again on the "Miami Special" I will now have the words "You have more time than you think" running through my head should I ever do that move again. Also, RT lead me into a few steps he considers his "trademark" when out dancing. Very nice, he'd never actually lead me in at least one of them before.

After the lesson, KIT came over to take a few quick snaps of us. I was proud of myself for not showing too much emotion other than being happy for RT. I hugged him, told him I'd see him on Friday, and got to my car... and cried the whole way home. (I'm such a wuss!)

Between Wednesday and Friday I prepared the picture from our last lesson in a frame, wrote a nice card and letter expressing my pride and gratitude, and presented it to RT before Friday. I figured Friday was going to be an emotional day, and I didn't want to get caught up in it. RT knows I am happy for him and proud of him and I didn't need to make a big public display about it.

Friday came around and there was the studio party... RT was dancing with EVERYONE... it was the last party of the year too, so that made the party special in it's own right. I was completely Zen the whole night, didn't cry during the party...didn't cry during the Cha Cha or Hustle that I got in with my pro (although the lingering thought of why we didn't Salsa remains). Actually the Cha Cha had it's moments of both being rough and being connected... so that wasn't too bad. The Hustle was at the end of the party and it was just a Hustle between two people that have danced together a while. KIT had put together a photo album for RT filled with pictures of all the various parties and events, it was very sweet. I was given the opportunity to see it and I am so honored that she thought to put a page with pics of he and I... simply labeled "RT."

Once the party was over, I calmly waited for most to have their emotional goodbyes... I still didn't want to cry... I wanted to be the one student he didn't send away in tears..that could express nothing but happiness for his new adventure, because that is honestly what I was feeling. I asked him for one last hug, and told him I wanted to hear good things in the future... then just kind of misted up for a second, and my feet took me off in a non-sensical direction. Well, that wasn't exactly what I wanted...but I said what I needed, I made sure to acknowledge that Friday was the end.

Then when wishing KIT a Happy Holiday a moment later... we both started totally crying. Sadly RT did see that, I was hoping to make it through without him ever having seen me cry... better in the last seconds then any other time at all.

So, I would like you as my readers to join me in wishing RT all the best as he ventures forth on this new journey of professional dancing in Minnesota. I for one am nothing but proud and happy to have worked with him for so long.. and he knows it. I'll see him on the competition floor with his new partner in the future... and I'll be sure to keep you updated on how he's doing when I do.

One Chapter has ended, and now.. it's time to find out how this new Chapter begins....

To RT:
I have nothing but fond memories of the journey we've shared, and pride and hope for your bright future! Thank you for teaching me to dance, supporting me in weight loss, and inspiring me to be a better person.

You said it best last week "It's all about the dancing," we'll both continue on our paths I'm sure, and hope that they cross again in the future.

Happy Dancing!
Kat

Video of the Week... Tony Dovolani!

Video of the week this week is happening on Monday...why? Because my all time favorite celebrity dancer is coming into the Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove studio!!! Tony Dovolani! YAY!!! As sad as I am that I will not be able to work with him this time, you better believe that I'm gonna be in that studio!

I present to you, two of the America's Ballroom Challenge (Ohio Star Ball) Showdance routines Tony did with his long time partner Elena Grinenko. They won the American Rhythm Division several times, and have since retired from competitive dancing, but you can usually catch both Tony and Elena on Dancing With the Stars!

You'll be hard pressed to find any pair of ballroom dancers that move better than these two! In my experience Tony always has constructive things to say and can make you seriously WORK... without feeling bad about getting stuff wrong... Someday... SOMEDAY I'll be able to get a coaching with him again!

Enjoy!

Lesson with RT... Working my Way Out of Oblivion

Yeah you read that title right... I had a LESSON!!! The timing of the whole thing was just too uncanny....



Shortly after my last post about my gym now being steps away from the dance studio.... I will admit to having gone to the gym without actually going to the dance studio... the shame of where I could have possibly let my self go to was too great... Two days after that post I received a call from RT... (who never ordinarily calls). The phone rang out, and I saw the number to the studio...I decided at the last second to answer it instead of letting it go to voice mail. The end result was a scheduled lesson!



Between phone call and lesson time I did think of rescheduling a few times... I didn't want anyone to notice how truly bad I was, or for RT to notice how out of shape I'd allowed myself to become! Of course the logical train of thought is that if I didn't go back in for my lesson to see exactly where I was at then how would I even know how bad I've become... of course... I didn't have THAT thought... depression isn't exactly something that allows for logical thinking... my thought was ok.. if fate is gonna lead me here... then I'm going to go.

I've written this lesson out twice now.. and it turned into nothing short of a novel. So, in an effort to keep things at a readable length I'll do this a third time. :-)

I ended up being late, sad I know, and probably only the second or third time in my dancing life I'd ever been behind. Again, depression is a bad bedfellow. I apologized and we commenced our lesson.... Blissfully not as technique filled as I was dreading.

We opened with swing, West Coast (of all things) and East Coast... thankfully I remember both... especially West Coast, as I'm sure you all have noticed.. I dance it about 4 times a year... and still to this day, can only follow RT in it. East Coast fared a bit better... while my feet absolutely know where they're going.. I feel, sadly, that a lot of my technical finer points have left me. As have ankle strength in my right side, and any semblance of arm styling.

We moved on to Salsa (I was waiting for it to show up!) which was better, but not great... despite RT's "Wow" comment to a lead I followed that I have in fact missed in the past. Salsa will always and forever be "my" dance with RT... can't have a better time at it with any other lead.

Then came Rumba... I can't tell you how surprised I was at how much I missed it... actually (and if RT hears this he'll be more shocked than you'd imagine) the technique of it all....getting the hip to settle at the right moment, staying on the inside edges... dang it all... I think I might be a dancer for wanting all that! Not that I actually did it all okay mind you. I need to come back a bit more and stronger before I actually have it back... but I do miss it!

The second Rumba we did was worth noting...not because I did exceptionally well at it.. but because of the song that RT chose... it was actually a Bachata. One I've heard several times... and yes you can Rumba to a Bachata... the funniest part is... The song just made me smile... like a real smile, I don't find myself doing that often these days... Only I'm not sure if it's because I have history with this song, or because I know the artist...could possibly be both, within the first two measures... I was smiling, before we even took the floor to dance to it. Sadly the song didn't last long, but it did prompt a brief break down of one of the later Rumba steps I had learned WAAAAAY back when I was actually taking lessons regularly.

At first.. the idea of breaking something down and learning it again had my devastated... I do believe my hands went over my face and I muttered something like "Oh dear Lord no..not today." which was then promptly discarded as a plausible response to RT's teaching... and we moved forward to learning it.

Thankfully after the two swing styles that left me feeling completely fat and like the worst student to ever have graced the floor with RT, the Salsa and Rumba portions were quite nice. I did have the opportunity to inform RT of my new gym membership and the fact that I was feeling really bad lately.... which was just taken and accepted, and we moved on... which is exactly what I needed. There was nothing he could have said to make me any better... just the dancing was enough.

At the very end of the lesson, RT tried to schedule me for one more... I have one more solitary lonely lesson. It has to be with Largo of course....but I wasn't ready to schedule it just yet. So I declined scheduling... and told RT I had to immediately go to the gym. As if on Que HFC walked up (this is amusing) and asked if I was going to stay for her technique class. As I was calmly stating to her "No, but thank you I have to go to the gym." RT, completely out of character for him, snaps at HFC, boldly and simply stating that I had someplace else to be. Clearly my going through another round of cardio is more important to both of us, although perhaps in that moment, a bit more important to him than me. :-)

We left my final reserved lesson unscheduled and I went off to the gym, thinking the whole time about how uncanny timing can be, and how I still need work to come back to where I was, but I don't think I completely embarrassed myself in that lesson.... Also, the thought of my liking Rumba technique and how still after all this time and lessons how I want desperately to be considered a good dancer kept running around in my brain (which then made me work harder on the cardio equipment), life is just crazy, and fate... is my friend.

This whole gym being right by dance studio thing could really work out as soon as I have my schedule set for the winter, and I have GOT to, simply GOT to make it into the dance studio more often.

New Fall and Winter Dietary Suggestion... Tea!

I can't get enough of the stuff... I drink it all year round, mostly iced tea in the spring and summer, but in the fall and winter especially... Hot Tea is where it's at!

Here's the deal on tea... it has tons of flavor, if you don't like straight regular black tea, it comes in TONS of flavors, and...ta da! It has NO CALORIES. No calories is almost as good as the only food that actually burns more calories to eat than it actually contains... Celery.

Black Tea comes in flavors too.. a LOT of them, so it helps satisfy hunger pangs and makes you feel fuller, it helps with your daily intake of your water too. Now I know that there are some people who really dislike tea..but I think they just haven't given it a fair shake. Also tea is pretty inexpensive generally 20 tea bags come in a small box, and around where I live cost about two dollars and change.

So, if you're not a tea fan (yet) here are some suggestions to help make it more palatable:

Add Honey, not sugar...honey... serving size is about 1 tablespoon, and that's only 60 calories. Adding a touch of honey to a flavored tea, like my current favorite French Vanilla flavor, it opens up the flavor and cuts whatever bitterness might be there, but one tablespoon doesn't make it so overpoweringly sweet. Honey contains at least 15 nutrients whereas sugar has none. Honey is an aid to digestion when taken in the raw state due to its enzyme content while sugar interferes with digestion. Honey enters the bloodstream slowly, 2 calories per minute. Sugar enters quickly at 10 calories per minute, causing blood sugars to fluctuate rapidly and wildly. Sugar causes calcium leakage from bones, contributing to osteoporosis while honey does not. --Some pretty dang good arguments for honey instead of sugar right?

Currently I'm drinking a minimum of 3-8 ounce mugs of tea, usually at least one is decaf..but caffeine doesn't really effect me unless it's in mass doses, so it doesn't really matter. Also I have trained my pallet to appreciate unsweetened tea..but maybe one of those mugs will have my beloved Honey.

Another way to spruce up your tea flavor is adding a squeeze of lemon... this doesn't add enough calories to matter really and for regular black tea, or a complimentary flavor is really refreshing.

I also make my own iced tea all year round... I like it. I mix flavors, or make it plain..or will drink iced green tea.

Green tea is a whole other story..that I will fully admit to being an acquired taste..but has been proven to aid in speeding up metabolism...and has a greater number of antioxidants than black tea.

Now, if you can do it... I suggest loose leaf tea...there are stores popping up all around the country (and I know the European countries have had it readily available forever) the flavor is even more powerful there than the boxed kind and besides... making a pot of loose leaf tea is fun, and feels classy.

So this is my suggestion to you... if you're looking for something new to drink, maybe with honey make it a mid morning pick up... try tea... you'll be shocked and amazed by what your local grocery store has for selection. Buyer beware, I wouldn't buy the cheapest tea available..the flavor tends to be very weak, I'd buy a nice mid priced well known brand. If you're not sure what you'll like... pick up a variety pack and see what you may like.

What to Buy the Ballroom Dancer in Your Life?

.... A novelty item or shirt that professes their love of the sport..obviously! :-)

Don't forget with the Holiday Season upon us to check out what I've got in the Ballroom Is Life shop!

T-shirts, Sweatshirts, Mugs, Gym bags, Tote bags, and High end water bottles! More to come soon, items ship promptly and are good quality!

I can also move any design to any other product if you'd like... just ask!

Video of the Week, Standard vs Smooth

First up this week....the grand daddy of all ballroom styles... International Standard. I have yet to learn any of this style...but it was the first, is the oldest, and actually is the hardest to learn correctly. This is the style of ballroom I used to watch on PBS (Public Broadcasting) when I was a kid...long before any of the dance shows that are around now, they used to air these European world championships...the one below is from 2005.





Which style do you like better?

For comparison I have included the American Smooth style of this same dance the Viennese Waltz... As the style name suggests...it seems just us Americans use it...so if dancing around the world is what you are aiming for... stick with Standard. You'll notice the differences almost immediately I'm sure. Actually, the couple featured below are currently rising through the professional ranks as we speak and are certainly a couple to keep an eye on in the coming year.

All Signs Point to Dance...

Hi kids! It's been a rough couple of weeks in the unemployment camp, which makes it harder to motivate for everything really. I do hope that all my American readers had a lovely Thanksgiving! Time to update you on what's been going on in my neck of the woods!

I really haven't popped my head in the studio but once in the last two, almost three weeks.

(you know it's bad when I walk in and RT just flat out asks me "What are you doing here?")Which is all my fault really... I just haven't been feeling up to much. As it is with most things this is a cycle, and I feel that it is coming to an end. (Thank goodness!) Right in the middle of my self imposed absence from the studio I was called with some really surprising news, an anonymous person decided to give me a BIG surprise holiday gift certificate to the studio! I was shocked and blown away by this! I still am! It reminded me of all that I've got at the studio, and while I haven't been back yet, really I did get my thank you note in for them. (That is of utmost importance after all!) I am very VERY grateful for this beam of light into my ballroom world! I took it as a sign, that I can't stop dancing... it seems every time it crosses my mind, just to myself, I haven't told anyone else, that I might not want to continue... something points me square back at dancing, it's unreal. Fate is really leaning hard on me to get back to dance!

As I said I still haven't really shown up to the studio yet... there is a lot of the old shame running around in my head, embarrassment too.. about what really honestly amounts to silly stuff... but that doesn't keep my head from magnifying it beyond measure. Until two days ago......

My membership to the gym lapsed, I let it.. I hated that gym and I didn't want to spend another dime there... not to mention that I didn't have anymore dimes. Anyway, I was going to go join the gym my sister belongs to, but it's out of my way, and anything out of my way is going to make it harder for me to go... then I noticed a new facility opening up a mere 6 blocks from my home. PERFECT! So I waited until I had the available money and went in to sign up, this gym isn't even built yet really, and it won't be finished until February or March... but they were offering a "pre construction" discount and monthly rate that nearly anyone can afford...including me. In the meantime though... since there isn't a gym there yet... I asked what I was supposed to do for my workouts. Well turns out there is another facility in the same chain I can go to for free (no monthly costs until the gym near my home opens). This facility that I'll be using in the meantime... guess where it is....no..come on... guess.... no guesses? Ok....

It's in the very same strip mall the studio I know and love is in!

So what it comes down to is... I was out of the studio, looking for a gym, which I don't like nearly as much as dancing, but need... one is going to be very near my home in the future...but in the meantime the only other place that I can work out on this great deal I got....is mere STEPS from the dance studio... the source of all my inspiration! Ok fate I get it... I need to work out AND get my butt back into the studio.. message received loud and clear already!

Here's the real kicker... if I decide to ignore the signs....bypass the studio and just go to this gym...what's the point in that??? The ONLY reason I even head in that direction anymore is because of the dance studio....why would I go to one and NOT the other? That would be unusually dense...even for me. Not only that...but fate seems to be sending me to my original studio in particular.... not just any studio... Fred Astaire Chicago North....

So, I'm working on kicking it back into gear.... I don't really have a choice here... I have really liked where fate has taken me over the last several years, and far be it from me to deny these big flashing neon signs that say I need to dance and continue down this path I started. It's still hard... the negative thoughts are still working against me, but I think I've found enough power to overrule them! Wish me luck! (again)

Captain's Wedding!

Oh wow what a wedding it was! My sister, who is amazing by the way, came with me. We flew down to Pensacola Florida on Friday morning November 6th, and arrived at the beach house, the location for the festivities and where we were staying, at around 2 in the afternoon. Jem was there already, a big hug for the Captain and we were off for a late lunch.

At lunch we met up with the groom and his best man where we dined on some of what the Gulf Coast has to offer for seafood including my first peel and eat shrimp experience. Notable only because I was teased for my lack of skill at peeling shrimp. I could tell already that it was going to be a good weekend. The weather was perfect, about 75 (24 Celsius), sunny with a slight breeze, and is there any better smell than fresh ocean air? I do regret that I was a bit of a wreck when I traveled that day, I had come home from the trunk show and didn't make it to bed until about 3am, only to wake up twenty minutes before my dad and sister came to pick me up to go to the airport at 7am. Ooops!

Anyway, lunch over, we headed back to the beach house for a tour, it was beautiful, could sleep 16 people if it had to, and was RIGHT ON THE BEACH! My sister, Jem, and I were fortunate enough to get a room at the top of a spiral staircase which included 1 queen size bed each, and a lovely bathroom attached. My sister and I commonly referred to the spiral staircase as "the spiral staircase of death" because we knew as the evenings wore on and drinking commenced, it would get harder and harder to make it up and down that staircase. :-) After a bit of chatting we all got ready for the rehearsal dinner...ah finally I can walk around with the confidence that comes after I've had a chance to make myself presentable! A comment to which I had made to the best man when I met him at lunch "It's nice to meet you, but let's re introduce ourselves once I'm actually cleaned up and cute." (Yes I'm a smart ass even when you first meet me, or perhaps especially when you first meet me). The remarkable thing is that when I came out later, all dressed and ready for the rehearsal, the Best Man, who was out on the deck enjoying the sunset, stuck his hand out and re-introduced himself. HAHA... yes! Sense of humor, and an appreciation for my smart ass attitude... I knew I'd made a Friend for the weekend!

The rehearsal began after sunset, where Captain and her hubby explained how they wanted things to happen. Captain's dad and step-mom were there, lovely people I had met when they came to visit here in Chicago. Captain's dad is a lot like mine... which really isn't a bad thing at all! Also met the rest of the bridal party, and everyone seemed really lovely. This weekend was going to be awesome! We were all there because we had a common love for our friends and magically we all got along with each other too!

This wedding was a bit different than others, or I should say that being a part of the wedding party was different than others... Not only was it different because we were all scattered across the country, and I was trying to help with whatever I could from Chicago, while Captain was on the East Coast, trying to plan a wedding down in Florida... it was a challenge, but I was happy to help. The Captain and her hubby never officially designated Best Man or Maid of Honor within their parties, not sure why...but it just wasn't done. I was just honored to be asked to be in her bridal party after only knowing her for 2 short years. Once we got to the top of the staircase to practice going down the isle into the sand, Captain designated the order we were to walk in. I was chosen to go last before she would walk out, which means...anyone that sees this wedding and the pictures of it...is going to know that I am in the Maid of Honor position!!!! Oh My Gosh!!!! I'm Maid of Honor!!!! I was FLOORED for several hours afterwards....that's a really big deal! At least it is to me! I actually hid in the bathroom shortly after the rehearsal to call my mom and tell her what just happened... I didn't want to make a big public deal about it because clearly that is not what they wanted... but.... My whole life I always thought the only wedding I'd be Maid of Honor in is my sister's!!!

The rest of the rehearsal night went well... it was very relaxed and casual... pizza and wings for dinner, lots of beer and wine flowing, games being played and everyone just having a wonderful time! Not only that, but lots and LOTS of night time pictures by the photographer right by the ocean... I can not wait to see what those turn out like! Later, my sister and I even caught the Best Man practicing jumping off the balcony into the sand...well he was jumping off the staircase into the sand, with the idea that he might try and do it during the reception...but a minor (very minor) injury was sustained after reaching the second stair from the top...and the idea was scrapped... I just didn't know that anyone actually practiced "spontaneous acts" in advance... I also got to bond with the groom and his groomsmen by partaking in the traditional smoking of a cigar... made me feel very included. Being the responsible adults we are (mostly) the wedding party who was all able to stay in the house, wrapped up the evening at about midnight so that we could all be ready for the ceremony the next day.

Saturday November 7th. Captain's wedding day... again same exact beautiful weather as the day before... PERFECT... we all rose and discussed going to breakfast as we had the night before, and then the Best Man came in with breakfast sandwiches from a local restaurant. He had no recollection of the previous conversation and tried to treat us all... Seriously I think he needs to hire himself out as designated Best Man... I don't know many people that would take it upon themselves to do all that for their friends. Anyway we decided to collectively go out to breakfast anyway...but don't worry those sandwiches didn't go to waste. After breakfast Captain, Jem and the other bridesmaid went to get their hair and nails done, I had come with nails done, and my sister was going to be doing my hair. So my sister and I decided to go to the beach... I desperately wanted to go in the ocean, and my sister likes to lay out in the sun. Which we did, and then came in to relax before having to get ready for the ceremony.

Getting ready was fun, I got to sit on the floor while my sister did my hair, and I watched Captain get her makeup done by a world famous make up artist, who just happens to be the groom's brother! Then I jumped into my dress, consulted my sister on what colors to use for my own makeup...I'm confident in my application skill, I just wanted verification on what I was thinking for colors. I then helped Captain get into her gown...it was perfect for her... strapless slight ballgown style with some minimal but perfect bead work. I couldn't picture her in any other dress for her big day. I couldn't picture any other setting for her wedding either...the beach suits her.

The ceremony went off without a hitch... My sister was designated "Wedding DJ" and took care of making sure the right music was playing for the right moments. I did my bouquet holding, train on dress adjusting duties and couldn't help but smile the entire time. It was a simple, but personal ceremony that was perfect. There were about 40-60 guests in attendance... the weather was perfect. The only change we decided to make was to switch sides bridesmaids on the right instead of the left because the wind was blowing such that if we stood on the traditional sides, the wind would have blown our hair into our faces. Wise decision especially for pictures.

The wedding buffet was some of the best buffet style food I've ever had the privilege to dine on, including but not limited to a full roasted pig. The catering company was top of the line professional and helpful too... that is something I wanted to note. The Best Man and I quickly got together and decided we would do speeches... I had something in mind, but didn't write anything down. Since everything was so relaxed we decided we'd be able to get everyone's attention right before we did the cake cutting...so we did, I went first, with a brief but funny and slightly sentimental bit that was about a minute long, the Best Man followed with something much more polished, the Father of the Bride said his prepared toast amidst tears, and then the groom's brother closed with something quite touching and appropriate.

After that, the timeline get's a little fuzzy...we played games, talked and laughed, I got to dance with the Father of the Bride, a Cha Cha, and the photographer, a Hustle of sorts...which I was too buzzed to spin... (sorry!). Much much later my sister got the Best Man and I to walk her to a local bar, where we arrived 6 minutes before last call, and met the Pensacola Beach Ice Hockey team... (does anyone else see the funny in that?) We then bumbled around leading and following my sister, trying to get back to the house, I fell at one point... (not hurt)... we finally made it back... and I crashed and burned...but did have the forethought to take some headache medicine before my head hit the pillow at about 3 or 4am.

Sunday November 8th. Started with exhaustion, I seem to remember the Best Man coming up to say farewell before he started his way home... My sister, Jem, and I went to breakfast where my sister and I treated ourselves to a bloody mary... not the best idea, but it did taste good. We then got back to the beach house in time for the brunch planned for all those people still in town. More pork... delish. I was so tired though... couldn't even fathom having the energy it would take to travel home. We bid our farewell to Captain and her husband, as well as those we had met and exchanged phone numbers with. We went away very tired, but we both had an amazingly fun weekend.

Thank you to the Captain and her husband for allowing us to be part of their wedding, my sister and I are both honored!

I would also like to thank my sister, this was the first time we'd ever done anything like this... and I can't tell you how proud I am to call you my sister!!! Thank you for traveling with me, making new friends, and helping me to help my friend for her wedding!

The Day at Fred Astaire Burr Ridge

Hi gang! Wow... ok we've got some updating to do!

The trunk show at the Fred Astaire Burr Ridge location was wonderful! Turns out it was Bonnie's Belle Gowns most successful trunk show! Very happy and proud I was able to be there for it!

The day began with my meeting Bonnie up at her home to drive down to Burr Ridge together... it's a little bit of a trek from our neck of the woods, but we were traveling at off times so not much traffic thankfully. We arrived at the studio at around 2:30 in the afternoon and immediately commenced with setting up the dresses and hair baubles. As with most studios the day time is a bit slower... most ballroom students have to work too! I did meet the staff, professionals I have seen at many regional competitions but never really had the opportunity to meet. That was nice. The space this studio is in is lovely too... unfortunately they only have one dance floor, but it's a really nice one and I LOVE the lighting!


Most of the afternoon Bonnie and I watched the goings on, one of the pros was being tested in his knowledge of one or two of the Fred Astaire Syllabus that was cool to see, I didn't know how they did that. As a major bonus one of my favorite regional coaches and judges was in, he's known for his straight forward honesty and fair judging (He's scored me in tests and at Mini Match, someday maybe I'll get a coaching with him) Other's were teaching, either students or each other. It was a very cool fly on the wall experience. We did chat with one of the studio owners, a very lovely, energetic, actively involved, woman who used to be a professional dancer in her own right.

As the afternoon became evening, I knew the studio would be busier, and wanted to wear the outfit that made me a sponsored Bonnie's Belle Gowns student. Why not also advertise about the custom practice wear Bonnie does too? So I changed into my Mini Match Attire, shortly there after Bonnie became quite busy with students trying dresses on for their up coming competitions. It was a lot of fun! I stayed in the background mostly my job was to be there for whatever was needed, I didn't know how to anticipate that because I'd never done a dress trunk show before... but if I do this again... I know how to better perform my function.

It was after a quick dinner break that we became quite busy either with talking about dancing or helping students try on more dresses. I was on cloud nine... the only thing that would have made it more perfect was to be able to actually dance more... I almost went out and practiced a few things, but it didn't really feel right, so I didn't. I met even more students, and talked with a few I had met before which was nice. There is one student in particular, who I know is an avid reader, and is doing her first competition in a few weeks! She rented two of the Bonnie's dresses..one of which is the Red Sparkle Rhythm dress I modeled for the Bonnie's Belle Gowns website! I'm very excited for her!

The evening wrapped up with more rentals than any trunk show has produced, and one of the professionals using my mini match attire as an example to stress the importance of dancing in clothes that were meant for dancing, and not other things. We packed up our wears and headed home at around 9 pm...where I was coming down from the trunk show excitement I had Captain's wedding to look forward to as I left for that the very next morning!

Thank you Bonnie and Michael for allowing me to participate in the trunk show... any time you need my services again, if I'm available... I'm there!

Thank you also...a BIG THANK YOU to the hospitality of the Burr Ridge Studio staff and students! I look forward to seeing you all at the Holiday Ball!

Trunk Show Follow Up!

Well today I spent the day at the Fred Astaire in Burr Ridge. Lovely group down there! I was there to help Bonnie with her Trunk Show..which is when Bonnie packs up all her dresses and brings them to a studio for everyone to come in and try on and see if they'd like to rent or buy for any upcoming competitions.

It was a lot of fun! I always do love to observe studios in action. This studio has five professional instructors, all very clearly garnering the love and respect of their students. The studio itself is also a very nice space to be in.

I did take pictures, and I will write more about it in detail AFTER the weekend is over... I promise!!!

For right now I am about 5 hours away from being picked up to go catch my flight to Florida for Captain's wedding!!!!! YAY!

I will catch you all on the flip side... I have to report for bridesmaid duty!

Video of the Week!

As our video of the week this week we have Bonnie and Michael performing their Cha Cha open routine at a studio party on October 30th 2009!




Way to go!

Bonnie's Belle Gowns Trunk Show... Thursday November 5th!

Hi gang! Sorry for the late post this week, I'm pleased to report that I've been BUSY!!! Busy is a wonderful thing! I leave for Captain's wedding in Pensacola Florida on Friday, and as as part of the wedding party I have my duties to happily attend to. As well as a writing gig that I picked up along the way that is due very soon! (Yep, that's right...this girl is getting PAID to write!)

Before I leave however, I have been assigned with a very special task. On Thursday November 5th I will be accompanying Bonnie to the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Burr Ridge for her Bonnie's Belle Gowns Trunk Show!

We'll be there from about 2pm to 9pm, come on out and see the dresses, try them on, and I'll be on hand in my plus size ballroom practice wear so we can chat and dance the day away! If you have any competitions or shows coming up now is the time to reserve those dresses! Also, if you are in need of any practice wear Bonnie designs each piece based on your own measurements. I personally LOVE my practice skirt that she made for me.... and I receive a lot of compliments on the way it moves.

Come one come all... come to see the dresses...come to meet and greet Bonnie and I... I love meeting my readers and this is the first time I'll be in that area, I'm looking very much forward to it!

Hope to see you there!

Video of the Week - Same Sex Ballroom Dancing!

Hi gang! Well, I have to admit.. I'm a little saddened that I have yet to receive any ballroom video's for my new Video of the week segment. So SEND THEM! We want to see you dance! I will however take this opportunity to introduce to you another aspect of ballroom that really isn't explored too much in my ballroom world. It has appeared recently in audition episodes of So You Think You Can Dance though... Same Sex Ballroom Dancing. (SSBR)

I'm actually very interested in this genre... I have found that there are quite a few competitions that feature SSBR and it is an event in the World Out Games too. Although... it is important to mention that just because it is Same Sex Ballroom, that doesn't necessarily mean it's a "Gay Only" kind of activity. Conversely regular "Male/Female" ballroom isn't necessarily a "Straight Only" kind of activity. I've always thought of dancing... no matter the style as a "people" activity... anyone can do it.. with anyone else... and regardless of gender or gender preference I love watching a good performance.

Now mostly when you look up "Same Sex Ballroom Dancing" in YouTube or some other kind of video hosting site...you will find mostly Men dancing with each other, however there is also a plethora of videos out there that showcase Women dancing with each other as well.

So.. that brings me to why I am fascinated by SSBR... well it's simple.. in the Latin in particular the dancers switch following and leading roles... which I find really cool and definitely adds a complexity to the choreography. For the Standard dancing I have found... it actually is easier for me to focus on the technique of the dancers..when in most cases they are dressed alike...

The two videos I am choosing to showcase this week are examples of these two styles... both happen to feature Male couples... I'll showcase the Female couples in another Video of the Week segment some time in the future...




Final Round Men's Standard Foxtrtot, World Same-Sex Dance Championship, Budapest, 21 0ctober 2006. In addition to the couples that are dressed alike.. I must admit that I LOVE the orange Tail suit with the float...way to think outside the box! (It even has stoning!)



Willem DeVries and Jacob Jason dance their victory dance, a Samba after winning the Gold Medal for USA at The World Out Games in Montreal. This is actually the couple that auditioned on So You Think You Can Dance Season 5 and made the judges a tad uncomfortable :-)

Speaking of... if the World Out Games has Ballroom as an event... why can't the Olympics???

Enjoy!

Finding The Way Again....

This past week has had it's typical ups and downs, but with the help of a few things and a few people, I'm finding my way again.

My biggest issue when I get off track is the food thing. I have the HARDEST time making good choices ALL the time. I honestly don't know how people do it, and I'm constantly finding new and unusual ways to keep my choices on the healthy side, and keeping in my extreme budget too. Conversely I slip into the old ways very easily.... However....I've now got a kitchen full of good food, and no need to run out and grab anything that will have me hating myself later. Isn't it totally crazy how something like eating the food that the commercials and such make look so good... can have you absolutely hating yourself after your last bite? I KNOW I'm not alone in that... and you know what? It's really hard... I know.. I'm not a planner when it comes to food... food is one of the last things I think about in a day... so I'll forget to eat.. and then I'll get HUNGRY... so hungry that ANYTHING will do... and that's what all those fast food and freezer sections in the grocery store are banking on. Then I eat..and I immediately feel terrible about what I've decided to eat. Then I end up eating because I'm upset... it's a never ending cycle... well no.. it's not never ending... because I'm ENDING IT!!!! I've got my latest secret weapon... Apples! They're handy, transportable, and mostly don't make a big mess when you eat them on the go... (and who doesn't have the antibacterial stuff with them anyway right?) Apples are not my favorite fruit.. but it's fall.. they're in season.. and they're on sale. :-) Not to mention that I am working on training my pallet (yeah that's right, you can train your tongue) to like the good natural foods again. I have some other foods that I've learned to keep around. I'll have to plan a post all about that.

In other news.... I'm still going to the gym, and I'm still hating it.. I will ALWAYS hate it. However, the few times I've been dancing... I have never felt stronger! My knees haven't hurt in a really long time now... my ankles, that have been a problem for the last year, still aren't super strong, but don't ache or swell anymore. All of this tells me... it's working.. whatever I'm doing.. it's working. Now all I have to do is get those numbers on the scale to head in a down like direction and I think I may just be so happy I'll pass out. I also have to remember that it's working when I hit that 30 minute mark in my cardio workout and my head tells me "The experts say 30 minutes a day is all you need, you could get off the machine now and not feel guilty about it." I have to remember that the last time I danced I was the most grounded and balanced I've felt in a long time... I was elated about that! Anyone want to follow me around and remind me of that every 15 minutes... all day?

I'm very excited about all of this... I finally found a balance of doing this day by day again! That's it..it's a single 24 hour period at a time... it's kind of a slow way do think about things... and we all know I'm a big fan of instant gratification... if I can maintain it a day at a time... and on the bad days take it hour by hour....I think I might just be ok. :-)

Don't forget to send in your videos for video of the week! You all have seen me dance (even when I didn't like the way it looked) it's your turn!

Video of the Week

Hi gang... I've decided to implement a new feature here... video of the week! What I'd really like is for you all to send me links to your dance vids (doesn't have to be ballroom) for me to post here... show the world what you're all about! To kick things off.. this being Halloween month and all.. I thought I'd start with a little theatrical ballroom.




Besides, I think all of us ladies have danced with a guy that ACTUALLY dances like Frankenstein have we not? :-p

E-mail links to your dance video to me at StageKat@Gmail.com!!!

Happy Halloween Dancing!

Dancing the Day Away

I am VERY pleased to report that my workouts at the gym have been paying off... over the last two weeks I have had a few pick up lessons with one of my favorite city pros. I've known this pro for about two years now... I almost always go to his studio parties, and love any time I get to have a lesson with him.

He owns a very small but very reputable studio that primarily deals with my all time favorite in the whole world SALSA! I just couldn't go another day without dancing with a partner... and this professional is very cool and easy for me to follow. So examined my budget and found that I could swing a single lesson, dropped him an e-mail and I was booked.

Oh to dance again!!! I missed it so! We worked primarily on Salsa (he's been teaching for over 18 years... he knows all the tricks) and had a blast. I was so excited that I wasn't out of breath and I felt like I was following ok, I was picking up on new steps quickly. It was validation for all the days I've gone to the gym and bored myself to death with a work out. YES!!! My mission to at least stay on the same level while I'm not in regular lessons with RT and Largo is working!

This professional also happens to like my Waltz... I know.. crazy right? I had taken group classes of his in American Smooth and Rhythm (DVIDA Syllabus) last year and for whatever reason he's always liked my Waltz while I always feel like my following is being tested. But, I got through all of the Bronze DVIDA steps...even the natural turns...which I have to tell you.. are anything but natural.

In addition to that we also covered DVIDA Cha Cha, and Rumba. Can't have a lesson without a Rumba... RT taught me that! It was a blast!!!!

I was then blessed to have another opportunity to work with this professional... this time with a practice partner. I have a great practice partner... unfortunately since I'm out of the Fred Astaire studio we don't get to practice much anymore... but on this occasion he humored me and came out for a couple of lessons. We wanted to work on Salsa (of course!!!) and boy did we. We both learned a TON about music, timing, leading, following and some new steps too! When that was over... my practice partner bid the professional and I a good day and had to head home... but there was still some time left in our lesson, so the professional asked me for a waltz.... too funny! Waltz we did... all around the floor to three songs in a row... I really felt like my following was being challenged, but I think I did ok!

Then it was my choice... and I broke all protocol and said "Well if you really want to see me suck at something let's work on Tango..."

I have never asked to work on Tango... I don't know what I was thinking... but actually it went a lot better than I thought... I can basic, corte, that was all the same... then we got into some steps I've never done before... like the Ochos... there are two things people think of when they think of Tango as far as what it looks like... one is the Corte where the lady extends her leg back and looks over her left shoulder... that's typically in photographs of Tango a lot. Then there are the Ochos which is the step where the lady flicks her heals as she kind of swivels in front of her lead. (first Tango Image is Corte, second is Ochos). I actually had a TON and I mean a TON of fun with this Tango...

Every time I would be lead into something I'd never done before if I finished it and was still standing I got a funny surprised look on my face (you know.. my Tango always comes with comic relief) and every now and again the professional would look over and see my face and start to chuckle. I enjoyed that... I really like that he has such a great sense of humor. Oh I also did a throw out step that was different than the others I had done before... and the greatest part was...we just danced... for five songs... and if I didn't get something.. there wasn't any correcting..there was just a basic step...and then we'd try it again. I was being left up to my own devices as to how I was going to learn it best for me. LOVED THAT!!!

After FIVE Tangos... my knees were fine, my hips were cool, my feet were showing minimal signs of stress... my shoulders however were NOT... which tells me two things.. I need to do this more often.. and if my shoulders are hurting I'm not holding my frame right... so I have to work on that too. Although...maybe I don't suck at Tango....

Last song of our long stretch of lesson... my choice again... I thought about it.... and since I didn't know when I'd be coming back to get a good quality Salsa in... I picked that... I was a little tired I'll admit.. but in much better shape than I thought I'd be... my legs and ankles in particular are MUCH stronger than they were a month ago. I had SOOOO much fun! I'll have to absolutely continue visiting this studio regardless of what happens with my "home" studio.... I just wish I were employed again so I could visit both and I wish I didn't live nearly an hour drive from this one.

Always a Bridesmaid....

Well, maybe not always... but I am right now. As I've mentioned before I am a bridesmaid in Captain's upcoming wedding. I am VERY excited about this... but with the excitement comes trepidation. Not over getting to Florida where the wedding is held, or weather I'll have to maybe prepare a speech. Nope, my severe trepidation comes over the dress.

I'm very fortunate that Captain is sensitive to the idea that different dresses look better for different body types. She picked about five dresses from a designer, and let us pick the ones that would suit us best. So at least that was something I didn't have to worry so much about. However, I've done this bridesmaid thing before... in 2005 at my "pre dance" weight.. and it was a nightmare! I had the consultant make comments about my size, I had arguments with the seamstress once it came in, it all nearly ended in a discrimination lawsuit. It was just not a good experience.

This time around I at least knew that I fall within the parameters of what designers consider an "acceptable" plus size girl... so I knew I could get the dress in my size... it was just a matter of how much. See the wedding industry has the world over a barrel, and they know it. I went in to order my dress, thankfully a different store than in 2005... I actually have no issues with the store this time... just the wedding industry as a whole. So.. I went in to order my dress... had my measurements taken...then was shown the size chart.

Here's where it gets funny... the consultant, who was very nice, had to show me where my measurements fell in the size chart... she then had to have me initial that she showed me. THEN as part of the process...tells me that the dress that fits my measurements will cost $65 extra... but if I wanted to save the money I could order the highest size in the "non-plus size" range... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! That "non-plus size" dress is like 4 sizes too small...why on earth would I want to order that?!?! The Consultant said she had to recommend that just in case I was extremely uncomfortable with the size that fit my measurements... uh..no the size is just a number, and very often varies.. I know this.... I would prefer to have a dress that suits me rather than one I can't zip up and has a little tag in it that says a smaller number. It was bizarre... once I confirmed that I will actually be ordering a dress that fits... I had to initial that I selected that size. You'd think I was signing a mortgage agreement with the number of times I had to initial my choices.

So that part is settled, I tell her when I need the dress by... this was about a month ago. She tells me that there isn't enough time, and that it takes FOUR MONTHS to get a bridesmaid dress. Well heck, I'm not even sure if I knew I was even in this wedding four months ago! Sheesh! So in order to get the dress here in time to allow for alterations they have to put a "super rush" on it... to the tune of an additional $55. *sigh*

Ok fine... I can't really help those things... I have to pay it in order to get it.. I knew the plus size dress was going to cost more...but seriously... it's the same amount of work..it's just a little bit more material. The shipping charge just seemed extravagant to me too. But we're not done there folks... it was then suggested that because I am over 5'8'' tall that I have extra length added to the tune of another $65. Ok...so you charge me because I'm overweight, you charge me because I don't have 1/3 of a year to get the dress... both are actually controllable variables... but NOW you want to charge me because God and my genes made me tall? Uh no... not getting extra length... it's a cocktail length dress anyway it should fall around my knees and be just fine.

That was frustrating... but you know there is more.... Oh, and I did have to initial that I wasn't getting the extra length too.... then when the dress comes in there are alterations to make sure it fits perfectly.. I am told that these typically run $65-$85 in addition to the rest. HA! I've got them trumped there!!! I told the consultant that I have my own designer who will be handling the alterations for me.... (Of COURSE I'm taking this dress to Bonnie's Belle Gowns to be altered!)

*sigh* Grand total... $290. (Considering most of my most popular, compliment receiving, dresses were found on clearance racks for about $40...that's a LOT for me to spend on one item of clothing) My only salvation is that once this dress is finished (it's currently with Bonnie now) I will be able to wear it again... it's quite tasteful, and in a lovely royal blue color. Don't be surprised if you see me running out to every semi-formal event in the spring wearing this dress.

We have about three weeks until Captain's wedding... I'm VERY excited to see her and her hubby again! I'll be sure to get pictures up when I get back!

Harvest Moon 2009

I told you all... I might not be dancing... but I'd still be around! Actually Harvest Moon is the last independent Competition I get to see in the year, so I usually try to attend. Many people have asked me how, on unemployment, I still go to ballroom events... they aren't cheap (typically around $50 to walk in the ballroom). Well, I tell you what, it's not easy... I usually have to beg, borrow, and plead with my checking account weeks and sometimes months in advance just to make sure I have the money to get in.. then I have to figure for parking, and make sure that I don't run myself into the hole... I don't have a credit card... I'm a cash and carry girl... so I'm not running myself into debt about it either. So then why...why do I put myself through all that added financial stress just so I can see the professional dancers I know compete?

It's simple... throughout the time I've been dancing and changing my life... and learning to love my life again... these dance professionals have been there... they've danced with me, taught me, INSPIRED ME, made me laugh when I needed it... and gave a hug when I've cried. How can I not attend these competitions and be part of their cheering section?? It's the only way I know that I can return the support they've shown me. It's important to me to do it.

Now, Harvest Moon.. is a very small competition in comparison to some others, but it is a Chicago Ballroom institution... I believe this was the 46th year.

I also had a sneaking suspicion that all "my" pros would do well. The last few competitions have seen some of them skyrocket to new heights. So I was very excited! I even managed to budget for both nights as the Rising Star (newer professionals) and Open (seasoned professionals) events were spread across two nights, and Fred Astaire Chicago region had pros I support in both categories.

Friday night was the Rising Star events, this was the night I thought would be good. From FADS Buffalo Grove, we had Largo/TNT, HFC/STP, FAF/TSD, and from FADS Michigan Avenue we had RTS with her partner. Also, Theatre Arts was Friday so the couple that's been soaring through the ranks to world class would be there too.

As anticipated it was a smaller competition... but it did draw out some fair competitors. The evening was nice, I got to say hi to all the professionals from both studios and watched with great anticipation.

I can't even get into the details of the evening, I must get straight to results as they were PHENOMENAL...

Rising Star Smooth (Waltz, Tango, Fox Trot, Viennese Waltz) FAF and TSD WON!!!

Rising Star Rhythm (Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo) Largo and TNT WON!!! First title ever! So proud of my pro! HFC and STP placed SECOND!

The couple from Michigan Avenue WON Theatre Arts! This is I

believe their 7th title this year alone!

After results like that, no way Saturday could be any better right? WRONG... Saturday's Open events were just as exciting!

Open Smooth - FAF and TSD WIN AGAIN!!!! Their FIRST Open Title! I am SOOOO glad I was there to see it!

Open Rhythm - Largo and TNT place SECOND... simply amazing!

HFC and STP rounded out the tops for us with FOURTH!

RTS and her partner definitely deserve honorable mention here, as they have once again improved since I saw them at Windy City... in fact while they didn't seem to make it out of the Semi Finals there were at least two couples that did in their smooth events that in my humble, professional spectating, opinion did not dance NEARLY as well! Congratulations to you two as well... for a job well done.

And that's the thing about Ballroom, sometimes the judges see the same things you do, and sometimes they don't.. it's kind of the wild card in this whole thing. You never know if the judges are on the same page.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL "MY" PROS... I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU!!!!

Working Out and Making Good Choices

Well I'm still going to the gym.... I'm starting to get really bored by it, but it's important that I do this. I've started to go once a day for a longer period of time rather than twice a day for shorter bursts. I have altered my cardio by going in 20-30 minute segments, going to work on some weights, or some core elements, then going to another machine for another 20-30 min. Back to the cardio equipment for a 20 minute stroll on a treadmill. It takes a long time to get this style of work out done.. but it works for me while I've got the time.

This past week has been important for my kicking the choices I make with my food intake into gear. It doesn't matter how much I work out... if I can't make good food choices then there is no point. Losing weight is about one thing... burning more calories than you are taking in pure and simple.... which is a ton easier to type than it is to practice.

So I'm back in the game... and to add to it I have to watch what types of calories I'm eating because I have the classic problem of carrying the majority of my weight around my middle. As I'm sure you have seen on the news, or in any number of magazines, or if you also carry middle weight your physician would have told you. Belly fat is the one type of weight that is the leading cause of bad health conditions as people age. I'm not sure why.. but the numbers don't lie. Also for me, my last big hurdle in really looking my best and as fit as I can be is to trim down my midsection...

The issue is that working out alone doesn't get rid of that midsection...barely even touches it actually. I've lost mass amounts of weight everywhere else except my tummy... so it's all about the food choices. I have to put good fuel into my body to make sure that it's going to burn the proper stored fat and trim me down. What kills me is how simple it sounds. What kills me even more is that some of my support system doesn't get it either... "Well, just do it then." It's just not that simple... It takes active thought nearly every moment of the day.

My food style is pretty much as quick as it can be. I have a big tendency to forget to eat. I know it sounds crazy... but it's true... there are some days when I can make it until 4pm without eating a thing. So then I become so hungry so fast that I'll eat anything that's quick and easy, because once I get hungry... getting dizzy or a headache isn't far behind. So what I've done this week is make a conscious decision to eat shortly after I wake... even if it's just something small, because that will get my metabolism going and get me to eat at regular intervals. Not only that, but it's about WHAT I'm choosing... so that I can kick this belly fat out... so it's lots of LEAN protein (*Sniff*... I love red meat), lots of veggies with little to no dip or dressing (actually something I've become accustomed to and it's really good), and if I do any carbohydrates it will be whole grains and fruit but only early in the day. Also, and this is a big one for me... no beer or wine.... that just goes straight to the gut.

So that's what I'm doing.. I've written it before but it's been hard to maintain..and I'm back on the wagon... this is a LIFESTYLE CHANGE... and I do it all because I know it all will make me a better person...and what I LOVE is that it will make me a better dancer.

I'm working it all out... I'm almost back to the studio for some group classes... I've learned that I can live without ballroom... but it's just not the same quality of life.

Working Out at the Gym.... Week one...

Well week one is over at the gym. Let me tell you, working out at the gym.. I don't care WHAT kind of cardio you do.. is NO replacement for ballroom dancing! I can handle 40 to 70 minutes on the elliptical machine (the kind that has your arms moving too) with resistance and hill, and still not feel the same complete work out that ballroom dancing provides in 30-40 minutes. There is no wonder why Ballroom gets the reputation it does as such a complete workout.

I started this week with my personal training session. My trainer was very nice, she's actually a professional kick boxer too, and that's something I can respect. I don't know what it is that people think of me when they see me, in all honesty I don't normally care.. but my trainer really underestimated my level of physical fitness. We started with a 5 minute cardio warm up on the treadmill... and then went right for conditioning exercises. I did wall push ups against a yoga ball... good tip because that helps you engage your core for balance... but it doesn't really feel very safe. We then did some weights, they were kind of light for me... the trainer made the comment that I wasn't sweating enough...and increased my weights... all done while balanced on a yoga ball to make sure my core was engaged.. which is exactly what I needed.. and told her as much during my warm up. After weights we went to the free range of motion machine....well.. one of them.. they are kind of like resistance bands...only put into a machine with weights. Here I did some leg extensions where the trainer was impressed that I could keep my knee at such a high level. :-)

Finally, we went to the floor and worked on some non-sit-up ab work... which was interesting... and hard. It involved a lot of balancing on my knees..which my knees didn't care for much...at all. But I stuck it out and didn't complain.. unless it really hurt...which it did a couple of times! My favorite part of the whole ordeal was the assisted stretching at the end. It was very reminiscent of an episode I'd seen of "No Reservations", where Anthony Bourdain goes to Uzbekistan and gets a crazy "massage".... I survived! It was a 40 minute work out...with 20 minutes carved out to sit in one of those offices and talk about a possible plan.. hmmm.. that sounds a lot like a first lesson in a ballroom studio! ;-) Well I did tell the trainer that a "plan" was not an option... and I was very firm about it. I did however listen to her prices and plan idea...and she in turn listened to my feedback on my experience. I did like working with her.. and I told her in the end that if I'm around when she decides to fight next I'd like to see it... a kickboxing match might be a fun experience.

Once we parted ways I decided that my workout was good...the stretching was nice..but I needed cardio.... the only way to lose weight is to burn calories...a lot of them.. so I jumped on the elliptical for an additional 30 minutes.

While I did hurt the next day...a lot... I still showed up to the gym and pounded out some more cardio and for the most part have been doing just that twice a day... plus some of the core work the trainer showed me. I hope to keep this up until I have gainful employment, and who knows... I may consider joining a gym (one of my own choosing, not this particular one) once I do have a job to help in addition to my dancing.

Next challenge... get the eating under control.. but more about that later...