Help wanted

I teach 10 weekly dance classes at Austin Dance Company. Most of the time I spend thinking about my classes, however, is focused on the 30-minute private lesson I teach twice a month with an 8-year-old girl. She is bright, expressive, and loves to dance. She also has Asberger's syndrome, about which I knew very little before January. In fact, I still know very little about Asberger's (I told Travis today, and it's really true: before this student my only knowledge of the condition came from a contestant on America's Next Top Model). Lately I've felt our lessons won't make any difference in my student's ability to dance long-term if I can't help her succeed in a class full of her peers. She can turn like a pro and get down pretty complex footwork, but when you fill the room with 14 other 8-year-olds and ask her to wait in line and go when it's her turn, she seems overwhelmed and is easily distracted. I'd also love to help her make friends in the large class (she takes my Jazz II class as well, and I know a lot of friend-making tips from my days touring with Taproot's road company). I've done some casual internet-search type reading on the subject, but I would welcome any ideas of actual books or specific sites anyone (mom?) thinks might be helpful.
Mostly, I'm realizing how little I know about the kinds of things one comes in contact with in the real world. I can teach anyone to pirouette or memorize lines, but I don't know how to deal with frustrated parents (not my parents, the parents of my students) or what snacks (if any) I can bring my students at the Jewish Community Center for our end-of-semester celebration (I've decided to stay away from snacks, just in case). Where were those scenarios in Core 350?

Shiny and new (or at least new)

I have a new reusable grocery bag! I have long felt unsure about reusable grocery bags. On the one hand, I'm all about saving the environment. On the other hand, the bags tend to be too small (I think I am strong enough to carry more than 6 cubic inches in groceries at a time), and also, I feel like I need one for every store. I mean, can you walk into Randalls with an HEB bag? (Or in Washington terms, can you walk into Safeway with an Albertsons bag?) I feel like they would beg my groceries in my Target bag, but might vent about my thoughtlessness afterward, and I really don't want to be the person whom employees vent about. Also, my Target bag is currently at the dance studio holding 8 giant foam lollipops.
Anyway, today I found my heart's true bag. It was designed by Eva Longoria Parker, who lives in Texas (probably like 6 days a year) because her husband Tony Parker (Please click on that link. You won't be sorry. Yes, he is a rapper in France) plays for the San Antonio Spurs. We (Travis) are big Spurs fans, and during a playoff game last week this commercial came on:

And I thought, "hey, that bag only has a very small HEB logo on it, and also in comparison to Eva Longoria it looks pretty big. But then doubt crept it. Eva Longoria is one of those micro actresses. Maybe it only looks big because she is so small. Then today at HEB I saw it, and it is big! Not hugely huge, but big enough to hold my can of soup, three boxes of cereal, carton of orange juice, and two boxes of popsicles. I love it, and it turns out I am strong enough to carry more than 6 cubic inches of groceries in one bag.

A cure?

I have to get ready for work, but I wanted to post quickly about something I have been hearing about lately: a possible cure for migraines. Surgeons, first in the UK and now in the US, have been removing the corrugator muscle (right above the eyebrows) in migraine patients, and have seen a drastic improvement in many patients. Apparently this muscle contracts during a migraine (And I believe it squeezes a nerve?) and makes the pain far worse. I was telling Travis yesterday, after I had taken my fast-acting migraine prescription, that I felt the pressure without the sharp, blinding pain, and we both remembered hearing about this corrugator muscle procedure. It sounds like maybe my medicine effectively does the same thing, though only about 75% of the time, and not completely. I am going to spend some time this afternoon reading through these frequently asked questions about the surgery.
A new friend from church also told me about a treatment she was given that almost eliminated her migraines, a prolonged pediatric dose of the seizure medicine Topomax. I couldn't believe there was something that actually worked for an actual person I knew! At any rate, Travis has convinced me lately that I should see if there is more I can do about my migraines. I have health insurance now (yay!!!!!!!!), so I'll be looking for a doctor soon, and then I'll see if they can refer me to a neurologist.
Aaa! Time to get dressed for work!

Let's go to the Movies . . .

Let's go see the stars!
Um, does anyone else really love the movie Annie? My sister Lisa was only 2 when it came out, but she had the hair, and I remember people telling her all the time that she looked just like the girl from Annie. Incidentally (and possibly consequently), I have always always wanted to play Annie on stage, and was heartbroken recently to realize that I probably no longer look young enough for the role. But maybe one of the orphans? The "Oh my goodness" girl, perhaps?
All that said, this note is really about movies. Travis and I love going to movies, and surprisingly like a lot of the same ones. Here are some movies (already out and coming soon) that I am really looking forward to seeing (links to trailers in blue):

• X-Men Origins: Wolverine This movie will probably be over-dramatic and angsty in all the right ways, and Travis wants to see it too!
• Hannah Montana: The Movie Also probably over-dramatic and bad in all the right ways, except Travis will have nothing to do with it (which is why I haven't seen it already). All my dance students have loved it, though! Note of interest: Travis' almost-17-year-old brother auditioned for the role of Travis, the love interest, in this movie! Also: Miley Cyrus can really sing!
• Star Trek Star Trek Star Trek Star Trek. You may not know that, over the course of the last year, Travis and I have watched 8 Star Trek movies in preparation for this new one. My favorite was The Voyage Home, in which they went back in time to kidnap two humpback whales, who inexplicably could communicate with an alien probe and save earth in the future. Also inexplicably, this movie was a full-on comedy. I have learned many nerdy things, and my crossword puzzle skills have drastically (okay, slightly) improved (Uhura is a very common puzzle word, and I know who that is now!) Also, J.J. Abrams directed this, and he was the man behind Alias and Lost!!!
• Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian History is fun!
• 17 Again Crystal and Stephen saw this movie and said it was really funny. Also, I hear there is a romance conducted in elvish, and maybe a dance number?

Youth Sunday

Today was Youth Sunday at Covenant, which means that the middle and high school students led all four services, from reading scripture to preaching. I only managed to take one picture, which is pretty lame considering I went to two services and out to Rudy's (a combination gas station/bbq restuarant- that's how we roll in Texas) for dinner with the youth.My one and only picture from Youth Sunday! Heather (Travis' boss and a great friend, back row second from left) with a few of the students. The two guys in front each gave the sermon at two services!
I was really impressed with the youth, especially with the sermons Evan and Alex gave. They spoke on John 15, which is one of my favorite passages. In it, Jesus calls himself the vine, and explains that we, as the branches, cannot bear any fruit without Him.
My favorite anecdote from Alex's sermon: "So bear good fruit and Jesus will love you more! [Stunned silence from congregation] "J/K. That's impossible! Let us pray . . ." I was holding back laughter during the whole prayer. I think God can appreciate a sense of humor. I just hope that everyone in the congregation knew what "j/k" means.

Did you know?

Okay. I promise I am not obsessed with dolphins. Or at least I wasn't until I found the (still broken) dolphin photos gadget. (Side note: oh man. Just found many more dolphin photos gadgets, at least one of which probably works. However, in light of recent news . . .)
But I have just discovered something terrifying:
Dolphins are vicious.
Or at least they were in 1999, and I doubt climate change is making them any nicer (Yes, I said it. Climate change.) Here is an excerpt from the article with some myths and facts about dolphins:
MYTH -- Dolphins generally enjoy the company of humans.
FACT -- People who attempt to swim with dolphins in the wild are often bitten, bumped and prodded. And dolphins that swim alongside boats may simply be using the boat's wake to expend less energy while swimming.
MYTH -- Dolphins save shipwrecked sailors and victims
FACT -- While the result may benevolent, the dolphins may simply be playing with the sailors as they would a piece of debris or other ocean animal.
But most terrifyingly, and I won't even quote the gruesome details, dolphins kill their babies, and harmless little porpoises, by ramming them over and over with their noses, picking them up with their teeth, and slamming them into the water.
According to William J. Broad of the New York Times, people think dolphins are friendly because "the mouths of many species turn upward in a perpetual grin." Remind anyone else of 50 Cent?

Now that dolphin picture from my previous post is downright ominous. What is he thinking?

Sharing is fun!

My friend (and maybe yours?) Ben Bonnema is a very gifted musician, composer, and friend. He was a huge encouragement to me my last two years at Whitworth, and it was fun when Travis interned at his home church, Marine View Pres in Tacoma, to meet his wonderful family and see the great community where he grew up. Anyway, Ben had his junior year composition recital at Whitworth a few weeks ago, and he just posted the music on this myspace page! I especially recommend Kingdom Come, which is a piece from the rock opera Ben is writing about King David (called David, naturally). It's beautiful (and the second voice is definitely Ben).
And while I'm on a sharing Whitworth projects kick, here is a link to the video from my senior theatre dance project, Thanksgiving, which we performed almost exactly a year ago. (oh and hey! The guy at the very beginning is the one and only Ben Bonnema!) I remember walking downstairs for my dress rehearsal and seeing all 25 dancers in their costumes and thinking "I'll never feel this overwhelmed and happy and grateful until my wedding day." What a year it's been . . .
p.s. credit is due to the extremely talented Beau Chevassus, who filmed my project and spent hours putting together and posting the video (and did the whole thing for $20 when I was a poor college student)

Things that seem like they should be easy in 2009, but aren't

Our big project at Capezio (the dancewear store where I work 30 hrs a week) for the last several weeks has been getting our storefront ready for photos. The company is re-doing its website, and part of that re-do will be pictures of each of the stores. Even though we were pretty sure most of the store wouldn't show in the photos, we have redone the window displays, clipped or hid every tag in the front of the store, and moved countless things around to make the storefront look "seasonally neutral" (i.e. no easter stuff, less spring colors). No prob. Then yesterday we took some photos. Also no prob. Then it was time to send the photos to our district manager, Amber. Our internet access at the store is seriously limited (we're only allowed to go to two websites, which of course creates a wealth of issues when a customer asks us to give them directions somewhere, or to find another store that might have what they need), so I took my camera home to send them via gmail. But it appears that Amber's inbox wouldn't receive an e-mail with 8 pictures, because it didn't send. So then I tried sending them via yousendit.com (which is great if you need to send someone one big file, like a video), but you have to pay to send more than one file at a time, and I really didn't want to send 8 separate e-mails to my boss's boss. I finally ended up making a picasa web album and inviting her to view it. So much work to send 8 photos to someone who lives here in Austin!
The result, taken by my co-worker, Devin, on the camera new sister Crystal got us for our wedding (we love the camera!)
Also, here are some of my favorite pictures from my old (old as in the account has my maiden name, but not old as in archeologically significant) picasa web albums.

Travis at the bench in Indianola, where we got engaged:

Me in my costume from one of the plays I performed last fall with Taproot Theatre Company. I played a fourth grader. Convincing? Also, awesome Peter is in the background in his King Henry costume

We went to a Rangers/Mariners game in Seattle! It was Travis' first Rangers game, and he was stoked! Me: not as stoked, since the Mariners lost :(

Travis with one of the many pies I made during blackberry season last year. Blackberries are real expensive here (as opposed to the free bounty behind my parents' house in Indianola) and they don't taste quite right either. We're hoping that there'll be a few ripe berries when we visit my parents at the end of June (season starts late July, but could come early if there's a lot of rain).

The Holy Grail

I have found it! So here it is, courtesy of my awesome parents. Feast your eyes on the holy grail . . . of dolphin photos.
Thanks mom and dad! Also, I really hope those people made it out okay. Do dolphins ever attack?

Transformed

I have been thinking a lot lately about what a Christian should look like to an outside observer. It actually all started with blogs. A friend from junior high/high school has a blog with her husband, and the person who writes those posts seems so different from the girl I knew in school. Granted, it's been a long time, and people naturally change and mature, but it really seems like my old friend has been transformed. There isn't one event or situation in which she doesn't connect her experience back to God, thanking him, asking for guidance, or considering His will for her marriage. She refers to dinner with friends as "holy," as a communal worship experience. Judging from her blog, a non-Christian observer might call her a little strange. Part of me wants to take comfort in that, to reassure myself that living that extreme would alienate people and hurt my chance of being able to share Christ with them. But the Holy Spirit in me is telling me that's ridiculous. Jesus of the New Testament was an extreme guy. His followers were extreme. They didn't try to fit in, or make anyone comfortable. Travis and I were talking about this the other night, and I realized that I have been taking the easy route. Right now, my Christian witness consists of the parts of Christianity that come easily to me: I pray that friends will see God give me peace in difficult situations, and notice the joy He has given me. But what about all the things that come less naturally, like giving to the poor, tithing, blessing those who persecute me (i.e. not ranting and gossiping when I'm upset with someone), and sharing God's word boldly with others? My mom would probably remind me at this point that I can't transform myself on my own, but that God desires to abide in me, to live through me, and thereby transform my life (though she would probably word it differently). I am lucky to have such a smart mom. (Note: My smart mom introduced me to the abiding life ministries website, which is a great resource for articles and little devotionals about exchanging your life for Christ's)

[Insert dolphin sound here]

So when you have a blog, you can put gadgets on it. Like a stock ticker or the weather or a game where you hit politicians with darts. Today I found my dream gadget. It was going to be on my blog for a limited engagement so as not to overdo it:

dolphin photos.

But guess what? The dolphin photo gadget is BROKEN! That's right. Broken. I really hope someone with computer skills is working on the dolphin photos gadget right now.

In the meantime:p.s. Do you know how hard it is to find a good dolphin picture online? Answer: really hard. They are all small, or illustrated, or . . . well lets face it: from some angles dolphins are just plain creepy. I'm still not completely satisfied with this one. Oh well.

!

Just noticed how many of my blog titles have exclamation points. Aaa!

Trapped!

I am a prisoner in my own home. The glorious summer weather everyone warned me about has finally set in. 94 degrees. At 11 am. In April. Wednesdays are (most weeks) my one morning off from work, and I often enjoy sleeping in, running some errands, making cookies, and maybe taking a little nap before heading off to work at 2:30ish (until 9- 7 dance classes in a row with no bathroom breaks!). But baking is sort of out of the question right now, as is puttering around Austin in my car. My new routine, established this morning, looks like this:
7:30 Get up to say goodbye to Travis, check e-mail, make bed
8:00 Back to bed (this time on top of the covers) for one more hour . . .
9:00 Too hot to make cookies this morning (good thing we bought some Milanos on sale yesterday), make that two hours . . .
10:00 Or three?
11:00 Wrestle myself out of bed and realize that the AC has somehow turned off and it's over 80 in my home, which has forced me into a three hour sleep haze!

Also of note, I had a sleep-haze-induced dream this morning that Travis and I were running away from the Coast Guard in my parents' metal boat, the Klammath. Real life Travis in the real life Klammath

Then they (the Coast Guard) came for us at home, and my parents and I had to sneak into our neighbors' house to hide. Then, when the Coast Guard came into the neighbors' house to look for us, we climbed all over and through the house before making our daring escape. So my question is . . .
Why in the world were we running away from the Coast Guard?!?!?!

And maybe I should mention my favorite part of the dream. Travis looked like Travis, and I knew he was my husband, but I couldn't remember whether his name was Travis, Trey, or Joe. Hmmm . . . And I guess I'm not the only one who's confused:

A few weeks ago at the Easter Sunrise Service, I met a sweet woman sitting next to me. She asked me if she knew me, and I told her that my husband, Travis, was the youth intern at the church so maybe she had seen us around (Travis was home with terrible allergies that morning). So later in the service, my new friend turned to me and pointed to Trey, who was playing the guitar up front, and asked "is that your husband?" I hadn't even spoken to Trey yet that morning! Awesome.Hey Texas: this is what a summer morning in Washington looks like!

Travis is awesome at life!

Travis is fixing our pepper shaker. Wait. . . . make that Travis fixed our pepper shaker. Because that's how he rolls. If things are broken, he doesn't wait a few months or year to deal with it. He fixes them right away. You know how it's generally a moot point to say you're a procrastinator, because just about everybody is a procrastinator, so it doesn't really set you apart in any significant way? Well Travis is not a procrastinator. Weird, right? Danielle at work is the same way. Also my mom. And my friend Amy. Okay so maybe there are a lot of people who fix things and take care of things and generally keep up with life, but who ever thought that I would end up with one of those people? And here he is now . . .
fixing the pepper shaker!
Also, aren't these irises pretty? They came from the family of two of my dance students, Bianca (5) and Savanna (3).
I didn't know they were irises, and I wanted to sound all flower smart, so I googled "purple flowers" and up came the coolest website! It may appear at first like any regular website with pictures of flowers, but if you scroll down all the way to the bottom you can click on any color (colour, actually, because it's a British site), and see all sorts of flowers in that color/colour. Then you click on the one you're looking for, and it tells you its name! Oh man, I am going to sound so flower smart now, because someone will give me a boquet of irises, for example, and I'll be able to look them up and say things like "thank you for the beautiful irises!" Genius. Mwah hah hah.

Mountains in my living room

This post is about to sound intentionally comical, but I assure you I'm being sincere: The hardest thing about being married is the laundry.
If you have ever lived with me, you know I have a special relationship with laundry. I for some reason feel that I must fold my clothes very very nicely, hence it takes forever, hence I wait and wait to fold it while it piles up around me. But when I do fold my laundry, I feel really super good about myself, like the way most people feel if they've gone for a run. (Sidenote: I would not feel really super good about myself if I actually went for a run.) Having all my laundry folded makes me feel healthy and organized and self-actualized, and I love love love curling up in a chair formerly inhabited by a large mound of laundry, congratulating myself on a chair well cleaned-up, and taking a nap in which I dream about drawers full of perfectly folded shirts (organized by color).
Which brings me to the problem of marraige, vis-a-vis, laundry: I can't keep up. As you likely know, Travis is one of those people who feels good about himself if he's gone for a run, to the point that he goes out in the heat and sweats through a fresh change of clothes almost every day. Plus, he is bigger and his clothes are bigger and they make little piles of laundry into massive mountains of running socks and youth group t-shirts. And I already generate an intimidating amount of laundry on my own, what with the dance company and the teaching dance and the dancing around the apartment when it's 80 degrees inside (and 98 degrees outside today). I'd post pictures of the laundry mountains, but I'm actually too embarrassed. Our home is a mess! But I am home early today (4pm) and have no rehearsal, so tonight is the night for folding. Wish me luck!
Also, to clarify my previous comment about laundry being the hardest part of marraige, I should say that it's been the hardest thing about marraige so far. I am not naive about the work that goes into keeping a marraige focused on Christ and capable of weathering life's big storms. But I remember from my pre-Travis days that, in the midst of all the people that told me how hard marraige would be, I really appreciated the few married friends who were excited to tell me all the great things about spending your life with your best friend. When you're waiting (even impatiently) for marraige, I think it's nice to know that you're waiting for something great. I know there are differing (and very valid) opinions on the subject, but that's mine :)
But I do hate the laundry.

Conspiracy theories

One of my favorite things about "political thriller" type movies is that the protagonist's conspiracy theories always turn out to be true. It's predictable, but it's exciting to watch it unfold. Tonight Travis and I went to see State of Play and, (hopefully) without giving away too much, I must say I am a bit perplexed. I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it, but neither Travis nor I could decide whether the surprise ending was great, or too unexpected (and maybe unnecessary?) to be satisfying . . . That said, I still recommend it, if only for the fact that Rachel McAdams and Russell Crowe sport matching layered bobs:
Also, though I don't believe I'm as skilled at analyzing acting as most who carry degrees in theatre, I thought Ben Afflek gave a really strong, endearing performance (which is maybe what made the ending feel wrong?).

Anyway, It was great to just hang out and see a movie tonight. Borealis is on hiatus this week, and neither of us has any late staff meetings, so we are trying to make the most of a week full of free evenings (minus Wednesday, when I teach dance and Travis has d-groups at church). Tonight was Papa Johns by the pond below the Arboretum. I'm not sure if there's an actual name for it, but it's a really beautiful man-made pond with fountains in the middle right off the highway. And we (or at least I) felt a little hard core eating there, since we had to dodge some pretty protective geese to get to our picnic table. They were huge, and one was giving me "If you come any nearer, I'll peck your eyes out" vibes. Luckily, Travis knew of a little back pathway, and we ate our pizza safe and sound. All in all, it made for a great evening.

Okay, time to watch the Spurs game with Travis (which really means that I will probably try to watch it for a few minutes, lose interest, and go do a crossword puzzle instead). Go Spurs!

Sunny Days

Today is another warm, sunny day. It's been pretty much warm (70s and 80s) and sunny since February, except for about once every two weeks we have a big thunder storm and it rains really hard and hail the size of golf balls break people's windshields (my boss's car was seriously damaged by hail at Capezio a few weeks ago, just an hour after I had left to go teach dance). I do love the sun, but it's starting to contribute to my growing anxiety about this summer. I don't do well in the heat, and my car (which runs perfectly and for which I am soooo grateful) has no AC. Three or four days out of the week I drive mid-day from one job to another, and lately those drives have been getting a little toasty. But at least it's pretty out! The view from our apartment at 8:30am this morning. Note: all those left-over wedding decorations are being put to good use! They cast little dancing light circles around the apartment every morning, and if you're up when the sun's first coming up they actually cast light all around the parking lot. It's really pretty. I just hope and pray that it doesn't annoy people, but no complaints yet!

Cupcakes! (Also: Joe's birthday)

Today is our good friend Joe's birthday. We brought German Chocolate cupcakes (and regular chocolate, because who wants pecans on their cupcake? Answer: not me) to the end of high school Ascent, then headed to El Arroyo to celebrate! One thing I have realized lately is that pretty much all our friends are in their 20s, so instead of buying lots of little candles, we have candle in the shape of a number 2. Then we slowly add other numbers. So far we also have a 4 and a 7.
Here are Joe and Trey after high school group, looking very grown up. Please note: 3 foursquare balls in background. You know, just in case.
I think that when you turn 27, we can no longer call you the "birthday boy," but instead the "birthday man." Even so, everyone loves a birthday card with little pirates that moon you when you open it. Pirate booty. Classic.
Everyone out on the patio at El Arroyo. We first asked one waiter to take our picture, and he declined because he had "10 tables inside" and was real busy. No problem, we just asked the next waiter who came outside. But I luaghed to myself when I went inside to use the restroom a few minutes later and saw the restaurant almost completely empty:) Apparently that guy just really didn't want to take our picture! Also a source of some laughs tonight: me spitting up my Sprite because something was funny. (I said we had a blog, and that it was nice my mom could read it because she was in a different time zone so we didn't talk on the phone much, and Russell asked "where does she live, Vietnam?") I really need to get a handle on that issue. . .

And now, with out further ado, my first blog video!

Over and out!

We (Borealis), just finished our weekend of dancing with the Austin City Ballet. I am happy to report that I did not fall on my face. I met a photographer there who took some great action shots of our piece, "finding new ground," though of course I can't remember his web address now. But here are some pre-show shots:
Borealis: Joell, Laura, Bethany, Danielle, me, Caitlyn, Wakelyn
With Danielle, our choreographer (also the asst. manager at Capezio). We picked out the dresses at Old Navy, Danielle bought ribbon, and then I sewed it on the dresses. You can't see it in most of the pictures, though, since a lot of them are on the back or sides.
With my Capezio boss, Wakelyn. Bethany who dances with us used to work at Capezio, too! (I have her old job, in fact)

Merry . . . April!

Pictures from our first Christmas together!Travis at the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, which we decided should actually be called the River of People. We made the mistake of going (along with our awesome Austin family) on an unseasonably warm night. Apparently, all of Texas made the same mistake. But this tunnel at the beginning of the trail was pretty cool!

Me in the tunnel (wearing the Travis t-shirt Heidi made us!)Richard and Daniel (Travis' brothers), "Cooking up Christmas" in their church play. Randy Phillips from Phillips, Craig, and Dean is their pastor! He is from Tennesee, where they say "A-man" instead of "A-men." Most importantly, Richard and Daniel rocked it out!
Travis with the boys post-play (Stephen and the cousins are not in this picture, because they were stealing donuts at the time.)
The spread at the first family event we hosted, a Christmas cookie decorating party! In attendance: Vicky and Danny, Crystal, Stephen, Richard, Daniel, Aunt Anette, and our cousins Chris and Jason. Good thing I made 100 cookies!

My mom-in-law and wonderful new sister Crystal. A few days after Christmas, Crystal took Vicki and I to see the Rockettes at the Irwin Center! We had the best. seats. ever. And it was amazing! My favorite part was when a pair of ice skaters skated on this little rink right next to us!
Stephen helping Richard play Guitar Hero.And here is my favorite picture from around Christmas, of our best Austin friends, Joe and Trey! The four of us try to get together at least once a week for dinner/dessert/epic Rummikub games.

In a nutshell (what am I doing in this nutshell?!)

If ever we miraculously have a little free time, we can usually be found golfing (Travis), napping (me), or watching LOST (both, obviously). But sometimes, we do this:

Jeannie

Travis

the idea being that you follow these . . .

DIRECTIONS:
- Go to Google image search.
- Type in your answer to each question.
- Choose a picture from the first 3 images.
- Use this website (http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php) to make your collage.

QUESTIONS:
1. What is your name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What is your hometown?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. What is your favorite movie?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. What is your dream vacation?
8. What is your favorite dessert?
9. What is one word to describe yourself?
10. How are you feeling right now?
11. What do you love most in the world?
12. What do you want to be when you grow up?

It ended up being pretty fun, and I likes seeing other people's mosaics as well. Now that we're out of school, we have to create homework assignments for ourselves (but only fun ones like this, and baking cookies. Down with essays).

On (and off) stage!

Hello friends and family! Tonight was my first dance performance in Texas, and I realized it's been almost a year since I danced on stage! Unfortunately, it's been almost a year (or at least it feels that way) since we saw some of you face to face. Now that we're a little more settled here in Austin, I'm trying to get better at staying contact with all our far away family and friends.

To begin with, my show: I've been dancing with a modern dance company (called Borealis) here for a few months, and tonight was my first performance with the group. We just did a little 7-minute piece as guest artists before Austin City Ballet's Midsummer Night's Dream, but if you're a dancer you know that 7 minutes is in fact pretty grueling, even with exits and entrances (reminder: must improve cardiovascular endurance). Borealis is pretty new, and it's exciting to be part of the beginning of something. We have another show tomorrow night, and I will hopefully be more on the spot with the camera and snap some actual pictures of the group!

In the meantime, here are some pictures of Travis and I on a rare afternoon together at the hike and bike trail downtown. With his church schedule (plus ultimate frisbee games), and my 3 jobs (plus company rehearsals), we don't usually see much of each other before 9 pm. I know it's not our season for lots of down time together, and we are both happy with work, but I do look forward to being able to cook together, go on hikes, and use our season passes to Six Flags. Hopefully it will happen someday (or at least year) soon!I was so grateful to be near the water!

Aim/flash seem to always be issues when we try to take pictures together. But . . .
Here we are on Easter, both visible and in the frame!

And yes, the bunny ears were necessary. My friend Danielle (director of Borealis, co-worker at Capezio) and I co-hosted an Easter Egg Hunt in the dark. Danielle and I hid the eggs, but it turned out to be way too hard. If I ever do an Easter Egg Hunt in the dark again (even for adults), I'll be sure to "hide" the eggs way out in the open. But I'm sure children in the park the next morning were excited to see all the eggs we couldn't find. Thanks to our friends who came for being such good sports! (And to Grizz, Trey's puppy, who was hands downt he best egg hunter. If only my nose led me to hidden chocolate!)

Danielle and I pre-hunt. Also featured is the carrot bat, for which we sold our souls and entered Wal-Mart.