Put on Your Red Shoes and Dance the Blues

Almost seven years ago I hung up my boots, hat, and various brightly colored outfits declaring the end of my dance "career." I'm tired, I said, I need a break, I need free time. Well, free time was given...in spades. Through the next few years I went through on again off again periods of formal and informal classes, pounds gained and lost, flexibility expanded and contracted.

You get to a point where you are either too out of practice to attend classes aimed at you or too old to attend the ones where you can keep up. You’re that weird old girl towering over 8 year-olds and smiling awkwardly at their moms...who are your age. I haven’t been that girl yet, I've always opted to get my butt handed to me in the intermediate class. 

Finally, finally I’ve found a studio where I fit in and have fun without feeling like a creepster! Dance Austin has a wonderful selection of informal classes from Ballet to Zumba, no commitment, and nice staff. I just took Adult Ballet Technique today and it was wonderful.  The instructor was a sub, but she was lovely fun and supportive. The Go-Go Cardio class that followed us was packed, and I can’t wait to try it.  I’ll be trying their Tone Up fitness class on Thursday to see how it stacks up. 

So if you’re in the Austin area, you love to dance, and you have an hour to kill, try them out. It’s worth the $15. 

Also NPH on SYTYCD saying things like "That was DOPE." has only deepened my joy. NPH I love you.

XOXONPH,
HK

Austin Again

Annnnnnd a month later I'm back.

Moving and settling in over the last month has been crazy. I've had family/friends over or I've been out of town just about every weekend. The apartment is coming along nicely and it really feels like home.Thanks to K.O. and Brit for the styling assistance. I love my bedroom the most. I also have these amazing shelved closets with doors where I place the kitty boxes so I can hide them when people come over! Hurrah! With my latest cash influx ( hurray bonus!), I'll be buying the couch, curtains, tv, and maybe a rug. Pictures as soon as I finish it.

I hosted a small dinner party at my place. I probably went overboard, and check out my classy office and camper chairs, but playing hostess was just too much fun. Pictures!

New job is nice too. It's not teaching, things are much...simpler. I miss the kids and the craziness...I also might plan lessons in my head during down time. However the people are great and it is fun learning a new skill. Also working 9-5 is AMAZING. The free time has spurred me to start looking for volunteer and leadership opportunities. I'm looking in to tutoring math at a local middle school and maybe mentoring for lego robotics.

Best part of being back in Austin is the feeling of home. I don't feel in transition anymore, I feel like I've arrived. Mostly due to my amazing friends, however this town just suits me. My new neighborhood is perfect, with a Little Deli, plenty of community stores, and a beautiful place to run.

It's good to be back.
HK