So you think you can step it up and dance?

This weekend has been a nonstop dance marathon. MTV has been playing "So You Think You Can Dance" with Bravo catching us all up on "Step it up and Dance." It's pretty much all I did, along with making up a ton of choreography I will never use. At least I got a bit of a workout in as I put together the numbers.

"Step It Up and Dance" has some interesting choreography and guests and of course, overly dramatic but pretty good dancers. And Jessica Spano (on Crack?) also known as the 2008 Elizabeth Berkley. She is in great shape, but maybe too great. What makes her hold her eyes open like that? Not wanting to start rumors about what she is or isn't on, I will simply ask, does she seem normal?

Keeping Active at the Green Street Fair

With dance on a week long hiatus I had to find something else to fill my fitness needs while stimulating my mind, (let's face it, mindless elliptical work is not fun) so off to the green street fair we went. We got to walk all around the fair trying out green products and tasting organic foods.

While strolling through the Whole Foods zone we picked up some "green" bathroom cleaner, Naturally Clean Life Mildew for $5. Hopefully it smells significantly less terrible and does as good a job as my current not so green, mostly toxic, mildew remover.

We logged 1.5 miles while spending an enjoyable and educational day together. It is important to remember that living a healthy lifestyle isn't always about hitting the gym and protein bars only to wreck it with days of sleeping in and eating out. It's about living an active life, putting good things in your body and using products that are not harmful to be around. Dusting a little more probably wouldn't hurt me either, the thought of mites...gross!

Weight loss Wednesdays: Walking the dog is a total gym

Though it has been gray and unappealing outside, I have managed to take Bailey, my not so brilliant dog, for a several walks. Sometimes she is pretty good. Today we walked past Nunzio and Belmont's house, something about these two make her crazy. I have no idea why these dogs make her nuts (nor do I know their real names) but I am going to count holding her back as an upper body workout along with the cardio, she is like my own total gym.

The eating seems to be improving now that I can cook all my food and carefully plan my meals. Who knows, next week might just be awesome.

This week I plan to add in the "Look Hot in Jeans" workout which starts with some releves. You know a leg workout is on the right track when it starts with a ballet move.

Recital, who doesn't love sequins?

This past weekend was my dance recital. My many amazing friends and family were there, and I was so glad to have their support.

Dance has always been such an important part of my life, and like most things we hold dear, you don't feel the true weight of it until it's gone. That's what made this year so special. I knew I loved it before, but the pain of not having it, now that is something.

Five of my lovely classmates, and I mean it, wonderful people and beautiful to boot, are leaving class for college and life. They will be leaving something behind, a part of them. My friend Andrea, also back in class these days, and I have been discussing how much we missed it while we were in college and how they can't possibly be prepared for the loss they will feel. Dance provides an outlet for creativity and stress. It is a place that is challenging and supportive and rewarding. It's filled with relationships with people you may never have approached in your day-to-day life but whose personalities add so much to your own that they truly shape the person you are to become.

I wish nothing but luck and happiness to all the girls and I hope one day, when we all have kids, that they will dance together and grow as we did.

Sometimes You're Just a Kid

While working on her master's, my friend lives with her father. I've known this family for at least fifteen years, and when we were kids, her dad would drive us to the movies, order pizza for our sleepovers and the many other wonderful things dads do.

A few weeks back I was headed to my friend's house to rehearse a tap number on a Sunday morning. I stopped at 7- Eleven for some coffee and water and was starting to call her to see if she or her dad wanted anything. When I looked up, there he was.

"I'm calling you"

"But I am right here"

"Well, I am calling Andrea, do you know if she wants anything?"

"I think I asked her and she said no, double check"

I did, and she didn't, so I go to buy my stuff and he is standing ahead of me…

"and add her coffee and water"

"I can get it"

"No"

He gave me that I'm the adult and you're the kid look, and while I know that if this had been a game of poker, he'd have taken me for all I've got, when it comes to snacks, I'm still just a kid.

I'm 25.

While I am proud of the things I have accomplished in my life so far, and I felt pretty awkward not buying my coffee, I have to admit it was freeing. For one sweet moment, I went back in time and was just a kid.

Time spent at the Barre

Tonight was dance night. I watched the lyrical class while I ate my dinner and went over steps in my head. I worked the Aerosmith number with all I had, even if my toes weren't pointed on that kick, I was feeling good. Then tap! I put so much into the first run through I could hardly breathe the rest of the hour. Best feeling ever! Certainly I am not a great dancer, but I feel great dancing. It's that thing in life that always makes my day, even when I am frustrated and can't seem to get it right, Dance=Happy.

My summer rehearsal wish list:

More than a Memory - Garth Brooks (hear it)
Apologize - Timbaland feat. One Republic (hear it)
Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance (hear it)
Fragile - Delta Goodrem (hear it, and see a great piece)

It's doubtful that I will get one of these, but hey, no need not to want, that would be un-American. Okay, exhausted and in need of a shower. More informative post tomorrow.