LIFE LIST: PERFORM IN A HULA DANCE SHOW

"The dance is over, the applause subsided but the joy and feeling will stay with you forever.”

Where: Michigan

When: The first was in June 2012, we also were in the recital this past June 2013.

2012

                                       
Why this is on my list: I had no intention of dancing in the recital the first year we joined the class; my daughter was only 17 months old, we started the class late giving us only had 7 weeks before the recital, and I just had no desire to do this in front of an audience. Then one day 'Auntie', the dance instructor, brought in the smallest hula skirt you've ever seen for my baby. She looked so adorable in it I couldn't say no. We had such a blast doing our 1 song the first year that this year we were in 3 dances. My little girl lives for the stage and did incredibly well during both performances, she's already looking forward to the show in June 2014.

Cost: We do not have to pay to be in the recitals and there is a very reasonable fee to be in the class.

Something I'd recommend? Dancing in the recital initially was not anything I wanted to do but I went for it anyhow and these recitals have created some spectacular memories we'll have forever. This is also inciting my daughter's zest to be in the limelight and she's developing a formidable stage presence while giving us mother/daughter moments beyond compare. I had no idea that Hula would become such a large part of our lives and gives us all so much joy.

Will I do it again? Yes, actually we will be in our 3rd Polynesian Dance recital this June!

I LIFE LISTED TODAY-AND IT WAS AWESOME!

Today I began a LIFE LIST activity, one of which I have zero prior experience, one which requires the athleticism my body does not posses, and an exercise intended to encompass grace and elegance to the very core of their definitions, but if not done properly will most certainly shame several sophisticated cultures. This LIFE LIST experience was the very obvious next step after getting my braces off. I'm sure you've probably already guessed it by now....that's right, I started ballet class. Yup, I'm regressing. Braces, ballet, and maybe one day soon I'll even learn how to tie my shoes via 'loop, swoop and pull'.

The class I'm taking is Adult Ballet. There are 6 other women in this class which actually began in September so I'm quite behind. Most of these women have been doing this for years and tonight was my very first ballet class in my entire life. It was everything I hoped for in a workout. By the time I left my arms were burning and my leg muscles were shaking so much I felt like they were just going to collapse. It was terrific. A formidable shock to my muscular vascular system- yes, but in a good way. Luckily the movements were so face paced and hard to keep up that I didn't have a lot of time to focus on how ridiculous I looked. Everyone there was so graceful and wearing they're dainty ballet clothing...and here was this ding dong floundering around in mis-matched socks. My goal in the next week before my second class is to get myself a hot little outfit and to spend a lot of time reviewing the steps on youtube. My only saving grace thus far is that I speak French. All the steps in ballet have French names, I feel bad for those who do not speak the language and are trying to learn a difficult art at the same time.

I was hoping that I would be at my ideal weight by the time I got my braces off. Though I have lost a significant amount of weight since having my daughter (i.e. all the pregnancy weight plus 20 pounds) I am not where I would like to be. I'm not miserable but I've been smaller and I remember how good it felt and I know I can get back there. Other than my walking I really haven't exercised since becoming pregnant....that was 4 years ago. I'm ready, I love to work out and I miss it. Years ago, probably when that movie Black Swan came out, I started thinking how ballet dancers have incredibly toned bodies and I added it to my LIFE LIST. Actually I just added 'get a ballet bar workout dvd'. Since we've moved into our house over 1 year ago I've noticed a dance studio nearby. I actually pass it every day and think 'I should check it out and see what they have to offer'. And so I did a few weeks ago, after talking with the owner I decided to start in December.

AH, two of my favorite things-French and Dancing. It's going to take a while before I catch on but I am so glad that I found this place. Nope 3 things, I forgot to mention the Christmas music, I have hit the lottery starting in December-all our dances are to songs from The Nutcracker. I'm in heaven already, and if I can tone up a little too, that would be even better.

Hawaiian Dance Recital

One year later and I'm still meaning to write about our FIRST hula recital, I'll get around to it soon...and then soon after that I'll tell you all about our SECOND recital which was Saturday, I'll have lots of pictures and videos I want to share soon but I just wanted to say that it was AMAZING!
  I cannot believe that what was once just an item on my LIFE LIST has become such a big part of not only my life but my daughter's as well. We started over a year ago, when Z was only 18 months old and I think that getting her involved so young is one of the best decisions I could have made for her. Being in this class has made her confident, sociable, mature, and given her strong roots of a talent that she will hopefully stay with forever, and that's only at 2 years old!
  When I put this on my list, I did so just thinking it would be fun to take a Hawaiian dance class, I had NO idea, nor any intentions to stay with this for an extended period of time, perform on stage, and become part of a family. That's why I love my LIFE LIST so much- you write something down as a simple idea and have no clue where the adventure will actually take you or how it will change your life...
  I'm already planning to take a summer class which will be different, this is more advanced and will be adults only. The mommy and me class will begin again in the fall.

Hula Recital 2012

LIFE LIST: BUY A FLAMENCO DRESS

“We’re fools whether we dance or not…

                              so we might as well dance!”

This was my step dad's former flamenco group-he's the guitarist on the farthest end of the pic...this was the show they did when they opened for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra....it was also the day my surgeon and I lip locked (i'm sorry husband but you know I like to brag about this whenever it happens to 'come up')

LIFE LIST: HAVE MY OWN FLAMENCO DRESS

When: Valentine's Day 2013

Where: My amazing dance instructor Tish sold me this dress.

Why this is on my list: I have wanted a nice, formal performance dress for years-I guess I started looking them up online about 5 years ago when I started taking my lessons. A few years ago I did buy a nice practice skirt from Spain for $100, but it's very simple-just plain black.

Cost: A steal at $75!

Plans for more? Yes! I have a list of things I'm going to go back and buy from her as soon as I start getting my paychecks! I can't wait to show you the other dress I'm buying from her-it's amazing.

Was it life changing? I thought it would be years and years before I would be able to buy my own nice flamenco dress because they can be VERY expensive! ($600 and up) and I had no pressing reason to buy one now but when my instructor sent me an email last week mentioning that she was selling some of her dresses I wanted to see them but I still thought they would not be affordable. When she started giving me prices I started getting REALLY excited!

This is extra special for me, not only was it a wonderful opportunity for me to start building my flamenco wardrobe at a tenth of what it would cost me to buy these things new...and probably have shipped from Spain but they belonged to my instructor Tish whom I've known since I was 3 years old, I love her and I have the highest respect for her as a dancer so for my first dresses to be ones that she danced her heart out in makes this extra special for me.

This is life changing in that I've been joining my step dad's group for practice and he keeps talking about me doing some performances this year with them and I always just brushed it off because I don't have anything to wear! This pushes me into another level where I may actually start dancing with them sometime this year....

It's pink and turquoise...it kind of looks orange but it's not.

The Ultimate Life List is now on facebook...please dance on over to my page and LIKE IT!

Hobbies can be very expensive...what's your hobby that puts the biggest dent in your wallet?

LIFE LIST: TAKE POLYNESIAN DANCE CLASS

"The hands of the hula dancer are ever going out in gesture, her body swaying and pivoting itself in attitude of expression. Her whole physique is a living and moving picture of feeling, sentiment, and passion." 

When: Classes began in April 2012. I had zero intentions of doing this any time in my immediate future but I often will check prices whilst doing my LIFE LIST research sometimes just for fun and sometimes just to get an idea of what the cost will be. When I sent a price request via email I got a phone call from the instructor an hour later telling me that a family class was starting in 6 hours. I was a little hesitant because my daughter was only 16 months old and I knew it would be a challenge. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made! Our Hula has become a large part of our lives and it is my hope that it always will be.

Cost: This first class was $45 for me and no charge for Z at that time she was under 2 years old. The class we're currently enrolled in was $60 for the both of us.

Why this is on my list? When we were in Hawaii, we of course saw a luau...actually we saw two-and I thought it would be such fun to learn. Not too long after we came home I actually passed a Polynesian Dance Studio in Michigan-it was too far from my house but I had hope that there'd be more!

Something I would recommend? Yes! What fun! When you take dance classes you not only learn the dance but you also get to watch your instructor who is no doubt a professional, which is like free entertainment in my opinion! It's wonderful for kids, even though my two year old doesn't spend a lot of time concentrating she highly enjoys playing with the other kids and dancing along to the loud Hawaiian tunes. Now my daughter is 3 years old and she knows most of the words and dance steps to 7 different songs. It's incredible to see how far she's come.

What would I do differently? Nothing at all.

Will I do it again? Well we are currently on our fifth class and most certainly will be signing up for our sixth come January!

Was it life changing? Oh yes! This group of people have become 'ohana' like family to us, it is good, clean fun and my daughter actually picks up some of the moves but more so- she is singing the songs!!! It is so adorable, especially since we don't really focus on 'singing'- certainly there is an element to focusing on the words because the dance corresponds with the words. It's just another gift I feel like my daughter's been given. Potentially she could stick with this when she's older and if not I just think it is so important to expose her to as much as possible.

Hula Recital Today

Today my daughter and I are performing in our first Polynesian Dance Recital. I'm totally nervous, oddly enough it's not so much about my dance as I am terrified that my one year old will run right off the stage due to her lack of dept perception, start screaming and kicking me on stage or that she will push the other dancers ( I don't where she got this from but she only does it at hula class-she loves to push hula dancers!). I was worried about messing up but then I thought-if I screw up...so what? I've only been doing this for eight weeks after all! My great wish would be that I dance perfectly, remember to smile, that I have enough people keeping their eye on my 1 year old to where I can just dance for two minutes, and presumably my baby  looks so unbelievably adorable in her outfit that no one notices me anyhow, and that she is her fun, smiley self and dances around on the stage. Dear Lord, please let this happen today.
         I have thought about backing out of this so many times, including just last night but in the end this is something I will have to share with my daughter forever and that's priceless. And if terrible things happen...well, that's the beginning of a great story to tell.
            I have also decided to remove an item from my list BUY HULA DVD'S AND WATCH THEM EVERYDAY FOR 100 DAYS. This is unnecessary as we are going to continue with our hula classes, the second class begins in two weeks.
            I will have my full review, pictures and maybe even a video for you next Saturday of our Hula Recital....please send my baby good, positive energy and thoughts today!!

This week, I will also return with WEIGH IN WEDNESDAYS and it's my Birthday week and I just decided the perfect way to spend my favorite narcissistic day of the year. I've missed writing and I have so much to share with you and now that I'm moved into our new house and unpacked I will have some more time to do so.