Mid-Year Resolution Check-In

1. Attend at least three national-level dance events. I have attended Boston Fusion Exchange 2011 (and I'm still getting jitters thinking about some of my dances there) and attended the dances at the Chicago Classic. I'll count this as 1.5 checks. For the rest of the year, I'm considering a few options: BluesShout!, The Rythym is Jumpin', DC Bachata and Salsa Championships, and of course CUBE.

2. Compete at one regional-level event. The more-you-know phenomena applies here. Although I recognize that I've improved since New Years, I'm progressively more intimidated by competing. Perhaps I will have gathered more courage by the end of the year.

3. Take six private lessons. One out of six checks completed with Jenna of Big City Swing. Finances limit this one. I hope to take a few more lessons with Jenna and some lessons with Colleen of May I Have This Dance before the end of the summer.

4. Maintain current GPA and retain job despite massive amounts of dancing. Given this semester's credit load (22 hours) and this semester's grades, I've made this university my slave. I also have my job with AthletiCo. This deserves half of a check for half of a year.
|_ Addendum for future resolutions: Although I maintained my GPA, worked, and social danced, I became deathly ill three times this semester. I should probably limit my course load, extracurriculars and work hours more during the academic year to keep my body healthy.

5. Attain at least mean scores on the GRE. I should probably register for that. No checks achieved here.

Minigoal #1

I will do 20 pushups and 30 crunches tomorrow. They don't have to be all at once.

I Made My Fitness Goals Once This Semester!

In the week I didn't stress or worry about getting to the gym and strengthening, I made my fitness goals. I attended two Zumba classes, used the elliptical, and worked on hip strength outside of the gym. In hindsight, it feels great that this happened. Now, I'm unsure of how to replicate it since it was made possible by a few cancelled classes last week. I'm realistic in knowing that I won't quite make my original goals in the coming weeks with large impending assignments looming overhead and finals creeping ever nearer. I will try to go to the gym once a week for cardiovascular training. I will also replace some more strengthening and stretching with time I'd ordinarily spend on the dreaded social networking sites.

Recently, I've actually been more concerned about my general health and wellbeing. I have managed to completely abandon all of my good eating habits cultivated by my parents and regular sleeping patterns. I have become seriously ill in this semester twice with respiratory infections. My roommate suggested that I am not getting enough sleep, so I think my focus for the rest of the semester will be on this aspect of my health.

How to Meet Youtube Dance Sensations

(And appear very silly)

1. Shake his/her hand and your voice cracks like a pubescent boy as you say, "Nice to meet you."
2. Nod you head emphatically and do not give a witty comment or intelligent remark
3. Freeze when the conversation restarts and your dance mentor claims you despite the stillness.
4. Do not ask him/her to dance.
5. Slither away with dance mentor's boyfriend who has gratefully recognized the freeze and takes you off to dance.

In this manner, I met Jordan Frisbee, Tatiana, Cameo Cross and Ben Morris. Partners Jordan and Tatiana perform a choreographed west coast swing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a3RY8UbE0w

Microgoaling and Conditioning

In the past week, I've found that I was falling asleep during class and generally slogging through the stress-filled days. I realized that I had been sleeping an average of 5.5 hours a night and purchasing all of my meals in the cafeteria instead of preparing something more nutritious at home. I also didn't make it to the gym (other than the class that occurred in it).

In light of last Tuesday's discussion on conditioning, I will try to give microgoaling a try. The idea is to break up a task into small manageable bits on a daily basis rather than using the "go big or go home" mentality. That is psychologically supposed to encourage one to actually be productive rather than intimidate one into inaction.

So tonight's microgoal is going to be to get 7 hours of sleep.

Dress Like a Diva, Dance Like a Diva

For the past week, I've felt super schlumpy. My skin was pastier than usual (and blemished) and my waistline a bit doughier. My dancing and attitude reflected my appearance. I decided to counter the effects today in ballet with a bit more make-up and hairspray. There's something about looking the part that helps one embody the style of the dance. I felt more snappy in my movements during class and more presentable.

I'm hoping that I can apply this technique at Hawkeye Swing Festival in Des Moines this coming weekend. I have a new yellow shirt dress for the vintage 30s and 40s themed dance on Saturday night. I need to research appropriate hair styles and get a pair of swing shoes, but perhaps I'll feel more confident with my lindy hop connection with the addition of the look. 

Exciting Week

This week I managed to get to the gym and it felt great to have the endorphins running through my blood stream again. In the first session on the elliptical, I noticed that I was able to go for much longer than I did last semester before I had to start slogging through the remaining time. I hope that indicates that I've made some progress in the last few months. Quantitatively, my training consisted of 3 stretching sessions (mainly hitting my calves which have been feeling like rocks) and 2 cardio sessions including the elliptical and a Zumba taping.

In other exciting dance news, Loyola After Hours organized a salsa lesson and dance on Saturday with an instructor from out of town. Though the group consisted mainly of beginning dancers, they held a "competition" between four couples. My friend, the Zumba instructor Jordan, was approached by one of the instructors to compete to have at least four couples. I ended up leading her in the competition. We "won." The prizes are a dance pass to the DC Bachata and Salsa Congress in August and a hotel room during the event. 

Slightly less exciting, Chicago deal of the day was $20 for 20 hour-long group Argentine tango lessons at ARTango that never expire. This is a ridiculous deal. I bought 40 hours; I smell a summer project.