April 27, 2009
Mom's Visit to Maryland
My mom came to visit during her spring break at the end of March. We had a wonderful week together, enjoying some of the local "hot spots." Photos include Friday's Creek Winery where we tried Gewurztraminer wine for the first time; North Beach; Sweet Sue's Bakery in North Beach; and Solomons Island Pier.
Hanging Up My Boots....at least for now
Dance has always been a part of my life in some way. And it has always been by God's grace that I was able to make the most of what little training I had and pursue some of my biggest dreams. To me there is nothing like the rush of performing in front of a huge crowd. I got my first taste of performing in a pro sports venue while I was still in high school. My dance team was one of several that had the opportunity to perform at halftime for the Cleveland Cavs. It was at that point that I knew I was not going to walk away from dance after college. More specifically, it became my dream to continue performing as a professional sports dancer, aka pro cheerleader.
Shortly after college graduation, I began my pursuit of this dream, auditioning for 6 separate teams, through 8 separate auditions over the past 7 years. I have been through it all. The hard work at prep classes. The anticipation of tryout week. Being cut right away one year. Making it all the way to finals another year. Just to be cut again in round one the next year. I have traveled to several different states. I have cried in disappointment. I have laughed in joyous celebration. I have even trembled uncontrollably from nerves and from excitement.
Each audition brought a new set of challenges and a new set of triumphs. I have grown in both my dance performance and in my attitude. After all these years I can now walk into an audition with my head held high, feeling confident, knowing I will do my best. At the end of the day, no matter the outcome, I can look back feeling accomplished for just trying and being thankful to God for his will in my life.
And so it is with a thankful and content heart that I am able to hang up my dancing boots. This past March was my last attempt at becoming a pro cheerleader. I won't say that I am not sad about closing this chapter of my life. I have worked hard for this dream, but it is one that at this time I am choosing to move on from. Not giving up on. Just moving on to other things. I also won't say that I will never try again in the future. Someday I just might be one of those crazy 40 year olds who just auditions for the fun of it - because I can. Until then I will look fondly on my days as a performer, and I will wait expectantly for what God has planned next.
In case you are curious about my audition timeline:
2002 Cleveland Cavs Dancers
2003 Buffalo Bills Cheerleaders
2004 Buffalo Bills Cheerleaders and Ambassadors
2006 Jacksonville Jaguars Cheerleaders (Made it to finals!)
2007 Jacksonville Jaguars Cheerleaders
2007 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (lifelong dream fulfilled just auditioning for them)
2008 Jacksonville Axe Maiden Cheerleaders (Made this team! Semi-pro, but its a start!)
2009 Washington Redskins Cheerleaders and Ambassadors
Pictures:
NOHS Eaglets
Mount Union College dance team
Jacksonville Axe Maidens
Audition Pics
Shortly after college graduation, I began my pursuit of this dream, auditioning for 6 separate teams, through 8 separate auditions over the past 7 years. I have been through it all. The hard work at prep classes. The anticipation of tryout week. Being cut right away one year. Making it all the way to finals another year. Just to be cut again in round one the next year. I have traveled to several different states. I have cried in disappointment. I have laughed in joyous celebration. I have even trembled uncontrollably from nerves and from excitement.
Each audition brought a new set of challenges and a new set of triumphs. I have grown in both my dance performance and in my attitude. After all these years I can now walk into an audition with my head held high, feeling confident, knowing I will do my best. At the end of the day, no matter the outcome, I can look back feeling accomplished for just trying and being thankful to God for his will in my life.
And so it is with a thankful and content heart that I am able to hang up my dancing boots. This past March was my last attempt at becoming a pro cheerleader. I won't say that I am not sad about closing this chapter of my life. I have worked hard for this dream, but it is one that at this time I am choosing to move on from. Not giving up on. Just moving on to other things. I also won't say that I will never try again in the future. Someday I just might be one of those crazy 40 year olds who just auditions for the fun of it - because I can. Until then I will look fondly on my days as a performer, and I will wait expectantly for what God has planned next.
In case you are curious about my audition timeline:
2002 Cleveland Cavs Dancers
2003 Buffalo Bills Cheerleaders
2004 Buffalo Bills Cheerleaders and Ambassadors
2006 Jacksonville Jaguars Cheerleaders (Made it to finals!)
2007 Jacksonville Jaguars Cheerleaders
2007 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (lifelong dream fulfilled just auditioning for them)
2008 Jacksonville Axe Maiden Cheerleaders (Made this team! Semi-pro, but its a start!)
2009 Washington Redskins Cheerleaders and Ambassadors
Pictures:
NOHS Eaglets
Mount Union College dance team
Jacksonville Axe Maidens
Audition Pics
Long Time No Post....Catching Up
I can't believe it has been almost two months since I last posted. So much has gone on since then. I just have not taken the time to write. Follow along over the next couple posts as I bring y'all up to speed on our life in Southern Maryland.
March 2, 2009
Helping Hand of a Stranger
Today was one of those days that made me stop and think, "am I doing enough for those around me?"
After being pummeled with over a foot of snow between last night and this morning, I finally bundled up and went outside to tackle clearing the driveway. I soon realized that after living in Florida for three years, we did not own a snow shovel or any shovel for that matter. So I got creative and grabbed a rake and a dust pan. I figured I could sweep away the top layer of snow, then bend down to shovel what was left with the dust pan. I must have looked ridiculous, but it had to be done. We don't know our neighbors yet, or else I would have asked to borrow something, anything that would make the work easier. In fact, one neighbor was out shoveling at the same time, but when he finished he put his shovel away and walked inside. I didn't expect any offer of help. I am young and strong enough to handle a little bit of snow. I am from Cleveland for goodness sake. But just as that same neighbor started backing out his big SUV over his clean driveway, an angel was sent my way.
Timothy drove into the neighborhood, down the street, made a u-turn and pulled up in front of my house. Immediately I knew what he was doing - hoping to make some money off of poor, weak little me - or so I thought. He got out of the car and asked if he could help. I told him I was fine, just wish I had better tools to do the work. As he pulled out his shovel from the car, I told him I had no cash on hand to give him (which is true; I never carry cash). He replied that he was only wanting to do God's work and be a blessing to others today. And so for the next fifteen minutes, Timothy and I chatted about the area, the snow, what line of work we were both in, all while he shoveled away. My mind raced to think of something I could give him for his troubles. But when he was all done, and all I could say was thank you, he shook my hand and asked that I just remember him in my prayers.
You see, Timothy is out of work right now. And yes, he probably was hoping some change would fill his pocket by the end of a long day of shoveling driveways. I don't know if he has a family to take care of or not, but he was determined to do something - anything - today to get out and make a difference. Make a difference for someone else. Make a difference for himself. He did pass on his business card, hoping that maybe we would someday need his services as a painter. But what struck me most about Timothy, was that he was not just waiting for an opportunity to find him. He knew there would be a need today, and he acted upon it.
Too often I sit and think about serving others without ever acting upon it. And other times I just think too late and miss the opportunity to help. Timothy was a good reminder to me that there are those in need all around us. Whether its as simple as a hug or literally giving someone else the shirt off one's own back, I can always extend a helping hand.
Today I stopped and thought "will I do more for those around me?" And then I prayed that God open my eyes to the endless opportunities.
After being pummeled with over a foot of snow between last night and this morning, I finally bundled up and went outside to tackle clearing the driveway. I soon realized that after living in Florida for three years, we did not own a snow shovel or any shovel for that matter. So I got creative and grabbed a rake and a dust pan. I figured I could sweep away the top layer of snow, then bend down to shovel what was left with the dust pan. I must have looked ridiculous, but it had to be done. We don't know our neighbors yet, or else I would have asked to borrow something, anything that would make the work easier. In fact, one neighbor was out shoveling at the same time, but when he finished he put his shovel away and walked inside. I didn't expect any offer of help. I am young and strong enough to handle a little bit of snow. I am from Cleveland for goodness sake. But just as that same neighbor started backing out his big SUV over his clean driveway, an angel was sent my way.
Timothy drove into the neighborhood, down the street, made a u-turn and pulled up in front of my house. Immediately I knew what he was doing - hoping to make some money off of poor, weak little me - or so I thought. He got out of the car and asked if he could help. I told him I was fine, just wish I had better tools to do the work. As he pulled out his shovel from the car, I told him I had no cash on hand to give him (which is true; I never carry cash). He replied that he was only wanting to do God's work and be a blessing to others today. And so for the next fifteen minutes, Timothy and I chatted about the area, the snow, what line of work we were both in, all while he shoveled away. My mind raced to think of something I could give him for his troubles. But when he was all done, and all I could say was thank you, he shook my hand and asked that I just remember him in my prayers.
You see, Timothy is out of work right now. And yes, he probably was hoping some change would fill his pocket by the end of a long day of shoveling driveways. I don't know if he has a family to take care of or not, but he was determined to do something - anything - today to get out and make a difference. Make a difference for someone else. Make a difference for himself. He did pass on his business card, hoping that maybe we would someday need his services as a painter. But what struck me most about Timothy, was that he was not just waiting for an opportunity to find him. He knew there would be a need today, and he acted upon it.
Too often I sit and think about serving others without ever acting upon it. And other times I just think too late and miss the opportunity to help. Timothy was a good reminder to me that there are those in need all around us. Whether its as simple as a hug or literally giving someone else the shirt off one's own back, I can always extend a helping hand.
Today I stopped and thought "will I do more for those around me?" And then I prayed that God open my eyes to the endless opportunities.
February 26, 2009
I am a teacher
For a total of one year, one month and five days, I enjoyed the luxury of being a housewife. No, not the desperate kind like the TV show with all the drama. More like a homemaker - with very little glamour involved. My weeks consisted of learning how to cook better, scheduled cleaning days, a greater involvement in my church, and lunches out with friends. Ok, so maybe there was a little bit of glamour. All in all I loved this time in my life. My marriage grew and deepened, my faith blossomed, and I must say that I have become a pretty good cook! (Ask me to make my fabulous Stuffed Chicken Valentino whenever you visit.) This sabbatical, however, has come to an end. I have decided to enter the workforce once again...well, at least on a part-time basis. Through a little (very little) searching I came across a dance studio that was hiring. I have a few years under my belt of coaching and teaching dance, so I truly felt that I could get this job. What I didn't realize was that not only was I going to be hired as a pre-k dance instructor, but I was about to create a whole new position for myself at this studio.
My work history is a colorful array of odd jobs that probably would not seem to line up in any kind of career path. Post-college, I have worked as a substitute teacher, dance coach, cheer coach, financial analyst, gymnastics coach, program director, and receptionist. I have thankfully "fallen into" each of these positions with little effort of my own. Its seems that the jobs I worked really hard at getting (full-time teaching), were never offered to me. And now with my current job, things have once again worked out so smoothly, I know it is not of my own doing but rather being right where God wants me to be.
I was hired on the spot after teaching only 30 minutes of a class to 3 four-year-olds. After realizing that the relatively new studio only had two daytime classes for me to teach, I was struck with an awesome idea. With boldness that came from who knows where (again only from above, I believe) I sent the owner my proposal to work as the studio manager - a job that at that moment did not exist. I shared with her all my experience as a program director, receptionist, and coach of several teams, and I convinced her that I am what she needs to get her studio on the right track to expansion and success. And just like that I had created a brand new position and given myself a new title to add to my resume.
Now, three days in, I am loving my work. Not only do I get to work in a field I am passionate about, I really feel like I can and will make a difference at this place. Its not my studio, but I am determined to see it grow. And with each day of experience I gain from this job, that crooked career path of odds and ends is beginning to look a little clearer now. Its funny when I come across old college classmates and they ask if I am teaching these days. They remember me from our middle childhood ed classes and from student teaching. I used to feel a bit embarrassed when I had to share that "no, I never got hired to teach in a school." And "yes, I did sub for awhile...and coach in the schools...but still no job in the classroom." But now I am so proud to say that Yes! I am a teacher. I teach dance. And I am darn proud to teach Pre-K dance. It is an honor and a privilege to have the responsibility of being a child's first dance instructor. And, oh yeah, I manage the studio too!
My work history is a colorful array of odd jobs that probably would not seem to line up in any kind of career path. Post-college, I have worked as a substitute teacher, dance coach, cheer coach, financial analyst, gymnastics coach, program director, and receptionist. I have thankfully "fallen into" each of these positions with little effort of my own. Its seems that the jobs I worked really hard at getting (full-time teaching), were never offered to me. And now with my current job, things have once again worked out so smoothly, I know it is not of my own doing but rather being right where God wants me to be.
I was hired on the spot after teaching only 30 minutes of a class to 3 four-year-olds. After realizing that the relatively new studio only had two daytime classes for me to teach, I was struck with an awesome idea. With boldness that came from who knows where (again only from above, I believe) I sent the owner my proposal to work as the studio manager - a job that at that moment did not exist. I shared with her all my experience as a program director, receptionist, and coach of several teams, and I convinced her that I am what she needs to get her studio on the right track to expansion and success. And just like that I had created a brand new position and given myself a new title to add to my resume.
Now, three days in, I am loving my work. Not only do I get to work in a field I am passionate about, I really feel like I can and will make a difference at this place. Its not my studio, but I am determined to see it grow. And with each day of experience I gain from this job, that crooked career path of odds and ends is beginning to look a little clearer now. Its funny when I come across old college classmates and they ask if I am teaching these days. They remember me from our middle childhood ed classes and from student teaching. I used to feel a bit embarrassed when I had to share that "no, I never got hired to teach in a school." And "yes, I did sub for awhile...and coach in the schools...but still no job in the classroom." But now I am so proud to say that Yes! I am a teacher. I teach dance. And I am darn proud to teach Pre-K dance. It is an honor and a privilege to have the responsibility of being a child's first dance instructor. And, oh yeah, I manage the studio too!
February 11, 2009
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