My poor blog has seen better days (not that this is new information) but it goes from not having enough to say that I don’t post to having SO much to say that I don’t know where to begin.
Basically 2011 began and I feel like I flew out of a canon into the new year. How can it already be close to March? Will time always go this fast?
January was amazing, fast and furious, but amazing. The most important thing to discuss about January is my birthday vacation with Paul to the Midwest.
This year I turned 25, and I can barley believe that. In fact someone the other day asked how old I am and I stuttered trying to figure it out! The thing that has always made my birthday so special is that I share it with my Grandma. It doesn’t get much better than sharing your special day with someone so special. But being that we live so far away from each other makes it more and more challenging to celebrate together. This year I decided that I didn’t want to not celebrate without her and my parents agreed. So Paul and I took a few days off of work and flew to Chicago! I was able to celebrate my bday with friends, family and Paul. Life was good! It was one of the best birthdays I can remember. Paul had never been to Chicago (or Iowa) so it was a packed full adventure. Maybe not the best time of year to have brought my Cali born and raised boyfriend, but he was a trooper, that is for sure! We bundled up and went out on the town.
One of the major highlights of the whole trip was on Saturday. Brad, mom, Paul and I got up early and piled into the car and we drove to Iowa. Now something to note: Paul and my first conversation on the phone included him singing songs from The Music Man when I told him I was from Iowa. Now if that doesn’t win your heart I don’t know what would! :) So needless to say, Paul was very excited to see this land called “Iowa.” I on the other had was excited to see all my friends and family from my time in Iowa since it had been YEARS since I had seen folks.
We drove around Eldridge, Park View, Davenport etc and showed him basically my whole life. He saw where I went to School, my homes, where I worked, where I hung out etc. It was a blast from the past for sure. I of course took him to Azteca and Whiteys and that night we had a big birthday party at Happy Joes and he had his first bite of Taco Pizza, amazing!
The birthday part was such a joy. People that have really shaped who I am today arrived and I was so happy to see everyone. I wish I could have dedicated hours to each person to catch up, but unfortunately that did not happen. Just getting hugs from these people though made my day and was the perfect start to my 25th year.
Paul and I had to take an earlier flight back to SF as the huge snow storm was about to hit. We were sad to leave, but also we were looking forward to being back to sunshine and warmth!
We had an amazing trip and it was the best way to start this year.
The week I got back from the Midwest was my first week in my promotion at Dancers’ Group. So many changes have happened here at Dancers’ Group and one them included saying good-bye to 2 staff members and me moving up to full time/ salary. It has been an amazing change and increase, but also has been a big change on my life/ schedule. It has changed things like my class schedule, my yoga schedule, Paul and my dinner times, social things, when I wake up etc. All things that are changeable and doable, but 3 weeks in, I am still trying to adjust. The amazing thing is though that I am so in love with the organization that I am totally fine devoting so much time to it.
I premiered a new duet called “A Conflict of Interest.” It explored the possible conflicts with comfort vs. independence. And how can we as humans can overcome an unhealthy, yet comfortable relationship, if that's all we know and trust? The piece went well and many complimented it. I loved the music we used (all French music) and it was the first time I have done a duet with my friend Taylor.
Recently my computer crashed, never good. Luckily I was on the last months of my warranty and so they fixed the $650 problem for free! Yay!
My apartments water heater broke, fingers crossed that it will be fixed by tonight. No shower for days is not my favorite, I am turning into Paul! Haha :)
Valentines day this year was really sweet and romantic. As many know, it is not usually my favorite holiday, but this year might have changed that. I hate that the holiday becomes that one day of the year that someone treats you like you are the most special person and they express their love for you on that day. I am a person that wants to feel special on that random day that no one else is getting attention. But after Monday night I started to rethink. The whole thing started mid morning/ early afternoon when I big package from my mom arrived at Dancers’ Group. It had little treats and goodies for Paul and me and the animals. It was like a fun care package. That afternoon Paul called and said we could go get nice take out and eat at home while watching a movie or we could go out for dinner. By the end of the conversation he concluded that we should go out to eat and I should just meet him at home when I got done with work. I arrived at his place, dropped stuff off and we got a cab. It was so cute, he decided to take me to the citrus club which is where he took me on our first date. AND by luck of the draw, we sat at the same table we sat at on our first date. He ordered for us and we had an amazing meal. It was really a wonderful dinner that we don’t usually treat ourselves to. It was raining when we left so we decided to get a cab back home as well. It was really a wonderful night. Nothing fancy but just right. And he made the point that while its not the greatest holiday around, it sure is nice to spend it with someone you love.
I am off to LA this weekend for another photoshoot and rehearsals. I am actually looking forward to the weekend in LA. I am not a big fan of LA but I do love the company and I am ready for the inspiration that they bring to me. It will also be a nice break from the reality of work life in SF.
I have many pictures to share as well so I will post them soon!
