Day 126: February 28, 2011.

Well, here we are again at the end of another month.  Today was tough.  I'll be quite honest and say off the bat that I've been tired--exhausted--and cranky since this morning.  I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and pretty much dwelled there all day.  I know, I know, but hey, we're all only human!  It happens!  But between not feeling well, not being able to keep my body or my mind awake, battling many a bruise and many an ache and itching for spring break (which is so close, yet so, so far..!) my emotions are a little wacky and I just wasn't with it!  Praying for a better day tomorrow!

But yes, I had a fair share of smiles today (and even a few laughs!).  My sister always makes me happy.  She's the best.  The big thing that made me happy was simply getting back our Dance History quizzes.  Our quizzes are really more like tests--nice, long tests with a lot, a lot of information to know!--and first semester I really couldn't pull off anything higher than a B, which isn't bad, but I was frustrated all semester because I knew I was so capable of doing better.  I was just too lazy to put in the effort to study any harder than I was.  Granted, first semester's material was a lot harder than what we're doing now, it felt really good to get mine back today with a "103" written at the top of the page.  I don't think my grades have known a number that high since the days of 5th grade spelling tests!  If that!  Haha!  It was definitely a nice boost of confidence that will hopefully get me at least a little bit motivated to keep chugging through this work and just get this semester out of the way!  After all, once it's over, so is my academic college career!  Get me DANCING!! :)

Tonight, academic accomplishments and the small joys that interrupt an otherwise crummy mood make me happy :)

Day 125: February 27, 2011.

This photo doesn't do the view justice, but looking out the window of the dance studio yesterday during :pushing progress' first One Day Workshop to see the sun setting over the Hudson was a sight to behold.

I've always been a sucker for beautiful sunsets, but this one had something extra in my mind.  The sun was crimson red, giving way to vibrant oranges, pinks and golds layered above it.  With the regular studio lights dimmed and rays of the natural sunset streaming in through the tall windows of the studio at the Baryshnikov Arts Center and Adele's Turning Tables (off her amazing new album 21...please go listen RIGHT NOW if you haven't yet!) coming through the speakers, it really felt good to be dancing in such a beautiful city :)

Tonight, dancing and being able to dance in this beautiful city of mine make me happy :)

Day 124: February 26, 2011.

Holy Hannah, it is a GORGEOUS day here in New York City!  The sun is shining, a spring breeze is blowing, and I had no choice but to smile as I walked down the street just now!  It's so nice to see spring so close!  It's coming, people!  We're almost there! :)

I just took a brief walk through Union Square after spending some time in the bookstore (I will never not love browsing bookstores...I'm sorry, but I'll never be sold on a Nook or a Kindle!  I need pages to turn!) and my whole day was made even better than it already has been!  I was going to go right home after my errand but after seeing the Union Square farmer's market out and bustling, I had to go check it out!  (For the first time this spring season!  Yay!)  I love going up there on the weekends and checking out what all the local farmers and bakers are selling...Today I decided to help the cause and get a few little treats :)  Beautiful, beautiful, BEAUTIFUL day :):)

I've also been put in a great mood thanks to my finalized decision (as of this morning) to get off of Facebook for a little while.  I won't be gone forever, but this has been something that's been on my heart for a few weeks now and I believe the time has come to let it go for awhile.  I really can't believe how addictive a website can be.  I mean, I can believe it, but I don't like it!  Haha!  And yes, I do understand that it really is great for networking and it's such a fast and easy way to stay in communication with people, but when it becomes something more than that, that's when the problem arises.  And yes, I believe I have a problem!  Ever since church last Sunday I've really been thinking about where my tie-ups are.  What are the things that are preventing me from being totally and completely free?  What are the things that have me bound into a rut of stagnancy?  There are two that I can think of off the bat, and that is the weird need to have the TV on all the time when I get home (that's the first thing I do these days...Drop my bags, take off my coat, turn on the TV), for no reason other than to have mindless activity going on in the background.  The other is my growing dependency on Facebook.  It's actually becoming quite annoying to me, because no matter how bored I am, no matter how much I'd rather be doing something else, I can't seem to get myself away from refreshing the home page over and over again (while watching pointless TV.  Haha!).  Every once in awhile it's fine, but when every spare moment is spent this way, that's just sad and ridiculous!  Also, I'm realizing that when I wake up in the morning and the first thing I turn on is my computer and the television, my motivation to get active and moving goes away so much faster than if I get up and start doing something right away.  Once I get sucked into the traps I have such a hard time getting myself out!  And I mean, come on.  I live in the middle of New York City.  I'm pretty positive I can find at least 82 other things to do with that time--per day!

For example, my new "To-Do" list includes...
-Reading so much more!  I used to be a huge reader!  Then I got lazy!  The time has come to get familiar with those things called books again!  My Bible, magazines, novels, short stories, poetry...A real book is better than Facebook any day!!  (**If anyone has any good reads they'd like to pass along, I'd be more than happy to hear! :))
-Listen to music.
-Work on choreography.
-Do my schoolwork.  (Haha!  I mean get it done before the day it's due ;))
-Take a fun dance class somewhere.
-Go to yoga.
-Do some writing.  I haven't been writing as much these days either (except for this blog) and I'm really missing it!
-Cook something new.
-Take a nap.  VERY important during the week!
-Go try to get more visits in with friends.
-Learn a new activity, like knitting!  I've been wanting to learn for awhile actually but haven't given myself the time.  Lila, if you're reading this, I'm coming at you for some lessons!!
-Color!
-Get back into regular letter-writing.
-Take walks.  Explore more of this beautiful city!

Okay, so it may not be 82 alternatives, but there are 13 other things I could be filling my free time with.  So as of tomorrow, I'm excited to say I'm going to take a vacation from Facebook and enjoy living real life for awhile!  I won't be gone forever, but it's time that I break these habits and this bondage that I feel is really holding me back from placing my focus where it needs to be right now!

Like I said, it's not totally permanent and I won't be completely gone!  This "Like" List is still totally in full swing and I'll still be Tweeting plenty (follow me on Twitter at michaelacathmc), plus letters, emails and phone calls/text messages are always great!  But I'm really excited about getting off and getting out...Life really is so great and I'm not going to live it solely through technology :)

So today, on this stunning Saturday in the city, a fresh start, a renewed energy that comes with a renewed knowledge and experience of real freedom, and optimism about and excitement for the gifts and blessings that accompany this life all make me happy :):)

Day 123: February 25, 2011.

Okay, so today was not exactly like yesterday.  That energy that resonated with me all day was not here at all, and from the very start of the day!  My eyelids felt really heavy all day, the rain made me want to curl up in pajamas and watch movies, and I couldn't get my muscles or my brain to find any sort of motivation at any point in the day!  It was DEFINITELY a Friday!  Haha!

I did, however, find plenty to smile about today (when I wasn't busy whining about being sleepy, which is so pointless and annoying, so I apologize to anyone who had to endure my complaints!), and credit for that goes to the ridiculously awesome Tisch dancers who I get to spend so much time with.  If it weren't for those friendships, some of these long days would feel pretty close to impossible to complete.  Even when I wake up exhausted, knowing that I'm still going to smile and I'm still going to laugh and find enjoyment in the day because of the people I get to be around is such a blessing :)

Also, I've had the whole early evening/night off tonight, which is SO needed and SO appreciated!  It feels GREAT.

So tonight, as the week winds down and a dance-filled weekend gets ready to begin, irreplaceable friendships and the joys shared between friends make me happy :)

Day 122: February 24, 2011.

Today was a gooood Thursday!  When I woke up this morning I was so unsure as to how I'd be feeling by the time I got home at the end of the day, but it was surprisingly easy to get through the day!  So much easier than most Thursdays!  Which is very interesting--and totally unexpected--seeing as instead of starting at 9 in the morning, the day started at 8 (meaning my alarm rang promptly at 6:25!  Sheesh!) and I finished not a moment before 9 at night.  It was a LOT of school to fit into one day, but let me tell you, I really fully enjoyed every minute of it!  It began dragging quite a bit during my night class, but I knew that was coming.  Pilates felt great, ballet was alright!, modern was a little slow but still just fine, voice was great!, I wasn't falling asleep like usual in Modern Art lecture and acting class was fun as always!  I don't know where the oddly high energy level came from--and why it lasted all day!  I wish I knew so I could get it back all the time!--but I'm very, VERY thankful for it!!

And tomorrow's Friday.  What's better than that?! :)

Tonight, after this long day of work and laughs, being able to enjoy what the hours of the day are filled with makes me happy :)

Day 121: February 23, 2011.

My iPod is newly fed and very happy!  As are my ears and my soul, for they are what get to hear and enjoy every single note of the wonderful new music I've gotten within the last day or so.

If you haven't gotten the new Adele album, I advise you to go get it--or at least listen to it--and take in every bit of her amazing music.  A.MAZ.ING.

Trent Dabbs' new album is out as well.  One of my favorites.  Great music.  Give it a listen too :)

Then there's this little pearl of a composition by Max Richter:
On the Nature of Daylight
It's not a new song, but it will never get old.

Really though...Where in the world would we be without music? :)

Tonight, the gift of musical expression makes me happy :)

Day 120: February 22, 2011.

I love waking up after a long weekend and having the Monday actually be a Tuesday!  I feel that it makes the week so much easier, no matter what has to get done or how long days may be!

Today, short weeks and zero stress make me happy (especially when they come together!!) :)

Day 119: February 21, 2011.

Presidents Day means day off from school :)  And thankfully so!  My body's been dragging a little these days...This day off is completely needed and so greatly appreciated!  Since I finished my paper yesterday morning I didn't have any immediate work to be done so I was able to fully enjoy this day off!  The snow this morning was definitely unexpected, but watching it fall from my window and not having to walk in it (except when I ran to the grocery store) made it seem so much more beautiful! :)

For any of you who have been following my Facebook (which is embarrassingly full of daily updates...I really need to start making an effort to break the addiction...I believe it's really become quite bad!  Haha!) or this blog you know I've been finding a lot of enjoyment in learning to cook these days.  I'm not saying I'm good by any means, but seeing as last semester I was the queen of oatmeal, cereal, salads and soups, it's been really nice to know that I'm able to put together real food half decently!  And I'm finding as I go that it's actually so much cheaper to be making my own meals than it would be to be on the meal plan or to be buying lots of frozen dinners (like I did plenty of last semester too!  Also, learning to grocery shop on a budget is a huge lesson that I've been needing t learn...It makes me much more aware of how I'm buying and how I'm preparing my food...Leftovers and freezable leftovers are my new best friends!).  Not to mention I'm feeling a lot healthier and don't have to compromise taste for health seeing as I know exactly what goes into the food I'm making!  For instance, I'm a HUGE granola and cereal junkie.  Like, put a box in front of me and chances of having enough left for even one real bowlful are pretty slim!  The only problem is it's actually very expensive to buy in the store and you just don't know with things like that what's actually going into it!  So I found a recipe, bought the ingredients and went to town this morning, making a big ol' batch of Cinnamon-Vanilla-Honey-Walnut Granola that actually turned out to be very delicious!  Throw in some dried fruit at the end and you've got yourself a winner!

(This is NOT my recipe...I got it at this website and then altered as I found fit! If any of you want to give it a try, check it out here -- file:///Users/Michaela/Desktop/Yummy,%20Healthy%20Granola%20Recipe%20-%20Food.com%20-%20311501.webarchive)

It feels really nice to be feeling more comfortable in the kitchen.  I've always wanted to feel able to make sufficient meals, especially since nutrition is such an important part of my lifestyle (as I think it should be with everyone!  It's AMAZING how much energy a person gets when they take care of their body right!  And yes, that does include the occasional sweet treat! :) That's the best part! Haha!)  The more I explore my culinary options the easier it gets, and this is coming from the girl who used to have to have my little sister cook me eggs because I was so afraid of the stove (and every other kitchen appliance other than the toaster and microwave!)  I love that...Like I said a few posts ago, I love being proven wrong.  I love being surprised with strength or abilities I may have that I'm not aware of simply due to the fact that I'm letting fear get the best of me!  I think we'll find that the less we stress about what could possibly be before even diving in, the more susceptible we'll become to new personal discoveries :)

Tonight, as I enjoy this wonderful Monday night off, stepping outside my comfort zone and just going for it (whatever "it" may be!) makes me happy :)

Day 118: February 20, 2011.

I woke up about half an hour before my alarm this morning.  I tried to fall back asleep but I just couldn't do it!  The more I wake up early on the weekends, though, the more I'm enjoying being a morning person.  I'm able to enjoy the peaceful hours of the morning and the entire day is still before me ready to be tackled! This morning, for instance, I was able to enjoy some chill-out time while I ate my breakfast before getting to work on my paper (which HAD to be done today...I was not about to spend my Monday off of school worrying about getting it done!)  The paper was finished by 9:30 and then the rest of the morning was mine!  I ran an errand, got to get some fresh air (cold air! Haha!), and go through the list of things to be done without any stressful urgency!  Today has been a wonderful change of pace!!  And in about a half hour I've got to be up the street to get ready for the Hillsong services this afternoon!  What a Sunday!!! :)

This has been one of the only recent days where I haven't felt like I'm running around having to get things done or be somewhere on time.  I can breathe and enjoy accomplishing the day's tasks with the knowledge that the necessary things to be done have already been finished!  What a cool feeling!!

Today on this beautiful Sunday, days without an ounce of stress make me happy :)

Day 117: February 19, 2011.

Today was nothing short of a fabulous day :)

I headed uptown to Penn Station bright and early to catch the 8:51 LIRR train to Huntington where I was picked up by my wonderful Nana's long-time friend from high school!  I'd never gotten to meet Carol before so I was so excited to spend time with this friend of the family and someone who means so much to my Nana (who means so much to me!).  I had SUCH a blast!  Carol reminded me so much of Nana, so talking with her all morning and afternoon was like a wonderful taste of home!  She's such a fun, bubbly spirit...I could tell right away why she and Nana have been friends for so long!

It's also safe to say that I've fallen in love with Long Island :)  Carol and I drove around Huntington and a few neighboring towns and everything I was was absolutely fantastic!  Everything was so small and quaint, the little old homes were beautiful, and of course my favorite part was being able to see the water from almost everywhere!!  We went to a little "Mom and Pop" restaurant for lunch...One of those breakfast/brunch places that really serves everything you can think of.  The inside was decorated like the inside of someone's home and the food was delicious!  I just really can't type here how much I appreciated the day out of the city and the company and location in which I was able to spend it!!! :)

Then tonight I made it back just in time to take Calen's class at Broadway Dance Center.  I couldn't be more thankful to have made it back in time.  (Because of the high winds our train was constantly stopped on the track having to wait for electrical problems to be delayed!)  It was one of the best parts of my entire week.  So thankful for dance :):)

So tonight, adventures outside of the regular routine make me happy :)

Day 116: February 18, 2011.

I'm going to bullet point it tonight...

-It was 63 degrees today.
-The sun was stunning.
-The restaurants and cafes had their outside seating open along the sidewalks.
-The chiropractor appointment this morning was exactly, exactly what I needed.
-We've reached the 3 day weekend!!
-The woman who rang me up at the grocery store today was making small talk to the man in line in front of me while she finished up with his groceries and she had the biggest smile on her face.  She was talking about how today was supposed to be her day off but they needed her there this afternoon so she had to run from another job before to the grocery store to take on the extra shift.  It was the enthusiasm and thankfulness in her tone for simply living on this beautiful day that made me smile as I put my own groceries up on the conveyor belt.  She reminded me to always give thanks for the moment at hand...To not say that I "have to do..."the task at hand, but that I "get to do..." what's been given to me.  Blessings are everywhere :)

Today, being alive in the city I love makes me happy :)

Day 115: February 17, 2011.

It's marathon day Thursday!  So as I sit here taking a quick breather before heading back out to class and rehearsal, mustering up one last burst of energy to top off the day, I was excited to come home to find an envelope sitting next to my computer with my name on it!  And who was it from?!  None other than the one and only Katie Rossbach!  This girl is one of the coolest cousins ever--she laughs at all my jokes..I mean how much better does it get?! Haha!--and I always love getting to hang with her when I'm home on breaks!  The envelope was closed with a sweet wax seal and contained a home-made card (Katie's always awesome about making home-made gifts!  You should see the Christmas presents she's made over the years!) and a mix CD!  I have yet to listen to the music but I always love, love, loooove new music so I can't wait to get it into my iTunes and jam out!  I think hand-written letter is still one of the best ways of communication.  It may not be the fastest, but I feel that it's the most heartfelt; it means a lot that Katie would take the time out of her busy life to think of me and send a little message and gift along!  She rocks!!  (As does every other member of my family!  For all of you reading this...YOU ALL ROCK!)  Katie, I'll write you back asap!  Thank you for being totally awesome! :)

So on this Thursday evening, the little unexpected "just because" things make me happy :)

Day 114: February 16, 2011.

I love being proven wrong :)

That sounds weird, I know.  But I know that I tend to jump to conclusions and make assumptions about things that have yet to happen only by going off of my immediate emotional or physical state.  I woke up this morning very sleepy.  Not quite cranky, but very sleepy and sluggish...As I was getting ready for class I just couldn't get myself motivated to want to dance.  Wednesdays are our late days--we don't start until 10 A.M. and only have a 45 minute bodywork class following by a ballet class.  Usually on Wednesdays I wake up pumped and ready to make that one class the best I possibly can, but this morning I couldn't find that will (which was a little frustrating).  Between sleepiness and a few extra pains here and there (which are always part of the package as a dancer) I decided in my mind before even stepping out the front door that it was only going to be a so-so morning and I wasn't going to enjoy this day as much as I would maybe like to.  Class was going to inch along and my body wasn't going to be able to do anything.  (What a way to start a day, right?!  HA!  Yikes!!!)  

But, like I said, in situations like this I love being proven wrong!  Class this morning was surprisingly good, really fun, and my entire mood completely shifted!  I was thinking about that about halfway through ballet--how two short hours earlier I was thinking in nothing but complaints!  And why?!  I didn't know what was to come!  The sun was shining, our awesome accompanist played my favorite of the pieces he plays frequently during classes (he plays a piano cover of Radiohead's "The Tourist"...It's my favorite version and always make me so happy to hear, especially when the combination we're doing is hard!  It makes me want to dance right through the pain!), Jolinda said some funny things (as she always does), and the second I forgot about how uncomfortable my back is feeling today and I focused on how good it felt to just be moving, I realized that my body is physically capable of more than I give it credit for!  I barely felt a pinch all class!  To top it all off, the weather turned beautiful again and I didn't even have to wear my jacket walking back to my dorm after class! :)  

In no way has today fulfilled the expectations I'd initially had for it :)

Today, being proven wrong makes me happy :)

Day 113: February 15, 2011.

Today was another struggle of a day.  I had a late night rehearsal uptown last night (which was really a lot of fun, just really late!) so I didn't get home until about quarter to 12...By the time I got to bed it was almost 1 A.M. and I had to wake up at 6:30 to get ready for a full day beginning with Pilates at 8!  I was okay energy-wise through Pilates and ballet, but when modern started at 10:45 that's when I started to drag.  And then I was dragging all afternoon through my Modern Art class (I can't tell you how many times I nodded off during lecture!) until acting.  Thankfully acting woke me up enough to finish out the home stretch of the afternoon!

Being done with class on Tuesdays (and Wednesdays) at 5 P.M. is something I'm very thankful for, especially when I can come home, sit down, and know that I don't have to get back up and head out the door for any more classes or rehearsals.  Nights like tonight are the best when I know I don't have any work that has be done immediately for class tomorrow, too.  I know I've been saying it a lot these days, but personal downtime is as necessary as checking things off a to-do list!  Sometimes, like today, there's really no choice but to do nothing but sit.  My body physically will not go too far very quickly, and coming up with coherent sentences isn't an easy task when the words get lost somewhere between the brain and my voice (or, in this case, the computer keyboard)!  Homework is out of the question for sure, so not having any to deal with tonight is a wonderful fact :)  The thing is, we live in a world where everything and everyone seems to be moving and going at all times!  Here and there, coming and going...And we find ourselves frequently in the frenzy of it all!

It's really okay to call a time out from time to time, sit back, close your eyes, and breathe into the stillness of a calm mind and body :)

Tonight, time for rejuvenation makes me happy :)

Day 112: February 14, 2011.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! :)


I hope everyone feels the love today! :)

So I've decided I'm not going to write about anything related to Valentine's Day today.  It's not that I don't like the holiday--on the contrary, I actually really think it's a fun one!--but I just have something else that made me even happier than the insane amount of chocolate I devoured today!  Haha!

As a dance major here at school, they have us taking composition class (or choreography class); it's a full-year course as a freshman and a spring semester course in the second year.  First semester we had improvisation in place of comp and I'll be honest with you...I was not too excited about the idea of switching back to comp at the start of the new semester.  "Choreography" has always been something I enjoy, but something about the classes I've taken have caused me to stress out over accomplishing tasks more than actually discovering my own choreographic process that works best for me.  I'm finding, though, as these weeks go by and we've been given the chance do just that--to explore the way we naturally approach the development of movement--the concept of "choreography" doesn't intimidate me as much.  I'm realizing that each task we're given is simply a task...There's no right or wrong, it just "is." What "is" is able to change, movement can be thrown out as new movement develops...a set "5, 6, 7, 8" isn't necessary.  I'm realizing that the development of choreography isn't concrete.  How can it be, right?!  I mean how can something be concrete before there's really anything to work with?  That was always my biggest problem...Fearing what had yet to be developed due to premature judgements of what hasn't even come about yet, resulting in my holding back and tiptoeing around movement qualities and ideas that I may think to be uncomfortable or not "pretty."  I've been able to choreograph up until now, but the pressure I've always felt to get it "right" is starting to fall away.  And for that I'm very grateful and excited about delving even deeper into my artist's mind!  (What would I do without comp class?!)

Today, real artistic exploration and development make me happy :)

Day 111: February 13, 2011.

I know it's early yet, but this morning has already started off wonderfully!  I woke up again on the early side in order to get my morning under way as soon as possible...With rehearsal, church and rehearsal going on later this afternoon and into tonight, lots of things--like studying for tomorrow's Dance History test--have to get done before I head out!  Thankfully the bulk of the studying has already been accomplished so now it's just rereading and reviewing!  So with that under my belt, a nice morning chat with Mom and, again, some leisurely Food Network viewing (I'm telling you, it's the best!), I'm feeling good about heading into this day!

Also, I like to start my day off with one of two things for breakfast.  I either like a nice mug of oatmeal (yes, a mug!  For some reason I prefer eating it out of that than a bowl!) or a bowl of cereal.  This morning was definitely a milk and cereal morning...Vanilla Almond Special K with banana slices?  Can't go wrong!  It's funny because I never used to like milk in my cereal growing up (Dad always got a kick out of that!).  I'm glad to say I've grown out of that!  In all seriousness though, as simple as it may sound, sometimes a good bowl of cereal in the morning really hits the spot!  Why not set up the day on a good note?! :)

As today begins rolling along, beginning a long day with one of the best food pairings ever put together makes me happy :)

Day 110: February 12, 2011.

This was one solid Saturday :)  The day as a whole made me happy, but before getting to the big "like"/story of the day I'm going to list a few of the things that kept the smile on my face!

 I woke up at 7:50 this morning, well before my alarm.  I was done sleeping and couldn't get myself to go back to sleep!  I really enjoy early weekend mornings when I have nowhere to be immediately!
 The Food Network was on for the majority of the day in our apartment.  I'm loving this channel these days...It's great "background noise" for when I'm getting work done (I can't do work in complete silence!) and when I need a few minutes for a breather I can look up to learn something pertaining to the culinary arts, which I'm trying to become better educated in!
 Eggplant was cooking in the crock pot all afternoon, so when I walked in from rehearsal the whole apartment smelled like delicious pasta sauce!  It was really wonderful!
 Took another fabulous Saturday night contemporary class at Broadway Dance Center tonight!  The only thing I don't like about that class is having to wait until 7:30 at night to take it!  It's such a nice breather from schoolwork and break from the usual classes I take during the normal school week!

What I really loved today though, was seeing this:

I actually pass by this Chevy's on 42nd and 7th every weekend when I go to Broadway Dance Center.  Why is this so exciting?  It's not, really.  But the memory it evokes is one that I love remembering.  I came to New York City for the first time in 6th grade during spring break.  I was excited beyond words and remember being able to talk about nothing else for weeks leading up to the trip.  I saw my first Broadway show that trip (42nd Street), we went to Central Park and rode the Merry-Go-Round, I ate my first street vendor pretzel (still my favorites!)...At one point we also ate at this Chevy's right off of Times Square.  I don't remember when it the trip it was, but I do remember that it was one afternoon, we were getting sleepy and hungry, and it was time to eat!  We sat on the upper level next to a window behind one of those neon letters...It was so awesome to me to be eating in a restaurant in Times Square, little did I know that this is simply a tex-mex chain restaurant that we have at home!  (We're not usually Chevy's people, but it was perfect at the time!)  It wasn't until one of my mom's more recent trips to visit me here at school did I find out that this was actually where we ate that one day eight years ago!

Passing by this restaurant every week and stopping for a split second tonight to think about the excitement I experienced during that trip made me think about how in life one never really knows what's going to happen!  As a wide-eyed 6th grade vacationer I had absolutely zero idea that I would someday end up living in this place.  That that "Tex-Mex restaurant in New York"--that one Chevy's that stuck in my memory for all these years--would be something I would see on a regular basis.

It may sound silly, I think it's very cool how that happens; how one seemingly small piece of everyday life conjures up recollections of years' past, connecting the dots between the then and the now :)

Tonight, re-experiencing youthful joy and remembering the importance of the little things and the memories they hold make me happy :)

Day 109: February 11, 2011.

A smile has been on my face today for one reason:

It. Is. Friday :)


This was one of those weeks where each day blended right into the next; coming home at night it's hard to remember if something happened this morning or yesterday because it seems so long ago!  I actually really like schedules that are this packed.  I like downtime when it's available (in moderation) but if I'm going to be busy I want to be BUSY!  The more I'm going, going, going the less time I have to really realize how tired I may be...It's the second I sit down that the motivation drops and I almost immediately slow down!  So I'm very thankful for the pace that this week--well, this semester--has kept so far, but the second Dance History ends on Friday afternoon, that breath of relief that comes with the knowledge that another school week has been completed is one that I very much appreciate!  Heck, I love that feeling of going to bed Thursday night knowing that Friday is right on the other side of that sleep...For some reason, just like with snow days, Friday will forever be a day with a positive vibe from the get-go.  That will never dwindle with age!  No matter what's going on or how many things have to be done, it always seems okay, simply due to the day of the week it is.  Okay, I'm sorry for the seemingly pointless ramble about my Friday joy, but that's all I've got for you today--that's all I've needed for this to be a GREAT day!! :)

Today, "just because" happiness makes me happy :)

Day 108: February 10, 2011.

I'm going to be totally honest with you...I had a really difficult time today finding something to record on here.  I actually had that thought as I was walking between classes at one point-What am I going to write about in my "Like" List tonight?!  Thursday is a marathon day if I ever knew one.  Ballet followed by Modern followed by Voice followed by Modern Art followed by Acting, then a quick break before good ol' 2 and a half hour American Musical class to top off the day.  (Is that a run-on?  I think it might be.  Haha!)  I'm not complaining, for I really do enjoy each of these classes and I really like being in each one!  I guess my emotional reaction to Thursdays is more of a "I can't believe one day can hold so much school" kind of reaction!

Being the fifth class of the day, and depending on how much energy I really feel like exerting, acting class is either great or it's the last place I want to be!  Almost always, though, I absolutely love it when I'm there. I learn a lot and have a ton of fun while doing so!  Today's class was exactly what I needed in order to keep me at least somewhat awake for the final stretch of the day.  Before getting to work on our work for the day our teacher has us start class with a few acting games.  So far, all the ones we've played have been so much fun and more often than not we're all laughing by the end--yet still very concentrated in order to successfully accomplish the games.  I'm not going to try to explain the game we learned today because I don't think I'll be able to get what the game entails into cohesive words, but it was called "Samurai" and it was a fun, fun effort meant to get us working together as a group (since working with other people/actors is really the most important part of scene work).  After a few uncertain rounds of the game we got the hang of it and really got into it!  After just running across campus from a lecture--and 75 minutes of frenzied note-taking--this was the perfect midday boost of energy!  Gotta love THAT!! :)

So today, at the end of a long, long school day, smiles, laughs and silly (but not really!) games make me happy :)

Day 107: February 9, 2011.

My favorite times to be at the dance studio are when it's dark and rainy and when it's sunny.  I don't so much enjoy walking to the studio in the rain, but for some reason I've always loved being there when rain is falling outside.  Even all through high school my favorite days at the studio were rainy Saturdays!  I also absolutely love it when the sun is streaming in through the wide windows, as it was this morning.  On Wednesdays we have a "late" morning and start at 10.  We start with somatics (bodywork), and then at 10:45 ballet class starts.  Sometimes starting that late (seeing as ballet usually starts at 9) really throws me off.  Some Wednesdays I can't help but constantly look at the clock and feel like we've been in ballet class since the beginning of time!  That wasn't the case this morning though, and I'm giving credit for that to the beautiful sun that poured in from the sky above Second Avenue all morning!  The studio was bright with gorgeous natural light!  It was so inviting and just made me want to move!  Class felt great (which is always something I'm thankful to be able to say!) and from there the rest of the day rolled along!

I love this city and I love this art.  I know I say it all the time, but it's just so true :)

Tonight, sunny days, great dance classes, and how the combination of the two is able to take my mood from good to fantastic make me happy :)

Day 106: February 8, 2011.

I was never a morning person as a kid.  When I was younger, having to wake up early for anything frustrated me.  I was a kid who could sleep in until 12 or 1 in the afternoon on the weekends (or weekdays, if given the chance!) without any trouble!  Yet as wonderful as those days were, they rarely exist at this point.

Since coming to college, the tables have turned quite a bit and I've become more and more okay with waking up in the morning to start the day.  Granted it's pretty much because I have no other choice and due to the early mornings every single day my body is unable to really sleep past 8:30 or 9 AM come Saturday morning!  But while this really annoyed me last year as I made the transition into college life, I now actually really enjoy the earlier hours of the morning.  (I also hate rushing out the door, so in order to make sure I have plenty of time to enjoy my morning before heading to class I usually wake up a good hour or so before I have to leave.  That way I can eat breakfast, take my time getting ready, and I'm not thrown into the day without having time to process what has to happen!)  Tuesdays, actually, are turning into one of my favorite early days of the week.  I take pilates at 8 AM so I wake up around 6:30 on Tuesdays and Fridays.  This morning I got out of bed, grabbed what I'd need out of my room and set up my spot at the table in the living area so my roommate could sleep.  No one else is awake before I leave at 7:30 on Tuesday mornings, which means that for one full hour I'm able to breathe completely by myself.  The apartment is still, there's no noise (unless I turn on music), there are no other things happening...Tuesday mornings between 6:30 and 7:30 AM is actually a time I find myself really looking forward to.  Hearing my alarm going off isn't my favorite sound in the world, but once I'm up I'm definitely very thankful for the given moments alone!

It's so rare to find times and/or places to just be completely quiet these days.  To not have to talk to anyone.  To be able to simply think.  But it's actually quite important to do so from time to time!  Taking a few minutes for yourself--even if it's just 10 minutes here and there, whether it be before the sun is up, or in the middle of the day for a little cat nap, or even at night after everyone's gone to bed--is so necessary!  We're all pushing a lot these days, trying to accomplish as many things as we can (and then some)...It's great to keep busy and moving but be sure to take some time from yourself as best you can!  You will thank you for it :)

So tonight, quiet, serene mornings make me happy :)

Day 105: February 7, 2011.

Another Monday came, another Monday went and a new week is under way!  (And wonderfully so!)

Today's another one of those days where I'm finding it difficult to pinpoint exactly why I enjoyed the day, but let me assure you that I really enjoyed this day!  The sun was shining and the weather was beautiful again, Gossip Girl was filming all day on 2nd Avenue from the time I went to class in the morning to the time I walked home after my last class at 6:30 (they were there ALL day!) and all classes went quite well!  I went to bed a little later than I have been last night so I was a little more tired than I have been during the day and had some trouble keeping my eyes open at times during Dance History--oops!--but it was a seamless Monday and I feel ready to just keep on rolling this week!  Ready to get work done!!

Tonight, as I close off the day with a new episode of "Cake Boss" (haha!), great Mondays that set the stage for great weeks make me happy! :)

Day 104: February 6, 2011.

SPRING is in the air :):)  I can feel it coming!  It's just a short ways away now!

Today, the excitement that comes with the gradual shift of seasons makes me happy :)

Day 103: February 5, 2011.

I woke up early this morning in order to head uptown for a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The first paper that I have to write for my Modern Art class pertains to a photography exhibit there, and seeing as I'd never been before I was really excited to get out in the city for a bit in an area of town that I'm not in on a regular basis.  It's been cold and rainy all day, but I was so glad to be out it just didn't matter!

The exhibit was very interesting!  I'm really glad we were required to go!  As I said, it was a photography exhibit focusing on the work of late-19th and 20th century modernistic artists Stieglitz, Steichen and Strand.  As I worked my way through the three rooms I realized about halfway through that I'd been reading all the placards (which I know is kind of the point of going to museums but I don't think I've ever taken the time to actually read them!) and taking down as thorough notes as possible and not solely because this was a school-related assignment!  I loved being there and learning, immersed in a part of the art world that I'm not as educated in!

Today, the vast and beautiful world of art and the ability to expand my knowledge about it in a place so rich in history and example makes me happy :)

Day 102: February 4, 2011.

I have a really random brain sometimes so it doesn't take much for a quick sensory observation or experience to bring back a memory from years' past.  That happened to me today; I love it when that happens :)

I was walking to the 8th Street subway station after classes this morning to head uptown for my chiropractor appointment.  I passed a food vendor cart on the street.  It's the exact same one I pass almost every day, but for some reason the scent of hot dogs and burgers cooking immediately got me thinking about Hidden Creek Country Club--the golf club that my grandparents had been members of from the time they moved to Virginia from Long Island up until a few years ago.

I spent a lot of time with Nana and Pop-pop growing up (and still do when I'm home as I'm sure most of you have noticed! Haha!) so I hung out quite a bit at the golf club!  When I was six Nana signed me up for the Junior Golf summer program and I continued to take part in that for the next six or seven years.  I'd play golf with the kids every Tuesday morning in the summer (meaning I got to have a fun sleepover at Nana and Pop-pop's the night before of course!  Complete with a delicious dinner, an old musical on video and ice cream!), I'd go out golfing with Nana and her friends on occasion...Sometimes when I was really young and didn't have to go to dance after golf was finished Nana would stay with me while I went swimming in the pool before heading back to her house.  We had Pro-Ams and ParentAt the end of each golf "season" there would be an awards banquet for us kids where we'd receive our trophies and eat dinner with our families and just have a great little time.

Every Tuesday night was Burger Night at the grill (which is the particular memory the smell made me think of today), so as much as we could we took this as the perfect opportunity to get the family together!  We'd pretty much always be missing a member or two, sometimes it was just us and Nana and Pop-pop, but either way it was always a blast!  My favorite place to sit was at the corner booth with the wrap-around bench but if we couldn't sit there (or if the parents wanted to sit somewhere else) we were always known for rearranging the tables and pulling over seats to fit us all in.  The kids sat at one end of the table, the parents at the other with Nana usually at the head of the table!  We'd rush over to the popcorn maker (the free popcorn was always one of the best parts!) and fill up a few baskets to put on the table.  Drink of choice?  Shirley Temple.  Meal of choice?  Chicken fingers.  We'd eat and laugh and while the parents were finishing (they always took SO long!) Peter, Katie, Morgan and I would go run around the hallways, in and out of locker rooms, downstairs through the indoor driving range...They were awesome family nights that I'm so glad we made happen!  I know I'm on a family kick these days, but I just can't help it!  They always make my days great whether I'm with them or not!

Whoa!  All that from a food vendor?!  Who'd have thought?!

Tonight, those wonderful memories that pop back up totally unexpectedly make me happy :)

Day 101: February 3, 2011.

The first thing that made me smile this morning was the thing that kept putting a smile on my face all day long.  

It was simply the sun!

We have a pretty big, wide window in our room so waking up to a blue sky with sunlight pouring in was the perfect way to start off the day, especially after the yucky gray weather we've been having.  It was so refreshing to walk down the street (back and forth across campus ALL day!) squinting from beautiful rays of sunlight instead of squinting because of rain or snow being blown in my face by bitter winter wind!  It didn't even matter so much to me today that the temperature only reached a high of 29 degrees...I felt a subtle (yet totally noticeable) shift in mood today in the parts of the city in which I found myself and it was all thanks to a little natural light!  It was quite wonderful!

Tonight, nice weather and small precursors to spring make me happy :)

Day 100: February 2, 2011.

As I sit here to type out my 100th "like" I'm realizing what a momentous occasion I've perceived it to be.  Haha!  The closer and closer it's gotten the more excited I've become for some reason, as if fireworks and confetti cannons are going to go off and there will be balloons and a big party...In elementary school we always had a 100th Day of School party (which was always so much fun!), but in our case tonight there's no need for a huge celebration.  For one, there are still 265 days to go!  Haha!  We're nowhere near the finish line!  And secondly, this list isn't a competition or a race of any kind...Each day has a single, equal purpose and that is to smile :)  No one is greater or more important than the next!  

So on that note, on to my "like!" :)

Today was an all-around great Wednesday!  I woke up with that same joy that I had all day yesterday, so from the get-go I had a feeling I was in for another wonderful day!  I knew that it was going to be one for sure when I was able to walk out of ballet class this morning and say, "That was a GREAT ballet class!"  It was definitely the best one of the new semester so far!  Last week was a push trying to wrap my mind around the intensity of the new semester (let alone get my body to perform as it should class after class..five weeks off will do that to a person!), but after today's class I know that I'm on the right track to being healthy and back in shape and this is making me even more excited to dive on into the tasks at hand!  Class was hard, don't get me wrong!  Jolinda (our pointe teacher who happens to be my regular technique teach this rotation as well, meaning I have her four days in a row) is one of my absolute favorite teachers here at school.  She always gives really challenging classes, which I usually love, but it's been a rude awakening the last week and a half!  Today I believe the tables have turned!  I felt like I was working instead of struggling and let me tell you, it was a fabulous change of pace!  :)

I also knew today was going to be a great day when Lila--Schmikel Sandberry, for those of you who have wondered who that is on FB!--came into the studio first thing in the morning with a huge smile on her face and was laughing and happy all class!  It was the most awesome way to start the day!!

Tonight, wonderful morning ballet classes and happy friends make me happy :)

Day 99: February 1, 2011.

All day today these cool cats were on my mind:

I know I write about my family quite a bit on here, but I'm going to do it again tonight!  I was thinking of Mom, Dad and Morgan all day today for some reason.  Well, I wasn't really thinking about them as much as I was just pleasantly aware of their presence as I went through this busy Tuesday.  (Except for all the time I was thinking about what a lucky duck Morgan is that she got ANOTHER snow day today!  All you LCPS kids better be having a blast during all these days off!!)  I'm a big fan of my family...Dad rocks.  Mom rocks.  Morgan totally rocks.  I can call them whenever, I get text messages throughout the day from them which always put a smile on my face...No matter how far away we are from each other we're always connected.  To me, that's so cool.  And a HUGE blessing.  And this was made very clear to me today.

From the second I woke up I was in a good mood and ready to get going.  I realized that this is the kind of "happy" that I wake up feeling when I'm totally in the zone and excited about what lies ahead in the coming hours...Exactly how I wake up when I'm at home with my family.  So really, this morning I felt like I was waking up at home.  My mom, dad and sister weren't right downstairs eating breakfast or doing crossword puzzles or anything, but they were right down the turnpike and today that was as close as I needed.  Sometimes it seems like a really long way away but I didn't feel one inch of distance between myself and them at any point today.  It was a great feeling :)

So tonight, on this 99th night of The "Like" List, the love that knits my family together makes me happy :):)