Baila conmigo!

Sub-themes: Booty shakin’ and artery cloggin’ goodness.

Last nite, the team I’m in at school did a training on coping with personal loss (i.e. a passing, losing a job, getting your heart blasted into a million pieces by some guy or girl you had a mad crush on, etc.) and stress through dance. That was hella fun! Even though the whole process of putting everything together nearly had me tearing my hair out, the final result was mad cool. It was hella fun to just kinda check out for a minute and just laugh at each other and ourselves. It was also cool to merge my two worlds for a minute: dance and health. Highlight of the night: when we all broke out in the Sugarhill Gang lyrics from “Rapper’s Delight” – “Hotel, motel, Holiday Inn… If your girl starts acting up, then you bring her friend…” Dope! The day before, I was tossing brain farts with my homie Jada, a fellow booty shaker instructor, about how my team was gonna do some activities that people would actually wanna do, and have fun with. We came up with this realization: despite how uncomfortable we feel, we still manage to make it through. How at those times we have some negative feelings like frustration, anxiety, wanting to give up, quitting, nervousness, self-consciousness, no response or no reaction, fear, anger, blaming others for mistakes, etc. But there are also some positive feelings like laughter (at ourselves and with each other), learning, sharing, happiness, release, joy, trust, comfort, self-confidence, support, hope, etc. All very interesting. On the CD we made for the class we ran the gamut on all kinds of stuff – there are a few Salsa and Merengue cuts on it. Made me wish that a.) my Spanish was better, and b.) I knew how to dance to that music. I’m gonna try and take lessons this summer in the language and the dance. Trying to Beyonce booty bouncing to “Suavemente” doesn’t come across to well. To celebrate on a job well done, I went to the Durant food court after class because a.) I was having food flashbacks, and b.) it was the only thing open. Mmmmm… Thai Basil =) I passed by King Pin and managed to keep away from those warm sugary pillows of goodness… Yay for willpower! I think I may have gained 5 pounds from the heavenly aroma alone.

Old and new

Sub-theme: friendships and relationships

The countdown continues… two more weeks and then sweet summer! Woohoo! A whole week of it, then back to the books… aren’t ya jealous??? The past couple of weeks I’ve finally had the chance to catch up with some good friends, and get to know folks I don’t know so well. Last week, I wasn’t in the highest spirits – we hit those pits every once in a while, eh? So I called my homegirl Maria to unload and get her ever faithful words of wisdom – it’s dope to have friends like that. Sometimes I’m afraid I go into the well too much, so to speak – but it’s good that our friendship is a two way street, so I don’t feel as guilty when I give her one of my “boys are, or work/school is stupid” tirade. She always understands and helps a sistah sort it all out. We gotta kick it again soon – I miss salsa dance nites at Roccapulco in the City, even though my moves suck ass. I can only get by with doing the Suzie Q all night for so long.
Ahhh yes, homies are definitely needle in a haystack… I’m not talking about those random acquaintances, like homie that you say what’s up to every once and a while when you head to the copy room, but those ride or die homies. One of them Harold and Kumar partnerships, that regardless of how crapped out stuff may be, they’re still down to ride a cheetah in the forest with you – eh, not that extreme, but ya get my drift. Those that offer dope ass advice, or a good laugh when ya need it (thanks Ana T. for helping me crack a smile – you're my hero!), or is down for grabbin’ some pho or Fuddrucker chicken burgers every once and a while. It’s funny how some of these relationships/friendships can occur with folks near and far. More recently, some of the coolest and most centered folks that I have formed cool little friendships with has been via IM... anybody else find the same?
Today with Mother’s Day and all, I spent time with my sister and my moms…. Which was hella cool, since we hardly get to do much anymore – which sucks, considering we live in the same house. Today felt like old times – when our unit was much stronger, but things change with time I guess. But I am definitely grateful to have her – I dunno if I can ever repay her for all that she has sacrificed and done for us. Mucho Props for that =)
I guess to sum it up, the best relationships/friendships are based on honesty, trust, humility, and respect, just to name a few. The hard part is just finding the perfect mix I suppose. What makes up a bomb ass friendship/relationship for you?