Say Something

There is something so magical about getting onto hardwood floor in front of a wall of mirrors and expressing your heart through movement to words and beats.

Even now, years since I have been on a stage or even been to a dance class, when I find a song that captures a feeling, I find myself yearning to let my arms and legs express the words my lips might not have been able to.  Once the song and the movement come together, I become whole again.  I always loved being on stage because somehow whatever I was feeling during a particular dance felt validated when people watched me pour my heart onto the dance floor.  It's like they were listening to my internal dialog and understood me- whether they knew it or not.  I wanted my audience to feel what I was feeling.  Now even if it's just my reflection watching it helps me feel whole.  Thank goodness for mirrored closets and reflections in sliding glass doors.

Writing helps to do the same thing.  Sharing my thoughts through writing has always been easier than speaking them.  It's not that I don't always tell people what I think- because I do- but I don't always articulate it the way I mean to.  Writing feels more natural- kind of like just feeling the movement of an emotion to a song.  Somehow, sharing my thoughts with the world in this space has helped make them clear, valid and makes me feel more whole, in the same way being on stage used to.

Then I read these words and suddenly it all made sense:

"Writers, like dancers, do what they do because of a need to communicate, not just with
an immediate circle of friends or acquaintances, but with a much vaster circle made up of
individuals they might never meet."

 Myriam J. A. Chancy

I think its all about sharing artistry.  I certainly was never the best dancer and I know I am not the best writer, but there is so much to be gained by sharing.  Watching other people dance often moves me and reading the words of my fellow bloggers gives me strength, perspective and inspiration.

Tonight it was this cover of Say Something, that got me in front of a mirror and then tapping on my keyboard.  What moves you?

When Songs Say It For You

Do you ever feel like the right song can speak for you?  Or that the perfect lyrics, allow you to understand your feelings more clearly?  I get like that sometimes, but not usually from songs from Broadway musicals.

In college I was in a sorority.  At the end of four years, as we were about to graduate, we had a tradition called senior songs.  Each senior would choose a song that wrapped up what their time in Tri Delta meant to them.  Then the rest of the chapter would guess who's song was who's.  It was never hard to guess because usually the girl who's song it was, was elegantly shedding a single tear or, if they were like me, sobbing like a baby.

via

"It well may be, that we will never meet again in this lifetime, so let me say before we part.  So much of me is made of what I learned from you.  You'll be with me like a hand print on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end,  I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend... Who can say if I've been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good."  

These were the words that so perfectly described those four years for me.  Wicked, still one of my favorite plays, gave me the words I couldn't give myself.

Today I was running. Running with a strange sense of determination.  Something within me has been different lately.   And once again Wicked gave me the words I needed.

"Something has changed within me. Something is not the same.  I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game. Too late for second guessing. Too late to go back to sleep. It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes and leap.  It's time I try defying gravity...

I'm through accepting limits cause someone says they're so.  Some things I can not change, but till I try I'll never know."

I know I am not green or a witch, but for whatever reason my stride got a little faster while I was defying my own gravity.  Defying the invisible (but in many ways visible) weight that has held me back from reaching my health and fitness goals.  Defying that voice in my head that has so many times before told me I couldn't do it, or I wasn't good enough.  My stride got faster, a smile spread across my face and if I hadn't been surrounded by handsome gym goers, I probably would have broken out into song with Idena Menzel.

Defy your personal gravity.  Challenge yourself.  Do the things you never dreamed you could do! (And if you need a song to run to, I recommend Defying Gravity from the Wicked soundtrack.)

The Most Eclectic Workout Mix You Ever Did Hear

So the other day, I spent over an hour compiling a playlist of 91 songs that I thought were workout worthy- specifically sweat my ass off on every piece of cardio equipment worthy.  When I did my first workout with it (there was nothing good on Bravo that day) I was super impressed with my eclectic workout music taste.  Sure, I have some expected songs from Justin Timberlake, Rhianna  and Kelly Clarkson, but a lot of my choices are not what most would expect to hear.

Welp, here is a workout mix for weirdo's like me!



Green Day Brain Stew/Jaded-  For some reason this song just makes me want to work really hard.  Maybe it's because it reminds me a scene from Stick It when the spirited Hailey Graham has to get her body back into competative gymnast shape.  Yep, that's totally why!  Come on Stick It was the Bring it on of Gymnastics, or at least that's what the promos told me!



Wicked is one of my favorite musicals, so this was a definite pick!  It's funny, when I hear this song, I image a sort of movie montage, something like a female version of Rocky.  When you get past all the stuff about Wizards, it's as if I am running up those storied Rocky step, and glistening in the sunlight.  One thing is for sure, my tummy tire is doing to gravity defying while I run.


Oh The Format, The First Single really brings me back to some of my favorite high school memories.  Plus it's just got s good tempo to burn calories to!  Bummer, you have to link to YouTube to hear some of these.  What can I say YouTube isn't old enough to allow embeding on these decade old songs.



I went through a serious Saving Jane phase in college.  We would listen to The Girl Next Door with the windows down as we would drive down the canyon to lay out at the creek.  The whole CD is great for the gym!  This is one of my favorite songs on the album.  Don't stop now!


One Tree Hill junkies will know this one.  It's a classic, redone with some pizzazz!   


Whenever this song comes on, I just wiggle all over.  Which is awesome for car dancing, but a little hazardous on a treadmill- and mildly embarrassing.


I almost don't want to tell you what I think about this one, but I will because I love you all! So this is a great running song, but I have a really great vision of how one day I will do a flash mob at my wedding to this song.  It will be epic.  Steal my idea and I will hunt you down.  Just kidding, things aren't that serious.


This is a great happy song. When I am running and I am about to quit, this song reminds me how blessed I am to be able to run, to love and to live.  Yes, I have been blessed.

This was never a single, but it is my favorite song on Katy's first CD.  "I'm gonna make my mark, gonna run it hard, I want you to remember me."  Hello motivation!



I always catch myself smiling when I hear this song.  People look at me funny when I am nearing an hour on the eliptical and smiling like a fool.  I'd look at me funny too!

And, that my friends a glimpse into my random workout playlist.

What's your favorite workout song?

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The Biggest Loser: Blogger Edition, brought to you by Ashley, Chelsea and Jenn!

Our version of The Biggest Loser is a little different than the one you see on TV!  In Blogger Edition, no one gets kicked off, and we aren't just trying to lose weight.  Instead we are creating a place to go when you need a little motivation, when you need to voice your frustration, when you are looking for a healthy recipe, when you are looking for a new workout to try.  This is the healthiest link-up on the net!

So link up with your health goals, your struggles and your triumphs.  Tell us about why it's been hard to lose the weight,  why health and fitness is important for you or what you've learned.    Share your favorite healthy recipe from the week, the fitness fad you are loving and the triumphs you've overcome. 

Then visit all the other ladies who've linked!  leave them some love and together we will create a community of support. This is the year you will meet your health and fitness goals and we're going to help you get there!

So grab a button, link up and enjoy!  This week you can win $25 to Lulu Lemon!

Want to sponsor The Biggest Loser: Blogger Edition?  Email us! 

  

Hunter Knows What the Ladies Like

So, every time I hear Wanted by Hunter Hayes, I almost cry.  I mentioned yesterday that I am a total sap when it comes to music (among other things) but the thing is, little Hunter hits the nail on the head.  The feeling I love/long for, more than anything, is to feel wanted.




So dear future husband, take note!  If you say or write any of the following to me, I'll melt.  I won't even care that a man child gave you his words to use instead of your own.  And to make it simple, here you go!



You know I'd fall apart without you  
I don't know how you do what you do  
'Cause everything that don't make sense about me 
Makes sense when I'm with you   
Like everything that's green, girl I need you 
But it's more than one and one makes two 
Put aside the math and the logic of it 
You gotta know you're wanted too 
{I was never that good at math anyway}

'Cause I wanna wrap you up 
Wanna kiss your lips 
I wanna make you feel wanted 
And I wanna call you mine 
Wanna hold your hand forever 
Never let you forget it 
Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted 
{holding hands is just about my favorite thing}

Anyone can tell you you're pretty
(Yeah) You get that all the time, I know you do
 But your beauty's deeper than the makeup
 And I wanna show you what I see tonight 
{It's it funny that we think we are prettiest when we are all done up, but feel prettiest when that special someone tells us we look best without it?}

When I wrap you up 
When I kiss your lips 
I wanna make you feel wanted 
And I wanna call you mine 
Wanna hold your hand forever 
Never let you forget it 
'Cause baby I wanna make you feel wanted 

As good as you make me feel 
I wanna make you feel better 
Better than your fairy tales 
Better than your best dreams 
You're more than everything I need 
You're all I ever wanted 
All I ever wanted 
{This verse really makes me melt.  If the love that is waiting for me is better than all the fairy tales and my best dreams, then I can't wait to be in it.}

And I just wanna wrap you up 
Wanna kiss your lips 
I wanna make you feel wanted 
And I wanna call you mine 
Wanna hold your hand forever 
Never let you forget it 
Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted 
Yeah, baby I wanna make you feel - Wanted 
'Cause you'll always be wanted
{I want to know I will always be wanted... so far always hasn't happened yet}


Something about this song gives me faith that there is an extraordinary love out there for me.  One that makes me feel wanted.

What songs give you hope?

I Found Love

It's okay... and I have a total crush on (hardcore obsession) with a dance show and all the new tunes it introduces.  (Is it cheating to link up with two blogs at once?  I am just so excited about this cover song I wanted to share it with as many people as possible!  Link With Neely for It's Okay Thursdays and Danielle for Current Crush)

Okay so let me start out by saying how ridiculously excited I am that So You Think You Can Dance is back!!! I am so beyond obsessed with the show not just because of its amazing dancers and the routines that evoke more emotion that the most eloquent poem, but also because the show always introduces me to my favorite music. The first official live show did not disappoint. The first small group dance and song was easily my favorite from the episode. Hello lover!



Uhh, aren't you just dying? It totally gives me chills!!!!

Now don't get me wrong, Rihanna can sing, but Jessie J took this song to a whole new level for me. Acoustic covers do this to me a lot. Something about being raw with just a guitar (and maybe a piano and a maraca) is just music to my ears (pun intended)!

Anyhoo... Is anyone else out there in blog land totally obsessed with SYTYCD? Who do you think will be America's favorite male and female dancers this year? They are just too good for me to make up my mind just yet, but I can't wait to watch the season unfold. Check out everything SYTYCD here and be sure to tune in a week from Wednesday (they are taking the 4th off) to have your socks rocked!

Oh oh oh, I almost forgot, National Dance Day is July 28th! Learn the routines here and dance dance dance! Last year in Downtown Phoenix there was a flash mob! Search the web for what's going on in your area! Too much fun not to join in!

Happy Thursday!

Women That Inspire- Part Four

Today I am welcoming Maggie from A Few of My Favorite Things. Maggie is a sorority sister of mine. Maggie is very quick witted and spunky and she’s always up for an adventure! Check out what inspires her!

I spent spring break visiting my sister and her family in Nashville this year, and since I don't have a TV at home, I spent a lot of time absorbing as much reality TV as I could. Mob Wives? Caught up. Oh what's that History Channel? There's an American Pickers marathon on? I need that in my life. And most importantly I got super obsessed with The Voice. Can we take a minute to relish in Christina Aguilera's RIDICULOUS plastic, UFO shaped, sparkly headband that she wore for WEEKS? Oooh girl.

So when Ashley asked me to write about inspirational women, the first thing I thought of was Juliet Simms performance of It's a Man's World. For the record, Juliet Simms does not inspire me. She might even de-inspire me. All her talk of "Oh, it's so hard making it in rock-n-roll. It's full of boys." Blah blah blah. What about Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Heart, Brody Dalle, Cyndi Lauper, Meg White, Amanda Palmer, and Siouxsie Sioux? Regardless of her de-inspiration, girl can sing.

Honestly, I've never really thought the world was "a man's world." Yes, women are making something like 60 cents for every dollar a man makes, but ladies are getting things done. I graduated in May 2008 with a degree in geology, which has always been a boys club. Notice anything about my fellow graduates?

It's not like there were 15 guys standing around that didn't want to be in the picture, that was it. 6 girls, 1 guy.

I've never been able to pin down an inspirational person, man or woman. Not because I'm not inspired, but more because I admire the qualities of lots of different people, for different reasons. So instead of writing about specific women who inspire me, here are some qualities and skills I've learned (and try to practice) from those women:

1) Ingenuity - there is nothing more useful than ingenuity. It means being able to get yourself out of sticky situations, whether that be a broken fan belt or a shortage of cake flour.

2) Knowing the difference between standing up for yourself and being a b---- - There's a fine line, and I think all women should learn where theirs is. You can be strong without being a hell in heels. (The opposite is true as well.)

Meryl Streep could be a role model, her character Miranda Priestly, maybe not so much

3)No whining - Sure you might be making 40 cents per dollar less than your male counterpart, but are you going to whine about it or do something about it? Whining won't get you anywhere.

4) Knowing when to ask for help - Yes, women can do anything they set their minds to. We can be astronauts and physicists and moms and president, but that doesn't mean we can't ask for help. Lord knows I can't open a jar to save my life. Asking for help doesn't make you weak, it makes you smart.

5) Classiness - Is that a word? Anyway. Classy women command respect without having to ask for it. They are polite and friendly without being fake. They know what to say and what NOT to say and speak accordingly. Everyone should strive to be a little classier.

Love Maggie? Follow her HERE!  Want to stay up to date with all the inspiration?  Follow me too!  Choose an option over on the right side of the screen!

Mesmerized by the Music

It’s funny, I always forget how much music really speaks to me until I get goosebumps from hearing a great voice or powerful lyrics. I have always had a talent for seeking out great artists and becoming obsessed with them before the radio is even playing their music. When that music is partnered with soulful movement, I’m known to get a little choked up. This year’s Grammy Awards show was a perfect example of many goosebump worthy moments. First, I was reminded of my love for Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters. They ROCK (Pun intended)! Even when performing with a somewhat creepy Mickey Mouse. Then Chris Brown reminded me how innovative dance can be. When Maroon Five and Foster the People did covers of Beach Boy songs, I was instantly brought back to many car rides with my grandmother listening to the oldies station when I was little. The standing ovation that Taylor Swift received made me happy. Not just because I love rocking out to T. Swift, but because I can only imagine what it feels like to be so respected by your peers and idols.

Katy Perry confused me at first, but if anyone can rock the Smurfette, got stuck in an episode of Xena Warrior Princess, she can. I was really enjoying the Russell Brand hate song… err I mean her new single.

 

Without question, Adele is one of my favorite artists! I got to see her live about 3 years ago, before most people even knew who she was. (Also, The Script opened for her…AMAZING) I loved how soulful her voice and lyrics were. Her rendition of Rolling in the Deep gave me chills!

Loved the classic glamour of Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood doing It Had To Be You. Carri’s dress was GORG too! (What, don’t hate on my Abreivs.)

Jennifer Hudson’s beautiful performance of I Will Always Love You brought on the chills, but I also couldn’t help noticing how absolutely fabulous she looked.

Speaking of fabulous looking ladies, Gwyneth Paltrow looked really great too! All in all, I would say the Grammys were much better this year than in years past. Good work!

Lessons I Learned Today From Pop Culture

The last couple yeas, haven’t been the easiest for me. I know everyone has good times and bad, but with the black clouds that have been following me lately, I feel like I must be due for a world of sunshine any day now. I am a big believer in bringing the good into your life by expelling the negative. I can’t say it is something I have done a very good job of lately.

My Black Friday consisted of little shopping but a lot of self realization. Do you ever have a day that just seems to be slapping you in the face? Everything you do, listen to, see, seems to be saying “wake up idiot and get your life together!”? That is what happened to me today.

First I went to The Muppet Movie expecting to enjoy a an hour and a half of silliness. Well the movie is everything you would expect and for me, there was a particularly poignant speech at the end. Gary is telling Walter that it’s time to grow up. I wish I could remember/successfully stalk the exact quotes, but what I took away from it was that you have to stop waiting for your life to start, it’s time to start being brave and go get what you want. It’s time to grow up. Well not to spoil it for anyone, but Walter firgures out what he needs to do to grow up and I think it’s time I follow his lead.

Then as I was driving home,it seemed as if life had handed me a personal soundtrack. We started out with Florence + the Machine’s Shake It Off. Please, if you are not already obssessed with this song, or this band, go right now and download! I’ll wait for you here. I have heard this song a few times, but didn’t really listen to the words until today.

“It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back so shake him off.”

“I’m done with my graceless heart so tonight I’m going to cut it out and restart”

Light bulb. “Yes Florence, you’re right. My heart has been pretty sour lately! I’m shaking that devil right off my back!” I thought as I drove down the 101. But my soundtrack of consciousness was not done there. Next it was Fly, by Nicki Minaj and Rhianna.

“I came to win, to fly, to conquer, to thrive. I came to win, to survive, to prosper to rise, to fly.”

Another light bulb, “Rhianna and Nicki, I did come to win. Thanks for reminding me of that!” Finally, as I pulled in the driveway, that infectious Colbie Caillat’s Brighter Than The Sun came on. How can you help but smile when listening to her songs (except for maybe her painfully beautiful cover/mashup of Breakeven and Fast car) ? This one didn’t hold any particular significance for me, but it was a nice, happy song to finish my drive with.

With all these light-bulbs shining, it was getting pretty clear that I can’t wait for New Years to make some resolutions. So, my Black Friday resolution is this: From here on out I will be focusing on the positive and flushing out all the negative from my life. I’m going to grow up, dance, fly and be brighter than the sun. Thank pop culture for reminding me how to get back on track.