Learning

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"The day a dancer stops being a student is the day they need to hang up their leotard."
 ~Linda Smith, Artistic Director of Repertory Dance Theater, on the first day of the intensive.  She was trying to assure those in attendance that dancing alongside company members should not be intimidating because they are still learning also.  True in all life situations.  Everyone is still learning.

Maybe a TMI Post

On Friday I woke up not feeling so well.  I noshed on Cheerios until Mr. Branflake came home and made me some toast.  I remember very little except that later that night I saw those Cheerios and that toast one more time.  And then another time.  And then another.  But here's the weird thing: I was so hungry!  I mean, as I am laying in bed completely sick to my stomach with a 101 degree fever and feeling like the room was spinning I had the most intense hunger pains.  So I would eat some more Cheerios and say hello to them again just a few minutes later. 

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That cycle continued until Sunday where I finally felt well enough to eat some pretzels on the plane ride over to Utah.  Even then, I had to play it cool and I regretted the ginger ale (worst idea ever). Still, I was so hungry I even envied those eating at all the greasy airport restaurants, so happy and oblivious to the fact that all I wanted to do was rip into a burger or monster burrito with abandon. (The above photo was so not me this weekend.  But Chris did feed me some chicken broth on a breakfast tray. So sweet!  )

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So yesterday (in between the awesome 8 hours of dancing) I was able to eat a little soup and a soft pretzel from a pub next door.  I still felt queasy but was too hungry to care.  What I really wanted to do was order that amazing club sandwich and steak cut fries I saw someone else eating.  And the calamari and flat bread pizza and loaded nachos...

What would be the first thing you would eat if you were famished for three days straight?  Rich, heavy meals? (ME!) or something healthier like a salad or some fruit?  

I'm Here!

Today is my first day of the Repertory Dance Theater Summer Intensive.  Repertory Dance Theater (RDT) is a major (read: holy moly they are good!) modern dance company that has been performing and touring since 1966.  For two weeks I'm in Utah dancing with RDT from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM with an hour lunch break in between.  Here's our schedule:

8:30-9:00 Stretch, Strength, and Core

9-10:30 Modern Dance Technique

10:45-12:00  Composition/Improvisation

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:00-2:20 Performance/Coaching Lab

2:30-3:45 Contemporary Repertory (we get to learn the company's repertory!!)

3:45-4:15 Assessment time with RDT Mentor (on Fridays we'll have showings from 3:45-4:30)

I am excited to meet new dancers and learn an amazing amount of new things.  I am also excited to have weekends and evenings free to hike, take ballet classes, explore Salt Lake City and, or course, blog.  Here are a few images of the company I found on their website.

And I'm so sorry that I forgot Friday's Dancing Blogger series.  The week just went by so fast I forgot what day it was.  Stay tuned because this Friday's Dancing Blogger is a unique one.  You'll laugh when you see the photo but be inspired when you read this blogger's story.

Cherry Picking

I love picking cherries.  I have fond memories of going to orchards as a kid, picking as many as I could reach, and eating them on the car ride home. Now that Chris' parents have their own cherry tree we have more than enough cherries to enjoy all summer.  I'd love to bake with them but, let's be honest, I'm too lazy to pit them.  I found the perfect solution:

Tiny Cherry and Almond Tea Cakes from Martha Stewart

Aren't they so cute? 
Anyone here go fruit picking this Summer yet? 
 I'm telling ya, it's one of the best dates out there. 
But beware the bugs.  This city girl did not do well with them.

"To ride a horse is to ride the sky."

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My ballet teacher also loved horses.  For some reason most dancers do.

As a girl I loved horses more than anything else.  I even took English riding lessons at a stable up north. I had my own riding hat, boots, and little whip.  I realized today that perhaps my love for bike riding stems from my love of riding fast on a horse with the wind through my hair.  Not the same but equally as thrilling.

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I love this but Audrey should really be wearing a riding hat.

As a kid we would go out to Half Moon Bay and ride horses along the beach.  I remember kicking my horse to go faster and faster because he never seemed fast enough.  I really should go back and relive those childhood memories.  Who's with me?


Any horse lovers out there?  Any plans to go riding along the shore?

 

My New Bike!

Remember that awesome bike that was perfect for me?  Well, it was sold out so I had to search high and low for another.  Fortunately, I could not be happier with what I got.  It's a hybrid from Target but has the look and feel of a cruiser.  Here are the specs:

~28 inch wheels

~Creme colored with brown accents

~7 Speeds (so I can race with the big boys)

~Detailed stitching on the handles (to create a vintage feel)

~Comfy seat

~Chrome fenders

Within the first five minutes of my first bike ride a lady stopped me and Mr. Branflake to say how much she liked my bike. I was so proud!

You like?  I read this quote in Real Simple Magazine and I could not agree more:

"You know how a dog looks so happy when he hangs his head out the window of a car?  That's how I feel on my bike."

At times, I could not help but randomly giggle on our bike ride around the Green Belt.  I was that happy.

Too Cute

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Having a rough day?  Here's your daily dose of cute.

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 I love pandas!  They are so expressive, innocent, and a little goofy.

In other news, I bought a bike finally!  If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you probably already know that.  Photos will be up tomorrow.  


Also, Hope Chella dedicated this post to me.  Isn't she just so awesome?

My Diet

(Image source is still unknown!  Let me know if you have it!)

You all know how much I love food.  I strongly believe that eating good food is part of living a fulfilled life.  What you might not know is that I'm actually a fairly healthy eater even though I don't like fruits or vegetables (lecture me all you want but I will never like a melon).  I try to take care of my body because I rely on it so much.  Here is the diet that has helped me through many rehearsals and performances as well as my everyday life. 

~ No soda, tea leaf, coffee, or alcohol.  Limit fruit juices.

~ Water, water, water.

~ No fake sugar. 

~ No frozen meals or canned soups (too much salt)

~ Lots of chamomile and mint herbal teas.

~ Blueberries and Greek yogurt almost every morning.

~ My "go to dinner" is brown rice with an egg and lots of broccoli.

~ Bananas are my new favorite food. 

(I don't like the taste but they make me feel great.)

~ Almonds and dark chocolate bits make a great snack and curb hunger.

~ Celery sticks and cucumbers with hummus are the perfect pre-show snack.

 

Now, you must know that my favorite food is french fries and that I solve a chocolate craving by trying not to eat an entire cake in one sitting.  I love my steak medium rare and I think Brie cheese is the best thing ever.  But for the most part I try to eat healthy because I know I owe it to my body.   

Any healthy eating tips you would like to share?  I'm always on the look out for more! 

She's Just Beautiful.

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With cute hats, a dimpled smile, and a whole lotta jackets and boots this girl has my kind of style.    She reminds me of a classier Lindsay Lohan.  Kind of.

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Are you guys hoping as much as I am that she and Prince William will get married?


PS... Today I'm in San Francisco with some amazing friends.  Maybe I'll get some dancing shots in front of the Golden Gate Bridge...while eating a clam chowder bread bowl.  Now that's talent!

Ice Cream Sandwiches

One of my favorite things about Summer are ice cream sandwiches.  Who can resist a mobile treat with an edible wrapping?

Talk about cutie cookies!  Gingerbread and chocolate never looked so chic.

I love the dark chocolate contrasted with cool strawberries.

These Strawberry Shellies are so cute and perfect for a beach party!

These Ginger Cookie-Sorbet Sandwiches look so refreshing...and possible healthy.

What's your favorite?  Are you a fruity lover or chocolate lover?  Or both?

Friday's Childhood and Jumping Blogger

Today's dancing blogger, Regan from A Fairytale of Photos, is a special double feature. The first photo is her as a small child and the next is the evidence of years of hard work and dance classes. Regan's blog is full of her favorite photos that inspire this now grown up, beautiful dancer.

Her first tap class.  She's the cutie in the middle looking at the camera.

Regan today.  Isn't she amazing?  Glad she stuck with those classes!

To send in your photo email me at tiffkaddy at hotmail.com. 

Also, yesterday I went to the doctor's to see about my "beauty mark."  The nurse took some pictures and sent it to the dermatologist.  Now we wait.

Sailing

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My husband has a dream of learning how to sail.  

I want to go out onto the seas and teach our kids to love the ocean.  

We just need kids. 

And a sailboat.

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Honestly, I have an intense fear of ice burgs and sea creatures.
But I love the ocean and I love the story of Captain Ahab.
I wish I could live in Nantucket and sail the seas he did.
And maybe ride my cruiser along the ports that he walked.

 Any sailors out there?  Anyone else get freaked out by ice burgs?

Skin

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 For as long as I could remember I've had an annoying little bump on my forehead.  No big deal but not the most attractive thing.  Well, lately this little bump has gotten bigger and has, uh, changed texture.  And after reading health magazines I'm a little freaked out because that's a sign to see a dermatologist.

Sigh.

I am an avid Neutrogena sunscreen wearer (even in the winter) but I know I'm not 100% at reapplying and I do have a few memories of childhood over baking.  Not good.

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According to the Mayo Clinic of Health website, here are the telltale signs of skin cancer.  If you have any of these signs please see a derm ASAP.

• A pearly or waxy bump
• A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
• A firm, red nodule
• A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface
• A large brownish spot with darker speckles
• A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds
• A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, white, blue or blue-black
• Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina or anus.

Have fun in the sun but don't forget to take care of your skin!

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 Even though I know we all are vigilant about wearing sunscreen and paying attention to our awesome beauty marks, have any of you had a skin cancer scare?  What was the derm appointment like?

First Kiss

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Thanks for all those sweet comments about my love story.  Maybe I will write Nicholas Sparks and tell him to make a book out of it haha.  Another memorable part of that love story was our first kiss.  Does this man know how to woo a woman or what?  Yes, our first kiss happened the way every girl dreams.

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We were at a park hanging out on the swing sets, just talking and laughing.  We were just friends at the time and I was not expecting anything more than light conversation.  Then he decided it was time that we were more than friends and bravely leaned in a little closer.  The kiss was perfect and so sweet.  I knew right then I picked a winner.

Any memorable first kiss stories you'd like to share?  Yep, I'm that nosy!

Jazz Festivals

Tempted...

I tracked this guy down.  How awesome is a SPAM hat?

Ironically, I don't drink tea or coffee.  Sorry for looking so awkward.  It's just who I am.

Crazy hats galore.

Reasons to go to a Jazz Festival:

~Singing ladies with flower dresses and awesome hats

~Barbecued caramel coated kettle corn

~Unlimited parasols and crazy hats

~Music that gets your body moving and face smiling

~Chocolate Dipped Twinkies

~Being with amazing friends who don't mind taking pictures of you with strangers.

~SPAM hats.

Have you ever gone to a Jazz Festival?

Just Eatin'

You all know how much I love my friend Susan's photography (trash the dress, Portland, yummy treats) and when I saw this on her blog a few days ago I couldn't wait to share it with you.  How cute are they?  Just chillin' and eating on the side of a road in Ashland.  I just love her Polaroids.

To me, deers are a symbol of innocence and natural grace.  The second photo makes you think of Bambi, doesn't it?  So sad.

To see Susan's photography, visit her at En Pointe Photography.

Friday's Jumping Bloggers

Margaret from Shine by Three sent this to me and I love it for multiple reasons.  For one, she's also obviously a talented dancer with an awesome jump.  But I also love that she's on the beach with a gigantic straw hat.  And the shadow under her is totally awesome.  Beach time anyone?

 
A big thanks to Siri from Siriously Delicious and Chloe from tryin' to throw my arms around the world for a Happy 101 Award.  I am such a non-committal freak that tagging people stresses me out but I surely do appreciate the fact that they associate my blog with happiness.

"If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes."
                                    - Andrew Carnegie (I would replace goal with blog)




And to send in a dancing, twirling, jumping photo just email me at tiffkaddy at hotmail.com.

Love Our Bodies

Swim suit season is here and as I look around the pressure is on to be thin, fit, curvy, naturally beautiful, tan and and all around a stunning sight to behold on the beach.  Although it is important to take care of your body, it is equally important to love it.  So just in case any of us has gotten off the Love Our Bodies bandwagon (guilty with my hand raised!) I'm giving you a friendly reminder to love your body as it is.  Right now.

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And in case you are having trouble embracing your beautiful body I challenge you to think of 5 things that you absolutely love about your body.  Here are mine just to give you a little push:

~ I love my eyes and the fact that I have double eyelids.

~ I love that after only a few Pilates moves I can see definition in my belly.

~ I love my small hips.  It means I can shimmy into smaller pant sizes.

~ I love the new definition in my calves from my summer heels.  I can't believe they got even more muscular!

~ I love the freckle on my bottom lip. Hubby says it's very kissable!

What 5 things do you love about your body?

Read about Love Our Bodies on Glamour

Previous Love our Bodies Posts

Love Our Bodies Week

Love Our Bodies Week: How Is It Going? 
Love Our Bodies Week: It Starts at Home
Thank You and Exciting News 
And Update and the Sweetest Thing Ever