Today is May 1, 2011 and on this day it was proclaimed that the mastermind behind 9/11 is dead. The man that caused so much suffering in the country I call home. In the city I think of as home, has been killed.
Do you feel vindicated? Do you feel justice was served? Do you feel anger towards our Government for it taking this long? Or anger at how the message was delivered? Do you feel elated? Are you proud to be an American?
I don't tweet about politics because everyone has an opinion, and if someone disagrees with my opinion then a debate ensues that can essentially become a waste of time and energy. The way my timeline has read tonight has prompted me to say something. I have a mind. I use it. I have an opinion, so I will state it. Then...I will leave it be. For those who are truly listening will only need to hear it once. And if you disagree with what I'm about to say, then we shall agree to disagree. I will be respectful of your mind and your opinion and that's it. Period.
For all the bickering and slamming those who have an opinion about how this announcement was handled...
My heart bleeds for ALL the lives lost from that fateful day of September 11th, and for ALL the lives lost since then. I am proud to be an American. I am proud to be the sister of a man who spent two tours in Iraq fighting in this war, and who is probably pissed as hell right now because he is currently stationed in GA and wasn't part of Bin Laden's demise.
I'm proud that we have the freedom of speech, because I'm probably gonna piss somebody off in a second...
What I am NOT proud of is the petty arguing about who got credit for what. I am NOT proud that in this moment, all I see are people fighting. Really? Fighting amongst each other and name calling and being disrespectful to each of those who's opinions differ from our own is how you choose to spend this one small moment we have as a nation to breathe.
Isn't that how wars start?
The souls that are lost to us......weep for us.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The Dark Side of Sun and Sangria....
I'm not a particularly opinionated person per say, however when something moves me, I typically form one. The particular topic of discussion that currently lays before me like a blanket of fluffly, buttery mashed potatoes is that of the term #cruisecontrol.
My followers are BEAUTIFUL. I mean that they shine from the inside out. If I didn't feel this way, I would've blocked them. They are also, for the most part, smart capable people. That being said, there's something that happens the second the announcement of a NKOTB CRUISE is made. Their heads literally detach from their bodies and explode in mid air leaving the rest of their bodies to flail about in desperate search of oxygen, and well, food.
They begin, what I deem, the journey to the Dark Side of Sun and Sangria. For some reason they get this ridiculous notion that they are not good enough to be on said cruise unless they weigh less than a kleenex. They begin crazy diet tactics, and calorie counting, and workouts that don't really work. Seriously people 6 hours a day in the gym is not only overkill but counter productive.
Do you not know if your heart is not pure than it doesn't matter what size of clothing you wear? It's so sad when someone is too busy counting how many calories they consume in any given moment that they have no joy, or reason to smile because they're so stressed out about losing just ONE MORE POUND. It's all consuming. They're really quite pissy for months, and consequently toxic to those around you who hear about it all day long.
Do you not know you are beautiful and perfectly imperfect creatures? You are. It's true! There is no such thing as perfection. So stop trying to be what you perceive as "perfect". Just be the best YOU, you can be. Every day.
Now, If you are trying to lose weight for the "right" reasons then ignore this and keep on fighting the good fight. I believe that everyone should do their best to live healthy for THEMSELVES. I don't believe you should do it for a four day trip.... On a boat......ONCE A YEAR.
Here's what I find the MOST baffling. Stay with me here kids because I'm gonna let you in on a little secret...
ALL that weight you struggled for months to lose so you could squeeze into.....whatever? Yeah, ummm....you're gonna gain it all back on the friggin BOAT! Between the food and the alcohol and the staying up all night, your metabolism will be shot to hell. Congratulations! Jimmy tell them what they've won!
Way to stress yourselves and everyone around you out for nothing. BRILLIANT! Although I really cannot fault you because you are currently running around without a head. I LOVE you all but you done lost your ever lovin minds.
Why go through all of that torture you put on yourself? Why not just enjoy being you?! Those four days are not to impress or turn heads of NK's. BREATHE! Those who love you, love you for YOU! Don't try and be something you're not. Just be real. Be human. Be your beautiful perfectly imperfect selves.
Please take a few moments to read this amazingness... http://mellysramblings.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html
My followers are BEAUTIFUL. I mean that they shine from the inside out. If I didn't feel this way, I would've blocked them. They are also, for the most part, smart capable people. That being said, there's something that happens the second the announcement of a NKOTB CRUISE is made. Their heads literally detach from their bodies and explode in mid air leaving the rest of their bodies to flail about in desperate search of oxygen, and well, food.
They begin, what I deem, the journey to the Dark Side of Sun and Sangria. For some reason they get this ridiculous notion that they are not good enough to be on said cruise unless they weigh less than a kleenex. They begin crazy diet tactics, and calorie counting, and workouts that don't really work. Seriously people 6 hours a day in the gym is not only overkill but counter productive.
Do you not know if your heart is not pure than it doesn't matter what size of clothing you wear? It's so sad when someone is too busy counting how many calories they consume in any given moment that they have no joy, or reason to smile because they're so stressed out about losing just ONE MORE POUND. It's all consuming. They're really quite pissy for months, and consequently toxic to those around you who hear about it all day long.
Do you not know you are beautiful and perfectly imperfect creatures? You are. It's true! There is no such thing as perfection. So stop trying to be what you perceive as "perfect". Just be the best YOU, you can be. Every day.
Now, If you are trying to lose weight for the "right" reasons then ignore this and keep on fighting the good fight. I believe that everyone should do their best to live healthy for THEMSELVES. I don't believe you should do it for a four day trip.... On a boat......ONCE A YEAR.
Here's what I find the MOST baffling. Stay with me here kids because I'm gonna let you in on a little secret...
ALL that weight you struggled for months to lose so you could squeeze into.....whatever? Yeah, ummm....you're gonna gain it all back on the friggin BOAT! Between the food and the alcohol and the staying up all night, your metabolism will be shot to hell. Congratulations! Jimmy tell them what they've won!
Way to stress yourselves and everyone around you out for nothing. BRILLIANT! Although I really cannot fault you because you are currently running around without a head. I LOVE you all but you done lost your ever lovin minds.
Why go through all of that torture you put on yourself? Why not just enjoy being you?! Those four days are not to impress or turn heads of NK's. BREATHE! Those who love you, love you for YOU! Don't try and be something you're not. Just be real. Be human. Be your beautiful perfectly imperfect selves.
Please take a few moments to read this amazingness... http://mellysramblings.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html
Saturday, March 12, 2011
30 Days of Song...
I got this from my bestie....who most likely knew I was gonna participate in this challenge.
Today begins my 30-day challenge...a SONG challenge, at that! I do believe this is perfect for me :) I'll repost each answer.
And here we go...!
day 01 - your favorite song - Don't Stop til Ya Get Enough - Michael Jackson
day 02 - your least favorite song - Anything recorded performed written or associated with Kesha
day 03 - a song that makes you happy - Cover Girl - Joey McIntyre
day 04 - a song that makes you sad - What A Wonderful World
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone - All I Have to Give- Backstreet Boys
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere - Empire State of Mind Part II - Alicia Keys
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event - Smooth Criminal- Michael Jackson
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to - At This Moment- Billy Vera and the Beaters
day 09 - a song that you can dance to- Let's Go Higher- Jordan Knight
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep - Music doesn't make me fall asleep.
day 11 - a song from your favorite band - Coming Home - NKOTB
day 12 - a song from a band you hate - Free Fallin- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure - Good Vibrations- Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love - My music tastes are so vast...nothing would be surprising to anyone I know. lol
day 15 - a song that describes you - Strip Me- Natasha Bedingfield
day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate - I Got A Feelin'- Black Eyed Peas
day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio- Jar of Hearts- Christina Perri
day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio- Let's Go Higher - Jordan Knight
day 19 - a song from your favorite album- Stare At You- The Block- NKOTB
day 20 - a song that you listen to when you’re angry- Higher Ground- Red Hot Chilli Peppers
day 21 - a song that you listen to when you’re happy- Stay With Me Baby- NKOTB
day 22 - a song that you listen to when you’re sad- I Won't Let Go - Rascal Flatts
day 23 - a song that you want to play at your wedding- Cover Girl- Joey McIntyre
day 24 - a song that you want to play at your funeral- Raise Your Glass- Pink
day 25 - a song that makes you laugh- Truck and Fish- NKOTB
day 26 - a song that you can play on an instrument- I used to be able to play Groovy Kind of Love on the piano.
day 27 - a song that you wish you could play- Anything written and composed by Alicia Keys
day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty- There isn't one
day 29 - a song from your childhood- At This Moment- Billy Vera and the Beaters
day 30 - your favorite song at this time last year- Coming Home- NKOTB
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Why I Teach...
Dear Ann Marie (teacher, friend, inspiration),
First of all, this is *not* a goodbye letter. it's more of a thank you-until we meet again-best wishes letter. Like you said, we're not gonna say goodbye :). I just wanted to let you know the immense impact you've had on my life and who I am as both a dancer and a person. You came to the studio towards the end of my first year of dance and now I've just finished my fourth. So nearly all of my dance years have been filled with your grace, talent, spunk, enthusiasm, passion, love and ever-shining smile.
Not only did you teach me how to do quick push-pirhouettes, butterfly-like bourres, and yes, even the Krump Jump; but also how to speak through my heart and look at life with an open mind. You're the one who first inspired me to look at dance as a career. That perhaps I *could* do what I loved so much for the rest of my life.
You're the one who choreographed my first solo. Who made me love the Sugar Plum Fairy, even when my legs ached and Skylar was sick of lifting me. You created expectations for me I once believed I'd never reach, but following the wise words of a woman I know to "fake it til ya make it!" I faked it until one day I *did* make it. And then you had new goals for me, new ideas you had in your head, and I worked to reach those.
From Hurt, to Distortion, to Bring Me to Life, to Come to Me...from a quick Ballet combination, to a grounded and powerful Modern piece. You always kept me on my toes (literally haha!) not because you gave me impossible new challenges but because you knew...even when I didn't...that I could do it. Even just this year when you told me you'd come with me when I audition for So You Think You Can Dance, my heart soared. My little dream didn't seem so far away knowing that you believed in it, and in me too.
I remember being backstage after the first time I competed with my solo. I saw another Pointe dancer doing her solo perfectly and I said, " I'll work extra hard and next time...I'll dance like *her*!" And YOU said, " But Maura, I don't want you to dance like her. I want you to dance like YOU." I never forgot that Ann Marie. Everytime I dance I remind myself to dance like *me*. As easy as it sounds, I used to forget, and you reminded me that I should always work to be the best that I can be.
As if that wasn't enough life-lessons and heart-warming memories, you taught me one more...the gift of laughter. Oh Ann Marie! From wearing my pants up to my boobs, making weird faces, imitating Penelope (I imitated her just a little bit better because...I own the world...and...my middle name is amazing...) inventing new words such as "Enchance", and one of our finest moments of hilarity...turning me into the HIP HOP GURU! You have made me laugh *every* single day I've spent with you and that has been the greatest gift of all.
Thank you for all you've taught me these past three years. Those lessons are both irreplacable and unforgettable. I know you still have a few things to teach me and a heartful of laughter to share...and we will. Because this isn't goodbye. :) Now go home to Iowa and share all your gifts and love with your Dad, old friends, new friends, and maybe new students. I know you won't forget us, and without a doubt we will never *ever* forget you.
Love,
Maura Bremer (friend, student, and fan)
Note: I am still quite close to Maura and just wrote her a letter of recommendation that helped get her into the college she wanted. She will major in Journalism and minor in dance. I love my Plum and am beyond humbled by this letter.
This is why I teach...in hopes that I can have an impact on even just ONE student.
Left to Right: Annie (flower), Me (Snow Queen and Co-Director. Note the walkie. lol), Maura (Sugar Plum Fairy)
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