Zumba Zoom Zoom

I would like to introduce you to two of my favorite people at the moment - my Zumba instructors.
Meet Leo and Roberson...  two delicious Brazilian men with the largest collection of high top sneakers known to man. 

 

I was first introduced to them a few years back at the Franconia Fire Station.  Don't judge... what they lack for in a "coolness" of location/gym, they make up for in choreography, accents and charm.  And by that I mean the I-want-them-to-read-bedtime-stories-to-me-and-then-fall-asleep-cuddling-me-in-their-muscular-arms-like-Enrique-Iglesias charm.  The station is always packed to the brim, with women getting there 45 minutes early just to get a front row spot.  And I don't blame these people... these two men have the best rhythm and can move body parts that I never knew could move.  In one word:  DAMN!

I often find myself dancing along with them with the biggest shit-eating grin on my face.  I sometimes catch myself stopping to stare when they gyrate their hips and do body rolls - very dangerous since everyone else seems to be able to control themselves and often times crash into me.  Sometimes my friend tells me to close my mouth.  This one time, while Roberson was doing my favorite dance, I realized that I had stuck my finger inside my mouth like this (minus the whole makeup thing because I stopped wearing makeup to workout after the whole Steve incident):

Roberson is my favorite because he channels more hip-hop.  Here is a video of him doing what he does best (although this isn't his best work):

I once googled him and found this little gem from back in the 90s.  He's the one in the middle.  Please don't judge...  We've all done things in our past we're embarrassed about...  mine would probably be wearing rainbow hair troll doll earrings in my 5th grade class pictures.  What was I thinking?  Pictures are forver. 

Back to Roberson... check out the strength... and athleticism... the tight ass.

Let's move on...  next we have Leo.  I couldn't find any old stuff on him.  This fella might be small but he sure does pack a punch.  Leo does more latin inspired dancing but he for sure is a jack of all trades.  Check out this abs... and his hip movements...  Here is a video of him doing what he does best:

I love a man who can pull off capris. 

Alright ladies...  Leo and Roberson.  Now, I know you are all interested in going with me to Zumba with them...  and you'll fall in love with them just like I did (along with the 200 other Zumba go-ers at the fire station).  But I must warn you not to fall too deep...  because if you do, you'll have to wait in line behind their boyfriends to get a piece of either of these two fellas  ::sigh::  C'est La Vie!

A picture is worth a thousand words....

This past weekend I was lucky enough to attend a very beautiful wedding ceremony between two of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing (congratulations to the happy couple).  As I was watching the ceremony, most specifically their wedding vows, I could feel the love between the two of them - an emotion that I feel has been lost in so many weddings nowadays.  They were so deep in each others eyes/souls as they were saying their vows and exchanging rings that it brought tears to my eyes (as well as other ladies around me - I won't name any names).  It was beautiful.

After the ceremony, Rachel and Greg would sneak away just to have a few minutes with each other.  And being the stalker that I am (or maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic) I watched them.  Sometimes they snuck away to hold hands, other times to whisper what I'm assuming to be sweet nothings into each others ears.  At one point they just looked at each other and said nothing.  And it was a perfect moment. 

That got me thinking about relationships.  What makes a good relationship?  One could answer that question with different answers.  What I consider to be a good relationship might not be the same for the next person.  And I think that's why relationships are so difficult.  People's definitions of a "good" relationship are all relative.  Sure, we can all say that relationships require trust, support, communication, honesty and mutual respect (which they all do)... but what is it that makes it "good" for each individual person? 

That's when I remembered this little gem that I found while "pin"ing away for recipes.  And it said everything that I wanted to say but didn't quite know how to. 

Like I said... what I feel defines a good relationship you might not.  But hear me out on this one.  Like the picture above quotes, I can't imagine being in a relationship where I can't just sit next to someone in silence... where I feel like we always have to be engaged in some sort of activity. I think that the happiest moments are when two people can sit side by side and enjoy the peace and calmness that they bring to each other.  No words.  No touching.  Just the energy, comfort and love shared between the two people.  What could be better than that?

It's worth opening your mind to... 

Because...

because It's Friday....
because my kids are behaving pretty well today...
because I'm in a great mood...

I present... a blast from the past.  R. Kelly singing Ignition...  JMU days people, JMU days. 
Don't forget to run your hand through his 'fro tonight, folks!

Sticks and Stones....

So last night I went out and got the most drastic haircut of my life.... 
I knew my kids would flip out today so I braced myself and tried to get good sleep.  Unfortunately, the worry Gods were in my head and I didn't actually get much.  Not a good thing when the following morning is Bring Your Family to School  Day for 2nd grade....  uuufff! 

As the students walked into the classroom, I was pleasantly surprised by HOW they flipped out... 
not the "OMG, what did you do?" but the "OOOH, it's so pretty!"  One student even went as far as to say "you look hot."  Not sure how to handle that one but I'll take it. 

Throughout the day, I heard whispers of my hair from each and every grade.  People told me I looked like this celebrity or that celebrity.  Here are a few of my favorites:

1. A 5th grader gave me the thumbs up and told me I looked lik Rhianna.  This girl deserves a big fat A+
2. One of my students told me I reminded him of the girl from Glee... you know, the asian one with long hair and blue streaks.  Okay...  I sorta get it.
3. A 3rd grader told me my hair looked like Nicki Minaj...  meh.  sure.
4. A random girl in the hallway (not sure who or what grade) said "she looks like that supermodel that has the weird hair"... awesome.
5. But my favorite would be the 1st grader who told me that my hair reminded him of Shadow the hedgehog from the Sonic series... upon further investigation I found out that he is in fact correct.  Please see below for clarification.

                                

                                          

Thank you and Good night!

Before and After

Let's do a little before and after:

Greek Salad before                                                           Greek Salad After

             
 
 Soju's birthday hamburger before                               Soju's birthday hamburger after

My hair before                                               My hair after

Random Lists

Things I didn't much care for as a kid but really like now:

• folding laundry
• turtleneck sweaters
• gold jewelery
• discount shopping
• reading
• coffee
• sleeping
• being tall
• myself

Things I really liked as a kid but don't much care for now:

• sparkly nail polish
• pink
• boys with blonde hair
• oversized sweatshirts
• permed hair
• sprite
• red cars
• taco bell

 Things I really liked as a kid and very likely always will:

• lip gloss
• science
• math
• *N Sync
• avocados
• being tan
• corny jokes
• shoes
• going to the dentist

Things I never much cared for and most likely never will:

• black licorice
• spiders
• dumb girls
• white zinfandel
• cigarettes
• american cheese
• cats
• mayonnaise

That’s why they call them crushes. If they were easy, they’d call them something else.

His name was Steve.  And he was on the wrestling team at JMU.  He was in a few of my Health Science classes.  He was from New Jersey.  My friend Laura became obsessed with him so naturally I became obsessed with him, too.  Now, I know what you’re thinking… New Jersey…  Wrestling team…  Angela was obsessed with a tan gorilla Guido juicehead.   No wonder she loves Jersey Shore.  No.  Not even close.  Steve was fit without being too jacked up.  He was tall, dark and handsome.

I knew Steve took cycling classes at UREC, so when I “coincidentally” went to these same classes I would match my shoes to my clothes because he would be in there.  I would wear make-up and put my hair is cute pigtail braids.  I was that girl that I now make fun of at the gym.  I would always make sure my bike was along the side wall so that I had a good view of him during class.  Let me remind you… I was 20, horny and had too much time on my hands.   This went on for a semester.  I was “in love” with Steve and he didn’t even know who I was… or so I thought. 

My 21^st brthday fell on a Tuesday.  Anyone who went to JMU knows that Tuesday night in the ‘Burg means 25 cent wings and karaoke at B-Dubs.  It was on.  I remember my friends saying “It’s your birthday – you have to do what we say.”  With these bitches as friends, I knew was in trouble.   We arrived at B-Dubs and they ordered a round of shots, well.. just for me.  My friends didn’t drink because they had classes the next day.  Bitches.  The standard blow-job shot without my hands (see picture above).  The ever-so disgusting cement mixer shot (see picture below).  I hated my friends that night.   But, I did the shots because I “had to do with they said and it was my birthday.”

Karaoke started and I was called up on stage.

 “This song is dedicated to you Angela from your friends.  Happy Birthday!”  Awww, how sweet I thought to myself.  The first note came on and my stomach churned.   Those bitches!!

…..Like a virgin.  Hey!!  Touched for the very first time…  Like a vir-ir-i-rir-gin… when you’re heart beats next to mine…

 The song continued all the way through and each time the word “virgin” was said, they all pointed to me.  MORTIFIED!  (Hey,  I couldn’t help that I was  a late bloomer.  After 11 shots (yes, we have the page to prove each shot) they dragged my drunk ass back home where I proceed to vomit my brains out into the wee hours of the night.   But being a good Asian girl, I set my alarm for my 8 am class… the class that I had with Steve.  I couldn’t miss THAT class. 

I looked and felt like death when my alarm went off but I got ready, grabbed some pretzels and a soda and headed to class.  I was still drunk.  But he was there so it was okay.  But this class was different.  I noticed that during this class he kept looking at me.  I kept catching his eye with mine.  I got really excited.  My “love” knew who I was.  When the class ended, the room started dwindled down to Steve, the professor, one of Steve’s friends and me. 

And he was still looking at me.

And then he started smiling. 

And my heart skipped a beat.

And then, at the exact moment I thought he was going to say “HI”, he belted out “…Like a virgin, touched for the very first time…”

And then he pointed. 

And laughed. 

At me. 

And his friend started pointing and laughing. 

That’s when I grabbed my stuff and booked it back home, crawled under the covers and hid until the next day. 

That was the end of my Steve obsession. 

And the end of cycling classes.

And, especially, the end of karaoke. 

Books on Parade

The book fair is at school this week.  I went in there this afternoon to make my wish list in case any of my "wealthy" parents decide to buy the classroom some books.  I came across these little gems... 

 Yes - a very important question that all students (and teachers) would like to know.  I, for one, think men should read this and help remedy their situation.  Do you think the other 20 answers about the human body revolve around passing gas?  Because oooohhhwwwweeee, my girls this year are gassy!



YES, PLEASE!!  I did not add this to my wish list because I want my parents to think I am a mature teacher they can trust with their students but, gosh darnnit, I want this book so bad...  can I make a half birthday wish list?  It's coming up soon...  Bonus:  The back of the book contains Legos to create these magical people. 

Woo Woo Woo... you KNOW it!  I wonder if Zack Ryder is in here... if so, I have lost my students for the remainder of the school year (which is fine by me because I'm already over it).

Now, my students have no idea who this guy is.  They are a strictly wrestling group of kids.  They will, however, ask me if this is my brother.  Or if this is my dad.  Or do I know this guy.  Or does he eat bibimbop.  They will ask me all of these and then some... 

 Does anyone else find this book completely inappropriate for elementary schoolers?  I mean, this picture is enough to make my students scream and go running for the doors.  Zack Efron looks yumtastic... but none of my students will think that.  They will keep referencing High School Musical... come on kids, Z.E. did not have that body in that movie.  I mean, damn, look at those biceps... ::drool:: 

 Really?  My students are already confused about the English language.  Why would you introduce a book like this? 

Carry on...  and keep on reading. 

Won't Ask, Won't Tell

The first year I ever started teaching I was inundated with comments from my students about their home life.  Working in a private school, one might think these stories would revolve around the latest high tech gadget or newest car purchase.  No - quite the opposite.  I heard stories about the kids catching their dads kissing their nannies or mommy hitting daddy and other unpleasant experiences.  I was shocked and was often times worried that I would be dragged into it.

The following year during Back to School Night, I jokingly told the parents “I won’t believe what I hear about what goes on at home if you don’t believe stories about what happens at school.”  Not that I was ever worried about anything negative being sent home – I was, and still am, a great teacher.  Regardless, kids will say the darndest things. 

Today during Morning Meeting, sharing time turned into group therapy time.  Here are a few snippets of what I learned. 

·         My mom went to see the new movie “Think Like a Man” with her friends. When she got home, she told my dad that there was no way he could cheat on her again because she knows what’s up. 

·         My mommy and daddy need to stop screaming at each other.  This weekend, mommy took all her stuff and moved out.

·         My brother took me to his friend’s house when he was baby-sitting me and he looked at some guns.  Then he taught me how to play with one.

 ·         My dad took me to see “Chimpanzees” with my sister so that my mom could have some alone time.  My dad started crying when the mom chimp got eaten.  My dad got embarrassed and told me not to tell anyone.

·         My mom wore some high heels and went out to go dancing and drinking.  Do you know what do they drink?

·         My brother stuck my head in the toilet and flushed it. 

·         I went to grandma’s house and I heard a Cody Simpson song playing.  I opened the closet door and saw my cousin (who is also in the class) listening to the song and drawing hearts on her notebook.

With my mouth to the floor, I continued about my day without acknowledging any of these statements.   As we were reading Charlotte’s Web during quiet time, I came to a passage that read:

“…Templeton seized the string, passed it around the end of the pig’s tail, and tied two half hitches…”

Except that I didn’t say the word “hitches”…

… I won’t believe what I hear about what goes on at home if you don’t believe stories about what goes on at school.  Thanks.