Good grief that last post was long. I must never go that length of time in between blogs because I am so darned wordy that I just can't condense :)
BodyPump on Tuesday was good, but hard. Hard to get back to coaching and cueing rather than just being a participant. I must say I enjoyed the 12 days off, however, I don't recommend it if possible. It is amazing that even though it IS like riding a bike, how quickly you can get a bit rusty. A few blips, in chorey, but nothing anyone would have noticed.
Tonight, however, was different. I nailed the chorey all around, my energy was up (even though I am still stuffy and coughy from my allergies) and I had an exceptionally dry throat. Too much coffee today and not enough water. I stepped it up with my motivation, and actually got the class to respond a few times to my demands!!! I am the COMMANDER!!! Hahahaha.
At the end of class, Jeanett came up to me. She has been out for weeks with back pain, and while she has been to a couple of BP classes in Daly City, this was her first class back with me. Although she is my friend, she has always given me feedback, as a newbie pumper, on how class was. She came up to me and told me I was phenomenal (blush - but really? Come on) and that I had a ton of energy. I do agree that I felt the energy, from me and all around. It was a good feeling.
I had a new woman in class, who was very open to coaching, which was great. She was asking questions before class on weight selection, and during class, would make adjustments when I would call them out. However, I noticed she mimicked me on weight selection for the first three tracks, even though I advised her to go lighter. It took a few tracks for her to realize that she needed to go lighter! But she gave me a thumbs up at the end when I asked her how she liked the class. Yipee!
The bad thing? Since I got back from Texas, I have run out of time in class. WTH? I haven't had to cut in a long time! Granted, I only cut out the hover portion of abs.......and I had to again today because I will NOT cut out the cool down. But when we walked out of class and looked at the clock in the lobby, it was exactly 7:30!! So the clock in the Group X room is fast.....so I will NOT cut anything out again. And here I was thinking that I was talking too much since I returned!! Yikes.
Sore, feeling good. 90 minute massage scheduled for tomorrow. It's good to be back.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Dallas....in a (VERY BIG) nutshell
I can't believe I did not find time to blog this past week. Between all the soccer games, keeping Cassie entertained, driving all over the place, working out.....oh and NOT having free Wi-Fi in the hotel.....it just didn't happen. I could have blogged from my iPhone but it takes too long and I would make too many mistakes. I arrived in Dallas with a cold that just never went away, or at least worked into allergies from all the wind and pollen, so I felt crappy most of the time. Even today, Monday, I am still stuffy and coughing.
We arrived late Saturday night and were picked up by a coach that arrived earlier in the day, in 2 large passenger vans. By the time we got a bite to eat for the team and arrived at the hotel, it was close to 1 am. The descent on the plane was quick and as a result, I experienced the WORST head popping, ear plugging pain I have ever had. I had tears running down my face as we landed. Usually, Alexander is the worst but I was right there with him. It was so bad that I still could not hear well the next day. It felt like I was underwater. Sunday was an off day, the team was just holding practice but of course wanted to go watch some games. Cassie and I were picked up by my niece Karyna and her husband Jorge and went to eatZi's, this great little deli with fresh salads, sandwiches, cheeses, breads, pastries....and picked up salami, cheese, bread and a salad and went to downtown Dallas and went to a park and had a picnic. Then we went to the book depository where Oswald shot Kennedy. There is actually an X on the street on the spot where he was shot. Kinda morbid, but a part of history. My parents were actually in bed, on their honeymoon in Reno, watching the coverage on tv when he was shot. Dad would have gotten a kick out of us being there if he were still alive. So many businesses close on Sunday and it was odd to walk around downtown in a major city and see only some restaurants open.
Monday, the team played Chivas from Mexico and we won 3-1. That afternoon, I had the opportunity and extreme pleasure to drive to Fort Worth to take classes at Fit for Life. Alex had introduced me on Face Book to a couple of instructors, one who teaches at this small club that is just teeming with Les Mills programs. Chris is a National Presenter for BodyStep. I have never taken a step class so I was thrilled to take it from such a great instructor, plus it was the launch of the new BS. Cynthia, the 18 year old daughter of one of the coaches, came with me (she had come to one of my BP classes back home and joined 24Hr after, and had just arrived on a plane that day and wanted to come work out with me). What struck me the most was how friendly these people are - one of the instructors, Nicole, came up to us and introduced herself, found out we were new to step, remembered our names afterward...very warm welcome. Step was way more fun than I expected. I didn't fall on my face like I feared, just tripped once and kept up! Great cardio workout and my legs were toast for BodyPump, which was right after. Sherry and Christy were the instructors for BP. I spent time after talking with them. What I love about LM and BP is that during the class, it was consistent, familiar, and strangely validating for me as an instructor. Christy sounded like me! What I mean is, the cueing, the coaching, it was so strange and comforting to know that I was doing alright. That I sound like another instructor. They have both been instructors about 6 months longer than I have. Such nice people!
Tuesday, we played a team from DC and won 4-0. One of the dads on the team went to the hospital in the middle of the night with severe throat pain and they admitted him. Gave antibiotics and cleaned out the tonsils. The entire team converged on the hospital room after the game with a card and balloons, visited and then went back to the hotel. The boys have been so good, respectful and not crazy teens. I took a video of them all squeezing into the elevator at the hospital. They found ways to entertain themselves. That night, the team went to the mall and went ice skating, and Franklin, Cassie and I went with Noe, Erica, Cynthia and Emma to the movies to celebrate Emma's 9th birthday. The movie theatre had tables at every seat with full food service. We had already eaten dinner but ordered popcorn and water and they served us at our seats. Pretty cool. They don't have theaters like that out here.
On Wednesday, Cynthia (my new workout buddy!) and I went to a 24Hour Sport in Irving to take BP from Amy. This place was SO nice, it was like the Super Sport in California! Amy was great fun and totally excited to see me. She even asked me to shadow so of course I moved my equipment to the front and shadowed with her. I had been going up on my weights because these Texan women can LIFT! Puts me to shame. I definitely have to step up my game. Amy was fun and we chatted for awhile after class also.
Wednesday evening we played a Dallas team and beat them 5-1. This win meant that we made it into the quarter finals on Friday!
Thursday was an off day for the team. I got up super early and drove out to Fort Worth again to meet Carol and take BodyVive. This is another LM class I have yet to try, and it was fun but overall not one of my favorites. Carol was so sweet and excited to see me, introduced me to so many instructors, including Pinky, who owns FitMarc, which is LM South Central. Nice, nice lady. When I returned to Dallas, the boys were off to practice, and I played chauffeur to Franklin and took him to see a game that one of our players was in. Cassie and I killed some time by shopping at Target. We ended the day swimming while the boys went off to Hooters for dinner, ordered room service and relaxed.
Friday morning I got up at the UNGODLY hour of 5:15 and went to a 6:00 am BP class. I knew I probably wouldn't get any more workouts in on this trip so I wanted one more shot at BP and the 24Hr Active was just 4 miles away so I couldn't resist. I was amazed that even though I arrived 5 minutes early, I almost didn't get in because there was a sign up sheet and the woman in front of me was the last one! I told the guy at the front desk that I was an instructor from California and he told me I could ask the instructor, so I went into the class and introduced myself. She was happy to have me join the class. I found, though, that early morning BP and I do not like each other! It was SO much harder than I expected. I had been increasing my weights all week to try to catch up to these strong Texan women and it was a struggle in this class! I hadn't eaten anything either, so I was famished at the end. We chatted afterward, again, very hospitable.
Friday our game was at 11am, the quarter finals. We had to win each game now to move on. We won this one as well! The boys are playing SO amazing. The bummer is that since Alexander is a guest player (5 of our Juventus players were here as guests) he didn't get to play each game, and if he did, it was only 15 minutes or so, but the experience of being out here, with a team this talented, he is really enjoying it and learning alot. It is just hard as a parent to see your kid sitting on the bench when you know he is a great player - but some of these boys, WOW. Really talented. Alex has to step up his game to really be at this level. He has so much potential and can definitely get there, with hard work. He is ready.
That night, we headed to Denton to visit Karyna and Jorge. A little tour around Denton, dinner at their favorite restaurant, then Karyna was singing at a local coffee house. Cassie was excited to see her again. We have been able to visit twice this week. We ate dinner at a little English pub that served great food and is a favorite of theirs. We treated them and their friend to dinner, much to the chagrin of Jorge, who had wanted to pay. I told him that we have become the old aunt and uncle that will not let the young kids pay - I remember my own aunts and uncles doing that for us and since we really didn't spend much on this trip because it was all wrapped up with the team costs that we had already contributed to, we were able to do it. I felt old, though!
Karyna has been singing for years now, but I was literally brought to tears listening to her because now she is writing her own songs and composing her own music and she has grown incredibly since the last time I saw her perform, as a musician, a vocalist, and in general, as a woman. She is 28 years old and this is the perfect place for her at this time. Denton is a very supportive community, especially for musicians like Karyna. I am excited to see where she goes from here, as she is getting ready to record her first studio album with a producer she met here.
Saturday was our semi-final game. The winds here - unreal. So strong, and warm. They have made it difficult to play in all week, but today they proved to be detrimental. We were playing another team from Mexico, Estudiantes Techos. Honestly, they were not better than us. I don't say that because they beat us. I say that because it's true. The winds did not work in our favor, but we did not take some opportunities early on to score and that was our downfall. We lost the semi-finals 3-2. The team sat and were silent for 20 minutes after the game. Kids were crying, dads were crying. It was so hard to watch because it was SO close. One game away from the finals. We were the ONLY United States team to make it that far, the only non-school team (all the others were Academy teams). So close, yet so far. Out of 24 teams, to come in 3rd. Ouch. Yes, they should be proud of how far they made it. But we really should have been playing in the stadium for the final game. It ended up being 2 teams from Mexico in the finals, and Techos won the whole thing. Crap. Oh well. It's a good experience, a hard lesson for them. It literally took several hours for them to cheer up and shake it off.
Since it was our last night in Dallas, we wanted to go downtown. The boys all wanted to stay together and hit the mall, so we went with the Garcias and went back to eatZi's, got some food and sat outside and watched an incredible lightning storm. The weather here is just crazy. The weather was so warm, but the lightning so intense - not only was it sharp and intense, but the lighting went horizontal at times! It was quite the show. Later we walked around downtown, the Garcia's wanted to see the book depository but walking around outside while the lightning was hitting was pretty scary and we hightailed it back to the car. The boys were ice skating at the mall for the second time this week so we went to watch them for a bit before going back to the hotel.
The running joke of the week was how much I would get lost. The first day driving around was really scary - the freeways are so different, with access roads, quick merging, one way streets that I swear are not well marked, and people that drive so far up your butt and change lanes so fast it's unnerving! I had my iPhone GPS but I would still get lost. Alex then let me know about Mapquest, which gives voice directions and was so much better to use. However, I still got lost. By Friday, though, I had found my bearings and didn't get lost! For two days. I ended up getting turned around on Sunday. Oh well. Just when I was comfortable driving around Texas, it was time to go home!
Sunday we had the headache of checking out of the hotel, getting all the boys in the vans (it's amazing how much more stuff we had leaving than coming!) Part of the problem was that we didn't eat out alot so with cooking several meals came all the stuff that we had for that. Three of the dads on the team were amazing - they did the cooking (barbeque one day, homemade chicken veggie soup made on the bbq, then ceviche on Good Friday for the ones that weren't eating meat) plus they did the laundry one day. Their ability to put together a meal for 28 people was astounding. They purchased a barbeque, pots, and drinks, etc. all which had to go somewhere when we left. Sergio, the coach, had a friend that lived nearby so on Sunday after checkout we drove to Flower Mound, close to the airport, and he opened his house to all of us and had meat, chicken and sausages barbequing when we arrived. The three dads got to work making rice, beans, salad, salsa, etc. for everyone. The boys lounged around watching movies, Cassie and Emma played dolls outside and Erica and I went to the store for more food (which is when I got lost!) This friend then got to keep the coolers, the barbeque, all the extra water and gatorade and food that we didn't finish. Good deal for him and he was an amazing host. The neighborhood where he lived looked like Atherton - huge, beautiful homes, but he lived in an old little home around the corner that he bought for $80,000. These huge mansions, he said, sold for $400,000. Unbelievable. Around here, that little house he lived in would have been more just because of the location!
All in all, a great week. A good balance of soccer time, family time (minus Alexander since he did everything with the team) and ME time. Got in 5 LM classes, some pool time, some reading, but not one nap. Got to explore Texas a bit, and really enjoyed my time there. Except for the weather!
The airport was not a fun time. We had three boys who were not on our flight. The goalie was flying back to Idaho, where he lived, so he had to be first driven to Love Field, a different airport than ours. Once that was done, we had brothers who were flying to Reno, and we ended up unloading all the boys and luggage at the wrong gate and the brothers were actually in the wrong terminal. I ended up staying behind with another dad trying to get them to the right place while the men all returned the two vans and two rental cars. We finally figured out how to get them to the right terminal, then we had to walk with all our luggage to the correct gate. I had checked my family in online so I just had to drop our checked in luggage, then get all the boys checked in and ready to go. Then we found out our flight was delayed an hour due to fog in SF. At least we had some extra time. Little did I know.... While we were waiting, the boys occupied themselves by playing soccer (surprise) and trying to fool people into taking a $5 bill attached to a string. The girls ran around with another little girl, playing tag, hide and seek. All the food places were closed, as it was after 7 pm on Easter, but luckily some of the boys got food before they closed. Me? Nope. After that BBQ I wasn't hungry but I wish I had picked up something before everything closed. If only I had had a crystal ball...
We were treated to a huge lightning storm show while waiting. This meant our incoming plane was in a holding pattern, waiting to come in. Delay. Then it landed, but couldn't come to the gate because the runways were closed because the lightning was too close to the ground. Delay. Then it arrived at the gate, unloaded, we were about to board, then the runways were closed again. Delay. The captain kept coming out and kept us informed ( I have to say, that even as a sometime traveler, I was very impressed with Virgin) and told us to be ready because we would board, then as soon as they were given the go ahead, we would take off in between two storms and we didn't want to miss the narrow window. OH FREAKING GREAT. I was not looking forward to this because I knew we would hit turbulence and I HATE turbulence.
Once we boarded, and took off, immediately we hit pretty strong turbulence. I was gripping the arms, digging my nails into Franklin, then at one point had to put my hands over my face. Ricky was sitting in front of me and kept turning around everytime I gasped and he would laugh at me. I was happy to be such a source of entertainment for him! Cassie, the love, was next to me comforting me. "Don't worry Mom, it's going to be okay!" Sigh. At least it only lasted around 30 minutes, then after a snack, I blissfully fell asleep. All those delays got us to SFO at about 1:30 am. Home around 2:15 and fell into bed around 3:00am.
Thank goodness I took today off. Have I unpacked? No. Only the necessities. Franklin and I went out to lunch and then napped. Did a couple loads of laundry but this means that tomorrow, after getting home from teaching my first BP class in 12 days, the work continues.
It's good to be home.
We arrived late Saturday night and were picked up by a coach that arrived earlier in the day, in 2 large passenger vans. By the time we got a bite to eat for the team and arrived at the hotel, it was close to 1 am. The descent on the plane was quick and as a result, I experienced the WORST head popping, ear plugging pain I have ever had. I had tears running down my face as we landed. Usually, Alexander is the worst but I was right there with him. It was so bad that I still could not hear well the next day. It felt like I was underwater. Sunday was an off day, the team was just holding practice but of course wanted to go watch some games. Cassie and I were picked up by my niece Karyna and her husband Jorge and went to eatZi's, this great little deli with fresh salads, sandwiches, cheeses, breads, pastries....and picked up salami, cheese, bread and a salad and went to downtown Dallas and went to a park and had a picnic. Then we went to the book depository where Oswald shot Kennedy. There is actually an X on the street on the spot where he was shot. Kinda morbid, but a part of history. My parents were actually in bed, on their honeymoon in Reno, watching the coverage on tv when he was shot. Dad would have gotten a kick out of us being there if he were still alive. So many businesses close on Sunday and it was odd to walk around downtown in a major city and see only some restaurants open.
Monday, the team played Chivas from Mexico and we won 3-1. That afternoon, I had the opportunity and extreme pleasure to drive to Fort Worth to take classes at Fit for Life. Alex had introduced me on Face Book to a couple of instructors, one who teaches at this small club that is just teeming with Les Mills programs. Chris is a National Presenter for BodyStep. I have never taken a step class so I was thrilled to take it from such a great instructor, plus it was the launch of the new BS. Cynthia, the 18 year old daughter of one of the coaches, came with me (she had come to one of my BP classes back home and joined 24Hr after, and had just arrived on a plane that day and wanted to come work out with me). What struck me the most was how friendly these people are - one of the instructors, Nicole, came up to us and introduced herself, found out we were new to step, remembered our names afterward...very warm welcome. Step was way more fun than I expected. I didn't fall on my face like I feared, just tripped once and kept up! Great cardio workout and my legs were toast for BodyPump, which was right after. Sherry and Christy were the instructors for BP. I spent time after talking with them. What I love about LM and BP is that during the class, it was consistent, familiar, and strangely validating for me as an instructor. Christy sounded like me! What I mean is, the cueing, the coaching, it was so strange and comforting to know that I was doing alright. That I sound like another instructor. They have both been instructors about 6 months longer than I have. Such nice people!
Tuesday, we played a team from DC and won 4-0. One of the dads on the team went to the hospital in the middle of the night with severe throat pain and they admitted him. Gave antibiotics and cleaned out the tonsils. The entire team converged on the hospital room after the game with a card and balloons, visited and then went back to the hotel. The boys have been so good, respectful and not crazy teens. I took a video of them all squeezing into the elevator at the hospital. They found ways to entertain themselves. That night, the team went to the mall and went ice skating, and Franklin, Cassie and I went with Noe, Erica, Cynthia and Emma to the movies to celebrate Emma's 9th birthday. The movie theatre had tables at every seat with full food service. We had already eaten dinner but ordered popcorn and water and they served us at our seats. Pretty cool. They don't have theaters like that out here.
On Wednesday, Cynthia (my new workout buddy!) and I went to a 24Hour Sport in Irving to take BP from Amy. This place was SO nice, it was like the Super Sport in California! Amy was great fun and totally excited to see me. She even asked me to shadow so of course I moved my equipment to the front and shadowed with her. I had been going up on my weights because these Texan women can LIFT! Puts me to shame. I definitely have to step up my game. Amy was fun and we chatted for awhile after class also.
Wednesday evening we played a Dallas team and beat them 5-1. This win meant that we made it into the quarter finals on Friday!
Thursday was an off day for the team. I got up super early and drove out to Fort Worth again to meet Carol and take BodyVive. This is another LM class I have yet to try, and it was fun but overall not one of my favorites. Carol was so sweet and excited to see me, introduced me to so many instructors, including Pinky, who owns FitMarc, which is LM South Central. Nice, nice lady. When I returned to Dallas, the boys were off to practice, and I played chauffeur to Franklin and took him to see a game that one of our players was in. Cassie and I killed some time by shopping at Target. We ended the day swimming while the boys went off to Hooters for dinner, ordered room service and relaxed.
Friday morning I got up at the UNGODLY hour of 5:15 and went to a 6:00 am BP class. I knew I probably wouldn't get any more workouts in on this trip so I wanted one more shot at BP and the 24Hr Active was just 4 miles away so I couldn't resist. I was amazed that even though I arrived 5 minutes early, I almost didn't get in because there was a sign up sheet and the woman in front of me was the last one! I told the guy at the front desk that I was an instructor from California and he told me I could ask the instructor, so I went into the class and introduced myself. She was happy to have me join the class. I found, though, that early morning BP and I do not like each other! It was SO much harder than I expected. I had been increasing my weights all week to try to catch up to these strong Texan women and it was a struggle in this class! I hadn't eaten anything either, so I was famished at the end. We chatted afterward, again, very hospitable.
Friday our game was at 11am, the quarter finals. We had to win each game now to move on. We won this one as well! The boys are playing SO amazing. The bummer is that since Alexander is a guest player (5 of our Juventus players were here as guests) he didn't get to play each game, and if he did, it was only 15 minutes or so, but the experience of being out here, with a team this talented, he is really enjoying it and learning alot. It is just hard as a parent to see your kid sitting on the bench when you know he is a great player - but some of these boys, WOW. Really talented. Alex has to step up his game to really be at this level. He has so much potential and can definitely get there, with hard work. He is ready.
That night, we headed to Denton to visit Karyna and Jorge. A little tour around Denton, dinner at their favorite restaurant, then Karyna was singing at a local coffee house. Cassie was excited to see her again. We have been able to visit twice this week. We ate dinner at a little English pub that served great food and is a favorite of theirs. We treated them and their friend to dinner, much to the chagrin of Jorge, who had wanted to pay. I told him that we have become the old aunt and uncle that will not let the young kids pay - I remember my own aunts and uncles doing that for us and since we really didn't spend much on this trip because it was all wrapped up with the team costs that we had already contributed to, we were able to do it. I felt old, though!
Karyna has been singing for years now, but I was literally brought to tears listening to her because now she is writing her own songs and composing her own music and she has grown incredibly since the last time I saw her perform, as a musician, a vocalist, and in general, as a woman. She is 28 years old and this is the perfect place for her at this time. Denton is a very supportive community, especially for musicians like Karyna. I am excited to see where she goes from here, as she is getting ready to record her first studio album with a producer she met here.
Saturday was our semi-final game. The winds here - unreal. So strong, and warm. They have made it difficult to play in all week, but today they proved to be detrimental. We were playing another team from Mexico, Estudiantes Techos. Honestly, they were not better than us. I don't say that because they beat us. I say that because it's true. The winds did not work in our favor, but we did not take some opportunities early on to score and that was our downfall. We lost the semi-finals 3-2. The team sat and were silent for 20 minutes after the game. Kids were crying, dads were crying. It was so hard to watch because it was SO close. One game away from the finals. We were the ONLY United States team to make it that far, the only non-school team (all the others were Academy teams). So close, yet so far. Out of 24 teams, to come in 3rd. Ouch. Yes, they should be proud of how far they made it. But we really should have been playing in the stadium for the final game. It ended up being 2 teams from Mexico in the finals, and Techos won the whole thing. Crap. Oh well. It's a good experience, a hard lesson for them. It literally took several hours for them to cheer up and shake it off.
Since it was our last night in Dallas, we wanted to go downtown. The boys all wanted to stay together and hit the mall, so we went with the Garcias and went back to eatZi's, got some food and sat outside and watched an incredible lightning storm. The weather here is just crazy. The weather was so warm, but the lightning so intense - not only was it sharp and intense, but the lighting went horizontal at times! It was quite the show. Later we walked around downtown, the Garcia's wanted to see the book depository but walking around outside while the lightning was hitting was pretty scary and we hightailed it back to the car. The boys were ice skating at the mall for the second time this week so we went to watch them for a bit before going back to the hotel.
The running joke of the week was how much I would get lost. The first day driving around was really scary - the freeways are so different, with access roads, quick merging, one way streets that I swear are not well marked, and people that drive so far up your butt and change lanes so fast it's unnerving! I had my iPhone GPS but I would still get lost. Alex then let me know about Mapquest, which gives voice directions and was so much better to use. However, I still got lost. By Friday, though, I had found my bearings and didn't get lost! For two days. I ended up getting turned around on Sunday. Oh well. Just when I was comfortable driving around Texas, it was time to go home!
Sunday we had the headache of checking out of the hotel, getting all the boys in the vans (it's amazing how much more stuff we had leaving than coming!) Part of the problem was that we didn't eat out alot so with cooking several meals came all the stuff that we had for that. Three of the dads on the team were amazing - they did the cooking (barbeque one day, homemade chicken veggie soup made on the bbq, then ceviche on Good Friday for the ones that weren't eating meat) plus they did the laundry one day. Their ability to put together a meal for 28 people was astounding. They purchased a barbeque, pots, and drinks, etc. all which had to go somewhere when we left. Sergio, the coach, had a friend that lived nearby so on Sunday after checkout we drove to Flower Mound, close to the airport, and he opened his house to all of us and had meat, chicken and sausages barbequing when we arrived. The three dads got to work making rice, beans, salad, salsa, etc. for everyone. The boys lounged around watching movies, Cassie and Emma played dolls outside and Erica and I went to the store for more food (which is when I got lost!) This friend then got to keep the coolers, the barbeque, all the extra water and gatorade and food that we didn't finish. Good deal for him and he was an amazing host. The neighborhood where he lived looked like Atherton - huge, beautiful homes, but he lived in an old little home around the corner that he bought for $80,000. These huge mansions, he said, sold for $400,000. Unbelievable. Around here, that little house he lived in would have been more just because of the location!
All in all, a great week. A good balance of soccer time, family time (minus Alexander since he did everything with the team) and ME time. Got in 5 LM classes, some pool time, some reading, but not one nap. Got to explore Texas a bit, and really enjoyed my time there. Except for the weather!
The airport was not a fun time. We had three boys who were not on our flight. The goalie was flying back to Idaho, where he lived, so he had to be first driven to Love Field, a different airport than ours. Once that was done, we had brothers who were flying to Reno, and we ended up unloading all the boys and luggage at the wrong gate and the brothers were actually in the wrong terminal. I ended up staying behind with another dad trying to get them to the right place while the men all returned the two vans and two rental cars. We finally figured out how to get them to the right terminal, then we had to walk with all our luggage to the correct gate. I had checked my family in online so I just had to drop our checked in luggage, then get all the boys checked in and ready to go. Then we found out our flight was delayed an hour due to fog in SF. At least we had some extra time. Little did I know.... While we were waiting, the boys occupied themselves by playing soccer (surprise) and trying to fool people into taking a $5 bill attached to a string. The girls ran around with another little girl, playing tag, hide and seek. All the food places were closed, as it was after 7 pm on Easter, but luckily some of the boys got food before they closed. Me? Nope. After that BBQ I wasn't hungry but I wish I had picked up something before everything closed. If only I had had a crystal ball...
We were treated to a huge lightning storm show while waiting. This meant our incoming plane was in a holding pattern, waiting to come in. Delay. Then it landed, but couldn't come to the gate because the runways were closed because the lightning was too close to the ground. Delay. Then it arrived at the gate, unloaded, we were about to board, then the runways were closed again. Delay. The captain kept coming out and kept us informed ( I have to say, that even as a sometime traveler, I was very impressed with Virgin) and told us to be ready because we would board, then as soon as they were given the go ahead, we would take off in between two storms and we didn't want to miss the narrow window. OH FREAKING GREAT. I was not looking forward to this because I knew we would hit turbulence and I HATE turbulence.
Once we boarded, and took off, immediately we hit pretty strong turbulence. I was gripping the arms, digging my nails into Franklin, then at one point had to put my hands over my face. Ricky was sitting in front of me and kept turning around everytime I gasped and he would laugh at me. I was happy to be such a source of entertainment for him! Cassie, the love, was next to me comforting me. "Don't worry Mom, it's going to be okay!" Sigh. At least it only lasted around 30 minutes, then after a snack, I blissfully fell asleep. All those delays got us to SFO at about 1:30 am. Home around 2:15 and fell into bed around 3:00am.
Thank goodness I took today off. Have I unpacked? No. Only the necessities. Franklin and I went out to lunch and then napped. Did a couple loads of laundry but this means that tomorrow, after getting home from teaching my first BP class in 12 days, the work continues.
It's good to be home.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
BodyPump 77 Launch!!
Fun, fun, fun........it could have been funner (I know)......but it was still loads of fun. However, at the start, I thought it was going to be an absolute disaster.........
My sister and her daughter came to pick me up because Franklin had a hair cut and took the kids. We got to the gym early and found the yoga class before had cancelled so people were already setting up. I started to set up, opened up the stereo system and then went to ask the operations manager if he had a back up microphone so the two of us that were team teaching together could just turn off the mic when it wasn't our turn but we wouldn't have to pass it back and forth. I start fiddling with the mic and freak out because it's NOT WORKING. The stereo was okay. One antennae was broken and I reported it Thursday but the mic still worked. The manager came in, tried to get it to work, couldn't, and then basically said - sorry. Nothing he could do. I politely asked if there was any "checking out of equipment" before a launch like this to make sure things worked and he looked at me and said "Well, YOU said it worked Thursday!" So I am basically out of luck. I said I had to teach tomorrow too, can we get someone in to fix it and he said sorry, it's the weekend. No one will come. I am thinking I am SCREWED because my throat is still off from being sick last week and I just knew if I had to do even half the class today, and all of tomorrow, with no mic? N-O-T G-O-O-D.
The other instructor walks in right before I'm about to begin the technique and I'm in the middle of texting the AGXM and then Justin, the club manager walks in and I give him a pleading look. He tells me that someone will be out but in 30 minutes. Better than nothing. Phew.
The room is full, I do the technique class, raising my voice. We get started with the class, luckily I'm not doing the first 3 but the other instructor tells me she feels like crap.
So here I am, all full of energy and totally pumped up, and she is dragging because she doesn't feel well. I'm sure I looked like a kook with how pumped up I was. Literally. She keeps looking at me and apologizing, during the tracks. I felt bad that she was suffering during such an awesome release.
Luckily, by track 4 - MY FAVORITE - service showed up and got the mic fixed, thank god. And I let it all rip out. I am so fired up and even got some noise from the class. My partner looks at me in the middle of the track and says - "oh my god you're awesome!!" because the last time she saw me teach was on my second day EVER! Then in between tracks she asks me to do her tracks for her cause she doesn't feel good, saying sorry she's such a bad partner. Me? I'm ready, I'm fired up, and I loved taking the rest of the class - tracks 4-10. I made my own fun!
I am almost afraid to admit it.....but I really liked the lunge track! AAAHHHH!!! What is happening to me?I'll never live it down now.
Kristin brought her hubby John. I haven't seen him for a very long time, but I've known him longer than Kristin. Franklin and I used to work with him at a restaurant back in the late 80's early 90's and he was the photographer at our wedding. He is an avid cyclist and like 8 feet tall!! He came up to me after and told me he was going to hate me tomorrow because he already felt sore! He said as a cyclist he doesn't use some of the muscles we used today in squats and he couldn't keep up. He was impressed with his wife, as he should be! It's always nice to get validation from the men in our lives that we are strong women and can kick their butts!! Love it!
After class, the family picked me up and we shot off to San Jose to our sports therapy massage guy, and both Alexander and I had a treatment. My shoulder blade issue, as well as that pinching in my neck from Thursday. But now, I can feel the soreness setting in from class......my glutes - those lunges are killers!! My triceps...upper back.....Tomorrow should be fun!
All in all, a good time. I am really, though, looking forward to the day when I team teach with an instructor who shares my passion for the program and isn't afraid to let loose. Then, WATCH OUT!!!!
My sister and her daughter came to pick me up because Franklin had a hair cut and took the kids. We got to the gym early and found the yoga class before had cancelled so people were already setting up. I started to set up, opened up the stereo system and then went to ask the operations manager if he had a back up microphone so the two of us that were team teaching together could just turn off the mic when it wasn't our turn but we wouldn't have to pass it back and forth. I start fiddling with the mic and freak out because it's NOT WORKING. The stereo was okay. One antennae was broken and I reported it Thursday but the mic still worked. The manager came in, tried to get it to work, couldn't, and then basically said - sorry. Nothing he could do. I politely asked if there was any "checking out of equipment" before a launch like this to make sure things worked and he looked at me and said "Well, YOU said it worked Thursday!" So I am basically out of luck. I said I had to teach tomorrow too, can we get someone in to fix it and he said sorry, it's the weekend. No one will come. I am thinking I am SCREWED because my throat is still off from being sick last week and I just knew if I had to do even half the class today, and all of tomorrow, with no mic? N-O-T G-O-O-D.
The other instructor walks in right before I'm about to begin the technique and I'm in the middle of texting the AGXM and then Justin, the club manager walks in and I give him a pleading look. He tells me that someone will be out but in 30 minutes. Better than nothing. Phew.
The room is full, I do the technique class, raising my voice. We get started with the class, luckily I'm not doing the first 3 but the other instructor tells me she feels like crap.
So here I am, all full of energy and totally pumped up, and she is dragging because she doesn't feel well. I'm sure I looked like a kook with how pumped up I was. Literally. She keeps looking at me and apologizing, during the tracks. I felt bad that she was suffering during such an awesome release.
Luckily, by track 4 - MY FAVORITE - service showed up and got the mic fixed, thank god. And I let it all rip out. I am so fired up and even got some noise from the class. My partner looks at me in the middle of the track and says - "oh my god you're awesome!!" because the last time she saw me teach was on my second day EVER! Then in between tracks she asks me to do her tracks for her cause she doesn't feel good, saying sorry she's such a bad partner. Me? I'm ready, I'm fired up, and I loved taking the rest of the class - tracks 4-10. I made my own fun!
I am almost afraid to admit it.....but I really liked the lunge track! AAAHHHH!!! What is happening to me?I'll never live it down now.
Kristin brought her hubby John. I haven't seen him for a very long time, but I've known him longer than Kristin. Franklin and I used to work with him at a restaurant back in the late 80's early 90's and he was the photographer at our wedding. He is an avid cyclist and like 8 feet tall!! He came up to me after and told me he was going to hate me tomorrow because he already felt sore! He said as a cyclist he doesn't use some of the muscles we used today in squats and he couldn't keep up. He was impressed with his wife, as he should be! It's always nice to get validation from the men in our lives that we are strong women and can kick their butts!! Love it!
After class, the family picked me up and we shot off to San Jose to our sports therapy massage guy, and both Alexander and I had a treatment. My shoulder blade issue, as well as that pinching in my neck from Thursday. But now, I can feel the soreness setting in from class......my glutes - those lunges are killers!! My triceps...upper back.....Tomorrow should be fun!
All in all, a good time. I am really, though, looking forward to the day when I team teach with an instructor who shares my passion for the program and isn't afraid to let loose. Then, WATCH OUT!!!!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
I NEED A VACATION
And a good night's sleep.....and a mani/pedi........and some coffee..............and a massage..............and new shoes.........and a good night's sleep. Not necessarily in that order, but I'm not picky.
It is becoming painfully obvious to all around me that spring break cannot come soon enough. I am barely making it through the day. It doesn't help that last night at 1:00am as I was dreaming, of what else, the new BP77 release, teaching the lunge track, Franklin's cell phone rang, making me bolt out of bed in a panic because who the hell calls at that time of night unless something is wrong? I stumble to the dining room where his phone is on the table, see that I missed the call and when I go to check it? Sergio. The soccer coach that we are going to Dallas with. I want to strangle him. I gave Franklin his cell, shook the heck out of him as I grumbled who called him, threw his phone at him and went back to bed. I never continued that particular dream but was restless the rest of the night, actually waking up at 4:15, tossing and turning about the launch this weekend, and woke up this morning feeling worse than yesterday. I so need a vacation.
I am looking forward to Dallas, but in reality, it will not be a restful week, with 20 - 16 year old hormonal soccer players. Good thing I have my own rental car, and they have two passenger vans, so Cassie and I can zoom off to rustle with some cowboys while they hang at the field in between games. Texas? I hope it's interesting. I have no idea what we'll do.
Tonight I was a bit concerned about class. The high winds today actually made me feel worse again, maybe kicking up some allergies but my head was fuzzy again and my throat dry. I had entertained the thought of doing a sendoff to release 76 and was going to do it in its entirety. Before launching 77. So as I am driving home to change, I listen to the tracks and thought............forget it. I am sick of it. Finally. I still am doing certain tracks from 76, like lunges, shoulders and abs, because I have spent more time learning to replace warm up, squats, biceps, triceps and back. I did my last mix tonight, as the next couple of weeks will be 77. I am so excited!!! However, tonight during triceps, I pinched something in my neck/left shoulder that caused me to coach without doing - I couldn't lift my left arm over my head for tricep extensions but it's better now.
After class, one of my front row participants (not the gum chewing/popping one - can't figure THAT one out) after telling me she couldn't come this weekend and I told her she would experience it on Tuesday, asked me if I was permanently on Tuesdays now. She had missed the last two weeks and hadn't heard I was in this slot. She actually clapped her hands and jumped up and down! It was so cute. She told me how happy she was. Definitely a good way to end the night.
Tomorrow I am going to the gym right after school to do a full practice run with Michelle and Deb, the new instructors who are practicing so they can audition for sub slots. I'm looking forward to it like crazy....
For now......off to bed. I am simply beat. This whole last week has caught up with me and is knocking my butt down. Gotta scrape some energy together for this weekend. If it kills me.
It is becoming painfully obvious to all around me that spring break cannot come soon enough. I am barely making it through the day. It doesn't help that last night at 1:00am as I was dreaming, of what else, the new BP77 release, teaching the lunge track, Franklin's cell phone rang, making me bolt out of bed in a panic because who the hell calls at that time of night unless something is wrong? I stumble to the dining room where his phone is on the table, see that I missed the call and when I go to check it? Sergio. The soccer coach that we are going to Dallas with. I want to strangle him. I gave Franklin his cell, shook the heck out of him as I grumbled who called him, threw his phone at him and went back to bed. I never continued that particular dream but was restless the rest of the night, actually waking up at 4:15, tossing and turning about the launch this weekend, and woke up this morning feeling worse than yesterday. I so need a vacation.
I am looking forward to Dallas, but in reality, it will not be a restful week, with 20 - 16 year old hormonal soccer players. Good thing I have my own rental car, and they have two passenger vans, so Cassie and I can zoom off to rustle with some cowboys while they hang at the field in between games. Texas? I hope it's interesting. I have no idea what we'll do.
Tonight I was a bit concerned about class. The high winds today actually made me feel worse again, maybe kicking up some allergies but my head was fuzzy again and my throat dry. I had entertained the thought of doing a sendoff to release 76 and was going to do it in its entirety. Before launching 77. So as I am driving home to change, I listen to the tracks and thought............forget it. I am sick of it. Finally. I still am doing certain tracks from 76, like lunges, shoulders and abs, because I have spent more time learning to replace warm up, squats, biceps, triceps and back. I did my last mix tonight, as the next couple of weeks will be 77. I am so excited!!! However, tonight during triceps, I pinched something in my neck/left shoulder that caused me to coach without doing - I couldn't lift my left arm over my head for tricep extensions but it's better now.
After class, one of my front row participants (not the gum chewing/popping one - can't figure THAT one out) after telling me she couldn't come this weekend and I told her she would experience it on Tuesday, asked me if I was permanently on Tuesdays now. She had missed the last two weeks and hadn't heard I was in this slot. She actually clapped her hands and jumped up and down! It was so cute. She told me how happy she was. Definitely a good way to end the night.
Tomorrow I am going to the gym right after school to do a full practice run with Michelle and Deb, the new instructors who are practicing so they can audition for sub slots. I'm looking forward to it like crazy....
For now......off to bed. I am simply beat. This whole last week has caught up with me and is knocking my butt down. Gotta scrape some energy together for this weekend. If it kills me.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sigh....Sick AGAIN :(
At least I am at the tail end....could have been worse.
Friday my throat started feeling unusually dry, and I had hoped it was just allergies, or dehydration. After watching Alexander make his debut as a Woodside Cheerleader for the PowderPuff Football game, we went home and I knew something was up. Sure enough, by the next morning, it was severe - sore throat, complete, total body aches, slight fever....I was sure it was strep. I ended up missing Alex's State Cup game in Turlock and Cassie and I stayed in all day. I also knew, pretty early in the afternoon, that there was virtually no way I could teach not only 1, but 2 BodyPump classes the next day.
I had so looked forward to teaching this class for Amy at PAC on Sunday morning, but I was now very unsure how I was going to do it. I knew I could probably swing my own at 24 if I had to. Well, by late Saturday I was looking for subs. Super Alex to the rescue. After seeing on FB that I was sick, he contacted me to offer his help. The silly man even offered to teach BOTH my classes, and then teach his own in the afternoon. His generosity never ceases to amaze me. I just love this man!
So it all worked out, Alex got his butt out of bed at an ungodly hour of the morning, especially for a Sunday, and taught the class at PAC, then I was able to get another instructor to teach mine at 24. I know that if Alex hadn't offered, I most likely would have taught at least 1 class today, and it would have been detrimental to my health as it would have set me back. So I am very thankful he pushed me to sub out and rest. It was so strange, for the first Sunday in months, NOT to go to the gym. But already, by today, I was feeling better, which meant I don't have strep, thank god. If I did, I would not be feeling better. My priority now is to rest until Tuesday, when I teach again, and practice so I am ready to launch on Saturday.
Alexander had another game in Morgan Hill today, guest playing with an older team against the #1 team in the State. According to Franklin, my son GREW today as a player. He played last man, and went up again the #1 forward, and did an amazing job. The team lost, but I am so proud of my son. I just wish I had been there to see it. It gave him confidence and lit a fire in him, which is good right now as we plan to go to Dallas Cup in less than 2 weeks. This tournament is the World Cup of youth soccer, teams from all over the world come to this tournament. I can't wait to see him compete in a tournament of this caliber.
Off to bed. I am still a bit fuzzy headed, but a good nights sleep should help. I haven't talked much the last two days so teaching tomorrow is a concern but I will keep drinking and take it as easy as I can. Two more weeks before spring break. I simply cannot wait. This has been the LONGEST stretch of teaching with no break EVER.
I love my students, and my job, but come on. Let's be real. We all need a break from each other ;-)
Friday my throat started feeling unusually dry, and I had hoped it was just allergies, or dehydration. After watching Alexander make his debut as a Woodside Cheerleader for the PowderPuff Football game, we went home and I knew something was up. Sure enough, by the next morning, it was severe - sore throat, complete, total body aches, slight fever....I was sure it was strep. I ended up missing Alex's State Cup game in Turlock and Cassie and I stayed in all day. I also knew, pretty early in the afternoon, that there was virtually no way I could teach not only 1, but 2 BodyPump classes the next day.
I had so looked forward to teaching this class for Amy at PAC on Sunday morning, but I was now very unsure how I was going to do it. I knew I could probably swing my own at 24 if I had to. Well, by late Saturday I was looking for subs. Super Alex to the rescue. After seeing on FB that I was sick, he contacted me to offer his help. The silly man even offered to teach BOTH my classes, and then teach his own in the afternoon. His generosity never ceases to amaze me. I just love this man!
So it all worked out, Alex got his butt out of bed at an ungodly hour of the morning, especially for a Sunday, and taught the class at PAC, then I was able to get another instructor to teach mine at 24. I know that if Alex hadn't offered, I most likely would have taught at least 1 class today, and it would have been detrimental to my health as it would have set me back. So I am very thankful he pushed me to sub out and rest. It was so strange, for the first Sunday in months, NOT to go to the gym. But already, by today, I was feeling better, which meant I don't have strep, thank god. If I did, I would not be feeling better. My priority now is to rest until Tuesday, when I teach again, and practice so I am ready to launch on Saturday.
Alexander had another game in Morgan Hill today, guest playing with an older team against the #1 team in the State. According to Franklin, my son GREW today as a player. He played last man, and went up again the #1 forward, and did an amazing job. The team lost, but I am so proud of my son. I just wish I had been there to see it. It gave him confidence and lit a fire in him, which is good right now as we plan to go to Dallas Cup in less than 2 weeks. This tournament is the World Cup of youth soccer, teams from all over the world come to this tournament. I can't wait to see him compete in a tournament of this caliber.
Off to bed. I am still a bit fuzzy headed, but a good nights sleep should help. I haven't talked much the last two days so teaching tomorrow is a concern but I will keep drinking and take it as easy as I can. Two more weeks before spring break. I simply cannot wait. This has been the LONGEST stretch of teaching with no break EVER.
I love my students, and my job, but come on. Let's be real. We all need a break from each other ;-)
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