Salsa and Shooting

One of my New Year's resolutions was to learn something new, take classes, better myself.  There are a million things that I would love to try, and most of them can be done here in the city.  So, naturally, my first thought was to check out the websites for discounted activities.  Groupon was a bust, Living Social didn't have anything that interested me, but Amazon came through in the end.  I found a coupon for six salsa dancing lessons for $35!  I immediately signed up, and had my first class on Wednesday night.

Before arriving, I was a tad skeptical that for the price, this would be a legitimate class with capable instructors.  However, I was pleasantly surprised with the studio and the amount of people who showed up.  They split everyone into three groups, beginner, intermediate and advanced.  Obviously, I belonged with the beginners, and if there had been a group to fall below that, there I would be.  Maybe a group of children would have suited me better?

Six girls, one old man and an instructor who looked like he enjoyed sweets a little too much....this is what we had to work with.  Did I mention that one of the girls was a professional dancer?  She justified her presence there by saying she had never done salsa, just ballet, tap, ballroom, blah, blah, blah.  I stopped listening after ballet.  We shall refer to her as the Black Swan going forward.  Black Swan loved to shimmy all over the dance floor, and in so doing, knock me into the wall.

The older man would remind you of Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite, in fifty years of course.  He was actually quite adorable, and caught on quicker than I thought he would.  Since he was the only male student, it was his responsibility to do the spin move with every girl in the class.  While counting out loud in a very thick accent, he was able to do this successfully with most everyone there.  With the exception of yours truly.  Apparently, I'm not very good at spinning, following or counting for that matter.  I also have, quite possibly, the worst rhythm of any white female who has ever lived.  However, this will not stop me from going back.  I will conquer this activity!

In one week, I will be the happy participant in a two hour training course at the only gun range in the entire city of New York.  Westside gun range will teach you how to shoot a .22 caliber rifle for just a mere $65.  Following the training course, you are able to go back for $30 sessions.  Why would I be interested in a course of this nature, you ask?  It's not like I can legally carry a gun here, nor do I want to.  The reasons are threefold.  1. It reminds me of home.  2. It actually relieves stress. and 3. I am a pretty decent shot, thanks to a three year relationship with a Kentucky boy who loved guns.  I am excited to try my hand at it again.

So I am off to a good start for the year fulfilling my resolution.  At some point, there will be cooking and acting classes.  I also think I want to try fencing, which happens to be offered for free in front of Bryant Park every Wednesday in the summer.  There is something pretty empowering about learning new things, or maybe just having goals in general.  It has become a very effective way to preoccupy my mind and motivate myself to improve.  I'm thankful to have the opportunity to do that here.

C is for Cookie

Picture it...New York...2012...a 15 degree winter Friday with nowhere to be for the next 24 hours, a new job secured for the next week and a pocket full of quarters.  The only logical thing for a girl to do is take that long anticipated trip to Miss Fields.  I walk in, people everywhere are smiling, I see a delivery boy jumping up to click his heels out of pure joy with his job...I think I even hear some Disney soundtrack playing overhead.  This is my place, for sure.  I approach the counter with maybe a bit of drool in the corner of my mouth, and order a slice of cookie cake...or a double doozie....or BOTH!  Who cares, I'm on the top of the world.

I tell the lucky lady working behind the counter that this has been one of the best days of my New York life, and that I live just a mere twelve stories above her wonderland of cookies.  She welcomes me to the store, tells me it has only been open for two weeks, and offers a free cookie since we are "neighbors." I gladly accept said cookie with a big smile on my face, and proceed to knock over a sign that was on the counter...onto the floor...shattering the holder into a million pieces.  She nods and smiles, assures me I shouldn't worry, some guy comes from my left almost immediately with a broom to fix the problem, and I am on my way.  

Thank goodness we painted the apartment this fall, got new furniture, redecorated the whole place, and that my interest in reading has actually been rekindled, because I do not plan to leave these four walls until April at this weather rate.  I love my apartment.  It is so warm and inviting, and definitely worth the investment to perk up a bit.  My favorite thing to do after work and gym is to come home, light a candle, put on some Billie Holiday and write/read/watch a host of television shows I am too embarrassed to admit I watch.  This is how one spends a winter in New York.  Very little interaction with the outside world, and this is an understanding you have with everyone you know.  I probably won't even see half of my friends until it is socially acceptable to wear white again.  So until that time, you may hear a lot from me. : )

January is the new December

When you have more room to work out in your living room (which is about the size of a walk-in closet) than the gym, you know it must be January.  I really can't wait for all of these new year resolutions to wear off, and for my elliptical to be free once again.  It is somewhat of a challenge to stay motivated to improve your work out routine when there is a line wrapped around the building to get into a spin class.  But alas, I shall press on!  There is weight to be lost, health to be maintained, and sweat that must pour from my brow!

As an added bonus, I noticed today that there is a Miss Fields opening right under my apartment.  Some of you may know that a cookie cake is among my top ten favorite foods.  If I were stranded on a desert island, and I had to choose between an endless supply of meats/vegetables/fruits or cookie cake, cookie cake would win every time.  Hands down, it would be no question.  I will pass it everyday on my way home from the gym.  Such a cruel, cruel world we live in.

Some say that Christmas is the most wonderful time of year, but I would beg to differ.  Semi-annual sale time of year is like crack to me.  This is one great thing that does come in January, specifically the Victoria Secret Semi-Annual sale.  I went today, and it reminded me of Black Friday at Wal-Mart when something electronic is on sale for like $1.  I spent more than intended, but can you blame me?  Their products are necessary...just like a good pair of tennis shoes.  I must invest wisely.  My favorite department store here is called Zara.  I had never heard of it before living in New York, but they also know how to put on a good sale and are conveniently located right next to Victoria Secret.  Such a blessing!

In other news, I have already started my collection of concert tickets for the year.  Dad is coming up in March to see the Allman Brothers with me at the Beacon, and I will be going to see Coldplay around my birthday.  Trips for the year should include Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Nova Scotia/Prince Edward Island, Niagara Falls, Montreal and somewhere in the Caribbean (I turn 30 this year, so the gloves are off with this trip).