I Ran, Now My Nose Wont Stop Running, So I Sniffed A Sharpie

Today was excellent. I am not sure if the excellence is due to the fabulous news that I received yesterday, or because I drank 2 tall teas and all that caffeine is flowing in my blood stream (I took a hiatus from coffee, but decided I needed something tall, dark and hot today - my first notion was nowhere to be found, so I settled with tea.)

Anyway, I ran today (I can officially call it a run according to treadmill rules). I ran a whole mile without stopping at 6mph, which equals a 10 minute mile, holla at ya girl! Then, after hopping off to stretch, I continued to run 5 more minutes at 6mph. Now, I know for "runners" this is sissy talk, but for me (who's middle name is 'no endurance') this is huge. I feel like I still have a chance at getting up to a full 5K.

The only problem now is that I seemed to have shaken something loose whilst running. Something in my nose because it WONT stop running. It has been running since 5pm. So I had to deal with the ridiculousness at belly dancing lessons. Seriously, there is nothing more childish than having a nose that runs like a 4 year old when you aren't even sick. Then, when I try to hold off the stream, it backs up into my eye and I start sneezing and watering up. Really? You know people were ticked at me making all that noise, they probably assumed I was sick and was doubly pissed (especially with H1N1).

Anyway, I found a solution online...sniffing Sharpies! http://www.tipking.co.uk/tip/2854.html

Such a druggie move. However, it worked temporarily. But I looked like a hype huffing the marker. Now, since I can still feel a piece in the back of my nose that gets triggered by a gust of wind, I decided on a more permanent solution...jamming Vick's rub inside. I have never done that before, and the initial burning made me a little fearful, but now I am fine. That piece is still being irritated, but the menthol is acting like a barrier.

Belly Dancing:

Class numero two was better than the first one. Mainly because there was less women there, and it was more organized. We all had to pull Goddess cards when we signed in, and ironically, I pulled the Hekate - The Dark Goddess (so perfect b/c 1. I am thee only Blackie in the class, 2. I was dressed in all black like the omen, and 3. the bottom of the card had something to the effect of "seeker of knowledge from deep sources") Impressive, but random. Plus, we never did anything with them besides give them back at the end of the class. Oh, and the woman I am in competition with was back. When the class switched, and had the people in the back go to the front, and vice versa, she definitely stayed up front and I gave her the stank face. She also had the audacity to try to help me with my chest circles, uh uh honey, I got dis. Aside from that, I finally accomplished Lotus hands, WOOT!

And my mentee actually wanted to talk to me today. She was in a visibly better mood. Or have I really been the one in a crazy depressive funk, and I just realized the world was happily living while I sulked. I have been really questioning that lately. Or is it because I called the therapist and asked her is the girl even liked having as a mentor, and she may have mentioned something. There is no way for me to know, but I'll take it.

I suppose the decent thing would be to tell why my life has brightened up so much. It is because God is so good. I received a call yesterday telling me that I could put my kit fee on the same loan, and start classes at Aveda with no money down. Seriously, a week before classes start. So I am going to sign my enrollment form tomorrow, and orientation is on Friday (where I get to pick up my kit!!!) I feel like my life is on track again. I have been pulled from the midst of my quarterlife crisis, and set back on solid ground. God is SO GOOD.

I realize that I am adding to my current student debt, but this just feels right. I know everything is going to be okay once I start my real life. This is my purpose. And all I had to do was start acting like I had some faith. God has clearly been speaking to me for a while now about not being part of a church and frantically looking for events and organizations or jobs to fill my free time. I finally stopped worrying, stopped trying to find organizations to fill my emptiness, and tried out a new church...and then kablamo, my prayers are answered. All God wanted was an honest attempt. Now I have to find a way to negotiate out of, or reschedule the gaggle of volunteer stints I have applied for, the new job I applied for, and I have to keep searching for a church home.

Sidebar: I tried a calvary chapel, and it wasn't a good fit. I appreciated the fact that they read straight from the Bible, from Genesis to Revelations, verse by verse. It was all very intellectual. But I definitely didn't feel a sense of welcome from the members. Only the women spoke to me, and all but 2 seemed apprehensive. I also felt like I was on trial for coming. People really wanted to know why and how I got there. As a matter of fact, it was funny, cause the whole ~30 person congregation consisted of Southern California transplants. I was the only Black person, aside from the blind piano player. And the pastor definitely decided to input his own personal politics into his address (the minute he started the schpeel with "I read on Fox News" my face turned to a grimace).

So with that - I will be going to Aveda to sign my enrollment papers tomorrow. And life will be all flowers and moonstones.

Hip Hop, Hip Drop

Fabulous night.

I have officially started belly dancing lessons on a whim. They are every Tuesday night for six weeks, and only six bucks a class...and it is something that I can do with my mentee. Anyway, as I was saying, it was fantabulous. I felt so empowered (girl power, woot), fit, and not to mention sexy! What a great way to stop my psychotic internet use, and actually get out and meet people.

I mean, I definitely purchased the "hip hop, hip drop" workout DVD years ago to learn the basics before I actually embarked on a class with real people. (Clearly, I am not the type that enjoys group workouts for the hell of it...I am too competitive for that.) Seriously, I have been talking about doing a real class for a good four years. Actually, I take it back, I know the exact reason why I didn't...me being overweight...I just can't be sexy when my stomach looks like a melting ice cream cone.

Anyway, I definitely turned into the person that takes themselves way too seriously in the class. I immediately located the one student that looked authentic and knew what she was doing, and sparked a silent hip roll competition. I mean seriously, she wore the bells and only had a sports bra on in addition to swinging around her long, black curls and always doing extra moves in the mirror. (I seriously sound like an ultra-hater right now, LOL). I mean, I am a self professed dancer and I am Black.

Sadly, I soon forgot about my mentee, and moved to the front of the packed class to grab some mirror space right by the instructor. Unlike everyone else who laughed off the instructors constructive criticism, I waited specifically for the silent nod of approval and awe at how quickly I learned the new move. But when she criticized me there was no laughing, no smile, just a fierce attempt at correction to gain the approving nod. (Man, if I didn't know myself before, it was completely clear after tonight.) As a matter of fact, I think I childishly and subconsciously distanced myself from my mentee because she was struggling so much and wearing jeans.

Anyway, tonight was a 98% success. I definitely could not get the "Lotus Hands" move, and I was pissed (my cries of defeat and desperation were very audible over the "tribal music" that our instructor liked to refer to). I mean, it was THEE simplest move. Move my damn hands in the figure eight motion above my head, period. But I was incapable. I looked like I was trying to untie a knot above my head. Definitely not the graceful move I was going for. I suppose I wasn't the only person struggling, but it seemed like it. So the instructor moved on and told "those of us" who were having trouble to practice it off youtube.

Speaking of body comfort, there was a wide range of female form in that room (and someone keep childishly letting SBD's, thinking they wouldn't be found out since there were like 30 people in a dorm sized room). I mean, a good fourth of the women were bearing midriff with their bells, and not all of them had flat stomachs. As a matter of fact, the instructor had a straight pooch, but let that ish hang. It was so hot that I thought about letting it free (especially since it no longer hangs over my pants), but then reality slapped me - it isn't about the stomach, its about the belly button. And mine definitely makes a frown face - not awesome. I mean, even people with a little chub had a circle or a spiral, but for some reason Mr. Bad Attitude still resides in the middle of my body. So, in essence, no midriff for me...yet - because the work we do in that class is about to have me ripped. (Ripped enough to match the new neck muscles I have gained from sporting 3lb. weave for over a month in addition to my usual head size.)

So anyway, I am hooked...now if I only I had someone to show my moves to...


Aside: Please pray for the bereaved families and raped women in Guinea. This tragedy just breaks my heart.