HOTD: Not about animals!

I like all the dance puns in this article-

“What made the ballet dancer jump?”

“The world is spinning!”

…. I found this article interesting on many levels.  A) He owns a tattoo parlor?? B) I wonder why he quit! I bet he got a better paying job somewhere else... What do you think?

Royal Ballet star's resignation shocks dance world  

And just for fun, here’s a picture of me from my ballet days:



~SG

Success!

What a weekend!  And I didn't take a single photo. Not one. I am so sorry!!

Here is a quick wrap up:

Friday after work I headed to the theater where we had our tech rehearsal from 5 until 10pm. 

Saturday morning I woke up bright and early- it was finally time for the show!  We've been rehearsing since October!  Call time was 9:30, and we did three run-throughs (the third was the actual show). It was exhausting but so much fun. 

I am not trying to be mushy but I am so glad I got this experience.  I am grateful that I even MADE the show in the first place (having auditioned with a bunch of kids who are freaking amazing), and that I ended up being in two pieces- one of which I was originally slated as an alternate for.  I worked really hard on that piece- it was a new style for me (contemporary) and I had ALOT to learn.  My director and company-mates were so helpful. We met every Tuesday night in addition to Sunday rehearsals to work on the piece.  I learned how to do things I never thought I could do. I couldn't walk for weeks, I got tons of bruises, my pinky toes separated from my feet.... but I did it. And I made alot of great new friends!

Now that the mushiness is semi- over, I also want to shout-out to my cheering section!  My Mom and Dad were double booked for the weekend so I told them not to worry- I ordered a DVD for them to watch!  But I did end up having a pretty fabulous cheering section- Special thanks to Gage, Charlie, Kristy, Jeremy, Jackie, John, and Joey!! And also Heather and Lindsey, who were there for others as well but it was great to see them!  I'm lucky to have such supportive friends!

After the show we all went out to a bar close to the theater and had a few celebratory drinks.  But the weekend was far from over!

Sunday morning I got up bright and early (again) and headed to judge a dance team competition for a former teammate, coach, and America's Got Talent contestant.  Yep- anybody remember West Springfield Dance Team??  It was another long day, but a great competition.  These kids are so talented!!

After such a long weekend, it was nice to go home and watch a bit of football with Joey, Doc and Chloe. 

More to come later on the backyard foxes (yup.) and this week's cooking escapades.

Make it a good one!!!

~SG

Bonus pic of the devil dogs...

Happy Halloween!

WOW It has been a while! And before I sincerely apologize, let me just riddle you with excuses.
1. We went on a cruise for an entire week
2. When we got back I had 6 hours of dance rehearsal (oh yeah, I joined a company!)
3. This week I was out of the office/extremely busy for the part where I was actually IN the office.

So now that I'm done making excuses, let's move onto why I'm at home on a Saturday night. Totally called myself out right there. Pathetic.  Truth is, we were so busy today, I'm not completely upset that I'm at home tonight. Although I really do wish I could've made it to my bff's Halloween Party.  But the weather seemed to have other plans. And if you are anywhere on the eastern seaboard, you'll notice it's snowing/sleeting/freezing raining/justplaincold.  So there goes that.  So we're flipping between Twilight and Toy Story 3 and drinking Coors Light. MAN we are so classy I can't stand it.

Re-winding slightly so I can talk about the dance thing.  There is a local dance company right here in Woodbridge- and I decided to audition for their winter show.  After the audition I didn't hear anything for almost 2 weeks. I was convinced I didn't make it. I even had a DREAM that I didn't make it. That's how certain I was. And then I got the e-mail that said "Congratulations! You are part of 2 pieces and you are going to have 6 hour rehearsals and not be able to walk for an entire week!" Actually.... it just said 'Congratulations'. But you can figure out the rest/why I've been feeling sorry for myself all week. Just yesterday I made it up and down the stairs for the first time without grasping the railings for dear life..........

Such a long update, I know. Now where are those cruise pictures?? Most of you have probably already seen them on Facebook... but here are a few of my favorites.  Let me recap our weeklong cruise by saying:

We had a great time. The weather wasn't so spectacular...so...we drank. Alot.

Guys. We re-made the "I'm on a Boat" video. It's AWESOME. Be prepared. I'll share the link.

Our entire crew on embarkation. BEFORE we embarassed ourselves.

Just a few friends that couldnt make it. Funny story- I was approached by a lady with her friend-on-a-stick to take a picture with my overly priced drink-in-a-discoball. And I whipped out these little babies and we all died laughing. The end.

This is the only appropriate picture from Senor Frogs. OK kidding but wow what a classy place...

Do we know these girls? Nope.

I know! Let's illegally climb onto the lifeboat pavilion. What a great idea.

Well. I'm sure you're as anxious as I am to see what Amanda comes up with in terms of the "I'm on a Boat" video.  IF you don't know what I'm talking about, A) I can't be your friend and B) click here.

I really hope you forgive me for sucking. I'm not sure I even forgive myself. But anyway... it's been a long day of car-fixing (who waits until 1 day before their registration expires to realize they need an emissions test, fails the test, and decides to make her husband fix her car?? me.), value city furniture shopping (new kitchen table!), kohls shopping (Joey desparately needed a couple suits for work), and pumpkin carving. 

I hope everybody has a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

~SG

Hawkettes

Just wanted to share a little bit of what I've been up to this summer!

Everyone's faces just crack me up!

Who Runs the World? GIRLS!

Lady Gaga and Drop Splits

I bought a CD yesterday. For the first time since like 2000 when the Backstreet Boys came out with ‘Millennium’.  I was at Starbucks, getting a humungous coffee in place of breakfast (healthy) when I noticed the new Lady G CD on the counter.  For 15 bucks.  Seemed like a good deal, as I had no knowledge of the Amazon.com 99 CENT promotion… so I picked it up.  The lady behind the counter told me I was the first one to buy it.  I thought that meant I should get it for free, but she didn’t think I was funny so I paid my 20 bucks and left with venti iced coffee and new CD in hand.

I popped it in the CD player (OMG your car still has one of those?!) and was going to turn to ‘Judas’ when the first song came on.   Since I don’t feel like writing an entire review, I will say that I like the CD very much, and that I am in LOVE with song #5, “Americano”.  Turn that baby on, put the volume up, and get ready to choreograph a dance in your head! No? Maybe it’s just me then…

What does Lady Gaga have to do with drop splits?  What even IS a drop split?

I’m so glad you asked.  Lady Gaga has nothing to do with drop splits, and a drop split is a dance term for OUCH MY CROTCH IS RIPPING.  Siiiike. Really it’s a kick line move where everyone jumps in the air (still linked up) and lands on the floor in a split.  It’s pretty impressive and difficult if done correctly.  After practice last night, I’m pretty sure I did it correctly.  Ow.

Other updates:

-Doc had his nails trimmed and while there was no blood drawn, he did bare his teeth at the poor lady.

-The 3 week plan is going well, although I won’t be getting my coach bag because I missed a workout last week. But I’m starting to notice my clothing fits a teeny bit looser, and I’m feeling more fit.  So I’m viewing this as a positive.

-CAN YOU BELIEVE it’s Memorial Day Weekend already?! 

~SG

15 Minutes of Fame

So today I was filling out my bio for the dance team website and it reminded me of a little incident that happened a couple years ago.

I was a Washington Capitals Red Rocker, it was the first season the team was in existence, and I've been known to put silly things on my bios in the past. [Wizards favorite quote: "There are big ships and small ships, but the best ship of all is friendship!"- This one will be making another appearance, if for no other reason than to annoy my bff Peyton.] 

I was going through all the normal questions- name, hometown, occupation, etc. and then it asked me what my favorite book was. Ummm???  It's not that I don't like to read, but that I just don't read that much.  Every time I start a book I have to re-read the first 50 pages three times because I got busy with life and didn't read for 2 weeks and then forgot what happened. It just doesn't work out for me. SO, being witty and hilarious (or at least I think so) I wrote that my favorite book was Facebook.

Fastforward a bit, the site is up for quite a while, and almost a year later I get a message from my friend Dave letting me know that there is a blog about me. So I'm all like, "Cool! Somebody's blogging about
me!".

Thankfully I was able to find it again and turn it into a jpeg so you could all enjoy it. Forever.

And to make matters worse, this wasn't the only one!

Credit to theviewfrom419.blogspot.com

Well, nobody gets my humor I guess. At least it gave the bloggers something to talk about?  I will say that TheViewfrom419's post wasn't really that mean and actually compliments the RRs.  And YES, if they ever google search themselves and find this blog, I WAS JOKING!!

**Also, this is a rant for another post but WHY do people think the H in my name is optional?? Like sometimes you use it sometimes you don't per above?? WTF!

So this time, there is no "favorite book" question, thank goodness. And I guess I didn't learn my lesson because I'm still using the friendship quote. But I say bring it on. If you are so lame that all you can do is sit at your computer and make fun of cheerleaders, then go get a life!  I recall once reading a fanpage thread comment about my occupation (financial analyst at the time) and the person saying something like "Who would trust HER with their money??" And it was all I could do to not make up a screen name and respond with,  "THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THAT'S WHO!!!!"

...I guess everybody gets their 15 minutes of fame!

~SG

PS: In my google search for the Facebook blog, I also found this! #13 on the countdown from 25 baby!!! Haha aaaand another favorite book reference. Fail.

Dancing and Jewelry and Roses Oh MY!

What a weekend! As promised, here is a recap of the past few days! 

On Saturday I auditioned for a dance team. I miss performing so much.  I found out about the auditions a few weeks ago from a good friend who happens to be the director. But that doesn't mean I had an easy-in. I haven't danced in 3 years. Though my technique and skills are remarkably intact, my body is NOT in shape. Not even a little bit. I had 3 weeks to look "acceptable" in booty shorts. O.M.G.

So that commenced healthy meals, extensive workouts and a lot of stress and online shopping. I only managed to lose 5.5 pounds before audition day. Nervous doesn't even begin to describe how I felt. But I went in there and I killed it. And I made the team.

I still have to continue with my fitness and healthy eating, but now I have more encouragement. Spandex. WHY are all dance uniforms made of SPANDEX!?! What team? Well, thankfully it is not basketball because I don't think I can watch anymore basketball ever. And no, it's not the NFL either.  This time, it's Major League Lacrosse! Oh yes, lacrosse teams have cheerleaders. So does World Team Tennis, hockey, soccer, etc. But I'm not in this to watch the game, or to get paid. I'm in it to perform and to entertain the crowd. Cause that's what I love to do!

Cell phone pic of (most of) the new team! When I get a better one I will share it....

After the auditions, I treated myself to a (skinny) caramel macchiato and headed to my good friend, Kendayl's house for a Stella and Dot party. This jewelry is SO fun! I got a couple pairs of earrings and
called it a day.

Sunday I got brunch with Amanda (yes, Amanda from the Disney World trip) and she gave me the COMPLETED DVD MOVIE of our Disney Vacation. It is so amazing, but it is 30 minutes long. I'm in the process of convincing her to break it up into chunks and post it to You Tube so I can share it here. 

Then I headed off to a fundraiser for the upcoming Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Washington DC (donate here!). I enjoyed cookies, cake pops (and took some home too!) and had the opportunity to shop with Pampered Chef, Willow House, Stella and Dot (again!) and CAbi (clothing line) for a 10% donation of all profits to the cause. I left with a few pieces for our soon-to-be new home. Very successful afternoon.

I returned home to these:

Sunday was also our 6 month wedding anniversary. Half a year in the books! Since we are dorks, we celebrated with a nice dinner out (hello, filet!) and came home and watched our Disney Vacation movie 3 times.

Yesterday it was back to work and to my first dance team practice. It was a GREAT practice, but I didn't get home until late and I was so tired today! I need to get back into the groove, and fast!

I hope everyone goes out and makes it a GREAT week!

~SG

GO MASON!!!!!!!!!!

LET'S GO MASON!!!

and LET'S GO MASONETTES!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the 2006 senior dance, choreographed by MOI ;) Enjoy!

HUGE WIN today vs. Villanova.  Brought back the memories of being courtside throughout the spring of 2006.  I will always be a Masonette at heart, and I am so proud to support such an awesome team!!

Bring it on, OHIO STATE!!!!!! (So they haven't won yet, but the score is currently 46-26............)

Go out and make it a GREAT weekend everybody!!!!!!

Trip Report: Day 3

Sunday, January 16th 2010. 0830. WDW, FL.

Today kind of happened in two parts. Part A was me going to support the Masonettes at Nationals. Part B was the rest of the crew going to Hollywood Studios and Downtown Disney. I'll start with Part A and then go back in time :)

Part A:

I woke up early, got ready, donned my "Mason Dance Team" tee shirt, and cabbed it over to Wide World of Sports to meet up with the family, friends, and alumni (we had QUITE the cheering section!) who were there to cheer for Mason. They were competing in the Pom division and the routine looked REALLY good in practice. Their goal was top 3 and they had worked so hard! I love catching up with my Masonettes alumni. We were like a family during college- we spent more time with each other than we did at home, especially over winter break (what's that?). We watched all the teams in our division, cheered REALLY LOUD for Mason, and then we had a few hours to kill. Good thing we got to watch some amazing dances while we were there. We ate a lot of stadium type food, (I passed on the beer....for now) and took some funny pictures. I did some fouettes in the hall, ya know, the usual...

Masonette Alumni showing our serious pom skillz

Hours passed (I won't bore you with the dance details) and suddenly, it was time for awards. I don't get nervous when I compete, I get nervous for awards. It is SO NERVE WRACKING!!! They sit you on the stage and go from last to first, it's awful. There were 10 teams in the final competition. As they went from 10 down to 4, we DIDN'T HEAR OUR NAME, this was HUGE!!! Mason was awarded 3rd place (nationally) in Division 1 Pom. This is humungous for Mason- previous best was 5th (my year! Woop!) and we had never medaled. I am SO PROUD that I was part of the building blocks for this team to get 3rd place in a national competition. The alumni were jumping up and down like we were when Mason won the game vs. UCONN in '06. It was that kind of moment. But enough about me....

2010-2011 Masonettes with their Medals and 3rd Place Trophy!

Part B:
Obviously I wasn't there for this part so I am going to do my best. From what I know, they woke up eventually and headed to Hollywood Studios, where the crowds were horrendous.

The Crew without me at Hollywood Studios

They got a fast pass for Tower of Terror and saw the Muppets 3D movie. (One of my faves!) Their Tower of Terror experience was hilarious. Warner bought the pictures and subsequently left them on a Disney Bus... thank goodness for awesome Lost and Found!

Tower of Terror

I'm glad I didn't have to go on this ride... it is a free fall drop and while it IS a Disney ride, it's still my least favorite due to the anxiety I suffer while waiting in line and up until the very second before we fall. After that, they decided HS was too crowded, and they headed over to Downtown Disney. They were stalling because I had strictly instructed them NOT to go to EPCOT without me. See tonight we were scheduled to go Around the World... and, just in case you don't know, Around the World is a drinking adventure where the participants have a drink (or 2) in each "Country" in EPCOT's World Showcase. There are 13 countries. It's a lot harder than it sounds. Trust me.

Anyway, they went to Downtown Disney, got some lunch, and did some window shopping. By this time, my extremely impatient husband wanted to get the show on the road, so they went to EPCOT (but promised me they wouldn't drink a drop!). They rode Spaceship Earth while they waited, and Peyton and Casey went to Mexico to have a few beers. They missed the memo about not drinking. This was the beginning of the end.

AROUND THE WORLD

I finally arrived at EPCOT with my Masonette and XO pal, Krystle, in tow and we met up with the crew and Krystle's fiancé, Robert, who had met up with the boys in EPCOT. It was FINALLY time to start the festivities. We took a "before" picture of us in our jerseys, and I met a very drunk woman who latched onto my wrist and wouldn't let go. It was terrifying.

Before...

Then we went into Mexico and started the fun with a shot of tequila and a Dos Equis.

Let the games begin!

By the time we arrived in Canada (country #2) it was clear that Pasey (Peyton + Casey) had had quite a few beers. We worried they wouldn't make it! In Canada, we drank our Moosehead and found a hidden Mickey in one of the totem poles.

Joey pointing out the hidden Mickey...

Next stop? The UK! We all drank cider from the Rose and Crown, and I had a good time calling the phone booths and watching confused children answer the phones when they rang. In France we got Grand Marnier slushies- orangely delicious. By Morocco, it was clear that we needed to eat some dinner. Luckily Morocco has the most amazing food EVER. I always get the Shawarma Lamb Platter. It's effing amazing. This was also the time when Peyton and Casey left. I guess they underestimated how difficult it is to drink around the world! Japan was our next stop and here is where we lost the boys. Krystle, A Love and I decided to wait for some of our Masonette friends, so we sat down under a tree and had a long conversation about ???.

Celebrating with Masonettes Alum

Since this post is getting long and boring, I'll finish up with:

Joey and Warner made it all the way around the world, drinking in every country. We (the girls) met up with them in Mexico after sake bombs, turkey legs, bud light, etc. We ended our night in Mexico with some light-up goodies, lots of tequila shots, and some margaritas.

End of the night, back in Mexico!

Joey, Warner and A Love left ahead of me to go home while I hung out with my girls for a bit longer. So I had a nice relaxing walk out of EPCOT at the end of the night with my margarita in one hand and wearing my light up Mickey bopper ears. I must've looked SO cool when I ran into my friend Amanda and her Mom...

When I arrived home to Saratoga, I was greeted by A Love and Joey who were waiting for me outside the room. We decided to let Warner sleep it off..... so we went to the hottub and probably scarred this little kid for life. Except his Dad seemed to think it was funny that 3 drunk people were hanging out in the hottub with his 13 year old kid. Whatever.

The day was over, Mason got 3rd, Joey made it around the world, again, and Warner did not pass out in a bush. I'd say that was a pretty successful Day 3.

~SG