Birthday PARRRty

Geez. You would think I would get tired of pirate-y things.

But, here we are again...

If you are hanging out in AZ over the Christmas Break, come on over to my Pirate-themed birthday party! It's the same day as famous ballerina Gelsey's. Sure I could do a ballet theme, but I think she would agree that Pirate-themed is best.

Gimme a call or shoot me an email if:

1- I know you (I'm talking to the infamous Salahi, party crashers)

2- And you'd like to come!

GingARRRbread House

Wellity, wellity wellity. Howdy-do? As you can tell, I've been a little behind on my blogging. Oye! This has been a rather busy time, as it is for ALL of us.

Well, I just wanted to let you know that my time hasn't been idly spent. In fact, I have proof of my hard work. Some friends of ours had a gingerbread house party. And being the nerd that I am, spent 2 weeks thinking and preparing for said party. However, I went a different direction with my gingerbread "house".

I couldn't find a few things, such as blue cotton candy, but there is always next year.

Notice the eyepatch and peg-leg of my buccaneers

I found some chocolates that looked like seashells

The AFTER picture.

I LOVE playing with my food!!

Things I am grateful for

-Bananas

-Apples

(Obviously, I have eaten some delicious fruit recently)

-Toothpaste/brushes

-A body and mind that function properly (well, when I let them...sometimes I prevent myself from functioning well, because I decided to eat a giant piece of cake or when watch mindless tv)

-Family

-Friends

-Handwritten cards

-The Temple

-The Gospel

-Creativity

-Good books

-Dancing and performing

-Yoga

-Opportunities to expand my knowledge

-Hot Showers

-Movie quotes that bring people together *("I like to whisper too!"...."Fra-GILE! I think that says Fragile"..." Every time I try to talk to someone it's 'sorry this 'and forgive me that' and 'I'm not worthy"...."Chewing gum helps me think" --"Sweetie, your wasting your gum")

-Social Interaction

-My progenitors

-Massages

-Internet

-Phones

-My home

-Freedom

*Five Hundred Cool Points to anyone who name all 4 movie quotes (or 125 CP each).

And so it begins...

It's the start of the holiday season. It sort of seems strange to mention "the holiday season" before Thanksgiving, I usually associate the holidays solely with Christmas. But Halloween is a holi--wait, I just looked up holiday in the dictionary and it's not, by definition a holiday as no businesses actually close on this day and no one has this day off from work. (of course, if that is the definition of holiday, then in the world of the arts, Columbus and President's Day are not holidays)

But, I digress.

Either way, I am happy that it is this time of season. I love fall. I like baking. I don't like the pudge that comes with it, but that's another issue.

I love the silly costumes that come with this month. I actually was hoping I could dress up this year for Halloween, but surprisingly, I'm working that day/evening. Well, I'll have a little free time at night, so maybe I can dress up as something generic.

I would like to mention what I wanted to dress up as this year...maybe I can put more thought in it next year and really pull it off.

Ok.

These may seem a little obscure, if you've never seen these specific movies. But they are the bomb-diggity if you have.

#1:

The Swedish Chef.

The best part about dressing up for Halloween, is not only do I like dressing up, but I enjoy pretending to be like the person I'm dressing up as. "Spurgyflurderschmorgendoggen....Bort Bort BORT!"

#2:

Baby Jane Hudson. From the movie, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.

This would be a great Halloween idea. It's a great movie with legendary actresses and it's a plus, because Baby Jane is a total nut case!

#3:

Fanny Bryce. From the movie, Funny Girl.

You don't have to be a big Streisand fan to appreciate the hilarity of the scene where she's dressed up and performing as a pregnant Ziegfeld Girl. It's classic.

I realize that in posting my ideas, there is a chance these ideas could be stolen. (shifty eyes...)

Well, if you want to do it! I would love you for it! It's good stuff.

Random thoughts

This nice fall weather is sure making me nostalgic for some outdoor adventures. Like long hikes, camping, or apple picking.

I also miss having a backyard. A place where you can walk outside, plop yourself on the ground and have nice clean place to read your book or have a family barbecue or dinner.

Well anyway, I went on a nice bike ride around my neighborhood parks, and although I ran into areas that were shamefully littered, there were areas that had a nice view of the Hudson and had cute little families running around playing.

Maybe I'll put up some fall decorations around the apartment. Ya know, decorative fall leaves and a little pumpkin.

I think I'm getting anxious to be in a schedule and be active and working. I feel like I'm in a bit of transitional period, right now. Perhaps I should prepare myself before the madness begins. Set goals, create good habits, etc.

We'll see.

Bread machine : 1, Anna: 0

(I just realized that I often will keep score with inanimate objects in my blogs. Tin can-1, Anna-0...hmmm.)

The bread machine hates me. I keep trying to be creative and make things like applesauce bread and banana bread, but the bread machine laughs in my face and makes me look like a total dunce! Well, maybe I am. But either way, I just wanted to make some yummy bread without heating up the house. I mean, those are kind and wholesome things, right? To share delicious bread with the world in my nice cool apartment.

Part of me hopes that after about an hour (which is still the time left on the machine) I will be pleasantly surprised and my bread will turn out fine! Yet, I have ruined bread before.

Why doesn't this homemaking stuff happen instantly?

Maybe the recipe on the website was not accurate? Yeah. Yeah, sure. That's it.

What do you do if you put to much yeast in it? Nothing, I suppose. It's too late.

sigh...it's just too late.

Hubby appreciation

I feel like I should also thank my husband for his love and support in this ordeal.

The Sweetheart was there waiting with me while I sat in the pre-op area almost in tears, (I was incredibly nervous--more than I needed to be) he held my hand and kept my mind on other things.

And after surgery, he came in and gave me hugs and kisses and filled my prescriptions. He carefully walked me out of recovery room and hailed a taxi home.

Once home, he made me applesauce, a cold compress and lots of water. He also made our bedroom into a little theater, so I could snuggle next to him and watch (and fall asleep to) movies.

When I was coherent, I really enjoyed all that time with him. I love that guy so much.

Post-op and pretty

Last Monday, was my final surgery after a year and half with the cyst.

I almost don't believe that it's gone. But, I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.

Mom came into town for that week, for moral support. She's a super lady. She kept me company while I was healing. We'd play games, laugh at Bill Cosby sketches, and when I had more energy we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art--twice.

It's always so nice to have her in our home. She is so pleasant and easy-going. And one of my best friends.

Here's a pic of my mom and hubby chilling out, literally. Our bedroom is the coolest room in the apartment (notice the A/C unit in the background. It was set at like 69 degrees!)

So we like to hang out here often.

Mom also kept herself busy by making me a new skirt! She is so talented!

I explained to her what I wanted and we picked out the material and she came up with the design all her own. I love it!!

She also altered a shirt, which she made in the seventies. It's has the most beautiful embroidery. I've always loved this shirt, but it never fit right.

So with her amazing talent she came up with this!

I think this was the most productive surgery and recovery I've ever had!

If you're lucky she might make you something...

Update #497

I know I probably talk about this incessantly on my blog, but I've had this for over a year now, and it has really affected me.

Yup. I'm going to mention....the cyst. My parasitic nemesis.

Mr. OKC. (Odontogenic Keratocyst)

Actually, I just realized--all this time I've had this cyst, not once have I given it a nickname.

How about Dengtigeron!

Yes. He can transform into yellow liquid and wriggle his way into tiny areas and then expand and crush all that lies in his path! Mwahahaha!

Well, anyway, Dentigeron is finally going to be removed tomorrow morning. Whoo hoo!

I have to be up and at the hospital by 5:45am. My surgery is at 7:30am.

And over the past couple days I have, in a sense, been preparing myself for tomorrow's events.

I recognize that I will be out of it for the next week or so, so I wanted to be sure that things were in order during my recovery.

Here was my list:

Clean my apartment

Shave legs

Do laundry

Receive blessing

Some of these items seem like obvious things to do before an operation.

But, never would I expect myself feeling as though I needed to shave my legs.

However, I think I came up with a good reason.

I am going to be loopy and swollen for about a week. A week is about the time it takes to grow a decent amount of leg hair. Will I want to shave my legs then? NO! So, then after two weeks of not shaving, I be feeling better and my legs will be at a scare factor of, say, a 2 instead of a 5!

Sweet!

Anna-1 Leg hair-Nada

oh and Dentigeron-----Hasta la vista, cystie!

How to give yourself a facial

I am going to show you the best way to make your skin the freshest and clearest, through simple steps of a DIY facial.

Step one:

Buy a face mask.

You can purchase a face mask at your local pharmacy. Make sure it's green. That seems to be the "it" thing these days. Being green, right?

Step two:

Apply mask to face and wait a good 10 minutes to let it get all hard and crusty. However tempting it may be, DO NOT EAT THE MASK.

Step three:

As you may find your face is completely immobile! Try your darndest to make normal faces without cracking the mask. It's quite fun. Almost like getting Botox injections...nearly every expression looks the same.

In order:

Languid, Pensive, Sultry, Confounded

Step four:

Once you've tried out a few facial expressions, now give into temptation! Let loose! Stretch your face and break through the mask! It will crack and flake all over. Again, DO NOT EAT THE MASK.

Step five:

You know what's next.

Wash it off!

Step 6:

Ta da!!! Now you have a beautiful, healthy glow.

Now GO! Seize the day!! If you've got it! Flaunt it!

Zony-ana

That's how my niece used to say Arizona.

Yup. You guessed it! I'm in AZ visiting my awesome family.

It's been am exciting visit. Well. MY definition of exciting.

Playing with nieces and nephews.

Playing Rockband with the sibs.

Going to Mesa Frozen Yogurt.

Swimming.

Eating Ned's Crazy Subs and Mesa Frozen Yogurt.

Staying up talking to family.

Watching movies with family.

Going to Goodwill.

Watching SYTYCD with family.

Going to Mesa Frozen Yogurt.

All such exciting things.



Pictures and more descriptions to follow

Words of Wisdom

Just a few quotes from, beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson:

“The spirit must be freed from tethers so strong and feelings never put to rest, so that the lift of life may give buoyancy to the soul. In many families, there are hurt feelings and a reluctance to forgive. It doesn’t really matter what the issue was. It cannot and should not be left to injure. Blame keeps wounds open. Only forgiveness heals. George Herbert, an early 17th-century poet, wrote these lines: ‘He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven, for everyone has need of forgiveness.’”
( Hidden Wedges, Ensign, May. 2002, 19.)

“The battle for self-discipline may leave you a bit bruised and battered but always a better person. Self-discipline is a rigorous process at best; too many of us want it to be effortless and painless. Should temporary setbacks afflict us, a very significant part of our struggle for self-discipline is the determination and the courage to try again....Eternal life in the kingdom of our Father is your goal, and self-discipline will surely be required if you are to achieve it.”
( “Pathways to Perfection,” Ensign, May 2002, 100–101.)

“Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but also as a determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well.”
( “The Call for Courage,” Ensign, May 2004, 55–56.)

“As parents, we should remember that our lives may be the book from the family library which the children most treasure. Are our examples worthy of emulation? Do we live in such a way that a son or a daughter may say, ‘I want to follow my dad,’ or ‘I want to be like my mother’? Unlike the book on the library shelf, the covers of which shield its contents, our lives cannot be closed. Parents, we truly are an open book in the library of learning of our homes.”
( “Dedication Day,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 65.)

"Can I call you Dadoo?"

I am grateful for my father. Grateful to him for his strong testimony of the gospel.

Grateful for the time he took to raise me, to teach me and to listen to me.

I'm grateful for his example.

A father's love can transform and shape the lives of his children.

I'm thankful for my relationship with my papa.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

quick update

Just finished my season with the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company. For our last show we traveled to Detroit, MI to performa at the largest Jewish Community Center in North America. It was a pretty schnazzy center. It was an enjoyable performance. Except I think I bruised a rib or something, during our dress rehearsal. After the show, audience members congratulated us on a job well done. I suppose you can say they were kvelling! ;)

Our next performance isn't for another 4 weeks. So until then, I'm going to spend time trying to continue to improve my dietary, spending, what-to-do-with free-time habits and any other habit I need to fix.

Today was sort of my recovery day. As a company we've going strong and working hard for concerts this season. We've had, on average about 2 performances a month. Which doesn't sound like a lot, but for some reason, I'm feeling it today. And in retrospect, I wasn't sick once this whole season! Cool! I've kind of been fighting the urge to go and pamper myself now, for doing such a good job in my first season with the company. Sure I'll take an epsom salt bath and going to PT, but I need to not overdo it. I can't have all my money disappearing!

But anyway, being a new company member can be difficult at times. Learning 6-7 rep pieces and a new piece can sometimes feel like your brain is going to explode. But it didn't and on Sunday (at JCC in Detroit) at one point I actually got goose-bumps while I was dancing! What a thrill.

I feel proud for the hard work I put in to it and yet feel humbled to be able to perform and do what I love!

Well, I suppose I that's sort of it for now.

But, maybe I'll let you know how I'm doing in my self-improvement this summer.

Hope this looks okay.

We'll see if this background is a keeper....

Blogging

Bloggers,

May I recommend one thing.

Please go back to previous blogs of yours and then sit down and have a nice read.

It's like reading journal entries. You are surprisingly uplifted by your previous posts and things that people have commented about your posts. You also discover strengths about yourself.

For instance I discovered that I am really funny!

Hilarious, actually.

Enjoy. :)

Oh man! This is torture!

This is the ONLY time where I miss television.

You see, we own a tv and a dvd player, but we don't have cable or anything hook up to watch television.

Now, I usually don't get so crazy over TV shows, (for instance, I enjoy 30 Rock and others, but I'm not sad if I miss a few weeks) so I feel justified in having no shame in my 3 month, summer TV obsession.

That's right, tonight is the beginning of...

So You Think You Can Dance!

Anyone else big fans? Care to share your TV with me?

As incentive, I'll trade services for TV time. Cookies? Cakes? Foot Rubs?

How did that happen?

So along with purchasing a paper shredder. A life saver, truly.

I couldn't resist buying a few "board" games (neither actually includes a board).

Hate to turn my blog into a commercial, but you HAVE to try out this game. It's so fun!

Plus, it will probably make you 10 times smarter and increase your word power.

It's really...uh...really great.

BANANAGRAMS!!!!

This next one is a family tradition. I have memories of staying up late playing a few rounds with my mom. This will also make you really...really...really smart.

That's right, PERQUACKY!

Oh man, let the good times roll!

I know what (I'M DOING THIS) summer.

I've been thinking about summer, lately.

Things like:

Where am I going?

What am I doing?

As well as some other unimportant details, like where can I find an A-line, knee-length, denim skirt with front pockets? I'm quite specific on what I want. Anyone know where I might at least find a pattern?

I digress...

I'm really looking forward to summer this year. Some of the time will be spent doing what others tell me to do (ie work) and some of it will be spent doing whatever I decide to do at the moment. I like this combination.

Part of my summer will be spent rehearsing, teaching and performing. June has trips to New Jersey and Detroit. Never been to Detroit.

Then later in June (date pending, could be august or so), I am going in for my final jaw surgery. Yipee! I'm kind of bored with this whole cyst thing and I'd like to get it all over with. Who knows how much my insurance is going to cover a hospital visit, but so far Heavenly Father has been blessing me with pretty fortunate situations. I mean golly, I have insurance, so cool!

But if not, I have faith it will work out in the end.

July I travel to Amherst, MA for work. Then I'm off to Mesa, AZ to see mi familia! Another Yipee! Oh man, that is going to be awesome.

August I'll be rehearsing for a show in Flushing, Queens (which hopefully will allow me to collaborate with the hubby. Nice) then, doing a summer intensive out at Keane University in NJ. Good times.

The rest of the time will be spent getting in shape (4-pack here I come! I'm a realist, not an American Gladiator). Doing Physical Therapy, yoga, class, etc. Working at the temple, learning more spanish, reading. and getting into the habit of personal study in the morning.

Sheesh. After writing it all out, I'm afraid it's going to go by too quickly. I'll just have to remember to savor every moment.

Untitled

Okay. I've been neglecting my blog, I know.

But to be honest, often times, I'd rather go to my family and friends blog and look at adorable pictures of growing families, fun adventures, hilarious stories and inspiring insights.

Also, what I have to blog about isn't nearly as interesting. In fact you might call it boring/annoying/frustrating/depressing---take your pick.

Organizing.

I, actually do enjoy organizing...no, wait. Let me re-phrase that: I enjoy having things organized.

Especially when it comes to my home. Now, I'm not the crazy types, you know like those crazies that, uh...gosh, I can't even think of an extreme organizing example. That's how unorganized-minded I am! (unorganized or disorganized...?)

Well, anyway. I want to get organized, so I'm thinking of purchasing a paper shredder and filing cabinets. Mostly, the reason why our home feels so disorganized is because we have tons of random bits of paper. Old and unimportant documents that's cluttering up our tiny little apartment! (frustration is beginning to bubble up now....basingstoke. basingstoke.)

But should I buy more stuff to make myself organized? A paper shredder I think I can see more of valuable purchase, but what about filing cabinets? Anyone have ideas? Or maybe you would like to come to my house and organize it all? Hmm? Any takers??

Pump me up with your good advice. Or maybe if you know a good reliable paper shredder...

(desperation creeping, creeping in.....GAAA!)

What a character!

(sorry family, this is a repeat for you, I just had to share with my friends!)

This is my cute niece. (So VERY cute)

If you look closely. She has nice little accessory on the back of her hair.

Yup. It's a Dum-Dum!

Kids are the greatest!

Me. In an Opera House. Sa-weet!!

This is a picture of me dancing on the stage of the Wroclaw Opera House.

Yup. I pretty much love this picture.

Not sure how to edit this one.  Let me know if you know how...

But this is a picture of me and the ceiling of the Opera House.

And this, of course a pic of my dirty foot.  An opera house isn't used to barefooted dancers and therefore, had hard time keeping the floor clean.   Eww.

After the show, the company took the dancers out to eat at this restaurant, where we had our own room with plush chairs. 

Needless to say, I felt like royalty....

(yes that is wine in my hand, but it was borrowed for the pic for effect)

Poland Continued

This is a picture of hotel they are renovating, across the street from the Opera House.  If you look closely at the picture, the balcony that you see there (slightly masked by a drop cloth) was not part of the original design. No.  This balcony was constructed specifically for Hitler when he came to make a speech in Poland.  eerie.

Below are some cool buildings of Wroclaw's city square.  The photos were taken on two different days.  We had 2 half days to go explore, the rest of our time was rehearsing.  

There were also several little gnomes around the city, just hanging out here and there.  Some where on window ledges, some hanging off lamp posts.  Not sure why.

And of course, I got a picture with Papa Elf.  For whatever reason, posing with this character wasn't as nearly as creepy as is it with some "street performers"

This a picture of the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company in downtown Wroclaw.  Cool!

Below is a picture of a the University and one of it's lecture halls.  Pretty cool.

 A picture of the company rehearsing in the Opera House rehearsal hall.

Hey family...remember when I brought back those random kids books from Montreal? 

Look! It's Gofrette the Cat! On TV!  

Apparently he has a TV show and there are plans to bring him to the states!

Trip to Poland

 

We arrived in the city of Wroclaw (Vrot-Swav) at 10:30am,  after a somewhat long, yet fairly comfortable flight.  A taxi drove us to our hotel, just outside, but within walking distance, of the city-square and the Opera House.  After checking in, I sleepily made my way up to our hotel room and found this on our TV screen...

Yes.  It was a screen of champagne glasses and roses, with a note from the concierge, welcoming us to Hotel Orbis, specifically "Pani Woolf".  Which means "Miss Woolf"...ooh...personalized!

The Hotel was mostly there for sleeping in, that's it.  In Poland you are allowed to smoke in restaurants, lobbies, bars, and hotels.  Our room wasn't too bad, as it was a Non-smoking room, but several of the rooms on our floor were definitely smoking.

Then, in order to fight off any jet lag, we went walking around the city (for 6 hours...whew, I was exhausted.  Mind you, I had already been up for a good 20 hours. So by the time I got to bed, it was about 36 hours without sleep.  But, it was worth it!)

So the next couple of photos is of the more historic part of Wroclaw.

Above Left, are statues that gradually make their way down below the

street level, which represented those who "disappeared" or were forced to go 

underground during Soviet rule (let me know if that is not totally accurate).

Above Right is a picture of me in front of Town Hall.  I'll say once and I'll say it again...such great architecture!

Above is a picture of me jumping for joy in the city square.

The buildings in downtown Wroclaw are so colorful!

Top is a picture of the Opera House where we, rehearsed and performed.

Below is the logo for the festival.  I thought it was pretty cool.

I have to go now but there is more to come, so stay tuned...

Oh. About Pollack jokes...I don't know if they can ever be told in good humor. I say this because of the origin of Polish jokes.  After WWII, word was spread as to how quickly Poland was defeated by German and Russian forces (just over a month).  And shortly thereafter, Pollack jokes  appeared, making fun of Poland and how quickly they became occupied. 

And after reading about Poland history, AFTER WWII, I have great admiration for Poles. Despite their historic struggles, Poland is quite resilient and tenacious.  

So no jokes from me sorry.