Thanks

Today was much better. The sun came out and I felt the love and encouragement of good friends.

I hope to do the same for you!

Crummy Day! Looking at Clouds of Grey!

On my way to where crazies meet! (ripped from Sesame Street song)

Yeah, today was no bueno. I'd say my biggest successes were:

Waking up, feeding myself, putting on clothes and arriving, on time, to planned destinations.

That isn't to say that I'm not grateful for a bed to wake up in, food to actually nourish my body, warm clothes and decent transportation.

I was just hoping to be more useful as a human being. You know, like thinking and being coordinated. Since that is probably considered to be in my job description. Not that I wasn't trying, but it felt like every 5 seconds I was doing something wrong. "No. Wrong. Go Back. Do it again. Nope. Sorry. Uh....no."

And then it just started to build up, until I thought I was going to burst into tears, yet I swallowed my pride and trudged on. Cheery faced and determined.

5 o'clock descended and I thought, "Well, I did it! I kept my composure and didn't dissolve into a puddle on the floor.

But, then came the walk home...

First, I fell going UP the stairs, while carrying 2 bags and a box.

(oh no, the eyes are getting watery....wait...deep breaths...ok)

Then, a guy exiting apartment building, essentially refused to hold door open for me. What?! Do I look like a Burglar?!!!

(here come the waterworks?....no. no. Suck it up woman)

Then, I went grabbed the mail.

(What?! No Netflix? But, I need it!)

Next, came the elevator. Got on, pushed button to floor. Elevator, then proceeds to skip my floor and end up 2 floors above my desired stop. Which means I get to brave the stairs again.

(Filthin' Foul Filth!)

Finally, I made it to my door. Open door. Walk in. Put things down. And think, "At times like these, you just gotta laugh, right?"

"WAAAAAAAH!" "Boo Hoo!"

Well, I feel a little better. I never actually bawled my eyes out, but I indulged in chocolate, while whining to the blogging world, about things that are really quite trivial.

Then again, this is my blog and I'll cry if I want to. :)

Mesa FroYo Meets Ferngully

Bad Hair. Good FroYo.

sigh...

All good, adorable, fun, delightful, delicious, silly, uplifting, exciting, and totally awesome things must come to an end (or at least be put on hold).

sigh...

I can't wait til summer.

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....