Trying on a new outfit!

Figured out how to make my blog look nice.  What do you think?  Maybe I'll try another one!

Key-ute

I stole this picture form my SIL's post. This is my cute niece.  And my cute sister in law took this cute picture.

Well, i' got betta...

I do feel a little better than I did last night. And everyone at work today was really nice and complimentary. They reassured me that I don't look like a boy.

I got a haircut!

And I look like a boy.

I have had this haircut before, but the guy who was cutting my hair, went waaay too short.

Seriously, I look like a dude.

The things I do for a free haircut.

I learned my lesson...I'm going to grow my hair out and never cut it again!

I'm it!

I was tagged by the lovely Alicia, to post 7 random things about myself.
Ya know tag's are great way to talk about yourself without feeling guilty for talking about yourself. I mean I was TAGGED! I have to respond, right?

So, let's focus here. On me... :)

1. After a long day of rehearsal, I kind of feel proud of my bruises, floor burns, split toes and swollen feet. I guess, I feel like their signs of all my hard work. Oh yeah. I'm soo tough!

2. I want to certify in and teach Yoga.

3. If I'm ever nervous about an important phone call I have to make, I usually will pace, while on the phone, until I'm really dizzy and have to sit down.

4. I want to learn Spanish, French, German and Yiddish. Especially Yiddish!

5. Am I there yet? ok. Well...I can cluck like chicken!

6. I'm a little self-conscious when it comes to cooking. (well, if it's not from a box)

7. I love coloring! I have 3 coloring books (2 Disney princess books and one pirate) and 96 box of crayons.

Went for a walk today. I started on 200th and walked up to Inwood Hill Park.  It situated near the Hudson River (west) and is between 200th and 218th streets.  It was such a pretty walk.  It didn't look like the above posted picture, but the green trees are showing signs of changing.

For those of you who have been to Manhattan to visit and have seen Central Park, know how beautiful city parks can be.

Inwood Hill is especially nice.  Not because it has manicured gardens and glorious fountains.  On the contrary, Inwood Hill is very overgrown and a little more wild.  It's also smaller so not all of Manhattan is cramped inside the park.  AND you get the added view of the Hudson River.  It's really pretty.

I don't know, maybe I was just so enchanted by my walk today.  Plus, I took a walk just a little before Sunset, my favorite time of day.

Teen Appreciation

Today I went to the Stake Annual Youth Fundraiser at the stake building on E 87th St

The fundraiser was an all day event. It started out with a Tag Sale from all the donated items from all the wards. Then there was a dinner and a roadshow, put on by the youth. I, however, was only able to attend the dinner and roadshow.
The dinner was huge! They had so much food! Especially desserts. (me: "uh oh")

Then they presented a show based on the journal writings of all the pioneers who trekked to Utah. It was all highly entertaining and well organized (the youth in this stake have AMAZING leaders. Truly. They are incredible people).

I am so grateful for the youth in our stake. I am grateful to be, in small way, a part of their life as they grow up in the church. Now, I'm only their Sunday School teacher, and I have them for about 1hour every Sunday, so realize I'm not as involved as their Young Men/Young Women leaders are, but I just feel so excited to be able to teach/discuss with them the gospel, for that short time each week.

I love seeing how they react when responsibility is given them. How, despite the world's view or their friend's point of view of what's cool, they STILL participate happily in YM/YW.

I see how well they respond when their treated like an adult. When their given trust and responsibility.

Whether they realize it or not, they are great leaders and missionaries.

I am learning a lot from their examples.

Good stuff...

I've been watching Lord of the Rings, lately.  

I come home from long hours of rehearsal and the first thing I do when I get home is put on Lord of the Rings while I cool down,  stretch and make dinner (last two are not done simultaneously)

As I've watched all 3 discs, I find myself so energized by the themes in the story.  I realize I'm not the first to recognize these themes, but for whatever reason, right now, I am finding myself thinking more about how these themes relate to me/us and the world today.

I guess I'll just list the themes I've found.

Themes:

By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.

Be prepared physically and spiritually.

We are all Kings and Queens and are destined for greatness!

We have the ability, despite the crumbling world around us, to have hope and to press forward and choose righteousness.

Having good friends and influences in our lives can carry us through in times of trial and weariness.

We are Children of God. And in order to win the war against evil we must be of one heart, mind and purpose.

Courage is key.

And the are many more.

It might seem kind of nerdy for me to stop and ponder on these things. And the movie itself is pretty gruesome at times. But I think the themes are there, nonetheless.

I just realized, in the time I'm watching LotR I could be doing more productive things.  Although, to be fair...I am Blogging while I watch LotR.  That counts right?

Bum-Buda Buuum!

This is my 100th post! Wow. I feel so accomplished! I should celebrate with a pat on the back...pat pat...ah, that was nice.

Privy to information

That is such a cute word, Privy. It makes me giggle a little. After saying it, I want to put on a white wig and 16th Century costume and talk in British accents saying, "what is to be done of this Darcy fellow!"

This last week, I attended Enrichment. The theme for the night was families. They gave us the choice of 4 classes, which we could attend 2 of them. One was on FHE, Scrapbooking, Family History and Blogging. I took the latter two. Attending the Family History class, I realized how clueless I've been to the wonderfully simplistic NEW and IMPROVED version of searching for family names. I also realized I need to do more research on my own family history.

Next I attended the blogging class. It was lead by some pretty radical sisters in the ward. I'm a fan of their blogs. In the class they gave a little handout, pointing out reasons for starting a blog, blog etiquette, and pluses and minuses of going private.
It made me stop and ponder my own reason for starting a blog. It was to t connect with ALL my family back in Arizona, Utah and California and to friends spread all over the world.

So then I wondered, am I doing what I initially set out to do? Or am I becoming self-absorbed and blog only to gratify the narcissism within me.

I might have to answer yes to both of those. I'm enjoying my life right now and feel very grateful for the adventures and opportunities I've been given. And feel anxious (sometimes so anxious, that I feel like a little kid) to share.

But I also like to blog to hear the comments and thoughts of loved ones. So maybe narcissism is an extreme word to use here.

Anyway, where was I?

Oh yes. Well, even if I am narcissistic, just know that I love reading your blogs and I love reading your uplifting comments.

In fact, just yesterday I was going through my blogs and found an entry where I was quite sad and depressed about recent events. But everyone was so encouraging and helpful. I read it NOW sometimes to give me courage to face struggles.

Oh! I also am debating whether or not I should go private. OR i could try being anonymous in my blog, come up with alternate names and places. I could be Betty. Or Vudeja!

I've been couped up all day in my apartment with no one to talk to, so I think this is why I am getting so lenghty and random in my entry. Much apologies.

Please accept this funny video of a strange cat, as means to express my sincerest apology. (you can always depend on weird animal tricks to make you smile)

Why I love it so much

I can't figure out how to post videos.  So I'll just have you click on this, to see why dancing is just so awesome!  This is a company I just recently heard of,  called DV8 Physical Theatre, their based in the UK and their work is so interesting to watch.  I especially want to learn this. And this guy, David Toole is amazing!  

Oh wait.  If that wasn't enough this duet is neat to watch.  

You might think I'm crazy to get to obsessed with it.  But it is just so darn cool!

Sorry I'm so lame when it comes to figuring out theses technical things....

And please feel free to give me your honest opinion about each one (if you get that far) you don't have to like ANY of them, but tell me what you think. 

Girl's Camp, Panama and 2 years of Bliss

Well, as promised I'm going to fill you in on what I've been up to lately.

The summer has been sort of blur, except for the last couple of weeks, where I was lucky enough to travel around.

I've always enjoyed reflecting on my summers, they've always seem to be eventful and fun. Last summer, I was able to go to a family reunion at Lake Powell, make a trip to see my family, and then go to Europe!

This year has been quite fun as well.

At the end of August (i think it was around the 18th?), I was able to go to Girl's Camp for my stake. I was the Level Leader for the First Years (or 12 year old). Going to camp with these young women was an awesome learning experience for me.
It was a different than what I experienced at camp, but it was perfect for a group of girls from Manhattan. There was of course, the same spiritual emphasis, but it was well...different.
The Camp itself was beautiful and we had a TON of fun. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera, so I have NO pictures. I think I'll need to ask around for some photos. And then hopefully, I will be able to go again next year and then I'll actually bring my camera. (or maybe a disposable one)

But after I came back from camp. I had that evening and the next morning to prepare to go to Panama.

Panama was a special experience. In a small way, I sort of felt like Nate's greenie missionary companion. Almost everyday we were visiting people he had taught and (sometimes) baptized. I could understand little and then speak even less, but the people we visited were very generous both spiritually and temporally. I felt very comforted and loved by their generousity.

While in Panama we stayed with a family Nate baptized, in Cerro Batea. We also visited the sites like the Panama Canal (both the Miraflores locks and the Gatun Locks), Fort San Lorenzo, and Panama Viejo. We traveled to the interior of Panama, which was beautiful, hiked through the jungle, heard a family of Howler monkeys on our hike and swam in the Carribean. We also celebrated our 2 year anniversary a little early at a resort in Gamboa. That was also beautiful!

And I can't forget our trips to the newly dedicated Panama Temple. Now that was a testimony builder! Seeing those saints, prepare, attend, and talk about the temple was truly special.

After coming back from our visit to Panama, I had a week before I began my new dance job. I am pleased to say, that I will be dancing with the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company. This last week was my first week and I am looking forward to blending in more with the company and learning more repetory.

September 19th (National Talk Like a Pirate Day) was our 2 year Anniversary, so we spent that evening together taking a sunset ferry ride over to IKEA (in Red Hook, Brooklyn) for a romantic dinner at the IKEA cafe. (Remember, we had already celebrated our anniversary in Panama)

So, now I'm just trying to get settled into a new schedule with a new company and working on my goals for the next year. And despite the financial and worldwide distress, I think this is going to be a good year.



The Miraflores locks and Mola's on display in Panama Viejo.




The Resort at Gamboa and hiking with the Howler Monkeys



Happy National Talk Like A Pirate Wedding Anniversary Day!

ok ok ok

I know it's been awhile, but I just recently got back from Panama and before that I was at Girl's Camp with the NY NY Stake.  So, needless to say, I have things I need to write and share and pictures I need to post.  And then I start my new job (woohoo) next week. But I am going to use the excuse of just getting back into the swing of things...so give me a few more days.  Thanks!

Ikea and Camp

Well, today is suppose to be a productive day.  I get to sit at home until our IKEA furniture is delivered.  This could take all day, but I'm not trying to think about being trapped in my own home all day long.  Rather, I am going to take this opportunity to work vigorously on my Girl's Camp stuff (and to also look at/write blogs).

I wish I could say I was making all my girls personalized, hand-stamped stationary or some cute little hand-out that has a die-cut shape of the temple on it, but I am not the cool of a leader.  

Besides, I think the girls will have fun just the same, with or without fancy hand-outs.  

I already have one idea for a devotional, I'm just stumped on a second idea. 

Should I talk about modesty? or entertainment?

Or should I remind them of the importance of writing in their journal?

Maybe remind them of the importance of living an honest life?

I feel like I do this with my Primary class as well. Like I need to tell them EVERYTHING I can so they are prepared for the yucky stuff that goes on out there.  

I'm getting excited for Girl's Camp.  I had some pretty great memories growing up.  I hope my girls will have just as much fun.

The Hamptons, Dahling!

I made a trip last weekend with my friends to perform at The Jewish Center for the Hamptons out on Long Island, specifically the East Hamptons. It's about 3 hours from Midtown Manhattan.
My friend, Adam, choreographed an evening of dance in the most beautiful synagogue. The JCH put us up in a neat, old house a cross the way from the synagogue Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of where we performed, but I did get some of the surrounding neighborhood. We had about 4 hours to go explore and walk around the area.



This is the house where we stayed


This was gorgeous inn down the street and a cute house with beautiful Hydrangeas in the yard.


Let's explore....Amelia and I went to the beach. So beautiful!


We had a room with 4 beds in it! It felt like a slumber party!
Adam entertained us with movie reenactments! And then we went
out for drinks and Pelligrino at this downtown restaurant.

Help!

My Dear Blogging Friends,
This may seem strange, but I'm very desperate and I know I can turn to you for support.

You see, I have an addiction.

I was in Arizona when I began to watch "So You Think You Can Dance" and well, I am anxious to see who will dance the best jive. Who will perform with the greatest of ease. Who will be kicked off?! But I have no TV! No way to pacify this craving!! They are already down to the top 8 dancers and I have to see who wins!!! I mean, I suppose I could wait until it's all over, but I think I might EXPLODE!!!

ahem...sorry.

If you too, suffer from this addiction, please call me. We can do this together, discussing the abstract beauty of Mia Michael's, Ave Maria. Or who makes the best pas de deaux.

Please don't think less of me. I usually have more self control.

(heeeellp)

Visiting AZ!

I'm here in Mesa, AZ visiting my family, while my husband is back in NYC working hard to bring home the bacon! Mmm...bacon. I miss the guy.

In the Woolf family we have our priorities. So as soon as I got off the plane, my mom picked me up to take me to my sister's house to watch "So You Think You Can Dance" (I love this show. And am unofficially announcing, that I am auditioning next year).

If you look closely, you can see that my niece and nephew are hard at work, playing their Webkins! Treyjen is a professional computer gamer. He will be in the sequel to "Fist Full of Quarters".

My parents get fresh local produce from Bountiful Baskets Co-op.
It's about $16 for all this produce! They got mangoes, plums, cilantro, onions, honeydew, nectarines...And everything is DELICIOUS!

So what do you do with all this food?

You make a Bob & Larry!


(Sorry. Don't know how to flip that picture.)

Yesterday, we went to THE GREATEST Frozen Yogurt place in the state of Arizona! Heck, I'd venture to say it's the best FroYo place in North America! Mesa Frozen Yogurt rocks my world! And it's $2.00 cheaper than what Tasti-D and 100 times for flavorful!

I also went for a swim in my sister's pool and I hate to say it, but I got sunburned. GRR! I don't want to get skin cancer! But hanging out with these cuties was worth it!

My saucy new bike!

It's a MongoosePro, Rockadile! It came with nice little reflectors and slightly used helmet.

AND IT'S RED!  It's the neatest thing.  My sweet husband searched all over Craig's List and totally scored with this bike!  It was a great deal.

I keep trying to find time when I can go take it for a ride.  I still get a little 'Bike Bum' when I'm out riding around too long, but it's worth it in order to see NYC in a different way.

Our first bike ride started in our neighborhood (Dyckman-200th St), we then biked all the way down to Battery Park City.  Basically the whole length of the island.  The path we took went along the Hudson.  It was such a gorgeous ride being on the water.  It was fun discovering some new sites.  

These sites are actually pretty close to where we live! I want to do a picnic/photo shoot in the little column walk way thing.

I have more pictures, but my computer is taking  years to upload anything!

Don't worry, I'm planning many more bike rides and I'll post more pics!

Quickie Post

About a month ago my best friends came out from Atlanta for a visit:

We went to the manicured gardens in Central Park.

Julia and I went to 3 VERY different auditions.

We made and ate several delicious dinners.

Watched So You Think You Can Dance.

Went shopping.

Took Joe Lanteri's awesome lyrical class.

Did a cool treasure hunt.

Baked delicious whole-wheat chocolate chip cookies.

I love these guys and miss them terribly.

I'm just glad that email and cell phones

help keep us in contact. If only there was transporter

from here to Atlanta.  Or if we could just Apparate.

Since gas prices and airlines are cutting us any slack.

Gratitude

I just got out of church about half hour ago and I am feeling very grateful. 

I am grateful for:

-the joy and lightness I feel after being inspired at church

-the wise and faithful leaders of the church.  For their diligence in their callings, and the examples they are to me.

-lessons in church that always seem to apply to me, at that particular moment in my life

-missionaries and their examples of obedience and courage

-for my simple, but heartfelt testimony of the gospel

-being able to read the ensign and be inspired by the life of Prophet Thomas S. Monson

-the simplicity of the gospel

-Book of Mormon stories

Going to church is so simple. But it is such a great blessing.  I wasn't expecting coming home from church, feeling so light and happy.  Whoohoo!