Very superstitious, writing's on the wall

While biking in to work this morning, yet another little blog post light bulb went off... but then I quickly dismissed it. "I can't talk about that, it's not set in stone yet... if I do, I'll jinx it..." I thought. And so my blog sits empty for yet another day.

I then realized that I'm a little superstitious. I fear that if I talk about something too soon, it will be jinxed and won't materialize into reality. I do this in real life as well as in Blog Land. When Homeboy and I started dating back in February/March, I didn't tell a soul. I wasn't hiding it per se, but I wasn't shouting it from the rooftops, either. Our friends harass us now about how long it took us to finally "admit it" on Facebook ('cause nothing is officially official until it's on Facebook, right?). I think that when I get the feeling that something good has fallen into my lap, I protect it in it's early stages, sheltering it from anything that I think may compromise it's survival until it's grown enough to support itself. Weird? Anyone else do this?

There are things on my life horizon that I'm hiding, things I want to share with you and write about. Do I take a risk and share? Do I ignore my superstitious fears, trusting that most end-results are in my control and not completely abandoned to fate? (I'm dramatic, no?)

Yes.

So, my job is ending next Friday. August 5th is my last day. I didn't get canned, I didn't quit... In a nutshell, my position was a temporary appointment and while I knew my employers would have jumped through the HR hoops to extend my appointment if I had asked, I chose not to. I just have this feeling that it's time to move on, that it's time for a new chapter. No, I don't have a replacement in place at this point, beyond my Avon business and fitness teaching. Maybe I should be more worried than I am, but I'm not stressed about it. In fact, despite the challenges I'm going to face, I feel like this is what is supposed to happen. I feel like it's time to finally jump head-on into the myriad of self-employed projects and dreams that I've put on hold for so long... I hope. I mean, I sense that my Avon business and my fitness teaching could be so much more than it is right now, but I struggle to find time to put into them because my time is spent here at my 9-to-5. And I don't love my 9-to-5. I never have loved any of my 9-to-5s, for sitting at a desk job sucks my soul, but ironically that is always the type of job I've had.

And then there is school and dance. More projects and dreams abound there, as well. That's a post for another day.

We Heart It

I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared. But I just have this feeling that it's all going to be okay. I have faith that it will all work out fine, for the best... I just have to keep trucking along, pursuing and fighting to make my dreams reality.

xoxo
J

She's got legs

I'm obsessed with legs. A dancer's body is amazing and beautiful and it's the legs I love the most. I can spend hours pouring over dancer pics, trying to soak in all the beauty and strength and artistry for myself. My eyes are drawn to the legs first, always.

Drew Jacoby and Rubinald Pronk, two of my faves

Of my dance peers whom I admire most, it's not just their impeccable technique or performing prowess, it's also their strong, beautiful legs.

via We Heart It

I constantly fret about my body, if it's strong enough, flexible enough... really, I never feel it's enough of anything, I feel like I have miles of training and conditioning to go, concerns all dancers obsess with, methinks... and of course my worry includes how my body looks. I'm sure you can guess which area I'm most obsessed with...

via 1x.com

It's a constant love-hate battle for me, I won't lie. Yes I'm tall and thin... I didn't earn the nickname Mama Long Legs from friends for nothing, I guess... but I'm still uber-conscious of my legs. I know, I know, I am my harshest critic. And the reactions I get when I admit this obsession to people goes something like, "what?! shut up, you're fine, you look great, stop worrying!"... but I continue to worry. And I continue to lunge, plié, squat, relevé, downward dog and cardio kickbox, aiming for stronger, bendier, beautiful legs like the gorgeous dancers above. I want to be a badass in tights.

xoxo
J

Midsummer

Hold up summer, what's the rush?? Chill. Kick off your flip flops and stay awhile. Your company I love the most. (Slight panic creeping in upon realization that it's already July 15...)


So lovelies, how are your summers? Mine is going too fast. As usual. I'm not getting done half of what I planned. As usual. But no matta! I'm not going to let that bring down my mood.... there are still about 6 weeks of summer goodness to milk.

Biking is going well for the most part. There have been some not-so-fun adventures, of course. Apparently North America gets monsoon weather, and despite being land-locked almost smack in the middle of the country, Colorado gets hit with it, too. I'm talking hella crazy thunderstorms, rain and hail. It's been better this week, but last week was truly monsoon-y. Which inspired an emergency visit to the bike shop to pimp my ride with front and back fenders to avoid the street-grimed-legs-and-mud-butt results of rain biking. Not a good look when meeting with Avon clients, ha! And one afternoon I hid under a tree during one particular torrential downpour, attempting to stay quasi-dry. Good times.

I did get a break this week... a friend of mine often travels for work, so while working across the pond in London town this week, she allowed me to borrow her car. My quads were very grateful for the vacay! And arriving dry to work and Avon meetings has been lovely :)


Things I'd still like to do before fall semester begins... Hike a couple more montañas. Pool. I've not nearly had enough pool days. Read while sprawling on a blanket under a tree in the park. Sit on more patios, drinking margaritas, mojitos and sangria. Eat lots more corn on the cob. Catch up on SYTYCD... I'm waaaaay behind. And HARRY POTTER, bahhhh!!

Whew, I have a few things to do over the next 6 weeks. I better get a move on...

Pics via We Heart It

Happy Weekend lovelies!

xoxo
J

Pedal Pusher

So. I'm sure you've all been waiting with bated breath since I last mentioned a pending change in my corner of the 'verse, so I am here to finally spill the beans. Last weekend I downsized from four wheels to two. No more car for me... I'm now a full-time bike commuter!

Most people ask "What happened??" with great concern, but this was a choice. The short version of the story is my youngest brother and his girlfriend are the lucky parents of the Cutest Baby Alive, my nephew. Life has been throwing them curveballs right and left, and one curveball in particular has been the inability to find a car that stays running for longer than a week. Cars are expensive, but when you have a little one a car is pretty much essential.

So I gave them my car. On Father's Day, I handed my brother an envelope with the keys and the title signed over to him. And then I asked him for a ride home :)

Sure, it's been an adjustment... I now only carry the essentials for my day – lunch, laptop, ballet gear, basic Avon business stuff and items to freshen up post-ride. Feel the burn, baby! I may be in shape, but any new activity requires muscles to be used in new ways - I was ready to call it a night by 9:30pm all last week and I’m not an early to bed gal. On Friday I calculated approximately how far I bike in a day, and it came to about 15 miles. Not bad. Oh, and the appetite! I’m a hunger monster anyway, but my food consumption has gone through the roof. The money I’m saving on gas and insurance may be traded in at the grocery store. Holy moly.

What was one of my biggest fears? Helmet hair, ha! But honestly, it's not been as bad as I expected. My bangs fluff back to life without too much effort. And my morning routine is much simpler, allowing me more time to snooze. There is no point in doing a full blowout or makeup face nowadays. Again, I was worried I’d be a hot sweaty mess upon arrival at work, but I change from biking getup to work-apropos outfit, dab on some powder and lip gloss, and I’m good to go. Thank the stars I work in a casual office.

Any inconvenience or adjustment on my part is far outweighed by the benefit to my brother and his li’l family. It was the right thing to do, so no regrets. FoCo is a very bike-friendly little city, so that helps tremendously, too. And you know I'm still sporting my girly style... hot pink Nike backpack; pink, black and white helmet; and my nails are still polished... today is sparkly red Ruby Slipper.

Wouldn't mind if this was the view on my commute...

All kinds of bike-related posts have been swirling around my helmeted head… such as beauty/fashion posts, potentially titled “Biker Babe Beauty” or “Pedal Pushing Pretty”… We’ll see what happens!

images We Heart It

Happy Monday lovelies!

xoxo
J

Friday, you lookin' fiiiiine

Twas a rough week! No major drama, just serious sleep deprivation. I spent the last week house and dog sitting a town away, which was a good samaritan thing to do to help out my friend, but I'm not gonna lie - I can't wait to get home tonight! I haven't really slept for about 7 nights now and I'm a hot mess. Every night it was something different... the pillows were tweaking my neck funny; the house was hot; the dog decided to bark and play around 3am; I babysat my 6-month old nephew overnight one evening, and the little guy still wakes up in the middle of the night for some grub. Got a little taste of mommyhood there... I will happily rock mommyhood someday, but I'm good with putting that off just a bit longer!

Still the reigning champ of the Cutest Baby Alive Award!

So, YAY weekend and being back home!! Friday is lookin' fiiiiine. What's on my weekend agenda?

Tonight... bed, sleep, passing out. End of discussion.

No sooner do I get home that I leave town again... Tomorrow I head to Denver for a joint birthday bash for some good friends I haven't seen in awhile. Many of the party-goers are hip hop dancers so the dance floor should be bumpin'. I miss that crew... If I'm not too distracted by the awesomeness that is sure to be demonstrated on the dance floor, I'll snap a few pics for le blog. Maybe I'll even be brave enough to jump in there myself. These peeps are legit, so we'll see.

Sunday is Father's Day of course, so I'll spend the day with my dad. This usually includes some bomb barbecue on his part, which will be the perfect cure for birthday dance party recovery.

And then it will be back to the grind before we know it, le sigh...

Ooh, and I have a li'l change happening over the weekend, so the next time I pop in I'll have some news... never a dull moment 'round here!

What are your weekend shenanigans??

Happy weekend loveys!

xoxo
J

Look who's 3!

My blog turns 3 this week! Since I myself am a December baby and was never able to have the pool party I always dreamed of, I will throw my blog one, right here...

Can't have a party without balloons

I want our guests to have options

Party favors

We'll top the cake with berries picked fresh from our garden!

I'll be here all day, folks

Just because the sun goes down doesn't mean the party's over...

Enter the DJ

Images via We Heart It

Who's going to join us??

xoxo
J

Lunch of champions

I know better, I really do. I've taken Human Nutrition courses, read plenty of legit nutrition scoop and even hired a personal trainer earlier this year to help contribute to my health quest. I've experienced first hand how much better I feel overall when I'm eating like a health rockstar. Being an athlete, I know the importance of fueling my body. I know what efficiently fuels my body and what's just fluff. I know my jazz.

But sometimes I don't do so hot, and this time the budget is the culprit.

A tricky budget is nothing new in my world, but I always figure it out one way or the other. I'm not always the wisest of consumers and I waste money on things that I convince myself I will die without, which then takes those funds from more important things or goals. One of the bigger goals being returning to student status in the fall and finishing my dance degree next spring (I took this last year off due to finances, for those readers new around here). I'm so close, only two semesters to go!

I've been chipping away at some hefty past-due tuition at the university over the last year and now that I'm down to the wire - two months until fall semester! - I'm in full-on penny-pinching mode. If I had forced myself into said mode months ago this wouldn't be so critical now, but c'est la vie. Long story short, I'm cutting corners and food is one of them... which means three days this week so far I've eaten cup o' noodles for lunch. Ah yes, so nutritious.

I know, I know... you don't need to tell me. But to help give myself some peace of mind, I give my cup o' noodles some oomph with half a tuna or egg salad sandwich (eggs and canned tuna are great cheap protein options, P.S.) and whatever fresh veggies were on sale that day at the grocery store. I keep snacks simple with more veggies and/or fruit and a protein such as yogurt or cheese. And Homeboy has saved the day by feeding me substantial meals for dinner.

I know I can do better than this. I know it's possible to eat on the cheap without sacrificing all nutritional heft. It simply a matter of getting creative and disciplining myself to meal prep better than I have over the last several months. And although I may know my jazz, I don't doubt that there are ideas and tips you all might have that are new and fresh to me... so please send your own healthy-but-cheap strategies my way!

Bon appetit!

xoxo
J

Packed with a punch

The week was short and sweet but jam-packed full o' goodness.

Numero uno: it is officially summer, y'all... wahooooo!

We Heart It

Okay, maybe not technically until June 21st, but whatevs... June 1st rolls around and it is officially summer in my mind.

Numero dos: Ballet Club is LIVE! Those of us dancers who stay in the FoCo over the summer get together to do ballet and other dance, yanno so we stay in shape and prevent losing all the fierce technique we fought so hard for during the year, [obviously] dubbing it Ballet Club. This year I want to get t-shirts made... Anyone know of any cheapo tee-design websites?? And P.S., you don't use it, you lose it. I am out. of. shape. yo. Well hello there, dance muscles.

Numero tres: SYTYCD! I rarely watch TV but this one I arrange my schedule around, if possible. As cheesy as it may sound, the show completely inspires me... many of those dancers are uh-maaaazing. And truth? It was Season 4 that inspired me to march my little patooty to the CSU Dance Department and sign up. Can't wait for the Vegas call-back show next week.

Numero quatro: Cardio Kickboxing and Strength. This is the group fitness class I teach on Friday mornings. I channel my inner Billy Blanks and do my best to do him proud. My bf (yes, there is a bf on scene... see #5 below) is such a trooper and attends my classes. Um, coolest bf ever! I love teaching... no matter how groggy or not in the mood I am when I roll out of bed on Fridays, after class I am bouncing off the walls and the effects last all day. Every Friday so far = best mood ever.

Numero cinco: Boyfriend. Hmm, whaddya want to know?? We officially started hanging out in February, Valentine's Day to be exact... I know, I know, barf right? But it was not an official Valentine's date - it was very spontaneous and unplanned and involved a romantic dinner of Five Guys burgers. But he's awesome. Really and truly. I mean, the guy attends my fitness class, and that's just the tip o' the iceberg. Something HUGELY awesome about him is the nonstop laughter. We are so dorky and silly together and we make each other almost-pee-our-pants laugh. MUY importante, mis amigos. So now that I've let the cat out of the bag, maybe you'll hear more about him from time to time... stay tuned!

That is all. I will leave you with a video that the bf, whom will be known as Homeboy from here on out, posted on my FB wall last night. He says it makes him think of me. He often comments on my seemingly boundless energy. I guess he's right, but I never really thought about it: I don't stop moving. Enjoy!

Happy weekend, lovelies!

xoxo
J

I'm a junkie... but it could be worse

I definitely took up residence in Funkytown earlier this week. An exceptionally snarky visit by Aunt Flo plus relentless gloomy, rainy weather did not a happy Jessi make. I know the exact solution to shaking my grumpypants, but when I feel like crap and the weather is dark grey and soaking wet - for days on end, ahem - well, all I want to do is park it on the couch with some B&J's Dulce Delish!

Mmmm, craaaack...

Not a good combo when you have your first cardio kickboxing class to plan. Or accomplish any of the other 37 things to get done by Friday. Yanno.

But then a li'l 30-minute core conditioning lunch-hour class broke the spell! It was all I needed to remember that I'm a ninja who can't be kept down. Two lessons learned here:

#1. A quick sweat sesh is kryptonite to Unmotivation. Life bombards us with a gajillion reasons not to go for that run/bike ride/hit the gym/pop in that Jillian video/dance around the house like the next So You Think You Can Dance candidate (yes, this counts... and yes I do this). And the Excuse Monster is Unmotivation's bestie, so beware. Even 20 minutes of anything that gets the blood moving will roundhouse kick those two square in the family jewels... so in the words of my fave brand, JUST DO IT.

My M.O.

#2. I'm an endorphin junkie. But really, I already knew this.

And to bring this mood turnaround full circle, imagine my surprise when I apprehensively peeked out my curtains this morning and saw blue sky and SUN - I think I audibly squealed. So yeah, I guess I'm a UV/vitamin D junkie, too. Ah well, there are worse addictions I suppose.

And speaking of SYTYCD... t-minus 6 days y'all... BOOM.

Happy Friday loveys!

xoxo
J

Wind in my sails

So I started writing this post yesterday (Wednesday) when the wind truly was heinous... now it's calmed down to a gentle spring breeze. Nonetheless, here's my rant on Wyoming's wind invasion and how I'm really just jonesin' for summer and a new bikini...

I'm not sure what's going on here in NoCo (northern Colorado), but Wyoming has invaded... if you're not from 'round these parts, that translates to chilly hurricane-gale winds. Don't even bother doing your hair. Glancing outside, it's all sunny and blues skies, making you think "yay, spring!" but upon stepping outside you immediately regret not grabbing a fleece... YUCK. It's May - I don't want to wear boots and sweaters and scarves anymore, y'all. And if any of you know me even a smidgen, you know I'm a summer girl to the core. So, I'm going to channel the SoCal sunshine some of you lovelies whom I blog-stalk (Maegan, Lizzy, Mrs. Swede, to name a few...) have been making me green with envy about, and put together one of those fun summer fashion wish lists... yanno, for when the real summer weather shows up.

I've decided that my 4-year old bikini needs an upgrade. It's holding up quite well for being a boutique Target purchase many moons ago. I do love it - it's a classic triangle li'l number, chocolate brown with real seashells sewn onto it and it would fit perfectly with the tribal theme that is all the rage right now - but I've decided to switch gears and go with one of my all-time fave classic styles: nautical!

I'm dreaming of navy blues stripes, anchor prints and top-siders as my pool uniform this summer. Here are some internet finds inspiring my hunt for the perfect ensemble...

Ahoy there Roxy!

The price is right on these Payless pretties. Espadrilles are my fave summer sandal of. all. time.

I'm having a helluva time finding a nautical/sailor-inspired bikini. I just spent that last couple of hours perusing the interwebs and am quite frustrated. How do you fashion blogging gals do this?? Oy, not my forte. I'm not a endurance shopper in real life (I crap out after a couple hours, typically crabby and ready for food), and I guess the same goes for the 'webs, too. But! I did find this, which is PERFECT...

Nautica

... except... *le sigh*... there are a couple dilemmas. Numero uno, it's $64 for just the top. Um, not exactly in my budget. Numero dos, the smallest top size they have is an 8. Uhhh, yeah, my tiny ta-tas are not quite an 8. Sooo... a little help?? If any of you online shopping mavericks could point me to some sites with bikinis similar to the one above with a lower price tag, I would be eternally grateful!! I'll bake you cookies. And maybe send you a present ;)

23 days 'til the pools open here in NoCo!!

xoxo
J