life update: j-cise instructing

This past weekend was a big one for my life: I became a certified jazzercise instructor! Most of you know how passionate I am about jazzercise, and for the past year I'd considered instructing, so of course I'm excited to begin this new challenge. I'm happy to report that there weren't really any super-embarassing episodes at my audition (I didn't have to use the tube, thank God!), and we all had a great time practicing our moves and learning the "ins and outs" of the business.


"Remember: YOU control the tube; the tube does not control YOU!"


By the way, if you've never heard of jazzercise, here's a description for you (straight from the website):

"Jazzercise combines elements of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, kick-boxing, and more to create truly effective programs for people of every age and fitness level. Increase your muscle tone, flexibility, balance, strength, and endurance using easy-to-follow movements. Each 60-minute class follows a perceived exertion curve....Jazzercise is the world's leading dance fitness program choreographed to today's hottest music, including Top 40, jazz, country, funk, and classics. Since 1969, millions of people of all ages and fitness levels have reaped the benefits of this comprehensive program."


If you want more information, or if you want to locate a class in your area, just click on the link that I've included over in the right column. And if you're ever in the Arlington/Falls Church area, be sure to come to one of my classes (which will hypothetically begin in August). You can laugh at me while I attempt to look coordinated and not hyper-ventilate into my microphone. :)


here's a really blurry picture of my group at the workshop/training...you can't really see us, but maybe you can get the general idea. I'm in the front with the white top.

check this out: 4-year-old djembe player (he's incredible!)

You must watch/hear this video! This kid's AMAZING at playing the drum!
click here to watch the video

Rain, Rain, go away.

So lately the East Coast's getting pounded with heavy rains and intense thunder storms. Our house hasn't esacaped the drama. Last night rainwater was pouring into Elizabeth's room. Because she lives in the basement, her window's just inches above the ground. Last night's rain pooled into her window's storm-drain, covering her window. Water came rushing through the newly-installed window. When I got down there, this is what I saw:


And when I looked out her window I felt like I was looking into an aquarium. We were eye-to-eye with a frog, who was swimming in the storm drain. My other roommates, Sarah and Bethany, were outside, bailing the water out of the storm-drain. Eventually, the flooding stopped and they put umbrellas and plastic over the drain to keep the water out.


Craziness.

school story: the LAST DAY!

today was the last day of school at cornerstone!!! it's been quite a year, full of challenges and rewards. i'm so thankful to God for his faithfulness in the midst of everything. now my classroom's all packed up and i'm ready to relax for a couple months.

here are some pics from the last day:




only some of my students showed up (of course)...what a goofy group of kids. :)



with miracle and gabrielle...they each grew about 5-6 inches since the first day of school!



My classroom, all packed up. :)



Ms. Gibson and Ms. Romaneski.

funny story & poll: speedo-wearing biker

So today on my afternoon commute home from school, I encountered a sight that made me both laugh out loud and shudder in disgust. I was waiting to merge onto the GW Parkway, and at that point in the road, the bike path is only a couple feet from my car. So anyways, there I was...waiting, listening to music, minding my own business...

Suddenly I look over to my right and see an older man (probably in his 60's) pedaling his bike, WEARING NOTHING BUT his helmet, his sneakers, and a SPEEDO! Because of where I was in relation to the bike path, I got a clear view and, believe me, I saw a lot of flesh!!!

It was like a train wreck: I wanted to look away, but I just couldn't...I couldn't believe what I was seeing! After the intial shock wore off, I bursted out laughing and quickly remembered that I was supposed to be merging onto the Parkway...I glanced in the rear-view mirror to see that the man in the car behind me was laughing too.

So, let me ask you...Is riding a bike in a speedo an okay thing to do? I would ask if anoyone out there has ever done it before, but that might be too much information.

school story: field day

Our school joined up with the other Cornerstone School (on Capital Hill) on June 14th for a day of games, relay races, cheer-contests, and food. Ah, Field Day!



When's the last time you participated in a sack race? It'd been awhile for me. Lemme tell you, it's so much harder than it seems...and yes, Ariana beat me.



I was a co-captain for the NAVY BLUE TEAM. We were the "Gnarly Navy Newts." By the end of the day, we were exhausted.




The staff of Cornerstone Beulah Christian Academy.

photos: my brother, jonathan

my younger brother, jonathan, is down in ft. rucker, alabama, learning to fly an apache helicopter.



he looks pretty cool, eh?