The Year a Crazy Workout Called Zumba Changed my Life: My Zumba instructor story

So as many of you know approx 1 year ago I set the goal to become a Zumba instructor. Crazy I thought at the time, but now I can honestly say it was probably one of the best things I have ever done and its amazing how learning to teach a silly Latin aerobic class can really change your life. So first of all I know your all wondering why? Why in the heck did this uncoordinated blond friend of yours who you know doesn’t ever even dance much decided to become a Zumba instructor? Well first of all for the past 3 years Zumba has been my life saver, after having hip surgery 3 years ago and having to stop doing all my favorite exercises including kickboxing and at the time running, I found Zumba was the only thing I could do and some how fell in love with it.  I also saw the amazing impact an instructor can have on a class. For the past few years I had an awesome instructor that made me happy, she had this light and positive energy that made me love going to her class and that helped me so much when I was having a bad day. It was so infectious that my friends loved her as well and we looked forward to going to Zumba together every week, it really was crazy the impact one person could have on us. In addition, I decided to do it because last year I turned 30 and one day I woke up and realized I needed to set a new goal  and do something different, Idk if I was going through a mini mid life crisis while deciding what I wanted to do but thought came to me why not learn to teach what you love to do and hopefully help people the way others have helped you. So even though it sounded quite scary and frankly kinda crazy I said why not do something completely out of my character and comfort zone and see I learn.

So I got brave a got licensed and the first 3 months of being an instructor were awesome! I started out by doing something simple and less intimidating by teaching at the church. I remember my first class I was too nervous to teach too many people so I had some of my aunts and cousins come as my guinea pigs and even though I wasn’t that good we had soo much fun and it almost made me laugh to see other people copying what I was doing. I then got braver and invited other people to come to my class and ended up teaching on sat mornings at the church. It was so fun to see them happy and excited as I taught and I just loved the energy that came from it and that I was in part helping them feel that way even though part of me we wondered if they were just coming for entertainment, idk, lol. During that time I was also given the opportunity to teach a few young woman’s classes and it was a blast! That was when I realized how powerful learning a skill like this was in helping other people and making them happy and I loved it!

                   

Then in March I decided I wanted to push myself a little harder and make an attempt to try out at the gym I went to. I knew this would be a challenge because they don’t teach you very much in Zumba training abt how to be an exercise instructor and shoot I had never taught aerobics before and had no experience at all. But I felt really good about it so I decided to go for it and see where it took me. In that process I was able to talk with the Zumba instructor I loved and to my surprise she said she would help and I was so excited. During that time we worked together I learned a lot I’m not going to lie it was crazy intimidating, I mean wouldn’t you be? I don’t even think I would even let see my friends see my practice, lol. But I did and was so grateful for her patience and the time she took out of her busy life to help me. Over a period of time she then allowed me to teaching a few songs in her crazy huge class of 50+ people and that was when I realized it was the coolest thing ever! Looking back on it I can’t believe I did it but there was just something super awesome about having all those people follow what your doing and the energy is so amazing, it will be something I will never forget!  I was also able to be a part of some group Zumba dance parties the gym puts on and I cannot tell you how cool it was to be on the stage with the instructors and be one of those people I had always looked up to, it really was like a dream!

But unfortunately when your trying to work for a gym they have high expectations and based on my lack of experience it was fun but also became very stressful. I was a beginner and had a lot to practice and learn and I kept thinking it was going to get better so I kept working hard but when the day came for me to try out I was exhausted and I knew I wasn’t quite ready, so I didn’t make it and it was pretty much the worst feeling ever. Luckily the gym boss was nice and wanted to pair me up with another instructor to improve which I was grateful for, but then things never happened and weeks became months and I wondered why I worked so hard and felt soo good about doing something that would end up being so horribly bad. At that point really wanted to say forget it but knew I would never forgive myself if I quit and really wanted to believe that if you work hard enough at something you can achieve it so I got back up, took what I had learned, and set a goal to have my own class by Sep and practiced. 

Finally August rolled around and as hard as it was I got myself back up on the stage to try out one last time and this time did awesome!! I felt so confident and my class went really well and at that moment I knew I had finally achieved my goal! But while up there a funny thing happened, I thought of my family and friends I helped in my church Zumba class and realized that I’d rather be helping them and that teaching at the gym wasn’t right for me. So a few days later when I talked to the gym boss to my surprise I declined working at the gym and an amazing peace came over me. It then was about a week later that I was called and ask to work with the Young Women in my church on wed nights and I knew that was we’re I needed to be and then fully understood why thing just didn’t work out back a few months ago.To end my experience I was able to join them one last night for a Party in Pink Zumba dance party and it was perfect way to end such end and finish such a crazy awesome challenging goal.

Now you probably wondering what in the world I learned from all of this and how it changed my life. Well you see though this process I learned that I can do hard things, that no matter how hard things might be that if you have faith and work hard at something you can achieve it and if I could learn to do something as crazy as teaching Zumba I can pretty much do anything. I learned that if I can get up in front of 50+ people and dance then speaking in front of a large group of people is easy, lol and as a result have become a happier confident person. I also gained a greater understanding of gods love for me as he gave me basically everything I would have ever wanted to experience and more before he helped me understand that it was not my path. In addition, was able to lose 20+ lbs and be the healthiest and thinnest I have ever been in my life! But most importantly through this experience I was able to get to know and become friends with that instructor who helped me so much over the years and more importantly in a small way be there for her during a difficult time in her life and that is something I am forever grateful for.  

All and all my year of teaching Zumba although trying at times has been such an amazing experience and something I will never forget! I am grateful for the opportunities I was able to have, people I was able to meet, and now I couldn’t be happier being back teaching the people I love on Saturday mornings. I am also here to say that if you have a goal or anything you want to do even if it seems hard just do it and believe in yourself and you’ll be surprised what you can achieve. Sometimes it is worth going out of you comfort zone and pushing yourself a little. I mean really who would have thought all of this would happen?? Certainly not me, lol. If an uncoordinated super white girl can learn to do this, I’m pretty sure you can do anything too! :) What an awesome adventure it has been and I am grateful it is now something I can call part of my life!

                             

Cruzin the Amazing Amazon: Mission Brazil

As many of you know I have a love for travel and medicine.This year since it had been a while, I decided it was time to go back to South America so I signed up  to go to the central part of Brazil and work in some small villages, which of course I always love. I had always wanted to go to Brazil, but I will admit I was a little disappointed to find that our area would be no where near the Amazon which had always been my childhood dream. However, as time progressed for some reason things changed and literally 2 days before I left I got a crazy call that we had been reassigned to the Amazon! Kinda really crazy, but you can imagine my excitement!!

To get there I had to fly on a ridiculously long redeye flight to Miami and then we took another night flight to Manaus, Brazil. From there we hopped on a bus and at literally 3 am climbed onto this random boat we would call home for the next 9 days. This boat consisted of 3 decks all out doors except for some showers and toilets on the second floor. It also had little laundry place on the bottom and a little kitchen on the top. In addition, it had a ton of hammocks that were super close together. While most of us were in a little bit of shock that this was where we would be sleeping, since it was 3 am we all basically said OK and found a spot.

Surprisingly sleeping in a hammock wasn’t too bad, but it was a little difficult because we were packed in like sardines and whenever you would move you’d hit the next person, it was like a domino effect. There was this one time when we were going and the ship stopped and we all swag back and forth like one of those little ball things you find on an office desk. It was good quick bonding experience for us I suppose, lol.

Each day of the trip we would get up, eat breakfast made by our lovely Brazilian cooks, then travel to our destination, and get to work. The Amazon itself was an amazing place, it was soo peaceful with tons of birds and plants.

There were areas that made it feel like it was a lake lake and others areas that were small and narrow that looked like swamps. We saw a few monkeys, iguanas, and parrots but not a ton of animals surprisingly and luckily not many crazy bugs or snakes!! One of my favorite things ever was the sunsets!! I have been to a lot of places in the world but I will have to say IDK what it is but the sunsets every single night were unbelievable! Despite the fact that was when the bugs came, lol.

During our clinics we saw lots of things, me being a peds person of course I got to see kids. I saw the usual ear infection, skin infections, tons of diarrhea, parasites, weird rashes, of course lots of coughs/runny noses. One little boy I saw came to me with severely burned feet that his family was trying to treat by putting this weird powder on it. Apparently his friend pushed him into some burning garbage. Needless to say cleaning skin off of a little boys feet is not my most favorite things because it hurts but I am happy we got him fixed up so he could get better!

Most of the people on the Amazon lived in little shacks and some seemed to have electricity. However, most areas did not have many, if any doctors and many of the villages had been or where flooded. One village we came to everyone had to come by boat and it made me sad as most of them were living in flooded homes and their children would walk or play in the same water that would put their sewage in. As a result, they had a lot of diarrhea and skin infections. We tried to educate them but its difficult when that is literally what they were living in.

 

Good news is most the people were very happy, friendly, and didn’t seem to mind their harsh circumstances. I guess to them that was part of life and they were learning to adapt, but when I got home and sat in my comfy house with all my stuff it defiantly made me think.

Besides the clinic our team also did an awesome job with community education. It’s amazing how many of the people don’t know little things like how to brush their teeth and wash their hands properly. We also taught them how to boil or clean their water so it was good for drinking. In addition, we had our chiropractor and she was awesome!! As one of the major complaints is back pain and joint pain she taught them all sorts of stretches and helped educate them in amazing ways, it was fun to watch.

On our off time it was fun to interact with the villages. One night we played games in a village and another night went to a really fun festival where the kids dressed up and did all sorts of dancing. It was cute to see the little kids do a dance performance and it reminded me of when we had those little “musical” performances in elementary schools.

We also got to go alligator hunting at night, which was kinda scary cool. They would shine a large spotlight and you could see all these red eyes staring at you and then they caught one for us to hold. I was kinda freaked out until they taped his mouth shut ;). We also stopped at a random spot on our way back from a village one evening and ya know went swimming in our scrubs. At first I wasn’t going to do it cuz it’s the Amazon!! But then I realized it was Amazon!! and did it. It may have been for only like 2 minutes but I did it, lol.

Over all the entire trip was unbelievable, the team was as always amazing. It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful some people are and I always feel soo completely blessed that I get to meet and work with them. The Amazon really was a special place full of such special people. It always blows my mind that people live the way they do in this world but seeing their smiles reminds me that God is looking out for them. As we drove back to the airport we randomly drove by the brand new Manaus temple and I felt so grateful to know that our Heavenly Father love them soo much and has blessed them with the gospel of Christ in their lives. That regardless of their trials they can feel of his love and the joy that it brings.

As I reflect on that experience and the experiences that happened in the 3 weeks after including the marriage of my sister and the death of a very close friend, I cannot help be full of gratitude for my Savior and the plan of happiness that he has given use. It made me realize that all that really matters in this life is the relationship we have with God and those around us. That how we serve and help others through life is what it is all about. It makes me want to be better and a greater fighter for the good and be more of a light in a world that is continues to grow darker. I am grateful that I know God lives and loves all of us. I know He is all around us more than we realize, and I know he is looking out for all of his children including those in Brazil, Africa, you, and me. I just pray we can all live our lives a little better so we can see it.

10 Lessons I’ve Learned in My New Homeowner Adventure

So I have officially been in my house for about 3 months now and I’m not gonna lie, it has been pretty dang awesome! I love having my own place, back yard, and garage. However, there have been a lot of challenges with owning a home and I have defiantly learned a lot of things I would have never thought of. Here are the top 10 things I have learned thus far:

1. The real reason why we are meant to get married

Other than the obvious reasons why a husband would be nice, when you own a house I’ve learned for practical reasons a man is kind of a necessity. Between moving things around, hanging things up, knowing yard work stuff, fixing leaking water softener pipes, etc. There are just some things I can’t really do. So I really do need to work on getting one of those, dang it!

2. I need a truck

Lets just say when you move and live in a house, you end up buying bigger things and move things that are way too big for my little car. Thank goodness for the fam that lets me borrow theirs but I really need to put it on my list of things to get one of these days.

3. Using a staple gun is an art

I wanted to hang up Christmas lights so after much trial and error, and luckily no serious injuries I finally figured out the art of using staple gun successfully and without falling off a chair! It was an adventure that’s for sure, lol.  Again another reason why a man would have been handy. ;)

4. You get surprise shrubbery

So when I moved into the house it was fall time and I knew I had a few bushes but when I went to put Christmas lights on my “few bushes” I found that I had a ton of them! And do I know what they are going to look like?? Nope, I guess it’s just gonna be a fun surprise come spring!

5. I’m all set for a kid

Also when I moved into the house, the previous owners had a child and apparently they forgot that I didn’t have one because I went to put my stuff in my kitchen I found that EVERY SINGLE drawer had a child lock on them!! Luckily over time I have been getting use to it as its going to be a huge pain to take them out. Thank goodness there has been no damage out of frustration done to my house, yet…;)

6. If you stand on a “decorative ledge” to put up lights, it just may break off your house…..the end.

7. Fancy houses have timed lights

So I couldn’t figure out how everyone’s Christmas lights turned on all at the exact right time at night and how they all got home from work before me. Then after going through the whole season and taking them down, I figured out I have a little thing that can turn my lights on and off automatically….cheers for next year I guess! ;P

8. I can do garbage day

Despite the fact that the street next to mine’s garbage day is on Wednesday, my street’s is actually on Thursday (of course?!) and it only took me 2 months to figure it out! Thank you very much! Now I just have to actually remember to put the can out…lol

9. Its fun to have neighbors!

Thus far I’ve had one neighbor bring me some mail and introduce himself and another neighbor leave Christmas treats on my porch. After spending most my life living in the country and not really having neighbors, its been kinda cool and it makes me happy they are nice too :)

10. The best part about living in a house is you don’t have any wall neighbors so you can turn the music up and party every day all the time, if I want!! Ya! :D

Sneak peak inside: Its still a work in progress, and I still have a lot to do and hang up but it gives you a good idea of what it looks like!

OFFICIAL TOUR!!!

Hope you liked it and friends you know this just means you need to come visit now so we can play!!! :D