Brina Got Back

My sister Sabrina is one of the most giving people I know. As part of continuing my "creating a rap" tradition, I made one for her this month. 

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life -Isadora James

She is a beautiful young woman who has grown so much personally in the past few years. She is such an amazing force. She is constantly giving to all around her. She has graduated from Brandman University with her masters in Human Resources. She was hired last year at the Apple store in Roseville, and since then, she has gotten two promotions and is moving up the corporate ranks. Everyone at work loves her (as I found out when I went into the store and said I was her sister...nothing but compliments for my amazing sis. I felt great just by association!). 

A sister by blood, a friend by choice-Author unknown

She recently created an entire advent calendar for her Apple store (she's a crafty maven and I can't wait to see what she creates with her new Cricut). When the corporate representative came to check on her store, the terse and direct manager wanted to know who had made the board. All worried fingers pointed to Brina-girl. The manager then went on to say how much she liked it and wanted it at corporate.

Not only is she a hard worker who is dedicated to her job, she does the same thing at home. She's always creating some amazing meal, using her new cakepop maker to concoct delicious maraschino cherry cakepops for my brother's birthday, or making the most amazing homemade cucumber salt scrubs as Christmas gifts that she'll graciously hand out to every single person she knows.

I love her so much and I'm so proud of her. One of my favorite moments, from this woman who was once a little girl who wore her purple fringe outfit and cowboy boots non-stop, was her wedding last year. Giving my maid of honor speech at her wedding, I was never prouder. She has matured into a woman I respect, admire and adore. She is a supportive and encouraging wife, a devoted aunt, a loving and kind daughter, an exemplary employee and the best sister I could ask for.

I'm so proud of you my dear Brina-girl. You are amazing. I love you. I can't wait to see what the new year brings for you and how you'll face every challenge head on and with grace. 

Not my best work...perfection is is not...heart and soul it is :)

The Three R's

Ballet Tech Holiday Party+

Hanukkah at the Immi (latkes, homemade pink applesauce & sea salt caramel)+

a week of CA bliss filled with family fun, old friends, my favorite companion Eddie, Wheel of Fortune gift for Mom, Deb's Birthday & Brother Clint annual birthday dinner=

refreshed, refueled and ready for 2012

California Dreamin'

That's all I can think this week.

I want to be surrounded by love, caring, warmth and compassion. 

Bring it Cali.

Until then, a mix-up of last week's happenings.

Open Classes at Ballet Tech & the annual holiday dance (The best week ever. I learned to "Dougie!")+

Megan McKenna catch up time+

Listening to people talk about jobs they love (and seeing Grover live!)+

Holiday Parties Galore+

Emily's Birthday(secret Speakeasy & apparently people like a Hipster Tamsham)+

Cookie Baking with Annie & Dave+

The phenomenal Laura Careless in Snow White and Oaxaca Taco (which I just like saying)+

Brunch with Immigrant Crew+

Seeing my favorite boys and the memories of youth with ShrinkyDinks=

Get me to the cozy fireplace and calm of my parent's house. Yes, please. 

Catch me if you can

Baking (baking, baking, baking)+

Santacon!+

Duo Anniversary Party+

Ballerina Tree @ Anna & Alicia's+

Delish Dinner @ Thistle Hill Tavern+

Trisha Brown @ Sikkema Jenkins+

Huddy's First Birthday=

Catch up on sleep time.

Love notes, totes--crackin' the nut

This past week, I picked up my Christmas tree. I love putting on the Christmas music and lighting my pumpkin candle, while having some cookies in the oven. 

Most of my fellow dancer friends are getting excited about Nutcracker--from the first time they hear the Sugar Plum Fairy while gliding through the grocery store, the endless advertisements for a Nutcracker, to the little girls seeing the ballet for the first time--me, I tend to get very melancholy.

For me, this time of year represents something different.

It was 14 years ago that I was poised to dance the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker. Always a coveted role, I was excited and terrified. My dance teacher, Kirk Derby, was also my cavalier. We had rehearsed for months. He was dreading wearing white tights. Always fit and debonair, he was very self conscious and those darn tights is what I know he was least looking forward to wearing. The two of us would meet in the afternoon once I got out of school and rehearse until we both had to teach. 

I danced that Nutcracker as a solo. 

I received a phone call one night before the performance that Kirk had died. He died many years too early and it's always this time of year that brings him back to me the most.

For Christmas that year, one of the mother's of a student of mine got me a tree as a remembrance of Kirk. My little Christmas tree this year reminds me of that tiny little tree that she gave to me. Now, when I go back to visit my family, that tree is planted at my parents house and has grown much taller than me. 

One year during our session for school photos, it was just myself and Dani Snodgrass that showed up for picture day for our routine, Kiss From a Rose. Kirk had such a great sense of humor and our photo ended up being, "Kiss From My Butt". I still have that picture in my teeny apartment, reminding me of him. There are moments from our time together that were paramount in my teenage years. My favorite moments are from our time together in the studio, rehearsing together. Just the two of us, laughing and having a great time. 

I can remember walking around backstage at the theatre that year with my dear dance teacher, Kathy Milo, by my side as I cried my little eyes out. She got me through that Nutcracker and I am forever grateful. Having to hold myself together for all my students at the time was one of the most difficult masks I've ever had to wear. I will forever miss his smile, his warm & gentle nature, teaching my mom and I all about "fag hags", the same self doubt that we shared, his tales of cruise ship dancing, his calm demeanor in the classroom. He was my teacher. My friend. My partner. 

When I hear those opening notes of the Grand Pas, I just think of putting my hand in his, the biggest grin on my face and him greeting me with that beautiful smile. I sit here next to my tiny tree thinking of him. I will always miss him.

Tête à Tête-Barbara

Barbara is a 3rd grade teacher who works with autistic children. She is an avid runner and lives on my block. She also happens to work at my fave bar, The Immigrant. She is an amazing woman who is constantly striving to be a better person--she challenges herself in many ways and I have such respect for her. She is incredibly thoughtful and generous. She is always willing to listen to me and I love our walks around the neighborhood. She is incredibly dedicated to her kids in class and always has something new and fun for them. She introduced me to sound machines and has this great game in her class where she plays the sound and the children have to show an action for the sound. She is a genius! 

She insisted on joining me when I was taken to the ER and stayed with me throughout the craziness of the evening. She recently made me a "Love, but not that kind of love" CD that brought me comfort and laughs. I am so grateful that she is in my life. She has great advice, warmth and kindness that she brings to all her relationships. I am so lucky to receive all of her amazing qualities that she so willingly gives. We've both been recently dealing with our injured feet. She seems to be one of the few people that understand that it's a lot more than just a stinky foot.

I loved hearing her tell her favorite memory. It was of going to the airport with her Grandpa. They would go every weekend and he would take her into one of the planes, into the cockpit. They would check things out and before leaving when he would get her a chocodile (I'd never heard of such a thing...where have I been!?). Seeing her eyes light up when she spoke of him warmed my heart and immediately brought my Grandparents to mind. I thought of the days of making play-doh with my Grandma Maxine, sewing with Grandma Jo, my snail mail correspondence with Grandma Nadine...I love that nostalgia of my youth and the memories I keep--those moments that affect you forever, no matter how small they seem.

We started our interview that night in the ER and I finally finished it this past week.

Barb, you are a woman I respect and adore. I love you. You are amazing.

Subject: Barbara

Female, Arizona

What do you spread on toast? cherry or raspberry jelly

What makes you happy? running, friends, family, dancing in the sunshine

What time do you wake up? 7am weekdays, noon on weekends

What is your favorite place to be? running near the water under the bridge, rooftops, the beach

What is your favorite time of day? 4:00, get out of work.

What was your favorite age? 5

How many jobs have you had? 8; busser, food runner, waitress, community advocate, in home rehab, special education assistant, special ed teacher, bartender. 

What is your favorite quiet spot? Arizona reserve & the East River

Where do you rendezvous with friends? Immigrant!

How do you get around town? walking

How many countries have you visited? 8; Mexico, UK, Italy, France, Spain, India, France, Switzerland, 

How many brothers/sisters?  One Brother (Barry), 33

What is your favorite memory? With my grandpa at the airport

What is your favorite food?  Cheese! And salmon...

Nike-Goddess of Victory

My friends and I recently had a baby blessing for our dear friend Megan.

It was such a lovely afternoon celebrating her, her family, and the bundle of goodness coming soon!

I'm so proud of her bravery, her compassion, and her willingness to dive into this adventure open hearted. 

We had a really lovely 'string ceremony' where we all sat in a circle with a string (we used baker's twine, Deborah's genius play on "a bun in the oven, from my favorite neighborhood letterpress store, Pink Olive) and said our name, our mother's name, our grandmother's names, and who we were the mother of. I said I'm the mother of myself, yo. :) We then each cut a piece of string and we will wear it until the baby is born--keeping her and baby 'Nike' (Nee-kay) in our thoughts.  It was a really nice way to honor her, baby, and my own family.

We each brought a special reading for her as well.

Mine was from a lifelong favorite, Kahlil Gibran.

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

We finished with a belly painting activity.

Watching Nike kick the entire time was incredible.

I painted a cupcake! (my artistic skills are somewhat lacking).