I just wanna dance!

Oh my! Has it been a month already? Well, not yet... But almost. I have been having so much fun... With each day passing by, I promised myself that I would write a blog post. Well, I always had something else to do. But today is the first day in a long time, that I'm dedicating the entire day to.... ME!

Been enjoying myself this morning with another round of tidying up while dancing. Music and dance make me so happy, that if I could, I would be dancing all the time.. I'm glad to have a work, that allows me to dance while working... But only when noone sees it. I always carry my ipod with me at work. Sometimes I feel like listening to radio and sometimes I listen to my music. Music just make the work seem to go faster. Since I rarely get a day with no plans, I decided to put on a movie. Inspired by my salsa instructor's latest party theme, I'm watching "El Cantante" or as it's titled here in Scandinavia "King of Salsa." My salsa instructor and his new dance company started hosting salsa, bachata and Foró partys every Saturday. Since none of my friends are interested in salsa, I never found my way to one of the partys. Maybe someday. The salsa I go to once a week, is salsa freestyle, We dance salsa, bachata, bachanga, cha cha cha and... something I would describe as show dance. It's a lot of fun. We dance solo, so I never danced with a partner and quite frankly, I don't think I would be any good at it. So that's another excuse for me not to go to those partys. I simply wouldn't know how to dance with a partner.

So anyway. as the days go by, I stick to my dance fitness. That means latin mix, dance fit, salsa freestyle and zumba.
January 28th. I attended an African dance event. I love African music. The right music always makes me wanna dance... So I just added 40 new African songs to my ipod playlist. Including this one

Anything that has a nice beat, I will dance to. And African music always sounds so happy to me.

In salsa freestyle, we're practicing a dance to this song...

The more we practice, the more it comes clear to me, that it's a show dance routine. It's fun. Our instructor calls us "Advanced dancers" by now. But after only having danced in 6 months, I still consider myself as and "advanced beginner." Salsa is still new to me. Had it not been for my zumba instructor being a profesional Brazilian dancer, I would probably not have known more than the two basic steps. I don't know if I'll ever learn how to dance regular salsa, but I kinda like this show dancing thing, too.

I noticed that the old gym I used to go to for my zumba, had launced a new type of dance fitness called "Latin Funk." It sounded like fun, so I decided to give it a go. It was strange being back in the old gym, after being away for 6 months. I was back in my old corner spot, but looking around, I didn't see any familar faces except for 3 that I had heard were coming, from my old zumba class. Most of the people were older than me. The instructor was a lot younger than me. It was easy to see that she had been dancing at dance schools before. When I was a kid, I swore I would never join a dance school. Why? I remember the youth club I went to. Seeing how stiff the girls were when they did their dance routines. I didn't think it looked good. At dance schools, they teach kids exactly how to copy a routine. Which is fine. But most of these kids don't know how to put personality or their own touch to the routine. That's why I have always been my own, freestyle dancer. Well, the latin funk instructor was stiff. The music she chose was not that good either. And at one point, she told everyone to lay down and do push ups. I could see everyone else enjoying themselves.. But I decided not to join that class again. It's fine cause I also have another dance class on Tuesday nights now.

Last Tuesday I met for my very first Cuban Ladystyling class. We were only 4 participants and the instructor told us that they normaly wouldn't have the class unless more people signed up. We're crossing fingers that the class will continue, cause I already learned a lot. I'm very bad at making the proper movements with arms and hands when dancing. It's a bad habit I have when dancing. I always let lose and never think about what my arms are doing... Yes, that has sometimes gotten me into trouble, hitting people by mistake, but that's just cause I'm so much into my  own little dance. Salsa is all about body language and the arm and hand gesture is very important. Hopefuly the Cuban ladystyling combined with salsa freestyle, will one day make me dance better. Whenever we make salsa turns in zumba class, I practice making a pretty arm and hand gesture cause in zumba I can let go and not think about what other people think as we're often 30 zumbanistas dancing together. In salsa freestyle we're only 4-6 which means the instructors eyes are on everything we do. Well, in the Cuban ladystyling class, the instructor taught us how to move our torso from side to side. I never thought about that. But now that I know, I can totaly see that I have been doing it somewhat, without knowing it. Now that I know about that detail, I will practice more.

Today I went on the scale for the first time in a couple of weeks. I'm so happy. Turns out that I'm getting closer to another weightloss. After I lost the 30kg. pretty fast, I started putting on zumba muscle weight. I got more toned, put on 6 kg. and the weightloss stopped. Well, it's now been some time, and the way I see it, my body has finaly adjusted with the new muscle weight and letting me lose weight again! I'm happy the way I am now. But I still have a lot of fat in various areas, that I would like to say good bye to. Now that I know I'm able to lose weight again, I know I can lose some again. kg. by kg. I don't know if it was the Cuban ladystyling or what it was, but I can definitely see a change in my stomach area. My belt has become lose. I love it! I know I'll be able to maintain. It's all about the dance :) My Brazilian zumba instructor also annouced that he will be back to give us intensive zumba classes (which means hard core zumba every day!!) in May. Whenever he's back, I lose weight. That's why it's so sad that he now lives in Brazil. Atleast we know he still wants to help us all out whenever he has the chance!

Tonight I finaly bought my ticket to a Zumba Masterclass with Steve Boedt. I heard a lot of good things about him, so I decided that I would go.

Keeping busy... Oh yeah! 2012 is all about the dance and being happy!!!



The Master Class with Nathan Blake

Saturday October 8th. I was at my friend's birthday party. I  could only stay for 2 hours as I was going to the master class with Nathan Blak to collect money for the Danish Susan G. Komen organisation. Every year in October, we have a day called "Pink Saturday" - where various people and organisations collect money for the cure of breast cancer. I wore my "Party in Pink" zumba top.

3 local instructors started off the zumba marathon/ master class... After them came a Swedish mom & daughter instructor couple. They were great. Lena and Amina was their names. They did a master class and after them, Nathan Blake did a master class. It was my 3rd. master class with Nathan. He's always a lot of fun and very different from others. He asked Amina to join him and here's a clip Lena put out on youtube

I took a couple of pictures, but didn't take a picture with me and him.. Oh well, I guess I could get another chance since he's already been here 3 times in one year... He must like the city ;) The next morning, as I was on my way to zumba, I actualy saw him dragging his trolley to the train. I was still kinda sleepy, so didn't even say good morning to him, which I regret. Sent him an apoligy on facebook to make up for it.
Here are my pictures from the master class:

we collected 30.000dkr. or 5.530$ for the cure of breast cancer that day! Last year we collected more, but more people came that time.. So all in all, I think it was a great achievement.

October 29th. I might be putting on my "Party in Pink" top again. This time we will raise money for the local children's cancer ward at the local hospital.. One of the instructors is known from the Danish version of "Dancing with the Stars." My new instructor is also among the instructors that evening. I think it will be a lot of fun. My salsa instructor also invited me to a Latin Halloween Party that evening. It would be a lot of fun, but I don't know if I have the energy for it.

Lately I've been having a zumba song stuck on my mind... I didn't know the title of it, so I asked my previous instructor in Brazil. This is the song that I've had on my mind lately. It's a very cute samba song, that Beto used when he was here in Denmark.

As you can see, Beto invited Brasilian people up on stage to dance with him. He was surprised with the many Brasilians in Denmark. I know the sound is horrible in the clip... So here is a better version of the song, but I thought you should get the chance of watching Beto.

We actualy use the song at the local sport arena, that is close to where I live. Maybe that's why it's stuck on my mind now? Well, zumba is cancelled for 2 weeks at that place, as the arena will be used for other sport turnaments. Good thing I have 2 other places to get my zumba fix.

Beto, Nathan Blake and me

Ok, I better write this now, before another week or two passes by. I already knew October would be busy, so I gotta do this while I have the time and energy for it. Well, it's 10 PM so my energy is hardly gone, but I wish to have this done once and for all.

Yesterday I attended a Master Class with Nathan Blake and a mother & daughter duo from Stockholm Zumba (Lena & Amina). More about that in another blog post. First let me think back about last Saturday. The Master Class with Beto Perez.

I joined up with a lot of other girls going by bus. We stopped in various citys along the high way, to pick up zumbanistas as we went by. It was a 6-7 hours bus ride. Some of the girls brought along a sign that we used as a bumper sticker. It reads "Zumba chicks on the road."

As we got to Ballerup Super Arena, we had to stand in line to get inside the building. The weather was extremely warm for an October day. I can't remember when we had a warm day like this in October before.

The line inside was not that long as they arranged a lot of check in points. You just had to use the check point that had your first letter. So I was in the "K" line. I got my two bracelets. One for the master class and one for the after party later on.

As you can see, they matched my sweat band pretty good.

At first we checked in our luggage. Then we went upstairs where the zumba shop was selling zumba wear. The line to get in was so long. Once you were in, there was also a long line to pay. Luckily I was able to skip the line as I was paying in cash.

I bought one top... But they alos had an outlet store and I ended up buying 3 more things. One of them being the the wind track jacket, that I have been eyeing for a long time.

I know some people find it silly to spend money on zumba clothes.. But zumba becomes a lifestyle and some of the clothes I realy like... Especialy those that have a funny print. I do find some of the zumba pants funky... However, I don't even fit an XXL in the zumba pants, yet I'm only a S in UFO pants. I think they should think about that. Some women, like myself, happen to have big thigs - which I now refer to as zumba thigs ;) Although a lot of fat has gone from my thigs, the muscles are still there! Anyway, I'll continue to use my UFOs.
While people were shopping, Beto and his film crew was testing all the settings, as they were doing recordings for a ZIN video, that is a dvd being sent to all Zumba instructors every month, I believe. Unfortunalyely I'm not an instructor, so I might never get to see it.

After shopping, I had to get in line again, to put my purchased items in my bags in my stored luggae.. Because I was shopping, I ended up being among the last 10 people to get in to the arena. The warm up crew was already going on. I snapped a picture before putting my camera in my luggage. Someone told me that cameras, wallets, towels and water bottles were not allowed.. So I left everything in my bags.

I changed my spot every now and then cause... Let's face it. It was too crowded. People would step on your toes, there were huge cables, not to mention the flying camera, to look out for. But all in all, it was an awesome experience. I did see people putting up a few clips on facebook from the master class, but I will leave it to you guys, to find those clips yourself :) There was one choreography that I can't wait to see again. Beto did a mix of river dance and Bollywood... I thought it was fun to do :)

As the acual master class was over, there was a surprise zumba act for Beto. In the end of the arena, I noticed a place with a short line and realised it was an area for having your picture taken with Beto. I asked someone if you had to bring your own camera, and they said yes... So I rushed out of the arena, picked up my bag with my camera, and rushed back to the arena to get in line. I took these pictures from the very end of the arena

I think it was easy to see, that Beto was very exhausted at this moment... He was so tired, which you can definitely tell in the next pictures.

However, he seemed to come a bit alive on my picture :)

I am so happy with the outcome of this picture. I feel like it was me and Beto shaking hands to a healthy agreement that zumba is the best thing that happened to me, and I will continue to zumba far out in the future!

After I changed into some more decent clothes, I met with the other girls that I travelled with. The Danish Zumba shop had arranged shuttle busses going from the arena to the after party. We got on one of those busses, but wanted to go eat some dinner first. On our way to the arena, we had made reservations at a vegetarian restaurent that offered a yummy buffet. It was so nice. I think I will definitely go back there some day. We sent all our luggage in a cab to the bus that would take us home later... After dinner we went to the after party. But to tell you the truth. It sucked. It seemed like part of a shop had been turned into a club for the evening. More than 400 people bought tickets for the after party. Yet there were only seat for 10. There were no toilets. Outside there were 2 festival toilets. Come on. It totaly sucked!

A bunch of us left to find a better place. Afterall, this was the capital of the city and they wanted to give us that crap?!! On our way out in the city, some people stopped me to ask for directions to the after party.. They saw me wearing my new zumba wind jacket. I told them it sucked, and they told me there was a latin club called "Club Mambo" so me and one of the other girls went there. It was much better. There was a live band playing samba. I thought it was a funny way to end the night as it was the birthday of my regular zumba instructor, who moved to Brazil. We received a message saying that Beto had entered the after party. Beto left just 5 minutes later. They poor guy must've been so tired. It turns out that there was a better bar and party next to where the after party was held. That's where the VIPs had been hiding when the party was boring. Dj Francis was there and the party ended quite strangely! The last song he played was Guns n Roses "Sweet child of mine" - everyone thought it was a stupid song. But with my twisted mind, I turned it into a bachata :) Try for yourself

Just after 3 AM we went to find the bus where some of the other girls were already sleeping. We all had a great day and slept for 3-4 hours. I was dropped off around 7:30 AM and slept most of the day. I made sure to cancel next day's zumba!



when a picture says more than a 1000 words

More on the Master Class with Beto Perez when I am back to normal. Today I've been catching up on sleep. I spent 2 x 7 hours on a bus yesterday, so I'm very tired today. But it was all worth it!!!

Life is good... busy, but good.

When I said that I would be busy with busy on top, I wasn't lieing. I chose to be busy, because I know, that if I'm not busy, I will be lazy. Now I can allow myself to be lazy when I get home from work and zumba, saying to myself, that a time to relax is in order. If I didn't have my active life to use as a good excuse, people could easily call me lazy. But no. I'm not lazy. I just priorotize my time differently. Zumba and dance is my main priority. However, if an invite shows up to from my friends and family, I will have to see if I can make it work. I have usualy been able to go straight from zumba to family and friends' events. My friend asked me if I wanted to go with her to a party. It's a party that I wish I could attend, but since Saturday is the big Beto Perez Zumba masterclass in Copenhagen, I won't be able to go. Hopefuly another party will show up. It's the first time that I'm attending a zumba event far from where I live.

Tuesday is still my day off, so I make sure to spend time with my friends that day. So in the past 14 days, I've been to the movies both Tuesdays and even Thursday after zumba, I made it to the movies with a friend.

The new zumba classes are great. I realy think that I chose the best of the 4 (soon 5) gyms in town, when it comes to the new zumba classes and instructors. There is one instructor that I'm curious about, though. But I don't know if I can make it work, as she only has classes Sunday afternoon and Sunday morning I already have 2 zumba classes. I will try to make it some day. The reason being, It's an African instructor and I would like to see if she uses African music or special steps.. But in the meantime, I'm happy with my classes as the are now.

The new instructor that I go to... at the new gym. She's really cool. Reminds me a lot of the Brazilian instructor I used to go to. I've seen my share of good and bad instructors whenever I've been to zumba events. Well, she's the one that comes closest to him. Her way of interacting with everybody is great. She's very friendly, makes her own choreographys, has an education in ergotherapy which makes her capable to help people with any injury related pain while dancing. She also said, that if we would like her to use certain songs, we should write them down and she will try to work out a choreography that we can use in zumba class. I told her that I like Brazilian funk and I reminded her of the two Brazilian songs that I already heard she had.. Except, she didn't know they were Brazilian... But I told her, so now she will try to use those songs when she sees me ;)
It's the first time I heard this song, but it has "Brazilian Funk" all over it ;)

She also uses this one

After the first zumba class today, someone came over to say hello.. I recognized her. It was my dentist assistent. I have a dentist apointment in October... But I have to reschedule as it was a time they suggested... and with my busy scheduly, it will have to be a Tuesday.

During this upcoming week, I have to decide on what clothes to wear for the zumba master class with Beto on Saturday and what to wear at the after party. I'm getting more and more excited, although I'm also a bit worried, as I'm going alone... I'm going with a bus full of other zumbanistas, so it won't be that bad. I know. Some of them I know. I just know, that if I don't go now, I might regret it later. Everyone suggests that I should become a ZIN myself since I have so much passion for it. However, I don't think I would have the time for it...  As for now, I think I have enough to do with just having fun :)

I've been to New York & Montréal

I apoligise for the lack of updates lately, but I've had a few things to deal with. All good, thank God.

To start with the most recent. I just got back from a trip to NYC and Montreal. It was awesome. The main goal for the trip was... Shopping, of course. It's been 10 years since I last was there, so I also took the trip as an aniverssary trip. Last time I was there, the WTC were still standing, but 1½ month later, was 9/11/2001. I'm so thankful that I had returned home safely. Especialy since I was flying from Logan air port in Boston, which was also where the 9/11/ planes took off from. A Bostonian actualy told me at the time, that Logan airport had so much bad karma, that something bad always happened. We did have a minor problem when taking off, as my friend seemed to have been checked in as another friend, whom had already left on an earlier flight. Anyway, I'm thankful to have been without any further problems.

We saw all the tourist sights such as Times Square, Central Park, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, The Statue of Liberty, China Town. We also went to a mall in Queens, went shopping in Harlem and many more places.

I was hoping to bring home some new zumba sneakers, but a vist to both Sansha and Capezio, didn't leave to any purchase. I did find a few cute dance tops. One of them reads "I live for dancing." :) I will post a picture later.

While being in NYC, we also went to see Macy's big 4th. of July firework. It was awesome. 1 show would've been enough, but because they were doing it on the Hudson river, they had 7 firework displays and we could see all of them. It was awesome.

We stayed at a brand new hotel that had just opened in the beginning of June. The Yotel hotel. It was only a few blocks away from Times Square. We stayed at the 15th. floor with a great view. I recommend the hotel to anyone going to NYC.

July 1st. I made sure to go buy something very special on-line. The ultimate zumba experience was being put up for sale that day. Mr. Zumba himself, Beto Perez will be having a zumba master class in my country. It is so cool that he is actualy coming to my small country!! I'm so excited. I feel that zumba has changed my life and always wanted to grab the opportunity of meeting him once I had the chance. Well, it's coming! October 1st. I will join his master class in the capital of Denmark. Funny thing is. October 1st. is also my zumba instructor's birthday. I know that he will not be in Denmark at that time, as he's moving to Brazil in September. But hey, what great way to honor him, right? Beto, Zumba and me having a party on my instructor's birthday :)

After NYC, we took a train to Montreal to spend a couple of days there as my friend was attending two U2 concerts. I spend the time shopping and having a look around the city. Well, I didn't see much of the city as I was already tired from the week in NYC. I also went to see the Bio Dome one day, as I love animals. I loved it. I know it was not exotic animals, although they did have a small section with animals from the rain forest, but most of the animals were animals you can find in the various climates of the world. I saw animals that I never saw in any zoo before. Such a great experience! 

I didn't catch much sleep on the way home to Denmark. After a long trip abroad with many things to think back on, I just couldn't sleep on the plane ride home. Instead I killed some time watching "Black Swan" - the movie I was too scared to watch at the movies. I hate scary movies, but by watching it from the seat of the plane, I was able to look at the passenger in front of me's movie, so it was a pleasent way to both kill time and watch a scary movie. Afterwards I watched something crazy as "Gnomeo & Juliet."

As I got back home, I decided to see if I could avoid jetlag, by staying awake till night time. I thought I succeded, but then, then following night, I could only sleep for 1 hour and I was very tired at work. I still feel a bit tired, but hopefuly the jetlag will be over with this week-end.

Master Class wiith Nathan Blake feat. gf. Maria

I packed my bag with 2x zumba wear that following Friday.

I went to work and after that, straight to zumba. The instructor had some good news and some bad news. Well, the bad news, we already knew for a couple of months. He's moving to Brazil in September, so we will not be having him as our instructor after that. Well, my other concern had been, that zumba would be cancelled in all of June, due to a big press corps in town, following the UEFA U21 European Championship, which will be held in the city. Well, he said we would be having 2 zumba events out door during June. He also said, that he would leave for international work from June 24rd. till August. Fine by me, as the gym will be closed 2 weeks in  July for summer break, and the other 2 weeks, I'll be away on my trip to NYC and Montreal.

After zumba, I jumped on a bus, that woúld take me on a long journey, as the center of town had been shut off due to the Battle of Carnival parade. I just made it to my friends when the start of the parade hit the corner they were standing at. Perfect timing! The parade was not as spectacular as it used to be. I think the big troops know that there is a great risk of costumes breaking in the Danish summer wind´. Oh well, I saw it.

After that, I waited 1-2 hours before going to the zumba master class. The first master class was still going on, which gave me some extra time to relax, put my shoes on etc. Compared to Nathan's Master Class in October, only a few people showed up. I think it's because schedule had been pushed to a Friday, but it was perfect for me! We were about 20 people there on the floor and we gave it all we had. I think they both knew how to make us push it a little further. Someone took pictures of us, that was posted on facebook. I'm wearing my pink "Crazy Happy" Zumba top.
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/media/set/?set=a.220656584630667.69696.132302056799454
 The woman from my usual gym and zumba classes, gave me a ride home, and I was home at 11 PM.

Zumba was cancelled the next day because of the carnival. The weather was not the best. Grey and raining all morning, so I didn't go to town till after 1 PM. I like to go watch the parade, but again. They rain was putting a cooler on this year's parade. My friends met me in there, but when the parade ended, we went home to have some coffee, then dinner and finaly we decided to go see if the party was still going on. Well, at 9 pm almost everything had stopped. Everything was soaked in the rain, so we went home right away.

I will post pictures later.

When schedule fails...

Well, Nathan and Maria are running late due to a delayed flight from either London or Copenhagen, so I figured... What better way to kill time, than to write here, right? Atleast it's in the zumba spirit ;).
I went to the children's carnival the other day, with my friend and her daughter. The little girl loved it. She was dancing all day.. Around 2 pm it started raining. I decided that the outdoor zumba event was not that important to me afterall, so I went home to relax on my sofa instead.

It's my first time at this new zumba place. It's in an industry area and this is the only sign of zumba when you pass by.
The location is creepy. The changing room is so small, yet in ok condition. The bench only fits 1 person. Luckily I changed into my zumba clothes at home, but had to change my shoes and socks and put on my ankle supporters.

Well, the good thing is. The dance room is huge!

Oh here comes bad news. Nathan and Maria will not show up for another 2 hours due to the Icelandic ash clouds..

They have some warm up instructors who will make us sweat while we wait. Good thing I brought 2 tops ;)

This is my waiting position ;)

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