Christmas Cheer

I really don't like the cold, but I love the holiday season. Houses are decorated, streets have a myriad of lights, and people are in a happy and friendly mood.

Two weekends ago, the family and I went out for a little Christmas cheer and inspirations. Of course, we had to see the San Francisco Macy's Christmas tree.

The following weekend, inspiration kicked in and we began decorating the tree! I admit, this was the best tree-decorating session. My 2 1/2 year old daughter really got into it by singing, hanging ornaments, and giving us loads of kisses. Again, I love the holiday season.

The next day, while reading a few of my favorite blogs, I came across a great project from Paint Cut Paste --salt and starch ornaments. I cut the recipe in half (in retrospect, I wish I hadn't) and baked it for 2 hours. Now, I can't wait to decorated it with my little girl!

On Board with Baby

The first ultrasound

Freddy and I are expecting our second child and I am now past the half way mark! While I would normally say that now there is no turning back, I think i have past that point a while ago :)

When pregnant with my daughter, I did not enjoy the pregnancy all that much. In many ways I had a difficult time accepting the changes that were happening. I did not like the fact that I was so tired, the disrupted sleep, And frequent trips to the restroom. But this pregnancy is different! I have found a remedy for all the issues that previously bothered me. I just go with the flow. If I feel tired, I take a nap; if I wake up at night, I change positions and am back to sleep; if I need a restroom, I go to one. These are simple and easy remedies that have made my pregnancy more enjoyable and positive.

Hold on, I did not stop there. In addition to accepting the changes that I'm going through, I have also decided to look cute while doing this preg thing. Check out my new haircut :)

Before the haircut. My hair was long and all one layer.

 After the haircut. It doesn't seem like a big change, but it's inches shorter and it is now full of layers...I love it!

Bay Area Dance Clases

Yes, I love to dance, so there is nothing better than a great dance class. Below is a list of local dance classes that have caught my attention:

Maria Souza's samba class

This is THE samba class to attend if you want to learn samba. Maria breaks down the samba steps and works with student's individually. She also has a great and positive energy that is contagious.

Her class is every Monday from 7:30-9 at Burk Hall in Berkeley. For questions call her at 510-548-1310.

Silvana Sousa

An accomplished samba dancer, Sivana Sousa teaches a high energy samba class once a week. She successfully fuses traditional samba moves with aerobic and Brazilian pop. With her edgy and high energy personality, Silvana will motivate, push, and make sure you getting a great workout!

Her class is on Wednesday from 6:30-8 at Mission Dance Theater in San Francisco.

Raffaela Falchi

This is a great class for beginners. during the first half of class, Raffaella focuses on samba moves and basic steps. Then the fun begins. During the second half, Raffaella has live music to accompany a detailed choreography that mixes samba, Axe, and samba reggae.

Her class is on Friday from 6-7:15 at ODC Dance School in San Francisco.

Rodison de Jesus

One of the few male samba teachers in the Bay Area, Rodison de Jesus is an amazing teacher. A former Ballet de Folklorico dancer, Rodison is a natural dancer and a great teacher. He carefully breaks down the steps, demonstrates the final product, and gives students time to practice and improve the steps. His friendly personality, great energy, and amazing looks makes the aches and pains from a great workout worth it!

His class is every Monday from 7-8:30 at the San Francisco Gold's Gym.

Maisa Duke

Though I have never taken her class (conflicts with schedules), Maisa an I have performed together various times. Without a doubt, she is an amazing dancer, so I can only assume that she is an amazing samba teacher.

Her class is every Monday from 6:30-7:45 at Studio Gracia in San Francisco.

Dudley Flores

Okay, he is not a samba teacher but I really enjoy his class. In his Fusion and Motion class, you will work muscles you didn't know you had. But best of all, you do it all with a smile on your face. The class is fun and Dudley does a great job of breaking down the moves.

His class is every Sunday from 10-11 am at ODC in San Francisco.

With the above classes, a great workout can also be fun. Enjoy!

Some of My Favorite Things

After reading Beth's blog, which I love, I decided to also share some of my favorite things.


Of course, my number one item has to be a cup of coffee. Though I'm a coffee whore who is pleased with any cup of coffee, regardless of quality, I am in love with Phil's Coffee. Each cup is handbrewed to perfection! The barista then adds sugar, cream, and a sprig of mint. Yes, mint. Who would have thought that mint would transform a cup of coffee into perfection?

I grew up listening to the heartaches of Alcione and Maria Betania, so logically I love samba and pagode music and anything related. In fact, Maria Souza and Silvana Sousa teach two great samba classes--they actually teach samba. I also like listening to anything from Zeca Pagodinho, So Pra Contrariar, and Fundo do Quintal. I often find myself dancing away alone or in front of the mirror :).

By far my favorite novel is Piller of the Earth. I fell in love with the novel years ago when my sister, father, and mother avidly recommended the novel. Years later, Oprah added the novel to her book list and later Star network made a mini-series out of it. What makes it so special? It's a great historical novel that focuses on the love story of a few couples...I love it!

Ayruveda has changed my life. An alternative medicine and lifestyle, Ayruveda has helped me grow as a person and understand my idiosyncrasies. Because of it, I have learned to deal with ailments that plague my family, such as obesity, heartburn, and stress. To some extent, I value the opinion of my Ayruveda practitioner, Dr. Mary Jo Cravatta, more than my family doctor.

One day, my husband is going to give me a gold-plated glue gun. Why not? There is nothing better than a great craft day and the possibilities are endless when you have a glue gun. In fact, I often find myself surfing the net for fun and feasible project. This past year, I have made three costumes, a baby blanket, a crochet hat, a Christmas wreath, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Fall Crafts for Kids | Red Tricycle

Fall Crafts for Kids | Red Tricycle

I'm in love with this sight. They are full of great ideas.

Disconnected

I'm the first to admit I lost the desire to read and write. It's apparent in my apathy towards the numerous books that sit on my nightstand. I simply do not want to read a single sentence, let alone a whole novel. The same disconnect is crossing over to the virtual world. I also have been disconnected from my blog, Facebook, and e-mails.

Though I would like to blame my behavior on the end of the world, which will take place in 2012. I have a better and more valid reason. I'm expecting my second baby!!!

I am now 7 weeks pregnant. For those like me, 7 weeks translates into 1 1/2 months (the idea of weeks makes me feel like I'm calculating dog years, though the math is not the same, I know). The pregnancy is draining my energy and the fact that I'm milking every minute of my lathargicness (New word. My contribution to upcoming words that will soon show up on the dictionary) is wonderful. In fact, I'm so good at it that I've been thinking of changing professions and becoming a full time sloth impersonator (I can send a resume with references upon request).

Enough writing. I think it's time for me to slowly drag myself to the cough and spend the last few hours of the day watching mindless television.

Foster Children and School Supplies

"Education is all a matter of building bridges. " Ralph Ellison, the guy who wrote Invisible Man.

Yes, I'm the first to admit that I have been on hiatus. It began with the overwhelming demands of work and college. Prepping for the end of the school year took more time than expected. But later the demands subsided and an overwhelming sense of laziness took over me. Yes, I'm proud to say that I am lazy and loving my boredom (Lea would be proud). I am more than happy to sit on my extremely comfortable couch, watching Oprah, and enjoying a nice, tall glass of room temperature water (I am lazy, not crazy. I still have to watch my calories!).

Though the laziness persists, I am now motivated to do a little more than just watch Oprah. Inspired by Oprah's generosity and a desire to do something that goes beyond me, I am dedicating the next few weeks to helping foster kids attain the necessary supplies for back to school.

Childhood can be a difficult experience, especially for those without monetary or emotional support. However, we can help make their childhood more enjoyable. I strongly believe that we can all make a difference in someone's life and that it is our obligation to help those who need our help.

If you are interested in helping foster children, please donate classroom essentials like backpacks, binders, paper, calculators, packages of pens and pencils, notepads, folders, markers, crayons – you get the idea. I am more than willing to pick up donated supplies.

If you prefer to make a monitary donation, please make a check out to Sleep Train Foster Kids or donate on line.