Well, come to think of it, since you don't know when you'll die, you can't really tell when you're having a mid-life crisis, right? Well, I think as time goes by I'm realizing more and more that if you're gonna do something, better do it sooner rather than later.
Case in point, this past fall I ran my first ever 5-K Race to help raise money for ITP which is blood disorder one of my friend's husband has. I found out about the race 4 days before, and without any prior training, went for it cold turkey. Yes, my Jazzercise training kept me going but you definitely use different muscles when you're just running, so I felt the pain for a few days afterwards, and was even tempted to sleep on the couch so I wouldn't have to climb the stairs... But it was all worth it and the organization we were raising money for made $8,000 that day. My buddy Kandace and I crossed the finish line together and won 1st place for our "age bracket" - and that bracket is for me to know and you to never find out :-)
So, next, in my road to mid-life crisis bonanza, I went to a dance studio to take a free lesson just to help a friend who already takes lessons there. For every newbie she brings in for a trial lesson, whether those people sign up for lessons or not, my friend gets a free lesson. The problem was that, when I got there and the instructor realized that I was not technically a newbie (having taken lessons for our wedding 14 years ago, then being a Jazzercise instructor which utilizes a ton of dance moves, and yeah, the Brazilian-Latin blood coursing through my veins does not hurt either) well, let's just say he really didn't have to twist my arm at all to get me to consider taking lessons again. I started in November and this last Friday I did my first rumba during one of the Friday night parties, with my instructor, Collin. It was great. I picked one of my very favorite Brazilian songs, Anos Dourados, by Maria Bethania... ah, it did bring back memories from when I was still living in Brazil.
Anyway, they really take things seriously and my two instructors had me come early so they could do my hair and make-up. I wasn't too crazy about either as they sleeked my hair into a bun, a la Evita Peron, albeit a brunette one, and did some very heavy make-up on me, to the point that when DH first saw me he asked what was up with the racoon eyes. I understand that this is an art form that requires heavy make-up at times, but I'm still not used to it completely. Yes, DH, while not taking lessons with me this time around because his schedule won't allow, is very very supportive... I did warn him about some of the more titillating portions of the dance (you know, when I have to trail my hands up the instructor's leg all the way up to his chest) mainly so he wouldn't drop the camera, which he didn't. This next Friday I'm scheduled to do a Cha-cha.
Moving on, the very next day, 100 of my closest Jazzercise buddies and I did the half-time show at the Milwaukee's Bucks game. We did this last year and it was a lot of fun. This time, we were given a big perk: Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, was there along with Brian Braun from the Milwaukee Brewers, watching the game. As we were waiting at the tunnel entrance to get into the basketball court for our routine, he came by and everybody yelled and cheered for him. And yes, he's even more dreamy in person. So, that just about tells you what I've been up to lately.
So, below is the video of my rumba. Bear in mind that good is help is very hard to find these days - even though DH did not drop the camera, he did stop taping a bit early and missed our dramatic exit.
All in all, when you think I could be going out and buying a convertible, getting a divorce and marrying a younger man, or scheduling several plastic surgeries, the things I've done recently are pretty innocuous and fun. Enjoy!
