Take a Hike!

This week, I became alot more comfortable with myself. I don't mean complacent and stagnant, I mean self-accepting and striving. I feel like I've gotten to the point where I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone but myself. I've come to peace with the fact that I'm more of an introvert, but I can turn on my extroverted side when I need to. I'm getting to know myself better and enjoying my own company. I don't feel weird or guilty if I go do stuff on my own. Maybe this comes easily and naturally to the rest of you, but this is progress for me :) I like the balance I've been able to achieve of being by myself during the weekdays and being super social with friends on the weekend.

Monday thru Friday, I've been seriously channeling my inner bookworm. I've always loved reading and really indulged myself this week w/ new and old books :)

I finished using my 2 week pass at Lava Barre - a combination of ballet conditioning, strength training, and Pilates. It kicked my butt, literally. We all have our stronger and weaker muscles. I found that I have pretty strong calves, back, quads, and abs. But I had to keep taking breaks during the arms and glutes sections...I blame it on my desk job.

It's humbling to have weak spots but it keeps me motivated to seek new fitness challenges.

I went to a record TWO ticketed shows (aka not free) at the Kennedy Center this week, a spirituals concert and a jazz festival. I wrote a paper on slave spirituals and jazz is my favorite music genre, so I greatly anticipated these events. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed. I couldn't believe I was paying to listen to what sounded like noise to me! $55 for music that grated my ears and irritated my soul (I think music should speak to the soul)...

If I were a music critic, I'd probably be a tough traditionalist curdmudgeon. Spirituals and jazz have come a long way (and I would say, a long way down hill) from their original forms that I had fallen in love with. The artists I heard all did modern reinterpretations or original compositions that lacked any endearing rhythm, melody, and groove. I think I only like music I can sing or dance to. I've decided modern jazz is an acquired taste, and I'm going to stop spending my money to acquire it because it's only repulsed me thus far. However, I must mention the Women in Jazz concert ended with an 84-year-old lady who was quite a good scat singer. Besides that, the only other aspect I enjoyed was being in the rooftop Terrace Theatre for the first time (after coming to the Kennedy Center dozens of times before). The view never gets old.

Wednesday night, I had the opportunity to go with my friend Doug to the Salsa Room and since I don't have a car, I jump on any opportunity to go dancing when others offer. It was bachata night and it was awesome :)

Saturday started with a wonderfully drizzly morning hike with the ward. I'm on the Activities Committee and I kept asking if it should be cancelled due to the rain, but Krishna (the co-chair) insisted that we go on with the activity...and I'm so glad she did! We all met at the church building and carpooled to Great Falls, Virginia. I rode with these lovely people and our conversations quickly delved into taboo topics like gay marriage and abortion. "When in DC..."

There was alot of breaking and reuniting of groups; here's the group we mostly stayed with -

It was still a beautiful sight despite the cloudy skies. I think I loved it so much because the rain and greenery reminded me of Washington, my home state (and Trent's and Marcilyn's).

Partway through the trail, Rob had the great idea to climb out on some boulders so we broke off from the group. We set my camera on a rock and Trent was our speedy camera man who dashed back and forth to set the timer haha. We finally got some good ones after many tries. Notice the obligatory staircase prom pose, also Rob's great idea :D

Andrea and I had to take some dance pics :D

Saturday evening, I went to the other ward's "Mr. Colonial" man pageant. It was pure hilarious entertainment. I'm impressed by and grateful for the gallant men who put so much work preparing for their candidacy and were brave enough to strut their stuff in front of so many friends and strangers! I'm honored to be friends with Jeff (Mr. Colonial 2012) and Michael (Mr. Colonial 2013) :D

It's been an ongoing challenge to balance living life and documenting it, so I don't take pics at EVERYTHING I do anymore. Other fun things I was able to do this week w/ no pics to show for them:

- Making s'mores in Jess's backyard
- Going clothes shopping with Trent
- Visiting teaching Meisha with Elizabeth
- Hanging out w/ Tara/Brooke/Kate/Vanessa/Austin/Rhett on a lazy Sunday afternoon and the subsequent impromptu massage session
- Going to Chris & Berlin's Music Culture Night and eating way too many cookies

Onward and upward!