I started taking classes at Lava Barre - it's a combination of ballet conditioning, Pilates, & strength training. It nearly killed me, I wanted to cry "mercy!" so many times. My tombstone would've read "Death by Barre". I thought I was in shape from social dancing & classes at Fuse Pilates but this was a whole other level of fitness. Apparently, I'd gotten too complacent with all my previous wimpy workouts and I'm not used to sweating or the sensation of burning muscles during exercise. My barre of fitness has been raised (aha, the pun was too good to pass up).
I got to see Showboat, "the 1st great American opera", at the Kennedy Center! It first debuted on stage in 1927 and was made into movie musicals in 1936 and 1951. I love the Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II songs, especially the haunting and powerful "Ol' Man River", which were sung beautifully by the cast. There were some very talented and animated dancers. The acting, on the other hand, was positively atrocious and I kept grimacing throughout. My theater friend Mari tells me this is the norm for operas. What a shame.
I found a new pho place to try on my way home from Lava Barre - Nam Viet Pho 79. It's a homey family-run place with very speedy friendly Vietnamese waiters; the service was lightening speed! I got the chicken pho, which had an excellent broth but the noodles and chicken were too tough and chewy - a heavy price for the fast service. Also, it didn't come with basil leaves or cilantro - fail.
Most of Friday night & Saturday morning was a nice change of pace. I just stayed home and enjoyed my new place :) I assembled my last piece of furniture (thanks Britt, Matt & Jess!) and finished unpacking/cleaning/organizing. I even got some leisurely reading done, which is a luxury that will most likely disappear when school starts next week!
Katie and I went to the highly acclaimed movie 42 about Jackie Robinson, the first black major league baseball player since the 1880s. I love black history and she loves baseball, so we were both pretty excited. And even with our high expectations, we were not disappointed! For a non-sporty girl who doesn't even know all the rules of baseball (Katie patiently answered all my questions haha), this movie made me want to go to a game. The stinging Jim Crow laws of the era, sympathy and defense of white supporters/defenders, the children he inspired, and Jackie's sweet devotion to his wife were all poignantly portrayed. And the acting was superb :)
Andrea and I went to another ward's monthly Country and Swing Dance put on by Hunter & Jordan. It. Was. A. BLAST!
I've been country (Nick's Nightclub) and swing (Glen Echo) dancing once each since I moved to DC, and both were pretty pedestrian (aka easy and non-strenuous). But there were alot of good and energetic dancers there that night. One of them was Dallin, who has this crazy and unique style of Lindy Hop blended with hip hop. Will write about it more and post lotsa pics on my dance blog later, but here are a couple of my favorites -
I left a sweaty mess but can't wait to go back next month!
After 2 days of cleansing downpours, Sunday showed up warm and sunny. I went to sing at the local nursing home (Potomac Center) with my ward. Our home teacher, Matt, gave Emily and I roses for Mother's Day in honor of our future motherhood haha :D
That afternoon, Elizabeth and I organized a potluck picnic in the park. As Elizabeth says, it was "just lovely" :)
Then I called my Mom to catch up and tell her I love her. Great end to a great week :)
Can't believe it's already been a year! I heard the barre ballet stuff was hard - good luck!
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