Hello, beautiful readers! Welcome to Day 12 of the #RRBC 30-Day Blogging Challenge. I've made it to the end of the work week. Woohoo! More importantly, there is no school on Monday. As soon as I woke up, I turned off my alarms and felt my whole essence celebrate. :-) If you've read my previous posts, you know how much I hate waking up to alarms.
My students took an end-of-workshop test today to show whether they learned the skills we have been practicing since the beginning of the year. While they tested, I had plenty to grade. I have 141 students, and many of their assignments were due this week. So, I had to grade essays, reading logs, and workbooks for all 141 students. I didn't get it all done, but I made good progress.
Last night, a friend of mine called to see if I would join her for country line dancing lessons. We have a local club called Round Up, which is everything country. On certain days, they have line dancing lessons. After the hour of lessons, the club opens up, and people start coming in for the regular night of dancing. Those who were there for the lessons can stay to practice what they've learned. Years ago, I went there and had a blast, so I agreed to go with my friend tonight. I have no doubt that we will have a great time. She and I always have fun together. :-)
I absolutely LOVE dancing! Being a semi-introvert with anxiety, I tend to be quiet and blend into the background a lot. I don't like having too much attention on me because it makes me feel awkward or hyperaware of my inner self. That all disappears when I'm dancing. I give myself over to the music, turning off my thought processes, and just allow the rhythm to move me. I can dance for hours nonstop (sometimes into the wee hours of the morning). It's one of the few times I feel truly free.
So, after work, I picked up my son after his practice. Actually, it wasn't his practice. My son has been asked by his football coach to help him coach the middle school's flag football team. So, my son is now the defensive back coach for my middle school's football team. How cool is that!
When I got home, I spent a bit of time on the computer responding to blogs and retweeting them. My ex picked up my son for the weekend. I had dinner and then got ready for a night out with my friend. Have a great night, ya'll! ;-)
The dancing is happening behind us.
I was just trying to keep up. LOL!
Do you enjoy dancing? What activities do you participate in that make you feel free? I'd love to hear from you.
Yvette--This is Wanda. I'm not a dancer at all. In fact, when our daughter was getting married, my husband and I went for dancing lessons so that we could be prepared for dancing at the wedding. The instructor told us we were hopeless! But hey, we can SING! I guess everyone has his/own talents. Hope you had a great time out tonight.
ReplyDeleteI definitely am not a singer, Wanda! I had a great time, and we plan to go again and again until we learn all the different dances. There are so many of them. :-)
DeleteCongratulations to your son Yvette that is fantastic. I loved line dancing and was introduced to it when we lived in Texas.. such a blast. Great photograph. Have a lovey weekend and thanks for the glimpse into your life.. Sally ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Sally! We really had a great time and will definitely keep going. I find it fascinating how every song has its own dance. I don't know that my brain can memorize all that, but I'm pretty sure with practice, my body will move on instinct. :-)
DeleteYvette - 141 students - that sounds like such a lot, yikes! Kudos to you, super teacher! Good luck with the dancing. I have the opposite reaction, I'm a hopeless introvert but feel even worse when on the dance floor. I hope you have a blast!!
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time, Maura Beth! We didn't stay long. The lessons are for two hours and then they play different songs. They announce each song, and the people who know the dance for that song flood the dance floor. I was amazed how each song has its own dance. We are definitely going back. I feel a new challenge coming on...learning each dance! lol! ;-)
DeleteIt was great to get to know you a little, Yvette. I'm also an introvert, but will happily dance. Funny how music breaks down the barriers on so many levels. Fun pictures too. I love the smiles. :-D
ReplyDeleteAnother author I know, D.M. Atwood, would probably say it's the vibrations of the sound that release our inhibitions, and I would agree with that. Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Diana! :-)
DeleteI can't imagine reading and grading essays and more for 141 students, Yvette! Have I told you you're a super woman, yet? So glad you got to go dancing. I have another friend who is really into line dancing and loves it. I can see why. Bill and I enjoy dancing, too, but I lack the stamina I used to have. I remember the zone, where everything fades away but the music. Good times.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Patty
https://www.ptlperrinwrites.com
Before COVID, I went dancing once or twice a month. It's just one more way for me to release the stress of my daily life. Lol! The grading usually isn't so bad. It's when the nine weeks is ending that it becomes a bit hectic. Next Friday will be the end of the grading period, and grading will slow down a bit as I teach new skills. :-)
DeleteIt's great you can dance and feel free. I'm an introvert who has always felt self-conscious dancing or singing in public. After singing a solo in sixth grade as Buttercup in The H.M.S. Pinafore, I never sang in public again.
ReplyDeleteAw, I'm so sorry to hear that, Susanne! I sang a duet with my friend in sixth grade. We sang Country Roads by John Denver. I'm sure we sounded awful, but I didn't have the anxiety I have now back then. You couldn't pay me enough to sing in public now. Lol! As for dancing, it's one of the few places that I block out everything around me and just let the vibrations flow through me. :-)
DeleteHi Yvette! A night of dancing, how FUN! I also really enjoy dancing and it's great exercise, too! For whatever reason, I turn into a comedian and make jokes and funny faces to the music. You look so happy in the picture...you are a great mom and teacher (I can tell), it's wonderful to see you going out and having fun! : )
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Donna M Atwood
D M Atwood
https://www.dmatwood.com
Life is all about balance, isn't it? I give 100% to teaching and being a mom, but I also need time to release and rejuvenate. Finding that healthy balance helps us be at peace and feel whole. Thanks for stopping by and commenting today, Donna! :-)
DeleteHi, Yvette,
ReplyDeleteI love dancing to. I dance all over the house.
I hope you get all your grading over. Teachers have lots of responsibilities.
Take care.
Shalom aleichem
I'm still grading, but I should have it done before the grading period ends. Thanks for stopping by, Pat! :-)
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