Catch Up!

Already slacking on the ole blog.  What can I say, it’s been a busy last 2 weeks.  

Let me rewind a bit.  I started my yoga and pilates classes, although I’ve only attended a few.  Surprisingly I actually prefer yoga.  The instructor is pretty intense, and I’ve learned not to speak.  No seriously, the class doesn’t utter much.  He’s known for saying, “Stop talking, it annoys me.”  He also wears biker shorts that are far too tight and far too short.  Sometimes you have to wonder.....Running has started, just not on my calendar.  I’ve done a pretty good job avoiding the classes, but it looks like I have to shape up this weekend.  

This is actually my instructor, Randy, and his weekly outfit.  Yes, he actually does poses like this for us.

The studio where we have class.  Not much to it! 

  

These posters flank every wall.  Apparently we are supposed to be able to do this position if we continue to practice yoga. ............HA!

On the social side, I have attended a couple Happy Hour’s around town.  A couple dates may have occurred here and there as well :) These lips are sealed!  The best of all - My very sweet friend Emily came to town last week.  She was watching Amber and Greg’s sheltie, Peanut, for the week while they were vacationing in Florida.  We got our much needed girl time in! 

I had my first visit to Dallas’ Salon Lucien.  Hair visits are always an intense experience for me, as I rarely like anything a stylist does to my hair.   Three hours after my arrival and two hundred dollars less in my account, I walked out looking just like myself.  The girl did some French color technique on my hair.   Highlights are hand-painted on the hair in layers separated by saran wrap.  For those of you who are wondering, no I did not pay $200.00 for French paint to be slathered in my hair.  The salon was referred to me and is just plain expensive.  Needless to say, I wasn’t all that thrilled with the end product, especially since it cost me a new pair of skinny jeans.  Lesson learned!  This weekend I’m scheduled for a haircut at a difference salon- couldn’t afford one at the last place.  I’m hoping this girl pulls through! 

Last Friday I took 77 South back to Home Sweet Home.  It was about time I clean out my classroom.  Packing up the last two years of my professional life was bittersweet.  F.W.Gross treated me well my first two years of teaching and I couldn’t have asked for a better principal.  Turning off the lights for the last time was surreal.  In all honesty, it did break my heart a little.  Lisa has all the boxes saved in the garage.  She’s secretly hoping I’ll return to the profession one day.  Who knows, she could be right. :) I have a feeling it will be my fault when the attic collapses.  

Working at the law firm seems to be going okay.  I still haven’t been fired! No, I really do enjoy the people there.  I’ve learned to just take it a day at a time.  


Our offices are on the penthouse floor of Rosewood Court.  Skyline views from our terrace are miraculous.  I'll have to take some photographs up there once we get past this scorching weather. 

This weekend my plan is to RELAX and attempt a tan in the 100 degree weather!  

Let The Extra-Curricular Activities Begin!

Lisa has done an exceptional job at trying to fill my blank schedule.  I honestly believe she sits in her chair at work googling “How To Keep Your Child Busy In Dallas.”   The woman’s on a desperate mission and not even a work load could get in her way.  In just a week I have signed up for a running club, yoga and pilates classes.  She campaigned for a cooking class, but at that point I couldn’t fathom another weekly appointment. 

I’m very excited to start my new extra-curricular classes this week despite the fact they will involve sweat and pain.  We all know sweat, pain, and Morgan haven’t necessarily fit into the same vocabulary bank in the past.  Signing up for a running club certainly is a first considering I’ve never really liked running....nothing further than 5 minutes anyway.  Always wished I did, especially after watching Casey pitter-patter 5 miles on a treadmill without stopping to roll over and die as I would.  With a duration of 9 weeks, the class meets every Saturday at 7 a.m. (pray for me) and prepares the beginning runner for a 5K.  If all goes well I should be ready for my first 5K in September, right around the big 25th!  I also hope to meet a few good people along the way :) 

I’f I’m going to be sucking air in front of a bunch of strangers I at least want to look good while doing it, so a trip to Luke’s Locker was made to prepare my feet for this special “first.”  Luke’s Locker is a pretty incredible place.  I can see why they have such a strong business and great reputation.  Instead of throwing a bunch of shoes at you and meeting you at the cash register as fast as possible, the retailers watch you walk bare foot to evaluate which shoes will work best for you.  Now that’s service! I always knew I walked on the inside of feet, but after my visit I was made aware of my “overpronation.”  No worries though, I have special shoes with inner padding to provide support. :)  Hopefully my fellow runners will pay more attention to my flashy new kicks and not my red face gasping for a finish line. 

Friday evening I joined Amber and Greg for dinner and beer at the Ice House on Katy Trail.  The venue reminds me of Victoria with scattered picnic tables outside and twinkle lights wrapped around towering trees.  Our grilled chicken sandwiches were great, and we had a comical time.  I was somewhat disturbed by the number of females wearing suctioned mini-skirts and Lady Gaga stilettos on an endless dirt floor.  Didn’t quite make sense, but maybe I haven’t fully been immersed in the Dallas way of life just yet.  Don’t get me wrong - I understand a lady’s need for a sexy shoe and form-fitting dress to show off all her hard work, but I was bit thrown off seeing it out in Schroeder’s courtyard.  Apparently I have a lot to learn.  Either way, I much preferred Amber's and my casual appearance.  Plus, we didn’t have to watch for rocks or potholes while walking. :)  

Imagine this shoe, but in red.  Yeah, the whole "staring is rude" went right out the window. 

New Drawing: 

My Etude-e-phant. 

Etude, in music, is a study or technical exercise.  

It later came to mean a complete musical composition exploring a technical problem in a satisfying matter. 

Tomorrow Yoga beings at 6:30 p.m.  Can’t wait! 

First Adventure, The First of Many Firsts

Three weeks ago was the biggest leap of faith I have taken in my nearly twenty-five years of being.  Moving to Dallas with little preparation and few friends is the scariest, most-thrilling journey I have embarked on.  While I have little idea of what the future may hold, I am optimistic Dallas will be my new whirlwind romance.  Many firsts are waiting just past the next skyscraper.

With my feet pacing new pavements, I'm ready to learn to leap.  I once heard, "Never regret the things you do, only the things you do not." Well, not only do I not want to regret the things I do, I also don't want to regret never doing anything.  It's time for some firsts.

"To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly." Henri Bergson

"All growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous unpremeditated act without benefit of experience." - Henry Miller

And so, I have promised myself in this unprecedented time to make one first each month, one leap whether it be giant or small,  in hopes I will not only find this city, but find myself in this incredible adventure called life.

Here is Molly and My first Dallas Apartment (still under construction):

Molly, still a bit googly, inspecting her new apartment.  

In the kitchen cabinet, because we're always into everything.  

My big girl bedroom Mom and Dad so kindly helped me put together. Ah, we love it. 

She really missed not having to share a food bowl.