Dancing Queen

Soundtrack: "Dancing Queen" - ABBA

I have watched countless movies where the leads meet while dancing, fought while dancing, and, as always, fell in love while dancing. I always laugh while dancing. It doesn't matter if it's ballroom, bouncing along to pop hits, ballet, or, this past weeks dancing excursion, colonial dancing.

That's right, I went colonial dancing. And I had a great time! I will confess to participating in this activity previously, but as I am far from proficient at this type of dance, it felt like the first time all over again. Now, this is not something I would have thought to go to on my own, I went with a co-worker so we could learn some dances for an upcoming work event. On arriving we wrote out our name tags and were introduced to everyone, I was surprised to see how many people showed up, then partner up for the first set (I'm not familiar with the lingo, but I think that meant the line the men and women form while facing one another). As usual, there was a shortage of gentlemen, so I started the evening filling in as one, ready to learn the steps and moves for the first dance. And then the music started, we were "giving honors" (bows and curtsies, and we were off dancing down the line.

Now I didn't just magically know the steps, that would have been fabulous, an instructor called out all the steps, over the music, directing where we were to go. I knew I was making mistakes, but everyone was so kind and generous, politely guiding me to where I needed to be, that I didn't care I was wrong. I smiled so much my cheeks started to hurt, I almost felt bad about laughing, but I was enjoying myself too much to care. With the music playing I felt like I had stepped back in time...or onto the movie set for a 16th century film.

Eventually I was able to step in as a lady, though it didn't seem that different as dancing as the gentleman. I did get yelled at for anticipating a step where the man was suppose to advance to the lady...I did that ever time it came around, completely oblivious to the instructor yelling "Marcie, let the gentleman come to you!" Good life advice there.

Turns out though, I'm a pretty good dancer! I pick up the steps fairly quickly, mainly from my ability to listen and follow directions and my inner sense of rhythm. Would I do this again? Well, that's kinda out of my hands, as I said I would help with the event at work. But I think I would venture to attend another dancing session, even though it will in no way help me get a head in life (how would that look on my resume as a skill?).

The start of a new adventure!

A few months ago I decided to make a huge change in my life and move clear to the other side of the world for a year, specifically, to New Zealand. I will not take the credit for coming up with this idea...no, that belongs to my friend, I'm just piggy-backing off it. But after this previous year of little direction, and no career advancement, I felt it would be good to shake things up and try something new.

How to explain my reasoning behind this...can I tell you I just have a good feeling about it, that it feels right? No? Yea, I didn't think you would buy that. What I can tell you is that when what you are doing isn't working it is time to try something new. As my other friend repeats to me, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So I have decided to leap off that insanity merry-go-round and go in search of those different results.

Why New Zealand? (Which I would then say "Why not?" if I wanted to be a smart-ass...)15 years ago I traveled with a student ambassador group to both Australia and New Zealand, and though, when I mention this trip, I always say Australia first, it was New Zealand that stole my heart. With just over a week to travel there, we only saw the north island, but that was enough for me. Of all the places I have been, that has been at the top of my list to visit again. And who wouldn't want to chase summer?

Everyone asks what I'll be doing down there when I tell them I am leaving. You see the disappointment and confusion when I tell them I have very little planned and basically that is the point. In the past I have never made a step without knowing exactly where I will be landing my foot next. This trip is a way for me to expanded my horizons and see what I can do when I just let go and let life happen, rather then follow a plan.

But it will be hard not to plan somethings...like activities I want to do, such as skydive, surf, sail, and snowboard. Maybe I'll start telling everyone that is what I'll be doing when they ask.