Zumba with Kristen

At noon I went to 24 Hour Fitness to take a Zumba class with Kristen. I haven't had her before but I have been in a body pump class with her as instructor. She's really good teaching Body Pump but boy, is she amazing at Zumba! I'm really impressed. For one thing, she wears a headset, which all Zumba instructors should be required to wear so people can hear in the class. Often classes are so crowded and people in the back have a hard time knowing what's going on or what to do. There should be large screen televisions high up so people in the back can see what to do so they can copy dance movements. Kristen is high energy but she was a perfect instructor because she taught on three levels. I can't do all the jumping moves but I love Zumba. She modified all moves and didn't just teach two levels but three and showed all three examples as she moved and danced. She's really great!

I hope that Kristen teaches often at 24 Hour Fitness Northgate. This gym is supposed to go from a Super Sport Gym to a Premier Gym so they need the BEST instructors. Right? Yes!

Kristen is really good with people. She has a great personality. She knows how to move and dance. She's a great instructor, great at modifying moves and easy to follow. It's fun to take her class. I didn't think I would be able to make it through the entire 60 minutes but I did because she was so great about showing how to modify all the moves. I had fun. Fun is in short supply these days.

National Novel Writing Month

I just signed up for National Novel Writing Month. This is an exciting challenge to write the first draft of a novel in the month of November. I've completed the challenge twice in 2006 and 2008. It's fun and it keeps me on my toes to get the word count in every day. No excuses. I'm doing it.

If you want to join in on all the fun, go to www.nanowrimo.org. The fun starts on November 1 at midnight tonight.

President Obama will WIN

President Obama will win, at least I sure hope so. Life would go backwards to 2008, if he doesn't win. I'm confident that the voters will be thoughtful, careful, and intelligent as they vote and see that we must not cast our vote for the wealthy and protecting their interests.

I've already voted last week. Of course, I voted for President Obama and Democrat candidates.

Zumba with Mariam

On Saturday at 12 noon, I went to Zumba and the instructor was Mariam. She's a great dancer, very gifted. She also teaches belly dance. I am going to take both of her classes because it will help me. I need work on my core and she uses a lot of Zumba moves to do this. I'm really impressed with her. All Zumba instructors are great but she's the best female Zumba instructor that I've had. In the class was a young woman with a head covering. It was nice to see. She was a great dancer. Zumba brings people together. Everyone is happy. Everyone who comes loves to dance.

Oprah

I miss Oprah on prime time television. She has made such a significant impact on the lives of women for years and years. I was thinking that her best work is when she is helping people shine. She should create a new show that is a starting over show. The old reality show, Starting Over was a great show. Oprah would make it better. I would apply because I can never seem to get off the ground. She would help. She has the answers.

I subscribe to O: The Oprah Magazine: Live Your Best Life. It's a bargain for $15.95 a year and would make a great gift for any woman on your list. The front cover in the last issue boldly reads HOW TO FULFILL YOUR DESTINY: A 30-day Plan for Finding your True Purpose.

Want to subscribe? Go to Oprah.com.

Doctor OZ

Doctor Oz, as in doctoroz.com is a hero and one of my heroes. If I were restricted to only watch one show on television and I had to make this difficult choice of all the wide variety of programming, I would pick Dr. Oz because it is THAT important and that essential to daily living. Dr. Oz should win the Nobel Prize for Medicine because he helps people every single day to learn about healthy food and exercise. He brings understanding. He genuinely helps people. I've learned so much from him and continue to learn. I take notes from what I learn on his shows and often quote Dr. Oz.

I have four books that I bought years ago by Dr. Oz. I wonder if there are new ones out.
YOU STAYING YOUNG: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty
YOU ON A DIET: The Owner's Manual for Waist Management
YOU BEING BEAUTIFUL: The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty
YOU THE OWNER'S MANUAL: Updated and Expanded Edition

I can recommend Dr. Oz and all his books to everyone. He's amazing. He has great courage. He tells the truth. He helps everyone who watches his shows and I'm truly grateful to have the opportunity to learn from him.

Happiness is a Choice

Happiness is a choice. You can make the decision to look for the good and to be happy, no matter how your day goes or how you are treated. 80% of your experience is up to you. Yes, not everyone is a nice person out there and things happen that aren't great but you can decide to flip things to the positive no matter what happens.

It's always a wonderful bonus when people are nice, when people do their job, when things click, but I have learned that more often than not, this is not the case so it is important to find the good, the positive. It's important to treat people with respect and to be nice no matter what. Search for the lesson. Search for what you can learn. Work hard to be the best you can be every single day.

One of the best books I have read to help me understand this was the NY Times bestseller by Peggy McColl, YOUR DESTINY SWITCH. Find it on amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com.

Another great book out there to read is YOU CAN BE HAPPY NO MATTER WHAT by Richard Carlson, Ph.D.

My granddaughter, Elizabeth

This is my granddaughter, Elizabeth. I had such a nice time visiting my family in Salem, Oregon last weekend--my daughter, Gretchen and her husband Chris, and my two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Jack. My grandson, Jack was off busy with friends and playing basketball. I had a great time. 

If I were a public school superintendent............

If I were a public school superintendent, I would do things differently. I have heard that beginning teachers in Seattle make between $75,000 or $85,000 a year. Let's say it's on the low end, that's a lot of money. Without extra pay, I would extend the hours of school and say that every teacher must work until 9 p.m. one day a week. This evening time and after school time for kids and young people would be for extra curricular activities, drama, music, physical education, homework, home economics, etc. Many kids have to supervise themselves after school and in the evenings. Schools should be open to the community. English as a second language classes could be taught. Extra languages could be taught. So much is possible. So much fun. This is so needed for kids and families who have to work three jobs just to make ends meet.

As long as I am dreaming, I would also use the gym for roller skating every day. That's exercise that is pure fun. Every school would have Zumba and roller skating every day. Everyone would also walk or run around the track for an hour a day too, which includes all teachers and staff because exercise is needed and good for everyone.

I would also encourage teachers to blend subjects and I would encourage only the most creative teachers giving them the special perks. Teachers who reach students are golden. Teachers under whom children thrive are golden. Tenure would be out with me. No old farts sitting collecting pay checks under my watch who don't teach or abuse their position.

Bullies wouldn't be allowed. Kids who come to school need to feel safe and be safe. No bullies or aggressive behavior should be tolerated. No kids should be made fun of or harassed. Often teachers tolerate this behavior and some get right into it themselves. My husband was brilliant. He was a Mensa and scored in the 99th percentile but in school, he was the kid shut in the lockers, thrown in trash cans, and his head thrust in the toilet. This shouldn't happen to the best and the brightest. It sure wouldn't happen under my watch.

Of course, the main focus would be on math, science, and reading. Every student would participate in National Novel Writing Month and Script Frenzy in the spring. In every school there would be a spelling bee and a geography bee. Students would know history and who all the world leaders are. Competence would be valued.

If budget issues are a concern, I would cut football and team sports and encourage running. That would sure make me unpopular in the world of football people everywhere. Oh, well, I am just dreaming....................

Elementary

The new crime drama on CBS called Elementary, as in Sherlock Holmes, is my favorite. The writing, the characters with Holmes played by Jonny Lee Miller and Watson played by Lucy Liu is pure art. Here's an example of the writing from the last episode:
"It has its costs." said Holmes.
"What does?" said Watson.
"Learning to see the puzzle in everything. They're everywhere. Once you start looking, it's impossible to stop. It just so happens that people and the deceits and delusions that form everything they do tend to be the most fascinating puzzle of all. Course they don't always appreciate being seen as such." said Holmes.
"Seems like a lonely way to live." said Watson.
"As I said, it has its costs." said Holmes.

Great writing!

And it is true that it is a lonely way to live for I also ponder and see the puzzle in everything but it is not so bad when you're a writer.

Shriners Food Caravan

When I was driving back to Seattle, between Canby and Wilsonville, Oregon, I saw on I-5 a line of vehicles with flashing lights. Each had a sign but they were hard to read so I had to find one that I could figure out what was going on. I saw signs on some motorcycles that said Shriners. I finally found a sign that I could read that said Food Caravan. It was some kind of fund raising activity for a Shriner's children's hospital. The Shriners do important work to help children and other worthy causes for communities. The sign said to join the caravan so I did for a few miles. After all, my dad was a Shriner, a 32nd degree Mason, and State Commander of the VFW in Montana so I joined it and thought of my dad.

Zumba

I love Zumba. I wish I could take a couple of Zumba classes every day. It helps sculpt and tone my body. It makes me happy to dance and learn the choreography.

Zumba was created in 1999 by Alberto "Beto" Perez from Columbia. It has zoomed into the world scene and is popular all over the world. Beto should be nominated and win the Nobel Peace Prize for creating a program that brings the world together with dance and music. I know of no other venue that does the same and accomplishes this. He is a world hero.

American Friends Service Committee

I got some interesting mail from the American Friends Service Committee. Inside the envelope was a flyer with the 2013 estimate of how much government money from the United States of America will go to the military next year.

• 60% is earmarked for the Department of Defense, War, Veterans Affairs, and Nuclear Weapons Programs
• 6% for Health and Human Services
• 6% Education
• 5% State (Does this mean 5% is shared with all states? That is not very much.)
• 4.5% Other Programs (What programs?)
• 4% Department of Homeland Security
• 3% Housing and Urban Development
• 2% Agriculture
• 1.5% Justice
• 1.5% NASA
• 1.5% Energy
• 1% Labor
• 1% Treasury
• 1% Interior
• 1% Environmental Protection Agency
• 1% Transportation

It also includes a quote. "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed."

--Dwight D. Eisenhower (I must add that this is an odd quote by a Republican President. This shows how the Republican Party has changed.)

I have always admired Sweden for remaining neutral in world politics. They stay out of conflict. Maybe we need to start staying out of war activities so that we can solve problems here in the United States!

For more information go to www.OneMinuteForPeace.org

When I was in college at Oregon College of Education, I went on several work camp projects with the American Friends Service Committee that were recommended by my history professor, Dr. Kenneth Holmes. I was exposed to experiences that I would have never had the opportunity to learn about and it was all put into perspective by professors and professionals to answer questions and guide the experiences. I went to the Rocky Butte Jail, State Hospital in Salem, Nooksack Indian Reservation, the hospital in Fort Steilacoom, and the Albina Art Center in Portland with other college students. It was eye opening and changed how I look at the world.

Zumba with Niel

I just came back from Zumba and Niel was the instructor today. I really wish Niel taught every morning. He's a great instructor and makes it fun to come to class for everyone. He's a gifted dancer and choreographer.

Aqua Zumba is going to start in November at 24 Hour Fitness in Northgate. I'm excited about it because it will be fun. There's going to be a lot of splashing going on. I hope it is so packed and crowded that 24 Hour Fitness sees the need to make the pool 10 times bigger and 4 times longer and add a deep end for Hydrofit.

Niel hosted the Zumba event at 24 Hour Fitness Northgate Saturday night for breast cancer. The room was packed and everyone had a great time. Zumba makes me happy. It's pure fun. We took a group photo and I guess it is posted on Facebook on Niel's page. I haven't seen it yet but I'm going to take a look at facebook.com/niel.smith2. (I can't find the group photo on his page from Saturday night.)

Niel's website is http://hannanielsmith.zumba.com

I see that Neil has gone through training to teach Zumba Gold, Gold toning, Zumba Toning, and other advanced Zumba training. This is great! Zumba Gold is for older zoomers who need a lower intensity workout. I sure wish he would start teaching Zumba Gold, Gold Toning, and Zumba Toning. I wish Niel would teach at 24 Hour Fitness Northgate Seattle three times a day because he is such an outstanding instructor.

Last Weekend

So I had a busy weekend and a great time. It started out Friday morning going to Zumba at 24 Hour Fitness here in Northgate Seattle. Then after I got ready, I jumped in my car and drove to Salem, Oregon to visit my daughter, Gretchen, and her family. It was fun to see my grandchildren, Jack and Elizabeth. Lizzy doesn't want to be called Lizzy anymore so it is the more formal Elizabeth now. Jack was sure busy coming from basketball and off to a birthday party at an aquatic center and then a sleepover with a friend. Elizabeth had basketball and then I got to see her karate class.

In the evening we watched the documentary about Hood to Coast. It was wonderful to see. In the last Hood to Coast, my daughter, Gretchen and her husband Chris ran with my son, Ben and his wife, Amanda. I'm proud of all of them. It is a running relay starting at Mount Hood with a team of 12. Every one runs three legs or parts of the distance to Seaside on the Oregon Coast. It's a distance of almost 200 miles. It's a stay awake for 36 hours, eating, laughing, having fun, and running until you can't run anymore, unless you're an elite distance runner like Ben.

The next morning, I took Gretchen out to breakfast and then off to investigate sea berry at One Green World. I'm writing an article about it and I want to turn it into a book project. They were busy but I got to see the two acre plot they have in sea berry and got brief interviews of the owner and those who work with him and travel the world to see all these amazing plants. I sure hope it turns out because I would just love to travel on book tours taking about sea berry.

I made it back to Seattle by 5:30 on Saturday just in time to make it to the Zumba event at 24 Hour Fitness at 6 p.m. I love to go to any Zumba class taught by Niel, my favorite instructor who makes every minute fun.

The next morning I slept in until 9:30 a.m. I should have put on my alarm. Usually I'm up at 5 a.m. I missed Zumba so I headed on over to Weight Watchers, which is always inspirational.

My Kids

I had five kids. I have six grandchildren. I always said that I have the BEST kids in the world and I do. I love talking to my kids. They are the BEST people I know.

My Message to Young People

If you are in school, please understand what an important opportunity you have to learn and grow to live your best life. Don’t let anything distract you from school and learning. Not everyone has a good home life. Not everyone has a positive experience in school. If you are in school, please understand that it is critical for you to focus and concentrate on your studies.

If it is hard at home, do what you can to help out with at least one or two chores every day. Be respectful. Find a corner where you can read and study. Focus everyday on your school work and getting your homework done. Read extra. Read ahead in your books. Study. Learn. Doing well in school is your opportunity and chance for a better job, a better way of life. Don’t rob yourself of this gift by only thinking of now.

If someone at school is mean to you or is teasing you or makes it hard to stay in school, please understand that it is important to believe in yourself. Don’t react, focus on school. Become focused on your schoolwork and try hard to ignore bad behavior around you. This is not always easy but it is important for your future and opportunities in your life to learn all you can no matter how hard your circumstances.

Maybe you don’t have the best teacher this year and you want to tune out. Not all teachers are created equal. Remember that there is always something to learn from everyone. Always be respectful. Always do your work. Read ahead. Don’t ever be disrespectful or cause trouble. Concentrate on your studies and learning.

There are a lot of things in life that are not easy, not fair. No matter what happens in life, no matter how people treat you, focus on your growth, on learning, on being the best person you can be. If someone in your life who is important to you is a bad example, don’t follow. Think more of yourself and what you have to offer and of your future. Don’t blindly follow anyone who is trying to take you down a path away from your best life.

Stay in school. Read lots of books. Don’t react to bad behavior. Focus on what is most important. Keep yourself in school. Do your homework.

A young person who is in school has the opportunity to live the life they dream. Don’t let anyone rob you of a bright future. Don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough or that you aren’t smart enough or that you don’t belong. Always be respectful to those around you no matter how you are treated. Focus on your schoolwork and on learning. Believe in yourself.

[Yesterday I was walking to the health food store at the time that kids were coming home from school. I saw kids get off the bus and kids walking home from school. I saw kids of all skin colors walking together. It was beautiful.  I've been thinking about these kids and kids all over the country for the last few hours. The kids in Northgate seem like great kids who have parents who watch out for them. I live in a good neighborhood but not all neighborhoods have kids with great families. I know that the quality of education is in question in many schools, in many states, in many countries. I have noticed through the years that all children and their parents start school with hopes and dreams. However, not all kids finish school. More are dropping out. More are participating in bad behavior. More are having a difficult time. It is important for all children to stay in school, learn all they can and study.]

Zumba--Niel Smith

Niel Smith is a great Zumba instructor at 24 Hour Fitness in Northgate Seattle. He's very popular and his classes are always crowded. He makes Zumba fun and easy to follow. Niel is a gifted dancer and choreographer. We are lucky to have him teach. I wish he taught every single day.

This morning Niel taped two Zumba songs in the class which he is going to send into Zumba International to audition to be a Zumba Jammer. A Zumba Jammer creates original choreography, works directly for Zumba, and instructs Zumba instructors. I know he's going to get it because he's great. Not all Zumba instructors are created equal. Some are truly gifted and rare. Niel Smith is one of these great dancers.

Zumba

I love Zumba. It's so much fun. I love dance. I love the movement. It truly makes me happy. The ONLY time during the week that I am happy is when I am taking a Zumba class. Niel Smith is a great Zumba instructor and he's my favorite. His choreography makes it fun. He's easy to follow. I wish he taught Zumba classes every single day.

I wish I could be a Zumba instructor. I would want to teach Zumba Gold, which is for baby boomers and older Zoomers. Zumba is something very special because it taps into and opens up something inside that puts a smile on your face and happiness in your heart. I am truly happy when I am dancing the choreography of Zumba. The music. The movement. The dance. It's all happiness and joy. Pure joy. This kind of happiness is rare in most people's lives. I need MORE Zumba.

Priorities

I reevaluate my life often and try to make sure that my priorities are in line with my actions. I've decided that my priorities right now are:

1. writing
2. exercise
3. eating healthy
4. reading

I have the opportunity to see what I can do with my writing. Writers dream of time to write. I'll save money and work on my writing goals to finish projects and work on new writing projects.

If I can start making money with my writing, I can be generous to everyone around me and I can take my family on a cruise every year. I want to be able to take my children and their families on a seven day cruise every year. That would be perfect.

There is a lot of things that I can not do anything about in life but I can work on my four priorities every day. Add to that daily chores, cleaning, continue to get rid of clutter, and donate extra stuff to Goodwill. That will keep me very busy.

Northgate Seattle Air Quality

The air quality in Northgate isn't good for several reasons.

• Northgate is right next to I-5. Not good.
• Northgate is directly under the flight path of jets going into Sea-Tac. Not good.
• Northgate has a lot of traffic. The exhaust from cars--not good.
• When I moved into my apartment, they put in new carpet, which was nice but new carpet releases arsenic into the air. Not good.

What helps? Trees! It's always good to see a windy day that blows in fresh air.

I have two air filtration systems that I bought from Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Education

One of the most important things that can be taught in schools is how to think, not what to think, and to teach the process of making a decision and how to find information needed to make a decision.

Aggressive Panhandlers in Seattle

Seattle has so much to offer. The downtown area is beautiful. It has the Seattle Art Museum, the Aquarium, the amazing Seattle Public Library, the Symphony, Broadway plays, Northwest Ballet, Pike Place Market, and the Pacific Science Center. It also has great shopping, music, restaurants, events, and festivals. Seattle has everything.

What isn't good is that there are a lot of homeless and aggressive panhandlers asking for money. It isn't okay.  Something needs to be done about this because otherwise it wrecks all the good parts of downtown Seattle. I don't understand people who think it's okay to leave things the way it is. I've heard that a lot of people refuse to shop downtown. Why would all the businesses not want to see this problem solved? People want to feel safe coming downtown and riding the bus to enjoy all that is Seattle.

I don't understand anyone who doesn't want to see this problem solved. I don't understand anyone who doesn't want to see that people get shelter when they are cold, have food to eat, and medical care. Anyone who enjoys seeing people struggle, cold, and miserable is sadistic and a bully! Something needs to be done and this problem needs to be solved.

The last time I went downtown on the bus a homeless woman grabbed my shoulders. She was sick and I got sick a week later with a bad cold. This isn't ok. She needs help. All these people need help.

Bill Gates, don't you feel a little ashamed of yourself having all that money and not fixing the problems in your own backyard? You give money to the world and you have homeless here in Seattle. You have education problems in your own area. How about helping to solve the homeless problem here to make Seattle better? Seattle first.

Jimmy John's

The Seattle Times had a full page ad this morning in the paper for Jimmy John's gourmet sandwiches for only $1 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. today. I decided to walk over there to the Northgate Jimmy John's. I've never gone there before. I guess I have been a Subway fan but no more! Wow! I'm impressed. I ordered #4 for $1. #4 is a Turkey Tom with turkey, lettuce, tomato, sprouts, and mayo. I also ordered extra cheese and a drink. This sandwich is excellent. I have switched. Now I will be a loyal customer of Jimmy John's. It's THAT good.

When I approached Jimmy John's, the line was out the door, around the corner and into the parking lot. A girl coming out said they were great because it took only 9 minutes! They had two people taking orders and to hand out menus to speed the process. They were ready and they did a great job. Once I got inside, I enjoyed watching the young people who work behind the counter. It must be a great place to work. It looks like young college kids. It was fun to go there and I will enjoy eating there. I overheard two young people who worked there saying that Bill Gates came in.

You still have 45 minutes to get your $1 sub. A great sandwich, great atmosphere, and you will enjoy.

507 NE Northgate Way
206.957.0770
jimmyjohns.com
They deliver too!

Seattle North Precinct Safe Communities Conversation

I went to the Seattle North Precinct Safe Communities Conversation this evening at the North Seattle Community College. I was very impressed. All North Seattle neighborhoods were invited. All police officers representing this area were there and participated. Mayor McGinn was there, which was great! It was nice to hear him speak. I wish I could have met him in person.

There were large tables in the cafeteria to discuss issues. The goal was to prioritize concerns about public safety, share thoughts about police/community relations, offer ideas on enhancing community engagement, and select delegates to represent the groups.

We had five issues selected at our table that were a concern and received the most votes after generating around 30 ideas. The top issues were prostitution and pimping on Aurora, increased incidence of robberies and home break-ins in Fremont, pedestrian and bicycle safety in Northgate, aggressive homeless and public aggressive drunken behavior in Fremont and downtown, and street lighting in Northgate.

I believe strongly that anything that encourages better communication between police, city leaders, and the community is important. I believe strongly in participatory democracy and this was participatory democracy in action in one of the greatest cities in the world. Mayor McGinn is in charge of a great city. He doesn't duck problems. He faces them head-on. I'm impressed. He encourages dialogue.

I've been impressed with the phone calls that I get here in Seattle that notify me about criminal activity in my neighborhood. I have received a couple of these phone calls. This is great that this kind of alert would happen for the general public. There is a lot of construction in Northgate and I'm impressed that the police officers that are on the corners talk to the public.

I like being involved and that my opinions matter. I usually don't venture out at night but I'm glad I went.

I enjoyed the entertainment. There were three University of Washington students singing. I enjoyed them. It was unusual how they blended music. The girls would sing ballads and the guy would sing rap. They exchanged back and forth blending both genres of music. They were really good.

Smoothie

This is my smoothie recipe. This is what I made today after coming home from Body Pump.

1 scoop whey protein
1/2 banana
1 T. wheat germ
1 T. flaxseed
1 cup frozen raspberries
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup yogurt
16.9 ounces water

I mix all this up in my blender and it is really good. It is like dessert and it's good for me.

Body Pump

This morning I went to 24 Hour Fitness to take a class called Body Pump with Alex. She's a great instructor.    I stayed for 50 minutes this morning. I've been trying to go to the gym every day after being sick with a bad cold.

Here's how the last few days went at the gym:

Oct. 9--Tuesday     15 minutes elliptical and 50 minutes Body Pump with Alex as instructor

Oct. 8--Monday     55 minutes Zumba with Niel as instructor

Oct. 7--Sunday      30 minutes Zumba

Oct. 6--Saturday     50 minutes Body Pump

Oct. 5--Friday        50 minutes Zumba

Oct. 4--Thursday    50 minutes Body Pump

Oct. 3--Wednesday  30 minutes Zumba

Oct. 2--Tuesday      45 minutes exercise bike at home

Exercise

I've had a bad cold the last couple of weeks and haven't been able to go to 24 Hour Fitness for about a week and a half. I really missed going to the gym. Two days ago, I went to Zumba and stayed a half hour. I couldn't go the full time. I have to start slow and build up endurance again. It was fun. I enjoyed every minute. Exercise is medicine. Yesterday I went to Body Pump, which is a weights class. I stayed for 50 minutes. It makes me feel good to take this class and I notice a difference in my body. I am thinner and can fit in smaller sizes since when I moved to Seattle six months ago. It makes a big difference that I live close to the gym and that I have the opportunity to go to the gym every single day. I feel very lucky and blessed. It may seem odd that I love to go to the gym but I do. This is the healthiest choice I can make.