Creating, Exercising, Living: February 2014

Friday, February 28, 2014

AWP Conference

The AWP Conference 2014 is in Seattle. The Association of Writers & Writing Programs has a spectacular event going on and I'm grateful to get to attend. Today was my first day. I missed yesterday.

The first author panel that I listened to was Chicana/o Noir: Murder, Mayhem and Mexican Americans. Three attorneys and a cop were part of the panel representing Arizona, Texas, and California. They read from their books and I was impressed with the powerful writing and a look into the challenges of being Chicana/o. The writers presenting were Daniel Olivas, Lucha Corpi, Michael Nava, Manuel Ramos, and Susan Cortez. These writers are all new to me.

Next I listened to writers new to me. Chris Abani and Chang-rae Lee sponsored by the University of Washington. Their writing is powerful and thought provoking.

It's fun to discover new writers and find books I want to read. This is what happened today.

At the end I to see Amy Tan, a dream come true and I sat in the second row from the front, (actually the third row but no one was sitting in the first row). Absolutely amazing to get to hear Amy Tan read from her new book, The Valley of Amazement and have her sign it afterwards. This can only happen in Seattle! I'm so grateful to live here and I'm so grateful to have gone today to the AWP Conference. This was my first time.

With Amy Tan, was another writer new to me--Ben Fountain, an attorney who now writes. He's a great presenter and going to be a big hit among conservatives.

Green Lake Swedish Medical Clinic

I got a check up at the Green Lake Swedish Medical Clinic on Roosevelt in Seattle. I got an annual health check up and I can honestly say that I received the best medical care I have ever received in my entire life. I'm impressed with Dr. Michael Shamseldin. I've been really crabby about medical care. Just ask my kids. I figured that the answer was to move out of this country or eat healthy, exercise, and avoid doctors.

My husband was trying to move us to Germany because of medical care. I have even been taking training to become a personal trainer to learn how to take care of my self better. I moved out of Oregon because of health care.

Last year I went to the University of Washington Northgate Clinic and had their big deal Medicare checkup. The doctor said she couldn't find anything wrong with me and said it was because of Zumba. I had a blood test and I was told I'd receive it in the mail. I didn't. I called and I called and I called. I didn't receive it in the mail until 9 months later. The paper said abnormal results. Why didn't they call and talk to me if the results were abnormal? When I asked, they said, "oh, your cholesterol is a little high, that's all." Good grief!

There is a big difference between the medical care I received this morning. First of all everyone has been so nice to me--on the phone, in person, and my doctor is thorough, brilliant, and made me feel cared about, like I matter. I can't get over how different it is at Swedish. I figured I belonged there because I'm half Swedish.

I no longer worry about medical care now. I am where I am supposed to be. I'm in the best place possible and I have a great doctor. I even had an EKG and he said, "it was great!" I told him that I'm healthy. I'm just fat. I am so impressed with Swedish Medical. I'm grateful that I now have a great doctor.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Red Robin

I turned 66 today on February 25th. My son, Ben and his wife Amanda took me out to Red Robin for dinner with my granddaughters, Ella and Anna. I had a nice time. I had a great salad that I enjoyed. We had the best waiter named Daniel who was very attentive and had a great personality. He's my favorite at Red Robin. At the end of dinner, I was given a hot fudge Sunday and they sang Happy Birthday! I had a wonderful time and it was fun to spend my birthday with my family.

I am ZIN

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Monty Python's Spamalot at the 5th Avenue Theater

I had lunch today with my son, Ben and then I went to see Monty Python's Spamalot at the 5th Avenue Theater. Wow! What a production! I laughed. It was clever, hilarious, fun, silly, outrageous, and it dared to go with words where many fear. I'd love to see a copy of the script. It's always fun and a big treat to see a Broadway play at the 5th Avenue Theater. And I always meet the best people.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Sochi Olympics and Quilting

I've been watching the Sochi Olympics with interest. I've really been fascinated by the quilting patterns. I love it. I didn't know that Russian women quilted. I really love these color blends and the patterns together. I love how they put prints together to make a blended quilt.

My grandfather on my mother's side was born in Ljubjiana. It was in Austria when he was born but now it is in Slovenia. Originally the family came from Russia so I feel a connection.

St. Petersburg is so beautiful. I want to go there someday.

Russia can feel very proud of the Sochi Olympics. It is a celebration of excellence, hard work, and talent.

Wednesday, February 05, 2014

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle has heart! It is really heartwarming and cute that the entire Seattle area has ground to a halt and stopped to celebrate the Seahawks. I'm so glad they won. Seattle needed the win. The Seahawks are an extraordinary team with heart and everyone loves them. Television news said kids aren't in school and people aren't going to work except those who are forced to go. A half a million people are lining the streets welcoming the Seahawks. All TV channels are focused on the parade. Seattle has been celebrating for days. It's really cute. Awesome!

Teachers have brought their students. Parents have brought their children to celebrate as families from all over the region. People have skipped work. The Mayor of Seattle has said this is an excused absence for kids. Awesome! I love our new Mayor. Everyone here loves the Seahawks. I need a 12 flag.

Aqua Zumba

I took the Aqua Zumba training on February 2, 2014 at the LA Zumba Conference. The training was taught by ZES Eliza Stone. I'm so impressed by her. She's so nice. I'm proud to know her and to have had the opportunity to take a photo with her.

In the top photo taken during the training at the Marriott near the Convention Center in LA, I'm in the first row with the black swimming suit with the X back in front of the ZES from Italy with the yellow shirt.

Joy Prouty, Creator of Zumba Gold

Joy Prouty created Zumba Gold, which is Zumba for seniors. She's amazing and I admire her so much. It was an honor to meet her and take Zumba Gold Toning and a Gold Boost from her. I'm so grateful to get this photo with her. She's my inspiration.

AFAA Group Fitness Instructor Training

This is the training class in LA at the LA Zumba Conference on January 30, 2014. I learned so much in this training and through study of the books from AFAA. I recommend this training to all Zumba instructors and anyone who teaches group fitness. This is an important and essential training.

Beto Perez, Genius and Creator of Zumba

Here is the genius and creator of Zumba, Beto Perez. I wanted so much to get a photo with Beto at the LA Zumba Conference and my dream came true. I truly admire Beto. He should win the Nobel Peace Prize for creating Zumba which unites the world and makes exercise fun. He's my hero. He's such a good person and so kind.

Alberto Perlman, CEO of Zumba

I had so much fun at the LA Zumba Conference. Zumba instructors from over 70 countries met in LA for training at the Convention Center.

I was excited to meet and take a photo with the CEO of Zumba, Alberto Perlman. He's the genius behind the success of Zumba.

Zumba Resume

Zumba Training:

Zumba Basic 1 training on June 29^th, 2013 with Madalene Aponte

Zumba Toning training on June 30^th, 2013 with Madalene Aponte

Zumba Core on August 26, 2013 online training

Zumba Glutes on September 2, 2013 online training

Zumba Gold on September 7, 2013 with Shonna Porter

Zumba Kids & Kids Jr. on December 6, 2013 with Kass Martin

Zumba Sentao on December 15, 2013 with Pepper Von

Zumba Circuit online training

LA Zumba Conference on January 31 through February 2, 2014

Zumba Gold Toning on January 31, 2014 with Joy Prouty

Zumba Gold Boost on January 31, 2014 with Joy Prouty

Zumba Pro on February 1, 2014 at LA Zumba Conference with Steve Boedt

Aqua Zumba on February 2, 2014 at LA Zumba Conference with Eliza Stone

Teaching Experience:

Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85^th, Seattle 98103

Starting on March 12, 2014

Teaching Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Fresh Fitness & Dance; 4501 Interlake Ave. N.; Seattle 98103

Taught Zumba Gold songs in Akiko Ogami’s class. December, 2013

Zumba Zin Jams:

Zumba Jammer Melissa (Meli) Mastroeni-Kirkwood on Oct. 19, 2013

Zumba Jammer Samuel Salazar on November 17, 2013

Zumba Jammer Andrew Walker on December 8, 2013

Zumba Jammer Carlos Henriquez on January 25, 2014

Zumba Gold Mentor, Joan Wilde assigned by Zumba.com on January 22, 2014

CPR AED Training:

CPR Seattle on December 18, 2013 with instructor Farley Kautz

Group Instructor and Personal Trainer Instruction:

NESTA; Training Made Fun on January 18 and 19, 2014; PFT Certified January 31, 2014

AFAA; Aerobics & Fitness Association of America on January 30, 2014

ACE; American Council on Exercise in spring of 2014

Zumba Training coming up:

Zumba Step on February 16, 2014 with Madalene Aponte

Zumba Basic 2 on March 9, 2014 with Madalene Aponte

Zumba Zin Jams coming up:

Zumba Jammer Savina Clay on February 8, 2014

Zumba Jammer Ryan Grovey on February 22, 2014

Zumba Jammer Katie Moore on February 23, 2014

Zumba Jammer Samuel Salazar on March 21 & 23, 2014