Squirming, Twirling, Crawling… Sore

So a little less than a week ago, I had an instant urge to take off my shoes and take a dance class, but not just any dance class… Visceral Dance Studio’s Intermediate/Advanced Modern Class! It was probably one of the best decisions I have made all year…

Since I have withdrawn from Adler, how I use my time has been slightly… well… unorganized and unfocused, so I have been trying to fill it with the things I love in life… Thus, DANCING!

The class was wonderful! The instructor, Michael Rioux, had amazing choreographic ability that left me crawling, shifting, and moving in multiple directions at once.. And yes, most importantly, it was challenging! I left with A TON of room to grow and expand on my ability as a dancer.

On top of the class, I decided it was a good idea to walk the 10 miles there and back, making a few detour stops along the way. This is where the SORE part of the story comes in… I couldn’t move for the next 2 days! Well, ok, a little bit but still… between the class and the walk, I had kicked my own butt! Best feeling in the world! :)

Anyways, the whole journey helped remind me of what I love doing the most… DANCING, and creating a healthier me!

What do you do to feel creative and fit?

Me :)

One Thousand Gifts- Part 3

Another 10 things I am thankful for! Yay!

21. Lotion in the Winter.

22. Reading on a Sunday Morning before the Rest of the House Gets Up.

23. Snail Mail!

24.  Journals- So I can Write ALL my Thoughts down.

25. Pearls.

26. Pillows! Lots and Lots of Pillows!

27. Afghan Blankets.

28. Soup and Sandwiches.. Especially Gourmet Grilled Cheese Paninis!

29. Creativity.

30. Camping with the Family!

Well that is all until next time! Enjoy!

Love,

Brit

One Thousand Gifts- Part 2

Well World, it is Sunday… that means it is time for another wonderful list of things I am thankful for!

11. Rain… and the way it refreshes the mind and feels on the skin.

12. Baking with the family.

13. The countless opportunities God has offered me in the last few years (and in my life).

14. My dad’s Chili!

15. All of the yummy & adorable blogs I get to read EVERYDAY!

16. Rain boots!

17. Cozy Chairs.

18. Music… and the way its makes me want to dance around or think deeper depending on the song. So many varieties!!!

19. Yoga.

20. Pottery.

 Well, that is all for now! I would love to hear what you are thankful for! :)

Love,

me

One Thousand Gifts- Part 1

Hello World!

The Book Cover of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

So recently the Ladies’ Book Club at my Church has been reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. First of all let me start by saying, these ladies are absolutely wonderful! Every other Thursday, my mom and the ladies go to a local coffee shop, Alternative Fuel, and discuss different Christian books. They Skype me in, which I absolutely love! The discussions are so thought-provoking, yet light-spirited and fun! I always look forward to my Thursday nights. :)

Anyways, the book has convinced me to create a list of 1,000 things I, too, am grateful for. I believe there are so many times in life that we forget what it is like to find joy in everything regardless of the situation. In the book, Ann creates a list of things she is grateful for from the big picture thankfulness to the smallest details; from serious topics to goofy experiences. Thus, I am driven to do the same. Every Sunday I will post 10 things I am grateful for. They will range from very serious topics to silly items I just can’t help but love. If you want, feel free to join along by posting comments of the things you love or simply start your own list! I am excited to share this process with you! :D

1. Tanner holding my hand through this life’s journey.

2. My empathetic and loving mom & dad.

3. For a talented and intelligent sister to share ideas and life stories with.

My Amazing Sister! :D

4. Cupcakes! :)

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes Pinned on Pinterest :D

5. My creative mind that forbids me to follow any “normal” path.

6. My ability to move and to create movement through choreography.

7. Walking Barefoot. EVERYWHERE!

8. My Eggshell Blue Nail Polish.

Barrowed & Blue :)

9. Natural Light.

10. Earl- My Beta Fish!!

I can already tell I am going to LOVE this journey! :)

Yours Truly,

Brittany

Artistic Ventures

So after my big decision, my wonderful friend Tiffany came over for tea and some time spent creating! (Ignore the blurriness of the pictures, may have had some paint, water, and who knows what else on the lens). :) Enjoy!

Tiffany Hard at Work

So Many Dots! (Work in Progress)

Yep… We are a creative pair! it felt so great to share a conversation over some artsy hours and a hot cup of tea. Tiff and I both agree we must do it way more often! Well, that is all for now!

Brit

A Life Decision

Hey World,

So your’s truly has made a significant change in her life…. I have left my graduate program at Adler. Why? That seems to be the question asked by many… So, I will take a minute to jot my thoughts down here.

1. Money- There comes a time when a girl has to decide whether she wants to live comfortably with little debt or richly with loans up to her eyeballs. After spending hours upon hours of budgeting, planning a financial future, and doing the necessary calculations; I could not feel comfortable with the Quarter Million life commitment required to obtain my education at Adler. And please do not get me wrong, this commitment is doable for many, just not for me. I learned a great deal about myself with this key point… I would rather find another path to life, than take out even $150,000 of loans. It is just not feasible for the life I wish to live.

2. Small Town, Big Family- My move to Chicago has also made me realize how much family, friends, and Tanner mean to me. I always thought I could do the distance for a short amount of time, but the truth is, why would I want to? I miss riding my bike to the local coffee shop and seeing all of the familiar faces I love so much. I miss the dance classes and the growth of students. I miss the human connection and the ability to go home to spend time with the family. I miss waking up, cooking with, and seeing Tanner daily. I miss being there for my friends… and no a phone call does not cut it. I miss feeling the grass, the smell of FRESH air, and well world, this girl is a SMALL TOWN girl! So why would I go anywhere else for my education?

3. The Stats-  I need stats I can feel confident in. I need communication between various departments, the community and the individual. I need to feel as though I can go “anywhere from here”. SD… that is for you. :) I learned a lot about what I want to gain from a school, the experiences I wish to obtain, and the things to ask when considering a program. However, please note the instructors I had the opportunity to meet at Adler were wonderful. They genuinely cared about my success as well as my departure. It just simply was not the best program for me as an individual.

So the next question that comes to mind when I have this conversation is, What is your plan now? So… Here is what I got…

IDK! Just kidding… anyone that knows me, I always have to have some sort of plan. :P For the time being, I intend to stay in Chicago until I feel I have gained what I wish to gain from this big city so many people have fallen in love with. When do I plan on leaving? I don’t know necessarily… May? or August? Somewhere in between? I will keep you posted… but for now, this is what I hope to gain:

1. Art Equals Mind-  Through this process and move, I have been reassured of one thing; I need art. I am a creative being who believes the mind is expressed in the movement, in the paint, in the streams of words. Thus, I need to expose myself to the unlimited amount of art Chicago has to offer. I need to abuse my privilege of having dance in every neighborhood and paint brushes at my fingertips. Yes world, I plan to dance… no… create, more.

2. Volunteer- There are a couple of wonderful organizations I have found that I must dive into. One is Girls on The Run. I feel like empowerment and positive direction is crucial for young women, and this organization devotes itself to exactly that. So, yes, I would love to volunteer eventually.

3. Experience, Experience, Experience- I also hope to build my Curriculum Vitae over the next year in order to apply to other, more affordable, psychology programs. Thus, research and work experience is a MUST. So any legit opportunity that presents itself, I will take with open arms.

4. Get a Job- Yep, loans are due! Well and rent, and groceries, and well… you get the picture… Life costs money! So getting a job is a requirement. I am currently still working at Caribou, so that helps. And they are simply AMAZING! But I will need something to go along with this wonderful job. :)

But world, let me tell you…. I AM COMPLETELY OPEN! There are so many opportunities and experiences in life. I am excited to see what God brings into my life. Whether it is a studio, a coffee shop, a collaborative opportunity, art, traveling, a wellness center, or more education to reach my end goal of opening a Women’s Wellness Center; I am ready. I am really going to try to give my life to Him. (I must admit this is quite hard to do for a perfectionist). But if there is one thing I have learned through this whole process it is… I DO NOT know everything and thus I must be flexible with what God has in mind for me. So…. LOOK OUT because Brittany is coming home to her small town roots! :D

2012 New Year Resolutions

It is the time for change, rejuvenation, and goal-making! World, it is 2012, and I could not be more excited! Here is what I want to make happen in the coming year:

1. Be Kind to Myself- This may seem silly, but it is a BIG one for me. For the next year, my goal is to become OK with change, and grow in the things I love and with the people I love. To heal my wounds and love the person I am becoming.

2. Be Holistically Healthier- I have decided to put this one on my list for a second year. Why? Because I was doing pretty well at this in Brookings, but after moving to Chicago, I kind of got off track. So… The goal is to get more involved in the dancing I love so much, yoga, and the healthy foods I used to eat consistently. Yep, the healthy Brittany is about to kick it into gear! Look out!

3. Be Creative- I used to be so good at this area as well. My love of the arts has gotten off course with the move. It is going to take a conscious effort to make sure I make room for this passion in life. I want to paint, to be crafty, to write, to inspire and be inspired. So be ready world, Brittany is about to get creative!

4. Be More Active, Less Lazy- If I could describe this in one sentence it would be…. Wake up before 11am even on the days I don’t HAVE TO! haha That is right, this girl likes sleeping in. But this leaves little time to do the things I want to accomplish in this lifetime! So, less sleeping in, more accomplishing!

5. Budget Better- I have always been pretty good at this, but I want to be better. With changes taking place, and a lot of education left, it is important to manage your money.

And this BIGGEST goal of them all, and one that is always on my list, is to grow closer to my Lord. Let Him love on me, and show me what it feels like to be forgiven. To go to Church regularly and read the Bible daily. To live in His ways, and show the world His kindness. Yep, without Him I would be nothing.

What is your resolution? :)

What a Yummy Christmas!

Well World, I just had the best break ever! It was filled with love, goodies, and relaxation! Tanner and I got to spend 2 whole weeks together! I could not have asked for a better gift!

Two Love Birds :)

Every year the family gets together and has a huge potluck with wonderful appetizers, main courses, and of course DESSERT! Soo… for this special occasion, Tanner and I decided to make Espresso Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting! They were so Yummy! The process was a lot of fun and Tanner is actually a pretty amazing chef! :)

Cupcakes Fresh Out of The Oven

Tanner Mixing Away!

Making Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans

The Finished Product!

My family also does a White Elephant gift exchange for the adults. Like the rest of them, this year did not disappoint. My dad in particular got the “perfect” gift. ;)

I Cannot Help but Smile :)

My Dad and Two Wonderful Cousins in Their Stylish Hats!

I believe the pictures speak for themselves. Needless to say, my dad ended up with a very stylish pink muppet hat and matching pink gloves. Guess who ran off with this gift? Yep, yours truly. (I still think the hat looks better on my dad). :)

Tanner also gave me the BEST GIFT EVER! He knows me better than I know myself I think. As you all know, when Tanner visited me in Chicago, we went Banksy seeing. We spent the day looking at his wonderful street art as well as other great pieces. Well….. For Christmas Tanner got me…. drum roll… TWO Banksy Prints AND a BLICK gift card! Inspiration and the materials to inspire! Seriously, what more could a girl ask for?!

:D

The rest of break was just as wonderful! Dad and mom made my favorite meals, my sister was also in town, and well… it just felt great to be home! I am such a lucky girl!

That is all for now, but be ready for this girl’s New Year’s Resolutions!

Love,

Me

Choreographic Deprivation

Choreographic Deprivation

Soul Charred

Lack of Movement Inevitable.

Tattoos of Tattered Shreds,

They belong all over.

She questions life.

And those that make it up.

Change is a gift.

Look at those eyes,

They shatter the brittle bones.

Money a S.T.O.P. sign.

Freedom found in the poor.

Exhausted by the noise.

Please just let me begin,

I have so much to offer.

Journey has left.

Existential philosophy relies on this.

Spirit Broken.

My thoughts swimming in this Broken Coffee Cup.

Who will drink them up?

Patterns are grey.

Let me sing for you.

The acoustic trembles.

Voice Quivers.

Legs Collapse.

Wake up Morning.

Roll Over.

Your eyes Charcoal Green.

Crystal Clear.

Mirror, I stare back at you.

Hold Me,

Just as I hold this dance.

Do you understand this?

Here in the dark,

You can touch me.

Warm me up inspiration.

Fill my fingers with love.

Movement is a blessing.

Come back today,

I’ve missed you.

Exquisite Scribbles.

Intricate lines.

Lost Directions.

Directions Meaningless…

I think.

Help me… Create YOU.

Beautiful Lover- Movement.

No Judgement Here

Quivering Lips

You Judgemental Prick

Destruction Filled Fear

She’s Beautiful.

Her words selective

Everything

Intention.

She dances circles.

Spins the falls

Around you,

Nothing at all.

Wasted Time

Time Brings out the Truth.

Yes,

For you too.

I’ve heard time heals.

You have a lot of healing to do.

Breath is breathable again.

Art gone interesting

Those that Matter,

Stained Green

Growth inevitable

Stretch Limits

Perfection boring

STOP.

Stop Answering,

Only Question.

Stop Following,

Rather Guide.

Stop with Patterns,

Create Paths.

Stop Listening,

Select Ignore.

Stop…. Stopping Yourself.

The creative self

Is inheritant and beautiful.

It will push and pry.

It will force you to create and grow.

And forget the insignificant around you.

So create beauty.

Inspire those that inspire you.

Push Boundaries

And collapse instruction.

You are one of the independent few.