Due to some scheduling conflicts, I haven't been playing much this season. My first performance of the season is on Sunday, October 24 at the Tilles Center. It's a benefit concert for the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County. I'll be playing some fun tunes with the Nassau Pops - http://www.npso.org/schedule.cfm.
The research assistantship that I'd started working on this fall has been canceled. My professor had forgotten to write unpaid interns into her grant. During a site visit from the foundation that is funding her research, she was told she had to give us up. At first, I was pretty bummed out but since my classes are so time consuming this semester, maybe it's a blessing in disguise.
I kicked off the fall with a case of pneumonia! Eek - It's been rough the past few weeks but in 3 weeks, I should be back to 100%.
Since I wasn't having more fun as a blond, I decided to go back to my roots as a brunette again. (Pneumonia, a lack of orchestra gigs, and a canceled assistantship - it was time for a change). I'm really happy with my new 'do! AND my luck has certainly improved.
This past weekend I joined a bunch of my girlfriends for "pumpkin picking" (at the farmer's market in Union Square). We took our goods, went to one of the girl's apartments and carved our pumpkins. It was an autumn extravaganza! We made caramel apples, ate some pumpkin soup and pumpkin cheesecake, toasted our pumpkin seeds, and had some quality girl time.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
I'm no target
October - I took a self defense class.
I always thought it was important as a woman living in a big city to be prepared for the worst case scenario - the man lurking behind a dark corner, the nicely dressed guy at the bar who may put something in your drink, the punk teenager looking for a rush while you're riding the subway home at night. These people are out there and their looking for a target.
After a scary experience a few weeks ago with one of my girlfriends, I decided it was time to take action. I had the illusion of safety before this class - carrying pepper spray in my bag (which I had never tried and didn't know how to use properly), thinking that living in a safe neighborhood made me off limits (even though I often spend my evenings outside of my safe bubble on the Upper East Side). It was time to be realistic and get my head out of the sand.
The course was held in a studio in Chelsea and was lead by a female instructor with 22 years of martial arts experience. In 2 hours, I learned tons of tricks, tips, and skills to prepare myself for an attack. I feel so empowered and safe.
Here are some of my favorite take-aways:
-A woman's strongest weapon is her voice. Don't be afraid to use it.
-Never take your keys out - it's like saying to everyone "Hi, I live somewhere close by. Want to follow me home?"
-Practice Practice Practice the moves you learn - if you think you feel uncomfortable doing them now, imagine how you'll feel when you're actually forced to use them.
I would recommend a self defense class to any one of my female friends. I guarantee that after the class you will feel stronger than ever.
I always thought it was important as a woman living in a big city to be prepared for the worst case scenario - the man lurking behind a dark corner, the nicely dressed guy at the bar who may put something in your drink, the punk teenager looking for a rush while you're riding the subway home at night. These people are out there and their looking for a target.
After a scary experience a few weeks ago with one of my girlfriends, I decided it was time to take action. I had the illusion of safety before this class - carrying pepper spray in my bag (which I had never tried and didn't know how to use properly), thinking that living in a safe neighborhood made me off limits (even though I often spend my evenings outside of my safe bubble on the Upper East Side). It was time to be realistic and get my head out of the sand.
The course was held in a studio in Chelsea and was lead by a female instructor with 22 years of martial arts experience. In 2 hours, I learned tons of tricks, tips, and skills to prepare myself for an attack. I feel so empowered and safe.
Here are some of my favorite take-aways:
-A woman's strongest weapon is her voice. Don't be afraid to use it.
-Never take your keys out - it's like saying to everyone "Hi, I live somewhere close by. Want to follow me home?"
-Practice Practice Practice the moves you learn - if you think you feel uncomfortable doing them now, imagine how you'll feel when you're actually forced to use them.
I would recommend a self defense class to any one of my female friends. I guarantee that after the class you will feel stronger than ever.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Feeling the Heat
September - I took up Bikram Yoga (aka hot yoga)!!!
Brace yourself - it's HOT. 106 - 115 degrees to be exact. (the humidity is kept at 30%).
Things to bring to Bikram - a yoga mat (obviously), a change of clothes, water (and lots of it), towels (both for your yoga mat and for showering), toiletries for shower time, a power bar (for after class), extra hair ties, and a positive attitude and open mind.
Nothing can prepare you for the amount of sweat that will pour from your body. I was sweating in places I didn't realize there were sweat glands. We move through 26 postures repeating each. It's a 90 minute class - the first hour is standing postures and the last half hour is on the floor. I find the floor portion to be the most challenging. Class begins and ends with breathing exercises.
Since that first class in August, I've been going regularly. Sometimes with some of my girlfriends. Sometimes by myself. And sometimes Dennis joins me - he's decided to take up Bikram and I'm so proud of him for it. (He's actually pretty good!)
Bikram has done wonders for my body both physically and mentally - cleansing my body of toxins, stretching my muscles, burning tons of calories, clearing my head. It's a great workout with serious health benefits.
Brace yourself - it's HOT. 106 - 115 degrees to be exact. (the humidity is kept at 30%).
Things to bring to Bikram - a yoga mat (obviously), a change of clothes, water (and lots of it), towels (both for your yoga mat and for showering), toiletries for shower time, a power bar (for after class), extra hair ties, and a positive attitude and open mind.
Nothing can prepare you for the amount of sweat that will pour from your body. I was sweating in places I didn't realize there were sweat glands. We move through 26 postures repeating each. It's a 90 minute class - the first hour is standing postures and the last half hour is on the floor. I find the floor portion to be the most challenging. Class begins and ends with breathing exercises.
Since that first class in August, I've been going regularly. Sometimes with some of my girlfriends. Sometimes by myself. And sometimes Dennis joins me - he's decided to take up Bikram and I'm so proud of him for it. (He's actually pretty good!)
Bikram has done wonders for my body both physically and mentally - cleansing my body of toxins, stretching my muscles, burning tons of calories, clearing my head. It's a great workout with serious health benefits.
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