passionate

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Shannon

Last weekend my friend Chase asked me a question and I’ve been thinking about it since then. He asked,

“Do you think you’re ever going to love your new job as much as you loved Mizzou?”

You know what, I don’t know.

I mean, I LOVED Mizzou. My four years were nothing short of marvelous. I learned so much, met incredible people and had too much fun. If you knew me in college, or if you know me know, you probably saw tiger stripes oozing from my pores. I talked about it all the time and my wardrobe was 90% black and gold. Now it’s like 45%.

Now I’m working at a new job that I really love. It’s a spirited airline company: they make tshirts, have a relaxed workplace and celebrate things like spirit and the Golden Rule. I’m so lucky.

But, I also really loved the hospital. And I loved Cor Jesu.

So do I drink the Kool-Aid too quickly? Maybe I’m easy to influence, I jump at a new cause and something to love. Do I just love everything? Are my standards are too low? Like I’m the kinda girl who just likes everything.

Or do I seek out situations that I am passionate about. Like I don’t bother with things that I don’t believe in. I only do things that I really care about.

Will I every really know? Is it my choice? Do I get to decide if those opportunities fall in my plate or if I make them happen?

I want to be the kind of person who seeks out passionate opportunities and makes the best of them when I get there. I want to be a passionate person and put my whole heart into everything.

double stuff

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Shannon

I think it’s time we talk about something serious on the ole blog today: Oreos. We all know there is only one true Oreo: DOUBLE STUFF.

Blue package with pink.

Double stuffs & Cosmo for Latinas, that’s how I roll.

So last week, I bought some Oreos and I hid them from myself behind some canned goods. A few days later Josh happened to notice them and he thought I hid them from him. Not true.

This weekend, I graciously offered to share my Nabisco gold. As we ate them, he said, “Oh I like Regular Oreos better.”

“Spit them out. Spit out my delicious cookies right now.”

“Shan, I’m kidding. (I give stink eye, he keeps eating) But really, I would buy Regular Oreos.”

Uggghhhhh.

Single stuff? Aka regular Oreos? Josh claims the chocolate to frosting ratio is better, but I could not disagree more. They seem a little too dry and crackery to me.

Reduced fat? No gracias. In the wise words of my health-conscious nurse of a mom, “If you’re going to eat an Oreo, you might as well commit to the Double Stuff because it’s not like a Reduced Fat Oreo is good for you.”

And you wonder where I get it.

missed connection: Kelly

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Shannon

I want to kick myself today. I met the most interesting person on the flight back to Dallas last night and I didn’t ask for her phone number or any contact info.

Maybe in hopes of not coming across as a serial murder (which I assure you, I am not) or wayyyy to interested in making a new friend (which I totally am), I didn’t ask her. We were about to be friends.

So Kelly, if you are reading this… email me! Let’s be friends for real! We’re both Missouri girls relocated to Dallas. We’re both into Pilates and healthy things.

When I got the very last seat on that plane and it happened to be between you and the fruit ninja, it must have been destiny. When that hour and twenty minutes flew by, it was like God herself wanted us to hang out. Poor fruit ninja for having to listen to all of your wedding plans and about how much I love Mizzou. Actually, I don’t feel bad for him at all.

You took my book suggestions and I definitely want to try out that volleyball place you recommended. Our meeting, though brief was no accident.

So let’s find each other? Let’s hang out in real life? Let’s laugh in five years about how we became besties on a flight to DAL.

Just thinking about all our future adventures is making me kick myself for not at least suggesting we become Facebook friends. Why did I decide that moment to become shy? Why did I think that might be weird? Uggghhhh Shannon.

If anyone knows Kelly’s last name, get at me. For real.

teaching adults, teaching me

Posted on May 11, 2013 by smwhitney

For the past five years I’ve taught Pilates at the student rec center at Mizzou. It’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve gained self-confidence and body image, I feel more toned and I’ve made incredible friends.

This past winter, I added to my schedule of a couple of Pilates classes at the rec. Once a week I taught at the hospital to a group of employees and community members. I’m no longer teaching there, but they taught me so much.

It started out a little rocky.

I was used to teaching 20-30 women (usually) in their 20′s (usually). Granted, sometimes men came and sometimes older people showed up to those classes. But for the most part, it was a lot of young, (reasonably) fit ladies.

My hospital class, not so much. There was a little bit of everything. A handful of middle-aged people, some heavier people, some older people, some have a wide range of motion and some have none at all. Others have bad shoulders or knees or wrists. One had multiple open-heart surgeries.

About five minutes into our first session doing Pilates in a conference room, I realized the style that I developed over the past five years was not going to fly.

I slowed down my class to teach all sorts of modifications. People who take time out of their busy day to come workout with me, should be able to workout. If I taught everything at the college fitness level, most of my participants would do more stretching and resting than moving.

That was frustrating at first, but I learned to enjoy thinking more deeply about each move. I like working one on one with participants more, trying to find a way to help each one feel their best. I figured out that I need to talk more slowly and move more slowly.

It made me a better, more thorough instructor when I taught the college ladies too. Sometimes we all need a reminder to slow down and do as much as we can, no matter what that is today. And I need to find a new place to teach around here:)

a brand new kinda me

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Shannon

Peeps, I gotta be real with you. Things have changed since April 27. Specifically, me.

Before I left, everyone was all like, “Shannon never change.” Or, “You’re going to get big Texas hair.” Too Late. “You’re going to start talking with a twang.” Not exactly. “Never change! Never leave behind your Missouri roots.” I couldn’t!

Ok, no one said those things. Well, Emily did tell me to make friends, but none to replace her.

Good news, I look the same.

But I do feel like I’m blossoming in this humidity. But don’t be mad, it’s a brand new kinda me. I really love that song.

For example, I’ve started waking up and showering before work a few days a week, so my hair looks less like I slept in the jungle. I never did that in the Show Me state.

I’m driving to work these days. I wish I could walk, but that’s not an option. I do miss that little walk, but morning radio isn’t terrible.

I’m eating a lot of Mexican. I know, I’ve always done that, but lately I’ve taken it to all new levels. I think I’ve had nachos of some sort three days this week. It’s hard to explain but everywhere in Texas smells like queso (nacho cheese).

So far, I haven’t started a book or applied for a library card. I think that will change this weekend.

This Pilates girl took a YOGA class. What the whaaaa! And the best part? I really enjoyed it. Lily invited me to what turned out to be one of the sweatiest hours of my life. It flew by and I hope to go back and be able to do that thing where I can wrap my arms under my legs and stand up.

Don’t worry, I’m still doing Pilates on my own at home.

Life is but a dream

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Shannon

So last night I may or may not have watched the Beyonce documentary on HBO. Ok, I totally did.

It was a little underwhelming as far as content. She doesn’t reveal any deep, dark secrets. Bey is so guarded with her personal life, and good for her. I wanted to know everything, but she kept it pretty professional.

One topic she did open up about was her miscarriage and her pregnancy with Baby Blue. She kept both a secret for so long. Can you imagine her dancing like that while hiding a baby bump? I cannot.

She talked a little bit about how it’s different and difficult it is to be a woman. Mixed with the media’s view of her and her personal battle for independence, I like how she still wants to do the most with her career and be a leader and role model for women.

What the documentary lacked in deep content, it made up for in concert footage. I could watch her flip that hair all.day.long.

“We gotta start teaching our daughters to be somebodies

instead of somebody’s.” -Kifah Sha

fins to the left, fins to the right

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Shannon

My first week in Texas has been a whirlwind. Monday was the beginning of a six week training for my new job. My brain feels like a sponge, soaking it up.

I’m slowly learning my way around. I’ve taken the right highway in the wrong direction a few times. I think I’ll get better at this.

The weather? Beautiful.

The Mexican food? Delish. Really, all the food has been good so far. I don’t think I’ve had a bad meal yet.

On Friday Josh and I had dinner with some friends and then drinks after at the Libertine. Dan jokingly mentioned that Jimmy Buffett would be in Frisco on Saturday and we should go.

Then on Saturday afternoon he texted asking if we were really going to go. I said, “Why not?”

About 20 minutes later, Josh and I picked up Dan and Hefferita ingredients and headed north. We figured we’d scalp tickets or just catch the music from the parking lot.

Well, we got tickets for $43 bucks a piece from a guy who goes by “Green Eyes,” but you really can’t put a price on that experience. The Parrotheads are as spirited as their reputation. It was quite the tailgating scene in the fields outside the stadium.

We enjoyed a few beach drinks and people-watched as Jackson Browne warmed up the stage for the big guy. That’s when we met Shanna, who couldn’t believe that we decided that afternoon just to show up. She really didn’t believe Josh and I just happened to have hawaiian shirts laying around. Thanks to my costume bag, we blended in to the crowd.

So many parrotheads, Landshark, fins, leis and pretty much everything else you would expect at a Jimmy Buffett show. It was a blast.

Our tickets were pretty good, but we wiggled down to the foor for some dancing. If you ever get the chance to see JB, I highly recommend it.

Let’s chat about Pinterest

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Shannon

Shall we?

Well, for starters, I love it. Every couple of days, I stroll on over and see what cool outfits my friends plan to wear, what wedding colors they like and recipes that all claim to be fast, easy, delicious and healthy. I love to pin things, I am not a hater.

If you are a pinner, you know that you see the same things shared over and over by your friends. A little while later, you might see them in real life.

Like these necklaces.

They were all over Pinterest, now I can’t leave home without seeing at least three people wearing them. I imagine some people own the whole rainbow.

How about wreaths? I love seeing people do their own take on this popular pin.

This one though… is it necessary to have a wreath for book club? I think I’d be too intimidated to join such an official reading group. But you do you.

I’ve also seen melted crayon paintings and modge-podged everything. It’s cool to see it in real life and not a little white box on my computer screen.

There are some that make you roll your eyes. Erin specifically pointed out the tips for taking engagement photos with this adorable couple laughing and looking all in love. I think my best tip for taking beautiful engagement photos is to marry/be a model. She also mentioned any quote attributed to the wrong person, which happens a lot. I would further elaborate by adding any Game of Thrones reference that is clearly lost on the pinner.

My pin-peeves include any cooking one that involves more than four ingredients or those pictures of the feet of family members that include dog paws. I just don’t like them, ok?

Sometimes, I go to a wedding, a shower or a birthday party that has been “Pin-spired.” Each cupcake has a little decorative stick in it. There are paper flowers everywhere. All the drinks have colorful straws. Chalkboard paint on random surfaces There is a table runner. Did people use table runners before Pinterest?

There are some pins that I’ve seen a million times on Pinterest, but never in real life. Theses are legitimate good ideas. So let’s all stop pinning and start doing them!

I hate things on the vanity, this is a genius idea. What are you waiting for??

It’s a cake, but watermelon instead. Please make one of these and invite me to your party!

A library, in a closet. This is just cool.

Cursing myself for having a seven letter name.

One last question: are fedora hats still a thing? Pinterest is giving me mixed messages.

First day jitters

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Shannon

Today is the first day of my new job! Wish me luck:)

#TexasAdvice

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Shannon

Today I’m moving. As long as things go according to plan. This post is scheduled because there just isn’t time for blogging on a day like today.

I thought I’d share all of the advice I’ve gotten about moving to Texas. It started with this little email from a friend at work:

Good luck, Shannon! Better bring your hair ties. Bad hair days in that TX heat:)

She did not send me this, I found it on Pinterest.

I mentioned that on Twitter and got more friendly advice. Some of it makes me so happy, others terrify me.

We dress casual at work, so don’t spend your $ on fancy work clothes. And get ready for as much Tex-Mex as possible! I am excited for both of those things!!!

You’re not Texan until you’ve accidentally branded yourself with a seatbelt. Less excited about this one.

You will be tested on the following material ((link)). I can’t even make it all the way through that list. I’m overwhlelmed.

Do not drive into tumbleweeds. Seriously. Good to know, good to know.

When driving through Oklahoma: DO NOT DRIVE INTO SMOKE.

It’s never, cheese sauce, it’s always queso. That I can get used to!

Watch out for Rick Perry. Woof.

Big hair, Tex-Mex and tumbleweeds. So what Texas advice can you give me? Leave me a comment.