2018

Archive for the year 2018

Pre-ZINCON Fun with Friends

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Ching under Movies, Things to Do.

Here’s what we did the weekend before we left for #ZINCON.

Brian and I went to checkout a new dance club in Old Town with some friends. Hideki was actually the one who suggested we check out Fever. It’s where Pandora and Bounce used to be. It’s actually really cool and we plan to go back very soon.

The following night was Mamma Mia! 2 night.

We had a watch party at our house for the first Mamma Mia! movie the previous weekend and then a bunch of us went to see the sequel the following weekend before Brian and I left for #ZINCON. It was perfect timing too, because I signed up for the Best of ABBA session with Steve and Kass so watching the movie right before put me in the right mood. I was super excited to attend my ABBA session after watching both movies.

Here are some pictures of us after watching the movie.

It was super fun watching it with everyone. I was amazed that we didn’t suddenly burst into song and dance in the middle of the movie. Even Alex, who loves and knows all the words to the songs, behaved herself.

Then we went to the Dairy Queen by the movie theater right after. Apparently everyone had the same idea because their drive thru was super busy!

It was the perfect night for sitting outside and visiting.

The next morning we met Jeff for breakfast at Dempsey’s Biscuit Co.

No pickleball for us that day because we had to finish packing. Check out our Zumba-fied suitcases! These are the decals that I got from Jaime at the ZIN Jam.

Our suitcases looked so legit! Anyway, I have one more non-Zumba-related post and then I’ll recap #ZINCON. Have a fabulous weekend and GNG!

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My Very First ZIN Jam

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Ching under Zumba.

After being ZIN™ (Zumba Instructor Network) member for over six years, I finally attended my very first ZIN Jam™ session. You’re probably wondering what that is. ZIN Jam™ is the officially authorized program, sanctioned by Zumba® Fitness, for any Zumba®-related choreography jams, choreography sessions, or choreography exchanges that are held anywhere in the world. The ZIN Jam™ program can only be led by a Zumba® Jammer (ZJ) and is an exclusive benefit to ZIN™ members.

You can learn more about ZIN Jam™ sessions here.

Because of my busy schedule Jam sessions have been somewhat of a low priority to me. That and I had a different perspective on choreography and routines when I first started teaching Zumba®. In the beginning I wanted to be different from everyone else. Besides the songs from my favorite instructors that I had to use early on (with permission, of course) to get me through my first few classes, I generally stayed away from songs that others were already doing.

Over the years I realized what really bothered me about doing the same songs as others is when the choreography is completely different. If it’s the same or similar, I actually quite enjoy it. So nowadays I don’t mind doing the same songs as other instructors as long as I know we are all using similar choreography.

This change in perspective has allowed me to be more open to attending a ZIN Jam™. And so, it happened that I found myself at Eventum Salon on the South side of town, attending one. ZJ Jaime Ortiz led the Jam. The experience was such a positive one that I know feel significantly differently about Jams. I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on this very useful ZIN™ perk all this time.

Here are some pictures from the Jam…

Here we are learning some choreo.

My friends Alex and Rose attended the same Jam.

I had to get a separate photo with Rose because we had matching outfits. (She usually tells me what to wear. LOL.)

This is a group photo we took at the end but some people had already left so it’s not the entire group. Our group was small enough that it was conducive to learning but a good turnout overall. I met ZIN™ members from the surrounding area who I hadn’t met before and learned about some newly-minted ZINs.

Here we are with ZJ Jaime Ortiz at the end of the session. Jaime taught us choreography to five songs:

Ya Te Olvide (Cumbia)
Bailalo (Soca Tropical)
Te Duele (Reggaeton)
Sin Pijama (Latin Urban)
Kizumbia (Kizomba)

Jaime did a fabulous job of breaking down choreography such that we were able to bring all five songs to class immediately. Thanks to the help of both Rose and Alex, we were able to do the first four songs in class the very next day (Sunday 2 PM class). I introduced the last song, Kizumbia, to the class the following weekend.

I typically only learn one or two new songs at a time so I was amazed that I was able to retain all five of these. Of course, I had help, but still this shows how skilled Jaime is as a Jammer. He made learning the routines so easy and the process of doing so quite enjoyable.

As someone who has a super busy schedule, I have a hard time justifying three hours that could be spent doing something else I perceive to be more valuable. Jaime not only made the session fun but also worthwhile. As a result, I’m more apt to sign up for another Jam should the opportunity arise in the future. It’s no longer at the bottom of the priority list.

Bottom line — it was such a great experience that I look forward to doing another; perhaps from Jaime or another Jammer. My eyes have been opened and my world turned upside down — in a good way.

That’s all for now. Until next time. GNG.

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Fourth of July Aqua Zumba Class

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Ching under Zumba.

I had such a blast teaching Aqua Zumba on the 4th of July!

I ended up teaching at North YMCA instead of Andover because Lydia posted her holiday schedule first. By the time Kristen was putting together the 4th of July schedule, I was already committed to North. I’m hoping next year I’ll be able to teach it in Andover. We had such a great time!

Brian said we had over sixty people. Of course, some of them escaped before the group photo (some people do not like to be photographed) so above is all I got.

One of the benefits of teaching at a different branch than my home branch is that it gave me an opportunity to meet some new people — quite a few of them were trying Aqua Zumba for the first time. I love introducing people to Aqua Zumba because they’re always amazed at how awesome a workout it is.

Honestly, between you and me, if I had a choice to take a Zumba class or an Aqua Zumba class, Aqua Zumba would win hands down. It’s not as fun to teach — I prefer teaching my regular Zumba classes — but it sure feels amazing when you’re the one in the water. I wish I had more time to take Aqua Zumba classes.

Oh, while it was nice meeting new people, it really made my day that my Andover Zumba family came to do Aqua Zumba with us at North YMCA. When you’re teaching a class full of strangers at a different gym that you don’t normally teach at, it’s nice to see familiar faces.

Huge shout out to my Andover Zumba family. Thank you. You guys are the best!

BTW, when we say family we really mean it. Alicia and her kids Brandon and Kariana were there. Amanda brought her mom and dad and brother and even her brother’s girlfriend came to workout with us!

Here’s Alicia with Brian. She’s like my sister from another mother. Super nice and full of joy. I really enjoying having her in class.

Amanda and Andrea are two others who are great to have in class. They’re both full of energy — Amanda specially. Oh, and they’re both licensed Zumba instructors too so they’ve been leading songs in our regular Zumba classes and that makes it even more fun. I just love my Zumba family!

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Carlos O’Kelly’s Summer Drink Tour 2018

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Ching under Food and Drink, Free Stuff, Things to Do.

I did the Carlos O’Kelly’s summer drink tour for the first time ever last year. This year I couldn’t wait for it to begin! I kept asking my friend Missy who does it every year, “Has it started yet? Has it started yet?” like an annoying child in the backseat of a long road trip.

Guess what. It’s started and, even though they give you until Labor Day to complete your drink tour, I’ve completed it already — twice.

It helped that you only had to drink five drinks this year. Last year you had to drink twelve different drinks to complete the entire tour. You got three hand-blown glasses after the first six drinks and then a matching glass bottle after completing the entire tour. Naturally, I completed the tour twice because it’s just weird to have a set of three glasses. It made more sense to me to have six.

I know it’s supposed to be FREE but this is probably the most expensive glassware I will ever own.

This year you got two hand-blown margarita glasses and Carlos O’Kelly’s “legendary” margarita mix for completing the tour.

I planned to complete the tour twice to get four margarita glasses so I started two punch cards right off the bat. And, before you freak out, no — I did not drink all of those drinks in one visit.

I’m kind of a lightweight and can only handle one drink each time. I know some people who could easily complete this tour in one visit. Unfortunately for me, it took several. I did manage to complete both tours, though, and well before Labor Day to boot! I know this probably isn’t an achievement worth bragging about but you gotta celebrate the small victories. Otherwise, what else is there to live for?

Here’s what the bottle of Carlos O’Kelly’s “legendary” margarita mix looks like. It’s a decent size bottle.

Here’s what the fancy margarita glass looks like. It’s got a nice weight to it. It’s the same ones that they serve margaritas in at the restaurant.

Brian and I decided to skip pickleball yesterday because he needed some new sneakers for ZINCON. He mostly just goes to hang out but that doesn’t mean he can’t hang out in style. Anyway, since we were already out and about, we decided to hit Carlos O’Kelly’s to complete my second drink tour because I only needed one more punch on the second card.

Here’s my set of our margarita glasses that I worked very hard to earn this summer. LOL. It would be nice to have six and I have plenty of time to complete another tour before Labor Day but I’m not quite sure yet if I will go for round three.

Anyway, for those of you who are yet to start your tour, here’s the daily drink specials so you know the best days of the week to go.

Have fun on your journey and always remember to drink responsibly. GNG.

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Final Night in Kansas City

Posted on July 8, 2018 by Ching under Food and Drink.

I got to hang out with the Knowledge Management team in Raytown on my last full day in Kansas City. From left, Aaron, Joy, Molly, Kristy, and Mary Ann.

Later that night, a few of us got together at Seasons 52 for happy hour. I picked it because (a) I’d never been there before, (b) they had $5 small plates and two glasses of wine and a flatbread pizza for $15 during happy hour, and (c) happy hour there lasts until 7 pm, whereas it usually ends at 6 pm at most places.

Check out the happy hour menu (above) and the regular menu (below).

These are the grilled chicken yakitori skewers. They were amazing and the best part is they’re less than 350 calories!

These are the wood-grilled meatballs. Slightly more calories but also very good.

Here’s a picture of the flatbread pizza. You’d think it would be tiny considering you’re practically getting it for free during happy hour, but it’s actually a decent size. I think this is the garlic pesto chicken.

I think this one is the roasted roma tomato flatbread.

These are the caramelized grilled sea scallops, which is also part of the $5 menu amazingly enough. I can’t believe I didn’t know about this place before.

Had I known about this place sooner, I probably would have made it a point to visit several times. The food was delicious and really inexpensive during happy hour.