Cheap Date Idea — Mural Scavenger Hunt
Posted on October 1, 2018 by Ching under Date Ideas, Things to Do.
I wanted to share something fun that Brian and I did recently. It’s absolutely perfect if you’re looking for a cheap date idea. If you’re unfamiliar with Wichita, we have this three-mile stretch on Douglas Avenue called Douglas Design District. It starts at the heart of downtown and ends just beyond Oliver. The stretch is peppered with local businesses — over 300 of them.
Something else that the District is peppered with are these amazing works of art. Everywhere you look you’ll find beautiful murals all over the place. Some of them are massive and breathtaking.
So Brian and I decided to go on a mural scavenger hunt last weekend. Our adventure also coincided with the District’s annual Avenue Art Days event, a tradition that started three years ago and has grown bigger and better each passing year. This year’s dates were September 21-23, culminating in a mural crawl from 12 to 5 pm on September 23 — the same day and time as Open Streets ICT. I’m not sure if they planned it that way but it was absolutely perfect.
Since I teach a Zumba class every Sunday at 2 pm, we figured we wouldn’t have much time to participate in Open Streets ICT festivities but I really wanted to check out these beautiful works of art. Brian and I decided to venture out on Saturday afternoon, the day before Open Streets ICT. It worked out fabulously because, not only did we get to see some amazing murals, we also caught some artists in the act. They were busy finishing thirteen new murals for Avenue Art Days 2018.
Here are a few more pictures of artists at work.
This mural is one that we see all the time because it’s outside our favorite breakfast/brunch spot, Dempsey’s Biscuit Co.
This one called “Wichita The Air Capital” isn’t massive but is one of my favorites from last year. You can find it at Clifton Square, where several other Avenue Art Days installations are located.
This is the one at Dempsey’s Burger Pub at Clifton Square, also from Fall 2017.
Anyway, now that we are several days removed from Avenue Art Days 2018, I can’t wait to head back out to check the finished product of the ones that were in progress last weekend.
Thank you to all of the artists and volunteers who have been working hard to beautify our city since the inception of Avenue Art Days in 2015.
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Fall Kick Off Party at Andover YMCA
Posted on September 30, 2018 by Ching under Events, Zumba.
Here are a few pictures from the Fall Kick Off Party we hosted at Andover YMCA a couple of weeks ago.
This is a group photo of the active Zumba instructors home-based at Andover YMCA: (from left) Crystal, Darlene, Tiffany, me and Charis. The only one missing is Mandy who is still on maternity leave. She returns to the rotation next month. In the meantime Charis has been covering her Tuesday night class.
Don’t mind my wild outfit. The theme was neon so I wanted to be as colorful as possible. I just love theme days!
We had time for a few extra songs at the end so these next few photos are of Alex leading a song. She killed it!
We took a few group photos at the end. Some people had left already but, as you can see, it was a great turnout.
I can’t wait until we have another one of super fun Zumba parties.
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Master Certificate in Project Management
Posted on September 27, 2018 by Ching under Leadership, Things to Do.
Well, it took more than a year but I am finally done. I received my Master Certificate in Project Management earlier this month from Wichita State University‘s Center for Management Development.
But, as a lifelong learner, I’m never truly done. While I’m finished with this program, there is still so much more to learn.
For now, I need to decide whether to apply for a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. I suppose that would be a reasonable next step. I’m not in a hurry to do it because it’s not required for my current role but I’m thinking this might be something I want to complete in 2019 should my schedule allow it.
I’m still undecided. What do you guys think?
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Zoobilee 2018
Posted on September 26, 2018 by Ching under Events.
As much as we say we’re not going to go to Zoobilee again, we always have so much fun. It’s definitely our favorite event to end summer and officially kick off fall. And, despite thinking each year will be our last, we’ve yet to miss one of these since we started attending in 2009. This year marked our 10th consecutive one.
We wouldn’t have gone this year because I didn’t buy tickets. I figured I was getting to old to hang with the YPW folks and felt guilty about buying through their group. They have a really nice private party set up though and early entry so if you’re buying tickets, YPW is definitely the way to go. For the same price, you get in much earlier and don’t have to stand in the ridiculously long line.
Anyway, some of my coworkers got free tickets through work. I was not special enough to get one. The Zoobilee tickets are so popular that there are never any leftovers. I’ve only ever gotten free tickets from work once in the ten years we’ve been going. In the past we’ve attended by volunteering, which I very highly recommend if you want to partake but are limited on cash, or buying our own tickets through the YPW group.
This year Isaac and Crystal decided not to go. I think they had something else going on that day. I ended up inheriting his tickets and so Brian and I were able to attend, though we totally had not planned it.
I may not be the most spontaneous person but I’m always ready for a party. LOL.
Here’s a picture of Brian in line for his first drink of the evening. Success!
So Brian’s face doesn’t look it but he actually has a lot of fun at these events (most of the time). There was one year we attended despite me having a massive headache and we still had a blast. We went because we didn’t want the tickets to go to waste.
Here’s a picture of us with Josh and his wife Jessica pretty early in the evening.
This time we are with Josh, Jessica, Darcy, and Jeff.
And then with Josh, Jessica, Derek, and Vicky.
And then with Andrea and James.
And with Gina’s brother BJ who is always at these events.
Here is Brian enjoying a free cigar from the Humidor.
Group pic with Laura and Chad and Josh and Jessica (again).
We were with Josh and Jessica most of the evening.
Cox Communications had a special sports bar area this year that neither of us remember seeing in years past. We both think it was new this year.
Here’s a picture of us with Johnson, my new favorite massage therapist at Sveta’s.
Here’s a picture of us with Sveta herself and my original favorite massage therapist Michael. He’s not working at Sveta’s anymore but still helps out for special events.
Another group photo, this time with Richard and his wife.
And then, finally, a selfie of just the two of us.
So there you have it. Another fun Zoobilee event in the books. Until next year — or maybe not. LOL.
Click here for more past Zoobilee pics. GNG.
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My Zumba-Filled Labor Day Weekend
Posted on September 26, 2018 by Ching under Zumba.
The month was off to a great start. I took Friday, August 31, off to make it a four-day weekend with the Labor Day holiday. This was the most fun four-day staycation weekend I’ve ever had. I didn’t go anywhere. All I did was hit a bunch of Zumba classes and I was totally fine with that.
Linda was off on that Friday too so we met up at VASA Fitness. We started the weekend off with bang – STRONG by Zumba with Liz. She is intense!
Next up was Todd’s Friday night class at West YMCA. No picture of me but I did get to see these two in their matching outfits. Sooo adorable!
I taught my normal Saturday and Sunday classes, which I don’t typically take pictures of so these next photos are from the classes that I hit on Labor Day. This one was in Sarah’s 9:30 AM class at West YMCA. She taught two classes that day. One at West YMCA and then another at Northwest YMCA. I only took the West one because I wanted to join the party at South YMCA with Missy and Todd.
I got to be triplets with these two cuties.
I stopped by Panera for a quick lunch before heading to South YMCA and ran into Jeri. Of course she looks fabulous and I look like a hot mess. LOL. #StoryOfMyLife
At South YMCA I got to dance with Lindsay and Chelsea.
I ended up twinning with Brynden at South. We talked about what shirts we were going to wear but wore the same leggings completely by accident.
And Tammy was there too. This woman is a beast. This was my second class that day but this was class number three for her because she did the Turbo class right before Sarah’s class at West also.
Inspired by Tammy, I decided to stay for Amy’s Zumba class also.
Here’s a picture I took with Todd as I was leaving. We forgot to take a group photo with the whole class. 🙁
My next class was STRONG by Zumba with Liz at VASA Fitness. Can you spot me?
Here’s our post SBZ group photo. We kept our normal schedule at VASA for that day except we were doing a Red, White and Blue promo all weekend. Free classes to anyone who shows up in red, white or blue. It was the perfect opportunity for all of my YMCA friends to check out the new gym.
I taught my normal Monday night Zumba class after Liz.
It was my final class of the day (and weekend).
I like to yell at the class sometimes. Just kidding. I don’t really yell at them. I just shout out encouragements. We also like to hoot and holler and make all sorts of noise. It’s party of the fun!
Here’s our post Zumba group pic. As you can see, some of my Zumba besties came to party with us. I just love these guys. They make my heart full.
Labor Day was the best day ever. I told Brian that night that it reminded me of when we were on the Zumba cruise back in April because I managed to squeeze in five classes in a single day (there was one day on the Zumba cruise that I took six classes). The only difference was that I had to drive all over town to hit all of these classes, where as on the Zumba cruise all I had to do was walk from class to class. There were some days I made it so my classes were in the same area of the ship so I didn’t even have to go very far.
If you’ve been thinking about going on the Zumba cruise, think no further. It is the best vacation ever. And, it’s the only cruise that you don’t come back from having gained 10 pounds! LOL. Here’s a link to the booking site.
When you book, be sure to use my instructor code: 461028.
This gets you $25 onboard credit to use on anything on the ship and I get credit for referring you! If I get enough people to go I’ll get to go for free, so it’s a win-win for everyone! Let’s do some Zumba together! <3 <3 <3
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