Year-Round Aqua Zumba
Posted on February 7, 2019 by Ching under Zumba.
When I completed Aqua Zumba instructor training at the LA Zumba Instructor Conference five years ago, I didn’t start teaching it right away. I was somewhat reluctant to jump in. I guess I was the same way with teaching Zumba (I just wanted to get discounts on Zumba wear and go to ZINCON) and all the other formats. I complete all the trainings with no intention of teaching. I just like to collect the licenses. What can I say? The buttons look good on my ZIN profile page.
Anyway, I got my license to teach AZ in January 2014 and I didn’t teach it for months. Later in the year, I started shadowing Alexa at Andover YMCA. I taught some AZ songs in her class that summer but I don’t think I actually got my own AZ class until the following summer.
My early years of teaching AZ were just okay. I taught it because there was a time slot available on the schedule but, honestly, I really didn’t enjoy it as much as teaching regular Zumba. Probably partly because I had to teach it in 100+ degree weather, outside, in the middle of summer. It was so dreadful.
I taught it on Thursday nights at 7:00 pm and on Saturday mornings from June to September. The Thursday night classes used to wear me out so much because of the heat. I preferred the Saturday morning classes. In the beginning we started at 8:30 am (now we start at 8:45 am), which wasn’t the best earlier in the year because the water would still be kind of cold. It was great for me though, because it was as hot.
The teaching conditions weren’t the best but the students seemed to really love it so we plugged on. I did have to get rid of the Thursday night AZ class eventually. Not because I was a wuss who hated teaching in the heat (I was perfectly fine suffering for the sake of the students) but because I started working on a project that required me to practically live in Topeka. I couldn’t, in good conscience, take up a prime class time slot and have to sub it out week after week. So, for the last three years, I’ve only been teaching AZ once a week on Saturday mornings, and only during the summer months.
As convenient as that is (I don’t have to worry about times when I had to be out of town for work), it posed its own challenges. Since I’m not teaching AZ the rest of the year, it felt like I was starting over every year. Each year, I would tell myself that I’d work on my AZ songs a month before my first AZ class for the year. I would inevitably procrastinate (because life happens and you get busy with stuff) and then I’d be frantically working on my songs a week before. Sometimes it would be a couple of days or the day before. Anyway, that feeling of panic and lack of adequate preparation wasn’t fun.
It took a few years but I finally wised up. I figured the solution to my problem was to teach AZ year-round. Then I wouldn’t end up forgetting my songs and have to frantically try to recall them the following year before summer session. Amazingly enough, that’s actually improved my attitude towards AZ. I’m enjoying it so much, I’d venture to say I even prefer teaching it to Zumba at times.
When my AZ classes ended at the Andover YMCA, I started teaching it at VASA Fitness (a new gym that opened in Wichita in July) — on the exact same day and time. The only difference is I actually have to drive in between classes, whereas before both my 8:45 am AZ and 10:30 am Zumba classes were at the same location. I have 45 minutes in between the two classes so having to drive from VASA to Andover isn’t really an issue. I have more than enough time to get to class (and even stop at Scooter’s if I need to). I’m absolutely loving the back to back classes. I’m glad that I get to continue this cadence in fall and winter.
Since I’ve been enjoying the back to back classes on Saturdays, I’d been trying to figure out how to replicate this on Sundays. As luck would have it (or perhaps it’s the Secret — also known as the Law of Attraction — at work), an opportunity presented itself at North YMCA. I started teaching AZ there at 12:30 pm on Sundays at the beginning of this year. It’s perfect because it precedes my 2:00 pm Zumba class on Sundays at the Andover YMCA.
I feel like I now have the perfect teaching schedule on the weekends. The only thing that could make it even better is if my back to back classes were at the same place. In the meantime, I’m just grateful for the opportunity to teach these classes to a bunch of lovely people who fill my heart with joy.
Here’s a picture of my new friends at VASA.
Here’s the lovely North YMCA group.
I’m enjoying teaching AZ so much that I will even sub it on occasion. Here’s a picture from when I had to sub for Hideki at Northwest YMCA a couple of weeks ago. He and Amy were in Thailand. He always subs my classes when I’m at ZINCON so I figured I owed him. The roads were ridiculous that night because of the snowstorm. I actually asked Brian to drive me. Anyway, these two ladies came to class despite the horrible weather and we had a great time working out. They gave me some positive feedback that totally warmed my heart and made the 45-minute drive to the gym and 45-minute drive home so worth it.
I’m finding teaching AZ rewarding in so many ways. Besides the positive vibes I get from the class, I actually get tangible (and yummy) rewards from time to time. This very nice man gave me a chocolate bar on Super Bowl Sunday. It was such a nice and thoughtful (and sweet, pun intended) surprise!
I am loving every minute of my AZ classes and I’m so happy that I’m able to teach it year-round now. I hope I can keep it up.
If you’ve never tried AZ before, I encourage you to join us. It’s such an amazing workout and I promise you will have blast. Here’s where you can catch me:
- VASA Fitness – 8:45 am, every Saturday (non-members can get a free trial pass here to join the fun)
- North YMCA – 12:30 pm, every Sunday (there’s a $10 drop in fee for non-members but it’s good for the entire day for all Greater Wichita YMCA locations — just keep your receipt and show it when you visit another branch)
See you at the pool!
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The Best of 2018
Posted on January 24, 2019 by Ching under Life.
For the past ten years, I’ve been doing a “Best of” blog post highlighting the most memorable parts of the year. Here’s the post from last year.
I usually try to post this either toward the end of the year or around the beginning of the year. It’s a bit late this year but at least I’m beating last year’s post which wasn’t published until the 30th.
So, what happened last year? We attended a ton of parties for one.
- 24th Annual Wichita Heart Ball
- Shaker Full of Wishes
- YMCA Annual Celebration
- Symphony in the Flint Hills Volunteer Appreciation
- Society of 1895 Luncheon
- KANSEL Team Trivia, Kentucky Derby Party
- CASA-INO
- Celebrity & Chef Cookoff
- Zoobilee
- Wine Women and Shoes
- Biz Bang
- Haus of Brews
- Light Your Heart, Brew Ha Ha, Cattle Baron’s Ball
- Tallgrass Film Festival
This isn’t even counting all the Zumba parties that happened. LOL. My philosophy is — never miss a party if you can help it. I never turn down an invite as long as I’m available to attend. That said, I’m not the kind of person that you extend courtesy invites to. If you don’t want me to come, don’t invite me — because I will show up.
Speaking of Zumba parties, these are just a few of the events that I can think of off the top of my head…
- Member Appreciation Zumbathon
- Black Light Zumba Party
- Sweat in the City
- Fall Kick Off Party
- Andrea’s 32nd Birthday
I also got a new Zumba job teaching for VASA Fitness. I started at the end of July. I actually taught a class the same day that we arrived from ZINCON.
Speaking of ZINCON, here are some highlights from that trip…
We also got to go on the Zumba Cruise!
Another somewhat significant part of 2018 is, after being a ZIN member for over six years, I finally attended my first ZIN Jam. I know, isn’t that crazy?
I just love hanging out with my Zumba family. We even went to several group movies together.
Other fun things that happened last year include…
- Kansas City Restaurant Week – It’s like the most wonderful time of the year! You get to have $100 dinners for $33. Most of the restaurants have lunch promotions too. And, almost every restaurant in the city participates. It’s pretty amazing.
- Boulevard – If I remember correctly, I think we got to do it twice last year.
- Salsa Lessons – I also got to participate in some salsa lessons at Viva Social dance studio in Shawnee Mission.
- Coffee Chat – Brian and I started our live video series on FLIP + CHING and actually kept it up the whole year!
- Stitch Fix – While I technically discovered Stitch Fix in 2017, last year was the year that Brian and I were both on it and getting boxes on the regular.
- Logan, Madison Graduation – We attended a couple of memorable graduations to make us both feel old.
- Water Bottle Project – Brian made us some awesome custom insulated water bottles.
- Ginger’s Retirement – We attended the retirement party of my boss of over thirteen years.
- Master Certificate in Project Management – I completed my Master Certificate in Project Management from Wichita State University’s Center for Management Development. My plan is to eventually take the PMP exam but just not at the moment.
- Grace Hill Winery – Brian, Jay, Becca, and I got to tour Grace Hill Winery with the Young Professionals of Wichita group.
- Corporate Challenge – I participated in the Wichita Corporate Challenge and actually got a bronze medal in one of my events (corn hole).
- The Dead South – Brian and I watched the Dead South perform at Nortons.
- Kansas State Capitol – I got to tour the Kansas State Capitol with my project teammates.
- Open Streets ICT – Brian and I finally got a chance to participate in Open Streets ICT. We rented a couple of Zagster bikes and cruised up and down Douglas. It was a ton of fun!
- Mural Scavenger Hunt – Brian and I did a mural scavenger hunt. We went on a mission to find all of the murals painted for Avenue Art Days.
Finally, I picked up a new hobby. Brian and I decided to take a break from bowling over the summer. We normally resume our bowling league for the fall but we decided to skip it this year because we started playing pickleball on Sunday nights. It’s around the same time as our Sunday night bowling league. Brian’s not really that into it but I’m completely addicted. I event bought myself a real paddle, which is an upgrade from the pickleball paddle set that Brian and I had been using.
Anyway, that’s pretty much 2018 in a nutshell. Now to see what fun things we will discover and experience in 2019!
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New Year’s Eve Festivities
Posted on January 18, 2019 by Ching under Events.
Brian and I got roped into throwing a New Year’s Eve party this year. Although, I did offer so it’s not like we were forced into it. I did it to myself. LOL.
Leading up to NYE, our friends were talking about going to this party that costs $75 per person. I don’t care if it’s all you can drink, I’d rather not pay to go to a party. It’s one thing if it’s a charity benefit. Plus, I don’t drink that much. And, if I’m drinking, I’d rather stay home and drink.
Other people were fine with the cost but the Phelpi weren’t so keen on the price either. I’m glad April said something. But then we were trying to figure out how to get together for NYE in the group chat. That’s when it came to me. If we just want to get together and we’re not really particular about where, then they should all just came over. And, that’s how the party started.
I usually don’t prefer to host on NYE because we have this superstition that whatever you’re doing on NYD is what you’re doing all year so if you’re hung over or you have a messy house or you’re stuck cleaning the house on NYD, that’s pretty much what your whole year will be like. Our typical MO is to hit other people’s parties (my parents’ for the food and Hideki’s for the booze — most of the time) and then be home by midnight so we can ring in the New Year by having sex. Yes, it’s been our long running tradition. We figured if we’re having sex on NYD, then we will be having sex all year long. And, yes, it’s important enough to us that this is a must. Our friend all know that we have to be home by midnight.
It was fun hanging out and ringing in the New Year with everyone but we obviously didn’t get our midnight sex this year. We had to wait until later on NYD. At least we got it done before the day was over otherwise we would have been cursed with lack of sex all year. And that just cannot be. LOL.
No midnight sex aside, we had a great time celebrating with everyone. Here are some of the pics we took…
I’m glad Jess and Marc took a photo in front of our gold fringe backdrop. At least it didn’t go to waste.
Me and Jess with our party tiaras.
Jay and Brian (with Becca and April in the background).
Me and the Massingills, my favorite Zumba family.
Jess and me and Madison and Brian.
I made a jug of Carlos O’Kelly’s margarita.
We laid out the party favors for everyone.
I may have overestimated how many people would show up.
We pulled out some of our favorite games and decided that’s what we would do to pass the time because I wasn’t allowed to have Zumba.
We played What Do You Meme? downstairs and Disturbed Friends upstairs.
I love having people over but I’m not a huge fan of hosting NYE parties because of our superstitions. All things aside though, it was a great night overall. But, I suspect we will resume our normal NYE tradition next year.
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Double Date with Hideki and Amy
Posted on January 14, 2019 by Ching under Food and Drink, Life.
We had a fun double date with Hideki and Amy a few weeks ago. We met up at AMC for Aquaman and then had a late dinner at Carrabba’s after. It worked out great because it had been a while since the four of us got to hang out and, since we were all having our own NYE parties, we couldn’t be together on NYE. Brian and I would normally attend theirs but decided to take one for the team and host our own NYE party this year.
The movie was great except for a few gratuitous scenes which made me chuckle. Brian calls it Jason Momoa’s version of Blue Steel. LOL.
Dinner was fabulous, as always. Joe even came by and visited for a bit and took a photo with us. Brian and I usually order the same thing every time so we were excited to show him that we actually ordered something different time.
Brian got a pizza and I got the pork tenderloin.
Amy and Hideki split the trio.
Brian had a beer, while Hideki, Amy, and I shared a pitcher of the blackberry sangria (it’s my favorite sangria at Carrabba’s). I’m sometimes tempted to get a pitcher of it for myself, which Brian frowns upon. I have actually drank a whole pitcher by myself before. It’s not pretty. It was nice to be able to share it with others this time around.
We wanted to do something nice for Hideki and Amy so bought dinner but Amy got an added bonus of getting a bag of gluten free pasta imported from Italy. What a treat! Speaking of treats, it’s always a pleasure hanging out with these two. They are such a joy to be around! Perhaps we can get together again after they return from their trip to Thailand. I can’t wait to hear about their adventures.
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Our First Time at Twin Peaks
Posted on January 12, 2019 by Ching under Events, Food and Drink.
Twin Peaks is one of those restaurants that’s been around forever but we’d never had a reason to go there. Brian said he’s heard from several people that the food is actually decent. I guess it’s just not a place that immediately comes to mind when we’re looking for some place to eat.
We finally had a reason to go recently. We met some friends there for Brynden’s birthday dinner. We tried it for the first time and, I have to say, it wasn’t bad.
Here are some pictures of our food… Madison had the fish and chips, which I thought of getting but decided against since I had fish and chips at Hereford House just a couple of days before.
Brian had a hamburger and Lindsay had the pot roast, which was presented in a cast iron dish — the presentation was better than what I was expecting from a sports bar type place. It looked good, actually.
I was dull and just got chicken tenders. I wasn’t that hungry so I didn’t even eat much of it. I think I had one chicken tender and then Lindsay and Madison helped me with the rest. Brian ate most of the fries.
Here’s what the inside of the restaurant looks like.
I can understand why it’s popular with the guys. I’m not just talking about the scantily clad girls either. They actually have a bunch of TVs showing various sporting events. I suppose if you want to watch sports and drink some beers with your buds, this would be a good place to go.
It was a convenient place for us to meet for dinner after Zumba and before the rest of the evening’s festivities in honor of Brynden’s 19th birthday. I had just subbed for Joel at South YMCA and, after my crazy work week, didn’t have the energy to continue on to Club Rodeo with the rest of the gang. We were only in it for the dinner part. I’m glad I got to celebrate Brynden’s day, even though it was just a small part of it. It gave me an opportunity to give Brynden’s mom Laurie her prize for winning my little guessing game on my Zumba page (I’d been hanging on to her prize for a few weeks because we hadn’t been able to connect until then) and also give Brynden her present, which I purposely matched Laurie’s prize so they could be matchy-matchy together at some point.
Oh! One of the Zumba guys, Luis, made both Missy and Brynden pineapple Zumba birthday cakes. I missed Missy’s but Brian and I got to share a slice of Brynden’s cake. It was delicious!
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