To the Hip Hop Hibby to the Hip Hip Hop and You Don't Stop...

In 2008, my boss asked us to create some personal goals. They could be anything. Work related. Life related. Anything. And one of my goals for 2008 was to improve my hip-hop dance skills. For those of you who don't know me very well, this may come as a surprise, but deep down I'm a wannabe Hip Hopper. I love rap, hip-hop, soul, and r&b. You can find me most times jamming out to Ne-Yo or Usher or Chris Brown. Mariah. Rihanna. So last year for my 28th birthday, my quins bought me gift certificates to a dance studio so I could take some classes. I finally after almost a year and before they expired went to a Beginners Hip Hop class at STEPS.

Who knew that a dance class would begin with an intense abs workout? And push-ups? And running? And lots of bad jokes. The instructor kept calling me Ms. Energy. Don't know that I really was energetic, but I couldn't quit laughing at myself and how terrible I was at mastering the moves. It seems Laughter can definitely be mistaken as Energy.

The 8 count routine was to the song "Nasty Boys" by Notorious B.I.G. In honor of the release of Notorious: The Movie. I was thrilled cause one of the lines of the song was "I remember we went to Tennessee". Every time it would play, I would look at my friend with excitement cause it was like a shout-out to my roots.

I took the class on Monday evening and as of today, my abs are still screaming at me. Hopefully next Monday won't be as rough on me.

Maybe I'll record myself doing the routine and put it on here for everyone to see. And then I could add YouTube Hip Hop Sensation to the list of qualities for 2K9 Maria.

New Year, New Maria

Its the start of a new year. I know, we are already 16 days into the new year, but it took me a few days to figure out how to work a blog.

So 2009 is the self-proclaimed Year of Maria. It's the year I get a life. I realized recently I really don't have one. And it kind of makes me think of Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada or it could be because I am watching it right now. And I just sympathize with her character.

But anyways. Its the year I get back in touch with the people that mean the most to me in my life. And the year, I say NO. Is that hard to believe? Well, I haven't fully learned this one yet. But it is going to happen.

2009 is the year of being healthier...emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Say goodbye to 2008 Maria and hello to 2K9 Maria. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

The picture on my site was taken by my friend Mike Brannin.