Creating, Exercising, Living

Chipotle

2015-05-13T14:54:00.001-07:00

I love to eat at Chipotle and I feel good about their choice to not use GMO (genetially modified) foods. The food is delicious and I am proud to support them. I eat there 2 to 3 times a week. I usually buy the salad. I ask them to add brown rice, black beans, peppers, corn, chicken, mild salsa, cheese, and then it is perfect.

I just read an article in Mental Floss written by Bill Nye. I've always liked Bill Nye, the Science Guy who is also the Executive Director of the Planetary Society founded by Carl Sagan. I'm concerned that Bill Nye didn't stand up for the dangers of GMO foods.

Why do I feel strongly about this issue? About ten years ago, I interviewed on the phone for about two hours a scientist working at Monsanto for an article. I didn't publish the article but I was very interested in this topic about GMO foods. As a Master Gardener, I learned about splicing plant genes together to create new plant species and cultivars. When I learned that at Monsanto, they splice in RoundUp into corn and soy and other plant seeds, I was horrified. We shouldn't ingest RoundUp. It is a weed killer. What does it do to the food that we eat when it is part of the genetic make up of the plant itself? Is this why we are becoming so sick in this country? Yes, it does a great job of keeping the weeds down around these crops as they are grown so that the world can produce more food but at what cost to our health?

I will continue to eat at Chipotle and believe in their choice to not use GMO foods in their restaurant. More restaurants should do this.

I would love to have an extra part time job working at Chipotle. I would feel proud to work there. I believe in Chipotle. Everyone should eat at Chipotle to show their support and to eat healthy.

Zumba Resume

2014-10-08T21:56:00.000-07:00

I've been working on this video almost the entire day from early in the morning until now. I taught Zumba this morning at the Greenwood Senior Center and took a Zumba class at the Shoreline Recreation Center this evening. So much Zumba fun all day. I'm grateful for Zumba. It's my fun.

Zumba

2014-10-08T13:57:00.003-07:00

My Zumba Resume

2014-10-08T07:55:00.001-07:00

Whip It!

2014-06-13T16:58:00.001-07:00

The Amazing Whip It!

I saw a demonstration yesterday at QFC in Northgate in North Seattle and had to go back and buy Whip It. It's a household cleaning product. I bought it to clean my rug. This "earth friendly miracle multi-purpose cleaner is amazing. It is non-toxic with no bleaches or acids, no fumes, no color or dyes, no phosphates and you can drink it! I had to buy it because my carpet needs cleaning plus I remember this product from the movie GUILT TRIP! This movie has special meaning to me since I could have written a similar screenplay and planned to do so when I went on a road trip with my son, Daniel from Mountain View, CA to Columbus, Ohio in a Penske truck. Then a few years later, the movie came out. This cleaning product which you can drink is the same one in the movie so I have a connection and had to buy it. I'm glad I had the urgent need to buy it. I thought I would find it on the shelf but no. I went to where the demonstration was and found the person in charge of this product. She was only going to be there for an hour so I'm glad I went out to buy it. I should have asked her for a job to sell it. I'm great at smiling and sure could use more income.

So how to you get it? Call 1-800-582-0398.

J. A. Jance

2014-03-02T19:44:00.001-08:00

I met my writing hero, J.A. Jance this evening at Third Place Books at Lake Forest Park here in the Seattle area. This is the third time I've tried to go to her book signing. Once in Corvallis, Oregon. The second time at Third Place Books at Lake Forest Park last year but there was such a big traffic jam that I was in the car for over an hour and a half trying to get to the book store.

I admire J.A. Jance. She just finished her 50th book that is on the New York Times best seller list. She writes two books a year. I have 19 of them and want to get them all. She's amazing and keeps an impossible schedule. I feel so lucky to meet her and to listen to her talk.

I want to be just like J.A. Jance and write two books a year. I've finished four mysteries that are unpublished. My goal is to be just like J.A. Jance who thrives under pressure and writes two books a year.

I wish I had gotten a photo with her. I wish I could sit down and talk to her for hours. I really want to talk to her. I hope it happens someday.

AWP Conference 2014 Seattle

2014-03-01T22:55:00.002-08:00

I went to the AWP Conference again today.

First I went to see a panel of children's writers who were awesome! I was so impressed with how they structured the panel, what they talked about, and all the great advice they sprinkled throughout the workshop. NEVER GROW UP: BUILDING A LIFE IN CHILDREN'S AND YOUNG ADULT FICTION with E. Lockhart, Robin Wasserman, Adele Griffin, Sarah Miynowski couldn't have been better and I'm so grateful that I went to hear them.

Next I went to THE HUMAN HEART HASN'T CHANGED: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF THE SUN with Sy Saffransky, Rachel Yoder, Cary Tennis, Danusha Lameris, an Molly Herboth. I've always admired Sy Saffransky who created The Sun that gives so many gifted writers a voice.

Last I went to a life changing workshop about comedy writing. COMEDY AND ERRORS with Peter Turchi, Antonya Nelson, Steven Schwartz, and CJ Hribal. Hearing CJ Hribal made a big impact on me. (And, yes, I have this big crush on him!) There is so much in life that you can't control but I can make the choice to sprinkle humor and comedy throughout all my writing to make it more joyful and to make people laugh. I think that's a great goal and I think that comedy writer's are heroes who make life better since they make people laugh.

Tonight is Sherman Alexie and Timothy Egan. I didn't go because I'm not sure about going on the bus at night.

AWP Conference

2014-02-28T18:35:00.002-08:00

The AWP Conference 2014 is in Seattle. The Association of Writers & Writing Programs has a spectacular event going on and I'm grateful to get to attend. Today was my first day. I missed yesterday.

The first author panel that I listened to was Chicana/o Noir: Murder, Mayhem and Mexican Americans. Three attorneys and a cop were part of the panel representing Arizona, Texas, and California. They read from their books and I was impressed with the powerful writing and a look into the challenges of being Chicana/o. The writers presenting were Daniel Olivas, Lucha Corpi, Michael Nava, Manuel Ramos, and Susan Cortez. These writers are all new to me.

Next I listened to writers new to me. Chris Abani and Chang-rae Lee sponsored by the University of Washington. Their writing is powerful and thought provoking.

It's fun to discover new writers and find books I want to read. This is what happened today.

At the end I to see Amy Tan, a dream come true and I sat in the second row from the front, (actually the third row but no one was sitting in the first row). Absolutely amazing to get to hear Amy Tan read from her new book, The Valley of Amazement and have her sign it afterwards. This can only happen in Seattle! I'm so grateful to live here and I'm so grateful to have gone today to the AWP Conference. This was my first time.

With Amy Tan, was another writer new to me--Ben Fountain, an attorney who now writes. He's a great presenter and going to be a big hit among conservatives.

Green Lake Swedish Medical Clinic

2014-02-28T18:08:00.001-08:00

I got a check up at the Green Lake Swedish Medical Clinic on Roosevelt in Seattle. I got an annual health check up and I can honestly say that I received the best medical care I have ever received in my entire life. I'm impressed with Dr. Michael Shamseldin. I've been really crabby about medical care. Just ask my kids. I figured that the answer was to move out of this country or eat healthy, exercise, and avoid doctors.

My husband was trying to move us to Germany because of medical care. I have even been taking training to become a personal trainer to learn how to take care of my self better. I moved out of Oregon because of health care.

Last year I went to the University of Washington Northgate Clinic and had their big deal Medicare checkup. The doctor said she couldn't find anything wrong with me and said it was because of Zumba. I had a blood test and I was told I'd receive it in the mail. I didn't. I called and I called and I called. I didn't receive it in the mail until 9 months later. The paper said abnormal results. Why didn't they call and talk to me if the results were abnormal? When I asked, they said, "oh, your cholesterol is a little high, that's all." Good grief!

There is a big difference between the medical care I received this morning. First of all everyone has been so nice to me--on the phone, in person, and my doctor is thorough, brilliant, and made me feel cared about, like I matter. I can't get over how different it is at Swedish. I figured I belonged there because I'm half Swedish.

I no longer worry about medical care now. I am where I am supposed to be. I'm in the best place possible and I have a great doctor. I even had an EKG and he said, "it was great!" I told him that I'm healthy. I'm just fat. I am so impressed with Swedish Medical. I'm grateful that I now have a great doctor.

Red Robin

2014-02-25T22:22:00.002-08:00

I turned 66 today on February 25th. My son, Ben and his wife Amanda took me out to Red Robin for dinner with my granddaughters, Ella and Anna. I had a nice time. I had a great salad that I enjoyed. We had the best waiter named Daniel who was very attentive and had a great personality. He's my favorite at Red Robin. At the end of dinner, I was given a hot fudge Sunday and they sang Happy Birthday! I had a wonderful time and it was fun to spend my birthday with my family.

I am ZIN

2014-02-25T00:12:00.001-08:00

The 5th Avenue Theatre's Rising Star Project

2014-02-20T17:38:00.000-08:00

The 5th Avenue Theatre's Rising Star Project is an immersion into professional theater for students ages 14 to 19. Apply now! What an amazing opportunity to immerse yourself in an all student production this spring of Spamalot coached by a professional team. Give generously to this project for all students are on scholarship.

The cost for each student is $4000. Please give generously to this project and help students learn and grow in musical theater. Send a check today for $4000 to sponsor a student.

Contact:
Anya Rudnick
arudnick@5thavenue.org
206-260-2134

Connie Corrick
ccorrick@5thavenue.org
206-260-2106

Lauren Ruhl
lruhl@5thavenue.org
206-436-5803

The 5th Avenue Theatre
Attn: Edu / Rising Star Project
1326 5th Avenue, suite 735
Seattle, WA 98101

Monty Python's Spamalot at the 5th Avenue Theater

2014-02-20T17:29:00.001-08:00

I had lunch today with my son, Ben and then I went to see Monty Python's Spamalot at the 5th Avenue Theater. Wow! What a production! I laughed. It was clever, hilarious, fun, silly, outrageous, and it dared to go with words where many fear. I'd love to see a copy of the script. It's always fun and a big treat to see a Broadway play at the 5th Avenue Theater. And I always meet the best people.

Sochi Olympics and Quilting

2014-02-13T16:54:00.001-08:00

I've been watching the Sochi Olympics with interest. I've really been fascinated by the quilting patterns. I love it. I didn't know that Russian women quilted. I really love these color blends and the patterns together. I love how they put prints together to make a blended quilt.

My grandfather on my mother's side was born in Ljubjiana. It was in Austria when he was born but now it is in Slovenia. Originally the family came from Russia so I feel a connection.

St. Petersburg is so beautiful. I want to go there someday.

Russia can feel very proud of the Sochi Olympics. It is a celebration of excellence, hard work, and talent.

Seattle Seahawks

2014-02-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

Seattle has heart! It is really heartwarming and cute that the entire Seattle area has ground to a halt and stopped to celebrate the Seahawks. I'm so glad they won. Seattle needed the win. The Seahawks are an extraordinary team with heart and everyone loves them. Television news said kids aren't in school and people aren't going to work except those who are forced to go. A half a million people are lining the streets welcoming the Seahawks. All TV channels are focused on the parade. Seattle has been celebrating for days. It's really cute. Awesome!

Teachers have brought their students. Parents have brought their children to celebrate as families from all over the region. People have skipped work. The Mayor of Seattle has said this is an excused absence for kids. Awesome! I love our new Mayor. Everyone here loves the Seahawks. I need a 12 flag.

Aqua Zumba

2014-02-05T07:54:00.001-08:00

I took the Aqua Zumba training on February 2, 2014 at the LA Zumba Conference. The training was taught by ZES Eliza Stone. I'm so impressed by her. She's so nice. I'm proud to know her and to have had the opportunity to take a photo with her.

In the top photo taken during the training at the Marriott near the Convention Center in LA, I'm in the first row with the black swimming suit with the X back in front of the ZES from Italy with the yellow shirt.

Joy Prouty, Creator of Zumba Gold

2014-02-05T07:35:00.001-08:00

Joy Prouty created Zumba Gold, which is Zumba for seniors. She's amazing and I admire her so much. It was an honor to meet her and take Zumba Gold Toning and a Gold Boost from her. I'm so grateful to get this photo with her. She's my inspiration.

AFAA Group Fitness Instructor Training

2014-02-05T07:34:00.004-08:00

This is the training class in LA at the LA Zumba Conference on January 30, 2014. I learned so much in this training and through study of the books from AFAA. I recommend this training to all Zumba instructors and anyone who teaches group fitness. This is an important and essential training.

Beto Perez, Genius and Creator of Zumba

2014-02-05T06:08:00.002-08:00

Here is the genius and creator of Zumba, Beto Perez. I wanted so much to get a photo with Beto at the LA Zumba Conference and my dream came true. I truly admire Beto. He should win the Nobel Peace Prize for creating Zumba which unites the world and makes exercise fun. He's my hero. He's such a good person and so kind.

Alberto Perlman, CEO of Zumba

2014-02-05T05:55:00.001-08:00

I had so much fun at the LA Zumba Conference. Zumba instructors from over 70 countries met in LA for training at the Convention Center.

I was excited to meet and take a photo with the CEO of Zumba, Alberto Perlman. He's the genius behind the success of Zumba.

Zumba Resume

2014-02-05T05:52:00.000-08:00

Zumba Training:

Zumba Basic 1 training on June 29^th, 2013 with Madalene Aponte

Zumba Toning training on June 30^th, 2013 with Madalene Aponte

Zumba Core on August 26, 2013 online training

Zumba Glutes on September 2, 2013 online training

Zumba Gold on September 7, 2013 with Shonna Porter

Zumba Kids & Kids Jr. on December 6, 2013 with Kass Martin

Zumba Sentao on December 15, 2013 with Pepper Von

Zumba Circuit online training

LA Zumba Conference on January 31 through February 2, 2014

Zumba Gold Toning on January 31, 2014 with Joy Prouty

Zumba Gold Boost on January 31, 2014 with Joy Prouty

Zumba Pro on February 1, 2014 at LA Zumba Conference with Steve Boedt

Aqua Zumba on February 2, 2014 at LA Zumba Conference with Eliza Stone

Teaching Experience:

Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85^th, Seattle 98103

Starting on March 12, 2014

Teaching Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Fresh Fitness & Dance; 4501 Interlake Ave. N.; Seattle 98103

Taught Zumba Gold songs in Akiko Ogami’s class. December, 2013

Zumba Zin Jams:

Zumba Jammer Melissa (Meli) Mastroeni-Kirkwood on Oct. 19, 2013

Zumba Jammer Samuel Salazar on November 17, 2013

Zumba Jammer Andrew Walker on December 8, 2013

Zumba Jammer Carlos Henriquez on January 25, 2014

Zumba Gold Mentor, Joan Wilde assigned by Zumba.com on January 22, 2014

CPR AED Training:

CPR Seattle on December 18, 2013 with instructor Farley Kautz

Group Instructor and Personal Trainer Instruction:

NESTA; Training Made Fun on January 18 and 19, 2014; PFT Certified January 31, 2014

AFAA; Aerobics & Fitness Association of America on January 30, 2014

ACE; American Council on Exercise in spring of 2014

Zumba Training coming up:

Zumba Step on February 16, 2014 with Madalene Aponte

Zumba Basic 2 on March 9, 2014 with Madalene Aponte

Zumba Zin Jams coming up:

Zumba Jammer Savina Clay on February 8, 2014

Zumba Jammer Ryan Grovey on February 22, 2014

Zumba Jammer Katie Moore on February 23, 2014

Zumba Jammer Samuel Salazar on March 21 & 23, 2014

Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson on CBS

2014-01-28T08:15:00.002-08:00

Guess what I did.............I called the ticket number and left a message yesterday for the Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson on CBS. My message said that I have always wanted to be on the show. I said that talent from all over the world is coming to LA for the Zumba Conference at the end of the week. I said that if Craig doesn't want me and my friends on the show that he should call Zumba.

Who knows if this is going to work? It would be great fun. I'd love to talk to Craig. I'd love to show him the amazing talent of my Zumba friends. I'd love to be called back to talk to Craig again.

Boy, I dream big, don't I.

Zumba Resume

2014-01-28T08:10:00.002-08:00

Zumba Training:

Zumba Basic 1 training on June 29^th, 2013 with Madalene Aponte

Zumba Toning training on June 30^th, 2013 with Madalene Aponte

Zumba Core on August 26, 2013 online training

Zumba Glutes on September 2, 2013 online training

Zumba Gold on September 7, 2013 with Shonna Porter

Zumba Kids & Kids Jr. on December 6, 2013 with Kass Martin

Zumba Sentao on December 15, 2013 with Pepper Von

Zumba Circuit online training

Teaching Experience:

Fresh Fitness & Dance; 4501 Interlake Ave. N.; Seattle 98103

Taught Zumba Gold songs in Akiko Ogami’s class for two months.

Zumba Zin Jams:

Zumba Jammer Melissa (Meli) Mastroeni-Kirkwood on Oct. 19, 2013

Zumba Jammer Samuel Salazar on November 17, 2013

Zumba Jammer Andrew Walker on December 8, 2013

Zumba Jammer Carlos Henriquez on January 25, 2014

Zumba Gold Mentor, Joan Wilde assigned by Zumba.com on January 22, 2014

CPR AED Training:

CPR Seattle on December 18, 2013 with instructor Farley Kautz

Group Instructor and Personal Trainer Instruction:

NESTA; Training Made Fun on January 18 and 19, 2014

AFAA; Aerobics & Fitness Assn. of America on January 31, 2014

ACE; American Council on Exercise in spring of 2014

Zumba Training coming up:

LA Zumba Conference on January 31 through February 1, 2014

Zumba Gold Toning on January 30, 2014 with Jani Roberts & Joy Prouty

Zumba Gold Boost on January 30, 2014 with Joy Prouty

Zumba Pro on January 31, 2014 with Steve Boedt

Aqua Zumba on February 1, 2014 with Eliza Stone

Zumba Step on February 16, 2014 with Madalene Aponte

Zumba Basic 2 on March 9, 2014 with Madalene Aponte

Zumba Zin Jams coming up:

Zumba Jammer Savina Clay on February 8, 2014

Zumba Jammer Ryan Grovey on February 22, 2014

Zumba Jammer Katie Moore on February 23, 2014

Zumba Jammer Samuel Salazar on March 21 & 23, 2014

My daughter, Gretchen

2014-01-20T02:08:00.004-08:00

My beautiful daughter, Gretchen Bennett finished her first half marathon yesterday! She's standing with my beautiful granddaughter, Elizabeth. All my kids are runners and great at everything. I'm so proud of her!

Becoming a Personal Trainer

2014-01-20T01:43:00.001-08:00

I finished the two day intensive Training Made Fun workshop to become a personal trainer through NESTA. I learned a lot. Before I walked into the workshop, I didn't consider becoming a personal trainer because I am fat and a senior. I thought who in the world would take me seriously or hire me as a personal trainer. After the first day, I really thought that because I couldn't do all the floor exercises. I avoid floor exercises.

The reason I took the training was to help myself learn and to help other people as a Zumba Gold instructor. The material that a personal trainer must learn is hard and this is not my area of study for the last few years. It's all about the science of movement, muscles, the skeletal system, and how everything works plus learning how to design a plan of exercise to help someone become fit and healthy. I learned a lot. I took the class so I would have a better chance of passing the AFAA training at the end of the month. It's cheaper to become a personal trainer than to hire one. The best possible choice is to become a personal trainer and to have a personal trainer. This is the best thing in the world.

At the end of the workshop, however, I learned that I would love to become a personal trainer. I want to specialize in helping seniors and people who are overweight become healthy and stay healthy. I've worked at writing for the last 10 years and spent a lot of money. I've never been successful at connecting so that I could start publishing or getting an agent even though I have finished four mystery novels and have published dozens and dozens of articles.

So now I can see my life going in a different direction. I could start making money as a personal trainer as soon as I pass the test and get hired. I'm probably the one person in the room who didn't pass the test but that's okay. I know the material better now than when I took the workshop. I will keep at it until I do pass the test. A personal trainer has to know so much. I didn't find the right way for me to learn the material until a couple of days before the workshop. I started typing the pages and it started to help me connect with the material. I wasn't a science and math major in college. Yes, I have a bachelor's degree but I loved the social science classes and the humanities and history.

It would be great to go forward in life helping people become fit and healthy and make money doing it. Health and fitness is my number one priority. Becoming a personal trainer and Zumba instructor is putting my actions in line with my number one priority to become healthy and fit as I age.

I'm excited to see what happens in 2014. I will keep working at it. I will keep trying to learn. I want to continue to take workshops and classes. There is so much to learn. I want to go to conferences. After taking this workshop, I want to take a workshop on designing exercise plans. I know the basic formula but I want to learn more.

I'm interested in so many things so how am I going to spend my time in 2014? Health and fitness is number one. Writing is number two. Reading about health, fitness, and writing is number three. I can't do everything. This is what I am focusing on and trying to drive these goals forward. We'll see what happens.