salsamemes:

Hard times require furious dancing!

They meet on Tuesday nights. AHHHHHHH! I have not gone Salsa dancing since I started graduate school, you guys. I have Tuesday nights open, as far as my school & work schedule go! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I know that it means I’m going to have to sacrifice homework time but I think it’s going to be worth it. Ah!

Can you tell I’m excited? GAH! Okay, I’ll let ya’ll know how tomorrow goes!

Not sure if you’ll appreciate this song as much as I do. But when I hear this, I can’t stop myself from moving around in my chair at work. I start moving my hips and shimmying towards my computer. I just want to get up and start dancing in my office. [And sometimes I do.]

Have a great weekend, ya’ll!!!

-C

Damn.

I strive to dance like her. Sigh.

Quiero bailar y sentir que la musica mueva mi cuerpo.

In dance, the man is the sun and the woman is the moon and the stars. The man supports the woman, keeping her balanced in his gravity. Like the sun to the moon, his job is to make her shine.

- Mary Hoedeman Coniaris 

Totally appropriate quote after a weekend of dancing.

Watching this video got me excited about my Monday salsa class. Ah, one day I shall be as good as her.

-C

I was on my way to the salsa club last night when I had a mini-panic attack.

I called my best friend and told her

OMG. I don’t know if I can do this. I’m in Pasadena and I’m going salsa dancing ALONE. 

She told me

That is so “Sex & The City” of you. You love dancing so you should do this, for you. You can do this. 

I thanked her for her support. I took a deep breathe, parked my car and walked into the club.

I looked around. Everyone was sitting in small groups. Conversing amongst themselves. Shit. What do I do? I could feel the panic growing inside of me.

I wasn’t really sure what to do. But then I spotted this guy who I had met once before at another salsa class. I went over to where he was sitting with three other guys and said hello. He introduced me to his three other buddies.

One of them caught my eye. His name was Ten. Yes, like the number 10! So Ten introduced himself and we immediately hit it off. He was Cambodian, cute, and definitely had a special kind of swag. We were chatting for a while until we were interrupted by an announcement that a dance lesson was going to be starting upstairs.

I excused myself and headed upstairs.

Class started and the instructor went over the basics and and taught us some cool new steps. The instructor had us dance for a bit with each person in the class. He’d yell “rotate” and we’d switch partners. I got to meet each person in the class including this super-sexy-Latin god of a man, who was by far the best dancer in the class. And let me just say, a man who can dance is insta-hot in my eyes.

Before I knew it, the class was over.

After class, Ten came up to me and asked if I wanted to keep practicing so we went on the dance floor and that’s where the dancing really started. Ten had been dancing hip hop basically his whole life so he had a certain kind of flare to his salsa dancing that most people don’t. He was super fun and I actually learned a lot from him.

After a while, ten had to leave because he had friends waiting for him elsewhere. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and left.

That is when I was truly ALONE.

I am so proud of myself. Instead of leaving right away because I found myself alone, I went to the bar, bought myself a drink and hung out at the bar watching the instructors on the dance floor.

I was mesmerized by the dancing. Every turn, every step, was precise and purposeful while still being graceful and fluid. I can honestly say…I’m in love with salsa dancing. It brings me so much joy.

Anyway, I finished my drink, grabbed my things and decided to head home.

Last night I learned that going out alone does not mean you’re alone. I met some really awesome people and danced so hard that I can hardly walk today.

But I have no regrets because, sore and all, I have thee biggest smile on my face today.

In my years of dating, I have had plenty of men treat me to lovely dinners, buy me cute gifts, and get me flowers on special occasions. But it’s always been appropriate and within reason. But…I have never had a sugga-daddy. Nor have I ever sought one out.

Most likely, because:

A. It is unethical and plain ole “not nice”.

B. I’m an independent lady *insert Destiny’s Child ‘Independent Woman’*

About a year ago while still living in San Diego, I met this fellow while out salsa dancing. He asked me out on a coffee date, because I had mentioned my caffeine addiction in a conversation. We never got to go another date because shortly after he had to do six months of military training in Texas and I moved to LA.

During his time there, he always stayed in touch. Right around my birthday he sent me a card with a Starbucks gift card. How thoughtful, right? He barely knew me and still was thoughtful enough to fill out a card and send me a little gift.

Little psssshhh….Or so I thought…

To my dismay, the gift card had 100 bucks on it. I don’t know about y’all but I’m not used to nearly strangers giving me such generous gifts. I was really grateful but still a little uneasy about it but, I’ll admit,that card did come to good use.

Recently, I had casually mentioned to said fellow that I was really hoping to go to the upcoming four day Salsa Dancing Extravaganza  in late August, which I happen to know he is going to attend.

He called me two days ago to let me know or, rather, inform me that he not only bought me a ticket to the event but also booked me a hotel for me and whichever friend I’d like to bring.

Of course, I told him he was going to have to let me pay him back. But he swore he “forgot” how much it all cost, and that what really mattered was that I would be able to go.

A part of me is flattered and grateful, but other part of me feels uneasy because I don’t ever want to feel like I owe anyone, anything. He’s a bit of a show-off with his money, which is a turn-off and I’m not sure what to do. I don’t think this sugga-daddy thing is going to fly with me.

Opinions?