The Soundtrack of our Lives

I love music. I love lyrics, melodies, harmonies, and both unusual rhythms and typical pop. I love to sing, listen, and be impacted by the songs meanings and musicalities. In fact, the words posted below the title of my blog are lyrics from a Counting Crows song that I just think make a profound comment on how people are living these days. I think it can even be a commentary on one's spiritual walk, as well.

Today as I was driving in to work - late, due to P/T conferences - I pulled out a CD that I haven't listened to in at least a year. It is in one my favorites - and one I would add to my personal life soundtrack.

I don't know the name of the CD, but it is the "reddish-pink" one by Indigo Girls. Their harmonies are so amazing - and unusual - and I love to sing along at the top of my lungs with my sunroof and windows open as I drive. Yep, it's one of those CD's. The kind you can pop in and know that you pretty much love each song individually - not needing to skip a song or only listen to one or two. Galileo, the chicken man song, the river song, and Joking, are just a few of my favorites.

Besides being great music, this CD accompanies two cherished memories of mine. The first is from college with my roommate, Emilie. We both discovered that we enjoyed the Indigo Girls and would listen to this CD while we "studied" or hung out. We would sing along - Em's got a great voice - with me on the harmonies and Em on the melodies (though sometimes we would switch).

The second is from just driving in the car with my friend Carrie on our many adventures. Again, singing along was part of the experience and as I listened today, memories came flooding back. Later this summer, I have the privilege of standing up in Carrie's wedding - check out her blog listed to the right and then follow the link to her wedding site to see the dresses. The color is fantastic and I am excited to be part of the wedding.

So, I ask you - what is found on YOUR life's soundtrack? The Indigo Girls are just one piece of my symphony.

You Ever Hear of Zoomba?

So, I have these two wacky friends who go to Zoomba at the Y. Know what I am talking about? Far as I can tell, it is a latin dance-aerobic-workout-shake-your-groove-thang-kind-of-class. It involves coordination (which I think I have), rhythm (which I feel I have), and an ability to pick up the steps quickly (which I wonder if I have).

A few days ago, one of these wacky friends showed me a particular move that she was having difficulty with - a combination step, walk-like-an-egyptian move, that involved hip swinging and stepping all at the same time. Never to back down from a challenge (unless it is involves spiders), I demonstrated how EASY this step was and commented on how she could possibly be having difficulty with this step! Forget ordinary Zoomba - bring on the ADVANCED Zoomba!

While displaying my remarkable talent, I made a more deliberate step / hip move to the left and heard something pop. Huh. That was weird. And then came the pain. It was a sore, pulsing kind of pain, but nothing a tough girl with a "bring on the zoomba attitude" like me can't manage. Right.

As the day wore on, it hurt to put pressure on that side of my body and I became increasingly aware that I was limping. Ouch. A few pain pills later, and I was feeling temporarily fine! The soreness remained for a few days, but then I felt pretty good - until that same tormenting friend invited me to do the Cha Cha Slide with a group of kindergarteners. When will I learn?

But I will confirm that I do have coordination, rhythm, and an ability to catch on to steps quickly! Must have been all those Children's/Youth Musicals!

Hope you are having a great day! Leave a note if you've got the time - what do you think of the new look?