Fay: Things I’ve Always Wanted to Say

Dear Auntie Fay,

Growing up you were my favorite great aunt. Before you leave, there are a few things I wanted to tell you.

I will always remember when we would show up in the middle of the night from the long 8-10 hour drive to Escondido from the San Joaquin Valley you were always excited to see us. You made us feel welcome and always seemed to make sure we were comfortable.

The way we all used to gather around your kitchen table and talk about life, gossip about family and friends will always remain dear to my heart. Your kitchen always smelled like an old time diner full of deliciousness and you always made sure our bellies were full. You never pressured us to eat everything at once, you didn’t care about praying before a meal.

I never realized how much I appreciated the fact that you didn’t shove beliefs or rules of life down our throat until I got older. They may seem like little things, but in the way my life has shaped, it really means a lot.

There isn’t anything we can do but admire you. Sure you’re outspoken and every once in a while a racial slur or an F bomb will escape into a normal conversation, but that is something that is not done in our family. You are such an amazing and strong woman I hope I can grow to not give a damn about what people think like you do.

With everything you have been through with your health, you have given death a big “FUCK YOU” so many times. I always thought that you would live forever. I know now that you are human, and I can accept that.

I don’t think you will ever know how much I love you or how many times I think about you on a daily basis. Not a day has ever gone by where I don’t think of you at least once. I will never in my life forget the kind of person you are or the excitement I felt when I knew we were going to Escondido to visit you on Mount View Drive.

It’s amazing to me that this is so hard to write my feelings. I love you and I am very sad to see you go. I know eventually you will be out of pain and no longer suffering, but until then you need to know that you are an inspiration and a big part of so many people’s lives. I love you Auntie Fay.

Love,

Katie (Egleston) Kenner.

 

Old Magic Posters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.life.com/gallery/43311/spooky-old-magician-posters#index/

Magic has been around for a long long time. Life.com has published a gallery of the spookiest posters that advertised shows back from the 1800s-early 1900s.

If you saw these posters would YOU go watch the show they are selling?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s never easy…

 

I feel like an EMO 16 year old as of late…. But hopefully this will help other people who are  feeling like they are in a funk.

 

The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.- Walt Disney

1. Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself Often, it’s really only your own mind and emotions that tell you that you don’t fit in. You may actually fit in fine, you just feel like an outsider. It definitely doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.”   It’s important to know that feeling like you don’t belong isn’t always a bad thing either. A lot of famous celebrities say that being an outsider actually helped them. It allowed them to concentrate on their own ambitions and goals without feeling like they had to conform to other people’s standards. They already felt like they didn’t fit in so could do their own thing.   Remember, it’s the people that are unique in this world that make the biggest impact and usually have something truly special to provide.   You don’t want to change yourself just to fit in with a certain group of people. That’s where a lot of people go wrong. They end up wanting to gain approvalfrom others and end up losing themselves in the process. You have so much more to offer by being true to yourself. When you feel like you’re not fitting in, ask yourself if it’s because of what you’re thinking? Are you thinking thoughts like: I’ll never be good enough I’ll never fit in No one likes me These thoughts may not even be true. It may be just because you continue to tell yourself these thoughts over and over that they become true for you. So, if you catch yourself thinking one of these thoughts, turn it around and ask yourself what do you really want? This will get you out of feeling negative about yourself and will give your mind a way to think of some positive action you could take.  2. Get Comfortable in Your Own Skin There is only one you and it may be time to explore that person and figure out what you like and what makes you happy. Also, figure out if you’re being affected by any limiting beliefs or past anger. You are a truly special person with your own amazing gifts, thoughts, and ideas. Get to know you better. Accept who you are and then start to make yourself the absolute best you can be.   When I first started out to get comfortable with myself, I gave myself the goal of “to be happy, healthy, positive, and to develop and maintain an inner peace.” I had to search deep inside myself to figure out what was going on but it’s definitely been worth it. The irony is that once you get comfortable in your own skin, you will “fit” in more. The more comfortable you are with yourself, the more comfortable people are with you. You may also end up asking yourself later why you even wanted to fit in with those people. You’ll have moved so far beyond where you are now and see that you have improved so much more than that group of people you originally wanted to accepted by.   You’ll be more accepting of other people and open to new ideas and concepts. You’ll probably also start to find people that are very similar to you. You’ll be able to go through life enjoying every moment because you’re comfortable with yourself and understand yourself. You’ll be more focused on your experiences, your goals, and the beauty you see around you rather than the opinions of a simple few.   3. Let Go of Past Anger Sometimes it’s because of past hurts that we repel other people. We’re so angry at people that we can’t relate to anyone or only expect the worse from others. Once, I figured out how to let go of my past, I became much more comfortable being me. I found it was easier to get along with other people. Maybe cause I didn’t care as much what they thought of me but more likely just because I think people are more affected by the “aura” you give off. So, if you’re angry all the time, most people will avoid you and you’ll end up only attracting into your life other people who are always angry or who feel like an outsider too.   4. Focus on Your Wants and Desires Instead of focusing on the problem that you don’t feel like you fit in, try turning it around and focus on what you do want. What do you want to explore, what goals do you have, what do you want to learn? Ask yourself these questions: • What is your deepest dream? • What would you love to do? • Got any places you feel you just have to visit before you die? Then, go and do it. There are so many incredible and inspiring things in this world to explore. Focus on the positive and the beauty of the world rather than getting caught up in a negative situation. Answering questions like the ones above will provide you with so much more fulfillment than trying to figure out how to fit in. If you just try to fit in, you’re probably not being true to your real self and you won’t be happy for long even if you do manage to “fit in”. But, if you follow your true passion, you will not only be happy, comfortable in your own skin, but will also probably gain the respect of people you never dreamed possible. For some ideas on figuring out what you want to do, “Try a Life Direction”. 5. You’re Not the Only One Poster Available at Art.com   It’s very easy to feel like you’re the only one who ever feels this way but I’d be willing to bet that just about everyone on this planet has felt like an outcast at some point, or many points, in their life. The next time you’re somewhere where you feel like an outsider, take a look around, there is probably at least one other person who feels the same way you do. How about going over there and saying, “Hello”?   In Summary The key to handling the situation of “I feel like an outsider” is really all in how you react to that feeling. You can beat yourself up over it or you can become stronger for it. As the biographies of those that have gone through the same feelings show, there can definitely be an advantage to being unique. You are truly special. You just need to let the world see that.  The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.- Walt Disney   life-with-confidence.com

Flash Mob: First Time for Everything

Here is what we did for National Dance Day. I am still doing my 30 day Challenge. I have done a lot of Jazz, Tap and Musical Theater. I feel like I should put some Ballet and Lyrical in the mix.

Lights! Camera!… What?

This is probably the coolest thing I have seen in a long time. Apollo Robbins is one of the most talented and smartest human beings I have ever met. If DC has your back, you know you’re awesome.

Sorry About the commercials, but it is a brilliant idea.

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/national-geographic-channel/specials-1/fall-preview/ngc-brain-games-with-david-copperfield.html

PS: You can also see a magic trick that is near and dear to my heart: http://www.theory11.com/tricks/prophet.php

 

 

 

 

Is it me?

Or is there something all kinds of wrong with this “experiment” commercial.

How delicious or fresh can a Dexter Kill Room smell?

Last Night In Class…

I thought I was 15 again and I taught my 15 year old student teacher “Mr. Eric” how to spot me while I did a cartwheel off the knees.

Then Miss Christina tried to do a cartwheel. It didn’t go so well..

Later heard “Mr. Eric” say Ms. Katie is the only person I’m going to let do cartwheels off my knees, unless Miss Christina learns how to put her head in between my legs…

My 30 Day DANCE Challenge

As most of you know, I love dancing and I love to teach dance. Lately, I have found myself doing the same thing over and over and I wanted to give myself a challenge. I have been inspired by the health, fitness and creativity kick that has been going on in the Kenner home the past few weeks and I love it.

Starting Tuesday July 26th to August 26th I want to do different choreography for each day NO LESS THAN FOUR 8 COUNTS of movement. It can be in anything I was trained in from Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theater or Various Ballroom styles. I can not repeat a style two days in a row (unless of course my students do something amazing). Of course, I will try to update you as the challenge goes on, and maybe even post a video or two.

Song Suggestions are welcome in the Comments!

So there is that. It might be stupid to most of you, but I have to put it out there or it won’t happen.

Happy Dancing!

The Best Card Flourishing I’ve Ever Seen

While having family movie morning, I came across some of the best card work I have ever seen. He must know Andrei Jikh. Starts at the 1:47 mark. Jussayin’

Vegas Eating Experience Alert

Yesterday the family and I ate at a little place called “China Poblano” in the coolest hotel in Vegas, The Cosmopolitan. I ate Tacos and Dim Sum together, in the same sitting and it was DELICIOUS. If you are in Vegas, these are probably the best “real” tacos you are going to get, and the Dim Sum was amazing as well.

You can check it out here:

http://www.chinapoblano.com/

 

When and if you do, let me know what you think.