Dralion

About a week and a half ago, Brian and I went to see

I have wanted to go see a Cirque du Soleil production for years and years, but the tickets were so expensive! So, I finally wised up and got on their mailing list, which not only lets you know when a production is coming to town, but also lets you buy tickets before others and usually at a discount. So, back in March, I got tickets (for a really good price for being on the 10th row) to this July's Dallas performance of Dralion.

Dralion is a melding of a Dragon and a Lion (sort of an East meets West thing, I think?), but also, this particular show was about man against or working with nature. So, of course, some of the main characters were the 4 elements.

However, there were also some hilarious clowns to entertain throughout the show (and they kept picking on an "audience member").

However, one of my favorite acts was this juggler.

Uhm, not only was he extremely athletic and talented (juggling a gazillion balls at a time), but he was also totally cute! *LOL* I know, I know, I'm such a dork. Okay, so maybe some of it's the makeup, so sue me. (No, really, without the makeup he's cute too!)


But, my favorite, favorite act was the ribbon dancers!

*dreamy sigh* They were just wonderful! The dance was so sensual, yet tasteful, beautiful, romantic, dreamy, athletic (again, I mean, come on, ALL of these people are athletic -- check out the muscles!). So pretty!


It's just amazing to me what the human body is capable of. There were some amazing athletes that could do crazy things with their bodies! It really left me with my mouth hanging open in awe and surprise a lot of the time. I will say the storyline was a little weak, but, I've heard that's a little common, and that Dralion's is especially loose, but that's okay. I definitely want to see another one!!

The only thing bad I have to say is that the arena was a little warm (and this particular arena is where local hockey games are played, so you KNOW they can keep it cold in there if they want to), and the seats were really uncomfortable. I should have brought a pillow. But, that's not Cirque's fault. *shrug*

Highly recommend it, if you've never been!

(Oh, and this was our late 5-year wedding anniversary gift to each other. ^_^ We then had dinner at IHop! *LOL* I know, so not romantic for 5 years, but we both had to rush home after work to go, and we didn't have time for dinner before, and nothing much was open after, so .... Still enjoyed it, though. ^_^)

Peeking In

*peeks around the corner*

Hello? Anyone still reading???

Sorry I kinda disappeared there for awhile. Work takes up my previous online time, so I haven't had a chance to do much here. Not that I've done much that warrants blogging.

I'm still at the same job, which is cool. Still a cool place to be, and I really like it. I wish I had a little more to do, but I just asked for more, so we'll see what I get.

AND, remember my last post, about our next step being finding a place to live? Well, we found one! It's a brand new apartment complex, so we'll be the first ones in! It's about the same SIZE as this apartment, but laid out better, and the kitchen! I heart the kitchen! The only thing that it didn't have on my wish list was lots of natural light, but that's okay. Very few apartments have that. At least around here. But, it does have track lighting in the kitchen, as well as pendant lighting there. It's so pretty. And I'm excited!

We move next weekend, so I can't promise when I'll update again, but I promise to pick back a little more soon!

Laters!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

So, I've been alluding to the fact that I felt this year would bring about change in my and Brian's life, and, already some of them are coming to pass! At least I know some of what's been hiding behind that bend in the road that I couldn't see.

Brian got a promotion at work, after working so hard, he finally has become a trainer. Not only that, a Senior Trainer! It's something he's very good at (and I've even heard he's a good teacher when he teaches at church -- I've never seen him teach, but I've heard it from many people, so I think I'll believe them ^_^). And, it's something he's fairly sure he wants to follow as a career path -- even going back to school to finish his degree by following that path (UNT nearby has an HR degree that has a lot of training involved in it), so hopefully that will be motivation to finish school.

And, as for me -- I got a job! I am working as an Editor for a high-end department store's clearance division (which, based on prices, is clearance only in that they're discounted, but I don't think I could afford some of their stuff! *LOL*) I've worked there for a week now, and even though I'd rather be home at times, ONLY because it's hard to be in a "work" mode after being home for 2 years, I'm enjoying it. But I have to say, sometimes it's night and day with some jobs, even though they're similar.

I remember one job, several years ago, where my first day, they just threw me in! They barely skimmed the surface of how their systems work, and how work came in, and I was expected to just go. Now, the proofreading/editing part is easy. But if I don't know how things work, it can be overwhelming. And it was so busy, it was hard to ask the other editor there how to do things (even though she was supposed to be training me). It was so bad, one of the graphic designers -- on one of my first days -- commented on how slow we proofreaders were being. Oh, yeah, she said that in front of me. *blink* I was upset. She later tried to apologize, but .... Needless to say, I only stayed there for about 2 weeks.

Then another job, where I was a "permanent temp" (whatever that means), never gave me access to the server. I was having to do jobs outside my job description (because they didn't have enough proofreading work for me), and in the end, treated me badly (as in, I got a call on a Sunday night by my agency that I wasn't wanted the next morning at work -- nor any mornings).

But at this new job, they treat me like an adult! It's amazing! I'm still a freelancer, but I can set my own schedule (because, if I don't work, I don't get paid), they have given me access to the server (what? it's amazing) so I can actually do my job. They trust me to do certain things (for now, getting it checked by the writer, to ensure I'm doing okay there) -- and I'm getting to use software that I was NEVER given access to in other places, like Photoshop, InDesign, and DreamWeaver. Stuff I've wanted to learn how to use in a job setting (I know Photoshop), and now I can use it and put it on my resume! They're nice, and friendly and patient -- and some are a little trendy. ^_^

Even though I'm exhausted, at least I was wise enough to take a day off. I have things to do around the house, and need to go shopping for some items for Brian, because Brian is leaving me for 5 weeks! He's going to go to training in another state, so I shall be alone starting soon. Sad! But, I'm not as sad because I know he's working on that career path, and he's finally doing what he's been wanting to do for awhile.

Next up is finding a new place to live. We're tired of the bugs, the enormous electric bill, the poor management, and the noisy and rude neighbors! We'll be wanting to stay somewhat close to the same area, but maybe with a little more easy access to a nearby highway to help me get to work a little more easily and quickly. We definitely want something newer (hopefully with double-paned windows!), even if it means more rent per month. It'll probably even out with rent plus utilities, and that's fine. I don't even care if it's a slightly smaller space. I just want to be out of here. We'd love to rent a house (even a duplex, or something like it), but we'll see. Around here, it's either overpriced or rundown, so those in between are a little more hard to come by.

So, there ya go! Changes. What's next??? Hmmmm..... ^_^

Day 30 - A Picture

I chose this picture -- taken last year for my Project 365 -- because I like the mystery it holds, the possibilities, the intrigue. It makes you wonder what might be around the corner. Is it scary, or exciting, or something in between. Kind of what I feel this year will be like, with changes. Something's coming, but ... what?

Day 29 - 3 Wishes

I wish that ...

Brian will get the new position he applied for at work;

my cats will live long, happy and healthy lives; and

one day, we won't have to worry too much about money.