This is me...

I will forever be the girl who can't sleep without the tv on...
I will forever be the girl who feels it necessary to examine her eyelashes every time she gets into the car.
I will forever be the girl who believes that 3 year olds are the funniest people on the planet.
I will forever be the girl who only eats Fruity Pebbles on the living room floor.
I will forever be the girl who protects her heart to a fault.
I will forever be the girl who cries after ANYTHING created by Mia Michaels.
I will forever be the girl who laughs at the most inappropriate times.
I will forever be the girl who would rather ask for forgiveness than permission.
I will forever be the girl who is barefoot at her desk.
I will forever be the girl who can make a fantastic loaded baked potato in the microwave.
I will forever be the girl who could kiss for hours.
I will forever be the girl who dances in the elevator when alone.
I will forever be the girl who pretends to be brave.
I will forever be the girl who believes she has seen her guardian angel.
I will forever be the girl who tears up when describing my relationship with my best friend.
I will forever be the girl who wishes that love was something that she could understand.
I will forever be the girl who hides.
I will forever be the girl who daydreams.
I will forever be the girl who likes to pinch when someone least expects it.
I will forever be the girl who doesn't take her own advice.
I will forever be the girl who flirts.
I will forever be the girl who says 'please' and 'thank you'.
I will forever be the girl who wonders 'what if?'.
I will forever be the girl who can keep a secret.
I will forever be the girl who enjoys toe fishing at PKL.
I will forever be the girl who believes in "America's Team".
I will forever be the girl who traces her steps.
I will forever be the girl who can't watch herself dance.
I will forever be the girl who would rather freeze than suffer through the Texas heat.
I will forever be the girl who falls for the bad boys who have good intentions.
I will forever be the girl who weakens at the site of images of Jesus.
I will forever be the girl who sometimes cleans in heels.
I will forever be the girl who can play a mean game of Candy Land.
I will forever be the girl who believes in the possibility of faeries.
I will forever be the girl who wishes she could relive those special moments at HSU!
I will forever be the girl who sees beauty in the most horrible of relationships.
I will forever be the girl who is thankful for her family… especially her ever so perfect brother.
I will forever be the girl who wants to cuddle.
I will forever be the girl who laughs loudly.
I will forever be the girl who tears up when attracted to someone.
I will forever be the girl who feels invisible in rooms filled with people.
I will forever be the girl who stretches before bed.
I will forever be the girl who gets grossed out when her mom asks those personal 'lady' questions.
I will forever be the girl who pouts.
I will forever be the girl who prefers to ride in the back seat on road trips.
I will forever be the girl who cringes at excuses.
I will forever be the girl who talks to God.
I will forever be the girl who wonders "Why?".
I will forever be the girl who puts up a front.
I will forever be the girl who strives to prove you wrong.
I will forever be the girl who fights for the underdog… unless the underdog is playing the Cowboys.
I will forever be the girl who wonders what would have happened if she had said, "Yes."
I will forever be the girl who tests.
I will forever be the girl who is searching for the guy who will love her because of all these things… not in spite of them.

It's About Time!

I have been thinking long and hard about a lot of things... some things are beyond my control, but some things are very much mine to control. It is those things that I am left categorizing (because as most of you know, I have to organize everything).

Pulling the troops out of Iraq (if only just for the holidays) is beyond my control. The Cowboys, Mavs and Rangers all winning their respective world championships is beyond my control (although as a good fan would, I wish for it every day). Convincing the government to put more money into the Arts is beyond my control.

My destiny, however, IS well within my control.

After spending the last 10 years as a teacher, coach, mentor and all things in between, I've given all I have and all I can muster to teach, instruct, demonstrate and share. I have made many sacrifices (as my students also did) in order to be successful (whatever that means).

In all of those years, the one person I thought least about... the one person I took the least care of... the one person I ignored the most... was ME.

And that needs to change. But, will it?

Shoe Suffering...

Hello, my name is Kinshasa. And I am addicted to accessories. In particular, shoes! (Hello, Kinshasa!)

Ballet flats, pumps, knee high boots, trainers, flip flops, espadrilles, stacked, platform, jazz shoes, ballroom, strappy... you name it. If it's made for the feet, I want to rock them.

I have no prejudice against a certain type of shoe, however, I do have my preferences. Stacked heels (for that 40s pin-up look), knee high boots (for that saucy Russian spy look) and platforms (for those nights on the dance floor or walking for long periods of time). Every one of those should make me walk a bit sassier and a bit taller. Every shoe has its purpose... even the most inappropriately worn shoe: the flip flop.

Tonight, I wonder... What's a girl to do when she finds a shoe that appears to be perfect for her, but may be a bit impractical? Be it too narrow (for my wider set foot), too high (for which can only be worn for seconds at a time), overly pricey (should I wait until I see it at DSW?), or not quite a style that's been worn before...

Should I even ask to try them on? What if theydon't come in my size? What if, once I try them on, they aren't as wonderful as I originally thought?

There's almost nothing worse than realizing you can't have something... even if you're not sure you want it.