# 19 - Take a risque dance class

How perfect that I put this on my list and weeks later saw a Groupon for burlesque classes at Van Ella Studios?  Very perfect.  So I convinced a friend to join me and we signed up for their Burlesque Basics 1 class for April (I'm just a little late in blogging about it).  The deal was for 4 classes so once a week we headed to the studio to emulate burlesque dancers who dance with grace, confidence, and charm...4 classes was not quite enough for me to achieve this, but I had fun all the same.  In case you're wondering, no, we didn't remove any articles of clothing in class other than gloves.  Burlesque is about performing and a little about teasing.  I was nervous and self conscious but our teacher, Greta, was encouraging and hilarious.  That's her and me in the picture.

It was important for me to have things on this list that were out of my comfort zone.  This was one of them.  Even after 4 classes I think that I gained some confidence and carried myself a little better.  I will never perform the moves I learned in front of an audience and that's okay (in fact, my husband probably prefers that I don't) because I did something I was embarassed to do, but ended up really enjoying.

Van Ella Studios works with The Jumpin' Jupiter in Maplewood to put on some very fun shows.  After taking the class, some girlfriends and I went to their Dinner Revue, where we had a delicious 4 course meal and enjoyed a variety show.  I would recommend seeing it if you can.  It was very entertaining and their drinks are delicious!

# 1 - Read 30 books - 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James (Book 16)

Yes I gave in and read it.  Everyone was talking about it and I was starting to feel left out.  No I didn't care for it.  It was redundant and the main character, Anna, got on my nerves.  Stop biting your lip!  Stop whining!  Be proud or excited or relieved to hear that you're the exception!  I've heard the second and third books are better so I'm on the list (# 90 in the St. Louis Public Library queue to be exact) to read them too.  Just because I need to know how they end, even if they aren't written much better than the first book.  We'll see how they turn out...

If you don't already know what they're about, read more or buy it here.

# 1 - Read 30 books - How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donahue (Book 15)

There's a lot of history between the 2 main characters of this book, Annie and Julia.  And much of it is complicated (but I guess who's past isn't complicated, really?).  When their lives intersect again after 10 years apart, the past comes to the surface and we find out whether or not they're able to work together and become friends again.  This book was funny and suspenseful, with hidden surprises scattered through it.  I read it very quickly and as I neared the end, I couldn't put it down.  It was written beautifully and touches on childhood, friendships, trust, betrayal, and the kind of future that is uncertain but exciting because you have people you love surrounding you.

Read more about it or buy it here.