#4 Take Exotic Dancing Classes

Talk about being a tease…

So I left work yesterday on a mission to purchase some sexy stripper-like shoes and some new “gym” clothes. The shoes, while not completely strip-tastic, are still pretty awesome. I mean, who could possibly hate on some 4-5 inch stilettos that are a mixture of both bondage and safari? (probably my poor feet for one, but who cares) Anyways…After some successful purchases I headed home where I proceeded to get mentally (and somewhat physically) prepared.

But crap! Little did I know that the first session is really only a meet and greet.

So for those of you that don’t know me that well, let me backfill for a second or two….You see, I am one of the only girls I know that didn’t make the dance team in junior high. The problem lies in the fact that 1) I have strange rhythm or perhaps no rhythm at all 2) I have very long arms and can sometimes appear awkward and 3) I’m just way too silly.

So here I am. For the next 8 weeks I will be embarking on a journey to explore my inner exotic dancer.

But herein lies the real problem. I have yet to come up with my “dancer” name. If you have any suggestions, please let me know and bonus to those names that can relate back to an actual song. Because get this! The last class is actually a recital where we dress up and can dance to our own song. I’m all about themes so help me out. And sorry boys, you’re not allowed at the recital. Girls only!


For those interested:
West End Dance Company

Update:
The dance lessons are now over as are the life and times of Phoenix (my dancing alter ego that was a little to wild not to be kept in her cage). The classes were a blast but even more so were the times spent with my dancing partners, Countess Preening Peacock and Red. Good luck with the next round!

And thanks to Mr. Corde for assisting with the name selection. The mythological bird rising from the ashes is very fitting for the life I'm leading now. As for the song, major props to HLT for selecting Voodoo Child by Jimi Hendrix.

#3 Take a Cooking Class

What a culinary adventure!

During my family vacation in June I decided that for my birthday I wanted to take a cooking class and from that the idea for the 30x30 blog blossomed. So this past Friday, I traveled to Atlanta where I met my mom for a little mother-daughter weekend.

But first a quick look back…

Growing up I fondly remember the summer days where Josh (my brother) and I, perched ourselves in front of the television with our cheese sandwiches watching the Food Network. Decades later I cannot begin to add up the number of hours I have spent watching this delightful network. I guess with that and my first Betty Crocker cookbook, a true foodie was born.

So on Saturday, my mother and I journeyed to the Viking Cooking School in Atlanta for a 5-hour hands-on class on French Culinary Basics. I have never seen that much butter put to such good use. I really think we used a pound in each recipe. Gotta love the French!

Here’s the menu:

• Classic French Bread
• Cheese Soufflé
• Beef Bourguignon

• Seafood Crepes

• Tarte Tatin

Favorite highlights:

Making crepes – Mom and I took to a range and got to work making four beautifully crafted and expertly flipped crepes. I think a crepe pan is next on my list to purchase. (I say next b’c I already picked up a baguette pan at a kitchen outlet on the way home. Here comes the fresh baked bread!)

Making the baguettes – I had to get in on this action. After hours of feeding, kneading, beating and sleeping, it was time to make our beautiful artisanal loaves. First you stretch the dough into a rectangle and then you fold it several times, sealing the edges each time. Finally you pick it up and lay it seam side down on the baguette pan. The final touch prior to baking is the slitting of the baguettes, which requires a razor blade or sharp knife.  

Eating it all – After all the food was complete, we all sat down at the table to enjoy the fruits of our labor. There are few things better in this world than a freshly baked baguette dipped in the savory sauce of beef bourguignon.

The finishing touch.

Lucky for us, dinner reservations weren’t until 9pm. For anyone heading to Atlanta soon, go to JCT Kitchen in the Westside Urban Market. It was mind blowing!

 

For dinner:

Iceberg salad – a wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with blue cheese, radishes and onion strings. I just might like this better than the classic of bacon and tomatoes.

Wood Grilled ½ Chicken with duck fat crisped heirloom potatoes, lacquered pork belly and local honey

Meyer lemon doughnuts with expresso ice cream – these things melted in your mouth

I have to say that the class and weekend more than lived up to any expectations. Special thanks to mom for coming along for the adventure.

Resources:

Viking Cooking School

JTC Kitchen

Next up on the list: Boxing lesson