Hello All.  I know it’s been a minute since I’ve blogged.  It really is amazing how time can so easily get away from you.  As we approach the waning weeks of winter term, I find myself lamenting – once again – the quarter system.  It really creates an atmosphere of prioritizing the urgent over the important and in many ways stunts our students’ ability to really grow and engage both in and out of the classroom.  I have now dealt with it as both a graduate student and a professional and I must say, I often long for the days of semesters.  Anyone who knows me would not be surprised to hear my preference on this front, but alas, on to more important things.

For me, I am feeling good and feel like I am keeping in balance all of the most important things in life.  I had a great weekend the weekend before last down in San Francisco for the international Cuban Salsa Festival where I saw some amazing dancers, learned from some unbelievable instructors and performed for my first time alongside and in front of some of the most amazing performers out there.  Additionally, in the midst of all of the fun, dancing, partying and driving, I somehow have managed to avoid getting sick (knock on wood) despite the fact that everyone else around seem to be dropping like flies.  Here a video of the performance if you’re interested.

YouTube DirectRumbanana performance

I have also had the opportunity to meet with a personal trainer through Dixon Rec. Services.  The student I met with was great and has put together a program that hits on all of the things I wanted.  One of those things is to work towards actually being able to do a pull up.  I have never been able to do one and the back workout he has for me is awesome.  Just like I asked, it is short, intense and body weight driven and I can confidently say that my back has not seen this kind of work in at least 11 years (since I stopped playing football) and has not hurt so good for as long as I can remember.  The rest of the workout is great as well and is really contributing to me reaching for that second gear I spoke about previously.  Thanks a ton Tyler – I’ll look forward to our next time together in a few weeks.  Oh, if you want information about seeing a trainer through dixon, visit the following link – http://oregonstate.edu/recsports/1%3A1-fitness.

I’m slowly losing weight again and am creeping towards that overall weight of 50 lbs (since Jan 2009) – only 3 lbs to go!  In an effort to reduce my meat consumption, I have committed to 3 days a week of no meat.  Two weeks in, this has not been too bad but I am now needing to work towards being more thoughtful ahead of time for those days as I’m already getting bored with my food options.  If anyone has good ideas for good vegetarian lunch and dinner ideas not involving tofu, peanut butter or too much cheese, please send them my way.

Thanks team and everyone out there showing their support.   Talk to you soon…

-Danté

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

This entry was posted on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at and is filed under Dante Holloway, Fire Breathing Beaver Squad, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.