Bittersweet Basketball

Scott and I went to the Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards game on Wednesday night.

The whole day we were both a tad irritable, and I think it's because we were nervous about going to our old stomping ground that just so happens to be the Amway Center.  Both Scott and I worked for the Magic and spent my four seasons dancing there side by side.

Back in June within the blink of an eye, Scott's position with the Magic disappeared, leaving me to make one of the hardest decisions of my life: I decided to hang up my dancing boots and not re-try out for the 2011-12 season. 

2010 Magic Dancer Photoshoot

It was the right decision for both me and for our first year of marriage, and it was the only fair thing to do in case we end up moving to new city.  We're trusting in God's plan for us and know it will all make sense in *2012*.

To be honest, I don't think either of us were ready to go back to see everyone yet, but we both sucked it up and went to the game anyways...

It was bittersweet.

We were a little bitter...and these cupcakes were a lot sweet.

It was completely different being on the other side's perspective.  We have both been a part of Game Nights for the past four years (Scott had been nine), so it was our first time going to a Magic game together as spectators.  The basketball was good...although that's not really what I focused on.

At halftime I went with a few other former Magic Dancers to our old locker room and took advantage of the opportunity to take a picture in front of our "cubes" we got ready in.

Part of me wanted to re-arrange the stuff in my cube to how it should be, but I refrained from doing so.  Part of me wanted to take a pair of pom poms and sneak into the girls line up ready to go on court, but I refrained from that too.

Instead, I found my dance manager Jeanine and took a picture with her.

Since I didn't really plan my "retirement" from the team, I never really got my goodbye photos in the locker room and I was taking full advantage of this situation.

When I went back out to the floor, I found my assistant manager Cherie and got another goodbye photo with her.

Isn't she sassy? They're always stylin' on the sidelines.

It was great running into everyone, catching up and giving hugs.  A few people were a little surprised to see us there, but I guess the time had to come sooner or later....

Ready or not - HERE WE ARE!

We came. We saw. We conquered.  

Thanks, Danielle for putting up with all of it! :)

You know what they say....when life throws you lemons, make lemonade.  Knocking off the first few resolutions of our New Year in 2012:

spend more time with friends

be spontaneous

go to a Magic game

Although I may have "hung up my dancing boots" with the Magic, I'm still a source of information and have a lot of advice on what it takes to dance in the NBA.  Feel free to contact me with any questions, anytime.  

I've started writing weekly for a blog based on a book about auditioning for a professional sports team called FullOut: The Series.  If you or anyone you know is thinking about trying out for an NBA/NFL dance or cheer team: check out my article on Audition Outfit Fashion.

Questions:

• What's one of your bittersweet moments?
• Working on any New Years Resolutions?

Out with the Old, Insole the New

Since beginning my half-marathon training a few weeks ago, I have finally equipped myself with a great pair of running shoes to get me through.  I have tossed the idea of using running insoles for my shoes back and forth, and finally gave them a try for the first time this week.

*Thank you Dr. Gideon Lewis for providing me with these Spenco PolySorb Crosstrainer Insoles.

At first, I was a bit weary that the insoles might make my shoe a little tighter, but he assured me the insoles would just be replacing my Mizuno Wave soles.

*TIP: Some people insert their insoles on top of the ones that already come in the shoe.  If you get a good quality pair fit for training, there's no need to double up.

Insoles help prevent calluses and blisters, which was one of my concerns with running and average of 20+ miles a week.  During my first 3-mile run in them, my feet felt cushioned and I had a comfortable run.

From this side by side comparison, it's easy to see why.

Plain and simple: insoles provide more thickness, cushion and support.

The insoles that come in your running shoes lack durability and are likely to retain wetness (sweat) and odor.  Simply replacing your insoles can extend your running shoe shelf life a few months, depending on how much you use them.

Will I continue using insoles in my shoes?

For the gym: probably not necessary.  For half-marathons and training: definitely. 

Questions:

• Do you use running shoe insoles? If so, have you tried Spenco?
• What other brands out there compare?

Training Week 1 Playlist

Here is the playlist I created for Training Week 1.

*TIP: I always include a cool down song at the end of each playlist.  Use that time to walk it out and stretch!

Enjoy! :)

New Years Dateiversary

New Years Weekend 2012 was exactly what I had hoped for...ANYTHING other than 2011.

Don't get me wrong: I love where we are and how we got here, but holy cannoli did we get tried this year.  Besides a trip to Italy and our Wedding Day, this year has been nothing but challenges for Scott and me.  Instead of going through what was horrible about it, I'll save you all the negativity and just say we are truly looking forward to a New Year, a new start and a new life in 2012.

Scott and I started dating 4 years ago and our "date"iversary is officially New Years Day.  Every year we like to celebrate it by going out with friends NYE and hanging low at home on NYD. 

Saturday, New Years Eve:

Our weekend started with a 4-mile run around our neighborhood.  In case you missed it, I posted Week 1 of my half-marathon training and you can catch up on how it's going every Saturday until the race.

When we got upstairs we ate a quick lunch and started getting ready for the night's festivities.  Scott and I were excited to open one of the bottles of champagne he brought back from his recent trip to Paris.  Ohhh la la!

This picture taken from my Instagram gallery.

While Scott did some stuff around the house, I got my beauty primping on.

Like I said, we have been looking forward to 2012 for quite some time now.  I took advantage of getting ready for it in every way including a new sequin dress from Express, new Steve Madden nude pumps, a new necklace from Aldo Accessories and of course, two of my go-to Fashion Favorites: Sally Hansen Nail Strips in Glitz Blitz + Pink (or Coral) Lips.

Pictured above is MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Full Speed.

A group of us got together for something different this year.  Instead of just going downtown like every NYE, we went to the James Bond 007 Party at the Enzian Theater.  

If you live in Orlando, I would recommend checking Enzian out for dinner and a movie.  It's the only place I know of that you actually get dinner served while you're watching a movie inside a theater.  

The theater inside and outside bar make it a great venue for low key date night, or a fun night out for a Holiday.

3...2...1...

*HAPPY NEW YEAR!*

Sunday, New Years Day:

We spent our Dateiversary doing exactly what I envision as the perfect day.  We slept in without an alarm, stayed in our pajamas until 4pm, and had cinnamon rolls for lunch:

We like to "go big or go home" at the Hesington household, and to be honest with you I feel perfectly okay about eating two rolls, with the 4 training days ahead of us this week.

"Lunch" was followed by lots of lounging, watching the Season Finale of The X-Factor, and comfy slippers.

Eventually we got dressed to celebrate our Dateiversary by going to a great restaurant by the house called Agave Azul.  It's some of the best Mexican we've ever had, and has a great atmosphere.  

It also doesn't hurt that they're serving dishes are adorable...

The guacamole appetizer was sooooo yummy!

When we got back to the house we continued our annual Dateiversary tradition of giving sale ornaments as presents.  Scott forgot to get an ornament this year, but I think he got distracted by all of the ridiculous Stocking Stuffers he got me.

Good thing I got a set of four ornaments for him instead!

I found these guys at Kirklands for under $3 each!
I hope your New Year is starting off just as wonderful as ours has.

Questions:

What do you normally like to do for New Years Eve?

Do any of you who are married celebrate your Dativersary?