Okay okay, I know I've been terrible at keeping up the past few weeks, but listen, I have a defense. I've been at home in Amarillo for the holidays, and A. I've been spending time with my family so writing was not my top priority, and B. no one really wants to know about my life in Amarillo. Trust me, it can get pretty dull in the panhandle of Texas, and you don't want to hear a narration of my nonexistent social life there. But now I'm back in Belize, and I promise I'll be better about keeping you updated.
My only mode of transportation in Belize is a bicycle, so whenever I fly into the country I usually spend a few days in Belize City until I can hitch a ride with someone who is traveling to Belmopan, which was my situation this weekend. Belize City isn't exactly known for it's safe environment, so I don't spend too much time wandering it's unfamiliar streets. And even though it's only for a day or two, being cooped up in a house all day can get obnoxious, and it forces me to create my own entertainment. Now I am lacking in many skill areas, but one area I have never fallen short in is imagination. Lucky for me, I'm pretty easily entertained and good at entertaining myself.
So to keep myself busy in the house, I enjoyed the ancient art of dance. If you are picturing a choreographed, practiced routine that the backstreet boys might have used, then you’re wrong. But if you have a mental image of me jumping and flailing around with no apparent rhythm, then you are dead on. I am by no means a talented dancer, but that doesn’t stop me from being a very confident dancer (ask any of my friends), and I have been known to break it down in places such as school hallways, Dallas crosswalks, and various Walmarts, just to name a few (I also always use dancing as my cool down after I run). So if you know me at all, the idea of me spending the afternoon by jumping around like an idiot to Passion Pit’s “Sleepyhead” should come as no surprise to you. And you know what, it was awesome. But the point is that you don’t have to be any good at dancing in order to enjoy it, especially when you’re the only person around to witness it. So don’t ever be afraid to release your inner child and dance around in your pajamas. I’m not a therapist, but I actually believe it’s really healthy to let loose and release some anxiety that way. Dancing is incredibly therapeutic and fun, and not to mention sweat-inducing, and I highly encourage everyone to bust a move every now and then. In fact next time you’re having a downer day, crank up some (insert music artist of choice here), and act like the dancing diva you always knew you’d be when you grew up. As my close friend Lady Gaga would say, “Just Dance”.
