please join me...

for a little glimpse into my world

(disclaimer: this is in no way meant to be offensive or racist, just pure comedy!)

I go to Bally Total Workouts probably 5-6 times a week. It takes me about five minutes to get there, but is technically considered to be in the next Suburb over. When I get there I'm always greeted by a lovely brown skinned trainer who's arms are bigger than my legs- he's huge. Normally with a 'hey baby, you ok?' I respond with a yeah, you? and translate in my mind. He's not asking, 'you ok?' like something is wrong but rather Hi, young lady how are you? I don't miss a beat and I keep on walking usually encountering a few more, you oks.

I make my way into the aerobic room (never did I think I'd be one of those workoutters in the aerobic room...alas, thats where I am). Everybody joins in to help Rodney get everything set-up. I'm one of two white people in the room- though that doesn't even phase me anymore as it is such a common thing in my world. Before I know it Kirk Franklin is blaring through the speakers and soon set-up turns into a pre-class dance session and I busy myself with the weights and try to smoothly put a little hip and hop in my step. (you can start laughing here :)

Class has started and we do 50 bazillion jumping jacks all counted outloud (how do you count to 50 bazillion.....) and then we run up and down the three flights of stairs three times- all the while counting outloud. I'm about to die- and that's just the warm-up! Anyways, we're doing the combo schoolcraft (that's the street my school is on) workout. There are about 10 stations and between each one you do the schoolcraft. The schoolcraft though is no longer a street today but an aerobic move. Because of the poplulation this aerobic move doesn't strictly stay a move, but rather an aerobic dance move. So, here I am only white girl getting my butt kicked and trying to blend in and they bust out the DANCE MOVES?! If you know me at all you know not only do I hate dancing, but I can't dance. So my heel touch heel touch remain just that as these incredible women behind me do the schoolcraft and turn their heel touch heel touch into a beautiful expression of who they truly are. (and do they look dang good doing it!)

I somehow survived through the class probably because I was so entertained by the beauty of this culture. Incredible encouragement, some jokes, slight fear of the instructor, loud singing, and of course 'the schoolcraft'. The entire time though I wanted so badly for everyone to know I'm not just a tall white girl but that in my heart I was doing the schoolcraft too. I wish I could put a sign on my forehead proclaiming my love for the city and for this culture! I hope that instead my feeble attempts at the schoolcraft and smiles and laughs with my sista next to me it was heard loud and clear.

All that being said, I was laughing on the inside as I secretly coveted so many of the moves by the talented schoolcrafters. Also, as I walked down those same stinkin' stairs I knew that this is my culture too and these other crazies in the aerobic room are my sisters and brothers.

Just a little look...

(BRI AND DONNA COME THIS WEEKEND! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)