Sometimes I don't even realize my brain is storing a list of things I'd like to do. Some of it seems impossible (like move abroad for a few years) while others seem fairly attainable. When I think of some of the things I'd like to accomplish, it really comes down to regaining the confidence and carelessness I had when I was a young person. Where did that person go? 

Slowly but surely, I'm finding time to find me. That's one reason I took an adult tap class!

My friend and colleague Mimi Jung inspired me to take a dance class a while back... and her recommendations led to a couple of classes before finally signing up at Barclay Shelton in Edmonds.

For the last few months (basically a school year), I have been taking an adult tap class once a week. However, I was quite surprised when I learned we would have a number in the school's dance recital! I nearly panicked! But at the end of our show(s), I felt as if I had accomplished something special. The women I met in class became such comforting faces and friends, and I can't wait to see them again when we start class in the fall. It is such an awesome group! 

Right now I only have this grainy cell phone video, but you get the idea! I did this at five months pregnant and am in the first row on the right. I was so nervous the first two nights, but by the third afternoon I was just having fun! This is video of our first night... 

We talked about it on Take 5 (our new show...which I realize I haven't talked about on this blog yet... sorry, pregnancy brain.) But, my question is... what's something you've always wanted to do? How do you follow your heart? 

It felt so good to do something like this, and I got messages from viewers saying they felt inspired to do something new. The challenge of re-learning a skill (I took dance up until I was a teen) and performing on stage helped me realize that life can be a lot more fun when you lean in, make some friends and put yourself out there! You're never too old or out of touch to start! 

If you haven't ever been to the Walk For Rice, I encourage you to check it out! It's an easy 2.5 walk/run around Seward Park and raises money for the only food bank in Washington that continually provides food for Asian families, thanks to the Asian Counseling and Referral Service. And for the second year in a row, I got to emcee with Derek Wing!

You might say to yourself, "Why do Asians need special food?" It's not that they need special food, but many of the standard food banks don't continually support the needs of communities of color.

For example, did you know most Asian people are lactose intolerant? Also, many rely on rice and noodles and don't know what to do with bread, milk or cheese. 

The ACRS' food bank provides fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, noodles, and many other Asian staples. Since it's in the Chinatown International District, volunteers and workers serve many homeless people in the area with hot emergency meals. And even though the food bank serves primarily Asian children and seniors, it's open to EVERYONE.

When my sister moved here from Korea, the ACRS was the very first place I took her for guidance. They provide so many resources on topics like citizenship, jobs, and education. 

I am proud to help this wonderful organization. Together the community helped raise more than $140,000 for the food bank and nutritional programs -- that is a lot of rice!