Lifes' Pursuits by Amelia

2011-08-10T00:24:00.000-07:00

It's August and after a nice restful three months off which included visiting nieces and nephews and my sister coming to stay with us I am ready to return to three new jobs this Summer. The first is as a paraeducator at Junior High School full-time, the second as a Turokick instructor at NuFit and the third as a server at Tony's Too in the Holiday Inn. You're not a Steinkamp if you don't have at least one job! Lol!! I am looking forward to making some cash and having fun! My high school reunion is this Summer in fact it's two weeks away! It will be nice to get some social time in before all the work starts. Mom and Dad continue to thrive, Dad brings home potatoes, zuchinni, beets and tomatos this Summer for dinner and Mom has already returned to faculty meetings. She would like to retire soon, but she enjoys planning her creative units and I think the little kids giver her energy.

2011-03-23T04:35:00.000-07:00

It's Spring! The sixty degree weather is wonderful after the big snow in the winter. I am working with a child in kindergarten one on one at Dewey School. It is interesting and everyday is different. I am also training for a half marathon in May. Mom and Dad are good, Dad just got thirteen cows on his farm and Mom is busy in preschool, she is looking forward to Summer.

Thursday Feb.3

2011-02-03T06:56:00.000-08:00

Well we got about sixteen inches of snow over the past three days which closed the schools and blocked the streets. I have been home for the past three days, watching T.V., surfing the internet, baking brownies and keeping up with P90X. Sunday I did Core Syntergistics,Monday, I took a break (bad girl) Tuesday I did Yoga X for fifty minutes. Wednesday I did arms and shoulders and today I did KenpoX at five thirty this morning. My body is sore, but I am excited about the changes that the soreness means are happening. My goal is to workout first thing in the morning which is ideally the best time to workout. Bring it Baby!

Saturday January 29

2011-01-29T07:24:00.000-08:00

Well it is going to be almost forty degrees today and I plan to get in a run! Starting the new job was quite the experience this week, back to full-time now and getting all the new job tasks done. Cody is the teen that I am a para-educator for and he is quite the handfull! My job is to watch him and make sure he is learning. His case is confidential so I can't really say too much about him except that he is a quirky one. All of the people I have met are nice and helpful. I interviewed for the English position but didn't get it. I was disappointed at first but I like having my evenings and weekends free from grading and planning lessons. I'd like to get back into fitness and get certified as a group instructor or personal trainer. That would be cool!

January 20, 2011

2011-01-20T11:15:00.000-08:00

It has been quite a week for me. This is my last week at Alternative and a time of transition. I will start at Senior High on Monday. I went to Senior High on Tuesday to learn more about the job and take a tour of the school and was told an English teaching position opened up and the assistant principal wanted me to apply, I applied for the job online and am waiting to get called for an interview. In the meantime I am preparing for the para position. Co-workers and I are going out to dinner on Saturday to celebrate.The snow fell hard today, a total of 5 inches! We are predicted more cold weather and more snow. Mom and Dad have been out of town visiting Becky this week. I got to talk to Iggy on the phone and he is so cute, he said Bye-bye nice and clear. He is so sweet. I went over to Grandma's and shoveled her walk today.

2011-01-16T05:51:00.000-08:00

It is January of 2011! A brand new year! I hope to blog more about what's going on in my life and the happenings. After six months at the Alternative School I am moving on to senior high to a para educator position. I am happy to be full-time and have benefits, I will be working with a Junior boy and going to his classes with him helping him with academics and behavior. I look forward to the change. I am running quite frequently out doors, about six miles a day. I want to run a 1/2 marathon in the Spring, either the St. Louis or Bridge The Gap here in Quincy. I have a training schedule from the Runners World magazine to follow. It will be challenging with the Diabetes, but manageable. In the Spring I am planning a trip to visit my sister in San Antonio, Texas.

2010-09-26T07:18:00.000-07:00

The weather is changing, it's fifty degrees outside! Quite a change from the ninety degree weather last weekend. This past week one of the students finished the book "Call of the Wild" with help. This next week my schedule will be changing as I take on more students in lesser increments of time. It is so nice to be running in cooler weather and I am looking forward to the annual Turkey Trot 10k in November at the YMCA. I am considering doing a 5k in October with my brother Nick on Halloween. Mom and Dad are staying active, Dad keeps working on the farm everyday and Mom is teaching pre-school where they love her and appreciate her. Have a blessed Sunday!

Tuesday September 14,2010

2010-09-14T05:08:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday! I have been running about five to six miles a day for a week with one day off. I have gone to part-time at work and am excited to continue persuing my AFFA certification and my Masters in Special Ed. I have two courses completed with two more to go for the Special Ed. After a busy Summer of teaching full-time and going to school it is nice to have a break.

New Lap top

2010-09-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

Purchased new laptop and I am ecstatic, it will come in sooooohandy!

Summer

2010-05-31T06:24:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it will be June tomorrow! Happy Memorial Day everyone. I have been running avidly since the Summer weather had arrived, and got yet another new gadget, the Garmin 305 which has a GPS on it and measures miles more accurately. I found out my usual six mile run is actually five and a half miles, but that's ok. Something to improve upon. I'm still buring over 600 calories per run. Well, I have a two week break from school, (this is the second week). Mostly working on lesson plans and taking an online course towards a Special Ed certification and eventually a Masters. I will be teaching this Summer for eight weeks and then start at the new alternative school in the Fall. A lot of transitions. I am planning on getting an apartment in Quincy come Thanksgiving or maybe in January after I've settled into work. Zumba has ended, I miss it but it was a good experience and if I have time I will do it again. So in other words I'm putting the AFAA certifcation on hold. Keep living healthy everyone!

Results of the heartrate monitor and ipod

2010-02-26T14:59:00.000-08:00

I ran with the ipod nike+active contraption and it did ok, but was off the second time I used it. I think because my shoes got wet from the snow. The heart rate monitor is working beautifully! I love it! Zumba will continue this week, but only on Tuesdays through March. April will kick it off again! Spring is almost around the corner and come March 26 I will be done with my sub assignment! yeah! Mission will be accomplished. Can't wait to start studying for the AFAA exam again and get certified by the Summer time! Feel free to post comments. Love Amy

New gadget

2010-02-20T10:33:00.000-08:00

I just got the new nike+ipod gizmo that measures calories burned, miles logged and goals accomplished for running. I am very excited about it, I can see my progress and set new goals. Everyone should get one!! It is a microchip that goes in your shoe during your run and then hooks up to your ipod or computer to see the reusults, I'm heading out for my first run with it very shortly and will tell you how it works out.

The new year is in full swing

2010-02-13T16:22:00.000-08:00

well, I successfully finished the Turkey Trot which was 58 minutes and thirteen seconds. My physical challenge for the new year is P90X which I am eleven days into, a 90 day program. I am also teaching full time at Chaddock where I am subbing for Mr. Bottorff who went on maternity leave. The holidays were enjoyable, I got to visit my sister in Tennesee. Saw the family Jan 3rd and had a nice break from school. Zumba classes continue though the numbers of participants has gotten smaller. I attribute it to winter weather. I can't wait til Spring and being able to run outdoors again!! Come April 1st I will be back to tutoring part-time and I will be actively looking for a full-time teaching position for next fall, though I do like chaddock. We'll see....keep fit! love Amy

10k Turkey Trot

2009-11-01T08:46:00.000-08:00

I signed up for the YMCA Turkey Trot a week ago, I am up to running six miles at least four times a week currently, the 10k is 6.2 miles. I have yet to get the map for it, so when I do I will start doing the running the route, my last 10k was a time of 56 minutes and running six miles now is about 54 minutes or so. My best time at six miles was yesterday at 52 minutes thirty six seconds. The weather was perfect, there are about three inclines on the route. I have been running the same route since May, sometimes but rarely running a second route down by the Mississippi. It's been a year since I have run a race, and that was a 5k, when I first moved to Quincy. My best 5k was 27 minutes and I got a third place trophy for that in 2005. I am about to start my run today, just waiting for my blood sugar to rise high enough to endure the time running. Being diabetic it takes a little planning before I exercise. I am looking forward to the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day. I hope the weather is warm and not too cold. Feel free to post readers...as for today the sun is shining and the leaves lightly blowing so it should make for a great run, my legs are a little sore but nothing too severe. More after the run!!

October

2009-11-01T05:59:00.000-08:00

October was a fun month at Zumba, we did the monster mash for Halloween and had two new girls start classes, several people renewed their punch cards and we all burned calories! Looking forward to the holidays and some new routines.

Tuesday September 29, 2009

2009-09-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

Nice class, learned new routine to Latinos, high energy song

Tuesday September 22

2009-09-25T05:35:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of Fall but it was sweaty in Zumba class, we did the same routines, about eight people were there, thanks to Julie who subbed for me on Saturday.

Still dancin

2009-09-11T05:37:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night ten ladies showed up for class and two weeks ago when I was absent the ladies who showed up did a class by themselves..... I must be doing something right....way to go!! As the beginning of the school year gets into motion and things settle down...new dances will be in the mix...Thanks to Julie who led the class!

Monday August 17, 2009

2009-08-17T06:50:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a good class, small, but fun. Personal training gets kicked off this week with the business next door, I will be training the owner and her two sons once a week for a month. I have been working on training plans for them and will throw out the idea of training for a 5k. School at Chaddock starts Thursday and Friday. Have a fit week!

2009-08-12T09:55:00.000-07:00

hello readers and followers! Zumba classes are going well, eight people last night which is awesome for a Summer turnout. We danced to Mambo number five and Calypso music among others. It's official, "Fit by Amy" is born, it's a small business offering Zumba, Zumba Gold,Turbokick and personal training. It's located in the back of "Bodyworks and Balloons" in Camp Point Illinois. Thanks to Kim Husemann and John Steinkamp graphic desingers currently working on a logo!

August 4, 2009

2009-08-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

Last night was an awesome night! Talked with Julie and her husband and am getting ready to start a Zumba chair class for older adults..I figure I can do it on Tuesdays before Turbokick starting in September.....had seven girls how up, small considering the start up but consistent which is good...did merengue, como si na, hava nagilia, bellydance got a name for personal training...am excited

August 1, 2009

2009-08-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

Well, a month has passed since my last blog, the summer has been busy with getting certified in Zumba, planning new songs, a kick off in June and studying for the AFAA exam. While the turnout for Turbokick has been small, it is an intense aerobic exercise not for the faint of heart, it's a high energy workout to the latest tunes. This morning we did some new songs in Zumba, Como Si Na and a new bellydance reggaton song as well as cumbia, and salsa amd merengue. I am looking forward to teaching some new classes by renting the space from Julia Huseman the owner of Bodyworks and Balloons outside of the classes sponsered by the YMCA. It's exciting and I am hoping for the best, look for Yoga in the future! Post your comments! Zumba Love, Amy

July 11

2009-06-24T06:53:00.000-07:00

Had a great class tonight! Introduced new song, como si na, pop music rythm, On July eleventh, from 9 am to 10 am will be regular class, from 10 am to 10:30 am will be turbokick, from eleven to twelve will be a brand new Zumba class! There will be class on July 4!!

Tuesday June 16, 2009

2009-06-17T05:37:00.000-07:00

Well, tonight we did all the dances we know not leaving any out, it was a good class, with two new participants who will come back next week depending on soreness.

Tuesday June 9, 2009

2009-06-10T05:48:00.000-07:00

A fun class tonight, I taught the tango combo from the Zumba gold and I think they liked it. It's a challenging one but fun. I talkedwith Julie about renting the space and teaching charging my own prices apart from the YMCA. I could teach any classes I wanted and be the sole aerobics teacher at Bodyworks. She already requested a Yoga class in addition to the turbokick classes coming up. I told her I would love to do that,maybe by the Fall, and she wants to advertise the Zumba class again for new class members. Life is good!

Update

2009-06-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

Last night was Zumba and it went well, no major mistakes, it was storming before I drove out there and mom went with me because she wanted to sell strawberries, she sold them all! Running is going great, I did 47 minutes on Monday and fifty minutes Tuesday and today. I've lost nineteen pounds since December, which was more than my goal. I'm looking forward to hearing back from Turbokick on my certification to teach and I am looking forward to going to back to school next week. I will have new materials to work with and my schedule will be in the after noon so I will be able to run in the mornings. life is good!

Monday June 1, 2009

2009-06-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

It's a new month! I'm looking forward to starting up Turbokick and adding new dances to the Zumba class as well as tutoring summer school at chaddock in the afternoons. This week I'm pushing my running time up to fifty minutes everyday, the first week it was fourty, last week it was fourty-five and this week fifty. Some recomendations say to alternate days but my muscles aren't fatiguing too much. I've been on vacation last week and now this week too so I've had more energy and time. The weather has been awesome the last few days, I rode down by the river front and people were boating and enjoying the day.

Kids Zumba

2009-05-27T10:37:00.000-07:00

Well what was supposed to be a senior citizens Zumba day turned into a Zumba kids day! For about 45 minutes I taught a mixture of line dances and Zumba to a group of young girls and a camp counselor at the YMCA. We did Mambo number five, Man I feel like a woman by Shania Twain and Please Don't Stop The Music by Rhianna, it was alot of fun, more fun than with older people because I could take the energy level up a notch.But the older people would have loved it too!

Monday Memorial Day

2009-05-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

Well, Zumba classes are going nicely, I added Sahara Oasis, a bellydance a week ago and the girls giggle each time they shake their hips. I also did a video for the turbokick classes and am waiting on the results of that, it should be another three weeks til I hear about it. Julie spoke to me last week and she is excited about doing another round of Zumba kickoff to get some more people in for classes. She told me she thinks I'm getting better at it and she has heard good feedback from the ladies. I feel like I am succeeding at it! I got a new ipod last week and have been running everyday for about fourty minutes listening to it, it's pretty addicitve. I've downloaded some old dance songs and some new ones by Akon and Kanye West. I got some old Michael Jackson Wanna Be Startin Something and Human Nature, some fergie -fergilicious and glamorous. I also got a bike last week and on Saturday I rode downtown and watched the Gus Macker basketball games. The weather was nice all last week so it was fun to run outside and ride around. I have been preparing for the country line dancing class on Wednesday, I am using Shania Twains songs and a song by Bonnie Rait, it's for older people so I'm hoping they like it. I am also teaching a Zumba class following it. It will be good experience to do both classes.

Cinco De Mayo

2009-05-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

Cinco De Mayo was a success! People enjoyed dancing the Mexican Hat Dance. Felicia was smiling and jumping! About Ten people showed up which was nice, small but manageable. I decorated for Zumba and dressed up. Saturday was a good class, the ladies were doing good. I need to drink water though during the class, because I was finishing up a diet coke during the class, very bad! As long as people are dressing up, that's the important thing!

April 28, 2009

2009-04-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday, that means it's Zumba day! It looks like the class has settled at fifteen members, tonight is the last free night. Saturday went well, except I dropped my scarf in the middle of one dance so that was a funny sight! Embaressing but funny.

Tuesday Party April 21, 2009

2009-04-21T19:26:00.000-07:00

Tonight was alot of fun! The girls are learning their steps and having a good time, which is the most important thing. Between fifteen and twenty people showed up and shook their butts! Ms. Shaw was there which was cool. In two weeks I'll have to start punching cards. I got the e-mail saying they sent my turbo kick materials which is awesome! God continues to bless!

Fundraiser

2009-04-17T04:33:00.000-07:00

I got a call from Kathryn yesterday and she invited me to a fundraiser to promote Zumba at Bodyworks and auction off two tickets. I am so excited about it, it's a spaghetti supper sponsered by a Catholic group that I guess got me my job accroding to Kathryn. Here is Nick and I dancing at his wedding by the way, Dancing, good for the soul.

Tuesday Party!

2009-04-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight Gaye Grant who has lived in Camp Point for fourty-nine years came to class and she stood in the front row, we rocked out to Rhianna and learned The Hora to Hava Nagila. It was great to have the music loud enough and no skips in the music! I wore my bright pink shirt and black pants. I changed my mind and want to teach turbo kick instead of step, I learned about it in California, it is a little more expensive but no equipment is needed and it's a great workout, with some hiphop moves added in.

Zumba! success

2009-04-13T10:16:00.000-07:00

Well, Zumba success! People loved the class and the only negative comment was that the music was too soft. I had fun teaching the class and I think the people had fun too. Kathryn is already talking about more classes during the week at Bodyworks and I plan on taking a step aerobics certification course which is only 89 dollars. She wants me to start teaching something in addition to Zumba, and I want to do it. I called a lady today who wants a class for her fifth graders. I'm sure success is inevitable.

Seeing the site

2009-04-02T06:32:00.000-07:00

Today I drove out to Camp Point and saw the space I will be teaching in. It is in a small town next to a grain elevator. The workout room is a bright pink with a small mirror. It is rudimentary but workable and I think it will do. The owner Julie Huseman is a nice lady, I invited a couple of ladies to the class while I was there. Kathryn McDaniel was supposed to meet me but I talked to her on the phone instead. I told her about the space and hopefully she will like it when she sees it. I got my tax return and paid off my loan at the bank. I just have a couple of bills to pay off. I plan on taking the AFAA exam in June when I get paid in April I will sign up. Life is good!!

Sunday March 29

2009-03-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a good weekend. Yesterday I choreographed a dance number to Mambo number five for the Zumba class and practiced. It rained all day long. I went for a walk in the rain with my Moms umbrella and the wind broke it. I kept walking and it started to hail, I had to laugh out loud! I went to church and watched Wallee with Mom and Dad, after a Chinese food supper. Sunday i got up and there was snow on the ground and on my car! Come six o'clock the snow had all melted and the sun was shining! Anyway Loni, Matt, Riley and Kinley came to visit and Ernie ruled the roost with his antics. I got to feed Kinley this afternoon and hold her for awhile. Riley was running around. Mom made lunch and dinner for them. They went to Johns play which they talked about at dinner. I wrote down the choreography for Hips Don't Lie and finished up Mambo number five choreography. Both are fun songs! Mom got an e-mail from a lady she works with about Zumba! and so I wrote her back with times and dates. I haven't been this excited about something in a long time! I got an e-mail from Vinicio. Tomorrow I work at Chaddock! Life is good!

Friday

2009-03-27T06:13:00.000-07:00

Today it's cold and rainy outside. I went to school and they gave me the option of going home or staying so Iopted to go home. Last night I went to my brother Johns' play called "Funny Girl". It was a community theatre production and he did a great job since it was his first show. He is moving to Chicago next week so it will be my parents and I in the house, I will miss him. I told some more people about Zumba yesterday and they are passing on the word. Today I have all day to practice. I saw a few people from my spinning class at the Y at my brothers play last night. Dad brought home some great pizza last night for dinner but I only had two pieces. I am glad it's Friday, it's been a long week! Here's to health!

Practice

2009-03-26T06:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I practiced the warm up and the merengue for my class, I told a few people about the class. I went for a walk and had some healthy Tuna for dinner. A quiet day except for working at Chaddock in the morning with Joceylyn, Corrine and Rodica and Chase. Good times. Plan on getting a Zumba tank for class.

Wednesday March 25, 2009

2009-03-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

Today I enter the world of technology by creating my first blog. This comes on beginning a new adventure I am taking into the world of fitness and health! Over the weekend I became a certified Gold instructor in Zumba fitness. The past few days I have spent my time practicing my class which will start in two weeks! I am so excited and ready to share it with people.