THE LETTER: to Oprah re: Rona

One day Rona said, "HAILEY! YOU need to write to OPRAH about this class!" I agreed. She went on to compliment me in all sorts of ways, which I appreciated, but only raised the bar a few feet, her specialty. Letter writing is easier said than done. Now my first ever letter to OPRAH! is done. Voila:

Oprah talks about how dreary exercise is...that is because she hasn't been to Rona's spin class yet. Simply put: The WORLD'S GREATEST SPIN CLASS is at the 800 North Gold's Gym in Orem, Utah -- Oprah should come & join in the fun!

Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 9:15 a.m. (sharp!) the party begins. The lights are low, the fans are on and the music on the stereo is sped up. Hip-hop, Rock, Funk & the latest pop music, is Loud! Rona is already talking about the latest celebrity gossip and news.

Rona's personal style is stunning: big blond hair, flashy nails, tight colorful clothes, big smile, LOUD voice. Her teaching style is Brutal. She has us Spriiiiiiint!, clap, yell, lean to the left/right, dip, wave, scissor kick, arrow down, jump, imagine all sorts of cycling scenarios & sweat like mad.

There is really no easy way out of that class and yet a group of regulars comes every week. We have become friends and call each other by the nicknames Rona doles out, Taz, Peanut Butter, Cinderella for example. The group is a mix of people who want to loose weight (most have, Rona used to weigh over 220), competitive athletes, college students, stressed professionals and stressed out mothers. People come almost an hour early to reserve a bike. One woman never missed a class throughout her pregnancy, with twins!

Recently Rona hosted a party for 2 favorite regulars, for their 55th birthdays! There were balloons, treats, gifts and silly party hats in class. There are parties for Halloween (with costumes) and Christmas (with gifts). The best fete was probably for Rona's surprise birthday, complete with disco balls, special gifts, gourmet cupcakes & singing. The room is regularly decorated with random seasonal decor, lights and a rogue glittered gnome.

I never miss a class & although my legs & butt are hard as rock, I go for my mind. I am a happier, healthier, calmer & better person for attending Rona's class.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

My kind of family van.

Had a conversation last night with a Utah Valley Democrat. She wondered what she was doing here... I guess I do too. Lovely lovely person. But as Popeye so eloquently said, "I yam what I yam," and so I am pretty comfortable here. I also realize that thoughtful, caring people all all around me. Witness this van.

I saw this van parked at the Scera Theater. [Theatre?] I stopped in my tracks. It was a home school event and whoa: Dig the Pro-family, Pro-Obama sticker. That is cool. I am very happy to see support for President Obama, especially in Utah Co. Give the man a chance to clean the colossal mess left from the last Eight years by Bush & Co.

Please also note that I've smudged the license plate numbers... don't want any vitriolic Ut. Co. nut jobs coming after my new friends! -- also not writing details of recently received emails & my lovely friend's recent experiences at the hands of Ut. Co. Republicans.

YES!!!

President Barack Hussein Obama.

That sounds great! I love that he kept his middle name for the inauguration. 48 years ago the world was a very different world. I hope that the modern Muslim world will appreciate the courage it took to keep that middle name, as an American. (I love that a kind and gentle Heavenly Father has a sense of humor.) I love that Americans, 80%, support him, even if they didn't vote for him. I love that he inspires us to be better, do more, look more deeply.

As a family we are keeping a "Golden Rule" calendar to record the service we do. Last night for FHE I read his letter to his girls to SKJN & M. So far it is doors open and sharing juice boxes, cheerfully helping around the house.

Loved the music at the ceremony! "Yo-Yo Ma along with Itzhak Perlman on violin, Gabriela Montero on piano and Anthony McGill on clarinet performed the new work composed by John Williams, 'Air and Simple Gifts.'" Aaron Copeland's, "Simple Gifts" was so perfect! Piano, clarinet, cello and violin! The poetry was great but the reading was odd. As if the punctuation was. Off.

ONWARD.

Cheney looked like a sick and twisted, iniquitous, feeble, decrepit Voldemort. Hope time reveals his crimes and that he is alive to receive his judgment... he will eventually. Bush looked like he had another good night of sleep (The former :) president always went to bed at 9:30?! No wonder were are in such a mess.) -- how did the country elect him TWICE?

ONWARD.

O is for Ovation for Obama!!!

YES!!!!