Wow, the holidays are already here. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to be with family and friends. In San Jose at a new location and venue was the very exciting U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships. Thanksgiving day, Jer & I were with my family at my cousin Deko and Jack's home, Friday we attended Bill & Elaine's wedding & danced at their reception and Saturday morning I flew off to San Jose to dance with Eric that afternoon. Whew…

Eric & I danced in the Strictly Swing-Pro Division, and although we didn't make finals, I believe we're the first mother & son team to dance at the Open (is that correct MaryAnn?) And Eric had to lipsynch for the audience by himself, and it was hilarious with his back-up dancers. You had to be there. Congratulations to all of you who did compete, it can be very scary out there on that huge dance floor and to all of you that placed or won in your divisions. Kellese & Cher are the first daughter & mother to win in the same year their divisions. Also for those with us on the cruise, Ronnie & Laureen won their division, Jordan & Sarah took second in their division (remember Tatiana hurt her foot) and Kyle won his division with Libbat. And Eric danced with Csilla, a new routine put together very quickly. Great job everyone and Congratulations again!!

Our cruise to the Caribbean was great and everyone said they had a wonderful time. It was quite an experience to swim with huge stingrays in Grand Caymen (it's okay, I could touch bottom). I'd like to thank those who went with Eric & me: my sister Susan (she flew in from Switzerland), Bob & Marge, Ray & Sharon (who won the best-decorated door contest), Joe & Maria, Nancy & Sheila, Jim & Kathy (just newly wed two days before the cruise), John and Vickie. For our group picture we're wearing our Dance-Today Caribbean Cruise T-shirts, compliments of Dance-Today. I hadn't planned to, but for the "50's Theme" I won second for best costume and won the Hula-Hoop contest. Staying over in New Orleans one day, we went to the flea market, lunched at an outdoor café with a jazz group with Jim & Kathy and Lynn & Kathy, stopped by Hardrock Cafe and rode the trolley before walking down the famous Bourbon Street and having dinner at the Bourbon House.

We were off to New Orleans very early the next morning following our November Nirvana dance party. I really must thank Jer, Eric, Carolyn, Jasmin & Tim, Bev, JoAnn, Aaron, Jack and Andre for making it easier to leave soon after the dance. Thank you Louie & Katie for dancing your Open routine for us and to Carrie, Meta from the Board of Directors for the Open and Jackie & John from OCWCSDC for stopping by. Thanks Jamie for bringing your great brownies (especially the ones to take with me on the cruise :)). We had a lot of birthdays, Duffy, I think he's 87, Tim, Don, JoAnn and Susan and we had a gang dance for them. Thank you everyone for coming down and supporting the party, having fun and it's always nice seeing friends.

Also thanks to those who came to the lesson we taught at Tia Juana's just before Thanksgiving, it was another great turnout. In December we will be teaching the second and fourth Tuesdays, the 9th & 23rd at 8:00 p.m. Come down and let's make each one a great "Dance Night Out" again. Let your friends know and make it more fun. Tia Juana's is located at Sand Canyon Rd. and the 5 Fwy in Irvine. As the day approaches I'll send out a reminder via email, so if you'd like to be on that list, send me your email address at Lisa@Dance-Today.com or you call me at (714) 330-3689 and thanks for keeping me updated with current addresses.

These past couple of months I've had the pleasure working with Bill & Elaine, Debbie & Bryan, Bob & Jennifer, Chris & Karen, Miko & Masaki, John & Vicki, John & Naomi and Doug & Jennifer on their wedding dances. Congratulations to all of you on your new marriages. It's been a lot of fun and rewarding for me meeting you and knowing I had a tiny part in your lives teaching you something you didn't know before. Thank you for allowing and trusting me to help you with such an important event in your lives. Even if very brief, our paths crossed and they did for a reason, if out of coincidence knowing a mutual friend, or shortness of time. I read the book, yes read even twice, "the five people you meet in heaven", a very interesting book about how all of us are connected in one way or another. Thank you Jer for giving it to me.

Some months next year and starting with January, I have to move our party to the first Saturday, otherwise they'll still be on the second Saturday. I'll send out the schedule of the parties in my next newsletter. Also classes will be starting again in January 2004. Gift Certificates make a very easy and thoughtful gift for the holidays.

WISHING YOU & YOUR LOVED ONES A BEAUTIFUL HOLIDAY SEASON TOGETHER!
Very Sincerely~Lisa