"Elaine Dance" and Opinions Please!

Today was the first day I felt like I really broke the ice with my students.  Last semester, I replaced a writing assignment with a debate on a topic of the student's choosing.  I required cited sources to support their arguments.  The students chose a controversial topic and really enjoyed the debate.  I was so impressed with the way they created and supported their arguments and the genuine passion they exhibited during the actual debate. 

 Today, this semester's class chose their topic and we talked  a bit about how to proceed.  They are actually excited about it!!!!  It was like that big chasm that separates teachers and students narrowed some.  Nothing like an exciting assignment to lead a breakthrough.  This makes me very happy.  They chose the topic of same-sex adoption.  Running a close second place to that topic was 'Reversing Roe v. Wade'.  They brainstormed the topics with no input from me.  I like that they chose controversial topics.  Of course, when they asked me how they would be split into teams and when I told them that they will be assigned to the pro or con side with no consideration to their preference....there was a collective gasp followed by "how do we do that if we all believe........?"  "what if we are a pro but assigned as a con?" "How do we argue for something we don't (or do) believe in if we are not assigned to that side?".

You argue as if you believe in the side you are assigned to.

Regardless of your belief.

Another collective gasp.

We talked a bit more about researching and about presenting a solid argument based on studies, evidence and fact rather than opinion.

They really seem excited about it.  What is really cool about this is that NOT ONE of them has ever participated in a debate.

This is why I love my teaching assistantship.

I'm really teaching them something new, a new skill.

New York & Co silk bow tie blouse, thrifted.  I can't tie a bow for anything.

This is what I wore to teach in today.  One of my students actually complimented me today!

Lia Sophia 'cabana' necklace.

I was feeling silly this morning..and because my photographer (the boy) was feeling a little crabby and irritable, I broke into the 'Elaine' dance....

Anyone remember that dance from Seinfeld?  I love that dorky dance.  Wish I could do it as well as Julia Louis Dreyfuss does it.  ;)

Now for your OPINION PLEASE?!!!!

I'm competing again on October 13th.  I'm dancing American Smooth Style, which is less stuffy than International Standard because you can break from the body contact position to do some spins and arm styling.  To put it simply...Standard is the elegant style and Smooth is the 'fancy' style.  Oh, by the way....I have not done much Smooth. Three months of coaching total in Smooth.  I'm a Standard girl. Back in February, my coach convinced me to compete in Smooth at the Indiana Challenge and it worked out very well  ;)

Anyway, I need to choose a dress to wear for this comp and I thought I would ask YOUR opinion!
So, which one?

The chocolate and vanilla dress?  I just purchased this and wore it at the last comp's evening event.

The pink princess dress?  This is what I wore when I won the Indiana Challenge.

Psss....the gloves...don't have fingers now, they were waaaayyy too long so I had them made into gauntlets.

.....or the 'Tinkerbell' green dress.

A friend of mine who loves all things Disney and works there told me she couldn't help but think of Tinkerbell when she saw the picture.

So what do you think?

I hope the pink one is still an option after tonight....because it's in the wash machine right now...

It's in a pillowcase, secured and washing on the hand wash cycle.

I've washed many formal gowns of silk and chiffon this way, but never a ballroom gown.  

Some of the stones will fall off, but will be caught by the pillowcase.  That's a super easy fix.  I just hope the dress and its fine silk chiffon godets are fully intact...

By the way...dry cleaners won't touch ballroom gowns.

So please send me some good dress mojo and please share your opinion with me!