Just like in the show all couples were to make a short video clip of themselves and talk about what they've been through. If you click below you'll see our short introduction and our dance!

Funny huh!! What you did not see was the judging. No we didn't win. We came in second place though. Not bad for odd couples!! The couple that beat us were actually two administrators that were able to dance since we had so many cancellations.

It's Show Time!

It's just about that time and we were nervous as heck. Out of 15 couples, it was down to seven. A lottery was done to set the dance couples in their place. We were number five. I was part of the decorating committee and helped doing the raffle. I couldn't stop looking at the clock. We gave out different gift certificates from companies that were able to donate to our cause.

These ladies on the right are our judges. They all are middle school staff and were in charge in planning this event. Below are pictures of the couples in the event. They all took the time to rehearse on their own and made up their own dance.

Dress Rehearsal

It was now time to put it all together to see what we've accomplished. After many hard workouts and long drives to Long Beach, we still felt we needed more time. We decided to rehearse on our own closer to home. I pulled some strings and I was able to borrow the mirror room at the Walnut Gymnasium (http://www.ci.walnut.ca.us/general.asp?id=157).

At work, we've heard that couples were dropping like flies. Some got injured in rehearsals, while others quit on their partners. We were down to six dancing couples. We started to panic! We found out who were still in and we knew we had no chance. My partner then decides that we both needed a message. So we made plans to go to a spa (http://www.spashangri-la.com/) in Chino Hills. Except I wasn't able to go along so I convinced him to take his girlfriend. She loved it!!

One week before the big event, we finally decide to have a dress rehearsal. He wore a black shirt and pants, his shinny shoes and a black hat. He looked like a 'mafioso' (lol). I wore a red dress and shinny shoes, no hat. I looked alright I guess. I couldn't afford those beautiful fancy dresses, but this one was fancy enough for me.

Here's a sneak peak!!

Miracle Worker

It was now time to buggie! We planned to meet at my garage to layout the basics on what moves would go with the song we chose. Mind you, my partner has two left feet and no dancing skills. When it comes to Salsa, it's all about hip movements and quick steps. I tried to make him comfortable and loose, but I think he was having second thoughts. BUT he's a fighter. The next time I saw him at work, he was excited to tell me that he had signed up for Salsa classes at The Granada in Alhambra (http://www.thegranadaalhambra.com/). He was so excited to show me what he'd learned. I was happy to hear that he didn't quit on me and he was still my partner.

A couple of days into rehersals, we weren't moving quick enough. The event was getting closer and we couldn't depend on what he was learning. It just wasn't enough material for a full routine. It was then that I knew we needed a miracle worker to help us out. I decided to ask my dance instructor for a favor. He'd once subbed for my dance teacher and I liked how patient he was. His name is Peter. Peter and Ciara were our miracle workers. They both own a small dance studio in Long Beach (http://www.thelainfluence.com/). They were happy to help. Ciara helped me with the 'women techniques' and Peter helped my partner with.....loosening up. They advised us to go out to Salsa clubs so we could get use to dancing with eachother and get rid of our nerves. Here are a few places to keep in mind: Steven Steak & Seafood House in Commerce (http://stevensteakhouse.com/); The Conga Room in LA Live (http://www.congaroom.com/); The Rumba Room in Universal City Walk (http://www.rumbaroom.com/).

After a couple of falls, head-bumping and long trips to Long Beach, our routine began to look like a huge accomplishment. We both knew we wouldn't of accomplished so much without them. We were now ready for our dress rehearsal.

Planning 101

After learning my partner's background, I knew I had a big make-over coming my way. We knew that our dance was Salsa, so we began searching for music. I didn't think that was going to be easy because Salsa music is fast-paced, quick stepped, turns and spins. I had to becareful!

Once the song was picked, we then had to choose what we were going to wear. I found these sites with beautiful salsa dresses. The only downfall was, I didn't have the body to fit into them. Here are some sites, take a look: http://www.latindancefashions.com/shop/; http://www.latindancestore.com/.

Once we had an idea of what we wanted to wear, my partner decides to buy himself some dancing shoes. So he'd asked me to meet him at this shoe store to give him my opinion about the shoes he chose. The store was in South El Monte called Very Fine Dancesport Shoe Company (http://www.veryfineshoes.com/) and it had the cutest shoes ever. I ended up walking out with two pairs. One for practice and one for our performance.

Dancing Like a Star!

I work for Rowland Unified School District (http://www.rowlandschools.org) as a Librarian for a middle school. Every year different departments within the district are in charge of hosting a Classified Employee Dinner Event. There's been Bingo Night, Jeopardy, Rowland Idol and now Dancing Like a Star. These events take place at the Royal Vista Golf Club (http://www.larv.com). Every department is in charge of raising money to reserve a hall and plan out what activities will be included in the event. It's tradition to do raffles so that every employee in attendance will leave with something in their hands.

Every school attends which is kinda nice to catch-up with other people that you know from other schools that you haven't seen for a while. Our school did take part of the Rowland Idol and I was part of the Biker Mamma's, but that's another blog.

Two year's ago all middle schools had to come up with a theme. It was decided to put on our own Dancing With the Stars theme, but except we weren't stars. We set up a sign-up sheet to see who would be interested to participate throughout the whole district. Only classified employees were able to participate. The list began to get long. Partners were beginning to form. No one had control of whom you'd be partnered up with. But then the list began to get short. I guess they didn't like their partner! I was partnered up with one of the district's technology worker. He'd never danced before and he had two left feet. I was throwing in the towel already.

He had no problem being my partner except, he was leaving it up to me to teach him how to Salsa dance. Thank goodness I was taking dance classes at Cal Poly Pomona that quarter (www.csupomona.edu). But that wasn't enough!