Dear Editor,

It can often be daunting to try new things. Summertime can be the perfect opportunity for such an endeavor.

As a music teacher, I enjoy my summers off, but there is only so much reading, cleaning, and sun-tanning a gal can do before thinking, "What now?"

After much hemming and hawing, I decided that this would be a summer of trying out things that I otherwise would not be comfortable doing on my own. I wanted to push myself out of my house, off of the beach, and into situations that would make me squirm a little.

As a matter of fact, I am doing one of those things as I write: enjoying a full fat latte. As a gal who is conscious of everything that passes my lips, this is the first full fat drink I have enjoyed - ever - and let me tell you. ladies, it is worth it!

Last week I took part in a Zumba class all by myself. If someone would have ever invited me to one of these peppy dance workout sessions in the past, you can bet my answer would have been, "Not on your life!" I generally save my dance moves for Saturday nights, and even after a few Long Islands, I still glance around the room to make sure my spastic dance moves are not offending anyone.

But there I was on a Thursday afternoon, staring at myself in the large gym studio mirror, dancing with 20 other ladies like we were in some Bollywood dance number. It was a blast!

Yes, my body was flailing around like I had been struck by lightning, but somehow I was proud to do this on my own. I might even go so far to say that it made me feel more confident in general.

Trying new things is good for your mind, soul, and body (well, this fattening latte may not be better for my body, but you know what I mean-).

So, if you are starting to feel summer boredom set in, why not stretch yourself a little? Invite your neighbour over! Try a new recipe! Rearrange your furniture!

Doing something different will not only take away the monotony of daily routine, it will also make you feel great.

Now if you will excuse me, I have a weightlifting class to get ready for-