Yes, I'm still here! {{{sheepish grin}}}

I've been frightfully slack on posting here...after my job ended I took a week off (figured I wouldn't have much of a chance after I start a new job, at least not for six months or so), then I've been registering with employment agencies, interviewing, etc. So, I've been pretty busy. <---sad ol' excuse

But I have NOT forgotten you guys---any of you. :) It's just harder now that I only have online access at home, which means dialup. :P

Had the weirdest dream about my bellydance teacher/class...something about it being a figure skating class, but my bd teacher was the coach. I didn't have my skates (some of you may remember I taught figure skating for nearly 10 yrs), and was totally unprepared, even with regard to the fee. My teacher let me slide on paying for the first class, which was so strange I can't even describe it; not sure if it was skating, bellydance, or both! Can't remember how the dream ended, either.

Today I took my son to Splash water park, to cool off. We were having a great time until I let him talk me into going down the water slide with him in a two person tube. BIG MISTAKE! Those things absolutely scare the C--R--A--P out of me---I cannot remember a time when I have been so absolutely terrified! I was screaming, out of control, desperately trying to slow the thing down, knowing that at any moment I was going to die.

Worst, though, was the fright it gave Justin. He freaked out, seeing me so freaked out (I was gasping in panic, once we got to the bottom), and even now, hours later, he cannot get it out of his head. The poor child is so upset that "he" scared me -- even though I've told him over and over that it wasn't his fault, that it was *my* decision, he bursts into tears. I'm afraid he won't even be able to sleep tonight. :(

For that matter, I'm not so sure *I* will, either. :O

One more class...and a big change

Well, last week's bellydance class I missed --- my mom had been in the hospital for two days and didn't feel up to watching J for me. Plus J & I had just gotten back from an overnight "vacation"...despite the fact that shortly after I booked it, I was told my job would be ending 5/18/07.

So as of today I have one more week here, the place I've worked for the last five years (longest day job I've held...got sick of the others and left before I went mad). I came across a *perfect* position this morning: I have EVERY qualification, in spades, plus the job is really close to home!! I sent them my resume and supplemental info faster than a New York minute. Really hope I get it!

Next week's bd class is the last one; after that we have to sign up (& pay) for the advanced-beginners class. Which I'm waiting to do until the job situation is settled. In the meantime, my copy of Jenna's "Bellydance Basics & Beyond" came in, and boy, she really takes the time to go through everything carefully and with great attention to detail! I think it'll keep me busy and practicing properly until I can get back to classes.

I must admit, though, that class was r - e - a - l - l - y slow compared to the faster pace of learning new moves that I was used to from the DVDs. Not that that's bad, just different, something to get used to. Fortunately my figure skating background helps me a lot with body placement, knowing where my body is, etc., which is a big plus. So things like isolations are pretty easy for me. :)

Other things, like **tucking under** are much harder---figure skaters don't position their hips that way. But I've been working on that all throughout the day, every time I think of it when I'm standing at the copier, at the sink at home, etc., so it's getting better. Jenna really reminds you about it a lot, so between the two I should be doing pretty good.

Onwards and upwards~!

Followup -- 1st Bellydance Class

Well, I made it through! Not a very good day yesterday; I was feeling sorta low/depressed all day for no apparent reason (though it could have something to do with the spiritual crisis I've been going through lately), plus the weather was gloomy but no rain. I always feel better if it at least rains, but when it's just gloomy grey and overcast it sucks.

Anyway, class was good, my thighs were burning, though I made some progress on keeping my pelvis tucked. Previously I was working really hard to tuck using my glutes, but last night it sorta "clicked" and I realized I could hold my pelvis itself tucked without having so much tension and strain in my muscles. Yay!

Everyone did really well in class, so much so that Devina said we may even advance to advanced-beginner level *before* the end of the 5-week class. Each and every goddess got the slow head slides, chest slides, and hip slides we worked on, first time, and there were hardly any glitches on the shimmies (which went on for *days*), though I myself had some trouble adjusting to the bent-knee type of shimmy Devina teaches; I'm accustomed to doing the straighter-legged Egyptian shimmy like Jillina teaches on her Instructional DVD. For me, this one feels like once I get my knees bent deeply enough and my pelvis tucked, I can no longer move my knees in the vibrational movement Devina says drives this shimmy. I'll keep practicing it, and if I don't have it by next Monday's class I'll ask for pointers. (Yes, I should've asked last night, but I was too busy thinking about it and forming my question and then we went on to something else.)

Icky part of class for *me* was the freestyle hafla-style dancing at the end---I felt like SUCH a goober!! Intellectually I know it doesn't matter what I'm doing, since Devina says we're just to let go and do whatever comes to mind, even if it's the Charleston or the funky chicken, but I felt like the proverbial deer-in-the-headlights: I froze! In the introductory class I did fine; I got out there and just moved to the music, caught up in the excitement of actually being in a bellydance class (as opposed to hiding in my living room). But this week I don't know what happened, as I suddenly felt very self-conscious and naked even though I obviously wasn't. Heck, my belly wasn't even showing!

Oh well, there's always next week.

In the meantime, I'll just keep reminding myself this is for ME---it's not a contest, it's not to compete against anyone, it's not to win some medal for Best Beginner Bellydancer, it's not even to impress Devina. This is for me and me alone, to learn bellydance because I love it.

I FINALLY DID IT!!

Hey, everyone!

Sorry I've been away...things got busy and I haven't had time to get back here in ages. But I wanted to post today, as I have finally done it: I signed up for a bellydance class!

Now maybe this doesn't seem like a big deal, especially to those of you who've been taking classes for so long you probably can't remember *not* doing it. But for me this was a huge step, as my body issues have never allowed me to do such a thing before. It took a lot of thinking and arguing and talking to myself to work up the courage to actually take that step and go....which I did last week, taking Devina's introductory class for the class series starting today. Last week was loads of fun (but HARD work, as I haven't done any bellydancing since around February, after I twisted my knee), and afterwards I could hardly wait to go again! I went home and practiced every other day, so as to not do too much, though I know my quads are going to be burning again tonight....

I've also started working with some stretching exercises to loosen up all these tight muscles that constrict during the day at my desk job (that is, of course, when I'm not sneaking in a bellydance move or two!). So hopefully soon I will be getting into shape for real, which will be about time! :)

Hopefully tomorrow I can find the time to come back and provide an update. :)))

The Magic Hip Scarf

Well, I've decided it's official --- I have a Magic Hip Scarf.

With it, I can do my Egyptian shimmies.

Without it, I can't.

Last night I got myself up from the prone position (aka reclining, aka batteries down to zilch lately) and *made* myself get moving again...don't know why I've felt so tired lately, no juice in the batteries AT ALL, despite a burning desire to be up bellydancing. Though I think a little paranoia had something to do with it, since my knee was bothering me so much last time and I wanted it to get fully recovered before pushing it again. I did my warmups and all, felt really stiff (mostly my back), but it felt good nonetheless. Then it came time to try the shimmies....nothin'. Nothin' nothin' nothin'.....................................they just weren't working.

Until I got out my Magic Hip Scarf.

Then they felt better....and then a little better still....and then they seemed to be working pretty good! :)
Not *quite* like the time I got them so effortlessly and felt I could do them all night, but hey who's complaining---after all, I've been away from my practice sessions awhile, so whatever success I had with them was a big plus.

I think people are right---the jingly-jangly hip scarf helps to let you know where your hips are and what they're doing, as opposed to standing there just shaking and thinking, hm, wonder if this is really doing anything?

must....keep.....going..............

Bellydance fever

I posted elsewhere about this, but it's just so cute I had to do a blog entry as well: Last night my 9-yr-old son went to take a shower, and a few minutes later I was near the bathroom door when I heard a familiar tune being sung/hummed. He was singing "Alf Leyla we Leyla"!

The smile that spread across my face was so huge it almost hurt. LOL First Justin wanted to bellydance, too; then he decided he wants to take up the doumbek, so he and I can "be a team." (We're looking into that now--the doumbek, that is.) Then during dinner I like to have music playing, so I put on my "One Thousand and One Nights" CD, which has a club version of Alf Leyla we Leyla. Justin said, "Oh, I'm so glad you put this CD on, Mom" -- and he was serious. He doesn't really care for the classic version that Jillina uses on her Instructional Bellydance Level 1, but I guess the club version got his attention!

I don't know what anyone else thinks, but to me the fact that a *nine year old* would like a bellydance song so much he's singing it in the shower....wowee! :) I love it. I just love it.

Heartbeat of Bellydance

Well, I am SOOOOO excited! Purely by accident I came across "Heartbeat of Bellydance" with Jenna and Raquy at Ross for *$4.99*!!!

I snatched that puppy up so fast and was dancing around going, "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" -- my son thought I was nuts. But I had been just about to order this online that afternoon, but got busy and didn't get to. Now I'm glad I waited!

Really packed full of good info & instruction, I'm loving loving loving this DVD. AND the part with Raquy on the different rhythms serves a double bonus: Justin wants to get into playing the doumbek, so this is a good place to start. He can watch that section to start learning the different rhythms, and then figure out whether he wants to pursue learning to play. He was so cute --- he came in, threw his arms around me and said, "Mom, you and I could be a team! You can bellydance and I'll play." :)

I think my beautiful boy really wants to take part in his mom's new passion. :::smile::::

That said, I know I have my work cut out for me on the shimmy layering drills....yikes! That's a lotta stuff to learn.

guess I can't ask too much of myself, though...I've only been doing this four months.