And now...

Mira Betz Performance Intensive in Lexington KY

Alyssum — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:31:08 GMT

I participated in her first one out in SF and would recommend it to EVERYONE. The depth we went into was incredible, and I really felt like I attained what I knew what my performance was missing but--until the intensive--didn't know how to go about figuring out. The whole 5 days was really intense, and wonderful. Her latest Performance Intensive in SF is SOLD OUT, but for you East-Coasters, here's your opportunity to participate closer to home. Don't miss out. We'll let you know when registration starts, but for now, mark the dates! for updates, bookmark the Rakadu tribe URL: http://rakadugypsy.tribe.net/ July 30-Aug 1st 2009 Lexington, KY contact Mecca Studio for information and details registration Opens soon! info@meccadance.com

URGENT UPDATE! (good news!)

Alyssum — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:25:33 GMT

You may have noticed that Bellyqueen of NYC was scheduled by Za-Beth to perform the same night that Mira & Alyssum were. Good news: Now you get to see ALL OF THEM! Za-Beth, Mira Betz, and Alyssum Pohl will now be opening for Bellyqueen at The Regent Theatre. (not The Dance Complex) 8pm, Saturday, October 4th. ANOTHER UPDATE: Bellyqueen's workshops on Saturday Oct 4th have been CANCELLED. Kaeshi says, "Workshop Update: Please note that the Bellyqueen workshop has been cancelled, if you want to study, please visit http://www.alyssumdances.com/events.html and check out Mira's workshops on Sat & Sun. She is an amnazing dancer. You won't be disappointed." Tickets to the show can be bought directly from the Regent--mention ZaBeth, and get $5 off your ticket price. http://www.regenttheatre.com/events/bellyqueen.htm RESERVED SEATS: $23 ADVANCE; $28 DAY OF SHOW; $18 FOR GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE (INCLUDES $3.00 RESTORATION/FACILITY FEE)

Mira & Alyssum Return to Boston!

Alyssum — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:24:48 GMT

[tribe won't let me upload a picture....dang it] I'm very excited to be coming back north for such a great event--get to see my friends albeit minimally, spend some time with Mira, and DANCE! Right now, it looks like the classes will be very sparsely attended. Which is good for students (more student/teacher contact), but not so great for me, the hostess, and Mira who is traveling cross country to spend time with us (financially speaking). I know the financial situation for everyone these days sucks, so I've extended the 'earlybird' deadline ($65/class instead of $75) through Sept 27th (this Saturday). So if you've hemmed and hawed, please think about taking advantage of the extended cheaper price, and the fact that you'll be getting lots of one-on-one time with Mira (& me!) (insider note: especially Sunday...classes Sunday are almost empty). If nothing else, consider coming to the show (8pm, October 4th, Julie Ince Thompson Theatre at The Dance Complex): Mira Betz and Alyssum Pohl Return to Boston: a raucus and knockout bellydance show Mira Betz, hailing from San Francisco--one of the country's foremost bellydancers--and Alyssum Pohl, hailing from Lexington, KY--known for her crisp isolations and contortion as well as her bellydance--headline the show. Also performing: Salem's Aepril Schaile, and other local New England talents. Get ready for a scintillating, inspiring, and mouth-watering evening of dance that delves deeper than your average bellydance fare. Register/Get Tickets at: www.alyssumdances.com/events.html

Rakadu Gypsy Slam

Alyssum — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:46:58 GMT

If you've been following my blog lately ( www.alyssum.blogspot.com ), you know it's been kinda rough for me for the past couple of weeks. I'd like to share with you something that gives me peace and joy; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIcybsU448M , my dancing. When I dance, I'm out of my head, and in the moment (which is what meditation-- and life, really--are all about). These pieces were improvised, although we knew the order of the music. You can't really tell, but the last piece (starts at 5:28) is done with our eyes closed. We were concentrating on giving and receiving energy and listening to the music. I think it's really cool to see what it looked like, and how there are moments where people are doing the exact same thing at the same moment even with our eyes closed (7:27). Mmmm, *smile*. [We opened up the Womens Writers Conference, at Victorian Square, in Lex., Ky. There's a 1st video too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVMlsFqQVnk , and the 1st piece is also done with eyes closed. The 2nd piece in this video (my fave) starts at 3:28.]

Shadowdance!

Alyssum — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:01:51 GMT

Whoo hoo! I've been invited to join the amazing line-up and dance at Shadowdance in Oakland, CA in November. Psyched (o:

Alyssum Dances!

Alyssum — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:19:42 GMT

I have been working on building myself a website for the past week, and I finally published it--Yippee!! I welcome your opinions about what you like, what I should add, what needs to go, etc. Thanks for going to take a look! www.alyssumdances.com

And her name is...

Alyssum — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:34:31 GMT

PARSNIP! (I like Muse too! and all the kitty-love-smoochie-face-bumwummie type names too...) She's just a little joy. Even though she still is wobbly walking and her ears are not quite upright all the way, she pounces, and leaps, attacks, playplayplays. But she also enjoys her love time, cuddling softly and purring loudly with you. She considers everyone who picks her up, exploring their face with her nose or bopping them with her tiny paws. She's quite bold and not scared by many things. Oh, she's a little stinker sweetie. *squeeze her and love her and pat her and call her....well...Parsnip* And TOMORROW I get to go pick up Mira, Liz and Zoe, in great anticipation of this weekend's awesome workshops and show. www.thezshow.com . Yeah!!!

Y'all were right. Names???

Alyssum — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:41:31 GMT

Well, you all were right. I cried last night about bringing her back to my aunt. I brought her out to the farm this morning and couldn't let go. I was crying, and I just couldn't do it. I brought her back home this afternoon, as Our Cat--kinda expecting a fight with Ben. I showed him a picture of her sitting on a horse that I took today, and he asked how I was doing (Re: leaving her behind). I 'fessed up and told him I brought her home with me. He smiled and said, "She's our cat now?" I nodded. "Yay, I'm glad we have a kitty." *pleasantly surprised* So now, we get to name the tiny beast. We like Panda, but feel that's too common and obvious with her markings. We both like 'Dillo but she doesn't look like a Dillo. I'm thinking a different P- name. Ben first came up with Saraswati (Indian goddess of learning, music and art) but I feel like that's too much of a mouthful. He likes Tiki (inside out Kitty), but I don't... I'm having fun learning the kinds of names he's choosing. We'll find one that fits that we both like. In the meantime, I am SO FREAKING HAPPY about her!!! *beam*

little love

Alyssum — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:27:20 GMT

I have been blessed the past few days with a tiny 4 wk old kitten that my aunt rescued and gave to me. I've been bottle feeding her, encouraging her bowel movements, playing with her, feeling her purr, smiling at her tiny nibbles and tiny attacks on the stuffed animals. She's a doll. She is bold, fearless, loving, sweet with everyone, and funny. She came just days after Ben said to me, "the next kitty we get, I want it to be black and white" to which I agreed. At the same time, I still have no sustainable job, we live in a small apartment where Ben and his two partners have their office space, I have very very little time for myself (and that time is spent searching for an appropriate job). I had said to myself that I knew life would be okay once I had kitties in my life again. I would not have chosen to get a kitty yet at this point--I wanted to be a little more stable, and able to afford pet insurance, etc. before I got cats again. On one hand, this kitty's appearance in my life seemed like the first step toward a better, more stable life--sort of a jump start into something that represents a good life for me. On the other hand, keeping the kitty means that I will be distracted by her (willingly! but distracted nonetheless) from things that I really need to devote my time to right now. I really want to keep her. Ben really likes her. We both agree right now is not the time for kitties. *sad* I got attached to the idea of watching this little one grow up into a nine year old pussycat. I miss having kitties so much.

FAQ

Alyssum — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:23:33 GMT

Frequently Asked Questions by those who want to help me out of my situation. Q1) Can't you just tell the school that your house burned down and your boyfriend had heart surgery? Surely they'll understand that. A1) I already did, in both my presentation to the Executive Faculty Board, and at the appeal a month later. And apparantly those were not considered "extenuating circumstances" enough. Q2) With all your training, can't you be a veterinary technician? A2) Yes, but not a licensed one (even though my training exceeds that of a licensed vet tech). And without being licensed, I would be doing the same job I was doing before I went to vet school--which is part of the reason I wanted to go to vet school in the first place. Being a vet tech is not a fun job for me. And I imagine that I would abjectly miserable as a vet tech that is trained as a doctor. Plus being a vet tech pays less than what I'm making now in retail. Q3) Can't you just go to another vet school? A3) I really really wish that I could. Unfortunately, at least in this country, to transfer schools, you must be 'in good academic standing' at your current school, which I no longer am. In addition, most schools don't accept transfers at all. In addition, the ones that do, want you to be an in-state resident, and a 1st year student. I fulfill none of these requirements. I am looking into what it would mean to go to a school outside of this country, but so far, I'm finding that no one takes transfers. Also, there's the financial aspect of things--I would have to pay full tuition out of pocket (no national loans if I go out of country), and would have to be paying off my current loans in the meantime. Not likely. Q4) Can you sue the school? A4) Sure, but the liklihood of me winning is slim to none as the school was just following procedure. Unfair as it may seem, they did nothing against the law. Ethics are the only thing in question here, and I'm sure (they've said as much) that they thought they did the most 'compassionate' thing. (!!??!??!) Q5) Well, at least now you can rest from the hardships of such rigorous schooling, and relax a little bit, right? A5) True, I am on hiatus from school. But I have a whopping $200,000 debt-load that goes into repayment ASAP and I have no career to pull off that sort of dough. I am working 7 days a week at 2 jobs just to pay rent and bills right now. I spend most of my free time looking for better paying jobs. Not so relaxing. Q6) So, you're clearly well educated. Can't you get a job with a vet that would appreciate your knowledge, or at a zoo? What about some other well-paying job due to your education? A6) Vets don't make much money. They will not hire someone who can do the job of a vet tech for more than what they typically pay a vet tech. If they need another doctor, they'll hire another doctor. Unfortunately, there is no equivalent to a physician's assistant in the animal realm. As for a zoo, I might be able to get a job as a zookeeper, but again, I'd probably be making less than I make now. Unfortunately, I cannot afford (literally) to do a job I love in stead of a job that pays enough to pay my loans off. In regards to finding a job, in general, I've been sorely dismayed that jobs that I'm overqualified for, but for which I do not have licensure automatically dismiss me as an 'unqualified applicant'. Very frustrating. Every place sees "she has a bachelors and nothing else" instead of "she has a bachelors, she got into vet school, and she's completed 4 years there! She's almost a doctor! We would totally score by having her on our team!". Damn. Q7) This must happen all the time, what do other people in your situation do? A7) I have searched for people in a similar situation to mine, for emotional support--but I have found that when people are dismissed from medical/vet school, they fall into 2 categories: the people who fail out (I didn't fail any courses), and the people who are not professional (coming to school drunk, cheating, selling crack cocaine) (clearly this does not describe me). Further, it seems that people fall into one of these categories in their 1st or 2nd year of school. Never at the end of their 3rd year. Q8) So, what are you going to do now? A8) I have no fucking clue. I get up and go to work. I continue looking for jobs. I try to enjoy the day. I try not to feel hopeless. I dance to get out of my head. I dream about being a vet somehow, and about dance-related jobs...but have to be content with dreams till I find a job that'll help pay off my loans. I put a lot of energy into helping Ben succeed with JumbleDate. I try to get enough sleep, but that doesn't always happen. I spin my wheels. A lot. I'm pretty stuck for now. But those wheels keep turning. I think and think and brainstorm, but it's going nowhere so far. PS-I can't believe that it's been almost 4 months since I was dismissed. I feel like I have gotten exactly nowhere since then. I'm used to time being measured in successes, even little ones (passed x many exams this month, etc)...having nothing (NOTHING) on my calendar to cross off makes it feel like time is standing still. Or rather, realizing that months have passed and I'm no further anywhere since back then, makes me feel like I'm being left behind. The world continues around me and I'm in a hamster wheel.

The Z Show

Alyssum — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:49:52 GMT

Come on down! If you're in the area (Lexington, KY) July 5th, you will not want to miss the Z Show. www.thezshow.com . Featuring none other than mira betZ, eliZabeth strong, Zoe jakes, peZhead, rakadu gypZy dancers, anaya gypZy troupe (okay, so the gypzys are with a Z just for this event), and more!

Whoa.

Alyssum — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:04:02 GMT

Weird. I was just posting some new videos up to youtube and noticed that over 14,000 people have watched this video of me doing some contortion last summer in Nashville. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1jFk35u9iM In less than a year. That seems like a lot of people watching me contort. Weird.

Dancing with Rakadu

Alyssum — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:09:16 GMT

Just wanted to say how grateful I am to have dance in my life, and how exponentially lucky I am to have the precision, technique, emotion, creativity, relaxedness, and confidence of Rakadu, right here in my backyard. I love dancing with you, ladies, you all inspire me. I have lost so much this past year, but still having dance to fall back on makes me feel at home, at peace, and gives me joy. I love that I can trust dancing with you. Thank you.

Radiant Heart

Alyssum — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:37:21 GMT

This, from gemisphere.com... I'm not one to hold much truth in the healing power of crystals. I believe that healing from crystals stems more from the person's intent than the crystal itself. Although, I am sure we know less than we think we know about healing, and this is no exception. Regardless of whether the crystals have healing power or not, the words on their website spoke to me and my situation. They give me the place to start healing that I have been looking for. Often, when your heart has been betrayed, challenged, or otherwise hurt, it suffers because it feels emotions that it is no longer allowed to express. For example, if your lover leaves and you were hoping to have a lifelong relationship with that person, your heart can hurt badly because you were expecting to experience certain feelings for the rest of your life. If a loved one dies, or you are hurt professionally, or you experience any other kind of loss, the same thing occurs: your grief is compounded by your expectation that certain feelings would continue. You may also be faced with emotions that you wished you had expressed before the opportunity to do so disappeared. Until all these feelings are taken care of, your heart will not be at peace. When you suffer such a loss, you must also adapt to a new life circumstance that demands an entirely different set of emotions and emotional responses. This calls for a major adjustment: you must stop emitting the now-inappropriate emotions and gather back all the emotional energies that you poured down a path that no longer exists. You must consolidate, take inventory, and take a fresh look at your new circumstances and, from a place of acceptance, initiate a new stream of emotions.

Words I wrote to a special friend who encouraged me to Allow...

Alyssum — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:45:22 GMT

You're right about "Allow"....I keep finding over and over that the biggest obstacle that I'm facing is my own impatience. I am hard on myself, and it seems to manifest physically when my brain doesn't listen and keeps crashing through the forest without taking a moment to look around, so to speak. My body rebels when I don't take my own advice--the promise I made to myself at the winter solstice, "to go easy on myself."--and forces me to take some down time. Easily my head goes to the bad places first-(do you remember Shel Silverstein's Whatif poem? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plxOibb0L0s ) "Ack! not only did I get dismissed from school, break my nose, and injure my back, but I have no health insurance, and I don't have a good job, and what if I never do, and what if people start thinking I'm a useless human being? How will I ever make it and what if I become the next Paul&Annie (friends of my dad's who had the worst luck of anyone I know, ending in Paul's death by esophageal cancer)?" Blah. But after laying long enough in bed, and allowing my back to become stable (if not unpainful)...I start to get a little bored. And then I started to read a book about the natural history of cats. Which I'm really enjoying, although one of my professors from vet school is cited in it within the first 50 pages (can I ever escape?) Anyways, I have had a couple of very nice days. They felt very restful (because they were!). My back has been put back in order via a massage therapist and my chiropracter. And I have had some space to rest (I almost said 'think' --but I think nonstop, and it's nice to have a break from it!). I went to a beginner bellydance class which was restful and enjoyable. I only worked 2 hrs today. The weather was gorgeous. The cats that I'm watching have been more curious and friendly than they have been since they got here. I wish I could continue like this--then everything would be okay! (Alas, damned loans...) So today was good. It was easy to forget the crappiness that's lurking around the corner. I hope it stays hidden for a while (maybe another day?) and if not, I hope it doesn't crack me like it has been doing. I just feel so powerless, defeated sometimes. Sigh. But that's for another day.

drats

Alyssum — Sun, 25 May 2008 05:55:07 GMT

They say if you have nothing good to say, then don't bother. As a general optimist, I tend to agree, which is, I think, why my posts have been rather scarce of late--if that tells you how I've been doing... Still, I am also a compulsive journalist, and my blogs are my journal these days--so I feel neglectful and yet more confused and frustrated if I don't blog. So--sigh--a few notes on my life. 1. I broke my nose 3 wks ago. Luckily, not bent. 2. I feel pretty defeated in general. Despite weeks, nay MONTHS, of brainstorming, I am still without a sustainable job, and hating that I have to care about how much I'm making, and sad that my dreams seem to be thoroughly going down the tube. 3. Tonight I came home with a sore back which got exponentially worse in a matter of just a few minutes. Out of nowhere, it felt like my spinal cord was being strangled--I gritted my teeth through tears, and was frightened I'd have to call 911. Ben said he could feel my whole back spasming. I have been laying here for hours, using icy-hot and aleve and tylenol. Dang. I've never been so worried about myself, or felt so pathetic. I feel sorry/guilty when others worry about me. None of the old adages seem applicable to me any more. "this too shall pass," and "it can only get better from here" are counteracted by "could be worse." blah blah. I am grateful for the good things in my life, but the shadows cast by the unfortunate things are overwhelming to me right now.

Working Hard

Alyssum — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:02:26 GMT

My aunt, Mary, who has been a horse trainer for a long time down in Georgia just moved up to Kentucky last year, and has a 50 acre horse farm where she trains yearlings, and young racing thoroughbreds. I have been working for her on the farm for the past week. It has been a welcome physical respite from my 4 years of sedentary life, nose in the books. Working outside--filling fencepost holes with gravel; mowing huge fields in the sun, watching the swallows swoop down to collect the bugs I've disturbed; round penning and lunging the horses, grooming these great equine beasts; watching the dogs and cats and goat play together--makes me feel calm, less despairing, and more balanced. There is no question in my mind what my purpose is when I'm digging in gravel. "I am filling holes"--THAT is my purpose, right now, right here. On the farm, I am afforded lots of time for thinking, and thankfully it's not an academic setting (though I do have very good, intelligent conversations with Mary). My body aches every day, but it feels so good to be reminded that I have biceps, tendons in my elbows, epaxial muscles, rhomboids, and more--they are parts of my body that have been unused these many years, but are still there, and work well (though they are weak!). They are not my overworked brain, they are still fresh and willing to learn their jobs. I have to be careful with them, so that I don't overwork them, too. But I enjoy the work out there, blisters, sunburns, bruises and all. Meanwhile, I've been continuing to work at Worlds Apart Home...which means I've been working 60 hrs/wk, seven days a week. It's a little much, and unfortunately it's unsustainable, financially, for me as well. Sigh. I enjoyed a good week just relaxing into the farm work, giving myself a break from the broken record of 'defeat' going on in my head. But unfortunately the job hunt must continue so that I will be able to start to pay off my hefty school loans in the next month or so. Any ideas?

Why I Love Kentucky

Alyssum — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:36:57 GMT

What's not to love. Ain't it beautiful? This most beautiful place on earth, my dad's farm, recharges my soul like no other place.

Fresh Start/Broken Ties

Alyssum — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:18:40 GMT

Before the appeal today, I had a quiet personal ceremony in the woods on campus. I thanked the place for all the knowledge that I'd gained there over the past 4 years, and I set my intention --to do the very best for the world in the most effective manner. I opened myself to the fresh start that was coming soon. I was excited for the new beginning either way: the opportunity to do well in school, live with Ben up here, and become an awesome vet with an ecological conscience; or the opportunity to begin a new, unknown life. The appeal seemed more adversarial to me today than the one 3 weeks ago did. It seemed as if people had already made up their minds (and I supposed they already had, as I WAS officially dismissed last month) and were intent upon making any point of mine seem moot. Still, I presented myself with integrity, poise, and every bit of strong intention to continue the program. As I left, I heard myself making continuous tones and I felt my teeth chatter uncontrollably. Tears ran down my face. I was overwhelmed. It was very intense, but I reminded myself of the joy I was about to experience of knowing what future I would have. Bless my good friend Jessamyn for taking me in her arms, letting me make my weird siren sound as my teeth chattered, and making me tea and bringing me tasty food to ground me. Soon after I'd calmed down, I got the call. "Hi, Alyssum? This is Angie Warner. It's not good. The Board is maintaining their vote for your dismissal. I'm sorry." ...... ....*this is where you imagine the sound of whipping wind at night over the desert*.... ..... and so, I am in a strange place in my life, a place, I think, many people never experience. Strange, indeed. Throwing away the 4 paper grocery bags full of syllabi feels cathartic, but wasteful (and I'm not talking about literal waste). Throwing away the JAVMA journals doesn't feel like anything at all, but I nearly started sobbing as I considered throwing away Wool & Wattles (the small ruminant and camelid newsletter...I kept them). Telling my V'08 friends with whom I began vet school that I finished 8 weeks before they graduate ("I finished before you, we didn't expect that, did we?!") was funny, ironic, and depressing. Exploring ideas with my friends of some possibilites for my future felt liberating and uncertain--I could see their envy, but maybe just a tad of gloating deep down too (or maybe those are just my own demons). Thinking about leaving my dance students seems absolutely unreal. Thinking about doing something else seems limitless, boundless, and also a little bit like a white light vacuum where my limbs and body will fracture into a million pieces without the rigid structure of a single goal keeping me together. I am okay. One thing will happen and then another and I will be okay. I want to enjoy this moment of relief and freedom for as long as I can, but I also want to find something eventually that will feel as worthwhile and meaningful as what I originally set out to do by going to vet school. I am mourning a great part of me that was put to rest today. That's not easy. But I'll be okay.

Epiphany! (in the nick of time)

Alyssum — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:39:25 GMT

I have been planning on appealing to the school to allow me to repeat 3rd year and continue my vet education. I've been planning to do that on a very pragmatic level (makes sense, I already have so much time and $ invested, I'd probably regret not appealing). But I was sort of expecting to either let them make the decision (You're out anyway), or to make the ultimate decision myself over the summer if they allowed me to stay (should I really continue? or should I walk away?). I had an epiphany last night that settled the unease. Here's my thinking. There are two ways that I have been thinking about the situation and what I should do. 1. I am exhausted. I need a break. Having a job of any sort sounds good right now. I've been miserable up here in so many ways, and being given the opportunity to stop sounds like heaven. Starting fresh would be so nice. 2. I want to be a vet and I believe in my reasoning for becoming a vet (ecology! conservation!). It won't be easy, but working on figuring out how to do well academically here will probably have positive influence on the other parts of my life (ie, being more organized would help in many facets)--it would be a growing experience. I think the problem for me was that I was flip-flopping between the two ideas. People keep telling me that I have to listen to my heart/what my soul is telling me. I finally figured out last night that a. these are both TRUE statements for me. (my soul/heart have 2 truths!) b. these are both VALID ways to go about making the decision at hand. Hence, my confusion. c. (here're the main points I was missing!) thought #1 is based on my experience of the past and thought #2 is based on a potential version of the future. CLARITY! all of a sudden, it all became clear. One of the things that has been so upsetting to me is that my progress in school has been altered/decided by the fact that they look at my transcript (past) instead of my knowledge and potential (present & future). I don't want to make the decision for myself using a method that I don't think is particularly helpful in the long run. I have always made decisions from a place of optimism, drive, and some idea of how I want things to be in the future (improved). I have never made a big decision from a place of being beaten down or stuck in the past, and I don't intend to start now! So, now, I finally know that I will not only be appealing on thursday, but that I will know WHY I'm appealing on thursday. I know that I want to continue bettering myself and the world around me. I know, too, that whatever decision the EFB comes to, it'll be okay. I will have gone in there with pure intentions to continue. If they decide they still want to dismiss me, I know that I can still work on bettering myself and my planet in some other fashion, and that will be okay. If they decide to accept my appeal and allow me to repeat 3rd year, I will have a challenging but rewarding year ahead of me. Win-win! *!!!!!!!relief!!!!!!!*

My world is upside down

Alyssum — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 18:01:03 GMT

I have been dismissed from vet school. I presented my case, http://alyssum.blogspot.com/2008/02/limbo.html , but they still decided to dismiss me. I have one more opportunity to appeal the decision, but I would have to seek further medical/mental help and have to repeat 3rd year successfully. So vet school would go from 4 to 5 to 6 years long for me. It's so difficult because the reason I came to vet school is not to be a cat and dog vet. If I had, it would be clear that I have to continue. Since I've been up here, I've learned that I love working with cows and camelids and other ruminants, but they are not the reason I came either. I came to be an educated international conservationist with a respectable degree. I am sure there are more ways than one to attain this. Here I am now, the 'education' portion of vet school under my belt, but no practical experience, my beloved international program has been yanked out from under me even before the DVM candidacy was....and I don't know which way is up. I've met wonderful people up here, I've gained the respect of many and I've had the amazing opportunity to further my dancing up here...but I've also had to repeat 1st year, had my house burn down, and have struggled every inch of the way when it comes to school. Am I on the right path? Is this the ultimate test of my willpower and determination or is this the universe yelling, "hey stupid! why won't you listen?! you're not supposed to be there!"? I don't know. I think it's a little bit of both. And unfortunately, there's only one direction that I can choose. Which way do I go? [picture is of me in death valley a few years ago]

Euthanasia Day

Alyssum — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:18:30 GMT

We had a day long lecture/discussion about euthanasia today. I thought it was funny and appropriate that one of our speakers for this macabre topic was named Dr. Mc Cobb.

The Gods Must Be Crazy

Alyssum — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:47:26 GMT

As I study for Ophthalmology, the TV is on in the background. And what should come on, but The Gods Must Be Crazy. Man. It's been a LONG time since I watched that movie. I remember seeing it when I was four or five and absolutely LOVING it. And now, over 20 years later I still love it. Amazing that my personality was so developed even in 1985. What do I like about it? the sounds of Africa the slapstick nature of so many scenes the silly sped-up scenes the fact that the guy in it is a biologist the way it starts out like a faux documentary the fact that despite the caricature they've depicted of Botswana is a caricature....it's a pretty acurate one according to my experience in Tanzania. the fact that even though the movie is a comedy, they still address the social injustices/guerilla warfare that is such a real problem in Africa the sweetness and naivete/wiseness of the San. the sounds of Africa the slapstick nature of so many scenes (those last 2 get double mention. because I say so.) And the best part is, it sorta woke up my drive for coming here in the first place (Conservation! Caring for our diverse world, and the creatures in it!). Yay! More studying! "good morning, how are you?" "fine thanks, and how are you?" "fine thanks, and how are you?" ".......I'm fine."

Private Lesson with Mira

Alyssum — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:56:51 GMT

if this sounds too good to be true, it's not! She'll be available for private lessons on Monday at Alyssum's house in S. Grafton (1 hr west of Boston). Interested? PM me.

so EXCITED!

Alyssum — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 05:15:18 GMT

I kind of can't believe that I've brought this to fruition on my own, and that it's actually happening, and that it's happening THIS weekend! I pick up Mira from the airport tomorrow, Heather and Sara on Friday....and I'm just so so happy that it's been a good experience so far, and that I get to share a couple of my favorite dance inspirations with this part of the country, and that I get to spend a couple days with these far-away friends too. Eeeeeeee!!! If you want to come to the show, you should! I've tried to line up a particularly phenomenal group of ladies for this performance, and from my sneak peak at the music, seems there will be quite an array of styles represented. Here's some more info: SteLLar BeLLies! An evening of Tribal and Fusion Belly Dance Saturday 12th 8-10pm Green St Studio, Cambridge, MA. ::$15/gen public, $12/students, seniors:: *Featuring* MIRA BETZ and the women of URBAN TRIBAL from Sunny California For those of you not familiar with Urban Tribal, they are some of the most innovative, body-line conscious dancers out there. Fusing elements of bellydance, hip-hop, and modern dance, their seemingly effortless, sleek precision, and strong, sometimes alien-like quality will blow you away. Mira Betz offers a comparable level of maturity and strength in her dance, and will veritably hypnotize you with her subtle, graceful, supple, emotive dancing. And the *best* of New England's growing Tribal Belly Dance community You can call the studio to reserve your seat. (617) 864-3191