My deep thoughts

Birthday girl luck

andalee — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:10:26 GMT

Hey Everyone! Thanks for your well wishes on my birthday. I enjoyed the comments and I got calls all day long! That's my favorite part. Also, thanks to those who came to my cupcake party. It was great and I am still eating your delicious cupcakes. Anyway, despite all that, I think I needed more birthday luck...last night I was at Millie's house dancing and a storm came through. Millie lives in the woods and the wind sent a tree branch down on my BRAND NEW 2008 Hyundai Elantra. It effing sucks! The windsheild was bashed in in pretty bad...luckily safety glass kept it from shattering. My wiper blade is wrecked and there are dents all over the roof and fender. BUMMER! It was just a gentle reminder from God that cars are just things. God is sending me a subtle lesson...I spent all this money on a new car that I bought only a week ago and it just happens to get smashed on my birthday. Nature is a powerful beast. Sometimes I wonder what is happening to the world with all of these freaking natural disasters! It could have been worse, much worse. I wasn't in the car; hell, I've never even been in an accident. I mean people lose their lives and their houses to floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, tornados, etc. I just had a tree branch fall on my car. And Millie is so wonderful!!! I love her! She has liability insurance for her house that is covering the damage with no deductible. She is walking me through every step. Had it gone through my insurance, I would have had to pay $500. Adam was great too. I called him bawling and he came over immediately to help. Erika and Deirdre showered me with hugs! It was nice to have support. I'm out of a car until I get a rental and I am waiting for the adjuster to show up. I went to the Hyundai body shop to get an estimate that isn't a rip-off and the total cost is a little under $2000. Not that terrible. Hopefully the insurance co will allow me to get genuine Hyundai parts because I need them to keep my warranty valid. I'm going to have this car for at least six long years, so it needs to be under warranty! Anyway, thanks for reading my rant. It will be ok. I just have to be paitent and vigilant that the insurance co doesn't rip me off! Hugs, Megan

I bought it!

andalee — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:43:12 GMT

I just bought a Hyundai Elantra SE today! I am so happy. It's a cute little thing and it gets great gas mileage. I had to pay a little extra for it because I didn't get enough for my trade in, but I think the piece of mind will be worth it. Here's a pic Adam took on his cell. :)

This picture describes how I feel right now

andalee — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:43:21 GMT

I am so excited that I am getting a new car this weekend! I am trading in my wonderful Jetta for a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. Why? Because my transmission is shot and I need something reliable and with a warranty. I put down a $500 deposit because it was exactly what I want at a great price...Black Pearl paint with a black interior and I got the SE trim which is super nice. I thought my Jetta was awesome, but this is going to be fun. Just in time for my Birthday! What is not going to be fun are car payments for the next 5 years. Oh well, I'd rather pay more over time and drive something that I like...and something that can go in reverse.

Ninth Street Dance wins Best of the Triangle 2008!

andalee — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:15:56 GMT

It is with great joy that I announce to you that Ninth Street Dance Studios has won The Independent's 2008 Readers Choice Award for Best Dance Studio! Congrats to owner Bepi Pinner and all of the other wonderful teachers at the studio. This is a no frills, relaxed studio with a mission of providing a nurturing, non-threatening environment in which dancers and non-dancers of any age, shape or gender can learn to feel more at home in their bodies and experience the joys of movement. Being the first year that the Independent has added Best Dance Studio to the list, this is truly a ground-breaking accomplishment. As you may know, I teach beginning belly dance classes there and I have been regularly since January of this year. But what you may not know is that I have been a dedicated student at the studio since 2005. My first two belly dance teachers, Aziza Fadwa and Leigh Brown, both teach there too. They've provided me with a solid foundation in dance that I strive to pass down to my new students. Other belly dance instructors that have contributed to the studio's success are Sadiya and Milagros (anyone else, wave your hand!). I love Ninth Street Dance and I am proud to be a part of it as a student and an instructor. I am so excited about the new summer session that starts this week! My first class is tonight at 6:30 and the next is Sunday at 2:45. Come on and check it out...See for yourself why Ninth Street Dance was voted Best Dance Studio in the Triangle! For more information: http://www.ninthstreetdance.com/index.html http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/index http://andalee.oriental.googlepages.com/

Reminder: Dance classes start this week in Durham

andalee — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:12:26 GMT

Hello All! I just wanted to remind you that my beginning belly dance classes start this Thursday and Sunday. Come on out and give it a whirl. Beginning Oriental Dance (Belly Dance) Ninth Street Dance 1920 1/2 Perry St., Durham, NC 27705 *Sundays, 2:45 - 4:00p Session runs June 8 - Aug. 24 Fee: $140 (12 weeks) *Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30p Session runs June 5 - August 21 Fee: $120 (12 weeks) Learn traditional Middle Eastern dance movements that have been passed down for generations in this entry-level class. Beginning belly dance is about learning how to connect with your body and spirit. Suitable for all shapes, sizes and activity levels, but you will get a work out! This class will focus on improving flexibility, conditioning the body in order to do the movements properly, and building stamina. You will learn basic belly dance techniques that focus on the core aspects of the dance. Wear comfortable clothes. Pants or shorts are preferred as we will be stretching on the floor. Bring water. Dance shoes, yoga mats and hip scarves are optional. Fees for most classes must be paid by the first class for the entire session. Fees prorated as session progresses. Signing up for a whole session and attending classes consecutively is strongly encouraged as each class will build upon the previous classes. New students may try one class per session on a complimentary basis. If you decide to enroll, this class will be counted as your first class; payment will be due by the beginning of your second class. For more information visit www.ninthstreetdance.com/index.html and http://andalee.oriental.googlepages.com/home. Message me with any questions.

The Fountain at Duke Gardens

andalee — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:10:08 GMT

I decided that Duke Gardens is my favorite place in Durham. It's like the number 1 place I always crave when I want to be outdoors. I mean I crave the mountains and the beach, but in the piedmont the options are limited. I also love Duke Forest for a walk in the woods...and Duke Gardens for a walk among the flowers...

Japanese Iris

andalee — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:05:43 GMT

At Duke Gardens. Adam and I went to scout locations for my photo shoot on Saturday and we brought our cameras along. We were going to shoot this morning, but the park doesn't open until 8:00 and I had to take my car into the shop. Not enough time. Plus, I'm wondering if 8:00 is too late for the good lighting. Hopefully we'll do it next weekend.

Bee!

andalee — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:03:23 GMT

This smells so good!

andalee — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:02:49 GMT

Sugar magnolia

andalee — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:02:07 GMT

Purple Foxglove

andalee — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:52:00 GMT

White Foxglove

andalee — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:51:17 GMT

More passion flower

andalee — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:50:04 GMT

I like the depth of field on this one.

Passion flower

andalee — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:46:16 GMT

Gorgeous!

New pictures--Memorial Day Weekend

andalee — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:43:38 GMT

So no cookouts or traveling this weekend, just lots of nature and one-on-one time with Adam. Oh and taking my car into the shop. I have to pay $500 for something that may or may not fix the car. Blech. And let's not forget my cell phone is completely broken. yay! Anyway, here's the good stuff from my photos and the web album. Man, how I love my macro lens. It makes up for the crappy camera... http://picasaweb.google.com/andalee.oriental/MemorialDayWeekend2008

New video clips on YouTube!

andalee — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:20:56 GMT

Yay! I finally have more to add to my youtube clips. I've added a new video of my drum solo, because it is better quality (dancing and video). This is my favorite performance to date. I also added a clip of my first improvisational performance. I love trying new things! And finally I added a troupe performance... Visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/meggo623 for clips!

Performance this weekend and new class schedule!

andalee — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:11:01 GMT

Hey y'all. Just an update from Andalee-town... Saturday, May 10, I will be performing at Sadiya's Spring Hafla. Details are on the attached picture. I will be dancing twice; once in a improvisational solo and then again with my troupe, Khahari! It is going to be a blast! Next up, I have published my new schedule for classes this summer. I am picking up an extra class too. And due to popular demand, I've extended the Sunday class an extra 15 minutes. This will give us extra time to warm-up and cool down. Here's the info: Beginning Oriental Dance (Belly Dance) Ninth Street Dance 1920 1/2 Perry St., Durham, NC 27705 *Sundays, 2:45 - 4:00p Session runs June 8 - Aug. 24 Fee: $140 (12 weeks) *Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30p Session runs June 5 - August 21 Fee: $120 (12 weeks) Learn traditional Middle Eastern dance movements that have been passed down for generations in this entry-level class. Beginning belly dance is about learning how to connect with your body and spirit. Suitable for all shapes, sizes and activity levels, but you will get a work out! This class will focus on improving flexibility, conditioning the body in order to do the movements properly, and building stamina. You will learn basic belly dance techniques that focus on the core aspects of the dance. Wear comfortable clothes. Pants or shorts are preferred as we will be stretching on the floor. Bring water. Dance shoes, yoga mats and hip scarves are optional. Fees for most classes must be paid by the first class for the entire session. Fees prorated as session progresses. Signing up for a whole session and attending classes consecutively is strongly encouraged as each class will build upon the previous classes. New students may try one class per session on a complimentary basis. If you decide to enroll, this class will be counted as your first class; payment will be due by the beginning of your second class. For more information visit http://www.ninthstreetdance.com/index.html Message me with any questions. Love, Andalee

Getting Political...a little rant before the NC primary

andalee — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:39:28 GMT

The May 6 primary is less than a week away for us North Carolinians and I just want to know where the Barack Obama momentum went??? Why is his candidacy not stronger right now??? WTF??? I don't claim to know a ton about politics, but I do listen to NPR and watch my Sunday AM political talk shows. I do however, know enough to question why Clinton is gaining strength. I was absolutely outraged when Gov. Mike Easley endorsed her yesterday. Livid. I tended to like him as governor (not as much as Hunt) but now he's lost ground with me. If he was running for re-election he would've just lost my vote. How could he? What was he thinking? Does he know anything about what North Carolina needs? My first thought was "conspiracy theory." He's getting paid off...or maybe she's agreed to appoint him to something if she wins...etc. OK, back to Barack. He NEEDS to be the next president. It is imperative. If he doesn't win, I am moving to France with my boyfriend. I was thinking the other day about what I want in a president. It's really the same thing I want in myself and others: kindness, respect, fairness, and honesty...Honesty of course can be a little blurry in politics...but let's just say LIARS are bad. And then the whole Rev. Jeremiah Wright thing just pisses me off. In this country we are free to say what we please and to worship how we please. Obama's former reverend HAS NOTHING to do with his ability to be president. The fact that it has even gone on so long is a testament to how low other people will go to bring someone down. I think Obama has handled the situation the best way he can. I mean, he has teetered a little bit over the issue, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be president. Obama is the definition of grace under fire...well, at least as much as a politician can be. (http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/04/reverend_wright_was_out_for_re.html) So, I am grateful to acknowledge, that with the exception of my mom, most of the people in my life whom I love are Obama supporters (that is if they aren't Republicans). Even my Republican boyfriend likes Obama better than McCain, even if it pains him to admit it (we both dislike Hillary). I can only go on to hope that this circle of loved ones around me will build a collective consciousness that will infect NC and vote yes to OBAMA in 2008! I have to have hope right now. I know I was crushed twice before by believing that the American people would not elect Bush (twice), but I have to think positive. It is the only option. I have to have faith, love, and endurance. I have to be a model citizen. Obama is my hope for the nation, and if I lose hope in his ability to win, all is lost.

My pictures of Istanbul

andalee — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:04:51 GMT

Back to the regular bloggin here on tribe soon... http://picasaweb.google.com/andalee.oriental/IstanbulApril2008

Istanbul, baby!

andalee — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 09:08:44 GMT

See what I've been up to...http://halfeuropehalfasia.blogspot.com/

Andalee to belly dance at Casablanca this Saturday in Raleigh

andalee — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:04:29 GMT

I know that this is last minute, but I wanted to let you know that I will be belly dancing this weekend in Raleigh. Show starts at around 10p. I will be doing two sets. Saturday, March 29 Casablanca Hookah Lounge 610 Glenwood Ave (South Glenwood) Raleigh, NC There is no cover and no alcohol. They serve tea, coffee and shisha. Bring dollar bills and help fund my trip to Turkey! Love, Andalee

The Banj

andalee — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:37:47 GMT

And of course, what's a photo shoot without the cat?

Daffodil 6

andalee — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:36:47 GMT

Daffodil 5

andalee — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:36:18 GMT

Daffodil 4

andalee — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:35:25 GMT