Dancing Through Life

Website Down...grrr!

dancersdreamland — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:02:56 GMT

If you are trying to access my website (www.dancersdreamland.com), please know it is currently down. I payed the company where my domain is through, they sent a receipt saying they received the payment, and now I'm getting messages saying my domain has expired. I have no idea what is going on or how to fix it. The phone number for the company doesn't work and no one has yet to respond to my electronic messages. Please be patient and I'll advise when it's back up and running. If you see it working again, please let me know!

Look mom, I'm on YouTube!

dancersdreamland — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:46:49 GMT

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement for SOUL Movers first ever bellydance performance. We performed last Saturday at Relay for Life in central Wisconsin. The weather was incredibly uncooperative, causing our performance schedule to be WAY screwed up. Overall, though, my girls did a fantabulous job and I'm so proud of them. Check us out on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZis5PJL4q0 Be forewarned, it's ten minutes long and there are errors. The important thing is, we had fun! More photos to come in the near future.

Clank-a-clank -- TO -- Da-da-ding-Da-da-ding

dancersdreamland — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:26:58 GMT

I finally did it! I put my zills on! Let me assure you, playing zills is so much easier when you actually wear them. :-) My hubby and I went for a walk the other night. I figured this would be a good time to test out the zills. So, I pulled them out of their case, left the baby socks (aka noise mufflers) on them, and slid them on my fingers. We started walking and I was able to keep the pattern going with my steps. and-a-1 -- and-a-2 -- and-a-3... right-left-right -- right-left-right -- right-left-right... da-da-ding -- da-da-ding -- da-da-ding... Yeah me!!!! Next step, dancing while playing them in rhythm. Hey, I'm taking this one step at a time. Quite literally!

Yeeeeeeyip!

dancersdreamland — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:26:14 GMT

Lots of exciting news!!!! - I'm back to teaching and my newest session has a large increase in the number of students. Woohoo! - I'm going to be starting a new business venture with a local spa to offer more bellydance classes and various partnership activities. So exciting!!! - I've formed my own dance group - SOUL Movers. We have our first performance date set and are nearly through with the choreography after only three sessions of meeting. Each session being about an hour and fifteen minutes in length. We are rocking! - I'm attending a dance and movement therapy workshop in Madison next Saturday. I finally get first hand experience with this service profession to see if it's really what I want to pursue as my ultimate career goal. Thanks, Kelly for the info about the event!!!! Okay, gotta boogie at my day job. Toodles!

BOOK: Love Walked In

dancersdreamland — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:41:00 GMT

Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos If you haven't read it, you should. It's fantastic! Here's a quote I really loved... "She thought about the word 'capture,' how it put a writer on par with a fur trapper or a big-game hunter, and how it implied that stories were whole and roaming around, and a writer's job was to catch them. Except of course that a writer didn't kill what she caught, didn't stuff it and hang it on a wall; the point was to keep the stories alive."

Dog versus Cat

dancersdreamland — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:42:08 GMT

DOG DIARY 8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing! 9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing! 9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing! 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing! 12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing! 1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing! 3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing! 5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing! 7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing! 8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing! 11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing! ____________________________________ CAT DIARY Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards! There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. This morning I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now... Cat

My Dance Room (and new pics)

dancersdreamland — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:35:06 GMT

Above is a collage of my newly decorated dance room. This is a spare room in our house which my husband agreed I could convert into my own personal studio space. I love it!!!! Also, I added a bunch of new photos to my Tribe album. Feel free to check out my latest costume mixers. Enjoy!

Footloose Remake: Zac Efron versus Kevin Bacon

dancersdreamland — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:56:57 GMT

In researching upcoming and already released dance movies, today I learned they're making a remake of Footloose. You remember, the classic dance movie starring Kevin Bacon? Well, Zac Efron (the kid from High School Musical) is set to play Ren in this remake, due out later this year. Hmmm... What's next? Will they remake Flashdance and Dirty Dancing as well? I love the originals!!!!!

You Know You're a Bellydancer When...

dancersdreamland — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:19:41 GMT

Okay, I know there was a very, very long post about this some time ago and I don't remember which tribe it came from. Anyway, I finally got around to cataloging all the answers and I've loaded it to my site. Thought I'd share here... http://www.dancersdreamland.com/soulmovement/inspiration/SM-Inspiration-YKYABellydancer.pdf Enjoy!

Updates-A-Plenty

dancersdreamland — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:34:06 GMT

Even more updates to my site! www.dancersdreamland.com Ikiwiki's Studio - Handouts for Class - Performers Links - Area Workshops Soul Movement - Resource Listings (books, books, and more books) - Styles in an easier to open format with links - Links Sorted Enjoy!

New Pics

dancersdreamland — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:06:19 GMT

Okay, new pics are up from my last few classes. They're in the photo album. Here's one sample. Enjoy and comment away!

Wisconsin Giggles

dancersdreamland — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:41:42 GMT

Jeff Foxworthy on Wisconsin: If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 38 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, you might live in Wisconsin. If you're proud that your region makes the national news 96 nights each year because Park Falls is the coldest spot in the nation, you might live in Wisconsin. If you have ever refused to buy something because it's "too pricey," you might live in Wisconsin. If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, you might live in Wisconsin. If you instinctively walk like a penguin for five months out of the year, you might live in Wisconsin. If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there, you might live in Wisconsin. If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, you might live in Wisconsin. If you may not have actually eaten it, but you have heard of Head Cheese, you might live in Wisconsin. If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you might live in Wisconsin. If you have either a pet or a child named "Brett," you might live in Wisconsin. If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, you might live in Wisconsin. If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you might live in Wisconsin. If you know how to say Oconomowoc, Waukesha, Menomonie & Manitowoc, you might live in Wisconsin. If you think that ketchup is a little too spicy, you might live in Wisconsin. If every time you see moonlight on a lake, you think of a dancing bear, and you sing gently, "From the land of sky-blue waters,"....you might live in Wisconsin. You Know You’re a True Wisconsinite When… Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on the highway. "Vacation" means going up north past Hwy 8 for the weekend. You measure distance in hours. You know several people who have hit deer more than once. You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day and back again. Your whole family wears Packer Green to church on Sunday. You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching. You see people wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings and funerals). You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked. You think of the major food groups as beer, fish, and venison. You carry jumper cables in your car and your wife or girlfriend knows how to use them. There are 7 empty cars running in the parking lot at Mill's Fleet Farm at any given time. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow. You refer to the Packers as "we." You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction. You can identify a southern or eastern accent. You have no problem pronouncing Lac Du Flambeau. You consider Minneapolis exotic. You know how to polka. Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your blue spruce. You were unaware that there is a legal drinking age. Down South to you means Illinois. A brat is something you eat. Your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new pole shed. You go out to fish fry every Friday Your 4th of July picnic was moved indoors due to frost. You have more miles on your snow blower than your car. You find minus twenty degrees "a little chilly." You actually understand these jokes, and you forward them to all your Wisconsin friends.

Ice Day

dancersdreamland — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:43:11 GMT

I work at a college and we're closing at noon because of weather... *bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce* *squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee* Time to head for home and watch Dirty Dancing, Pride & Prejudice, and whatever other movie pops into my head. *yyyyyyyyyiiiiiiiipppppppeeeeee*

Just Wiggle

dancersdreamland — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:17:33 GMT

You know how when you go up to a puppy (or full grown dog, especially a lab) they get SO EXCITED they can't hold in their exuberance and they start to wag their tale and then, before you know it, their whole tooshie is a goin.' That makes me feel all giggley inside. Just wanted to share that with you. Look for a reason to get SO EXCITED it has to travel all the way down and wiggle through your tooshie.

My Revised Website

dancersdreamland — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 05:11:22 GMT

Stop by and check out my revised website! www.dancersdreamland.com There are probably a few kinks in the links as I haven't double-checked them all yet, and there's still some work to be done in the "Soul Movement" portion, but visit anyway. I'm counting on you to be my extra set of eyes, so if you happen across a broken link or typos please let me know. Honest feedback (even harsh, but not too harsh) is welcome.

Sleepless Nightmares

dancersdreamland — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:20:24 GMT

That's it. I want a good night's sleep without freakishly-weird and disturbing nightmares. - cats being eaten by sharks (it's just wrong) - a locker that won't open so I'm continually late for school (did I mention I graduated forever ago...) - an amusement park where I keep ending up in a pitch-black haunted house and I can't get out. (did I mention I'm afraid of the dark...) Grrr! I'm tired. Please, someone offer advice for how to make these stop. It's becoming an every night thing, and sometimes more than one freakish dream at a time. *goes to insert coffee IV drip to get through remainder of workday*

Freeeeeeeeeekin' Cold

dancersdreamland — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:24:21 GMT

Holy cold, Batman. It's negative 12 without windchill! This is craaaaaaaazy! For any of my students (or drop in friends) who were planning on class this morning, it's cancelled. Stay snuggled up at home and work on your shimmies!

Check It Out Peeps...Pics

dancersdreamland — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 02:16:18 GMT

Well, I have FINALLY updated my photos and now my profile include pics of my kids (our four four-legged children), my hubby and me, costume creations (okay, just one), costumes for class (more to come), Disney World pics (great castle shots with fireworks), and a few "friends only" photos from 2006 Mardi Gras. Check em out and enjoy!

Catch a Falling Star

dancersdreamland — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:47:46 GMT

"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, never let it fade away. Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, save it for a rainy day." ~ The Princess Diaries, movie ~ Tonight a dear friend came over and we danced and chatted and generally just had a fabulous time. After she left I needed to take home a friend of our exchange students, so we all piled in the car and headed to the opposite side of town. ESF = Exchange Student Friend ES = Exchange Student ESF: "Your friend dances?" Me: "She does, a lot." ES: "What about other friend?" Me: "The one that came over on Thanksgiving? She dances a lot, too." *pause* Me: "My other friend who stops by on on occasion also dances. Just a little though." ESF: "And you?" Me: "And me what? How do I dance?" ESF: "Yes." Me: "A lot." And then, the most brilliant shooting start streaked across the sky, and we both saw it. Dance is my shooting star. It brings me joy on rainy days, adds to my excitement on happy days, helps me express frustration on angry days, and so much more. Dance will never fade away for me (even when I try to tuck it away). Dance is me, and I am dance. It's who I am at my core, and it's who I believe God has designed me to be. I'm looking forward to 2008 as my year of dance and all the exciting doors of opportunity that will be opening (putting faith first).

Let's Give Thanks

dancersdreamland — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:29:50 GMT

Something cool that Xerox is doing If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them...

Tribe Falling...

dancersdreamland — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 13:20:28 GMT

Visit - http://triberfugeebellydancers.ning.com/

YouTube Playlist

dancersdreamland — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:55:22 GMT

I'm adding my YouTube link here, because I can never remember what it is http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=dancersdreamland I have FANTASTIC playlists sorted by dancer/troupe. Enjoy!

Happy Halloween from the White Witch

dancersdreamland — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:33:14 GMT

New Magazine - Conscious Dancer

dancersdreamland — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:33:43 GMT

I saw this on the Atash Maya tribe and wanted to remember it for later, so I thought I'd post it here. Check it out: CONSCIOUS DANCER is dedicated to educating our world about the healing power of spirit based movement. CONSCIOUS DANCER is producing a print magazine to inspire people of all ages and cultures to activate dance floors worldwide. CONSCIOUS DANCER magazine will shine a spotlight on dance as a health and spiritual practice and give readers motivation to live artful, vital, and graceful lives. We are creating our premiere issue and are inviting you to send us your writing on raw food. We want to feature the raw foods in the Vitality section, focusing on healthy living. At this point we have several articles in the works on raw food, but want more! I imagine that people on tribe have stellar content and/or photos that you'd like to see appear in CONSCIOUS DANCER magazine. We believe conscious dance is an essential part of personal and planetary transformation. Join us on this adventure, lets change the world one dance at a time! We look forward to following up with you regarding your involvement in our publication. Thanks for your time and best wishes. www.consciousdancer.com/ CONSCIOUS DANCER INTERNATIONAL (magazine and website) Product: CONSCIOUS DANCER premieres as a quarterly full color publication of 24-32 pages. Expanding page count as revenues allow. Cover price of $4.95, subscriptions available, positioned as an invaluable resource and guide to the world of conscious dancing and movement. Content: A magazine centered around Conscious Dance Culture, Healthy Lifestyles, Celebration, and Higher Consciousness. Ecstatic Dance, 5-Rhythms, Barefoot Boogie, Dance Jam, Soul Motion, Fire Dancing, Dance Therapy, Sufi, World, Festival Culture, Dances of Universal Peace, and other movement and dance modalities. Dance music and facilitator/DJ technologies, dancing and the creation of conscious community, dancing as a natural path to mental health, and conscious dancing as it relates to a healthier and more holistic lifestyle, dance therapy, raw foods, eco-fashion, organic beauty, retreat centers and adventures, and other accoutrement's of an abundant joyful life. Target Market: C.D.I. is aimed not only at the hundreds of thousands of people who are already dancing their way towards higher consciousness worldwide, but also as a touchstone and resource to the millions of holistic and eco-minded people who comprise the greater "LOHAS" (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) market. CONSCIOUS DANCER is a radically inclusive magazine that will appeal across generations and cultures. At this point in history, people are searching for meaning more than ever, and we believe a positive approach to the real benefits of dance and celebration will be a welcome addition to the media world. Distribution: Initial run of 10,000 copies. We intend that our distribution will increase with each issue. 60% of circulation handed out free at conscious dance events as promotional material. Distribution at yoga and dance venues, retreat centers, and selected holistic retailers throughout SF Bay Area. Limited distribution to greater West Coast cities and Hawaii through dance network. Offered for sale at selected retreat centers, newsstands and bookstores nationwide.

I'm an M-N-M

dancersdreamland — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:17:14 GMT

Check it out! I created my own M-N-M character and you can too. Visit http://www.becomeanmm.com/