Two more tuition payments!

So my son, Erich, is in his Senior year at Savannah College of Art and Design! I have only two more quarters to pay! Yay!!!! Right now he is only 3 1/2 hours drive away and he is talking about working in Colorado! I can't drive within a days time to Colorado! I know he has to go where he can work and do what is his passion, but does it have to be that far away??? I know.....I'm being codependent.....but we have such a good relationship and he is my only child other than my stepson (who has no relationship with me...his choice).....I'm going to miss him terribly! I'm so very proud of him. He will be graduating with honors! I don't mean to brag....but there was a time when we weren't sure if he would finish high school!

But, I guess I did what I was suppose to do as his mother.....I provided him with love, a good home, emotional, physical and monetary support, a good education and a start in this world. Now he has to do the rest and so far he has done very well. What more could a mother ask for! I love you Erich!

Ya Halla Y'all 2008 - an inspiring event!

I think I have finally caught up on my sleep from the last weekend at Ya Halla! It was a wonderful event and I would highly recommend attending! Isis, Del and their staff are wonderful! They are so organized and the event ran smoothly.

The line up of instructors and performers was absolutely spectacular. I took classes from Ma Shuqa, Bozenka, Fahtiem, Aziza and Angelika Nemeth! WOW!!! It's not easy to get all these ladies in one weekend workshop! There was also Rachel Brice and Zoe Jakes. I love to watch them dance, it's just not my personal style.

Debbie, aka Zuleikha and I did a duet on Friday night. We had so much fun dancing together! And I must say our costumes were beautiful!

Zuleikha, Yasmine (our teacher) and I shared a room. It was funny taking turns of who had one of the beds to themself. We each got one night and then on the 4th night I claimed "age" rules!

There were so many fabulous dancers from Texas, Puerto Rico, California, plus many other states and of course those of us from North Carolina!

I had a photo session with Carl Sermon, Ma Shuqa's husband. It was so much fun because Ma Shuqa was there helping with poses. I can't wait to get my pics and the dvd of our performance!

We are planning to go again next year! Thanks Isis, Del and everyone in Texas for your great hospitality!

I'm Sooooo Excited about going to Yaa Halla!

Thursday morning, Debbie aka Zuleikha, myself and our instructor, Yasmine will be boarding the plane for Dallas, TX to attend Yaa Halla Y'All! Deb and I are dancing a duet as Bashira Bellydance on Friday night. Yasmine will be performing on Saturday night and our friend and co-dancer, Shayda will be performing a solo on Friday too. So if you are attending, please come see us! I hope that I get to meet some of my tribe friends!

Now back to my packing list, and last minute sewing of costume stuff!

I'm 50 and Fabulous! Woohoo!!!!

Today is my 50th birthday! I feel wonderful! I have been reflecting on my 50 years of living and I have been so fortunate! I look forward to another wonderful 50 years!

One of my friends suggested that I celebrate 50 days for my birthday, so the celebration began on July 1st! I have done something special for me everyday and it has been fun! Who knows.....I may extend the celebrations for the rest of the year!

Just Another Day.....in Paradise.....

Okay, so I haven't blogged in awhile so I thought I would jot some things down.....if you are interested.....

Went to see Sex in the City last night. It was super! The energy in the movie theatre was awesome....all women....all seats completely filled! We awwwed, we ooooed, we cried, we laughed. A bunch of my girlfriends and I went. Why is it that we all seem to relate to Samantha? Or maybe it's wishful thinking.

I'm back to dancing two nights a week now. I'm so nervous about our upcoming recital at the end of July. I just need to buckle down and really drill my dances. I'm not doing a solo this time. I do have to come up with an original choreography by August 18th for the Original Works show.

I have our troupe booked for several more upcoming festivals. This has given us more opportunities to dance this year. It's been great! Although I couldn't dance in two of them due to my surgery.

Speaking of which, I'm doing so much better. I still have some twinges of pain every now and then, but for most of the time I'm good! I do get tired in the afternoon. It may be because I was sooooo used to taking those naps while I was home.

I'm back to work full time and things are very busy. That's a good thing! I need to take 7 hours of CE's in before the end of July for my insurance license....so I'll be craming for that! Boring!!!!

My creative juices are starting to flow again. I seem to have had a creative block during my recuperation. I thought I would get a lot of sewing done but didn't. So I'm feeling the bug again.....I drew an idea for a new bra and belt. Right now I've got to finish my recital costume.

Our troupe will begin preparing for the Renaissance Festival soon. This will be soooo much fun I can't wait!

I visited with my family and hubby's family last week. We went to Florida. My son went with us too. I love spending time with him. He is such a joy....most of the time....Mom was her usual self. After 3 days I need to leave. Bless her heart. I know she means well, but geesh mom I'm going to be 50! I think I know how to live my life!

That's another thing....yes, it's that big birthday coming up. On July 10th I will be 50 years living! I don't say "old" anymore....because it's not old....it's the years I've been living! And believe me.....I've been living and I'm going to keep on living! I'm not sad, or depressed....I'm happy! I'm 50 and fabulous! So I'm going to DC to celebrate with my old friends over the 4th of July weekend and then I will celebrate with my new friends in Charlotte the rest of the month! I think birthdays should be a month long party!

So that's it for now.........

Woo Hoo! Yaa Halla Y'all! Texas here I come!

My dance peep, Debbie and I are attending Yaa Halla Y'all in Texas in August. Our teacher, Yasmine will be there and our favorite vendor Leanne and Cuynet with The Bellydance Shop. Debbie and I will be performing a duet!

Anyone else planning to attend? It would be so great to meet my tribe friends!

For more info: www.isisandthestardancers.com/YH2....htm