yay chats!

what exciting news!

Hi Gals,

I've been following the conversations here but have been too busy to write. Finally have a weekend free and a bit more time, so I'd love to share.

First of all, Chats, congratulations on the audition and the changes that you've made in your life. And thanks for opening this topic. I think that week really did provoke big changes, at least for some of us. It's great to know that it wasn't just me and I'm enjoying reading about how it affected others. Unfortunately my budget doesn't allow for Melodias right now :-) but there have been other big changes.

It took me a while to get my personal practice set up, but I finally did it and have been able to do it pretty conisistenly for two weeks now. I have my little notebook, I write it all down and I'm being quite disciplined about it all. Included in that practice are yoga (which I was already doing 3-4 times a week) some of the dance drills that we learned in CR and I'm FORCING myself to have at least 2 sessions a week to work on improvisation and/or choreography. I've finally started working on a song that has had me fascinated for about a year but I was too intimidated to work on it. It's an old Cab Calloway song, not at all middle eastern, very sexy and sort of larger than life, not at all my personality, but the song just makes me giggle and jiggle and shimmy every time I hear it. So I'm finally working on that piece (still don't know if it will be choreography or improvisation) and will debut it on my troupe's performance at the end of October.

The other big change for my troupe and I is that we have decided that WE WILL go to the Panamerican Dance Competition in Sao Paolo Brazil at the end of November. I'm sure you've all received our emails begging for help and support. We weren't sure if we would be able to come up with the money to make the trip, but we've decided to dedicate a LOT of time and energy to raising the funds and making it a reality. As I've said before, Tribal Style bellydance is very new here but growing rapidly in popularity and I like to think that we are part of the movement that is helping that growth. It seems important that we represent Tribal Style Bellydance at this international event. We're very hopeful and excited.

And then, not dance related but still very important, is that I'm moving. My partner and I have decided to call it quits. It was time. I've found a great little house on the same lot as my best friend's house and the rent is very low. I'm looking forward to the move. At the same time, it is a big change and a difficult time emotionally. Still, I know that this is the right change to make and the right time to do it, and much of the courage to make it happen came out of the strength and confidence that I gained there in Costa Rica with Rachel and you all.

I'm looking forward to reading about what's been going on with others.

Today I approach my boss about dropping down to part-time. I want to focus more of my time on dance, both learning and teaching. I am scared and excited.

Last night I mentioned this to one of my fellow teachers. She is also planning to go part-time for the same reason and she wants to join the certification program of the same dancer I do. THEN I mentioned my plan to the studio/troupe director who said she's been thnking of gettinh out of the biz to focus more on her movement therapy practice. She is excited that two of her dancers may be able to take over the businness.

Whoa. The spirit moves in mysterious ways.