Can I Trust You?

I don’t know how many time I received this email by different address. I'm sure you've received them in your mail and your inbox too. The offer is simple right? It's that simple! Don't even think about responding - this is a scam of the worst. I will never respond, I will delete the emails or throw away the letters. An example email is included below :

When Do I Start?

My new CDs album arrived. I have couple of books pile next to my bed but no time to read. I have tons of CDs waiting to rip onto my computer. This month is coming to an end. I can say that I spent most of this month thinking and reflecting. Today is another day where I hope I get to get things done.

Having seen the video I took from class last week , I felt that I’m going to teach dance in more advance since they (students) have been learning from me years ago. I believe it is good business to teach fewer students in a class, as it is my experienced that many of them continue to the next level. This, I want to make sure that my students will not come out with less learning in classes. Actually, The more they learn, they begin to witness their own dance technique, they begin to listen to what they feel in the rhythm and their body will respond. I’m happy when I see the results.

I have this whole list that I want to do, So now, I feel I'm ready for a Start!

Belly Dance Jam

I am back at work. Though what really want to be is in bed.

I left Thursday night to take an overnight bus ride to K/L again. Sleeping in the bus is truly uncomfortable. Cramped up in the seat, with soar neck and chair that barely lean back. I'm not even sure how I managed to curl up my legs on the seat and sleep like a ball, haha… I think my body is flexible enough for me to fit in the chair very well. I wanted to sleep, but then...the person sitting behind me starts to snore like a truck with some loud engine problem!!!! When I arrived K/L home I was totally exhausted.

Friday night I went to Bellydance Jam and met NIGMA and many belly dancers. Thank you to Our friend Lin organized this event to let our hair down and dance dance dance!!! It's not so crowded on that night, and I chatted more than dancing as some of dancers I didn’t meet up for so long. I met Karen Madrid and we talked about future plan - awesome! I also met Nancy (Tribal.teacher). We like a rock stars, we roam around the dance hall taking a lot of pictures. Unfortunately, the place is dark with mood lighting, my camera flash was not working on that night, I gave up on it quickly, but one of our dance friends volunteers to take pictures, despite very little light I am pleased with the results. I will upload the pictures later.

Enjoy...Enjoy... Enjoy!

Lately I've been overloading myself with work, in the last 2 weeks I was suffering with mouth ulcers due to not enough sleep. I know these are all signs of stress -that my ulcers keep coming back in the same area. One of my good friend always send me sms to cherish me “ enjoy enjoy enjoy! Enjoy what you are doing, smile and take it easy….”

Ya, I enjoy what I am doing but, to be frank, how many times do we sit back and just enjoy? One of my student told me she enjoy dancing, but she have no time to dance. We’re all busy people, we caught up with so many responsibilities, pressure, and work that we sometime forget to appreciate the little things that life has to offer.

My answer is : to really enjoying a fuller life is based on your choices. Make yourself a promise that once you’ve finished that job, you’re going to do something you really enjoy. Have a cup of coffee, go for excercise, or prop up your feet, grab the remote... Whatever you are doing, enjoy it! You have another option, of course, which is to not enjoy it.

I’m sitting here in silence with my eyes closed purposefully activating the feelings of joy within myself. Yes… I’m grateful that I feel the energy of joy flowing throughout my body. I enjoy the challenge, the surroundings, enjoy the people I’m with. I enjoy with my family each time we meet. I enjoy the opportunity to learn. I enjoy to get experience at work and build my resume. The most I enjoy is moving my body…

Life is hectic and there's always a way to enjoy myself. So I find it, I allow it, I live it and yes, I truly enjoy it.

Thanks Gabby for bringing me a smile... =D

Belly Dance Intermediate Class

Thanks to my Jitra beginner students for their hard work completed 1 year study with me. A Whole lot of fun!

We will then go to the next level – Intermediate Belly Dance and continue to the Intermediate brush-up course. You will really be able to improve! Other students are welcome to join if you have completed 6 months – a year of belly dance study with other teacher.

Classes are held every Monday & Wednesday at 7.30pm – 8.30pm, starting on July 06. We have drum solo, cabaret, veil & etc. I teach you how to bring YOURSELF into this beautiful art of belly dance! The class will be more aggressive. Be sure not to miss!

Private & Semi-Private Classes by appointment! Please call me to set up a class time.

Kids Raks Assaya (Cane Dance)

This is the 3^rd session - my kids working on a new cane dance routine, just danced the first 1min. Babe please watch your video here! Remember practice to twirl the cane at home as we are going to start a cool step on coming Wednesday. Remember to bring your cane!

A letter from the Boulevard

Ya…yesterday I received an email from Belly Dance Boulevard, immediately I registered to join the community so I’m on Belly Dance Boulevard – Teacher Directory!! It is one my favorite places on the web.
I just want to say thank you to Webmasters – Mark for making such a great jobs for belly dancer community and well put together, lot’s of great info links and other good promotional content. It's got everything. Most of all, I value the diversity of the articles you chose to publish, its my personal interest I can really make good use of. You can bet I'll be waiting for the next one to arrive.
I want to link my website to boulevard but I wasn’t comfortable doing this. I’m telling my students about Belly Dance Boulevard. Once they check you out, they invariably always agree. The "WORD" is spreading!

Thanks again, please let those involved know that I greatly appreciate it!

Do It With Love

More & more about belly dance, I’m sorry, I always feel a little guilty blogging all things about belly dance because I wonder if so many of my readers are just looking for autism stories. And yes, my lovely girl - Serene has told me as much to write news beyond belly dance topics, hmmm… but belly dance always in my head; I keep a lot in my head and I Think & Breath of Belly Dance, I Talk About Nothing But Belly Dance. I told her don’t read me then, haha.. we always jokes!

Every time I sit down to write, I find myself thinking, Oh, I can't say that because it is too personal. Of course there are thousand things to write about But I need to preserve boundaries better and not tell even my current circumstances are not as I wish them to be. So, I learn to be cheerful even if I don’t feel I like it. That doesn’t mean I’m ignoring my prob¬lems. I rather put myself in the best possible frame of mind to solve them or watch movie that make me happy. At least I read one page of inspiring book every day.

Here is a a quote : Anyway by Mother Teresa

• People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
• If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
• If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
• Succeed anyway.
• If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
• What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight. Build anyway.
• If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
• The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
• Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the best you've got anyway.
• You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway

Belly Dance Costume

I went out to Penang with my students to look for belly dance costume at a boutique shop. I am in love with new arrival items but to bad they were not came with the bra/belt set. The owner told us she can re-order the belts for us if we pay some deposit. I really like the turquoise colors but I felt the glass beads were different grade and the beading seemed a bit rush job if compare to my own self-made costume.

I checked out the price for the complete bra/belt set & accessories with the owner. I have to say it was a bit expensive and we still thinking whether we should buy or get our tailor to design for us. Oh ya…my tailor she would tailor our best costume bur she's dont have time to sew the beads!

Besides, I don't want my students to spend too much money on the costume. Hmmm… It's been my experiences, I will always get into trouble because after a couple of wears, I will grew tired of the same look.

Anyway, I prefer my self-made costume with my perfect bra size often fit (without putting the large padding). It is an overall high quality costume where I had attended to every detail lovingly, and absolutely gorgeous. Of course, Egypt’s Eman Zaki the world’s best belly dance costume designer is my favorite.

Competition Song Stuck in My Head...

Last night I started a new choreography for my belly dance troupe to join Malaysian Open Feast Dance 09 competition. Only ¼ part of music done. In early I have 5 students promised to compete, now one student withdraw because family matter. Sigh… I prefer 5 students but it is Okay because I cant force anybody to join.

For the troupe, we use our own music to present a dance of not more than 3 minutes long. The dance can include veil, cane or zills or other appropriate props. My music is too long (sorry a bit secret to tell you what music I am doing) I am looking software to edit the music.

Intermediate soloist – Khai Shin will take part again. She will present a solo with a music of 3+ minutes long provided by the organizer. I will do a choreography for her. If entering final, a new music will be provided by the organizer and she must do her own choreography and I will give some tips later…. And wish her luck, luck luck!

I need to fade the troupe music, search for the costume, check the traveling tickets overnight bus ride to K/L, accommodation and a new choreography for soloist. If the group member are less than 5, I can provide the accommodation (stay in my condo) if they want to come with their family/boyfriend, then you have to find your own accommodation because I have limited room in my condo.

Huh…So many thing to do and so Little Time!!!! Everyday I play the competition song, now I have that song stuck in my head... LOL.

Male Belly Dancing

Yesterday a malay guy called me about belly dance class. He is interested to join and came to meet me. He told me he don’t mind to join the female class, but.... you know, it's all my girls that they mind!

The malay guy is tall and big size, fair skin and working in local hospital. I was curious and torture him with lots of questions, hahaha...He told me he want to experience the health benefits and fun found in this belly dance movement. 2nd thing he love dancing very very much and he is practice at home from the DVDs. He is so eager to take a few classes with me but I need a little guidance about men dancer. I’m sorry that I cant take him to join the female class. If I do, those conservative girls will run away if they see him in the class.

Actually, male belly dancing is becoming more famous nowadays. It is the opposite of what most people think. There are several famous and popular male belly dancers perform in the world. One of male belly dance I know is Alvin from Johore. He is ballroom dance instructor. He started teaching and shimmy since past few years! How many have I left out...? Point is – maybe they are everywhere. He is the only one I known and remember in Malaysia.

Teaching Young Children Belly Dance

Do you teach young children belly dance? Years ago I have a group at age 4 - 6 and it was tough tough tough, inevitably some children are not challenged in a lesson at some point. If you have done so successfully please give some ideas and success stories.

I have another group at age 6 -12 started last year. They are the oldest one and ready for the challenge. Recently, I open another children belly dance class on Sunday. There are my new babies from age 6 – 10.

I noticed that some of the children learn some new skills, movement by copying others (either locomotor or nonlocomotor). I’m sure you already know, children tend to be impressed by visual and imagery. When considering the different stages of development reached by individual in the class, I have to look at some foundation-building component and see how I want to relate the body movement & etc. I don’t expect high quality technique for hip drop but expect a little more grace with movement when they practice the basic things.

I have to admit that the teaching of young children is an art that needs to be studied. The techniques of teaching is different compare to my adults class. And because dance is physical activities, I set the importance of a careful warm-up before dancing. The main thing is getting the young children to stretch and get as much range of motion during these exercises. As I always say, make your body taller, reach your arms to the ceiling, touch your toes with your fingers while straighten your knees…

I have three simple parts of lessons : Warm-up, Activity & Cool Down to use in my children class. In the early stages of the activity part, the skills may not look anything like dance, just as in any sport like jumping, walking & etc making sure I am challenging them appropriately, but not to the point of them giving up.

Through the years, the oldest have improved and know how to belly dance. One of the greatest blessings for me, is that I GET TO LEARN along-side with young children with kinds of shimmies.

Good To Read

Do you really subscribe belly dance magazine? As much as I like to be educated about current events in my community and around the belly dancing world, I am so thrilled about a magazine I discovered - Habibi Magazine. If you don’t already subscribe to a belly dance magazine, consider doing so try to watch as little news as possible as I know there are some free online article are also full of interesting articles and helpful dance tips. Here is the article has given me some insight.

Pamper Myself

Just came back from K/L trip….a short 2 days trip! Gosh… whole day cleaning the house like hell and went out for shopping with family and friends on the next day, not so bad! This time I really pamper myself, I bought 4 pairs of shoes and some clothes, beauty myself too with white Multi Blemish Balm Cream , favorite lipstick and new Sony EricssonW705. And today called up appointment to do facial since I am still off work tomorrow.

I told myself not to spend too much nowadays. Economy is bad and I should save some money for next coming up workshop.

This trip was too short and not able to meet up with Nigma, but spoke to her on the phone and meet her soon soon soon!

Nipple Concealer

I went to Pacific Hypermarket Star Parade looking for Truimph Nipple Concealer which I use to keep for stock but then finding out the product is not available. I went to another shopping mall stores and had the same experience. Argh..... this is so inconvenience when I just wanted to buy ‘an only item’ the sales girl then told me it was out of stock.

Why I want to buy the nipple concealer? This is interesting because I wear nipple concealer to avoid any show-through cause panic on my dancing. Of course, for those (like me) who like to hide them, then use the nipple concealer, then for those who just like to show, then do your way you prefer. But don't get me wrong, there is no good or bad answers.

For year ago, I choose my costume bra at Khan El Khalilli Bazaar, it's a little tougher to find the right costume bra fit me, maybe because I don’t have that kind of 38DD sizes! And believe it or not, the costume bras doesn’t pretty fit me because I picked the ready-made stock and get the tailor to alter it. The bra cups cover less of my upper breast tissue and the center panel is cut very low, so in a way to protects nipples pierced or otherwise, I need a little cover-up to go with my confidence.

Please don’t laugh as I’m a Malaysian Chinese woman. The western country are much more open. Those western girls seldom wear their bra and go out shopping or clubbing and none of them got stared at. It is a totally different culture view. Not like over here in Malaysia, if I didn't wear any bra and go out, ha ha…..I will become more famous than an artist/movie star and everyone will gather gossip around me!!

Well, long story short, as I dance, I want to enjoy, more fun and less stressful. With nipple concealer, I can feel comfortable, confident, and sexy, relax all at the same time during performance. And I want to conceal them so guys will not staring at boobs parts like nothing at all.

I don’t know how about other dancers. My students also wear nipple concealer when they perform. How about you? What are other solutions to prevents this problem?

Anyone coming to Nigma's ATS workshop?

The economic downturn has clearly had an impact upon many people's lives. Like other colleges and universities across the nation, the experienced of enrollment has dropped. And it is also affecting participation in workshop/seminar recently.

In view of this problem, Nigma is giving a special discount to help with your financial difficulties time. Please read through and forward the good news to your Friends and Students. Please call Nigma at 017-347 5798 for further information.

Instructor/Teacher need to be well-versed in various aspects of belly dance technique style, since students are mirroring you. I recommend if any of you, no matter what kind of dance you study, if you get a chance to do workshop/training with Nigma, *Do It* with such a dedicated international trainer!

Raks Assaya (Arabic Cane Dance).

These are Assaya (cane) I decorated for my little girls to dance Raks Assaya (Arabic Cane Dance). Originally the folkloric dance of Upper Egypt or Southern Egypt. It is become widely popular in belly dance today.

I do nothing yesterday just sitting down to do the spiral-warp for my canes. This is 2nd time I decorate the cane, the 1st time was in 2006 when I hosted the cane dance workshop. Oh sigh…my fingers hurts because I choose the shiny type paper. My mom said why I work so hard to those stupid dance chores, I told her it’s my favorite to do anything with belly dance and yet I cant find any cane’s with that length to suit the little girls.

The girls actually saw the adult class doing the cane dance and fell in love and want me to teach them the whole choreography. Oh my goodness, but that music is too long and the choreography is not suitable for kids. Although I can change the few things and add few things for the kids, but I think I am going to mess up all things when I teach or dance, it’ s crazy for me la….

Hence, I have another piece of modern saidi rhythm for 3.27 minutes for you girls, and am sure you love it. We will work on some knowledge of saidi hops, and simple saidi combos with this short choreography. I'm really looking forward to doing it. I can’t wait to present this joyous dance to you!

Busy Weeks

My work schedule over the next few weeks are tight but I am sure I can handle it. First thing is another intermediate & private class going to start. And I’m going back to Kuala Lumpur to clean my house on coming Wednesday – Saturday. Again have to drive after 8.30pm evening class. Then go back home to take bath & drive straight all the way from Gurun. Hmmm….I estimate I’ll reach my sweet condo at 3am if I don’t stop at R&R and with my F1 driving speed haha…(that’s why I have a lot of summons)!

Thursday will stay at home to clean the whole house (wish I can finish it) then go to swimming & eat my favorite supper, the famous big fried noodle at Jalan Imbi and do my shopping with my shopaholic friends, guess who?

I decided to go to Paola Workshop – Egyptian Pop in Penang on 27/6/07 and take up the full workshop in K/L on 4-5/7/09 and join Paola’s hafla and meet up all A-Z belly dancers since we have not meet for more than a year. And I want to perform cane dance on the hafla night too, Hooray for dance!

Teacher -Student -Teacher

I just finished 4 hours private class for Shinny – She is a Yoga Teacher from Langkawi. Last year I took Yoga private class with her. And now it is her turn to learn belly dance class from me. LOL!

Shinny took Hadia Teacher Training in March. She always busy with her yoga class and hardly have chance to attend the belly dance class as nobody is teaching there in Langkawi. She took the private class with me is to learn how to run beginner class and familiarize the movement theory.

Of course, the 1^st - 4 hours is definitely not enough to start her belly dance class, she need to work on developing and enhancing skills before start teaching. She believes it takes a life time to master belly dance, and important to learn the roots of the dance. I told her it is important to attend all belly dance class so she can understand it.

Suddenly I find myself amongst people that share my passion and it’s a very gratifying feeling. The best thing I can do for my students is to keep learning new things for myself. I’m a teacher continues to be a student. This is true for all art form. It's all good!

A Chat with Young Badminton Player

What’s amazing is that this was the story of a kid, a 13-year old!

It is 2 weeks school holidays, my sister and her kids, Michael & Michelle came back from Penang. Argh….they actually came back to join the badminton tournament.

There is this Kedah Open Badminton Championships going on for 2 days, morning to evening 8pm at ASRC hall. A boy, Ang Chen (son of my sister’s colleague from Penang) who is now study in Singapore Sports School also came along to join the tournament.

Michael & Michelle game are start at 11am while Ang Chen is to play at 8am. When going to work, my sister want me to give Ang Chen a ride to ASRC.

On the way, I asked him about all his passion in badminton. He told me badminton like every other sports where anyone with hard work and passion to make his/her career. All we need to have is will power and willingness to undergo some necessary practice/training and dedication to prove our metal in this sport.

After I dropped him, I got a little inspiration from his story and hard working in training/practice. I wish him one day become a great player like Lee Chong Wai. Anything is possible when you have the WILL! :) Good Luck!

Malaysian Open Fest Dance ' 09

A friend recently sent me about the Belly Dance Competition Registration Form. As promised and to help facilitate this I have scanned it and uploaded here for you. In view of attracting attention to the art of dance and to support the local event, please feel free to help to pass it on, Cheers!

Saturday Morning Class Cancelled

No picture for last night performance….I was busy and didn’t turn up to Alor Star Mall but good Khai Shin was there to handle it, and Thanks so much to Khai Shin taking the video.

I cancelled my 2 morning classes on Saturday – adult class and junior class. I’m sorry because I really tired to drive all the way in an early morning during my off days. In a way, I am so happy that all of students willing to cope with my time and joining the evening class. Especially my little girls, despite their heavy load of homework and the endless tuitions everyday, they continue dancing with me! Love you all.