Right Track From The Beginning

Let  me hit the highlights of what I actually did this week.  I was pretty much off work on Thursday and Friday, so I had a relaxing WoW time visit my friend in Ipoh,  I enjoyed my favorite food, chat and sleep a lot!!   

And back here  I am start a new beginner choreography for my private class tomorrow!  My mind went blank. Hahaha! Not kidding!! I would say the hardest thing is to choose the music for a student who  is  never attend my technique class before. I watched her dance movement  in my studio  before she committed  my choreography class.  I would say, the most important part is the foundation work.  Like anything that I learn, If  I learn it right then I’ll on the right track from the beginning.  

And now, I am going to have a tough time in my teaching - I’ve to think how to approaches on helping her  up correctly, that’s the hardest thing I’ve found. That’s probably the most important thing to start a student off correctly in their knowledge, and, of course, to really, if anything, know the  proper technique, learn how to do that well.

Nothing is impossible. But really, if you love what you love too to do,  it will come. I found the music,  I finished the whole 3.30 minutes choreography. Been exhausted after two hours practice!  I keep the steps  very simple, not too complicated as she  is getting through the foundation work, so I would say the beginning part starts with her commitment and dedication… So that’s very important!

Yay,  Way of experiment to create a good student!  I am sure I have a certain  thing that I do to  bring  her  along and make her  somebody who wants to learn. 

Chinese Folks Dance Competition

吉北華小中華民間舞蹈觀摩賽 

It's amazing when  the Persatuan Guru-Guru Sekolah Cina Kedah Utara North Kedah (Chinese School Teachers Association 吉北华校教师公会/吉北华小發展工委會) arranged the Chinese folk dance competition on 8 Oct 2010.  The competition is designed to improve public awareness and raise the performing standard of Chinese dance through friendly competition and meaningful adjudication.

The Competition is focuses strictly on Chinese folk dance and is judged by three adjudicators. And I was one the adjudicator and the other two  are famous in  teaching  Chinese dance teacher.  Our job is to provide meaningful written adjudication so that students  will leave this event with a better understanding of how and where they can improve as individual dancers, and as a group.

For Chinese dance competition, the emphasis is on presentation and choreography. There is less emphasis on technique. The adjudicators' will score the four regular categories on the basis of costume, props, presentation, expression and choreography. Scores are out of 100 and the average score is the one that counts.

I was touched when during judging. I really seen the students quality and spiritual aspects. The purpose of the competition is returning to pure truth and kindness of  Chinese traditional dance. Their style is very elegant and they successfully show pure Chinese folk dance. A big THANKS to all  the teachers!! At the end of judging, adjudicators  marking results were visual. I was amazed that we judge honestly no matter what you may think. Every one were happy, and of course I seen some of the students were crying too. I just think you should trust us judges to make the right decision. Generally the right dancer will win, and if you have a problem with the competition/markings speak to your teacher.

After the competition, we went for dinner together with the organisation team. I told them “All the students in the competition have a good understanding of Chinese dance and strong ability to display it. I love it and wish they continue to learn  in the future as modern day people are no longer as good and pure as those gods cherished in the past”  

The four team finally won and  currently scheduled to participate  in  Sg. Petani/Kulim soon. Wish them good luck!!      

The Champion - Kota Sarang Semut School

2nd  Placing

 

  

3rd Placing 

4th Placing

Chinese Folks Dance Competition - I've been already excited to see how it'll grow and develop in the coming decade.

New Choreography - Tribal Solo

Malaysia Tribal Festival on 9 Oct - I bought the ticket  but I am not going because I am exhausted! The exciting things that is my lovely kid belly dancer Grace Heng will perform  a Tribal Fusion Solo. 

I just choreographed my new tribal solo after Taiping competition. Good thing Grace had learned  the fundamentals of tribal style steps, foot and arm in Nanci Traynor workshop, so It is easier part for me to brush up on technique with body awareness, example the Flamenco posture, make sure  my little tribal dancer wont lost it when she dance fusion. I know it's a small point, but it makes a big difference to the authentic flamenco look. And  I  am  proud and confidence that I always  respect the genre I am  fusing with. 

Grace in Tribal Costume

I am sure Nanci Traynor will be happy when she watch Grace perform a Tribal Solo. I wish she can go shine on the stage tonight!  So if you see her, please help me to give some courage to her, her parents and her friends (6 of them) will be there with her too. Thanks a lot! 

Grace had costume rehearsal last night, I laughed so much when she said  this to me "Teacher, my head is so heavy with all the stuff on my head" :D:D:D

How I wish I can be there tonight .....

My Bellydance Photo of the Year 2010 Contest!

Hi everyone, I am in the middle of a online photography competition and I'm excited to see what I  get to do with my photo. Of course I wish to have the chance to win some prizes. I really want to win, and all I need are votes from my family and friends. You simply need to click on the link, view my photo, and vote it. If I get enough votes, I win. It’s that easy! Please use the link below  to vote for my photo. I am at my Contestant No  #3 

http://www.bellydance.com.sg/
 

www.bellydance.com.sg

Bellydance Photo of the Year 2010

Please forward this to anyone else you know that could help me out. 

Thank you very much for your vote. I will keep you posted as to what is happening with the Contest. Wish me luck!

Sahara - Lebanese Style Workshop in K/L

It was fantastic Lebanese workshop with Sahara on Saturday & Sunday! Sahara is a gorgeous dancer! First time in my life I saw a belly dancer teaching with her sport shoe on! It seems like different style of dance master makes a big difference in the experience. The workshops were totally new for me! The workshop I attended :

Modern Choreography Lebanese Style

Balady

Drum Solo

Arabic Interpretation and Culture

The workshop was scheduled to run for two hours and we would be learning a (+-) 2 minute choreography. Woohoo! The music tends to be faster than oriental music. My back has been aching work on the shimmy, cant felt my legs at all! The fast spin, hip movements are more crisp than Egyptian style. And at the end I was exhausted but happy!! I love her choreographies, it was such a FUN to learn and do the movements.

I don't know much about Lebanese style, and Sahara explanation of the nuanced differences in Western styling in Lebanese vs. Egyptian raqs sharqi, Turkish helped me to understand much more. I believe that knowing the history behind it can change the way we dance and the way we think about it. Amazing that something is so small can have such an impact on my dancing too. Shukran for the notes and no regret I went for all the workshop!

Sahara, I cant wait to see u again!! 

Learning to Dance In The Rain

I was feeling down after I read my sister’s email this morning! I breathed slowly and controlled. My first step was to identify the problem and be happy. I managed to call her and talked through the phone. So things are okay with me right now when there is something I can do (tried everything within my power) So start from now I have another financial burden on her.

I found a quote on the CDs cover. I’ve seen it when the day I received the CDs but sadly, I only recalled this quote came to me from one of my inspiration belly dance! Here it is : 

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain. 人生不是等着暴风雨过去, 而是学会在风雨中跳舞。

I love it ! I think this is the quote that we generally see as well. Storms in life come all the time, but we can still be having fun in spite of difficulties. It's true a person has to learn how to deal with what comes your way in life. It's an optimistic way of looking at things. 

I hope whatever it is - I am going to keep my head up and Smile !

Excitement Progress

It is  time to sit back for my brand new action plan! I think a lot of my full time job.  When I start to think about a way to be financially stable,  I really don’t want to give up my  desk job that can support myself.  I worry that without a full-time job's financial support will prevent me to study with some of the best instructors I’ve ever worked with because I want to travel and  taking lots of classes. 

I think with  “all the junk that’s floating around in my head” is because I feel that’s the way my head works.  I write out  everything that has been floating around in my brain and begin to make sense of it.  I have noticed that many times once I get to this point of  writing,  I often come out the other side with a better sense of what I need to do and where I need to go from there :D  

For me, I can safely say that I've worked hard for the past few years in spite of the many challenges and let-downs. I've been spent that much time on choreographies.  I started wondering what you would call it if you choreographed something other than people moving their bodies. I am starting to have a lot of questions. And my next thought is this : how to learn "Expression in Dancing" when the song is full of emotion? I really don’t know how to express it. Some people might say, just  Smile and express yourself while dancing. How about dancing to a piece of  baladi song? Can expression be taught by a teacher? Perhaps the answer is No! 

I spend two hours last night  sitting down trying to figure out what to pack and I didn't even open the suitcase. I realised that I haven't even reviewed the last one workshop yet, and I'm going to another workshop! Woohoo! Will be touring my body and foot…lol  

Group Isis Wings Performance

When everyone saw a dramatic piece where I used big and colorful Isis wings in last November, they said very pretty and asked me to start the wings class. Um….speaking from personal experience here :) Isis wings have to practice really hard. Isis wings required appropriate posture and arm carriage technique. The minor things like keeping the armpits pointed towards the audience, think of classical arms to keep shoulders down, the tiredness of your shoulder when practice bird arms etc. It is very important to identify which muscles move when you are doing a movement to ensure it is done correctly. This is so true of all things belly dance related – I mean props!

I never think I would start teaching the wings dance until recently. Couple of weeks ago, I started wings dance for Nicole and her sister in private class. The wings dance to be presented on her wedding night. I came up with some plans for practicing step rather than just spinning around prettily. Here are 2 videos to show how they work on the spinning technique…. Do you notice the different technique between 2 of them?

 

 

Wednesday Night 15th September - This was a most exciting night, myself, Nicole and her sister, we performed our group Isis Wings. We were assured that the stage was set up for 3 of us. And, wow... what an amazing turnout for the wedding night! Of course, we were the beautiful Isis won the big WOW. I enjoyed hearing audience "ooh and aah" on that night. The audience really love our wing moves during our performance!! Unfortunately, we didn't take a lot of photos, but I think we did a pretty good job. Well done Nicole and Siew Kiang!!! And thanks to Nicole involving Arabesque in her big night.

Taiping Open Dance Championships 2010.

Taiping Open Dance Championships 2010 was held on 19 Sept 2010. The event was the 1^st time in Taiping. The organizers – Shirley Hun & P.H. Lim  work hard  together with a very supportive frame of helpers, almost all problems were overcome and everything went on smoothly. Though it was a small event held at the Persatuan Ong Si Thye Guan Thong hall,  it certainly brought with it a lot of competitive spirit and good cheer. The competition turned out to be quite a success! 

 

My students took part  in  3 belly dance categories.  Much to my surprise, not many competitors this round but the organiser still segregated the competition into different age groups. The adjudicators for the belly dance events were : Myself,  Jocelyn, Emily, Nancy Baskhy and Zara. Here's are some information you might like to know. The Emcee for the event was Bronya, the best emcee for the dance competition event! She is really good  to dealt with the arrangement of the programme.  

 

Registration of the competitors started at 1.00pm. After a adjudicators  briefing, the Latin dance competition started at 1:30pm. During the day, the prize giving ceremony for the finals of the earlier events was conducted in the hall and the cheers of the supporters could be heard. I do not have the results for the Latin events,  I shall post what I do have. 

 

In order to keep the competitive events running, the semi final belly dance was held at the day event and  the final was schedule at night. Myself, Jocelyn and  Emily went back to SSL Trader Hotel for rest and changing clothes. We lost the way when going back to venue hall, thankfully managed to get my bro-in law in Taiping to lead for the direction.  

 

My students won the Champion in Belly Dance competition! That were -  Intermediate Solo Open, Kids Solo Open and 1st Runner up in Beginner Solo Open. 

Congratulations to all the winners! It takes a lot of courage to enter a competition and everyone who does, is a winner in their own book. For those who didn't achieve their  goals this time, just aim for the next. Now with this event being sanctioned by the IDO (International Dance Organization), next years event will  be the bigger and better so start getting ready now. See you all then.

Katerina Shereen Workshop – Raks Sharki + Baladi

Attended 6 hours private workshop with Katerina Shereen on 17 Sept. I've never taken a workshop with her. She has a strong Egyptian background. I really enjoyed with her teaching and information she shared in the workshop. I love that she's doing 4 hours of the Raks Sharki topic, it allows me to be much more in-depth and I loved every minute of it!. 

Baladi – I fell in love when I hosted Hadia last year! I fell in love when I watched Hadia performed the "classics" of middle eastern music. Fallen in love again with the qanun, oud, flute, drums, and other instruments used in this genre of music. 

Shereen’s Baladi – She made me fallen in love with her. I have so much to say about this workshop, wow! It is an extremely complicated to dance! My body is holding up fine, but my brain feels like mud. And I'm struggling to dance to qanun, oud, flute and drum. I have been working hard to do pauses and slower movements, and be less frantic feeling….. I am  wondering if there is any hope for me to dance to a piece of 7-8 minutes baladi music. I doubt it. The baladi topic was only covered for two hours, which was barely enough time to learn. I've been itching for another Baladi workshop, so this should be a really great time – Hadia’s Baladi in 2011! 

This is the main reason I continue to dance and teach belly dance. There are a few songs in my list I am going to choreograph, most of these are classical Arabic songs that the dancers dance with a live band.

Quick Updates.

Oh my goodness! Dear readers, I am very happy to receive all of your warm wishes and words over my last post, I can’t even express it. Thank you for your warmth and congratulations. It has been one packed month for me. Tonight & is another exiting night  that we look forward to attend - my student Nicole’s  wedding and we are going to rock it tonight!!   

Friday  will be attending Katerina Shereen private class at Sri Hartamas.  Saturday & Sunday  will be visited Taiping for Taiping Open Dance Championships 2010.  I’m excited to be able to adjudicate another belly dance competition. I can only write a post very quickly now, but I will write more next week when I'm back.  

Until I write again, bye!

Back To Judging 2nd MODF Belly Dance Competition

Just in time for all of the “2nd Malaysian Open Dance Fest” news. The Dance Fest, organinesed by the International Dance Organization Malaysia (IDOM) was held at Olympic Council of  Malaysia Sport Complex in Kuala Lumpur on 28th August 2010. I was honored to be back to be  one of  the  adjudicator  for belly dancing again. Unexpected, the turnouts this year are “overwhelming”. The belly dance contestants  in 2010 are much higher than what I have seen so far. It was a huge success for MODF.

The Belly dance categories competition were : Individual Junior under 12, Individual Novice, Intermediate and Advance (Live music). The organiser segregated the competition into different age groups. I was happy with the ‘need’ to segregate the competition because it is all about the energy and presentation. There were Novice (Open), Crystal (age 30-44 years old), and Diamond (age 45 and above) in all categories. Additionally, I believe it’s important to give Diammond women the opportunity to dance. It is glad to see women have a platform to demonstrate their dance creativity. It is not about how good they are, but the things they’ve done to get this far. At least they are out there having fun, and I am happy to see that. So women at all age, keep dancing!

The troupe belly dance - I felt each of troupe competition Rocks! They really hone and express their creativity, master their teamwork skills and self-confidence, the competition is better and bigger than ever! Love it!!! But too bad, the IDOM only want us to select 3 teams. In the end, there were 4 teams in the finalist because 2 teams were placed with the same score. It’s cool!! 

My eyes get blurry at the end of the day. I have seen a few potential participants who can definitely win. When the results announced, I actually was shocked at those were good [being in that position]. I think, for the most part, judges try to be fair. I have nothing to base this on besides my belief that people try to do the right thing. 

My whole experience is, seeing the kids, girls and women work so hard and put all of their effort into this, really touches my heart. There were many students dancing to Jillina choreography too. Most of them were from the same studio/teacher, they were like one big party, Sorry to say, I felt it’s a shame the students just do Jillina's choreography. Some are not having a good techniques... I felt hard to select the best one actually. “A good judge is upbeat and appreciative of the efforts of every body”, no matter what the skill level. Sigh…not to blame, there is no regulation or any guidelines set up for participation. I do hope the IDOM members workout the guidelines in the future to upgrade the standard of dance. 

Group Photo of  2nd MODF Adjudicators

 2nd MODF - Belly Dance Adjudicators

I hope everyone are happy with the results! My students joined the competition. Although I was one  of  the  5 judges, but not all of my students win! We won the 1st runner up in Individual Novice (Open) and 2nd Runner Up Individual Junior Under 12. How I wish the rest could made it to the finalist because they really work hard for this competition. And compare to others, I have no doubt about their techniques and how  my choreography steps are executed. But it’s ok, winning or losing isn’t important, the act of getting on the dance floor itself makes my student a winner. I’m so happy about is that my student actually has her personality. She’s coming out [of her shell] and I think she’s becoming really proud of herself. 

And we always had a great time while practice, we have had a fun dancing/travel together, experience, good memories and our relationship get closer!

Photos uploaded on Facebook.

Good times and old memories

Last night, I went to supper with my students and had a great time.

Everyday step out at 5:00 to go teach a couple of belly dance classes. I got home at 10:00 and settled into some late night dining. I am sure, since I started teaching, most of my best friends are students, loves them! Although exhausted by my classes sometime, but I always uplifted by the smile on my students faces and started to understand the rewards of  my dance teaching. 

I saw an old video I haven't seen in a long time and it brought back so many old memories!! Been missing a lot of good times and old memories with some old friends. Arghh… cant remember when was the last time I had a night out with my friends? The good old days, I get the more I treasure a night filled with, laughter, acting like a complete fool, good food and the company of good friends,  the music, the sights, the sounds of a place that we can never journey back to.

 

Whatever it is,   I never  forget the word of advice that was given to me,  never forget  the people who open up there world, open up doors to help me get to who I am  today!

I appreciate the comments of  my dance video I posted on Facebook. Let's see what crafty words they can come up with for today's video. 

 

Click here : http://www.facebook.com/annie.arbq#!/annie.arbq

Count Down To 2nd Malaysian Open Dance Fest 2010

Then again, this week has been rather crazy (this is true for competition month).

As a teacher, from the day I choreographed the dance for my students, they practiced, I videoed, refined it, and I listened to every nuance of the music, every dum and tek, work on the technique and focus, then practiced some more….. I know their legs hurt and exhausted! So sorry to push you guys so hard, I must say I need to show my very best to raise the standard belly dancing worldwide! It will help you improve your dancing and raise your profile like nothing else.

My students and their families are excited to go to Malaysian Open Dance Fest (MODF) on 28 August!! My three little belly kids will be competing again after a break! I love their new costume designs! Wow… I called up the organiser about the registration, I was told the response is great. Thumps up for a very organized approach to preparing for a comp...

Now, before I continue with this post, I'd like to mention two things :

To me dancing is a physical response to the music. If you’re not responding to the music, what in the bejeesus are you doing out there? I will tell you what – exercising/shaking. And watching someone else exercise/shaking isn’t inspiring to me. I have to say, I am a little tired of people not listening at all to the music. A very important part of that substance is working with the music, not a tricks/flash. Come on! You are in a finals and you are creative souls and it is up to you to make something awesome out of that music. So, hmmm….. I want to see the belly dance art - at least dance it in Rhythm! Sorry to be so forward.

Do I get to see you on the floor soon?? Best of luck to you all!

I Appreciated ...

First of all, I'm kind of amazed and shocked at comments I did receive on my last post. I really appreciated her/his words. In fact, I gained far more than I had expected from the experience. My focus preparation of dance meant I did better than I have did before.

On Wednesday, for the 1st time, I felt softness breath and I look pale after the first dance routine, I managed to sit down before I collapse. So all classes were canceled that night. I went to clinic and did my X-ray on the next day. It was because I have been coughing so much….

I appreciate the phone call from my students who concerned about my health. I am so much better now and will be back to studio on Monday!

Our Belly Dance Competition Results

Congratulations to all of our students who competed at The 2nd Malaysia And South Thailand Dancesport Championship 2010 competition. You were just fabulous on dance floor!  I am so proud of how hard you worked the entire months to practice. WAY TO GO! 

Our competition results : 

Under 12 drum solo – 2^nd runner up

Beginner open – 4^th placing (no photo)

Advance – 4^th placing  

I think I was the busiest person during that event, walked here and there to take  the video. And am sitting here to review the video over and over, to see my students mistake from one to another and pinpoint who just nailed the performance……Again, I want to say, win or not win doesn't matter, important thing is my student learn from  the  Mistake (and me too)!!  Photos & video will be upload later! 

Thank you to all of our families, friends, volunteers and supporters who were there  with us, we had a wonderful time!!!

Bored With Music

I was full of energy and having a great time with three little kids and have a marvelous time practice yesterday. Yay! The three little kids are ready for the competition. I asked them what is your goal in this competition. One of them said this : “Teacher, my goal is to be in the top ten so that I can at least be seen by the judges. Once  I enter in a competition, I can't stop thinking about it until I win it. I am just way too competitive and I refuse to lose”.  My 8 years old student said to learn the experience in learning! Wow…. I am proud of her confidence to challenge herself !! 

As a former dance teacher and choreographer, I am addicted to choreography and the more I have choreographed, the more I learned! But now, I am bored with my old favorites belly dance music - ‘Ya Salem Al  Baledi’. This is the 4^th time I creating  the choreograph for ‘Ya Salem Al  Baledi’. Listen to the music, choreograph dances in my head,  there is also much effort was put in the background to make the dance look as good as it does.  I believe I am very generous in my teaching, trying always to give all that I know. I experiment all the time and get a great deal of satisfaction when my students are able to learn from me. This is one of the most important reasons that drives me to teach.

For some,  winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.  Then for others, winning is perhaps at best a desire but definitely not the main objective of competition. Again for this competition, I have seen the list of  all contestants. And I think other people also seen it too! It’s not surprise! My three little kids are going to challenge it. It is always an exciting experience to watch. Anyway, the bottom line is we are tuning in to see the DANCES. Not the judges, not political issues!

The Under 12 category competition was filled with almost 20 contestants!  Good luck to all category Under 12 dancing kids (I know how hard you have all been working).  Go and Rock the dance floor!!!

A Quick Round Up!!

What a busy month in August – We almost always had something on the go, and it was really exhausting. In a good way! Tomorrow is 1st day of ‘Awal Rahmadhan’, it is also a public holiday for Kedah. So no class for intermediate level students as we will have a whole day practice class. I will back to see you on Monday and shimmy on now!

The private and rehearsal class will be start at 2.30pm to 6.30pm tomorrow at Music System studio. Dress up for tomorrow please, we will take photos/videos during the class. 

Calling all my dancers, we have a bunch of new dance choreographies class, starting in September and October! Please do let me know if you want to join for the next performance class, so don't miss it! 

For now I’m going to rest up and let the batteries recharge. See you there!

Belly Dancing to Live Music Workshop

This is my first time attended the Tempo Advance workshop on 8th August – Dancing to the live music - Tabla and Flute!!!

I signed up in the afternoon workshop about a week a go! Huh…..The experience of live music is ‘hard’! The workshop only two hours long. 10 of us joined in this session and I heard some are joining in the evening workshop. In the workshop, the Iranian musician first explained a little main instruments history & the Arab rhythmic he is gonna to play! We were told everybody have to dance. We have to make up dances and get others participants  to see and comment. We will not sure what is  going to turn into something when we dance to it. Everything we  do is experimental … that’s what it should be!  

The demonstration dancer for this workshop was Nanccy’s daughter - Mandana, a well known belly dancer and almost work 3 nights a week belly dancing in the restaurant. The musician played his instruments and  Mandana demonstrated a section of her dance movements/steps. Each pose or step answers accurately to the phrases of music.

I have to say it is quite different from any other workshop. Though the Tabla session - my dancing was mostly hip drops, Arabic shimmy, double step, turn, shimmy & etc and funny faces as the music would changed in for a few seconds and disappear again ;P!!  I don't feel too bad about it, when I hear the version play differ slightly, it is up to me  to listen attentively for changes. (Thankfully, this was one of a great tips from Nanccy before we started the dance)!  I know the rhythm I can dance to it, but I was  too concentrated to the handsome musician all the time, my back was facing to the audience when I danced…

Well, belly dancing to live music workshop  is not always available! I have not much information to share as I am unqualified to write about the musical  instruments. But for someone  who is good with the musical skill, the workshop  would definitely easy for them! The most important thing I learn  is listen to the music and let the music dance me! It is also important for belly dancer to know the music specific themes such as maksoum, baladi, saidi and so on if you want to dance the live music.  

Practice ‘Ugh!’

I woke up today feeling much better. I’ve had a sore throat for a few days, but it’s better now, and it doesn’t hurt anymore. I just have a bit of a dry cough. It was about 8am when I got out of bed.

What a busy day, back to class this morning. The studio were occupied with the activities! I saw the ballroom dancers effort practicing the transitions into and out of difficult turns, leaps and tricks in the sequences. Huh….everyone wants to do difficult choreography. More challenging steps for their dance competition routines. they can hardly breathe after the first two sections, pity them, but that's life!

The kids drum solo piece are going smoothly, and I'm really enjoying it. They have to keep moving for few hours. It is so full on, they will be so fit by the end of this season. So I'm glad that they enjoy at least my choreography. I've told them we will rehearse on next Tuesday because they bodies need a break.

Yay! I got a lot of positive feedback from teachers and peers. Apparently, I've become a really strong dancer and I'm really happy to hear that. It's nice to know that people have noticed that I've improved. Hmmm…after several more years, I finally found the answer!! I feel good at the moment, especially with this week. Anyway, belly dance is not something that we can do overnight to a variety of belly dance music, it is time/energy investment to learn the art! God will guide me in time. For now, I know He wants me to keep pushing and work as hard as I can. And I will do it.

I am going to the musicians on the tabla and flute workshop on Sunday, looking forward to learn how to dance interactively to live music.

Life is hard when my legs don’t work

This is a busy BLOG this week.  I am busy working on a few new projects as well as performing so it's turning out to be an extremely busy and hectic  -  which is GREAT! I love to keep busy and not one to sit around waiting for the phone to ring.   

Met one of my friend B, we talked over the phone  for more than an hour. We finally agreed to meet at a restaurant near my working place. B had spooked me some new plans.  He had relationships with the great Federal Government.  He just sat in his seat and  filtered out saying over and over, but me at one point is not going to look for a job elsewhere, and not going to involve anything to do with politics & government  issues!  

There are just so many things to do, and really not enough time. Sometimes I really hate it, but I do appreciate the fact that I always have something to do. Well, here's a quick update :

My plans back to Egypt are under way. I have many master workshop line up to host!  I've reply e-mails to all the companies that I plan to host for. Much harder than it sounds though….Oh, I  have to extremely careful with my pocket (money).

I sat for my private Yoga course. I've been working on it since June.  It's taken up a lot of my time and has caused me a lot of stress. However, all the hard work has paid off and my dance technique has improved noticeably. Now I just have to wait few more weeks  before I get my results. I'm not too bothered if I don't get a high mark, because the main thing is that I have gotten better.

The 1^st belly dance competition is on 14 August 2010 at Sekolah Menengah Keat Hwa (Private) Alor Setar, Kedah. For this competition, I've been working  on  a few different  piece  of choreographies  for the same music.  Saying that, I had actually spent much time to ‘think harder to find a character’ to suit the students. I don't drive myself crazy with the steps  or over use the steps or props to attract the  judges/audience.  Honestly, I am really  serious about dancing and art!  I am not saying that I'm perfect choreographer, but it has been such a good experience to challenge my  choreographies! Anyway, the contesters  will only get 3 minutes to show what you can do, the  important it is to 'feel' the music! Also,  it’s  time  to see what people react to it and see how the judges’ scores and comments (But sadly, in all belly dance  competition we participated, we never have a chance to read the judges  scores and comments)  

Our rehearsal class start this week, class will be full on.  Every time I finish something, something else pops up and I find myself being constantly tired. For me, life is hard when my legs don’t work, and my eyes are failing. Hehe…. God has blessed me with a talent and I am making full use of it.