Sequins and Shimmies

Performance Opportunities for Amateur Dancers

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:43:00 +0000

Feeling ready to share your dance with the world, but don't know where to start? Then look no further. I have danced at all the events listed below throughout the years and they are all great stages for getting your feet wet:

Saqra's Monthly Revue: Hosted by Saqra, this event occurs the first Saturday of every month at Jimmy T's in Kent. Dancers of all levels are welcome. You can dance to either recorded music or try improv and dance with Saqra's RaqsBand. Very welcoming and encouraging environment for new dancers and a great place to hone your improv skills. Saqra's website has more details.
Med Fest: Seattle's biggest belly dance festival - two stages and two days of non-stop belly dance performances. First time soloists to world-famous professional dancers have graced the stages of Med Fest. Festival always happens in July. Registration for 2012 is not yet open, but here's the link for when it does. Claim your spot by completing the registration form and mailing it in.
Hasani's Hafla: Hasani hosts a quarterly hafla at the First Congregation Church in Tacoma. Her website has the future hafla dates for the next five years! Sign-up by phoning in once registration goes live.
Alauda: This event occurs the third Tuesday of every month at the Skylark Club and Cafe in West Seattle. (Psst! I'm performing at this event tomorrow!) Event is organized by Angela, Medea, and Katana. To register, email alaudabellydance@gmail.com. Insider tip: register early as this show fills up months in advance.
Leyl Al Arab: This event happens the third Saturday of every month at Enat's in Northgate, and is hosted by BreAnn and Trisha. Each performance includes one or two student dancers, one or two guest dancers, and a feature dancer. Check out the blog for more info.
Delilah's Belly Dance Performance Class: Maybe not feeling quite ready to sign-up for an event yet? Then Delilah's performance class may be the thing for you. A legendary dancer and performer, Delilah will help you hone your performance skills and after six weeks of instruction, there is a student recital held at the studio that you can invite friends and family to. The recital at the end of this class series was my first solo performance ever!
And more! Other events come up throughout the year. And of course their are other instructors in the area who offer class series with recitals at the end. Sign up for BellyTalk, the Yahoo! Group for Seattle belly dancers, to stay in the loop as new opportunities come up. To sign up, you need a Yahoo! email account, then search for BellyTalk in the Yahoo! Groups section, send in a request to join, and a moderator will approve your request.

Now go forth and dance!

New Year Goal Review - Part Two

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:27:00 +0000

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver

I've been a bit late in getting this blog posted, in part because I've been busy and out of town, but also because I have to admit, I've been having some indecision when it comes to selecting my new theme for the year and setting my related goals. Last year, as discussed in my previous post, was the BIG year, with a lot of large life-changing events. In comparison, 2012 is going to be a much more mellow year, which has forced me to look internally for what my goals are and what I hope to manifest in the new year.

After much debate, I've finally decided my intention for the year is on entering this new decade of my life full of health, vibrancy, and energy. Having had a number of health issues recently, ranging from mild to potentially quite serious, it's time to focus on further developing a holistic lifestyle and making daily choices that are honoring my body, mind, and spirit. Thus my theme for the year is Thirty & Thriving.

Specifically, here's what Thirty & Thriving looks like to me:

1. Giving up gluten for a minimum of six weeks and potentially indefinitely, depending on how I feel after those first initial six weeks. Right now, I'm one week in and already feeling positive about the change. And yes, this is even after having to pass on office cupcakes. As a little secret between us, cupcakes are one of my favorite food groups.

2. Make (and keep) those doctors appointments that I've been putting off. I almost didn't want to list this one, because once it's written down and posted, it's there reminding me to hold myself accountable. No more pushing it to the back burner until a day when I have some free time, because we all know those days never arrive.

3. Go on a yoga or other health/spirituality/creativity centered retreat. The last three years I've gone on some exotic foreign vacations, so this year I'm ready to stay in the country, relax, and hand the itinerary reins over to someone else. Currently, I have my eye on Kimberly Wilson's offerings.

4. Ramp up the workouts. I've always been a regular exerciser and I get in a workout six days a week. But I have to admit that I'm not always pushing myself. So it's time to really challenge the status quo, stretch my limits, and try new things. One of the ways I hope to accomplish this, is by joining the group Sweaty Betties, a 20 - 40 something women's only MeetUp group that focuses on being active and convenes regularly to do everything from 5K runs to snowshoeing to salsa dancing. Additionally, I also subscribed to Self magazine for some more doses of inspiration.

5. Get more sleep. I pretty much always get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep per night, otherwise I just don't function. However, the current recommendation by doctors and health professionals is that 7.5 hours is really the optimum amount, so I'm aiming to squeeze in that extra half hour. How am I doing now that I've had 37 nights to practice this habit? Hasn't happened yet. That extra half hour never seems to materialize! Good thing I have another 328 nights to practice.

6. Give up alcohol for four weeks. And actually this one is already done and checked off the list. After all the back-to-back parties in December, I really felt like my liver needed a break and my body needed to detoxify, so sober January it was.

7. Compete in an athletic competition. Growing up, as a state championship swimmer and co-captain of the gymnastics team, competing in sports was a big part of my life. However, I believe the last sports competition I did was the Danskin Triathlon back in 2004, so I'm definitely overdue for signing up for an event. Haven't decided which one or what type of event yet, but I'm ready to stoke my competitive fires!

And since health, is not purely about the physical body, I also have a few goals to address healthiness and thriving in other areas of my life, specifically focusing on spiritually, finances, creativity, and relationships:

8. Meditate for 10 minutes every day. I used to always do this and then started slacking off through the end of 2011. Thus I am recommitting to this habit. So far in 2012, I've been back at my meditation altar every day.

9. Write my damn book already! Ever since I was a child, I've always felt I had a book in me. It's been percolating inside me for three decades now, waiting to be born. It's one of the few things I've wanted consistently through my whole life. And now, in this year of less commitments and events, it is ripe with perfection to sit down and put pen to paper. Since this is a pretty big undertaking, and overwhelming when I think about it, my goal is at a minimum to have decided on what book it is I'm going to write and to have outlined it by the end of the year. Any further progress than that will be extra sprinkles of kudos.

10. Set a regular date night. Le beau and I can at times be rather sporadic with getting together regularly during weeknights. With demanding jobs, my teaching and performing schedule, and the daily grind of life, sometimes we, and probably myself in particular, aren't always making couple time a priority. So it's time to set a regular night of the week as date night and stick to it.

11. Plan my wedding! And to ensure it's a day of celebration and not stress, my goal is to make choices that honor who we are as individuals and as a couple, and to stick to a price tag that's within our means.

12. And speaking of means, my final goal for 2012 is to spend less. I've had enough self-control with money to currently have zero debt and a decent amount saved in 401(k)'s and Roth IRAs. But as far as having a rainy day fund, it's pretty much non-existent. I've already flushed out my budget for the year, so here's to willpower!

There is it - an even 12 for 2012. Et toi? How is your new year going? What joys are you hoping to bring into your life? As one of my favorite poetry lines of all time, written by Mary Oliver says, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" Plan it now. Begin today.

New Year Goal Review, Part One

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:38:00 +0000

For me, the start of a new year always marks a time for reflecting on goals: what has transpired in the past year and what are my hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the new year. Every year I always pick a theme. One word or short phrase as an easy reminder of the direction I'm headed. For 2011, my theme was Celebrate & Sparkle. It was a year about reaping the benefits of all the hard work from 2010, enjoying life, and wearing sequins.

So did I do it? Did I manifest my theme for 2011? Did I celebrate and sparkle? I can answer that with a resounding yes! 2011 was a really good year for me. A year I saw a lot of dreams come to fruition and I feel truly blessed with the abundance that 2011 bestowed upon me.

In review, here's how my theme played out for the year:

The REALLY big things…

After four and a half years in my current relationship, I got engaged!
I spent almost three weeks soaking up art, history, and culture in Italy
I was promoted to management in my day job, which came with an office and a raise
Made the cut as a regular house dancer at Spiro's in Kent
Helped one of my best friends celebrate her nuptials as a bridesmaid in her wedding
Celebrated turning 30 with friends, food, and champagne

And the rest....

Booked more private belly dance parties than ever before
Started teaching at Fresh Fitness and Dance, in addition to LA Fitness.
Wore loads of sequins, including the purchase of four new designer costumes (the four designers being Eman Zaki, Joharah, Mumtaz, and Pharonics of Egypt) that make me giddy like a five-year-old when I look at them
Treated myself to a monthly massage and facial
Indulged in regular, if not almost weekly, fresh flowers
Rocked some feather extensions
Wore new lingerie each month
Became a subscriber at the 5th Avenue (as a side note, the new production of Les Miserable is beyond words fantastic)
Tried out an aerial skills class and flew through the air on the flying trapeze
Spent a weekend relaxing in Oregon wine-country

There is great power in intention. What are your dreams? Write them down, tell a friend, shout them to the universe. Each journey begins with one step, so take your first one today.

What are my goals for 2012 you ask? You'll have to stay tuned for New Year Goal Review, Part Two!

Why 30 Is So Much Better Than 20

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:35:00 +0000

Having recently had my 30th birthday, a birthday that many people don't look forward to, if not downright dread, I wasn't sure how I might feel on the actual day. Maybe I'd wake up and burst into tears at being practically middle-aged. Maybe I'd look in the mirror and see my first wrinkle. Maybe I'd bemoan the fact that I don't have a husband, house, child, or pet.

But in actuality, 30 is pretty good. In fact, in comparison to 20, it's infinitely better in almost all aspects. Let me share.

Career & Finances: At 20, I was working part-time at a job that was pretty good for a college kid, as I was making decent pay and had benefits. It was however downright boring, had no future, and was certainly not going to pay for anything other than the basic necessities in life. At 30, I have two fulfilling careers: one where I'm in management and have a 23rd floor office with a view of Elliot Bay, and another where I get paid to wear sequin costumes. Not to mention, that my current annual income is over five times what I made in college and I have a car that doesn't break down on me.

Relationship: At 20, I spent about half the year dating my ex-finance (yes, he was my ex-fiance at that time and we were still dating) in a tumultuous, emotional, and draining relationship, fraught with tears and arguments, until we finally broke up for the fourth and final time. I spent the other half of 20 with a new boyfriend, wherein our relationship was mostly based on drinking heavily on the weekends. At 30, I'm engaged to a loving and caring man who sends me flowers at work, supports my goals in life, and surprises me with cupcakes. And ladies, let me say the diamonds are much better at 30, as in three-times-the-size better.

Social: At 20, most of my high-school friends had gone off to out of state colleges, while I was still here. Not living in the dorms and working in an office of mostly 40 and 50 somethings, I really hadn't made any new friends and was lonely a lot of the time. At 30, I've made a number of new friends who I socialize with regularly. We do movie nights, girls trips to New York, murder mystery parties, and most recently, I had an out of state friend surprise me by flying up to spend my birthday with me.

Residence: At 20, my parents were going through a divorce and selling their house. I was going to be financially independent from them and I quite frankly didn't know where I was going to live. It was stressful and it was a mess. At 30, while I don't own my own home, I have a cute apartment in Queen Anne, a neighborhood I simply adore, filled with all the things I love: Dali prints from Spain, espresso cups from Italy, stacks of books, costumes from Egypt, feather boas, and delicate teacups. My very own personal sanctuary.

Hobbies & Playtime: At 20, most of my weekend activities consisted of going out partying and becoming intoxicated. While fun at the time I suppose, it was rather limited, not to mention unhealthy, and certainly something I no longer have a desire to do. Not to say that I don't still indulge in wine or cocktails, but now my weekend activities also include taking trapeze lessons, reading in coffee shops, learning aerial silks, getting paid to perform at parties, cooking classes, and stand-up paddle boarding, to name a few. And the really big stuff? In the last four years I've gone to surf camp in Sayulita Mexico, climbed the pyramids in Egypt, wandered the canals of Venice, and belly danced in Greece.

Physical: Yes, I may not look 20 anymore, and with the way the fashion and beauty industry presents it, they make it sound like I've practically got one foot in the grave. And certainly there are days when I look in the mirror and don't feel elated with what I see. However, I'm actually happier with my appearance today than as I was at 20. I'm much more comfortable in my own skin and I don't have nearly as much negative internal dialogue related to my appearance. As an added bonus, I can still fit into dresses I wore in high school and I can still walk down an aisle in the grocery store and get hit on. But most importantly, I lead a healthy and active lifestyle. My body can still run me up a flight of stairs, swim the length of a pool underwater, and turn over into a handstand.

Self-Awareness: At 20, I was pretty lost. I don't think I realized how exactly lost I was at the time. But looking back now, I see it. As the years between then and now have gone by, I've learned so much more about myself, what I want out of life, who I want to surround myself with, how I want to treat others, and what my passions are. No way would I ever wish to turn back the clock and lose that connection with myself. Inner beauty is ageless.

So the whole point of my post, rather than sound like I'm bragging about myself and tooting my own horn, is that 30 is just a number. Quite a meaningless number really. Happiness and contentment aren't associated with any particular age. We are all on our own paths with our own timelines. So no matter what age you're approaching, embrace where you are, right now. Count your blessings. Celebrate.

Thirty, I think you and I are going to be good friends.

My Favorite Belly Dancers

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:34:00 +0000

One of the best ways to learn and grow in any endeavor is through connecting with mentors and seeking out those that inspire you. Here's my list of favorite belly dancers who I've learned from and watched with awe.

My Favorite Locals
These are the dancers that I've worked with directly and who have helped me shape and hone my technique and style.

Dahlia Moon - a local Seattle dancer know for her Modern Egyptian style and superb shimmies. I've done multiple classes with Dahlia, as well as having seen her perform a number of times, and am never disappointed in her crisp technique combined with elegance and a warm welcoming heart. Check out the spectacular shimmies in this live performance.

Mish Mish - legendary local Seattle dancer and the woman I have to thank for my belly dance career. Mish Mish's class was the first belly dance class I ever took and it was because of her coaching and belief in me that I started doing troupe performances and eventually progressed onto becoming a solist. Mish Mish is known for her extensive knowledge of the history of belly dance, as well as other Middle Eastern folkloric dances. Check out an interview with Mish Mish here.

My Favorites Outside Seattle
These are the dancers that I've seen perform live and have done workshops with who never cease to amaze me with their performances. I aspire to one day dance at their level. Truly mind-blowing stuff that these ladies can crank out on the stage.

Aziza - quite possibly my favorite belly dancer of all time, Aziza has it all; technique, stage presence and beauty. A mesmerizing dancer to watch perform and an excellent teacher to study with. But you don't have to take my word for, just watch this amazing drum solo.

Ruby Beh - known for her Turkish style dance, including fabulous floorwork, Ruby Beh was recently the 1st runner-up in the World (yes, that's right, the entire world) Belly Dance compeition. Videos of her performances are up on her website.

The Honorable Mentions
My list is definitely skewed toward dancers that I've met, studied with, and seen perform live. So a few honorable mentions for some other great dancers out there.

Maria - one of my favorite pieces of a belly dancer's repotoire is the drum solo, and 2009 Belly Dancer of the Year, Maria, doesn't disappoint. Executing one of my favorite drum solos of all time, she makes is look effortless and her timing is flawless. Check it out here.

Rachel Brice - a world famous dancer, Rachel Brice is a pioneer in fusion tribal style dance, taking it to new heights with her pops and locks, intermixed with fluidity and fantastic feats of flexibility, strength, and how-did-she-just-do-that?! moments. Check out the back bend to a drop in this clip.

La Dolce Vita

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 01:54:00 +0000

Last month I returned from an amazing three week vacation in Italy where I savored the sweet life. They say a picture's worth a thousand words. So without further ado, I give you this month's pictorial blog post.

The Sweetness of Doing Nothing

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:00:00 +0000

Il dolce far niente - the sweetness of doing nothing

Just a week ago, I got back from a 19 day Italy vacation and more than once along the way I said this phrase this myself. Now don't get me wrong, there was plenty of running about from one tourist sight to the next and hopping on and off of trains. But there was also the sweetness of doing nothing.

There was watching the sunset over the Mediterranean in the Cinque Terre.

Lingering over pasta-filled lunches.

Napping at the beach in Levanto.

Drinking a bottle of wine on the Spanish Steps.

People watching from a balcony overlooking Il Campo in Siena.

Indulging in gelato.

Wine tasting before noon.

Meandering through medieval streets.

Getting lost in the romance of the Venice canals.

Ah yes, the sweetness of doing nothing. I think the Italians are on to something here. Generally, as Americans, our culture is predominately about doing and achieving. And far too often I've bought into this mentality hook, line, and sinker. Allowing myself to get caught up in the repetitiveness of daily life, checking tasks off lists, and then rushing onto the next thing. But this trip to Italy just reinforced to me my theme for the year, which is all about being in the moment and celebrating life in all its glorious, imperfect messiness. So as a reminder to myself and the other Type-A overachievers out there, sometimes it's okay to do nothing. In fact, it's more than okay, because what is life without joy and amazement, pleasure and curiosity, beauty and laughter? Slow down and savor the sweetness.

Online Resources for Belly Dancers

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:36:00 +0000

1. BellyTalk: This is a Yahoo! Group for greater Seattle area based dancers. Teachers post about new classes and workshops. Producers post about openings in hafla-style shows. As well as general announcements and discussions related to belly dance. One of the most memorable posts in the last year was famous dancer Tamalyn Dallal writing about her experiences in Egypt while the revolution was going on. Pretty interesting stuff. If you'd like to join, head over to the Yahoo! Groups home page. You'll need to create a Yahoo! email account if you don't already have one (it's free). Then search for BellyTalk and send a request to join.

2. eBay: One of the questions I'm asked most frequently is where is a good place to buy costumes, and my first response is always eBay. Whether a newbie dancer looking for something inexpensive or a professional dancer looking for a designer costume, this is my first pick. If you're just starting out, you can get hip scarves, veils, basic circle skirts, and other essentials at good prices. I've also purchased used designer costumes from other dancers, brands such as Pharonics of Egypt and Joharah, at a fraction of their original prices. A few tips for buying costumes online:

Know your measurements and know the measurements of the costume. However, even if the costume isn't your exact size and you simply adore it, know that most costumes can be altered (within reason), just be prepared to pay pricey alteration fees if you don't know how to do it yourself.
Read the descriptions carefully to make sure you understand what's included and what condition it's in.
Feel free to ask the seller to email you additional photos to better see the item.
Check the seller's rating and feedback to make sure they are reliable and their merchandise meets expectations.

Many of cheaper items are massed produced in factories in Asia, and there's nothing wrong with these items, in fact I have some myself. The purple costume in the picture above is one such costume and only came to about $130 for the belt, bra, skirt, and shipping (note that I did add a few extra rhinestones of my). However, if you want something more original, try searching for used costumes only and you'll often find dancers selling pieces out of their personal collections, which is how I got the fabulous pink costume below (the picture doesn't do it justice).
Understand the shipping prices and terms - if you need something right away you don't want it coming to you on a slow boat from China.

3. The Best of Habibi: Habibi was a print magazine dedicated to Middle Eastern dance that was published from 1992 to 2002. Just recently, the magazine created a website featuring some of its best content from its past issues. Great resource for dancers who want to lean more about the history of this art form, and the dancers who have shaped its evolution.

4. Saqra's Pacific NW Calendar: A local dancer, Saqra, keeps a comprehensive online calendar of monthly/weekly reoccurring belly dance events, one-time performances and festivals, and special workshops from visiting teachers for both the Seattle and Portland areas.

5. iShimmy.com: This is an online magazine with articles ranging from costume fashion trends and interviews with famous dancers, to book reviews and stage makeup tips.

6. Amazon.com: I buy most of the music I use in my classes and performances from Amazon.com. In particular, I like the Cd's by Belly Dance Superstars. (I would have listed their website, but their Cd's are generally cheaper on Amazon).

Friendship

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 23:03:00 +0000

Last month I had the privilege of being a bridesmaid in one of best friend's weddings. Between myself living in Seattle, the bride living in Austin, and one of the other bridesmaid's living in London (lucky girl!) it was definitely a full-fledged friendship reunion, complete with catching up, manicures, champagne, and the occasional bout of happy tears. And it got me thinking about friendship more.

Girlfriends really are a necessity in life: they cheer us up when we are down, tell us we look amazing even with those extra pounds, console us after a breakup, laugh with us over chick flicks, celebrate our achievements, and provide that sympathetic listening ear that frankly, men just can't quite match. I don't know what I've done to deserve it, but I have some pretty great friends.

I've had girlfriends send me flowers at work when they knew my mom was sick and in the hospital for an extended period of time.

I've had girlfriends throw me a surprise birthday party, complete with cake, on a day that wasn't my birthday as a makeup for all the b-day parties I missed as a kid from being raised in a strict religious family.

There have been numerous rides to the airport and assistance with moving; two tasks nobody likes doing.

I've received greeting cards in the mail for no other reason than just to say thinking about you.

I've had a girlfriend come pick me up and take me out to dinner, her treat, so I would stop sitting at home having a pity party by myself.

And I would like to think that hopefully, I am in return a good friend as well.

As the bride, myself, and the other bridesmaid were leaving Austin the day after the wedding, due to last minute changes in flights and delays at security, we almost didn't missed each other in the airport. After making it through security, I quickly headed to their gate, hoping they hadn't left yet. The bride met me halfway, almost in tears at having to say farewell for a year or more, and the thought that they were going to jet off without saying goodbye. And the feelings were mutual. Which made me think – that is true friendship.

So to all my girlfriends, if I haven't told you or shown you lately - you are an amazing person and I'm honored to have you as a friend.

A Flying Trapeze and a Leap of Faith

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:40:00 +0000

"Do one thing every day that scares" ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

I took these words to heart last weekend when I did my first ever flying trapeze class. Having bought a coupon off of Living Social, I'd decided it was time to go redeem it.

I'm not sure what I thought I was getting myself into when I signed up, but upon arriving at Emerald City Trapeze Arts, it dawned on that I would be jumping off of a platform 30-something feet up in the air while clutching a thin metal bar and swinging 20-something feet out over a yawning expanse of empty space. Oh, and guess who was nominated by the instructor to go first?

After about a 30 minute ground lesson explaining what to do (and not do) and getting rigged up in our safety harnesses, I made the mistake of standing closest to the ladder and before I knew it, the instructor says, alright you're first and snaps my harness into the safety line of the ladder.

As I began scaling the ladder, my adrenaline starting pumping. Honestly, it would probably be fairly difficult to actually hurt yourself, as you're strapped into a safety harness the entire time and there is a net at the bottom. But there is a certain irrational and instinctive feat that takes over. It's the body's natural response to tell you that jumping from heights is not a good idea and you may very well plummet to your death or dismemberment, which my body was doing a good job of letting of me know this.

When I reach the platform at the top, I am greeted by a second instructor. I ask if it's normal to be nervous and he says yes, and that in fact, some people cry. Okay, good I think I'm not so scared that I'm going to cry, so check one for me. The instructor pulls the bar in and hands it to me. Grasping it with both hands, the steel feels more like an anchor than my flying companion. I leaned out over the edge of the platform as the instructor holds the back of the belt. Then the call comes, "Ready", I bend my knees, "Hup" and I jump.

And then I'm flying! I'm sailing through the air 30 feet up and this is one of the funnest things I've ever done. I'm so distracted by how utterly amazing and thrilling this feeling is that I momentarily forget to follow the instructors calls and don't quite execute the skill I'm supposed to be doing.

However, by my third turn, I've done my knee hang into a back flip well enough that I've graduated onto a catch. I'm once again nominated by the instructor to go first. Scared all over again that I'm going to be releasing from my bar to be catch mid-air by the other instructor, I climb the ladder. The instructor gives the call again, "Ready", "Hup" and I jump and swing forward. As I start to swing back I quickly get my knees up on the bar to be in the right position. As I start to swing forward again, I release with my hands and arch backward. I'm sailing in reverse, so I can't see the instructor on the other bar at all. The call comes, "Legs straight" and I release with my knees. blindly reaching out and.........

For a split-second I'm in mid-air and then instructor has caught me by the wrists!

Needless, to say I'm addicted and can't wait for my next class. In fact, I may even quit my job and join the circus. Watch out Cirque du Soleil!

So how about you? What have you done lately that scares you? Nothing in awhile? Then today might be the day to try something new.

Photo Credit: Emerald City Trapeze Arts

75 Random Facts About Me

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 23:06:00 +0000

I admit, this is a bit of a self-centered post, but really, what is a blog but writing about one's self in some fashion (thoughts, feelings, opinions, business, lifestyle, adventures) and hoping that others will be interested. So just indulge me.

I am deathly afraid of slugs, not just afraid, it's really more of a phobia
Due to being raised in a strict, conservative religion, I did not celebrate my birthday until age 19, or have a birthday cake until age 22
I have a swimming record at my high school – 200 freestyle relay
I rarely watch TV, but when I do it's usually America's Next Top Model, So You Think You Can Dance or Jeopardy
I'm addicted to my To Do list
The first professional belly dance costume I ever bought was purchased in the Khan Il Khalili market in Cairo
On more than one occasion I've had women ask me where I got my hair extensions done
Before fires in night clubs were a big no-no, I've seen Green Day twice end their show by lighting their entire drum set on fire
One of my favorite games as a kid was building forts out of furniture and pretending I was a spy just like James Bond
I have a massive sweet tooth and have never met a cupcake I didn't like
Collage/visual journaling is my new favorite art form (see above picture for latest)
I failed the written part of my driver's test twice
I passed all parts of the CPA exam on the first try
I love watermelon and could eat a whole one by myself
My bucket list includes living overseas for a minimum of six months
Getting a B+ in school was devastating – so close to that perfect, golden A
I've played the violin for 19 years
Gwen Stefani is my ultimate life and style icon
Love the look of a made bed, hate actually making it
My favorite old Hollywood actresses are Rita Hayworth, Bridget Bardot and Audrey Hepburn
Veuve Clicquot (champagne) is happiness in a glass if you ask me
I was fortunate to never have any student loans because I was awarded enough academic scholarships to cover all of my tuition
I recently won a push-up contest at my office
I'm an INTJ – the most independent and one of the rarest (and most misunderstood) of the personality types, we work best when given autonomy and tend to be analytical and creative
My all-time favorite movie is Labyrinth – a Jim Henson movie with David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly
I really dislike unpainted toenails
I represented UW at a business case competition in Hong Kong during my senior year
My favorite Seattle coffee spot is Café Vita
I've met Ashton Kutcher at a movie wrap party
I find cheerleaders offensive and think they are a set back to women's lib
Sitting still is very challenging for me and doing nothing is impossible
After years of pouring over the catalogue, the best gift I ever got as a kid was my American Girl doll, which I still have
I've surfed in Mexico and scuba dived in Egypt
My biggest pet peeves are flakiness and bad drivers
I take vitamins every day
My all-time favorite house feature is French doors that open onto a balcony
I missed the first class of the first belly dance series I ever signed up for (good thing I decided to take the rest of the series and not just cancel!)
I believe strongly in individual freedoms, including gay marriage and a woman's right to choose
I once accidentally tipped over an entire grocery cart full of groceries
I read my own Tarot cards
Every time I go to the fair I eat a minimum of three Fisher scones
I have a nephew who is older than I am and I'm already a great aunt
I miss my cat who I had for 17 years
Journal writing is my outlet and the best form of free therapy ever
My older brother gave me his Nintendo when I was a pre-teen because I was walking over to his house too often to play it
I love surprises
I was previously engaged at the age of 18
Sometimes I really think I was born in the wrong country and should have been a European
I believe that the bigger the earrings the better
For as long as I can remember I've wanted to write and publish a book
I used to have eight body piercings
I'm bad at almost all team sports and get nervous when the ball comes my way
I didn't get chicken pox until I was 12 and it was miserable
I love anything pink and sparkly
My favorite holiday is Halloween
I would wear costumes everyday if it was socially acceptable
Before turning 21 I had a fake ID
I think afternoon tea parties are divine
I wrote a college term paper on vampires for a history of death class
I believe in living a life of passion and adventure
I felt guilty after killing a spider last week that was crawling on me, so I named him Ralphie
I can solve logic puzzles like nobody's business, or at least I like to think I can
Not having brothers or sisters close to my own age, I would play Monopoly and Clue by myself, which wasn't very effective
I graduated magna cum laude
I regret never having gotten the opportunity to see Nirvana play
I was co-captain of the gymnastics team in high school
I believe that dragons used to exist
I am a really vivid dreamer and have multiple times "woken up" from my dream only to be in a new dream
Despite having tons of hair on my head, wet hair in the bath tub makes me gag
I had my first legal drink in Bolivia
The only time I've ever cheated on a test, was in third grader when I was afraid of my teacher, so I didn't tell him I didn't understand fractions and instead copied off some else's paper
I have never understood why anyone purposely feeds pigeons - they are, in my opinion, rats with wings
If I won the lottery I would buy a one-way ticket overseas and then later go back to school for something really impractical, like folklore or medieval studies
My family and I were once evacuated out of our house because our crazy neighbor was shooting at us
I can do the yoga pose Astavakrasana (see below)

Photo Credit: yoga.about.com

Things I Love

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:04:00 +0000

My latest favorite discoveries and obsessions:

1. Gorgeous vintage jewelry finds at the Fremont Sunday Market. A belly dancer's dream come true!

2. Yellow Leaf cupcakes in Belltown. My new go-to spot for heavenly dessert. Not to mention that they have the most original cupcake flavors; can you say pancakes and bacon? Tomato soup anyone?

3. This breathtaking romantic view. Extra points to anyone who can tell me where this actually is!

4. And the view from my new office!

5. Show Pony - the designer consignment shop in Fremont. Didn't know this existed until last weekend. Scored two pairs of designer jeans for a price that would have only gotten me half a pair of jeans at Nordstrom.

6. Any season of HBO's True Blood. Warning: it's addicting. Sit down to watch one episode and five hours later you're wondering what happened.

7. Diva Dollz - the vintage clothing and lingerie boutique in Pioneer Square. Talk about old Hollywood glamour. Look like you just stepped out of a scene from Mad Men. Love that the shop girls are dressed the part, including winged eyeliner and beehives.

Mid-Year Goal Check-In, Part Two

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 22:54:00 +0000

Just like the rest of life, dreams and goals are constantly evolving and changing. So while I'm pretty on track with my "Celebrate and Sparkle" goals that I set back in January, since then I've accomplished some new ambitions, added some new aspirations, and also identified some elements that need eliminating from my life.

As I've progressed down my "Celebrate and Sparkle" path, there have been a couple of ambitions that came up that I've actually already been able to check off my list:

Take an aerial silks class. I did this in May through Cabiri and it was amazing! The first class was a bit rough, as I felt like the body mechanics weren't clicking for me and my old shoulder injury was flaring up. Walking out of my class, that Negative Nellie in the back of mind was whispering demoralizing things like "Maybe you're just too old" and "Wow, you're really out of shape since your gymnastics days." After a short lived pity party, I'd had about enough of that, told negative Nellie to piss off, and was back at class the next week. And I was much improved! By week three I was having visions of performances and stunning feats of acrobatics. I'm currently on hiatus due to scheduling conflicts, but you can certainly bet that I'll be back at it again this fall. Health bonus: taking the class actually ended up helping my shoulder, as I learned to engage properly through the rhomboids and stop hanging by my rotator cuff.
Become a subscriber at the 5th Avenue. The 5th Avenue Theater has a spectacular season coming up and I'm now officially a subscriber, which is head over heels cheaper than buying individual tickets. For the price of $33 per ticket, over the next year I'll be sitting in row 7 (yes, as in seven rows back from the stage) smack-dab in the middle while I eat my heart out watching Rent(!), Les Miserables(!!), Damn Yankees, Oklahoma!, and Cinderella.

Looking forward to summer and out through the rest of my year, my new aspirations now include:

Reading. Lots and lots of reading. Some of my happiest memories from childhood were the weekly summertime visit to the library to stock up on novels and then racing home to dive right into my new finds. Even now, walking into a library or bookstore gives me a great sense of peace. Each book a miniature door into possibility and imagination. The titles whispering to me to peer inside. Exotic worlds just waiting to be discovered. With those memories swimming around through the back of my head, I have a deep desire to spend a good majority of summer lazing about outside with a book in hand.
Sleep more. The health and beauty benefits of sleep are countless. So instead of rushing out to spend big bucks on the latest beauty revolution, I've decided why not just sleep more. For free. Seems like a no-brainer. I'm pretty good about always getting a minimum of seven hours, but my body tells me that I'd really prefer to be getting at least an half hour to an hour more per night. There will always be more dishes to dry and more status updates to read on Facebook, so instead of doing that one last thing before bed, I'm going to just skip it and go to bed.

And some things I need to remove, smite, magically aspirate, or otherwise eliminate from my life:

Car problems! What is with my bad car luck?! Last year, I had my car broken into while on vacation, which was then subsequently damaged by the repair shop while they were repairing it. After having it back for a few weeks, I was then in an accident when another driver failed to yield. I thought my luck had changed this year, until I had to have it towed to the dealership for repairs in May. Which I again thought were fixed and behind me, until less than a month later, the problem started again and I had to have my insurance send out someone to give me a jump start and then drop the car off for more repairs. I am in desperate need of some kind of car karma cleansing! On a positive note, at least I'm getting my money's worth out of my roadside assistance policy.
Time stealers. I think we all have them - certain activities that suck the hours right out of your day. I don't really watch TV, so that's not one for me. But compulsively checking email sure is (iPhone, I love you, but this obsessive relationship needs to stop), as well as taking too long to get ready (either for work or for bed). Both can easily take me an hour or more. I don't know how. My bathroom's not even that big. I don't particularly enjoy spending time in there. Which leads me to the conclusion that there must be some time of peculiar time wrap isolated to that one room of my apartment.

How about you goddesses? How are your goals coming along for the year? What's working for you and what isn't?

Mid-Year Goal Check-In, Part One

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:19:00 +0000

We are already half-way through 2011! Can you believe it! My, my this year is whizzing by. At this mid-year point, it seems like the perfect time to do a goal check-in.

Back in January I wrote about my theme for the new year, "Celebrate and Sparkle", and what that theme meant to me in tangible terms. In fact, the picture above is a collage I put together of my theme; a visible reminder that I keep on my fridge as a daily mental nudge of what I want to manifest in my life. Drum roll please, let's see how this year is measuring up:

Goal #1: Wear more sequins.

Check! In addition to two new belly dance costume purchases, I've purchased some glittering garb appropriate for everyday attire.

Goal #2: Buy more lingerie.

Check!! Actually, I really overindulged here and had to make some returns to Victoria Secret. Going for celebrate and sparkle, but not at the expense of credit card debt.

Goal #3: Dance with abandon.

In Progress. Definitely getting better. However, this is something that I probably will never check off as done, as developing one's expression with any creative or artistic endeavor is really a life-long process that's constantly evolving with changes in skill, age, circumstances, and experiences. I am however, currently working on my piece de resistance. Okay, maybe it's not that spectacular. But I will be debuting new choreography at this year's upcoming Med Fest. See my world premier at the Hiawatha Community Center on Saturday, July 16th at 3:30pm on the indoor stage!

Goal #4: Get a monthly facial and massage.

So far so good. And I've only paid full-price for one of my facials, thank you to Groupon, Living Social, and the other 20-something deal emails clogging my inbox daily.

Goal #5: Travel to England.

Check - with a twist. As my boyfriend and I missed booking tickets in time to use our miles for England, we are instead headed to Italy for two and a half weeks this fall. Itinerary is set to include Rome, Venice, Verona, Florence, Cinque Terra, Pisa, Siena, Assisi, Sorrento/Amalfi Coast, Naples, and Pompeii. Ciao bella! Sleeping may not fit into the itinerary until we return.

Goal #6: Get feather extensions.

Check. Got these back in January and wore proudly for about two months until I snagged it with my hair brush.

Goal #7: Indulge in fresh flowers.

Mostly a check. I've been averaging two-ish bouquets of flowers per month. I usually just snag the cheap-o bouquets from Trader Joe's. However, lucky girl that I am, my boyfriend did surprise me with having this beautiful bouquet delivered to my work. The picture doesn't even do it justice. The whole thing was so dang big I couldn't get it all in the lens!

So yes, things are off to a good start. How about you sugarpop? How has 2011 been treating you?

P.S. Stay tuned for Part Two....

Love Your Body

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 19:15:00 +0000

As a young girl I remember my mother stating that a woman's golden age is 25. I can hear her lamenting over wrinkles and a post-baby body. I recall her remarking with envy at the tiny waists of waif-like 20-somethings and stating that older women become invisible. In short, from an early age, I was taught that a woman's value is defined by her outward beauty.

My mother was not a bad parent; she was simply a product of our society, as so many of us are – obsessing over what we see in the mirror. And frankly ladies, it needs to stop. We have so many more valuable things to be doing with our time and energy.

So what is the solution? We need to stop buying into the ideas that mainstream media is selling us. We need to unplug and instead surround ourselves with the people, activities, companies, and products that promote a healthy and balanced image of what it is to be female. Find an activity that inspires and empowers you – surfing, belly dancing, aerial trapeze, yoga, whatever ignites your inner fire. Find your tribe of like-minded women who build you up. Stop dissecting what you see in the mirror and love yourself, exactly as you are, right now. Stop waiting, life is too short. Take back your power.

As I approach my 30th birthday this year, five years past my "golden age", I intend to celebrate. My age and my appearance, do not define me. I do.

Picture Credit: Women's Natural Health Center

Be Kind to Your Belly

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Tue, 31 May 2011 05:15:00 +0000

By the end of April, after finishing up a hectic busy season in my day job, which involved too much sitting at a desk, eating meals on the run, and hitting up happy hour, I was feeling a bit sluggish, toxic, and generally unhealthy. I need more whole, vibrant foods back in my diet. Which lead me to the decision to give up both dairy and alcohol for four weeks in May. Curious to know the results of my eating experiment?

They were all positive! I lost about an inch off my waist. I saved money from not purchasing drinks out at dinner or wine at the grocery store. My skin looks clearer and more radiant. And my minor digestive tummy troubles have improved significantly. And best part? I still indulged in dessert every day.

I also didn't find giving up either dairy or alcohol as difficult as I thought it would be. There are enough dairy substitutes on the market, everything from butter to ice cream to sour cream, that I never felt deprived. Eating out was a bit trickier at times, but I was always able to find something on the menu. When I'm having a drink it's typically in a social situation, but I didn't feel that not drinking inhibited my ability to mingle or attend functions. Although, I must confess, that I did cheat once and had a drink at the Knee High Stocking Company, a speak-easy on Capital Hill, during the four weeks. But I had a good reason - my Groupon was going to expire and I needed to use it!

Want to change up your diet? Whether it's giving up dairy, eating less junk food, going vegan, or whatever your personal goal may be, the main key is to plan ahead. Stock up on yummy, healthy foods from the grocery store so you aren't tempted by a drive through the fast food window or reaching for a candy bar when you're tired, hungry, and cranky. A few specific products I recommend are:

Earth Balance non-dairy butter
Purely Decadent soy ice cream in Cookie Dough or Turtle Trails
Alicia Silverstone's book The Kind Diet, for vegan recipes
Nature's Path frozen Homestyle gluten-free waffles
The Raw Food Detox Diet, by Natalia Rose for delicious healthy recipes

Happy Eating!

Tea Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Tue, 17 May 2011 23:48:00 +0000

I recently hosted a Charitea - a tea party benefiting a non-profit. If you'd like to host your own tea party here are a few tips:

1. Tell guests that tea party attire (aprons, gloves, pearls, tiaras, feather boas, etc.) is strongly encouraged. Tea tastes better with accessories!

2. Serve multiple types of tea - black, green, white, and herbal. Be sure to label them so attendees know which is which.

3. Decorate with tulips and as much official tea time dishware you can find - tea pots, cups and saucers, three tiered serving trays, creamer and sugar, and petite dishes. You can find a lot of this on etsy.com.

4. Serve small finger-foods, such as tea sandwiches, scones, and mini cupcakes.

5. Pick a charity and ask guests to make a small donation. My selected charity was Friends of Maiti Nepal. You can make a donation here.

5. Give out gift bags to guests as a thank for you attending and for making a donation. Possible items to include are tea bags, tea candles, eye masks, and other small goodies.

Seattle Summertime Secrets

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 02:04:00 +0000

Oh Seattle, how I love thee when you are sunny. Warm and radiant. Green and lush. Numerous cool bodies of water, flanked by verdant forests and crisp mountain peaks studding the horizon. Puppies on parade at Greenlake. Hippies on display at Folklife. Birds chirping away. Okay, so maybe that one bird outside my bedroom window doesn't need to be quite so damn happy at 5am in the morning. But if he comes with sunshine, I am not complaining.

I have said it frequently, but there is hardly a more beautiful place on the planet than Seattle in summertime. Our first warm and sunny day last Saturday was a delicious taste of what I've been waiting on for the last eight months. Summer is my favorite season, when I can stockpile some much needed Vitamin D (from underneath the safety screen of SPF 30, of course). With that brief glimpse of sunshine, I have an itch to start all my favorite summertime activities. Want in on some of my summer secrets? Here's the juicy scoop.

Lazy Afternoon of Reading in Parsons Park
Where are you headed for your favorite park in Queen Anne? Are you stopping at Kerry Park? Oh no, not you. You're continuing a few blocks down Highland Avenue to a hidden secret garden called Parsons Park. Wave at those tourists snapping pictures as you saunter on by. Amateurs. Only a seasoned local like you knows where to partake in the perfect afternoon of park perfection.

Ice Cream from Molly Moon's
Alessandra you say, this is hardly a secret! The line is never shorter than an hour in summertime. Yes, true, very true. And I have waited in that line more than once to satisfy my sweet tooth with unique combinations of chocolate ice cream with olive oil and sea salt, or shredded carrot sticks and creamy vanilla bean. Ah, but the secret my friends, is that now there is a Molly Moon's truck! And so far, said truck does not have a line. The truck moves from location to location, which they announce via Twitter. However, lately, the truck has been making regular appearances on the top of Queen Anne. You have been officially informed.

Picnic in Kubota Gardens
A hop, skip, and a jump outside of downtown, on the other side of Rainier Valley, lies Kubota Gardens. An immaculate Japanese garden with winding pathways, delicate wooden bridges, meandering streams, and terraced garden beds. Idyllic locale for a picnic, as you won't have to worry about bustling crowds, rowdy parties, or really any other type of disturbance for that matter, because you'll be one of the few people there. And the cherry on top? There's no entrance fee like there is to the Japanese garden inside the Arboretum.

Mediterranean Fantasy Festival
This is a belly dance-based blog after all, so how could I not say something about Med Fest? Before I started belly dancing I'd never heard of this festival, but now it's one of my favorites. Two days, two stages, non-stop belly dance performances. Add to that workshops and costume vendors and I'm in belly dance heaven. This summer's Med Fest will be July 16th and 17th at the Hiawatha Community Center in West Seattle. Check out the Babylonian Ensemble website for more details.

Flash Mob
I have to admit that this is one I haven't done yet, but it's on my radar. Here's how it works: the organizers teach you the routines and tell you the date of the event. But it's not until performance day that they announce the times and locations. Flash mob day, you show up in your normal, everyday clothes, the music starts, and one by one, the dancers join in, taking the bystanders completely by surprise with an impromptu performance. Can't picture it? Check out this video of when Oprah's producers flash mobbed her. They haven't announced the summer flash mob details yet, but if you want to get on the mailing list you can sign up here. Sorry, Oprah and Black Eyed Peas not included in your local flash mob experience.

Have a favorite Seattle summertime activity? No holding out on the rest of us now. Post it below!

Green and Gorgeous

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:16:00 +0000

April is National Earth Month. I know we're all super-busy with daily life, but here's a few easy tips for being gorgeously green:

1. Recycle batteries rather than throwing them in trash. You can recycle them at almost all Bartell Drug's - just take them to the photo/electronics counter.

2. Shop local and/or organic. Seattle has a ton of farmer's markets, so it's pretty easy to find one close to you. Not only will the food you're eating be fresher, tastier, and free of icky chemicals, but you'll also be supporting local small business owners and cutting down on pollution from not having to ship food in from thousands of miles away. To find one near you, click here.

3. Buy a reusable alumnimum water bottle, rather than using a new plastic one every time. Papaya Art has some of my favorites.

4. Get off junk mailing lists. Rather than just instantly tossing those catalogues that you don't want, just never get them in the first place. You can also opt out of credit card offers, donation solicitations, and more. Create an account to manage your preferences at the DMA Choice website.

5. Wash your clothes in cold water. Not only is it better on the environment, but it will lower your heating bill and it's gentler on your clothing, especially bright colors.

Have more tips of your own? Leave a comment!

Adventures Abroad

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:49:00 +0000

It's official! No, I'm not getting married, at least not yet. But almost as equally exciting – I'm headed to Italy this year! Belly dance and travel are my two great passions in life, and Italy has been at the top of my travel list since my teenage years. And now in 2011, I'm finally going to see the wonders of Rome, Venice, Florence, the Cinque Terra, to name a few. With travel fever on the brain, I've been meandering back through some of my memorable moments while traveling…

Beijing, China – I'm standing in the epic Tiananmen Square, a site that has witnessed some of China's most dramatic moments in history. There is a mausoleum built to honor the late Chairman Mao, whose formaldehyde preserved body is actually inside and on display. Chinese farmers and villagers from rural parts of China come into Beijing to just to view him. They line up approximately a half mile long, standing four-abreast, just for the privilege to pass through his crypt for a quick glimpse of their former head of state. They still wear their communist-regime issued uniforms. Many of these villagers live in places so remote that they have never seen a person who is not Chinese in real life before, and certainly not one with blonde hair. This was back in my golden mane days. For the ones not standing in line, a number come over and approach me, asking to take my picture. One woman even asks me to hold her baby. Most speak only a few phrases in English, but enough that I hear Britney Spears uttered a few times. I buy a cheap watch from one of the vendors in the Square to remember my stop here. It's not very reliable at keeping time, but when you wind it up, with each ticking of the second hand Chairman Mao waves back at you.

Sucre, Bolivia – My brother, sister-in-law, and niece have moved to Bolivia to live as missionaries, and I have taken over 24 hours and four plane flights to come down to South America to visit them. Sitting in the Andes, many of Bolivia's cities have an altitude of at least 11,000 feet above sea-level, some of the highest in the world. This high up the air is thinner and the sun stronger. In the morning, I drink cocoa tea, the natural, unprocessed form of cocaine, to combat the altitude sickness. I join my family in their daily missionary work to observe. We head out of the main town center to the areas occupied by the campesinos, the indigenous people of Bolivia. They still dress in native attire and many speak Quechua, rather than Spanish. They live in humble mud houses with dirt floors. No electricity. No running water. This is true poverty. As we make our way across a small, but high bridge. I look down the 30 or so feet to the small river below. Native women are washing laundry in the stream, colorful garments spread out before them. I pull out my camera to snap a picture. They spot me and begin to shout and wave. And not in a friendly manner. I learn later that they believe by taking their picture I have stolen their souls.

Aswan, Egypt – I wake up stiff and sore from my upper bunk in our train car cabin. As I get dressed, a cockroach scuttles across the top of my suitcase. I smash it with my shoe. The train valet comes by and drops off our breakfast. Our guide has told us not to eat the food because we will get sick. My boyfriend opens up one of the hot trays and the meat inside looks unrecognizable. I tell him to put the lid back on before my already queasy stomach gets sick from looking at it. I am in first class on the nicest train in the whole of Africa. After viewing the Aswan Dam, we take a flight out to Abu Simbel. We walk down the path toward Lake Nasser, and as we round the corner, my heart skips a beat. There they are, the four giant statues of Ramses II carved into the mountainside over 3,000 years ago. Almost as equally amazing as the original construction, is the fact that in the 1960s, the two temples were cut apart, block by block, and reassembled 65 meters higher, so they wouldn't be flooded by the construction of the Aswan Dam. Inside the temple there are carvings of gods, goddesses, and Ramses himself. My boyfriend gets the camera taken away by the tourist police for snapping a picture inside. As he goes outside to recover the camera, I manage to find an empty annex room. There is a faint wind that seems to run behind the stone facade, and it whispers to me of shifting desert sands and times long ago. I close my eyes and listen. I imprint this moment into my memory. Emerging into the sunlight, the camera has been recovered. And amazingly, without even a bribe.

Ordinary Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 03:16:00 +0000

"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." Oscar Wilde

Overall, the month of March just isn't hugely exciting. This time of year I spend a good deal of time sitting in front of a computer in my cubicle. The weather outside remains cold and dreary. No major holidays, except St. Patty's, which doesn't do a whole lot for me. Summer vacations seem far away. Haven't seen my friends, family, the outdoors, or the gym as much as I would like. So it can be pretty easy to get into a rut of slumping it to and from the office every day in a haze of Starbucks lattes, excessive email checking, and deadline anxiety. But there is beauty in the every day, ordinary mechanics of life - if you take the time to look. Which, is what I was doing this week with my camera. All the pictures below were taken either in my cubicle or in my apartment.

P.S. Wondering how I took all these neat-o shots? Using my iPhone and the Hipstamatic app and the Swanko app, my few favorite additions!

Cairo

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 02:38:00 +0000

With all the recent upheaval and protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo, my mind has been on Egypt lately. I keep thinking back on my trip to Egypt in December of 2009 and all the amazing sights and sounds I experienced in my two and half weeks there. Some of my favorite pictures from Egypt are included below.

As we watch history happening, in this country with more history than any other, my wish for the citizens of Egypt is that they may gain their desired rights and freedoms with as little loss of life or injury as possible, and with no further destruction to any antiquities. Blessings and peace to the people of Egypt.

The Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo

The Pyramids of Giza

The Temple of Abu Simbel

The Obelisk of Queen Hatsepshut in Luxor Temple

The wall of cartouches (symbols of Egypt's Pharaohs) inside the Temple of Abydos

Engrave column head of the Goddess Hathor, the patron goddess of love and dance, in the Temple of Dendara

Why I Love Belly Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 23:50:00 +0000

Whether you love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Our national day of love filled with flowers, chocolates, sentimental cards. and candle-light dinners. But as we all know, love is certainly broader than just the romantic type. Which made me think about what else I love in my life; my family and friends, Menchie's frozen yogurt, sleeping in, picnics, international travel, sequin high heels, creativity, living in Queen Anne, popsicles, sitting by the water, and of course, belly dance. Let me share with you the reasons why I love belly dance so much.

Belly dance rescued me. When I signed up for my first belly dancing class, I was going through a very hard time personally. I had been hurt very deeply by someone close to me: my heart was broken and I felt like everything I'd believed about that person had been a lie. I was so physically and emotionally drained in fact that I couldn't even get myself off the couch to go to the first class. However, the instructor called me the next day, said there were still spots open and encouraged me to come the following week. Despite having worried myself literally sick before class, I managed to pull it together and go. And I will never regret that decision. Being in class gave me the time and space to turn my thoughts off and just focus on my movements. I came to look forward to class each week as my time to tune everything out and just be present. It was my time to heal. To this day, I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't made it to that second week of class.

Belly dance comes with costumes! I as the type of little girl who ran around in tutus and princess costumes, my love of dress-up has certainly not faded with age. I don't know what other job or hobby allows a grown woman to dress up in sequins, crystals, and chiffon on days that aren't Halloween without been seen as completely loony. My wallet may feel differently, but I will forever remain a complete sucker for a beautiful outfit.

Belly dance is a good workout. I cringe at the thought of getting on the treadmill. I watch each second slowly tick by and hope to just fast forward to the end. But dancing is different. I can lose myself for hours in a belly dance workout, as I hone my technique and create my art. I get my workout in without even knowing it.

Belly dance has boosted my confidence. It takes guts to stand in front of a group of people, in what is at times nothing more than a glorified swimsuit, and perform. Especially for an introvert like myself. But challenging myself to do so, to push myself even my palms are sweating and my stomach is in my throat has empowered me. That empowerment and confidence has seeped over into other areas of my life and has helped me be brave in countless other settings.

Belly dance has given me purpose. A few years out of college I hit my quarterlife crisis: I graduated from college magna cum laude, scored a professional job, passed the CPA exam (yup, that's my day job), bought a car, got a boyfriend, and was living my grown-up life. But all I could think is what now? I'm here, following the traditional steps of the American dream, but all my passion for life has died. As I was learning belly dance, my passion reignited. I had technique to perfect, cultures to learn, choreography to memorize, costumes to buy, performances to watch, workshops to attend, and a new community to meet. It brought joy to my life. And now as a teacher, I get the wonderful privilege of being able to share that joy with others. I get to see women's faces lite up with smiles as they challenge themselves in new ways. I get to hear students laugh and say that was the funnest thing they've done in a long time. And I'm deeply honored to be sharing this experience with them.

What do you love? What makes you smile and laugh out loud? What gives you the happy wiggles and makes you want to shout from the rooftops? February is the month to embrace it. Share your love below.

Pick a Theme For the New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:13:00 +0000

Beginning a few years back, I started picking a theme for my new year and letting my resolutions and goals for the new year stem organically from that theme. Let me just say, I love starting my new year this way - with an overarching idea of how I want my new year to look and feel. But before I share my theme for 2011, let me take a moment to reflect on 2010.
My theme for 2010 was "Fortune Favors the Bold", with the emphasis really being on boldness - on knowing what you want and going for it with gusto. Ignoring the naysayers and shaping my life to my own terms. With boldness in mind, here's what I managed to accomplish during 2010:

I spent a month in Greece, split between Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, and Lesvos.
I attended a belly dance retreat and received my teaching certification.
I participated in two belly dance competitions.
I interviewed with LA Fitness and was hired on the spot.
I asked for a raise, with positive response.
I auditioned for Fresh Fitness and Dance in Wallingford, and starting in January I will be one of the studio's instructors.
I officially organized my belly dancing activities into a viable business, including obtaining my business license.
I designed and launched my website.

Whew! And this was all while I worked my normal 40+ hours per week day job, dealt with multiple car accidents, assisted with caring for a sick family member, and all the other nuances of daily life. It was a busy year!
Which is what is inspiring my theme for the 2011. As 2010 was so much about doing and accomplishing, 2011 is going to be about relaxing and enjoying life. Less doing, more being. I hereby officially announce my theme for 2011 to be "Celebrate and Sparkle"! Here's what a year dedicated to "Celebrate and Sparkle" looks like for me:

1. Wear more sequins - because they are fun and sparkle (duh). As a belly dancer, I think it's a prerequisite that you have a fascination with sequins. For me, this is really about dressing authentically and using style to express my individuality on a daily basis. In honor of this, I just bought this dress from Asos!

2. Buy more lingerie - because it's frivolous, feminine, and flirty. This is a natural extension for a year that is about indulgence.

3. Dance with abandon - this year I want to take my performances to the next level. I want to allow myself to be vulnerable and to exhibit my heartfelt joy during each performance. My goal is to really connect with my audience and make them forget they are sitting in their seats.

4. Get a monthly facial and massage - because self-care is important and it's vital to take the time out from busy schedules to nurture, relax, and rejuvenate.

5. Travel to England - my heart aches when I'm not exploring new countries. England is the selected country for this year so that I can visit one of my best friends, explore the English countryside, traipse through medieval castles, marvel at the art and architecture, and linger over afternoon tea.

6. Get feather extensions - it's the latest trend in hair fashion and Seattle's local Swink salon is offering this service.

7. Indulge in fresh flowers - because it's important to stop and smell the roses, especially since we all spend so much time indoors and away from nature. Thus on a weekly basis, I'll be bringing nature in to meet me.

Ready to set your own theme for 2011? Here's a couple resources to get you going:

Reverb 10: This has taken the blogging world by storm. It's a series of 31 prompts, one for each day of December, to help you reflect on 2010 and set intentions for 2011.
Stratejoy: Molly, the brains and driving force for Stratejoy, will be hosting a free call all about creating a guiding theme for 2011.
Goddess Leonie: Visit Leonie's website to download her 2011 Creating Your Goddess Year Workbook, Planner and Calendar.

I wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year! May 2011 bring you abundance, blessings, and joy.

Curl Up With a Good Book

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:11:00 +0000

While dancing is my main outlet for expressing my creativity, I would have to say that reading is the main way in which I charge my creative batteries. Nothing inspires or uplifts like a well-written and carefully constructed dosage of the English language. For almost a decade now I have been keeping a journal of books I've read. Looking back through the pages of my journals reminds me of the many journeys, adventures, and eye opening moments I've been on through my arm chair explorations. So if you need a good book to curl up with during these cold winter nights, here are a few of my recommendations pulled from my 2003 to 2010 journal:

Eat Mangoes Naked by SARK: "You must live deeply all of your precious moments". This statement gives me chills. It resonates in very being. So simple, but so true. How many precious moments have I lost to stress and rushing and worries. The entire book is a reminder to slow-down and enjoy the little things.
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides: This is literature at its finest. Deep vivid characters flowing through a seamless plot wrapped in language smooth as silk. Divine.
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling: I don't think this one needs any explanation.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle: Leave behind your analytical mind and connect with your Being. Breathe. Be still. Let go.
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett: An epic of the middle-ages. The strength of the main female character will pull you in and keep you hungering for more.
The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coehlo: My favorite quote from the book - "I've accepted the blows that life has dealt me, and sometimes I feel as cold and indifferent as the water that inflicts such pain on the steel. But my one prayer is this: "Please God, my Mother, don't give up until I've taken on the shape that you wish for me. Do this by whatever means you think best, for as long as you like, but never throw me on the scrap heap of souls."" I read this and the beauty of it sticks thick in my throat.
Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni: The author's command of words and descriptions, bending them to her every whim and expression, is amazing. This book is depth and brightness, fluidity and motion.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini: This story is an example of the amazing quality of the human spirit to rise up, to hope, and to love, even under immense suffering and unspeakable hardship. You will be grateful for what you have in your life. You will cry.
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert: Been thinking about doing something extraordinary? Something adventurous? Let this book be the fuel for your fire.
The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory: I think just about everyone has either read or seen Gregory's story The Other Boleyn Girl by now. But this lesser known one is, in my opinion, the better of the two.
The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer: Okay, I admit it, the writing is not that great on this one and there's a certain cheese factor, but for a juicy, easy-to-read pager-turner, look no further.
Saving Fish From Drowning by Amy Tan: Hands down one of the best writers of our time. This book is a study of human nature delivered only in a manner achievable by Tan.

All of these books are available on my Recommendations page. Happy reading!