Inn of the Wandering Dragon

A few months ago, I and a few others in my previous belly dance class were told point blank by the instructor that we would be moving onto the intermediate level in our next class. In other words, we had been booted from the nest! We find ourselves now in the intermediate / advanced class and our brains and bodies are learning to deal (we hope) with a whole new set of challenges.

It is not simply a matter of learning new moves or steps, there are a few of those, but now we are being called upon to layer those moves with the existing ones. Do you remember that game as kids where you had to pat your head and rub your belly at the same time? This is like that except we are trying to pat our heads, rub our bellies, spin in a circle and hop from one foot to the other all at the same time! And as performers - do not let your face tell the world how confused you really are. (which part do you think is most challenging?)

I am thoroughly enjoying myself! I am finding it a real challenge which is good as I realise I have been playing things a little too safely for a while now. We all need to stretch ourselves or we become stagnant. We are learning a new choreography that we will hopefully be able to present to an audience later on this spring. I am looking forward to that!

Yes, that is what came across the intercom during my aborted flight from L.A. to Sacramento. Since I was not paying attention prior to that statement I am not 100% certain of the specifics. Suffice to say I believe there was a problem with the landing gear, so the pilot chose to turn around and return to L.A. for repairs. The fact that we were stuck on the runway for a bit after landing due to the steering mechanism being disengaged would support this.

The crew chose the safest route, and we all made it with nothing more than the inconvenience of our trips delayed (and misdirected baggage). So I have another funny anecdote to add to my travel stories, it almost ranks as high as "I'm sorry miss, but that airline no longer exists." But that is another story...

A week has passed since I returned from the Spring Fling and it already feels like another world away.

I enjoyed myself thoroughly and amassed a small pile of notes, handouts and photos that I am now starting to go through, well not the photos just yet. I left my camera behind by mistake so I am patiently waiting for it to arrive in the mail. You see, sleep at this kind of event is minimal at best so some things had to wait until the brain is less fuzzy in order to really sink in! But with rest I can now go through and start to apply these tips and ideas to my own practice.

Practice is exactly what I need! I have been both humbled and inspired by the artists at this event. So I will work in my sketchbook, and on whatever bare skin I can. I have ideas for cards, gift boxes, candles and other paraphernalia. I can copy what I see well enough but I now have hopes of developing a style of body art I can confidently call my own. I know that I can do better with this medium and that is what I aim to do.

I am starting to get excited about this, in two days I will be flying to California to meet amazing henna artists and have the chance to learn a thing or two from them. I have as much 'blank canvas' as I can offer since I have refrained from decorating myself. I have figured out what to pack - in my head anyway, I still need to complete the physical packing. Of course I will be taking my camera and extra batteries along with my sketchbook. Everything else (henna wise)will be provided. :)
This will be the first time in a long time that I have taken a trip by myself and I really hope that it will be as refreshing and invigorating as I have imagined... After the craziness of the past year I truly feel I need it!