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Saturday, March 28, 2009
"Vita-mix!"
Before I get to the goddess of blenders, the Vita-mix, I will comment
about my performance last week as promised. It went well over all. I performed late in the evening, which was unexpected and not preferred, but such as
life. Pretty much all of my choreography went out the window. Since I had not really memorized it deeply, I was not surprised.
I got a few nice compliments & I was happy to be dancing for someone again. Though, before I perform again, I really want
to have a more solid routine down. The next planned performance will probably be at a “Goddess Night”.
This is the last day of bellydance class, I believe after a six week run. Stay tuned.
Now for my new great friend, the Vita-mix - I totally love it!!! I used it probably six times over the first two or three days I had it. So far I have made
numerous green smoothies, plantain pancakes, pecan butter, tomato sauce & strawberry-banana ice cream! OMG, everything
was delicious, fast & easy! Clean up is kind of fun too. All you do is fill the container to 5 cups
with a couple of drops of dish soap & run it for 30 -60 seconds, then rinse. You will hardly ever have to hand wash it.
I look forward to many great years of creating healthy recipes in this wonderful, powerful machine. Be sure to visit their
web site & buy one if you can. Mine was a gift from the wonderful ladies in my family for my bridal shower last May. Thank
you!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
"Performance"
Tomorrow, I will bellydance & play zills (finger cymbals) at a workshop my
teacher Najia is giving. I am nervous!!! A good nervous though. I always feel this way before a performance. Then, it magically
disappears just as I begin the dance. Thank Goddess for that! Right now, I am listening to the song I will dance to. It is on repeat, so I will know every part. I have
heard it at least 10 times in a row by now. It’s from a cd by Chuck Jonkey called “Tribal India”. The song is “Palligeeti”. So far, I know just how my dance will end. I have a few other moves I want
in the dance in mind. I just have not placed them in order yet. Choreographing a dance the day before is not recommended. It’s a very short song though, so it’s
not too bad. I do love to improvise when I dance as well. Besides all of that, I will perform for a room full of dance students,
which is always a kind and interested audience. Still, I want it to be a perfect as possible. What I am going to wear is another thing. Hmmm, I have my
super excellent Melodia pants! Iwas really saving their first public showing for my website pictures or a public performance.
I may wear them though. I feel so good when I have them on. It’s really important to feel and look your best when performing.
I’ll see how I feel about that tomorrow. I
got these great new dvds! One is “Tribal Fusion Fundamentals” & the other is “Dances of India”. They are both very valuable additions to my dance library. I will be studying both of them tonight so I can look
like I want tomorrow, hopefully. My style is a mix of American tribal & Indian dance. At least, that’s what I am
going for! Really, it’s just a matter of committing everything to memory in my body. Practice, practice, practice! I’ll
let you know how it went.
2:31 pm edt
Thursday, March 5, 2009
“Bellydance”
Ahhh, bellydance! Last night some ladies from my class, my husband &
I went to The Grand Theater in Delaware to see the Bellydance Superstars. It was my fourth time seeing them and it was fabulous as usual. I
always feel so inspired after a great show like that. The tribal dancers are my favorite, though I am quite a fan of Sonia
& Petite Jamilla who are always on the tour. I would love to see Adore & Rachel Brice live someday soon. Gosh, I have
to finish my tribal costume so you all can see it. In the near future, I am going to have some beautiful Goddess like pictures
of me in my costumes on the site. So, the homepage will hopefully be striking and beautiful instead of mostly just boring
words. I need beauty everywhere! Well, it’s great that Radha is there to add Her beauty! Anyway, I bought some DVDs
last night. One is a documentary type about the stars called “30 Days to Vegas”. I can’t wait to learn some
cool info from that one! The other is “Tribal Drum Solo Choreography” with Zoe Jakes & Issam Houshan. I had
to buy it, especially after I saw Zoe perform that drum solo. It was so cool!!! I liked her before, but I really like her
now. I look forward to learning some of her moves. I can’t wait until I have studied this tribal style enough to develop
my own take on it. It’s really good to have your own style. That’s all for now bellydance buddies. Remember to
stretch out your bodies well. It not only keeps you healthier, it makes the dance more beautiful & fluid. Xo! The following picture
is from my first BDSS show a few years back in the Philadelphia area.
Left to right: Me, Sonia & Najia
12:13 pm est
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
“Hare Krishna”
I went to the Radha-Krsna Temple this past Sunday for
the first time since January 11th. And it was really nice. We (Ed & I) got there in time
for the first kirtan, my favorite part! I love the dancing & all of the great energy of that first
half-hour. One of our friends, and owner of Govinda’s in Philadelphia, Haryasva Dasa gave the class/lecture. It was
mainly about chanting the holy name on a mala or beads, we call that practice japa. The holy name(s) being chanted are, Hare, Krishna, & Rama. The mala has 108 beads on it, in addition
to a head bead called a meru bead. This bead indicates when you have finished that chanting cycle. The chant is called the
Maha Mantra & goes like this:
Hare
Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna
Krishna Hare Hare
Hare
Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Initiated devotees, and sometimes non-initiates
chant this mantra at least 1728 times a day. That means 16 times around the mala. It can take about 11/2 to 2 hours. When
a devotee chants these Sanskrit words, they are asking God to engage them in His/Her devotional service. It is
believed that this is the true and lasting way to be eternally happy.
After the lecture it’s time for prasādam & social time with friends. Later,
after a big dinner there’s a more relaxed, sit down kirtan. Check it out sometimes, it’s really fun! At least
you can come & try the free feast. That is if you are still eating cooked vegetarian food. They do use milk quite a bit,
so don’t expect to get much that’s vegan. I usually eat before I go, or bring something. Once in a while, they
will have some fruit or salad. I love it when I can get some fruit that’s been on the altar! It does not happen too
often though.
Visit the site for all of the info. www.iskconphiladelphia.com
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