Since I feel like I have a good grip of what my quarter will be like, I’ve figured out some goals for myself from now until 1 Jaunary 2009. Do well in my classes (obviously) Maintain a dance practice of at least 2-3 hours per week. Develop another choreography Work on zills Attend/survive one day [...]

I’m happy that I’m beginning school a little healthier than in previous years. I have been sick with a combination of allergies and a cold (the sudden cool temperatures in Chicago were a shock to my body). I took yesterday easy, because being sick with so much to do in so little time is a [...]

Since tonight is the night before classes begin (egads!!), I decided to review how my summer goals went. Sickness (wicked bad allergies and a bit of a cold) hindered some things during this time, but such is life. Thesis. I have a very good feeling about how I use AIPS, but I really didn’t make [...]

Every now and then, people ask me the following: “Does your boyfriend mind that you belly dance?” “Isn’t it boring to date someone in the same field?” “What’s it like working with your boyfriend?” For the first question, no, he does not mind. I was dancing long before I met him and will continue to [...]

If you are a tribal dancer or simply interested in the history of Middle Eastern dance evolution, The Trible Bible is a must read. For those of you unfamiliar, tribal belly dance is an amalgamation of several world styles.  Kajira Djoumahna, Black Sheep Belly Dance, covers tribal belly dance very thoroughly through interviews, text, and [...]

I didn’t get a chance to update because I was rather ill the last few days; allergies and the tempermental Midwest/Chicago weather will do it to you. I finished my costume finally. After much thought, I went with a very simple belt that mimics the idea of the ties on the bra top. The bra [...]

I have been really lucky, I suppose, with my research during my undergraduate years. There were no major problems or changes in the process. With my masters thesis, though, it feels like it’s always changing. I’m not sure if I were lucky previously, but it’s very frustrating at times. I developed skills that are going [...]

The first day of TA training has come and gone. The new TAs (two boys and two girls) seem nice. Our boss basically went over a lot of paperwork with us; for some reason, she was more thorough with them than with the remaining TA (I’ll refer to her as R) and me. Last year, [...]

Perhaps it’s silly, but I’m really excited about my new desk at school. My old desk was suitable, but the new desk will provide me with more room, a cooler set up (it’s sort of L-shaped), and I believe more storage space. Also, I will get a better chair. I began moving my stuff over. [...]