so i originally started dancing for fun, then i continued to dance because i wanted to get better, now i don’t want to give up because of what it taught me. i was a member of hill and veil at virginia tech and lost my friend reema samaha. i only knew her for a brief time, but she was such an inspiration to me, to all of us really. she always was positive toward my dancing, even though i was really self conscious about dancing in front of her because she was so good and i was so not good. she never made me feel bad for not getting the move as soon as we learned it and was just so much fun to be around. it isn’t so much that i want to dance still for her or to remember her, its more like i want to still dance because i don’t want to give up on something just because i graduated or just because i don’t want to remember why im sad all the time. belly dancing always reminds me why i continued to dance and hang out with those girls. they were my first real girl friends, and for that, and for reema, i will never stop belly dancing. 5 years ago

so dance of nations is an event put on by CISO at virginia tech. hill and veil was invited to dance in it, so we had 10 advanced girls (including me!!!) dance in it. we were at our booth in another room and someone came running in and told us to get back on stage. when we went there were trophies…we had no idea what was going on. apparently it was a competition, and we won third place!!! our first award! and i was a part of it! im so proud of us, we worked so hard for it!

we are now an award winning belly dancing troupe!!! 6 years ago

i belong to the hill and veil group at virginia tech…i only started in february 2006 and i’m already in the “advanced group”

i saw it as an event on the calendar of events for vt and thought why not

we have a performance in october…itll be my third performance but my first performance wearing a costume other than a black skirt and a tank top so im really excited

my big problem is remembering choreography without looking at the butt in front of me, i really have to work on confidence on stage so i dont have one of those “i have to concentrate really hard in order to not step on myself” kind of faces

my goal is definately to work on my hands (i splay w ay too much), arms and facial expressions…and not looking at the butt in front of me =P

the vt site is: http://www.hillandveil.org.vt.edu/index.html if you want to learn more about our troupe 6 years ago

I got to practice tonight, for about an hour after work! I worked on shimmies, figure 8’s, hip circless, rib circles, layering, Also zils, which is one of my favorite things. I practiced floor work, which I also love.
My karshilama CD is not working! bummer! I wanted to zil and practice steps to that. 6 years ago

I want to make it a goal to practice daily. I hate it when my shimmy gets out of kilter or I can’t sustain it!
To be a good bellydancer is to have ultimate control over your body. The more moves you have under your belt, so to speak, the more freedom you have to express yourself as a dancer. As a woman. Who was it that said, if I could tell you, I wouldn’t need to dance? : 0 )
I am working on differentiating my shimmies, floor work and back bends.
If you are reading this, you must be a BDer, and I would love to hear from you! I am into more of the turkish style than the Egyptian. Would love to hear what is going on in your area! 6 years ago