Shimmy, shimmy, shimmy =)

Let me begin by wishing everyone a Happy Fourth of July! I hope everyone was able to spend the day with family/friends. I was lucky enough to do both - not all of my family or all of my friends but I did get to spend time with both. =)

My brother arrived safe and sound (and most importantly, on time!) on Friday and we have been pretty busy since. He arrived this past Friday and I took off a half day of work to go pick him up from the airport. We then came back to my apartment so I could get ready for my belly dance performance that evening. I had a solo lined up to perform at a local coffee house in a program that consisted of a combination of solos and troupe dances. The troupe that I dance with didn't perform; my instructor encouraged us to go out on our own to line up a solo if we wanted to. I decided to go for it. =)

Everyone said I did really well with my solo and my brother took some pretty cool pictures. I was nervous about doing it but I made it through and I can use this experience to grow as a dancer.

Yesterday my brother accompanied me to dance class (which he thought was pretty cool) and then he and I headed to one of the local beaches. We walked on the sand for about an hour and then we went and got something to eat. After we did that, I did something that I think was a good thing (but could probably be conceived as slightly evil as well - but I am okay with this). =) I took some video games that once belonged to my wasband (including some games that he bought for me at one point or another that I never play anymore) and traded them in for games that I will actually play. I'm excited about my new games and it feels like one more piece of closure to have those games that were "his" out of the apartment.

Then today, my belly dance troupe performed for a local Fourth of July celebration. My Mom once again created a WONDERFUL costume for me (thanks Mom!!) and we had a lot of fun at our performance! I argued with my instructor at one point (just a situation where she told me "yes," I responded "no" and she told me to do it anyway) when she asked me to lead the troupe for one of the dances! So along with completing my third belly dance solo in the last almost 8 months that I have been taking lessons, I can also say that I have lead the troupe! =)

After the performance, we went to another street festival for the Fourth where my church was participating. They were doing a hot dog fundraiser so that's what we decided to do for lunch. There were live bands performing across the street from where they were vending so we listened to the music for a little bit, wandered around and then came back to the apartment and just kind of relaxed (we've had a busy last couple of days). =)

We are thinking about going back to the beach tomorrow but who knows where we'll end up. That's one of the nice things about vacation - even if there is something you have "planned" you can choose to do it or not. Granted, we do have a few things planned but as for the rest, we can play it by ear.

My brother will have one more opportunity to see my belly dance troupe perform this coming Friday night; we'll see if I'll be "asked" to lead the troupe again or not. =)