The Inexperienced Expert Goes BELLY DANCING

So I am a person who is terrified of trying new things. I am constantly worried that I am being judged, or even laughed at by others. Seriously, I think I am a junior higher in a 32 year old's body. I have decided that I am done with that, however. There is too much out there that is absolutely fascinating to be held back any more. So my first adventure, small as it may be, was to sign up for Belly Dancing lessons, because, well, it just sounded fun.

The first night I had butterflies in my stomach all day. They needed a minimum number of people in the class to keep it open, so I kept waiting for a call. Okay, secretly I wanted a call. It was a freezing cold day, and it had ice rained the night before. I didn't have to go until the evening, but it was still a good excuse. I knew that if I let myself have an excuse, though, I would never go. I went, driving slowly and tense. I hate not knowing where I am going, and I was unsure of the way. It was dark and the roads were slippery. I thought as I was driving how the silence would have been a refreshing change, if not for the roads. I found my way without incident, though, and as I pulled open the doors to the building and stepped into the warmth, I knew something had just changed.

The class had not started, and the advanced class danced on the other side of windowed doors. The early comers watched nervously and excitedly together. They chatted in a friendly, stranger to stranger kind of way, and I found myself having commonalities already. By the time that class started, the butterflies were dissipating, and only the fun and excitement was being left.

The class was exhausting. We drilled hip hits in all directions. I was sweating, which I hadn't, sad to say, done in months. My arms were about to fall off. My arms? Yes. I never realized, or thought about the fact that belly dancers hold there arms out in a T, the whole time they are dancing. My arms, shoulders, sides, and legs were all screaming at me by the end of class. It was wonderful. I am not one to relish pain, but it was just what I needed to feel real again.

We ended class with Yoga, quietly coming into ourselves. I found myself struggling to find quiet. Instead my mind was jumping between things I wanted to do, and thinking about my family at home. I realized how much I needed to start living in the moment, and I have started practicing it every day since then. I have had one more class since my first. The roads were clear and we learned a dance, rather than just drills. I chatted again with people I really didn't know, but it didn't really matter. I had fun, sweat, danced, smiled, laughed, struggled, looked silly, and didn't once care what anyone else thought of me. It was a wonderful day, and I am glad I went.

Now for my next challenge.......the guitar. :) Any other suggestions? Let me know. I am up for almost anything. I'll try it out, tell you how it goes, and then you can decide if it is still something you would enjoy.

Eurecka! I Found My Focus.

So I have been racking my brain the last few days, trying to decide what is my real focus for this blog. Sure it is about my goal to be the perfect example to my girls as a mother, but other than blogging about rearranging closets or clipping coupons to stay on budget, what could I be writing about. Suddenly, yes I was cleaning when it happened, it dawned on me.

I realized that I want to open up the world for my girls. I want to take life and lay it before them like a blank canvas that only they can paint correctly. I want them to gobble up life like they won't be served seconds. That led me to two important things.

1. Time and things I do with them.

2. Things I do, with and without them.

Some of you may wonder about number 2, but in my thinking, I want them to see me constantly trying new things and seeing new places. They won't always be able to come, but as they get older, they will do more and more with me, as well as see me never back down from life.

With these in mind, I will focus on my two main features: A Kid's Life and The Inexperienced Expert.

A Kid's Life will be reviews of toys, activities, books, puzzles, etc that my kid's and I enjoyed. I will talk about the good and the bad, from a real world experience. I will also talk about activities I develop and crafts that we do. Yes, I am sure I will have photos of kid artwork that only a mother could love, and strange sculptures created from nature objects. I will explore inside and outside activities, and I will have the best excuse in the world to take LOTS of time to play with my girls.

The Inexperienced Expert will be a once a month(ish) feature, perhaps more. I have resolved to try something new, or go somewhere new every month this year, and I will take you along for the ride. It will include the real feelings of a newbie, and let you have a little insight to some fun new hobbies. If you have suggestions for this, let me know. I already have one ready I hope to blog about tomorrow, BELLY DANCING!! Seriously.

I am sure that I will have other blogs here and there about every day ups and downs, but these two things will be my main focus. Sound like fun, come along for the ride. I am very excited to start, okay a little scared too, but every good adventure starts with a little twinge in the stomach!

A Statement of the Obvious

1. I need to stop worrying so much what others think about me

2. I need to stop thinking that I need to do everything perfectly the first time

Enough said.

A World of Possibilities

So here is a list. My list of things that sound like fun new things to try or take up again.

1. Guitar
2. SCUBA Diving
3. Rock Climbing
4. Hiking
5. Skiing (downhill and cross-country)
6. motorcycling

Okay I could go on, but you are probably already wondering what this has to do with becoming the perfect mom. You see I have a phobia. I am terrified of being embarrassed. I am not one of those people who laughs about things years later, because I am still horrified by how silly I looked. It has stopped me from trying things, stopped me from living life to the fullest. I don't want that for my girls.

I want my girls to plunge into life fully dressed and laughing out loud. I mean, what is the point otherwise. I want them to go for it, every time they get a chance. I want them to try new things and see new places, and the only way to teach them to do that is to do it myself.

I will be taking guitar in a couple weeks. Yes, it is the tamest on the list, but hey, I have to start somewhere. I want to write songs with my girls and sing songs around the campfire. I want them to remember mom playing the guitar and smile. I want them to learn how to play and be in a band. Okay, maybe not, but I want them to have the possibility if it is important. I want to be a happy, energetic influence, and I start right now!