Drinking the Koolaid

So, for a few months now I've been meaning to "get back" to belly dance class.

Ok in the spirit of honesty, I have only taken a few classes.

Ah! I know! I know, I work for HipMix and I've taken one class. I'm a horrible person. Somehow, between watching belly dance, reading about belly dance, and interacting with belly dancers, I thought I was one. Not true. I feel like a band groupie. I'm in with the crowd, but I can't really relate, you know?

They talk about shimmies, hip drops, performances, and the troubles of breaking the stereotype. I'm the eager puppy, nodding my head and pretending to understand. They just sort of smile and pat me on the shoulder. "As if you know..."

But belly dancers are a lot nicer than that. They've been very helpful. And what have I done? I'm mixing the koolaid but I don't drink it*.

Well, I am finally giving back to the community. Not only am I FINALLY taking a belly dance class tomorrow, I've recruited two partners in crime: my coworkers Kaitlyn and Haley!

Plus by putting this in writing, they can't back out. Hear that? YOU CAN'T BACK OUT!

More details coming soon!

*no belly dancers were poisoned in the making of this blog post

Hip+Fit: My First Belly Dance Class

After my waiting, talk, and planning, when it came time for my first belly dance class, I wanted to back out.

See how happy I look before dance class?

Kaitlyn will tell you how I was dreading my class all day at work. One of my coworkers invited me over to her house, and I normally subscribe to the better offers club and peace out on prior commitments.

I tried to call Tiffany/Kitana in the morning to confirm my appointment, but, since she has a day job, she was unavailable. Kaitlyn made me promise,

"Call Tiffany again. 

If she doesn't answer, then don't go. 

But if she does, then you should go."

I called. No answer.

"I'm off the hook!" I exclaimed.
Instantly, the fear and dread melted away (reminiscent of my high school days, right before swim practice).

I don't know why I feel that way about after school/work commitments that involve classes. Is it a fear of not being good at the activity, missing out on other activities, or the unknown?

Then my phone rang.

Uh, ma'am this is a bar. You can't drink that water in here.

After a week-long cold, I am so anxious to start jogging my little heart out. Unfortunately, the later stages of my cold include fear-inducing coughs that make high-powered cardio workouts a tad unrealistic.

And all of this coincides with our November Hip Fit Challenge (ok, I made up that title). Maybe I'm doing this to keep my job, but really I do want to get stomach TONE. You know, the kind I used to have when I swam 6 days a week.

Luckily, Kitana's classes are starting back up this week so I will FINALLY get to try belly dancing! Only the entire reason I started this blog, hah. And with luck, because I've recently discovered how cute I look in a hip scarf:

Ok don't be too jealous now :). I'm off to go to a bar. Oh yeah, and NOT drink because that's part of a well-balanced diet. And because I've been scared off by how bad alcohol is for you. Who knew?

Not quite a belly dancer yet / Dread meets disappointment

I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find belly dancing because, hey, I'm in Beaumont. There isn't even a Chipotle, let alone a Belly Dance class. Right?

Wrong!

Using the find function on HipMix.net, I searched for schools and instructors in Beaumont and found Kitana's Bellydance Studio (see the website or her HipMix.net profile - I love that pink outfit!).

I searched on Wednesday, and the next beginner class was on Thursday. Breathe in, breathe out.