Las Vegas

Hello - time to start blogging.....

24th August, 2008

ok - here is my schedule version #1

I arrive in LV about 5.30 on Thursday the 4th. If I have the energy then its off to the Magic show at the Palace Station Hotel. If not then its a quick dip in the pool, then bath then bed :)

Friday the 5th we have a gentle start - three hours with Kami Liddle followed by 3 hours with Ava Flemming (!) - then a nice break before "a night in the city of riches" a big bellydance show featuring not only Kami and Ava but a host of other big stars. Then if I have any energy there is a close up magic show back at the hotel..... Til 2am

Saturday starts with Yoga at 7.45 (otherwise known as coffee and a chocolate twist).

Then I'm doing dancing to the 9/8 rhythms, adapting combinations, zills, synchronisity and layering til 5pm.

After all the work its time to kick back with a cocktail party followed by another bellydance show. And bed

Sunday - again starts with Yoga, then foolishly I've opted for Turning techniques first thing.....Lebanese, veil, Tribal and classical Egyptian.

Then I have an hour or so to get myself ready for the show I am appearing in at the Royal Persis - gulp !

And in theory thats the end of the hard work. The rest is all holiday -

Monday the 8th I'm thinking of sleeping in, then maybe sleeping by the pool although if I do my glasses dance on Sunday I might be looking for a massage ! In the evening I've booked to see Le Reve - a water fantasy show. I've been told that the best seats in the house are in what they call the "splash zone", so am expecting to get very wet.

Tuesday I might take a jeep ride out to the Red Rock for a bit of off roading, and then in the evening I'm going to see the Folies - so expect lots of topless costume ideas and big feather headresses to feature in my plans for our Xmas show (not promising...)

Wednesday I want to explore the strip, have some more pool time, maybe lunch with some local dancers and then I'm off to see "O" by Circque du Soleil.

And on Thursday I have to pack up and head home, thou not til I've got some shopping and seen a few more sites.

I'm home late on Friday and teaching Saturday so if you have emailed me please dont expect a reply til Sunday/Monday cos I might need some sleep :)

1st September

Gulp !

So today is a day of lists, lists and more lists. I had stocked the freezer up with meals for my babes, but then my hubby broke the oven over the weekend while we were away, so I’ve had to scrap all those ideas and turn towards boil in the bag and spagetti hoops. Did anyones children ever die of eathing Hoops, crisps and chocolate for a week ? - they will probably grow three inches !

I also went to the chiropractor as it was time to finally admit that I had hurt my back last week loading the car. She did an amazing job but I have to face it that the glasses dance is not going to happen - its actually very physically demanding - and having missed a week of practice I’m not going to be good enough. Instead I’ve decided to do the Fire Dance, which is a much more emotional dance (plus the costume is light enough to go in my suitcase)

I have a heap of things piled up that may or may not end up in my suitcase. A list of clothes I want to take that may or may not be in the pile, or the ironing - I'm pretty sure nothing is in the wash basket. I also bought a new Pashmina and a huge handbag for the flight, so no problem with taking 3 books, iPod, posh headphones and a change of clothes for the flight.

I've been watching Nisha from Tabu on YouTube - she is organising the Sunday night show and has been really nice to me over email. I love her dancing. Check her out if you have time.

ok - back to lists and updating the web site and sorting out shimmy news and putting name labels in school shirts....

3rd September

threw a complete wobbly yesterday and decided to have a day off cos its my youngests first day at secondary school today. We had a long walk in the woods, chatting just the two of us, threw sticks for the dog then went into town to get my dollars and drink coffee in Neros. Today I'm still very teary, expecially when I went to make his bed. Its been a wonderful long summer and I'm really sad its over. And now I have to go away and leave them all for a week. I know its contrary cos thats what I wanted, but it seemed like a good idea in February and now it seems like madness. Although there is nothing I can do about the summer being over, and if I was home I would see them for about 10 minutes each as their social lives kick in again and they dont want to spend time with mum. Going away now is a great idea, but I just need to remind myself a bit....

Ok, packing lists call - x

Please excuse if I don’t blog for a while - I’m taking my passwords, but they dont always work in internet cafe - if I can’t blog here I might well be able to do it on the Ning which you can join from the home page or below if I can make it work...... :