Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Jingle All the Way

This isn't what I planned to do today. Yesterday I dropped the car off to be fixed. This morning we had no power. The kids left for school. Craig left for work. And I wondered what the hell I was going to do today to fill the time. Normally on Tuesdays I have belly dance class. An intermediate class that's all in Arabic and French for people who have been dancing for a few years. Need I remind you, I don't speak Arabic or French. Nor am I fluent in coordination.



After nearly two years of dance I'm not sure that the coordination fairy is every going to come. Oh I leave a little jingly coin under my pillow at night hoping, but I don't think it's going to happen. So, I go to class religiously, stand at the back, watch everything intently and try to copy it. So copying and pasting is what I do. And I have never been able to remember all the steps to any one dance all the way through on my own. Ever.

Then one day a few months ago we started learning a new song. A song I totally fell in love with. Then I set a goal. To learn one song all the way through. No copying and pasting allowed. And this is that song. Ya Messafer Wahdk. Which translates into, I walk alone. Ironic right?

I scoured the stores to find the cd.

I check out youtube several times, but didn't find it there either.

Until one day it appeared.

And I started practicing a lot.

Like the second I got home from dance class, so I wouldn't forget whatever little bit I'd learned that day.

But sometimes the gardener was there.

So I go in the bathroom where there's no windows and dance in there.

Starting to sound kind of obsessive and weird?

I know. That's exactly how it was.

So today when there is nothing else to do. I realize it's unavoidable. Today is the day. The day I'm going to dress up and dance the dance all the way through. I'm totally alone. Except for the video camera. (Believe me. I checked for the gardener like 5 times just to be sure.)



Ok, so that's not exactly how the teacher taught it. So, I still don't know the song all the way through perfectly. But I think I just learned the fine art of fudging it.

Now I can move on to my new goal. Teaching myself how to play these zils I just got...



You didn't think I was going to end this post all serious now did you?
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16 comments:

  1. rogers creek farmDecember 13, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Bravo, girl!!! Fudging it or not, it looked pretty authentic!

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  2. andrea-rachidDecember 13, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Loved the belly bells jingle bells? So cute.

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  3. Cerebrations.bizDecember 13, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    Shh. Don't tell Marie; I mailed the YouTube to her gardener...
    :-)

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  4. AnonymousDecember 13, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    It looks great you're kidding! You have to give me one or two advices there, as I walk alone in this case too!

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  5. SherilinRDecember 13, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    you look fantastic and sexy & i'm thinking you should do your dance for your man tonight. i'm sure he will like it, especially if you clack jingle bells while dancing.

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  6. Nancy/BLissed-Out GrandmaDecember 13, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    I'd say your lessons have paid off. Good for you!

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  7. BarbaraDecember 14, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    Wow, this is great, Marie! And you say the coordination fairy is not with you, wonder what shw would have to say about me: hopeless! Jingle all the way!

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  8. UnknownDecember 14, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    Gorgeous AND funny! Love it!

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  9. Kimberly HultDecember 14, 2011 at 6:59 PM

    I don't think my comment posted. I'll do it again...

    Bob says that the only way I can properly respond to this post is by posting my own video of me belly dancing. Well, even if I could remember the moves, ummm, no. But when did you get that fabulous top?

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  10. Marie LoerzelDecember 15, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    Thanks everyone! I was really nervous and embarrassed to post this one.
    And the fabulous top was a birthday gift to myself.

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  11. Leah GriffithDecember 15, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    Marie, you brought a big fat smile to my face today!! I loved your dance! You, with your perfect little body, that you sure know how to move. Well done!
    I took belly dancing for three years (about a hundred years ago) but I still have my veils and zills and coined skirts and every now and then I take them out and dance like a snake all over my dining room. There is nothing like it really.
    Good rendition of Jingle Belly!

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  12. MurielDecember 15, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    Contrary to what you said, you are a natural! I am very impressed. So tell me, are you going to show the video to your gardener?

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  13. Joy Page ManuelDecember 20, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    You look very graceful and coordinated, Marie, so I don't know what you were talking about. And let me just say....You are in GREAT SHAPE! Bravo!

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  14. cathy jonesDecember 21, 2011 at 3:50 AM

    I loved the video, and bravo to you! I have always wanted to be able to belly dance (or at least have the costume) and I secretly wanted some zils...I always thought they were the best musical instrument ever invented. Loved the Jingle Bells on the zils by the way...

    Thanks for a wonderful post and brightening my day!

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  15. ZafiraDecember 23, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    I love your belly dance posts, you are just beautiful in your video and the posts are so funny. One of my students just performed a fan veil number to Msafer, the same one you used for your choreography: http://www.zafiradaima.com/recital2011.html First video at the top. I just need to get you in my class! We're playing zills by 2 years! I just got back home to Richmond from Morocco 4 December and miss it. Good luck with your dancing and your move to the next city! ~Zafira

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  16. Marie LoerzelJanuary 6, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    Thank you so much Zafira! I would love for you to teach me zils! Where were you in Morocco?

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