Back home and Recharging

(photo by John Massey/Rufio at Casa Bardicci; left to right- ?, Joanna Abel, Me, Kari Merlina, Bonnie)

Pennsic was really really fun!!!! It always takes a lot of preparation, but I tried to reduce my workload by sewing very little for myself. what I did sew, I didn't even wear, but I'll have it for upcoming performances.

The Folkloric show was fun! Low key - very Folkloric in it's presentation and very refreshing. Doing something a little less formal was great, especially since the show was the same day I arrived. I did my cane dance, which is always a fun prop to work with.

The Unique Combos and Layers class went wonderfully! Thank you, Mishka for drummimg! I'm so happy she's in the area!! Looking forward to future collaborations! (Mishka is Daveed Korup's apprentice and only 40 minutes from Morgantown! How lucky am I? and so is the Morgantown Belly Dance community!!!) Sold some DVD's, got a workshop proposal for Rochester, NY. Very cool! I only allotted an hour for the class and since the class was so big, I had a ton of material "left over", but I expected that. I prefer to have more than enough anyway.

I have to say that the Lowty Totey party at Casa Bardicci and the party at Vlad's on Tuesday night were the highlights of my Pennsic War night-out-dancing experience. At LT, Ocean, Nevik, Donavin, Sedo, Kazuki (Sado and Kazuki had their beautiful daughter there with noise cancelling head phones on- she slept right through it. so cute!) and a bunch of other musicians and drummers played some incredibly amazing music!!! The energy was unbelievable!!! I had so much fun especially interacting with Ocean and Nevik! I thought my voice would be hoarse from all the rock concert screaming I did that night. My throat was kind of sore when I woke up. So worth it! My goal at Pennsic was to _have_fun_ and blow off steam. Mission accomplished. :)

Next year, I'll get to stay longer and since Angelo will be a little older, I hope it won't be so hard chasing him next time. This time, I left Pennsic on Wednesday to do some laundry and head to my parents' on Thursday in enough time to help Mom prepare to bring Dad home on Saturday.

It was a homecoming with mixed emotions. We're all so glad to have him home again, but because the rehab hospital took him as a charity case, he's home about 4 weeks earlier than he normally would be. So, while he's made progress, he's more dependent than he would be should he have gotten that month of intensive therapy. I've shown him how to dress himself (I'm an Occupational Therapist) and set him up with some activities to do, so that will help. There's also the possibility that he'll get some free home health therapy (Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy once a week) and that will help too. It is hard on me and the kids (Angelo and Dana doggie) to be away from home so long, so after 4 days, we came back to recharge. There's no place like home.

My husband, Eric, had the house clean by the time we got back and that was wonderful! Between the "Post-Pennsic glow" and a clean house, I'm inspired! I have been designing Halloween and Faerie Con costumes in my head today. Faerie Con is in Baltimore, MD (only 3.5 hours from here) and a week after my birthday!!! So, Happy Birthday to me- I'm going!!!!

Pennsic Planning

I've not kept up here as much lately with the business of the Urban Tribal events and because my Dad had a stroke June 19th and is still in the hospital. Was in ICU about 10 days, then in acute for a week, then to rehab for a week and a half or so, where he made great progress. a couple blood pressure incidents sent him to acute care at St. Mary's hospital. Been back and forth a lot visiting Dad, trying to help Mom(who took the photo I've posted) however I can and then traveling back here for the work week. they are about 3.5 hour south. We're staying positive that Dad will be back in health south rehab hospital soon. Please keep us in your positive thoughts.

Wasn't sure I'd be making it to Pennsic with all that's happened. Though wonderful, the Urban Tribal events were a lot of work and with Dad's situation, I wasn't sure I'd be able to prepare or even be able to be there without worrying too much. But, I'm going for at least a little bit and hoping to see some friends, dance and burn away stress.

I haven't mentioned this here before, but I have an autoimmune thyroid condition which is exacerbated by stress. Doc upped my meds a few days ago, so I'm looking forward to them taking effect and these current symptoms resolving. Also have added Bollywood/Bhangra aerobics to up my metabolism and generally feel good. It isn't easy with these symptoms, but necessary. I'm also reducing and hope to eventually cut out gluten since food sensitivities and allergies are more common with thyroid conditions and Celiac's disease is directly linked with autoimmune disorders and specifically thyroid conditions. I'm also adding evening primrose oil, co Q 10 (an anti-inflammatory) and acidofilous. I'm reading up on more specific foods that are good for and bad for this condition; apparently there's a semi-long list of foods called goitrogens that contribute to the development of goiters-broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, and kamut name a few. so I'll be avoiding those too. Just when you think a healthy vegetarian diet is enough ... ;-P I'm willing to do whatever it takes to improve. For one, who wants to be miserable? and two- I have a two year old boy and a wonderful doggie that depend on me. If I don't function, then they suffer. PLUS, I am married- I'm sure that Husband really prefers the functional me. ;-)

Especially after the Jill Parker immersion in June, I'm especially aware of and grateful for the healing, self-growth benefits of Belly Dance. I knew about and took advantage of them before, but the immersion with Jill *Belly Dance Goddess* Parker hit on a very deep level for me. I know the other wonderful ladies who joined me in this experience would agree that it was for them too. I am grateful to all who were there and contributed to the energy boost I got from the 4 amazing days in Marta's D.C. home!

I already had some things set up at Pennsic and am looking forward to the fun!

Will perform in the Folkloric show Sat. Aug. 1st, which starts at 7:00 pm in the Middle Eastern tent (and _maybe the ME Dance Expo- starts at 1:00 pm in the performing arts pav) and teach Unique Combos and Layers for ME Dance Sun. Aug. 2nd at noon in the ME tent at Pennsic! Hope to see you there! Come say hello! :)