What a whirlwind this year has been. Highs, lows, ups, downs. Sadness, elation.
My year started off fairly well in January, with good times with my love. January also saw the return of my kidney pain, and my meeting my new doctors.
February was a month I will never forget. Some low and sad points, but the best memory was on February 20, at Gordon Ramsay Steak with 5 of our closest friends, Morgan proposed to me. I never in a million years thought that I would ever get married. He had said time and time again that he didn’t want to get married ever again. The proposal was sweet, and romantic, and a complete surprise. The fact that I was able to share it with some of my closest friends was amazing.
In April, I had an exploratory procedure with my new surgeon, so that he could see exactly what he was dealing with to correct my kidney issues.
In June, Morgan and I traveled to LA to see Underworld live in concert. THAT was amazing. I danced all night long. We got to see the original line up, which was incredible.
Also in June, I took Karim Nagi’s “Music Raqs” workshop for the second time. I learned SO much, and his class really sparked my desire to dance again.
July 11, I had my second robotic pyloplasty on my right kidney. My surgeon took many more precautions than my previous surgeon did, to ensure that I’d recover with minimal issues.
In September, at the prompting of a dear friend, I participated in my very first Belly Dance Competition: So You Think You Can Bellydance at the Las Vegas Belly Dance Intensive. I learned two choreographies, and made it into the Top 12 dancers. I realized two dreams in one night: To perform on the Flamingo Library Theater Stage, and to improvise a live drum solo with Issam Houshan. I had so much fun, I learned SO much, and I made some great friends.
Learning those routines, and performing again has given me the dance bug again. In October, along with three other talented dancers, I performed the fusion choreography (and another short, sassy piece) at the Halloween Hafla. The troupe was asked to perform in January at the Steampunk Convention!
November was probably the most memorable, the most monumental month of them all. On November 6, surrounded by friends and family, from near and far, Morgan and I were married. It was by far the most perfect day I’ve ever had. The ceremony was officiated by a dear friend, and it could not have been more perfect for us. It was funny. It was touching. It focused on love, communications, and D&D. Nothing has changed in our relationship, yet everything has. I find myself wanting to be a better person, to do more, to take better care of us…
Which leads me into my goals for 2016! I’m actually working on separate goals: Life goals, Personal goals, and Dance goals. Some of these are lofty goals that will not be accomplished in one year. The point is to start working towards them, so that they are more easily achieved when the time is right.
Life Goals:
- Start repairing my credit. (Pay down my medical debt. Open a checking account. Open a credit card, and use once a month, and pay off immediately, in small amounts.)
- Save money. Whether its $10 a week, or $100 a month, I want to put money away for a rainy day/emergency/vacation/down payment on a house.
- Take courses/learn about first time home buyer assistance.
Personal Goals:
- Asses the risks/recovery time for the tubal ligation surgery, and schedule.
- Find a new primary care doctor.
- Set realistic workout goals. (Starting 3x per week, etc)
- 10-15 minute morning meditation/planning time daily during the week.
- Keep up with household chores. (sweeping/dusting)
- Check off a couple more items from my 40 before 4o list.
- Find a more fulfilling and better paying job/promotion at current job.
- Eat more veggies.
- Get more information for Arab Studies degree/Apply for Grants/Apply for admission.
Dance goals:
- Attend at least 1 local workshop.
- Volunteer for the LVBDI
- Daily practice
- If I travel to another city for more than 1 day, schedule a private lesson with a dancer there.
- Continue to collaborate with local dancers for fun duets and group pieces, in all styles.
- Find and take 1 session of classes from a local Raqs Sharqi dancer.
With 2015 being so amazing, even with the low points, I can’t wait to see what is in store for 2016. I feel that it will be a year of personal growth, change, and progress. I will become a better version of myself, in all aspects: a better person, a better wife, a better dancer, a better friend.
May your new year be safe, and happy. May your goals and resolutions be attainable. May 2016 be filled with love, happiness, and abundance.
Happy New Year, everyone.
The Three of Swords... 