Up and coming, an additional self made shawl to complete the look ;p
Can't wait....
Sunday, May 30, 2010
About the dress....
I know... I know... we ladies are so vain..... But a lady has to use all the opportunities presented to her to shine, especially when they don't come by so often.
I guess that is what will happen to the fate of THE Ball. From the initial idea of a 'tacky' dress up, it has now spun to 'deadly serious ball outfit'. Give it to the Germans not to make fun of a serious business, such as ballroom dance. I am kind of happy that I didn't really go all the way tacky, but I think my dress is passable, if not seriously 'BALLy'. Though I have to admit that since now it is becoming apparent that everybody opt for seriously gorgeous dresses, I've been thinking on whether it is a good chance to stock up on a dress that will be presentable for a summer Yemeni wedding party as well, since there will absolutely zero opportunity to wear these things outside of these occasions... But then again, what will happen to my cute little ball gown?
I know I am not having the right frame of mind to be a ballroom dancer, but I have the feeling that all this dressing up issues will be even trickier ~ and sadly more important ~ than mastering Viennese waltz footwork, or learning new dances such as foxtrot or quick step.
But hey, all is fun as long as I get to dance, in the end :) Bravo to the people who come up with the idea!
I guess that is what will happen to the fate of THE Ball. From the initial idea of a 'tacky' dress up, it has now spun to 'deadly serious ball outfit'. Give it to the Germans not to make fun of a serious business, such as ballroom dance. I am kind of happy that I didn't really go all the way tacky, but I think my dress is passable, if not seriously 'BALLy'. Though I have to admit that since now it is becoming apparent that everybody opt for seriously gorgeous dresses, I've been thinking on whether it is a good chance to stock up on a dress that will be presentable for a summer Yemeni wedding party as well, since there will absolutely zero opportunity to wear these things outside of these occasions... But then again, what will happen to my cute little ball gown?
I know I am not having the right frame of mind to be a ballroom dancer, but I have the feeling that all this dressing up issues will be even trickier ~ and sadly more important ~ than mastering Viennese waltz footwork, or learning new dances such as foxtrot or quick step.
But hey, all is fun as long as I get to dance, in the end :) Bravo to the people who come up with the idea!
May Salsa Night
May Salsa Night was last Wednesday. Kudos to my brave husband for surviving through the evening with his cold....
We sent the invitation from Istanbul, and we barely touched Sana'a ground when we had to start moving furnitures, renting disco light and connecting the sound system. It was all fun. The change of room seemed to bring better effect than the first attempt at organizing a salsa night. But of course there is much much much room for improvement. I am thinking of setting up a 'first-hour' curriculum, for some basic steps, but of course, my dancing partner and I should learn how to teach them first, don't you think? hahaha...
Hopefully we will have time to rest before the next salsa night, hopefully by end of June.... I know it's wishful thinking because it will all be exactly the same scenario, except it will be Germany, instead of Turkey.
Besos.
We sent the invitation from Istanbul, and we barely touched Sana'a ground when we had to start moving furnitures, renting disco light and connecting the sound system. It was all fun. The change of room seemed to bring better effect than the first attempt at organizing a salsa night. But of course there is much much much room for improvement. I am thinking of setting up a 'first-hour' curriculum, for some basic steps, but of course, my dancing partner and I should learn how to teach them first, don't you think? hahaha...
Hopefully we will have time to rest before the next salsa night, hopefully by end of June.... I know it's wishful thinking because it will all be exactly the same scenario, except it will be Germany, instead of Turkey.
Besos.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Ballroom gathering (5)
Wow, it's actually the 5th week of ballroom gathering attendance? Kudos to ourselves ;p
The ball is scheduled on an evening where there is a break during the coming season of the World Cup, yeah...July, baby... And last night *nearly* everybody was excited with practising for the opening of the ball, including the walk down the winding staircase for the ladies, the sets of 'compliments' to different people, bowing like a lady and all that.
I have to be honest that I admire the elegance of ballroom dance, and all those scenes from the movies. But on the other hand, it also felt a bit artificial to be in a group of really beginner dancers, organizing a ball, and really want to do it right up to the minuscule details of it. I thought having a dance ball is for the purpose of having a ball, a great time. I did feel like a grownup trying to play a much belated princessy dress-up.
I tried to get an update on the shopping sphree which was supposed to happen on Sunday, but apparently, they did not make it to the cheaper area in town and only one lady managed to buy something. They sticked to better shopes, and even stopped checking out a shop because 'the quality was not good'. And some people turned out to already have a gown in their closet. I began to wonder whether the dresscode will hold. I don't think so. If quality is of a concern, then definitely tacky dress is not an option, and I don't think any of these ladies will already have a tacky dress in their wardrobe that they would relocate with them several thousand miles across the globe.
In any case, I've got my gown, too. And if I turn out to be the tackiest at the ball, they'd better have an award for me for that... LOL
The ball is scheduled on an evening where there is a break during the coming season of the World Cup, yeah...July, baby... And last night *nearly* everybody was excited with practising for the opening of the ball, including the walk down the winding staircase for the ladies, the sets of 'compliments' to different people, bowing like a lady and all that.
I have to be honest that I admire the elegance of ballroom dance, and all those scenes from the movies. But on the other hand, it also felt a bit artificial to be in a group of really beginner dancers, organizing a ball, and really want to do it right up to the minuscule details of it. I thought having a dance ball is for the purpose of having a ball, a great time. I did feel like a grownup trying to play a much belated princessy dress-up.
I tried to get an update on the shopping sphree which was supposed to happen on Sunday, but apparently, they did not make it to the cheaper area in town and only one lady managed to buy something. They sticked to better shopes, and even stopped checking out a shop because 'the quality was not good'. And some people turned out to already have a gown in their closet. I began to wonder whether the dresscode will hold. I don't think so. If quality is of a concern, then definitely tacky dress is not an option, and I don't think any of these ladies will already have a tacky dress in their wardrobe that they would relocate with them several thousand miles across the globe.
In any case, I've got my gown, too. And if I turn out to be the tackiest at the ball, they'd better have an award for me for that... LOL
Monday, May 17, 2010
My ball gown accessories
And here are the accompanying accessories... a set of necklace and earrings, and a panja (connected ring-bracelet). Noticed anything particular about the gown-accessories set? ;p
My BALL gown (3)
Okay, here it is.... the simple adjustment made to an otherwise okay skirt, into an okay gown, LOL....
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Second (possible) Salsa Night
Almost a month since the last salsa night... so we're thinking of organizing the next one...
Head to Salsa Sanaa blog or write to salsa.sanaa[at]gmail[dot]com if you happen to be in Sana'a, Yemen, around end of May 2010, and are interested to meet up for some salsa (and merengue, bachata, and reggaeton) dancing.
Head to Salsa Sanaa blog or write to salsa.sanaa[at]gmail[dot]com if you happen to be in Sana'a, Yemen, around end of May 2010, and are interested to meet up for some salsa (and merengue, bachata, and reggaeton) dancing.
My BALL gown (2)
Okay, so finally I decided to start with the red skirt.
The general work had been easier than I thought, though some detailed work proved to be more challenging than my previous assumption. But for an unskilled craftperson and seamstress (gosh... is that word still even in use?), spending one and half day to transform a skirt to a spaghetti-strap dress, complete with bejewelled straps, earrings, necklace (literally... a lace for the neck), and a set of ring-bracelet (called panja or slave-bracelet.... ugh, I definitely prefer to call it panja...) is not a bad job ;)
My camera is not doing an excellent job in capturing the differences in textures and layers of the original skirt, and then, also the new addition, so I will have to work on that before posting any pictures.
Husband said the whole set looks like a full costume instead of a gown, LOL. Well, maybe costume is tackier than any tacky dress ;p and highly personalized, too.
PS: the ladies are going shopping this afternoon for THEIR ball gowns :( while I am sitting on my major German test.... T_T not too excited about that, nope.
The general work had been easier than I thought, though some detailed work proved to be more challenging than my previous assumption. But for an unskilled craftperson and seamstress (gosh... is that word still even in use?), spending one and half day to transform a skirt to a spaghetti-strap dress, complete with bejewelled straps, earrings, necklace (literally... a lace for the neck), and a set of ring-bracelet (called panja or slave-bracelet.... ugh, I definitely prefer to call it panja...) is not a bad job ;)
My camera is not doing an excellent job in capturing the differences in textures and layers of the original skirt, and then, also the new addition, so I will have to work on that before posting any pictures.
Husband said the whole set looks like a full costume instead of a gown, LOL. Well, maybe costume is tackier than any tacky dress ;p and highly personalized, too.
PS: the ladies are going shopping this afternoon for THEIR ball gowns :( while I am sitting on my major German test.... T_T not too excited about that, nope.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
My BALL gown (1)
Okay, so it is confirmed, next Sunday will be the first day of my BIG test, so shopping with the ladies will be out of the question. In any case, I have in my possession a short flamenco-like dress, super short in front and long at the back, black with white glitters... and a long skirt, red satin-like inside, with a black net layer on top (long enough to wear as a strapless gown..by the way...).
Paid a visit to a local haberdasher (don't know what it is? neither did I, until a couple of months ago... LOL...) yesterday, and spent 1970 YR (err... that's around 100,000 Rupiahs and US$10...for the reference), and came home with:
- 2m of flower lace
- 2m of black net fabric
- 15 pcs of plastic red rhinestone
- 15 pcs of plastic white rhineston
- 6 pcs of glitter red rhinestone
- 6 pcs of glitter white rhinestone
- 1 m black organza ribbon
- 1 m red organza ribbon
- 6 necklace clasps
- 6 pairs of earrings hooks
- 1 pair of earring clasps
- 1 roll of sewing thread
Not a bad gain, eh? The master plan is to work mainly with the red skirt and transform it into a dress with shoulder straps adorned with rhinestones, and come up with matching necklace and earrings... while simultaneously working to add length to the 'flamenco' dress, and see which one works best for the ball.... ;p
I think my husband will still be trying to drag me to a shop to get something 'decent'..but then can't wait to drag me out of it again for fear of suffocation... ;p I am still a bit self conscious to post the pics, but if it works, I will definitely show it off.... hahaha...
Ciao for now.
Video Links to Tango and Samba (the ballroom ones...mind you..)
Here are the links to:
Tango Promenade and Partner Samba from this week's gathering,
and Basic Tango , and Basic Tango Footwork with Partner from last week's.
Enjoy :)
PS: Progressive Samba Steps with Partner
Tango Promenade and Partner Samba from this week's gathering,
and Basic Tango , and Basic Tango Footwork with Partner from last week's.
Enjoy :)
PS: Progressive Samba Steps with Partner
European Samba ??
Last night I went solo to the weekly ballroom dancing session, and we learnt a bit of the Tango Promenade (this time it's everywhere all over Youtube), and European Samba.
Come again? Yup, european samba. The european samba is the one in which you dance with a partner. Found some videos on Youtube, but as usual, I am in a kind of a hurry. So, links will be on next posting(s).
Oh, and there will be a BALL in July, and all the ladies are planning to go shopping next Sunday. But I will be having my BIG German test then :(( But I have some ideas already, and I am planning to work on some existing dress and skirt, and make some adjustment and accessories to go with the theme "the tackier, the better" LOL.
PS: The clue is "Wear something you would never wear again." The problems are, (1) I feel conflicted on spending money on things I would only wear once, especially since nothing is THAT cheap, and going secondhand ~ ehemm... I mean pre-loved~ is not a real option around here. Not to mention all the waste involved in doing it. (2) I would have to live with the photos of that night, so I don't really feel like going all the way tacky-tacky.... will have to find a way to look tacky-cutey...LOL.
Come again? Yup, european samba. The european samba is the one in which you dance with a partner. Found some videos on Youtube, but as usual, I am in a kind of a hurry. So, links will be on next posting(s).
Oh, and there will be a BALL in July, and all the ladies are planning to go shopping next Sunday. But I will be having my BIG German test then :(( But I have some ideas already, and I am planning to work on some existing dress and skirt, and make some adjustment and accessories to go with the theme "the tackier, the better" LOL.
PS: The clue is "Wear something you would never wear again." The problems are, (1) I feel conflicted on spending money on things I would only wear once, especially since nothing is THAT cheap, and going secondhand ~ ehemm... I mean pre-loved~ is not a real option around here. Not to mention all the waste involved in doing it. (2) I would have to live with the photos of that night, so I don't really feel like going all the way tacky-tacky.... will have to find a way to look tacky-cutey...LOL.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tangoing through the night...
Last night was the third ballroom dancing meeting we attended, and we learnt a bit of Tango.
What's interesting was that today, I had been trying to find tango instructions on Youtube, but none of the clips showed the basic steps our teachers showed us last night... I tried Tango, Ballroom Tango, Argentinian Tango/Milonga.... and all sorts of keyword to find it, but so far, I still could not find the exact same footwork with what they did. Curious.... I have to admit it looks much more complicated online, so maybe our instructors came up with a simpler set of basic footwork...oh well, who knows...
I will post some Youtube links when I have more time. Ciao
May 2, Happy Birthday, Matt!
Happy Birthday, Matt!
Matt had been one of my salsa teachers back in Ann Arbor, and the name of the blog came from one of our instructor training sessions, in which he shouted "Red Ruby Slippers!!" the moment I put on a pair of red dancing shoes, LOL.
Of course, clicking the heels of the shoes three times did not bring me home, or Kansas - come to think of it, but the shoes did accompany me on some of my most memorable Rueda shows/demonstrations with MSalsa (they were the only shoes in which I could make fast spins.... very important when you dance with really good leads with really fast songs....).
Anyway, birthday wishes sent to my most strict salsa teacher, Matt Jacobson. It was an honor to learn with you, Sir. And hope you had a blast on your birthday.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
First salsa night @ our place
~ sending out invitation - check
~ renting disco light - check
~ checking whether the sound system is compatible with the laptop - check
~ getting enough supply of water - check
~ compiling various playlists - check
~ moving furnitures - check
And finally... people started coming... YAY! Though some people who said that they would definitely come finally didn't show up, some strangers had heard about it and came knocking on our door. All in all, it was fun, and we should definitely do that again. Though next time, there should be more dancing... LOL. People enjoyed talking so much, many ended up socializing instead of working a sweat.
Oh well, will be better next time. At least now I have a list of e-mails and phone numbers to work on... yay!
~ renting disco light - check
~ checking whether the sound system is compatible with the laptop - check
~ getting enough supply of water - check
~ compiling various playlists - check
~ moving furnitures - check
And finally... people started coming... YAY! Though some people who said that they would definitely come finally didn't show up, some strangers had heard about it and came knocking on our door. All in all, it was fun, and we should definitely do that again. Though next time, there should be more dancing... LOL. People enjoyed talking so much, many ended up socializing instead of working a sweat.
Oh well, will be better next time. At least now I have a list of e-mails and phone numbers to work on... yay!
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