2013 in Reflection.

Hi Everyone. Today's post is the obligatory review of the year. Thanks to you all for reading and following my posts in the last few months on the blog. Has been quite fun for me to do posts and showcase my life and passions on here. This is a long one...

This year has been one of many changes and personal growth as well as business growth.

Magpie Calls:
 This business of mine which started out purely as a hobby has grown into something which I am excited by,and which has soooo much potential. I have ideas coming out my ears and I have loved meeting new people at the I heart market, finding new avenues of creative outlet and making special creations that are unique and OOAK.

I have made some bellydance costumes, Have made many of my signature fabric flowers for fellow dancers,have made custom christmas and bridal decorations, necklaces, accessories and headwear are all adorning various people out there,and I eagerly await the moment when I can accost someone in the street with a "hey that's my creation you're wearing- I made that".

I am glad I started the blog. After a creative business workshop with Nadia Van der Mescht I could really focus on what I wanted my business to do and be like and I still have concepts and advice from that which will be implemented this next year. The blog is a way for me to visually see how I am doing and it keeps me focused on what clients want and how to connect with you all.

I have plans for next year going forward: new product lines and ranges, photo shoots, new sales outlets, more markets and just expanding and working on my brand as a whole (hopefully a brand revamp will happen this year).

I look forward to more custom creations,  new customers and fresh ideas.

Bellydance
This year I took over Dance Tribe officially and therefore all the teaching and choreography. It has been a challenge and an absolute joy. My students made me soooo proud this year and at our show and as a teacher I am grateful to have such wonderful students. We may be a teeny studio but I know we will work hard to produce quality dancing and dancers and that is my ultimate goal.

I have studied with some amazing teachers this year- Kami Liddle in April , Kristine Adams in November and Ioleen Lazenby the whole year. My soul has been fed by these ladies and I have so much to work on for myself and my students as a result. Awesome.

I went outside of my comfort zone and Benni and I entered Miss Bellydance SA (the tribal group category)- we wanted to show who we were, and the goal was not to win but to rather have the experience and just have a blast. We were so pleasantly surprised to be placed third and it was one of our year highlights.

For World Bellydance Day in May I once again took the organisational lead and together with the Belly Community of KZN we raised R9000 plus for The Open Air School with our hafla. Was such a lovely event and I am so proud of us all.

One of my highlights this year has been to start doing ATS® classes regularly with Ioleen and Left of Centre Dance. Our troupe "The Durban Tribal Collective" is so special to me because as tribal teachers in Durban Ioleen, Sam and I (and Benni) have bonded and are creating a really solid foundation of community for our students. That is so amazing to me. Can't wait to dance more with these ladies. We have some great friendships developing here and I love that Ioleen and I combined our studios to create an amazing showcase "Salmagundi"  of Tribal in KZN - we loved having Sam (and Kristine) joining us.One dance performance highlight was dancing ATS on the top of Sani Pass with the local Basotho people and muscians accompanying us. So special. And this included Heather from Tribal Angels in Joburg  and Kristine Adams as part of her world ATS tour.

Personally it has been the start of me seeing my own personal dance style emerging and I am excited to see where it goes. I am so grateful to my parents for helping me have a small home studio - it has made the world of difference to my classes and my own personal practice, and I know Studio Dance Tribe is going to be busy next year!

I can't wait to go back to Vegas and Tribal Massive again next year for more in-depth and intensive immersion into my passion of dance.

Personal:
I have had to learn time management, specially with 3 jobs. It is hard but totally worth it. I still get the disapproving looks from people who don't get that I have eschewed "normal jobs" to do what I do. It is hard, but trying to justify why you are following your passions and how long it actually takes to achieve things is sometimes too much for a quick visit or a passing convo in a shopping centre.

I have learnt this year that I am at an age where I want to have people in my life who actually want to be there. This may actually require effort from their side, it may mean we don't always agree,or see each other all that often, but that we have a connection and are invested in each other's lives. This goes for friends and family. I need to look after my own mental health and well-being and letting people affect that is not good for anyone. I may not always be exactly where I want to be in my life journey,but gosh I can have fun and meaningful relationships while there. I am grateful for all the new friendships I have made this year and the existing ones who have stayed the course. I look forward to some fun times in 2014.

This year has been great, thank you for being a small part of that.
Have a wonderful Christmas, new year and holiday season.
God Bless

much love and shimmies from me and 2013.