I started with the Pimsleur audio course in November 2010, in an attempt to learn a bit of Egyptian Arabic. My extra motivation was that I booked a dance trip with Farida Adventures at the end of February. Much to my regret, I'm not going on the dance trip due to the recent unrest: the Dutch government still has a code 5 (advice against all non-essential travel, specially mentioning to not go to Cairo).

That certainly dampened my enthusiasm regarding the listening course! But after a couple of weeks procrastinating away, I kicked myself back into gear because I wanted to do this for myself. And I will not deny myself something that gives me a lot of satisfaction and a sense of achievement. 

I estimated that I'd be on lesson 12 this week when I started out, but in reality I'm at lesson 8. I can ask for coffee and tea (or some coffee and some tea) and today I learned how to say 'I want to buy something'. I desperately want to know what 'belly dance costume' is in Egyptian Arabic, as the sentence 'I want to buy a belly dance costume' will probably the most used sentence once I do get to go to Egypt. :)

I'm guessing bedlah raqs sharqi, though Arabic doesn't put the words in the same order as Western languages. But the next couple of months, I'll have the other 22 classes from the Pimsleur series to learn. Yay!!

 The financial situation over here is not looking too bright, hoping I can sell stuff before going to Egypt. On the other hand, who needs food when you can get a custom made Eman?

Wants:

*I want a mermaid costume. Badly. Is it wrong of me? Thought maybe Eman had ideas on making something more suitable to my complexion, as I'm not a pale redhead.
*maybe a sahar or an eman, something sleek in a bold print. Maybe both.
*Pharonix: she has an all crystal bra/belt set I had my eyes on for years. Don't know if she still makes them, but I'd love one of those. 
* shamadan (big plans on expanding my dance vocabulary. And if it doesn't work out, I can always use it as a chandelier)

I'm good to go on the following items, if you're with me in Cairo please remind me that I don't need:
-Folkloric stuff (have melaya, saidi and baladi stuff)
-hipscarves (though I need an all beads one for teaching purpose. ONE hipscarf, no more)
-beaded fringe or more costuming supplies. Except if I can find huge sew on stones or crystals.