Yes there were calendars on my wall, clocks on my iPhone, days and dates imprinted in my memory, I turned up to classes on time, got on the planes in time, turned up to parties and performances on the right dates but for the most part 2009 feels like it flowed past with very little structure or adhering to time boundaries. A new kind of flow.
That is not to suggest that the year was all about freedom and smooth sailing, there were definitely moments in 09 when I felt like the flow was being whipped from underneath me or I had simply missed the boat all together. Thankfully however, I experienced even greater moments, lengths of time when I felt in every way I was on the right path at the right time, for me.
2009 was a year of rapid evolution in many elements of my life, relationships, ideas, learning, change. I witnessed many mirrors in my relationships with others this year, the reflections had a powerful influence on me and supercharged growth and expansion. Some of the mirrors got broken, as mirrors often do and I simply refuse to believe in the 7 years of bad luck superstition. The shattering sparked self awareness, good luck I think.
A great deal of newness entered my chosen realities and as a result I witnessed in many ways the responsibility I have over all the events in my life, how fully I was creating each happening. In many ways I feel like 2009 was a time of observation, I saw my self in many circumstances sitting back and observing, learning, holding back. Some major outcomes have been presented and it is with intense excitement that I proactively help them unfold in the new year!
The year in pics is always a yummy way to review. Putting this little collage together also helped me retrace some steps!
Some memories…
* Birthday with lovely ladies at the Pink Cow, Shibuya
I love having my birthday at the beginning of the year. Precisely one week after we are told it is a new year with new numbers to write on paper I turn a new age, I love it that way. This year I celebrated with some very special ladies at The Pink Cow in Shibuya. Felt very lucky and loved.
* Think Global. Dance Local.
In early Feb I packed up some of my stuff and headed to Australia for a two month adventure that included the Sydney Mardi Gras, sharing hoop dance with the Active After School Program in NSW schools and teaching adult Hoop Dance classes in Sydney .
* Intergalactic Space Babes
With Bunny Hoop Star at the wheel we made an intergalactic space babe landing on the stage at the Kooky Mardi Gras Extravaganza, one week before the parade. Think lots of bling, amazing make up and hair, LED hoops a spinning, a UV reactive spaceship and a triptastic soundtrack to boot.
* dd hoop love
It was around about this time that dd hoop love (em)braced herself with the full support of two troublesome twins known as the Party Tina’s. Alter egos galore. Wigs and make up did wonders to coax these characters out of their caves. New stars were born and the party went on.
* Hoopaholics DID Mardi Gras
From beginning to end the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras was a glitter filled swirl of ecstasy. The Hoopaholics coupled with the Color Parade worked it to paint the back end (we were the last float of the parade) with a hoop dance party never to forget. Led by the silver space ship, flown by Nick Coppins, we spun, twirled, skipped, partied and danced the whole route.
* From Parade to Party
The parade was only part of the party for Bunny Hoop Star and I as we took our hoops, hair and costumes on into the night performing 3 hoop spots at the Mardi Gras Party.
* Starland
Starland was a magical getaway on the southern coast of NSW, home to numerous characters, that I was lucky enough to play and stay at for Feb and March of 09. Too many memories, all so beautiful!
* Hanami
I worried a little that nearly two months away from Tokyo would be difficult to recover from but the reception I received upon my return – Sakura Season – whisked me straight back into the wonderland of Tokyo. A magical weekend spent in Yoyogi Park. Friends and faces, dance parties under the stars, hooping in magical groves and of course the stunning cherry blossoms.
* Cherry Blossom Dates
Masao and I continued our Sakura season with lots of relaxing dates under the falling petals in the near by Inokashira Park.
* Couple Jam
One early morning in Spring the talented photographer Hal showed up, we costumed up, he shoved us in the bath tub and the flashes went off.
* Cops and Robbers
My partner in crime, Spanky, and I were joined at the hip by Spring and found great pleasure in dressing up and hooping up or simply trawling the back streets of Tokyo. Much fun was had the night we were invited by some sweet boys to play Doro Kei – Cops and Robbers.
* 1st Birthday
HOOPLOVERS turned one! Naturally we had fun in Yoyogi Park!
* Ideas Worth Sharing
I felt like the luckiest kid in the world when I received an invitation to TEDxTokyo. Words barely describe the absorption of goodness that went on that day. You know those days, the ones when you can actively feel every cell of your body circulating and creating. That was TEDxTokyo.
* CIRCLE
I had a little dream that I wanted to share and that dream was CIRCLE. Not a new concept but definitely a worthwhile one. People getting together and doing what they love. That has got to make the world go round, right?
* Cross Pollination
HOOPLOVERS moved beyond offering beginner hoop classes and we were lucky enough to share space with some of Tokyo’s most creative flow toy performers. New juice for the evolution of the hoop crew.
* Abraham
In 08 I was introduced to Abraham, in 09 I connected more powerfully with the teachings. This resulted in life changing outcomes that I am still hugging and absorbing each moment of each day. Life long loving and learning with Abraham.
We spent a lot of time in bed together this year. He is good!
Let your desire for pleasure and your desire for feeling good be your only guiding light. As you seek those thoughts that feel good, you will always be in vibrational harmony with the Energy that is your Source. And under those conditions, only good can come to you — and only good can come from you.
— Abraham
* I Love Leila
Leila and I chatted so much one night we ran up the steps to the platform to catch last train, jumped on last train, chatted through several stops until we suddenly realized we had been heading the wrong way for at least 10 minutes. With no train back into Shinjuku we had several options; karaoke all night long, sleep on the streets or cozy up in a business hotel. The robes, slippers and long sleep in were so worth it!
* Everybody’s Doing It
Spanky and dd got all dressed up (in very little) one night, grabbed their hoops, video camera and Masao and headed to Shibuya. An all night hoop up on the streets of Tokyo resulted in this.
I miss you Steph!
* Masao the Man
Masao has been my number one, super supportive, loving, massage giving, hug sharing, hoop carrying, video taking, photographer through out this whole hoop crazed year. I love you Masao!
* Kamakura
Oh Summer on the beach. We spent many a gorgeous sunset with hoops spinning, waves washing over our feet on Yuigahama Beach this Summer. Bliss!
* Goddesses
It was most definitely Year of the Goddess. I have so much love and gratitude for all of the beautiful women in my life. You have helped me so very much to reconnect with my femininity, sensuality and nurturing spirit plus it has just been a ton of girly fun. Thank you.
*Hoop Boot Camp
August was Hoop Boot Camp month around here. Created as a community project the results were wonderful in so many unexpected ways. Gratitude goes out to all those who participated all over the world!
* Kids
Kids love hoops. I love kids and hoops! It is a pretty rad package! I got to play with so many amazing children in Australia and Japan this year, I am forever thankful for their inspiration and reminders.
* dd Hoop Love did Dr Sketchy’s
With the loving help of Lady Elle, Kike and Cherry Typhoon, dd Hoop Love (that’s me – sometimes) took herself and her hoops up onto the Dr Sketchy’s stage and realized it is tricky standing still for 20 minutes! The crowd was gorgeous and the experience was wild.
* Friends in Tokyo
Living in Tokyo can be exciting, lonely, busy, peaceful and jam packed. When friends come to town everything gets multiplied in all the best ways. We had so many wonderful times with friends from Sydney, UK and US in Tokyo this year. Treasured!
* Spin Matsuri
Spin Matsuri was one of the greatest learning experiences of my year, maybe my life. I am forever sending my love and gratitude to the participants, instructors and friends who made this happen. So much growth came out of this weekend, impossible to put into words.
* World Hoop Day 09
World Hoop Day in Tokyo was a wicked, whirling adventure. We had a blast as did the hundreds that turned up to spin hoops with us in Yoyogi Park. We raised enough money to purchase hoops to send on the Peace Boat. Fun and success!
* Oz Adventures
Time for a break. Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sydney, Sunshine Coast. Some of the most glorious spots on the planet with the most amazing people. Australia is a magical place, we will live there one day!
* FAB Academy
A few months ago I got a phone call from the very gorgeous Kike, one of the most life changing calls ever. This man and his partner Brad are absolute superstars. They opened FAB Academy in November, I feel so blessed to teach hoop dance and run workshops there.
* Hooping
I really have those magical circles called hoops to thank for so many connections, creativity, opportunities and change in my life. An even more heartfelt thank you goes out to those who spin in and around them. 2009 has brought so many beautiful friends, creative spirits and all round superstars in to my life. I want to list names but it would take far too long, you know who you are and I hope you know how grateful I am.
2010 looks like a mighty luscious number which surely correlates to it being a truly righteous year! With powerful and clear visions I am so ready to take on adventures with the colorful force of my double fire dragon energy. Prepare for take off.
One thing I do believe…
You are meant to live an expansive, exhilarating, good-feeling experience. It was your plan when you made the decision to become focused in your physical body in this time-space reality. You were born knowing that you are a powerful Being; that you are good; that you are the creator of your experience, and that the Law of Attraction (the essence of that which is like unto itself, is drawn) is the basis of the Universe, and you knew it would serve you well. And so it has.
— Abraham
So here is to expanding, being exhilarated and feeling good in 2010. Wishing you all the love and energy that you so fully deserve!
Love,
d
xx
