Obviously you have clicked here because you’d like to know more about me, this blog and the reason it exists. Otherwise you just got lost while getting click-happy. In either case, I welcome you!
My name is April. I am an avid bellydancer, and after over 6 years of practice and performance I have become fairly adept. I love to swim. I eat what my body needs and while I am still learning to listen to my own body, I treat it with care and love. I am in great shape and feel fantastic. I am also fat.
This blog exists because I felt, after spending the better part of a year reading and contributing comments to blogs in the so called “Fat-o-sphere” of fat acceptance blogs, that it was time to add my own voice to the mix. I can not make any promises as to what this blog will turn out to be but it is my hope that some of my thoughts and reflections upon daily life and the world around us may help others to see fat and people who happen to be fat as what they are: People. Regardless of our size, we all deserve to be able to accept ourselves, love ourselves and not be judged for others based on our appearances.
Fat, thin, tall, short, active, lazy, healthy, unhealthy….whatever labels you might think to attribute to a person, remember, under it all, we are all still simply this: People. It is my hope that the ideas I bring up here will help to spark conversations and thinking about not only starting to like YOURSELF for who you are but also about respecting others for who THEY are.
August 12, 2008 at 2:20 pm
April, you’re awesome! I love the video of your dance routine. And your blog title makes me giggle whenever I pop by here for a visit. Go, April, go!
August 12, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Thanks and I’m glad to pass the smiles and giggles
August 13, 2008 at 9:10 am
Hi, April!
I stumbled across your blog… don’t change a thing, woman, you are beautiful! I was born with a heart defect, so I can’t hang around too long — your smile is making my heart race! Not good for me!
I’ve always been a believe that if 1) you are reasonable healthy and 2) if you are happy as you are, then you get to choose your own lifestyle. It’s not my place to tell someone what/how to think. So you just keep on speaking the truth, young lady!
If you (or your readers) head over to my blog, you may see a few things you disagree with. Since I have a bad heart, I gotta take care of myself — or I am not long for this world. But that applies *only* to me and my unique situation.
(I really think I need to talk to my doctor about prescribing me a daily 100mg dose of your smile, I think that will do me a LOT of good!)
Steve
http://tricuspid.wordpress.com/
October 1, 2008 at 10:42 am
Reading your blog–good onya, mate! I really enjoyed your thought processes, and wish you the best!
babs
October 1, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Have read only a page or two of your blog and have to let you know I’m impressed, not only with your spirit, your focus and your determination, but I’m also infected by it.
Sadly could not get the video to run, but can only say Yay for you. Keep up the good work.
October 28, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Hi hi!
First of all, I’d like to say “WOW!”
Your dance was incredibly beautiful!! I, who has been born in a land of incredible hip-moving dances, can’t do it. XD But then again, I haven’t fully tried (and, zomg, I should!!!).
Second, I have no idea how I stumbled here (to the site/blog per say), but I guess I want to state (and share) that today I learned a little about accepting myself the way it is. Mostly by having read many blogs on women who have done the same.
I should stop being silly about what other people say. Yup. That’s right.
Anyway, that’s it. I’ll bookmark this blog so that I don’t loose it. Keep it up, you’re doing great so far!
October 28, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Thanks for the continued support and encouragement folks!
December 12, 2008 at 4:12 pm
That was fabulous, I had to twitter it!
February 24, 2009 at 11:10 pm
I love your blog but mostly that you love yourself..since not many women do these days..I guess most of them just read and look at too many fashion magazines..wishing they looked like someone else. I love my body and I admire women that can say they love theirs too.
Keep doing a good job
Ivana
February 27, 2009 at 3:06 pm
April, I found your blog because I googled “round is a shape.” I have always loved that concept “I’m in shape. Round is a shape,” and am using it in a little routine I am doing for a Sacred Theater production in Portland, OR. So, just want you to know I’m thrilled to see your blog and your wonderful belly dancing action! You go girl.
Alison
March 30, 2009 at 4:27 pm
What an inspiring message. Keep it up!
March 31, 2009 at 7:40 am
April,
Thank you so much for this blog. Your words are like ice cream on a hot day, like a warm fire on a cold day. You are an inspiration. You have a new fan!
Meg
March 31, 2009 at 8:59 am
Meg thanks for reading! I hope I can continue to inspire
April 23, 2009 at 12:58 am
SHAKE IT!!!
That was the best belly dancing I’ve seen in a very long time. You seem like you are still focusing hard on the technical aspects and haven’t really gotten into the flow of the movements, but you’re well on your way. There are moments when you go with the music and WOW!
Don’t be afraid to be sexy because belly dancing is sexy and so are you! Well done!
April 23, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Thanks twilightriver. I’m actually going to update the video for a more recent one today
April 23, 2009 at 9:36 pm
OH! Much improved! You have excellent fluidity of movement and a really nice snap to your hips now! Excellent work! So proud of you
I’m working back up to a level where I can start dancing again and am really looking forward to being able to get more bellydance than the few lessons I’ve had here and there when I was able to grab them.
Honestly, you have a great bod! So glad you’re out there shaking it and showing it off!
Also, really glad that I caught the early video and got to compare it to how you are doing now. It’s encouraging to see how you’ve developed as a dancer. Thank you for sharing your videos!
June 9, 2009 at 10:43 pm
I love your statement about how self-love comes in all shapes and sizes. That is so true. Very smart.
June 10, 2009 at 7:14 am
Thanks Eric. I’m enjoying your comments and would love to hear from you again more as I continue posting!
June 10, 2009 at 3:27 am
Absolutely hilarious! You are awesome! This is book material darling!
June 10, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Thanks Peter Monn
June 12, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I just want to say thank you for the great stories, thank you for challenging me to think; which believe me, is a challenge and for bringing a smile to my face. I am new to this blog but I am glad that I found it.
September 17, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Great blog. You remind us that being happy with yourself isn’t dependent on what size you wear. And as long as a person is happy, that is what matters. Not your age, your clothing size, or any of the other things people make snap judgments about…
September 17, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Thanks safiab.
September 17, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Thanks safiab.
September 17, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Your dancing is beautiful and you are wonderful. Good on you, girl. Really like your energy.
September 17, 2009 at 8:21 pm
I appreciate it Anna. Good luck with the stress management site over across the pond
September 17, 2009 at 5:44 pm
April you ROCK! I just put you in my favorites & can’t wait to read all your posts!
Julie
September 17, 2009 at 8:22 pm
I’m honored jlh922; thanks for reading!
September 21, 2009 at 9:15 pm
April, I stumbled across your website purely by accident… I thank you for creating it…. I suffer from terrible body image issues and low self esteem. Reading through your blog really made me feel better about the shape of my own body…. I doubt I’ll take up belly dancing any time soon, but I’ll certainly take it into consideration….
September 22, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Just found your blog and it is GREAT! GO you!
September 23, 2009 at 7:07 am
Thanks Jessica!
April 24, 2009 at 11:08 am