Greetings from a Chinese beginner

[Lucy]

Thank you, Zorba!

[Shanazel]

Exactly, people like me get the first impression of belly dancing from their teachers, so it is important what image the teacher is giving. (I just searched "puppy mill" to understand what it is, it's terrible!)

Puppy mills are terrible and I probably shouldn't have used them as a comparison but the mill simile is appropriate in its mindless commercialism and thoughtlessness.

[Mosaic]

Welcome Lucy, You sound quite dedicated, and wanting to do the right thing. Keep practicing what you have learnt from the Taiwanese teacher, and as you don't have a permanent teacher, keep using the DVDs. It takes time & effort but don't forget to just enjoy dancing, learning technique is important, but joy in the dance is a must to continue to improve.
~Mosaic.