No regrets

I really have no regrets...when it comes to learning dance.This is one of my hobbies which mummy did not approve at first.She was worried as the dance instructor was a man and when it comes to dancing,there will definitely be some kind of contact.But,since started,nothing has ever stopped me from learning when i have the chance to.Studies came in the way a few times,but once i had some free time,i would be back to continue.This proves that nothing will be in the way if you have your heart and mind set to do it.

Mummy has always encouraged us (siblings and me) to learn anything that was in our interest or beneficial to us.She doesn't mind paying as long as we wanted to learn.I have attended piano lessons,drum lessons,badminton training,taekwando and even mental arithmetic.Most of them were because i was made to learn.It was never my choice.Dancing was the first thing that i learnt because i wanted it.But,this time,mummy refused to pay for my fees.She said if i wanted to learn i had to pay for it myself.Partially it was because of the reason above and partially it was because she wanted me to appreciate,didn't take for granted the money spent on it.So,i have been paying for it myself for a total of almost 3 years now (and it is not cheap cos it costs me 50% of my monthly allowance now).And what she said was right.I am more aware of the cost i need to pay and in order to make it worthwhile,i make sure i attend the classes,pay attention,put effort into improving and practise whenever i am free.Cost versus benefit (linking the things i studied in ACCA here cos i am suppose to be preparing for my exams next week).Besides all that,i also do not give up that easily too.Previously,whenever i face any difficulties when learning,giving up was always an option i would consider,but not for dance.It was never an option,never even thought of it.For all the hardwork,time and money spent on it,giving up halfway would be a waste.Therefore,i am more determined to be better at what i am learning,to be a better dancer.

So,why is it that i said i have no regrets....Only recently,the previous lesson and tonight,that i received a huge compliment from my dance instructor.Usually,i will always either not be doing it right or doing it not enough,never up to his standard as a good student.But,this time,he told me that i had improved a lot,getting most things right (doesn't mean i am very good,just finally understanding what he meant and able to do them).He is even beginning to teach me more especially the hand movements so that i am able to be a complete dancer.I have always concentrated on my body and legs,never bothered about how my hands are suppose to move.So,this time,learning all these makes me feel like a real dancer,a dancer who can perform instead of just facing the mirror and practise.And the funny thing,he even insisted that i search for a job around here so that i can attend more dance classes and maybe get me a partner and prepare for competition.To hear all that from him (one of the best dance instructor in Malaysia),how can i not feel happy and contented?

Conclusion: I have NO REGRETS in learning how to dance =D

Random

This post is really going to be like the title..very random,covering everything that has happened since i last blogged or is happening.

My house renovation is finally going to end soon.Kitchen cabinets are getting fixed,the cupboards for the bedrooms are coming together too..Just the little touches.My room will hopefully be done by next week cos the only thing missing is the cupboard now.It is getting custom made and is suppose to be ready on Sunday.My bed received a new coat of paint and it looks brand new now.Can't wait for everything to in place and see the final result.

Grandma came to visit last week.It is still difficult for her to accept the passing of my uncle but we try our best to talk to her.I spent the first night talking to her till almost 2am,listening to her 'what if' and 'why'.After the first night,we (siblings and i) decided to use another approach which is to play mahjong to distract her.The first night of mahjong went well.No money involved,just playing for the fun of it.The following nights,grandma suggested betting a little to make it more interesting.So that's what we did for 2 or 3 nights till early in the morning.Mummy would wake up in the middle of her sleep and tell us to stop,but we still carried on.How naughty of us and grandma... =P

If you have seen my post before this,there is one about the pets we have at home.One of them is our first dog,Brownie.He is now more than 15 years old and is almost completely blind.He walks into things especially during the renovation.Recently,we noticed that his legs are becoming weak and he pants too much.It is heart breaking to watch him suffer like this but it is equally as bad to consider putting him to sleep.We haven't decided on what to do,just trying to be more aware of his needs and making him as comfy as we can.

My results from June's exams are out.I am really very glad i made it this time.With the first time failure,demotivation,renovation,falling sick a few days before exam...there is nothing more i could wish for.I am now left with 2 papers and i will be done with ACCA for good.That means i have to start preparing and focusing on my goal.

Last week,i attended my dance class again.It is really amazing how i never fail to enjoy myself when i am there.So much laughter especially with the uncle (80 years old) who dances better than me.We would partner and then he would teach me new steps he learned from Youtube.When class ended,i had a chat about dancing shoes with a girl who has been there for quite some time but we seldom talk cos she usually speaks Mandarin and i am not good at it.The uncle felt quite left out cos i would always talk to him and we would walk down to the car together.But it was all okay after that.He even teased about us driving him to Penang and treating him to a meal there.

My current craze is nail polishes.I have been getting at least one a week.Like painting my toe nails see how they turn out.When i am back home,even persuaded mummy and grandma to let me do it for them.

I have been playing badminton quite often recently since i am around when my parents play.So,i can join them and exercise a little instead of being a couch potato at home.It is also sort of a family time since if my brother is back,he joins too and after badminton,we usually go for our dinner.Because i play badminton nowadays,my brother got a new shoe and mine is about to kaput..i have been looking around for a new one and i just can't take my eyes off this.Love the colour!

I am kind of bored seeing myself in this same hairstyle so i have been considering to curl it.Erny and sis are also thinking of doing it so we might get them done together.But,i am really afraid that i will not get used to the look and might think that i have just wasted my money on something really unnecessary.What do you think?Should i try or not?

Sis and me have created a record of using all the public transport in around 6 hours..It started from plane,then bus,ktm komuter and finally taxi.That's our way of travelling when don't drive and still want to save money,but it is VERY TIRING.

I think that's all...Better study a little now before i start feeling sleepy.

First week of lectures

Today is Friday!Finally coming to the end of the first week.

It was okay for the first week.Orientation was a little waste of time and pressuring cos the management kept on mentioning 'passing rate','success','work hard' and 'platinum status'..Though it is stressful to hear all those,in a way it is kind of good for someone like me who lost my motivation last semester.It made me feel determined to pass my exams and to work hard in order for this semester to be my last one.

Besides orientation is the lectures.They were all smooth-going.I managed to find out where all the lectures were held and can quite understand what the lecturers were saying.That is something good cos my last semester i was always lost and trying to find my way out of the puzzle.This is where i find Sunway to be better.They acknowledge the fact that there are new students and therefore,don't always refer to the notes they previously gave or use terms which new students won't know.But what's not nice is that the lecturers have already asked us to start revising after each lecture.I know that it is THE WAY,but i am always so tired after lectures.My brain feels like it has absorbed SO MUCH and i should just sleep to 'save' what i learned.

So,that's a little about how my study life is currently.

Dance...stopped for the moment cos it is TOO EXPENSIVE to learn it here.So shall just wait till i have the time when i am back in AS to continue.

Sleep...i have been sleeping so EARLY these days.Really not like the AS me where 12am is still early.Here,10pm is already late.But it's good,at least no more looking like a panda (even though i love them).

Pro moves

Dance is getting really interesting and addictive.Though i am tired every week by the traveling,i still make myself drive to the dance studio which is quite far,around 15minutes (far for people like me who lives in a small town).I don't need anything to make me want to go,i just love going.

Last week,i learned something new.The sir decided to teach me how to move a little more like the pro now.No longer the beginner's robotic moves.Beginners use to move according to beat,but for a pro,they still follow the beat,just with an addition of impact and speed on certain steps.At the lower level,every step has the same speed and strength whereas at a higher level,the dancer moves more like a rubber band,there is the push,then sudden release and pull.

It is really interesting to try out the new technique but definitely difficult to get it right.The speed is also a new aspect to me.It has always been slow and steady,perfecting each step before moving on to the next.Now,i have to do that all in a split second and the most importantly,still maintain my balance on that 2.5inches heels.

I don't know why people always think that dancing is the opposite of sports.

Sports = Tough

Dance = 'Soft'

But the truth is,dancing requires as much energy and stamina as
sports.Speed,precision,strength,balance and flexibility all at once.It is no wonder that dancing competition is now called as dancesport.Therefore,i think those people who keep having this perception that dancing is 'girlie' should reconsider their statement.
(I just suddenly feel like writing this though it is a little 'out' of what i am blogging about)

Think that's all for now about dance.

A bit of everything

I have been so lazy to blog the past few weeks.Not that there is nothing to but i was just pure lazy and my brain didn't feel like putting everything into words.I did try to write a few times but ended up with me staring at my lappy screen.

So,this post is gonna be a 'rojak'...a bit of everything that has happened.

For this semester,i am still studying in Penang at the same college.The only difference is that my sis is not going there with me.She has decided to try self-studying so i now travel alone.Luckily i am only attending classes for one subject so there is only two days of classes.Lectures are this stage are really stressful.Firstly,i am SO TIRED from waking up early and driving to class.What used to be 15minutes to class is not 2hours to class.Secondly,the lecturer is like a bullet train,no time for me to think for answers,just writing and writing and writing.Besides that,my coursemates are all so smart and hardworking.I feel so 'dong dong'.In addition to that,this is a continuous paper which i took a year ago from another college,so you can imagine how rusty i am plus the adaption i need to make.All those really makes going to lecture a nightmare these days.

I had a quiet birthday this year.Though it was just a simple one,but definitely it was as memorable as the ones before.I had some friends over from KL to spend it with me which was quite fun.I brought them to Lunas,Kulim to experience 'kampung' lifestyle.We visited a few temples and tasted the supposedly famous roast duck.The trip ended with dinner at Kuala Kedah together my family.

Dance dance is still as usual.I think i have improved a little bit but still not as good as i hoped to be.Got to practice harder,not miss class too much and try to remember what i have learned every week.I wish there will be no more obstacles preventing me from continuing the classes.

I have been spending so much time with my friends.But unfortunately,they have to either go back to study or start work soon.Going to miss them so much.

I am still mixing around,getting to know more people.No harm in knowing more and i don't think there is a limit to the number of friends one can have.So,decisions will only be made when i am ready and certain.

I am trying to gain some weight now.Mummy and some friends have been complaining that i am too thin and my coursemate said i am anorexic.I am thin but i am certainly not anorexic.Reason why i lost weight was because my meal time was too screwed up during exam period and that caused me to skip meals.I didn't bother to change it thinking that i look alright being this thin.Only when i was out shopping for clothes did i realise that it is a problem.So,i am currently adjusting my sleep time,no more late nights and late mornings (trying to reduce my eyebags too).Also,my meal portions have increased and i eat more frequently too.My target is to achieve 50kg...

That's all i can think of for now.Got to go and get some stuff done and wait for my twin to call me to go out.Enjoy tonight and start studying tomorrow... (Hopefully la...)

Lesson from Thursday

Extend
Long
Tall
Stretch

Balance
Center of gravity

That's why you are the instructor...

Yesterday's dance class involves a lot of sweat.

Holding the body up.
Contra between the hips and the shoulders.
80% 20%.

How to grow 'roots' into the ground with those heels?

Today's adventure

Dance class today was AWESOME!!Love dancing so much =) Can't wait to improve especially now when i sort of have someone there to dance with.The sir is still better than who i have but not going to complain that much cos at least i have someone to practice with,right?

Anyway,after class,which was around 8.15pm,started the car and drove the usual route home.Before i can even get out of that taman,there was two fire engines and ambulance.The road out was blocked with cars and the kepo people.What hit me next was..."Mati!I only know one way OUT!"Made a turn back to where the dance was,called Papa.He is not sure of any way to go out from there too.Luckily i was being more observant today.Saw many cars using a road in front of me.Decided to follow them and...TADAA!!..I am home.

I realised that even though at night it might be scary to try new way,it seems easier.Why do i say so?Cos..during the day,we tend to get even more afraid when we see unfamiliar buildings.At night,there is nothing you can see clearly except for the roads.Without the eyes to send unnecessary information to our brain to scare us,we can actually focus on our instinct.This is what i feel,not sure if you all think that same way too.

Dance!

FINALLY..i can go for dance class.I have either been skipping or the classes have been canceled for so long.Can't wait to go and come back feeling sweaty,body aches but refreshed =)

Dance

It has been awhile since i wrote about my dance class.Don't be mistaken that i didn't write means i skipped class,i didn't.I went but then was too busy to blog about it and nothing new.

Dance class now is getting tougher.Everything has to be MORE.The hips and the shoulders and the hands.Argh...so DIFFICULT!

Today,i was told by the sir to be not so stiff,to be softer.But when i was soft,he said i was like jelly.What he wants is...movement like rubber.Soft but has the elasticity.*Sigh...* Muscles oh muscles in my body,when can you be like rubber?

The next thing is to accentuate my movements,make them prominent and obvious.Sounds easy right?If he wants you to move to the left,move more and if he wants the hips out,then make them go out more.BUT...try doing all that on heels.It really limits the extend one can go.Only pros can do them and i am definitely not one.Solution..i think i have to get lower heels which means... *$$$$$*

But...no matter what,i will not give up.I already know what he means,just have to get my body to execute them.

Dance class after a month

It has been a month since i went for my proper dance class...

I messaged the sir to ask if the class is on and it is.So,at 6.40pm,i left the house to go for the class.The people at the class was so surprised to see me and asked me where i have been.Well,i have been missing class not because i am lazy to attend but because i always end up having things to do on Thursday (grandma's birthday,dinner with relatives in SP,just back from the KL trip and once was because they canceled class).So,it is entirely my fault,right?

A month of not twisting and turning caused my waist,back and legs to ache so badly..before the class can even end.And the sir suddenly told me,to NOT move my upper part of my body,make it looks as though there is no effort put into it (natural) while i do all the twisting and turning.That was REALLY difficult but i did try and that's how i got all the body aches.

Almost the entire lesson was spent on that.Nearing the end,when i thought that that's it,the sir came to me and we danced the steps that i learnt before this.Halfway through the dance,he decided to change it..and i don't know what made him have that thought,he decided to teach me the intermediate steps.INTERMEDIATE?After i have not gone for class for A MONTH?My basics was so still so shaky...Learning the steps wasn't the hard part.It was executing them in the way he wanted it that was tough.And...i ended up getting scolded for not being able to do it =(

So,now...i think i have to start concentrating on this dance class and maybe take a break from the other one cos indirectly,without me realising,it is affecting my basics.

That's a little update on my dance class..Hopefully no more scolding next lesson cos he is scary when he is SO SERIOUS.Wish me luck..

No updates

There has not been any updates about my dance lately because i didn't attend my class.Not because i didn't want to attend but because i was stuck in Penang and had to miss them.I am actually SO looking forward to going this week.

I had my Moral exam on Friday..so had to stay back in Penang from Wednesday until Friday.I can't be driving back to AS just for my dance.It will be too much especially on my parents' pocket as i am now driving back EVERY WEEK.So,that was the best solution.



The other day,when i was out wth my friends,the dance uncle called.He is really so sweet.He asked me how i was with my dancing and the hip movement,whether i was improving,learning new steps..and also wished me good luck in dancing (I need a lot of luck especially in learning those tough moves).I was so touched..It is not always that people remember you like that.I wished him all the best in the surgery he is going to undergo and hope that he will recover fast so that he can come dancing with me again.

He underwent his surgery last Friday.Hope that everything is fine.Do you think it is okay for me to give him a call now?Or wait for awhile more,let him rest?Hm....

Dinner and dance

I am actually VERY LAZY to blog about the dinner and dance i went.So,will just write a summary of it..ok?

Before...was a disaster as i was in a rush and was sweating nonstop.Then,went to fetch A.Molly and off to the restaurant.Luckily there was still a lot of parking space.Then..found our table,sat there,listened to people karaoke-ing and smiled at a few people from my dance class.

Then..the dinner and dance started.The food was okay only.As for dance,there were three performances..cha cha,belly dance and jive.The rest was open dance floor.

I danced with one of my sir square rhumba and cha cha and with an uncle,cha cha.Those two dances are quite popular so the dance floor was quite crowded.Had to be careful where i turn and take the next step.Did bump into people a few times and it is so scary,just in case i fall or something like that.

So..overall,the dinner and dance was okay only.I expected more from it so was quite disappointed.

*I need to learn more dance steps*

Class

Dance classes nowadays are concentrating more on steps for the dinner.On Wednesday,i learnt a new social dance..in a circle,the ladies will change partner while the men stay where they are.It is quite interesting how it goes.I have seen this dance during a dinner i attended before this but i didn't know how to dance so i could not join.This time i can and hopefully i remember the steps =)

Today's class was enjoyable.Got teased by the sir for being 'famous' at the other dance class where i was considered the best dancer there (it is because the rest did not go to him to learn,so that's why i look better.But when compared to his students,i am nowhere near them).Then,it was practicing my basics and polish up my moves..hold the hip high and to turn,compress it without using the shoulders..and how to do the walk.Though most of what i did was the usual..but i still had lots of fun.

*I'm going for the dinner and dance..wait for my post about it.Hope i will have a great time =)

Dance classes

Yesterday i was too tired to blog about what i learnt and did so i am going to sum it all up in one post (also shows that i am getting lazier as well) =)

Dance class on Wednesday was like usual.Lots of fun and lots of sweat too..I am getting the hang of square rhumba now.It is basically doing the basics and let the guy lead.But i did learn a new step yesterday which is to bend back and trust my partner.It is so scary when the only support i have is my hands holding his hand.He is NOT supporting my back.Took me quite some time to trust and bend.But,i am still afraid.Then,it was the Thai rhumba..which was okay.Followed by cha cha.Not much of technique i could do cos the music was FAST and was like chasing after a jet.How not to sweat right?But MOST of them there didn't sweat.I really wonder how they danced...

Then,this morning i was suppose to go for badminton but it was cancelled.So,went over to AM's house for dance practice with the uncle and another guy.The other can do his hip well but then his posture,just doesn't look right.Even they uncle agrees with me but i didn't say anything about it.Better to keep it to myself.Who am i to judge others when i am not a pro,right? =) Just before going back,the uncke told me that he will only be dancing till the end of this month.He is going for a knee operation in September and hopefully will be back dancing after CNY =( I will definitely miss having him as my partner and teaching me cos he has the patience.Hope that he will recover from the operation fast and will be able to continue dancing...

Then,the dance class that i went just now.Today,there were around 5 students.It was nice cos not too crowded.I was practising my basics for rhumba as usual,still a lot of polishing to do.I need to remember 'shoulder lead','toes turn out','compress and hold','settle down' and 'connection'.These are the few..After that,i did the pattern with the uncle and finally,i learnt how to do the 3-steps turn.Usually,when doing the turns,after a few times,everything i see will be spinnning.That's wrong.The right way won't cause dizziness.It is because the head doesn't turn with the body.There is a certain direction to look at when doing the turns.So,that is what im learnt.Slowly getting it already but i still need to make it looks effortless and natural.

So..these are the things that i learnt this week.

*The sir asked if i wanted to go KL to watch the international dance competition.It is on the 30th of August and they are going down by bus.Should i go?

Polishing

Only two students showed up for dance class today..the uncle (aka my partner) and me.So,my $$ is worth cos i had the sir to teach ME,ME,ME...

Because i MIGHT be going for the dinner and dance,so the uncle asked the sir (without my knowledge) to teach us a few patterns so that we can dance on that night.The steps were not that okay,just getting the right posture and hip work was TOUGH.I had to stand straight,pull my body up (as though i am a puppet and there is a string attached to my head..had to PULL that string up).The sir did a lot of pushing and pulling to ensure i get it and i told him i think i am going to break my back if he does it a little more.That was really difficult.Then,the hip work.We had to go the side walk and 'kukaracha' (that's how it is pronounce but i am not sure if that is how it is being spelled).I always thought that turning the hip in the figure 8 was just like how we write it on a piece of paper,2 dimension.But,the sir said..it has FOUR DIMENSION.How can there be 4 dimension?So,he explained and i got it in theory.Doing it...still need a lot of practice.

So...these are the things i learnt today.I need to remember and keep doing it so that i will be ready for the party if i do go.

Though yesterday and today are about dancing but the fun i get out of them is different.That's why i like them both and don't mind paying.Sacrificing new clothes for this..but it's worth it =)

Today's class

Today's dancing class was F-U-N!

I can now dance the square rhumba,but that is only with good leading.And..i can dance the cha cha and the cuban rhumba..

What is so fun tonight is that i learnt the SALSA.I like it a lot and hoping to learn more steps and get the feel of it.Then only the dance will look nice..right?

Do you all think i should go for the dinner and dance on the 20th of August?

Siamese rhumba?

Today,i learnt a new dance..Siamese rhumba.I haven't heard of it ever in my life until just now.The dance is like.....rocking,have move front,back,front.There are 5 variations,symbolises the 5 petals on a flower.I learnt 3 but can only remember 2 cos i had to remember the steps for other dances (square rhumba and cha cha) as well.By the end of the lesson,i just 'pakai hentam' my steps.Don't know which is which and where to turn.When the sir changed to cha cha,i was still dancing the Siamese rhumba and he had a good laugh cos i must have looked so silly.It was another fun and interesting lesson... =D

~ Letting it go ~

Today

In the morning..i had badminton.Was very reluctant to go cos i was so sleepy.But,i did go in the end.It was fun learning new things and improving but definitely tiring.

Then,it was fetching bro from school,resting awhile before fetching him to tuition.Wanted to catch a quick nap but there wasn't any time.Don't know what i was doing in between.

After that,it was D-A-N-C-E.Beginning it was boring,learning the basics AGAIN.So,most of the time,i was looking at others doing it.When the sir was correcting them,i observed and corrected myself cos i am still not perfect.Then,my friend (an eighty something year old man) came.He was dancing with me yesterday.At first,he stood at another end,dancing by himself.After some time (think he was kind of bored cos he knows the basics too),he came over and asked me to dance with him.So,it was REAL FUN after that.We were talking and dancing and trying to perfect the 'connection' thing (we finally got it but sometimes 'connection' will still sesat).So,that's what i learnt in today's dance class..the basics and the 'connection'.

*WAS FORGOTTEN AND LEFT BEHIND*

FUN FUN

Fun day..and it has NOTHING to do with my class or travelling back home by bus.

Remember my previous posts where i was complaining there was no dance class for me.Now..i have TWO classes to go to =D

Why am i going for two?Well,i am still learning from the same instructor as i did last time.He is very good in techniques so that is where i learn how to dance so that it looks nice.Then the other instructor is where i learn all the different variations so that IF i ever go for parties or dinners then i can dance with people.

Tonight is the variation class..I learnt the square rhumba and the cha cha.It is so fun to be learning something different from what i did and to be able to dance with anyone who can lead.The not fun parts..when i was doing the wrong move,forgetting my next move,feeling dizzy from being turned round and round (that was really bad).Besides that,i totally enjoyed myself.

Tomorrow..another dance class.Can't wait for that.Hopefully he teaches something new besides the basic *keeping fingers crossed*..