Second place! Finally!!!
Today was the Malaysia Open Dance Fest, organised by Teresa Liu, Emily Mah and Lane Lee under the World Dance Academy umbrella. The competition received overwhelming response, I guess partly because we haven’t had a neutral competition for quite a while.
I myself took part in quite a number of events – 3 team events (line dance team open, line dance team crystal, modern jazz team open) and 2 individual events (line dance individual crystal, modern jazz individual open).
The team had been training hard for the past month or so, trying our best to get our routine right and to be synchronised. Unfortunately, today, we didn’t do as well as we would like to – we came out only 3rd in all our events. I know that sounds pretty good, but not when you hear how many teams actually took part in the respective events. I shall let you guess.
We were disappointed not in the results, but in ourselves. Still, it was a learning experience for us all. I’m glad to say that every individual in this team did put in a lot of effort, and we haven’t been working together long enough as a team; so hopefully in the future, with enough consistent practices, we’ll make ourselves a better team.
As for the individual events… well, to tell the truth individual events have always been frustrating for me because I can’t seem to get into the finals, even when my friends say I deserve to get in. Either that, or something will go severely wrong (not my fault) and I’d get booted to last place. I’ve practically forgotten what it’s like to be able to stand on the podium, with more than 3 people competing in the event.
So anyway, I MADE IT INTO THE INDIVIDUAL CRYSTAL FINALS!!! Yeahhh!!!
The finals are tomorrow night. I hope I’ll have some rather good news to report tomorrow.
As for the modern jazz individual open… I GOT SECOND!
OK, so there’s only 4 people competing. I know that doesn’t sound tough, but it is – you try it and see!
I was actually worried that I was going to get last, because the judges weren’t looking at me. I was quite sad, you know. There I was, smiling and pumping out all I had, but none of the judges seemed to be looking at me. In fact, one of them even walked around me to take a look at another contestant. :’(
After I got off the floor, Pei Ru said that I’m definitely in top two. Another friend, Joanne Ng, said that I should win (1st), and coming from her, it means a lot because she’s got a very critical eye.
But I was already convinced that I was going to get 4th (how’d you like it if judges walked around you to look at others???), so I tried not to get my hopes up.
And when we were waiting on the floor for the prize presentation… I had a few false starts. OK, they’re not really false starts. But you see, my tag number is 17. And when the emcee (who is Bronya, by the way) announced 4th place: “seven–” I was going to step forward, until she completed her number: “-ty-five”.
And then it would register in my head: “Oh! That’s not me!”
And then in 3rd place, it was “seven–” and I was going to step forward again, until it came out as “-ty-one”.
For the first time, I was actually able to hug the other remaining contestant as we wait for the results. (The other times I got high placings in line dance competitions, finalists weren’t placed on the floor like in latin competitions, we usually just run in from the audience back then).
I’m happy with second place. First place would have been nice, but it’s too much pressure to try to defend it in the future. I honestly know that I still have so much to work on in my dancing, so having the gold elude me is great motivation. I know to some people, this may sound somewhat like sour grapes, but it truly isn’t. Besides, I don’t want people to start expecting me to dance like a superstar, and then see my dancing and go, “Haaa?? Like that also can win first place ahh?”
Anyway, I felt the first placed winner did deserve the win. I didn’t see her dance, but I saw her practising during her warmup, and she was super-flexible and rhythmic. And she’s really friendly and nice too 
Tomorrow night will be tougher though. There are 10 finalists for the individual crystal. *sweat* I just hope I won’t get last.
Oh, by the way, there are no photos because… Pei Ru tried to take photos of me on the podium with my Olympus BUT SOMEHOW THEY ALL CAME OUT BLUR. Dammittttt!!!!!
May 11, 2009
Dance Update :)
I know this is a bit late. But I was so busy trying to fix up my blog with other things first.
The first weekend of May, I was up in Penang for a dance competition. There were three dance disciplines in the competition: latin, belly dance, and hiphop. Initially I wanted to bring a hiphop team in for the fun of it… but then after a few practices, my team members decided to pull out for personal reasons. Anyway, we’re not hiphoppers. We’d probably have died on the floor; the other teams were very good.
I took part in the Latin Ladies’ event with Bronya. Actually it took me a while to make a decision on whether we should enter the competition or not. I was actually scared of taking part, mainly because I felt the pressure to do well. Bronya has more than twenty years’ experience of dancing. Me? I only took latin lessons these past two months… and I totally suck at it. Haha. Learning latin made me feel that the past 5 years of doing line dance and freestyle dance was all for nought.
Anyway, we also signed up for Latin Novice under the organiser’s encouragement. The skill levels (Beginner, Novice, Pre-Amateur, Amateur, Professional) are usually reserved for man/lady couples only. Latin Ladies is a unique event which only lady/lady couples participate; this event was created as many ladies found it difficult to get a male partner to dance with (like Bronya and myself).
Because we signed up for two events, I pulled out of belly dance which I signed up for also purely for fun. I wanted to conserve energy for the latin events.
Well… the novice event had A LOT of couples, so much so that the preliminary rounds had to have 2 heats! And guess what, Bronya and I made it to the quarter-finals!! But there was no joy in this triumph. We were not the only ladies-only couple to participate in the Novice; some even had gone as high as Pre-Amateur, and many ladies-only couples managed to get through to the next round. And it was only AFTER the preliminaries that after some complaints, the organiser was forced to announce the disqualification of all ladies-only couples from the non-ladies events. So we didn’t even get to fight in the quarter-finals, even though our number was called. 
As for the Latin Ladies… well, we made it to the finals!!!
And we got fourth!!!
Which is not bad for me, being a first-timer!!!
Yay, me. Pats self on back 
OK, we don’t have any photos. That’s because we had no supporters accompanying us up there. Not that I wanted any, I was already under pressure as it is, although most of it was self-induced pressure.
And here’s proof: http://www.williamluisa.net/v2/pages/posts/1st-national-ymcas-international-ballroom-hip-hop-belly-dance-competition-pulau-pinang-2009166.php
William is our latin dance trainer and he’s fantastic. If William and Luisa look familiar to you, that’s because they were among the trainers on Malaysia’s So You Think You Can Dance
April 26, 2009
Lucky me
I went to Malacca for the weekend, to accompany Bronya on a dance workshop she was conducting. I was also supposed to perform with her, but I hadn’t gotten the music ready yet as we were both so busy the past few weeks – she gave me the list of songs to use last week, but I had no time to fix the medleys, so on the drive down, I worked on it on my laptop.
I’m pretty sure that the workshop attendees must have thought me unsociable, because I sat in one corner fiddling with my laptop instead of mingling with the crowd. But then, the 2-hour drive was only enough for me to cut one medley, and I was supposed to do three! So I worked on the other two as the workshop was in progress. Fortunately I-Vee was with us, and she helped me take a video of the entire workshop. From time to time, I managed to take a few shots of Chief Guru with my DSLR though.
…. which goes to show how last-minute our performances were planned. We did have a rehearsal between the workshop and dinner, but that was obviously not enough
I performed with Bronya in two of the medleys (a funky mix, and a cuban mix) while she performed solo for one (smooth). Erm. We did pretty well in spite of the last-minute cuts, if I do say so ourselves. OK, maybe she won’t agree with me, because I messed up some of the beats. But the crowd did respond to me, and to her, when we played with the crowd. So I guess they enjoyed our performances in spite of our mistakes. Hahaha!!!
No, I’m not putting up the videos. The performance was probably only fun to watch live. If you want to watch it, well… you should have been there!
The next morning Bron had 2 private classes, so we had breakfast together before she went off. My right wrist felt stiff, and I thought I slept on it wrong. It was only much later that I realised it was a slight injury from last night. What happened was this: we didn’t have a changing room so we were given the stage (with curtains drawn) to change behind. The actual performance was on the floor in front of the stage, where the dinner tables were arranged around. As I was walking down the short flight of stairs from the stage, I slipped and grabbed the railing to stop myself from falling. I hit my thumb, so there’s a small bruise on it, but I thought that was it. I didn’t realise then that I’d probably sprained my wrist as well.
Anyway, so when we left the hotel, we were in a bit of a hurry to leave as we supposed to meet some ladies for lunch. Bron had come back to the hotel to shower after her private classes. I had like, 3 million things to carry… as usual. I had all my videocamera/camera gear, my make-up, my clothes bag, etc etc etc…
AND I LEFT MY CAMERA BAG BEHIND. WHICH HAD MY VIDEOCAMERA, MY DSLR CAMERA, 2 LENSES, FLASH AND MY WATERPROOF CAMERA.
Trust me, I screamed louder than you did.
I couldn’t believe it. I only realised it when I had reached home, unpacked everything, and switched on my computer to convert the videos, and suddenly went, “Eh? Where’s my camera bag?”
I was in total shock. I thought that I left it in I-Vee’s car initially, but my memory was very clear on that one. I could picture her car boot in my mind’s eye – what it looked like after unloading all my many, many things, and I knew it wasn’t there. And then it hit me. I knew exactly where it was in the hotel room, and I remembered that I was carrying many bags, but I had not carried it out of the room when we checked out.
I had never left anything before in a hotel room, and it’s horrifying to leave something so expensive and precious behind!
And here, I was lucky. I normally wouldn’t have the phone number of the hotel we stay in that has arranged by someone else, but today I did. I-Vee had gone downstairs first to check out, while Bronya and I had struggled out with our many bags (she herself had many bags too). I pocketed the hotel keycard which was left in the room slot (to trigger the electricity) and didn’t return it to the reception because I was carrying too many bags. And it had the hotel’s address and phone number on it.
So I quickly dialed the number and spoke to a hotel staff (who seemed to be rather *blur*) and made him check with the cleaning staff for me. And yes, it was there.
THANK GOD!!!
(Which brings another issue to mind as to why they didn’t call me to tell me about my bag. You see, I’ve labeled my bag AND cameras with my name and phone number. But that’s another issue altogether)
I called the workshop organiser, Helen Fan, who was the one who also arranged the hotel for us, and asked her to pick it up for me. Fortunately she’s coming to KL tomorrow, and I can meet her then to take my bag from her.
Actually, if Helen wasn’t able to pick it up, I was prepared to drive all the way back there myself just to get it!!
Yes, I know I’m lucky. And I’m every bit grateful for that. I had once also left a cheque book behind at a cheque deposit machine in a bank on a Sunday. And when I went back, it was GONE… but someone saw me looking for it, and his friend was the one who kept the cheque book with the honest intention of giving it to the bank. I cannot say how lucky I was. It was perfect timing as well… that the guy happened to be at the machines when I returned to look for the cheque book. If he wasn’t there, he wouldn’t have seen me hunting, and wouldn’t have told his friend to pass the book back to me.
I know I was such a fool to have made such a horrible mistake, and I cannot say enough how lucky I am. Oh, and because I don’t have the photos, I can’t put anything up with this post yet…
So now I’m waiting for the bag, and I hope everything’s still inside. My wrist is stiff, but it will recover. And I’ve just had a cup of Milo, which, to quote I-Vee, has made me “warm, comfortable, and contented”.
January 18, 2009
I never thought I could get tired of dancing, but…
I’ve been dancing almost every night since Tuesday. Come Sunday, I’d have danced for 6 days straight. If I danced on Monday, it’d be a full week.
Tuesday : I went for Bronya’s Freestyle-in-Line CD1 class (yes, I’m starting from beginner again!!!) after school from 5 to 6.30pm. We’ve finished learning her choreography to Lady Marmalade. Then I went for the swing dance session at Aliyaa from 8pm-11+pm.
Erm. Nearly died on Wednesday. By Wednesday evening, I could barely concentrate on teaching my class. Hahaha.
Wednesday: Was supposed to go for salsa at Aliyaa with my sister, but at the last minute she decided against it because she said she had work the next day. Sigh! I already made Adam promise to go there, so I went alone. But first I joined Bronya’s line dance class until 10pm, before going over to Aliyaa to check out the salsa scene. Was there till just before midnight.
Thursday: Had dance classes in the morning with Bronya again. Joined her Freestyle-in-line CD3 and CD4. Good God, having slept late the night before, I had to force myself to wake up early. Actually when I woke up early, I felt fine. But as the morning wore on, I got sleepier and sleepier
Thursday night saw me at Shall We Dance studio for a swing dance workshop and practice session, again until 11+pm!
Friday: Salsa night! Was at the Salsa Cruise Asia event at Salsa Havana, Federal Hotel with my sister and Adam. I must say that the bartenders were terrible. We ordered 3 drinks, and were supposed to get 3 drinks free. Adam ordered a lime juice, I ordered a virgin lemonade, and my sister ordered a Mojito. Our free drinks could only be alcoholic, but Adam couldn’t take alcohol, so we ordered 2 more Mojitos (for my sister) and I ordered a rum and coke.
The bartender took forever to prepare our drinks, and although I kept going there to ask for our drinks, he kept telling me to wait. I finally got so fed up and a waitress saw me, and she kinda scolded the bartender. And it turns out he ONLY prepared the Mojitos, because it was the common drink of the night. He took a while to prepare the rum and coke, and the virgin lemonade, and promised to send the last drink over later.
Well when we finished all the other 5 drinks, the drink still wasn’t ready. I went over at least 3 times, and each time he asks for “2 minutes”… “5 minutes”… in the end i just stood there and waited because otherwise I’d be a year older and it still wouldn’t arrive. And when he mixed up the drink, it wasn’t even what I ordered. I don’t know what it was (I’m not a fan of alcohol or cocktails) but it was definitely an alcoholic cocktail.
We were so disappointed about the whole thing that we decided to go to Little Havana. Sorry, Tim. Would have liked to stay but we were there for the dancing which didn’t start even though it was already 11pm. (Everyone was initially just standing around even though there was music, and then there were games)
Little Havana had a bit more dancing which was good.
Saturday: I slept the whole day and yet I was still tired by night. Saturday night was Havana Estudio’s studio party. And when I got there, I am shocked to say this, but… I was tired of dancing. I did enjoy the few rounds of salsa I had. But I can’t believe I’m already getting tired of salsa.
OK, I’m not a very good salsa dancer. Largely because I never took lessons. This salsa party is only my 4th salsa night (in two weeks!), and so far I’ve just been picking up steps on the floor, mostly by Adam who goes for lessons. Good thing is I’m able to follow most of the leads, and whatever I don’t know, I… bluff my way through. Convincingly. Some people don’t even believe that I never took classes. Hahahahahahaha!!! But after a while I guess I’m tired of doing the same steps again and again, even though I’m dancing with different male leads. I think this is largely due to (1) my being a level zero (not even beginner!!!) so they don’t try steps that are too advanced with me, and (2) they all learn from the same teachers (Sam & Aisha at Havana Estudio) so they all know the same steps.
Perhaps I ought to take lessons. That might challenge me and make me improve and maybe make me like salsa a bit more.
On the other hand, I’m kinda picking up salsa on the floor so rather reluctant to pay for classes. Yes yes I’m a cheapskate but can’t afford that many dance classes on my poor pitiful teacher’s salary, OK.
And one thing I observed. In open social parties like at Little Havana, guys are more willing to dance with girls that they don’t know, whether or not the girls are good dancers. But at the studio party, well, the guys tend to just ask the girls they do know, especially their classmates. Me being an outsider meant that I didn’t get to dance much. Which was fine because I was “a bit sick of salsa” anyway. But the studio party showed me how clique-ish people could get. I guess it’s because they only want to dance with good dancers or people who know the steps. I don’t know why. To show off to their other classmates? To show off to their teachers?
Ooh one thing to add. During the dance, when we were supposed to do “shines”, I don’t know any of the shines that everyone else learnt, so I usually make up my own stuff. Hahaha. Interestingly a few people said, “I noticed your hiphop moves!” Erm. I never thought they were hiphop moves. I don’t even hiphop. I’d call them “freestyling attempt at salsa to cover up the fact I don’t know how to do shines”. Hahahahahaha!!!
If I’m gonna continue salsa, I’d probably just stick to the open socials for now.
I must say. I’m looking forward to my morning freestyle class on Sunday. At least it’s different from swing or salsa!!!
December 19, 2008
Video of our performance at Jubilation 2008
Here’s the video of our performance at Jubilation 2008. Jubilation 2008 was a series of line dance workshops organised by Judy Teh, and consists of workshops conducted by many big names in the line dance industry, including Scott Blevins, John & Jo Kinser, Bronya, Wendy Teh, and Vincent & Felicia Chia. There were also several performances, by Wendy Teh and her friend Tracy; a solo by Sae Min; a solo by Philip Sobrielo Gene of Singapore; and Bronya & a bunch of her girls. I was one of the bunch of the girls
I didn’t want to upload the videos of the other performances as it wouldn’t be nice to do so without their permission; but here’s the video of OUR performance. Bronya was invited to do a performance on her own actually, but she included the rest of us as a team performance was always more exciting to watch than a solo, usually; plus the rest of us loved performing so we didn’t hesitate to say yes!
The performers are Bronya, Mei Ling, Peggy, Tracy (not the same Tracy as the one who performed with Wendy) and myself. I-Vee recorded the performance, and the front bit got cut off, but she only missed the first 3 seconds. Enjoy!!!