Of Fire and Soul

What does it mean to dream of the elements, and of fire being mine?


For some mysterious reason, some of my best quotes come when I'm sitting on the toilet bowl. Just when my phone is well out of reach and I am conveniently immobilised.

Dancing gave me a literal pain in the butt today. But I've finally found what I've been looking for, and it's an uplifting sensation. Drove home as one in a dream. The movements, weight shifts and flow that come most natural to me, have always escaped definition - until now.
I've tried ballet, hip hop, popping, locking, ballroom, latin; none have felt native or answered my soul's calling the way modern dance does. When I did hip hop, they said my style was
"too graceful". When I tasted ballet, it was bitter enough to toss the spoon into the bin so I'd never have to take another scoop, so to speak.


Been remarkably busy these past months. But I'm coming back with a bang, ready to share a precious piece. Stay tuned.

"Fine Like Buteeeeeeeeeerr"

All-effective remedy for one SwirlDancer:



Heaps of sunshine.



Of course, ice-cream and crackers wouldn't hurt either.

Picture above shows poundcake and peach compote, yumm.




There is an airy feeling, a lightness inside me. I've been writing loads, reading regretfully little, worrying occasionally and picking myself up - repeatedly.
With so many things on the agenda, the bright-eyed planner in me sometimes - but rarely - fears there may not be enough time to achieve them all. But it gives meaning and flavour to an otherwise plain existence as man.



To be just man, without plans, without dreams, is unthinkable. And here lies the rub; a dreamer may be one who floats with her head in the clouds, a dreamer may also likely be the one who falls hardest when the bubble is burst from beneath her dreaming form; she hurtles through space, clutches at time, and lands on leaves of brittle stem in the glen below. Her homeland.
Yes, I have been disappointed time and time again, not just as man, but as dreamer. Despite the sidelong glances ever present from Risk, I don't suppose this part of me will change; bruises heal slow in this fragile flesh, but I am not afraid.



Trials ended for me yesterday, then it was straight out after dinner for some downtime with my VP. I'm so glad she waited for me; Step Up 3 came out a loong time ago in dance movie time!
We hurried from work, from home, and settled in place long before the lights were dimmed for 3D action - meaning I did not, contrary to usual practice, go in late for the movie. Eheh.
I'm still thinking about how, when I left the theatre, no words would come to my tongue to describe what I'd just seen. "Awesome" was too weak a word. This is a movie that lived up to expectations; stunning choreography throughout, sicK breaking; the first qualifying rounds I especially favoured for its raw, fierce energy.
In a word with best fit, it was DOPE.




Legacy Perez, my muse for his inspirational brand of breaking.


No conventional ballet-meets-street-dance routines here; this was entirely off the hook with moves so fresh and gritty I could barely blink for fear of missing a step. Then there was the effortlessly lighthearted Broadway-styled number between Moose and Camille; it turned my mouthends up and even let loose an unsuppressed giggle or two. Charming to a fault. Tango too was used to great effect and managed to look classy instead of the usual borderline tacky.



Accent move before movie's finale choreography


Another plus point was the storyline, which evidently had received more attention this time round - thank goodness. Instead of being a mundane vehicle to get us from danceclub to the showdown, this one made a brave attempt at portraying its male protagonist as something more than just a devoted dancer.
I should stop now. But not before saying, the whole sense of family in the movie... reminded me immensely of the peeps over at Subang! ^ ^

Drove over to Sunway Giza and chilled awhile more before parting, each with thoughts enough to keep her up for hours still. In Lienn I've found a fellow dreamer; one who made me realise I'm not victim to the brittle stems that await our kind when the rainbow gloss vanishes; one who showed me I'm stronger even than I think.

Imported ThDC

Jam-packed week and -end. Been floating in the 'sick' region for nearly a week now; darn sore throat threatened to ruin my Wed Psych presentation but it suddenly cleared two hours before. Deliberately cut classes for the first time - two days in a row. Once to sleep in hopes of recovery, and once to burn rubber to Subang.

Last dance practice on Wed.

Last dance performance on Thurs. At least, until A2 ends in late Nov. =(



Thurs also happened to be Yee Fai's birthday; good thing it coincided with Subang's ECA Drive and they invited us to perform!



The circumstances were bad though; it was an outdoor affair and had rained thoroughly beforehand. The stage was soaked and I had to detour to pick up a hard copy of our soundtrack. Thank goodness I still made it in time.
Didn't know we were the first ones on; I hate rushing right before a performance. After rolling on the waterlogged stage and successfully ruining my hair within the first twenty seconds, I was only satisfied that I jumped decently high compared to past stage attempts!

Gosu on his way down.

After the nerves it was plain chilling.



ThDC cousins in attendance at TDC senior's birthday celebration! =)



It was good getting to know Subang more; we went to Fullhouse which I've been wanting to try for ages!




My father's now in Bangkok on seriously the best business trip. A man, an array of fishing equipment, and a body of water full of monster fish. Epic.




I looked up the firm he's checking out and found... Now this is passion.


Through fishing trips with local Thai anglers; conversations with them over many long days and nights; listening to lectures and applying all that to personal experimentation, I learned and perfected an entirely different way to fish.

Whether you're a beginner or seasoned angler ; whether you look to fish alone, with family, friends or companions; whether your budget is modest or generous; our team will help you forget - in just one day - the constraints and pressures of your hectic working life.

As far as fishing is concerned, I humbly admit that this old fisherman has learnt quite a few new tricks!
Is it not fantastic to be able to write such things, with all my experience, at 71 years of age?

It will be THE fishing event of the beginning of this millennium for Bangkok, for Thailand…my last love !



What a beauty.



Today was a full day out, productive but I'm so tired.


Things changed a little bit more on Tuesday. And even more yesterday.
I've missed being outdoors for too long. Everyday cooped up without seeing the different moods of the sun I love, forsaken in an iceberg of a concrete slab. So I went for a walk without telling anyone and it was just like last time. Even coming home, just like last time.

There was too much inside me. Too many thoughts, emotions, nuances, recollections, imaginings.
I wrote, and I wrote.

And I found myself again.

Silence Converges

I love all this synergy.
The way we of contrasting styles pit our efforts to overcome our differences.
The way we ask for criticism and improve upon it, with open arms.

Not Perfectly

There I was, perched on a pinnacle. After the fearsome weekend, I felt strong. And I was strong. It showed in my drive, my fearless glance, and the bright smile which lasted - 'til Thursday.

Monday was a bustle of errands.


Tuesday, first training session with Denise for this Saturday's Talent Fest. The most last-minute routine I've done, with choreography from scratch. Reached Segi after 45 minutes in the after hours jam. But it was great; I forgot the pain in my heel where the skirting stabbed it, and just danced with abandon, late into the night.

Shakespeare knew "pleasure will be paid, one time or another", as in my case, since I slept less than 4 hours that night and paid the price in a sudden dip of energy after Wednesday. Maybe my endurance wouldn't have given out just yet, with adequate sleep. But certainly, I'm living without you. Not doing it perfectly, but I am.


Wednesday was another training session with hardly any training done, hahaha. In fact, I was already slightly feverish - still am - and the hours flew by in an intense heart-to-heart with Denise. The air was all hope and strength; tears in her voice, laughter and merriment, sweetness and goodness mingled as our tongues wagged fast and furious.

"One in a million."

I won't forget the new meaning that phrase took on as she described her other half, and I found myself completely identifying with her. Dance called out, steps were in need of creation, but we sat down and just - shared.


Thursday night went out with Sean for a Shopping Mission. Indecision struck hard, darn it. But it was good seeing him again.


The Friday we'd been gearing up for rolled around. I was tired, left class prematurely to come down to an incomplete booth, and felt the old harried feeling rising in me. As in the days before I met him. Before he always fixed my problems and made me see things look better when we take a step back.
Our elaborate deco plans paid off at least; we got into the Top Ten Booths again!
I felt down, but strangely enough, this has been a day of many highlights. The sobering, uplifting, enlightening kind.



I started writing this in a moment of weakness. In every situation where my insides are threatening to combust or wither, in significant highs or lows, I write. Writing is my salvation.

Good news: My current diary has run out of empty pages, so I get to pick a new one.
Bad news: You may not feature in it.



Mere hours later,
Sean and Jaf announce they're coming over in 5.

They surprise me with a hot chocolate and it's the first Starbucks drink ever that I finish to the last sip! =] We talk. and talk. We theorise, debate and muse and I wear my worried expression alternated with my LOL one. And nearly squirt hot chocolate out my nose.
I was loathe to let them go but at least it's a cosy ending to Jaf's 19th birthday; being shooed out the compound at the stroke of midnight. =P

Then I got it. I feel so cared for, and blessed; I have them and 'nett darling and Douggie. And of course I know, somewhere out there, if Naj knew what I was going through she'd be right there swearing or blabbering a mile a minute for me. And that's good enough for me.
Here's something I thought of earlier; this week, I feel I've aged some. But also learnt some. And I'm growing, I'll pick myself up. Sometimes God says Yes, sometimes He says No.
He has said neither to me. So that means His third answer applies - Wait.



My take on love?
A recent memory;

"In actual fact, Papa is a terrible person."
-Papa himself-

Maybe I see the truth in it, but you're still my Superman.

Accepting someone for all they are.

She Buried Her Father, I Buried My Dream.

It's been a week of high drama. Two separate plots have made a deep impression in me during that single timeframe:
the passing away of my close friend's father,
and the near-achievement of a long-cherished yearning.
In the end, it is dreams which have come back to aid me in their role of comforting, and guiding us with their deeper wisdom.


Exactly a week ago, I visited Uncle Albert in University Hospital. He was Giovana's father, and she is the closest thing I have to a sister. Over a year of fighting with nose cancer had reduced this macho man to nothing more than a vessel of pain. I thought it better for Gio to be away from his heart-wrenching moans, so we went for a walk.
That was the last time I saw him alive.
Just an hour later, I sat with my own father at dinner. Wanting to make the best use of those few hours we spend together each week, I blurted out the mains of the Vienna Opera Ball - and that I wanted to go. Didn't have to wait long to know I hadn't started right. Or that maybe there was no right way to tell it, any way I tried.

I came home and sat on the proposal for two days. Yes, I sent a proposal to my own father explaining the Ball that takes place in the Vienna State Opera only once a year, making it the most prestigious Ball in the birthplace of the Viennese Waltz... doesn't get better than that.
Two years ago I learnt about this... and stored it away as one of the things to pursue when the time came. And now it has come, in the form of Reinhard Polt - my chance to be a debutante in Vienna come 3rd March 2011.

Once-in-a-lifetime; this is no exaggeration, for the Austrian Embassy is narrowing down the number of international debutantes starting 2012, and anyway after this chance I'll be too old come out of uni to dance as a debutante... the age limit is from 15 to 22.
Everything looked ripe for the picking, my dream was glistening and taking solid form in the palm of my hand; all I had to do was curl my fingers around it...

It was the hardest No in my life. Truly and honestly. How can I make you understand the crumbling of castles around your eyes that I experienced on Wednesday night?
Just like the mirror proposal, I'd put together a meticulous document under three-and-a-half hours. The next day, what I understood was that I'd been given the green light but then it turned out to be a glaring red. I got the first inkling of a misunderstanding, followed by horror seeping in and eroding the dream like acid. It was also the worst non-shouting scolding my father has given me. Of course it wasn't just about the Ball. Of course there were other things tied in to the issue; that's always been the way my family fights.
So there's one good proposal, and one sh*t - according to him. He has never sworn at me before. That's why I couldn't cry yet; I was too angry.
But I broke down after he hung up.


Next night: Thursday
Attended the memorial service of my sister's father - my first Christian one. It was decidedly cheerful - fullhouse party, anyone? - though the eulogies reminded us of our solemn reason for gathering. Was excited when Gio's turn approached; she was nervous, but I thought she could do it. Her speech was humorous in opening, unintentionally lengthy in closing, but the thing that made us all proud of her was her composure which strengthened with every line uttered.
It made me think. I'd been encouraged to still send in my debutante application that morning; just in case my father changed his mind before September. I was tempted; I still hoped. But it was there I saw what I needed to do: how could I chance further displeasure from him through disobedience if I ever wanted to speak with the same confidence my sister did? For all my financial stability, Gio has showed me the peace that comes with the secure knowledge of her father leaving for a better place. If mine were to go now, I couldn't say the same. And I want that kind of memorial service for my father. I want it for him, that his mortal suffering will not pale in comparison to his eternal damnation; I want it for myself, that I need not remain behind in regret and pain every passing day.

So, visions of white gloves up to my elbows, Swavroski tiara on cascading spirals, rose posy in my hand and waltzing all night in a stunning gown; I bury you.



And what of dreams which flit through our slumbering minds?
It was actually a dream on Thursday night that made me take a stand on the Ball conundrum. I dreamt of choosing a packet of gourmet-chicken-filled-buns for dinner with my mom. I'd put down my chocolate drink momentarily, boba pearls at the bottom.

When I woke up, I understood.
Meat represents learning from life experiences; I was to take last night's lesson at the memorial service to heart.
Chocolate, which comes under sweets, can be interpreted two ways: the one that applies to me now is the need to focus on the basics - I'll feel less inclined to wish after what I do not need.
Just like that, God has supplied me the answer I needed.


Yesterday's ballroom workshop was more tiring but also more fun! Met a few interesting ladies - again I was thought to have learnt ballet previously - and polished up our waltz, rock'n'roll, and cha cha. Highlight of yesterday was doing the Viennese Waltz with Mr. Polt. Like what I've read, it really felt like we were flying across the floor! I never thought my legs could actually think on their own - because certainly my mind wasn't keeping up with the increase in pace, it was probably gaping at my legs' independence! And then he lifted me up into the air and I descended with a swirl of my skirt. Sans ballgown, sans tiara... but still, something I've wanted to do all my life.

"Heart, stop aching."

I was kneeling down to scoop rice into the pot, and she whipped my face with the kitchen towel in her hand. She hates you. She hates everything you've done to her, and she's displacing that hate onto me whenever I remind her of you.

Is there any guy who can handle my issues? No one as yet. That's why I choose to stand solo, holding myself together. It's not like another pair would know how to.

On another matter, it's been a long time since I've felt this kind of fear. The kind that makes me want to swerve, pull back, to avoid facing it.

We didn't manage to get enough people for the ballroom workshop.
Which most likely meant Mr. Polt would call it off. He isn't called Dance Master for nothing, is he? Should probably spend his time on things more important than a little Dance Club who can't even meet his minumum requirement in numbers.


Actually, to me, 'Dance Master' meant someone who appreciates the art enough to carry the love that comes with it wherever he goes. Someone who sees beyond the red tape and protocol because he can't help but share his knowledge with those who earnestly seek it.

I averted my eyes when his reply came. Now was the time to shrink into a furball and get vacuumed into ignorance.
I put the phone away as I went about my chores.

I knew I'd be able to deal with it; in my head I was prepared to send out cancellation texts with sincere apologies, notify Subang to remove the invitation, and shoulder the responsibility of taking the blame. Just like a President should.

Half an hour later I dared myself to look it full on. And learnt a lesson in self-inflicted suffering. It was the kindest text and brought tears to my eyes as I registered his promise, "You can count on me!" In short, he was saying he knew I'd done my best... and he'd do his too. It was the miracle I'd told Carmen we needed, this morning.


We'll meet you in spirit, sir.

Heart, stop aching. I know it's been a sore day, but you've got to keep on beating. So I can live for tomorrow.

Thank you, God. So much.

So This is What it Means, to Have Your Heart on Paper...

Sunday
Led Jaf all the way to Sunway Pyramid to watch Alice in Wonderland 'cause it wasn't showing anywhere else anymore. But the ticket still cost 12 bucks! Suspect. - -
Found the world within the movie fairly fascinating, especially since I never finished reading the books. Ended the Day Off with my first foot reflexology massage, in an Uptown outlet with pleasant lighting and pretty curtains.



Monday
LAN project photoshoot in the library. Of all places, you may think. Unless you've seen our library, then you pretty much may abolish that thought.



Douglas and Yang Kang in a broil.



The kiss and make up.



Slid one shoe off 'cause afraid of getting told off by librarian, haha.
Was actually surprised no one chased us away for climbing onto the table.



Mm hmm.



Carmen's solo shot for credits.



Mine; for once my nose looks remotely sharp.



It's a LAN project; so yeah, 1Malaysia.



'B'ecause I'm caught between the reasons not to, and the maybe's of what could be.


Stepped into ECA office, had trouble extricating myself from it,
scooted off to Midvalley for more hanging out! Before that we'd taken lunch at a yummeh Korean place in Desa Sri Hartamas - another one of my enjoyable walk-in attempts.

We were late for collection of tix. Parked at my least fav lot (Zone G) and dashed for the counters.
Carmen and I bought a new set at the reservation counter, then started looking for Hong Onn and YK. I was just saying, "Hope they haven't bought another set on their own...", when Carmen twisted her head to check the regular counters. And spotted the very pair.
What ensued was like a scene out of a TV drama, with Carmen yelling their names and myself doing the inevitable "StOPpPpPp!!!" while sprinting past stunned onlookers. Drama sial.

Well, The Lovely Bones was worth the chaos. Heavy stuff. It had amazing writers who made us smile,
laugh,
cry,
clutch out companions in suspense,
and tear up again
before another lighthearted twist.
All happened seamlessly. More of a thriller and less of the weepy-story I'd thought it would be. The graphics in 'heaven' were quite attractive, but the movie could've avoided being draggy by cutting down on 'heaven' and flashback time.



Wednesday
Do you believe in love at first sip?
Until this day, I didn't.

But Bobalicious Smoothies took me by the heartstrings and looks to be master for a long time to come.
Their product fuses smoothies and bubble tea pearls - two of my favourite things on earth.
What's more, their smoothie is of the right slushy consistency (as all true smoothies should be) and their boba (that's what the pearls are made of) is chewy in the swellest degree, unlike those ripoff pearls which end up mushy and sticking to your teeth.


HellooOo sexayy.




Thursday
Met with the Austrian dance master who'll - God willing - be conducting our Ballroom Course; Reinhard Polt.

He towered over us, even our own Ms. Cheryl in heels. Had genial manners and a thick accent which was fortunately easier to understand in real life than over the phone. According to what I learnt on TV last time, this is because we subconsciously read people's lips when meeting them in person. Obviously, this is impossible on the phone.



His taxi took some time to find the college from Bangsar station, so we waited at the reception lounge. And that's where a very rewarding moment took place for me.

Mr. Rahul was approaching, I looked up to greet him, but it was snatched out of my mouth when he paused and said:

"Good proposal."

It was just one of those moments which tell you, heart and soul, that your effort has paid off and your fears unfounded.

I'd toiled for hours tailoring that proposal in the wee hours of a March night,
looking up and comparing formats,
fleshing out a skeleton of points,
reading and rereading,
pruning paragraphs,
and most of all - writing with my heart.
Truly had no clue how 'formal' the formal proposal had to be; was expecting to get corrected by any one of the higher authorities for letting emotion seep through my writing, but I kept the 'emotional' lines which embodied my sentiments whole.

And there we have it, the proposal for the mirror that's gonna be here for the next dozen generations of dancers. Even though I may never train for competition in front of it... This has been my vision for the Club this year. And next year I want them to take it further; use this mirror well and do something we couldn't before it came.
Turn it into the heart and home of all our dancers.



Now the stress is focused on the upcoming ballroom course - can we find enough people in time?
I really, really want to learn and go to Vienna for the real ball. Or at least just learn for the love of dancing.

Being here has taught me so much. I thank God for placing me in this role though I'd once tried to slip out of it. And a few times after, I'd questioned my will to continue in this position.
My head declared I couldn't take it; my heart said stay.

Growing Like A Bamboo Shoot

Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should live their lives, but none about his or her own.

-The Alchemist-

Finally, I'm reading it! After years and months of putting it off. Yesterday I decided to treat myself to taking this hotcake home - to celebrate the end of AS trials. And before that, a group of us popped down to Pavilion for How to Train Your Dragon which - awww darnit - had some pretty cute dragons featured. Storyline was typical of a son-railing-against-father's-expectations tale, but the fanciful life of dragons - their characteristics, behaviour - engaged the audience well enough to compensate.

The boys cramming in for aircond while waiting for Vinna to change her outfit and pick us up.

Faces from left to right are of Aaron, Abhinav and Yohan.
Imran, Hari and Douglas are somewhere behind them. X)

Hmmm I think this was Aaron on Douggie.

Came back in time for another fruitful meeting with my organising committee for the Club's soon-to-be charity concert. I love how these occasions end up teaching me so much - in fact, my only vexation is how long everyone takes to show up. Precious time is lost!
Interviewing the committee members one by one allowed me to see from an employer's point of view; began to suss out the necessity of the questions which often make the interviewee squirm in their seat.
Interesting, really.


Strange-woman-who-smiles-at-me (how Red Indian is my vocab these days) seems to have joined the ranks of the remarkable people I've met in college; most of whom seem to be meant for a pitifully short term at TCSH.

These who have impacted me on a personal level include Ms. Thinking Skills (from scarily brilliant to respectfully human), Mr. Lee (the funniest, most candid Math lecturer) and - never forgotten - Ms. Ratnes (the best teacher I've ever had). I hate how the last three are all going, going, gone. At least we still have the powerhouse Ms. Anne for Lit!

Here's something I realise they have in common: all are highly experienced in their field, and that's what garnered my initial respect. But all also have personalities and attitudes which stand to firmly prop up their intellectual prowess - no wishy washy giggling here.

February

12th to 17th
Family vacation (mother's side) in Gold Coast, Australia. More precisely, on the Sovereign Islands just off Gold Coast. Not enough interesting eating done, I thought. But it was a rare occasion on which I enjoyed Thai food, since it was watered down for non-Asian taste. Did all my shopping on the second last day; never have I put all my shopping skills to such good use before - or been forced to!

It was actually stressful, but I knew that if I paced myself and moved fast, I could pull this off. Spending every dollar was the challenge - don't deny every thing that seems whimsical; don't purchase every thing that seems indispensable. I had to stretchhhh my dollars to last 'til the last souvenir, but at the same time accomodate the trinkets that came before I found it.
Champion purchase? Beautiful hardcover notebooks that I'll only use for something as important as my wedding week. XP And I found good dance pants there for RM21!! *Dies of joy*



20th
Movie night with Sean and Jaf:
Legion first. Rather creepy but at the same time its creepiness seemed generic. Monstrous beings scuttling along the ceiling, sinister music spelling out fatal mistake, and self-blame for another's death. But Paul Bethany was interesting to watch; there's something about his mouth which draws the eye.
Then Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief was a major disappointment. Waste of time, even. Well I don't think the other Greek mythology flick of the year (Clash of the Titans) will turn out this bad. =) It's about time; I've liked Greek mythology for years.
Left MV for Yann's CNY open house. Mandarins are somewhat addictive. *So are ang pau's* XP

Mostly this year I've been busy running the Dance Club. Sometimes I want to cut myself some slack and just do my collegework. Wanna stop the downward slide I'm been experiencing in classes this sem.. But I can't. I've committed myself to my role, and though I've never imagined holding this position, I know in my heart I'd rather be a Nobody in Dance Club than a Somebody on the Student Council. 'Cause this is where I want to be. I want to learn, and being President has taught me so much already. First of all, that it really is about serving my members. It's about doing the things others won't, like staying back and staying up and calling left right centre.

Perhaps I'll continue another day. It's been a tiring one, with house chores all morning and music practice all evening and waking up early for keyboard duty tomorrow. Where does collegework fit in? When does the Scholar get to breath from under the DutifulDaughter, the ChurchGoer, and the ClubPresident?

My focus needs airing.


Trials are two weeks away, and the Scholar needs air to breath.

Get Your Groove On

Elated and sober. How do these two exist in the same body at once, as they do now? Psychology tells us emotion is just a state of mind - bodily reactions are all the same but we choose to label them differently according to circumstance.
Well, that's how.

The best things come without so much as a hint of a shadow, and that's how the offer to perform at Taylor's Lakeside Campus came.
That's how I ended up spending an entire six days doing little else but those dance-related.



The Lakeside managed to impress with its spacious hallways and sprawling grounds (magnet for walk-a-holics like me). Add a few well-placed original art pieces and you've got me.

Subang has stairs for its 4 storeys,
Hartamas has central escalators,
Taylor's Lakeside brings you freakin' elevators that make seniors wish they'd mucked around more instead of finishing their degree in Subang.



We were allocated a spot by the lakeside.
And that's Sheng sleeping on Sunday morning before the crowd came.


Friday found us in high spirits, relishing this gig as a paid holiday 'cause that's what it really felt like!
First thing discovered upon arrival: freee pool and foosball. Translated into unlimited play.
Then we got wind of freee ice-cream; not just your roadside Nestle, this was Dessert's Bar. And flame-grilled satay and steaks. And chicken tortillas being folded before your eyes, with cocktails poured out at the stall beside. At the other end of the campus, the cafeteria served dainty tarts and tantalising offerings of baked potato salad, spaghetti, smoked duck and whatnot.

The sun beat down, our guys were running around like it was the land of milk and honey, and the sound of kayak paddles pulling through lakewaters brought us back to the conclusion...
paid holiday. XD



Welcome to the Dance Club!

Well, the excitement did wear off especially after we got a warning for running around from stall to stall like jakuns - Taylorians were not supposed to do that.
As in, the treats were only meant for visitors. =X

As for the sun, it blazed mercilessly and made my pants stick to me so much so I switched to shorts for all three days - and ended up with tan lines where my shorts end. Oh, that and a handful of mozzie-bites.



Having said that, I'm truly glad to have taken up the offer though it meant being tossed into a bunch of strangers - which is kind of scary for me.

But I soon came to know the boys and their distinctive personalities; 5 to 6 hours a day together made sure of that!
When I reached home on Sunday and realised it was all over, I felt a pang of -how to say it?-
I miss 'em guys.

Last week was wonderful; I learned so much and just soaked in the atmosphere, loving how they loved dance. Loving the battles and how they 'smoke' each other.
Achingly, I realise it made me feel the same way marching did.
Both demanded physical exertion on a daily basis. Both wrung rivulets of sweat from me. And both made me more in love with what I did.
Compared to marching, last week's practices were a piece of cake.



The photo above shows Aizat (whom I'd first thought was Isaac)
and Yi Fai (God forbid it's actually spelt Yee Fai).

Aizat is a really affable guy with a megawatt smile that caught my attention from the very first day. Like, *BLING*.
The way he says "Fai Fai" is so cute, and the boy in red himself reminds me of the character on the Justea canned drinks. =P



A prominent member in Subang is Chia Sern (the left one standing); superb popper who came across as very friendly and happy-go-lucky.
But in a way, it was Daniel who took me under his wing on Day Two. Quite a fast learner, considering he just began dancing this year!

There were two other girls (both pretty =P ) among all that testosterone;
Alisha - the perky cheerleader type
and my VP Lien Siaw who could only join us on Friday.

The Prez of Subang is lanky Ken Ming (standing on the right), humble and talented, whereas his VP (Vice Prez) is known as Sheng.

I esteem his clean, nifty b-boy style and finally - on Sunday - learnt how to toprock from him! <3



It's always been a dream of mine to be a breakdancer;



and though it may never materialise (they say my style is more graceful than gangsta), at least I've taken the first step towards it!



My sifu. ^ ^

He sent me within 30 minutes of our lesson to 'smoke' Albert (staff and senior b-boy)
with baby steps! XD



Ian (Lien Siaw's guy in grey) himself is a very capable, versatile dancer.
And Gosu confused me with his race. The boys put him forward as Thai, hence the name B-boy Tomyam. But I asked him, and he's actually Chinese. =] He can do some really sick moves.

Then there's Shaun who knows my Sean,
and Filipino Jake, unassuming at first sight but a bombshell onstage.

And of course, Alex, who had a number of uncanny things in common with me.
He just about plucked the words I was thinking right out of my head, like how I've always described Econs as something that makes sense.



Another feature of the Open Day was the freee kayaking. I went twice, I think.
Can't say the water is exactly inviting. =X

And I kept thinking 'bout the time I went kayaking in NZ only to lose my favourite scrunchie somewhere between gazing at the seafloor and tailing a sinister stingray.



Showing Aizat the Macro feature.

Got my bubble tea fix after performing on Saturday, rejoining the guys at Asia Cafe.
It was then Shaun and Alex found out my parents were divorced. Standard questions, standard answers. Then Shaun prompted me for the benefits of having divorced parents.
I said the first thing that came to mind; two homes...

But in my heart it didn't make sense. I would've been happy with just one.



Intricate details make all the difference between beauty and plainness.


Got a nasty-looking scratch minutes before our final performance. Ironically, it was from merely walking past a protruding coil of wire at our booth.
Would've been more impressive to say I hurt myself in training. - -''



Danced in the front line with this ugly thing. Got first aid for the first time in my life, lol. They sat me down and stopped the blood from oozing out. *Dab dab*



The day after.
Laid off dancing for a bit of a rest.



Funny thing was my thighs and calves weren't the ones hurting on Mon,
it was the arch of my heels that had a slight ache.



Must be the new dance style I tried; sifu told me to keep on my toes. =)






Couple of photos from the weekend at PC Fair:



Sakae Sushi after ordering my laptop. Eating with guys is dope 'cause you get a wider spread than with girls.
As they say, "You order one then we share lah..." XP

And by the way, I was just holding chopsticks in my left hand 'cause it looked better, lol.



Lovely drive home clear of jams.



Waiting to pick up my sexy red Dell Studio from Pyramid!
Maybe this week... heeeee~