Today, like any other sundays, I spent an hour in the library with my laptop and a few books on Waltz, SQL programming, interior design and business management. And as you can tell, I didn't really know what I was doing in the Library, except that I was looking for my constant dose of inspiration.
About a year ago, I realised that I was doing too little with my life. 24 years and I was under achieving. As much as I hated to agree with that, I had to admit that I was hiding too much in my comfort zone. I seldom ventured out of it to explore what I can do with my life. And after giving it a few tries, I found I can fall in love with anything!
Everything that happened after was a blessing. I ended up in a job that's too good to be a first job. I picked up a few other hobbies such as dancing. And speaking of which, I had never ever imagined I would take up dancing!
The story goes like this. Long long time ago, which is like er... one year ago, I watched an interesting movie called Step Up 2 and I was impressed with the moves. I jio-ed T, who was in similar circumstances as I was, to join break dancing with me. He told me he knew of a studio and said he'll arrange for classes. Then 2 months later, he told me he decided against it cos we're too old to break our bones. I almost jumped over to bite him for wasting my precious 2 months.
1 month later, he told me that he knew of a ballroom dancing class that's fun and said he'll arrange for classes. I didn't hear from him for another 2 months after that. Then one day while I was visiting a friend's church, he told me he signed us up for classes.
And it was hurray to ballroom dancing. T did not attend a single lesson but he introduced us to a new hobby. Weiguang and I ended up joining that class and Yuwen got in under influence. And Weiguang proposed to her in class. Ahahaha.
Since today's the last day of the current dance classes, I shall write more about what happened in dance classes. The most obvious observation for myself is that I am OBVIOUSLY not dancer material. And that is an understatement because I don't even progress like how a normal person would. It was initially depressing to be the slowest person in class. Allan, out of concern, would come to me from time to time and asked if I understood everything he said. It was a really difficult question to answer.
You see, I understand the words when he told us to "Press harder on the floor" "Step on panadols" or "Squeeze harder and isolate the muscles" or "feel your partner's weight with your closed palms" or "Lead your partner with energy!" But translating that to something I need to do, it's really difficult for me. It doesn't help when I look around and everyone else was nodding in agreement. I felt really stupid in that class.
All the while I was looking at people who progressed so fast that I gave myself so much pressure and I didn't enjoy dancing at all. A few times, I just stood quietly at the corner and hoped the dance lessons would end soon. It was never me to leave the lesson halfway unless I have to. But the pressure drained all my energy, all the joy I could enjoy in class. I kept thinking why I couldn't do a simple weight transfer. Why I seemed to be a deaf man dancing in the music. Why couldnn't the beats follow me!!! Of course, the more I suck at something, the more I want to do it properly.
So I signed up to do the medal test and went out there to dance in front of everyone. It wasn't a big ddeal, but it helped me overcome a few things. Firstly, I never did find time to practise during the weekdays until I decided to sign up. Secondly, I just wanted to get the comments of the judges. Thirdly, and unexpectedly, the examinations iinvolved dancing infront of a crowd and i had to overcome that. And fourthly, I worked my ass to fix up the mirrors on the wall.
Like all other things, committing into something will definitely yield some results. I still dance badly, but I think i can get the beats without having to chant out loud now. And I'm feeling more relaxed in the classes, though the technique classes still stress me out.
It felt a little like graduation today because I've seen some results from the events in the past few months. Dance classes will resume on the 9th of May and i'm still thinking which classes to take. Maybe I like to use the time for something else, maybe not. The vision of becoming a decent dancer is very appealling to me.
Ah.... I have digressed away from the topic..... again! I can somehow link all these back because dancing does give me a lot of inspiration. Many techniques in class can be translated to the real life. But it's 12.35am and it's a new exciting work week so... it gotta wait. I do hope I'll write it down sometime in the week because once the thoughts are gone, they'll get forgotten.
Okie!!! Work's coming in a few hours and something important's waiting in the office. Do it well!!!
Somehow, the3 end of the week is always a big thing to me.
