Salsa bug - part 2

I have caught it, of course.
I have signed up and attended my first Salsa Body Movement class last night.
This means that I am now going to my dance school to attend lessons twice a week, two days in a row.

Anyway, in last night's class, we were taught how to isolate movement of our various body parts.
We were taught how to move our individual shoulders (up, down, backwards, forwards), our rib-cage (this was hard), our hips and our pelvic area (this was hard too).
I am happy that I feel the ache today from that class.
Our instructor said that if we don't, that would mean we have not done the moves correctly.
We were also taught the 'body wave'.
This involves using the door or the wall to assist us.
I shall be trying that later this evening.
I just hope the door or the wall won't come crashing down...

Salsa bug - part 1

As a continuation of the Salsa news, I thought I shall share more on here.
Monday's class was interesting.
The guys had to memorise the new footwork and the complicated routine just so that us ladies could complement their moves.
And the interesting part was, the males had to learnt to spin!
Makes a change. :o)
My coursemates are also finally getting more familiar with each other.
For an hour after the lesson, we were all revising and teaching one another the individual 'show-off' moves (known as 'shines').
These moves are executed when there is temporary, non-handholding in the partnered dancing.
Which gives the individual (male or female) the opportunity to groove on their own.
The exchange of knowledge was fun but also quite tiring.
Nobody had the energy to head to the usual social club to dance/practise the moves after that...

A new school

Wow.
Salsa is really becoming really popular here.
I just discovered another new school that has sprung up.
And in its efforts, it has managed to convince HardRock Cafe to release its upper floor ('Lion's Den') for Salseros and Salseras to dance.
It's every first Thursday of the month, starting from 1st September.

My dance school is also promoting a regular, once-a-month Salsa Social Night.
It's every last Saturday of the month from now on, at the Gallery Hotel ('Zenden', Level 4).
And its invite is not going to be limited to its students, but extended to their friends, parents and the Salsa community.
I went to the most recent one last Saturday, which I mentioned in my previous blog.
But on this blog, I'll be elaborating on what had happened that night.
Considering its size, the place was packed and the air-conditioning couldn't cool it down fast enough.
And this also applies to the stifling ladies' toilet (just to side-track a bit).

Anyway, for some reason, I missed bumping into a dear friend of many years who happened to mention (post-event) that he was there that night too.
It was strange that I missed seeing him, as he is of quite a considerable height!
But we both noticed (like everyone else present, I suppose) there was a certain interestingly attired, petite Salsero.
He was dressed in a kung-fo outfit, and was occasionally using a chinese fan when he was off the dance floor.
What caught our respective attention was the fact that he was like a bundle of energy, and he couldn't stop moving.
Even during the times when he was taking a break from dancing.

I wonder how this Salsero was like once, when he was at school.
Did his teachers have to tie him to his chair just to get him to sit still in the classroom?
Sorry - that was a bit mean.
But it makes you wonder, doesn't it?

A good evening

Last night was a good night.
It started off with an exclusive wine-tasting invite, followed by dinner, and then a Salsa social night organised by my dance school.

Don't laugh - the wine-tasting was my first ever.
Although I have learnt to appreciate wine-drinking over the last few years, I have never attended such an event before.
So that was also a new experience for me.
Yah, very 'suah-koo' right? ('suah-koo' means 'hopelessly inexperienced' - for want of a better description)
Since the event was held by my favourite watering hole, I knew which good wine to sample.
Unfortunatley, I was too late to sample the 1996 Portugese Carbenet Sauvignon one.
It was supposedly one of the best there and it had all gone.
But I got to taste yummy chocolates, although by the time I arrived, the people promoting them have already packed up for the day.
The assistant manager made a special request for me, and I got to have some anyway. :o)

Dinner was a bowl of prawn noodles.
I haven't had that in ages.
And considering that I already had some light dinner earlier in the day, this was my second dinner.
I probably had over-eaten.
Too late now to regret anyway.

Oh yah, the Salsa social evening.

We students were allowed to bring our friends along, so I brought 3 of mine.

They were all non-Salsa dancers, so they were curious.

One left too soon, as he had a long day.

He missed a good performance of cha-cha, and some social Salsa dancing following that.

I finally saw my Salsa instructor dance.

It happened on my one trip back from the ladies - that actually made my evening!

I said hello to my instructor when he first arrived, and asked whether he would be performing.

He said no, as he's not good enough.

I didn't buy that, and said he's just too modest.

But he said it's true he's not good enough.

For the social evening, I didn't participate in any dancing.

I was quite happy to look after handbags for the evening, and to keep my remaining two friends company.

Just so that they wouldn't feel left out.

All in all, it was a good evening for me...

It's a little bit funny

I failed to mention in my last blog that I found a work-based email awaiting me when I got back from my business trip.
It was from my boss, asking if I was ok.
This was because he said he hadn't seen me online for awhile (2 days to be exact).
Based on the fact that I had informed him in 3 different modes (via email, PC-to-PC chat and documented it in the Weekly report) that I would be away on business trip that he knows about for the 2 days, this was a little bit funny.
I have politely replied to his email since.
I said that I hadn't disappeared on him, and that he should know me well enough by now to realise that I am a responsible employee.
I also described the various occasions in which he was informed about this trip.
As anticipated, he didn't respond to that email, although he did for everything else.
Ha.

Upside Down or Right Side Up?

Lots of things have happened in the last week or so.
That's why I've seemingly 'disappeared' till now.
I've been on an overseas business trip for one.
And for the other, although not really wanting to announce this in particular, I've decided to quit my current job.
Basically, I can't really see this job taking me very far, especially when my boss(es) cannot see the reason why it is difficult to get 'free' money from other organisations in order to support our noble aims.
This happens to be part of my job responsibility.
And because there is insufficient funds to keep me on a full-time job, a contract change has been requested from a full-time to a part-time engagement.
This means that the organisation is going to adopt this business strategy to sustain its business.
With this change will come instability.
That makes me rather uncomfortable.
So that's the gist of it.

I've also been talking to a friend about a potential business idea that is so cool that even I got excited when it was shared with me!
Anyway, since that discussion, I'm wondering if all this has happened for the better or for the worse.
I will only find out when everything starts happening for real, I suppose.

In parallel with all this change in my life, a dear friend is also going through lots of changes.
First it was signing up for a drawing class, in order to develop his drawing skills properly (he's good by the way!).
Then it was pooling in money with another family, and buying a house to live together.
As if that was not exciting enough, he went and became a silent business partner on top of holding a full-time job.
He is indeed going places in his life.
And it must have taken a lot of courage to get to this point!

In my case, I am viewing my next phase of life with trepidation and excitement.
I haven't felt this 'kick' since I decided to give up on my career which was about to go places, and instead, to take up a scholarship for my postgraduate studies over 4 years ago.
I have also secured new friendships on my last business trip - a bonus indeed!
Knowing that I will be leaving my current job soon, it became a more meaningful trip for me.
Although I was totally professional about my pending job departure and had not mentioned it to anyone on this last trip, at least I could leave knowing that I have been appreciated for who I am.
The knowledge that I have earned the respect of people in a work situation, people whom I had not met previously and only met in a short couple of days, made me happily contented.

NOW I finally understand why I was deprived of a previous trip on another occasion for a similar project by our business partner who hired our services.
That lady-boss (whom I used to freelance for) didn't want me to come into contact with her business associates - for fear that probably in the future, she would lose out by having me around.
Unfortunately for her, my boss kicked up such a huge fuss the last time that this time around, she hadn't put up any protest whatsoever.
Hence the new friendships that I had managed to pack into my last business trip.
Ahhhhh....you got it too!
Ha.

Which act will you be touched by?

I am highlighting 2 different kinds of thougthfulness here.
But before I begin to describe them, please bear in mind that it doesn't matter if it's a 'he' or a 'she' I'm talking about.

Thoughtfulness 1
Someone leaves you a personal message for the day on an online-chat facility, saying "happy belated birthday" for all the world to see, because you did not bother to reply to the person's short-message-send (sms) note left on your mobile phone.

Why the "can't be bothered" attitude adopted, you may ask?
Well, it was because this person did not even reply to your repeated invites for a small gathering held recently (not even with a 'yes' or a 'no').
And then a day after the gathering occurred, this person dropped you a casual note asking how it went.
By the way, this person's behaviour of delayed/non-response is a norm rather than an exception (in other words, it has happened on several previous occasions with no explanations offered)!
That, I believe, is known as "rudeness".
Would you care for a friend like that?
And would you call leaving a somewhat "precariously-positioned" belated birthday message thoughtful?


Thoughtfulness 2
This other person was told months ago that a good wine bottle opener will be a great thing to have (by you), and in turn you got told by this person that it is so much cheaper bought from a country where it is a wine-drinking nation.

That topic has not been mentioned again.
After all, it was mentioned in passing, over drinks.
And since that conversation, that person returned to the overseas job-posting (that is, back to the wine-drinking nation).
Recently, this person is back (from that wine-drinking nation).
And brought back - you've guessed it - a wine bottle opener to present as a gift to you!

My questions:

• Is 'Thoughtfulness 1' considered thoughtful? If so, WHY?
• And why haven't I asked a similar question for 'Thoughtfulness 2'?
• Would you like to get to know either of these 2 persons??? :o)

Let me know YOUR thoughts...

Dipping

No, I am not talking about the swimming kind.
I haven't mentioned much about my Salsa class of late.
That's because we had a week's break due to a National Day outing that my dance school had organised.
So our final lesson for Intermediate 1 was held yesterday.
It ended on a high note, as everyone learnt to do the 'dip'.
The gals got to be 'dipped' and the guys initiated the 'dipping' move.
Gosh, all this reference to dipping reminds me of chocolate for some strange reason.
Yum.

Anyway, back to 'dip'.
All that actually means we gals had to bend backwards while holding on to each of our male dance partner's waist and shoulder - for our dear lives!
But it was very fun for all of us, and most of my dancing coursemates seemed to have signed up for Intermediate 2.
I have done the same, but am also thinking about re-enrolling Intermediate Level 1 again.
That's due to the fact that one particular move that we have been taught over the course of the 5 weeks I still can't quite catch.
That has bothered me increasingly since.
Oh well, we shall see...

Another year younger

Today is a somewhat special day for me.
I am officially adding another year to my age.
I do admit I can't escape the chronological aspect of getting older.
Yet, I was told by a friend whom I saw at my birthday gathering last night that I in fact look younger than the last time when we met up a few months ago.
"Maybe it's the hair," she said.
Well, maybe.
Instead of having it straight, I decided to scrunch it to make my hair wavy for a change.
I would classify my look last night as 'gypsy' in style: white top, heavily crinkled skirt, hoop earrings - the lot.

Oh, about last night.
I decided to gather as many friends as possible at my favourite watering hole.
Although I have many friends, I narrowed the list down to about 15 (maximum 20) initially.
But realistically, I told myself I would be lucky if I managed to get 10 of my friends to attend this little 'do'.
Especially with everyone's hectic lifestyle and all.
So I was happy that I did get 10 people turning up.
We started with Champagne and cake cutting, followed by red and white wine being served.
And may I add that there were 2 cakes bought for me (as a very practical birthday gift) by a generous friend! :o)
2 cakes - because 1 was for the guests, and the other little one was for the management staff of the watering hole.
They were very attentive and helpful throughout the night, which included cutting up the cake and serving my guests!

I was initially worried that some of my friends might not get on well with one another, as I was the only link.
But, everyone got on so well that they were keen to go clubbing afterwards!
One of my friends suggested that we should re-visit the squids again.
You know, the ones that I was playing with the other time.
There was only 1 squid left in the tank and it was sleeping.
And since the last time I saw it, it had grown to double its former size!
I hope the other missing one did not pass on into the next world because of my excessive teasing the other time.

Anyway, partying ended in the early hours of the morning.
I don't recall having had a birthday celebration with friends other than when I turned 21, and last year (with 2 friends married to each other - they cooked me a meal!), when I was still in the UK.
The rest of the previous birthdays were mostly spent at home with my family (even when I was in the UK, I got to come home for my holiday break around the same time).
So last night was rather special.
And the company was great (although if the rest had turned up, it would have been most ideal)!

BUT, among all the lovely presents that I have received (all appreciated!), nothing compares to the fact that I continue to be blessed with wonderful friends and family, of course. :o)

What a week

This week had been a hectie one - to say the least.
I nearly threw in the towel over work matters.
It's a looooong story, so I won't say much on here.
Other than I felt frustrated that my hard work had not been appreciated.
In fact, I have identified that as a company 'ploy' in more ways than one.

For one, that means I can't ask for a review of my salary next month
(That's because it'll be 6 months since I started on this job.)

For the other, I can't claim all the 'glory' for the hard work I have put in.
(And for that, I'll have to share!)

I have decided to make other plans.
And although some work issues have still not been resolved, it's not much of a concern anymore.
If I am, I'll be depriving myself of better gains.
Speaking of which, I had not demanded much pay previously, as I didn't think it mattered as long as my services were appreciated.
It does matter now.
Especially when I'm being paid almost half of what I'm supposed to be getting for my qualifications!

I shall be letting my hair down this weekend.
It's a very special weekend and I won't let ANYTHING spoil it. :o)

Have you ever experienced this?

I am talking about either repeatedly opening up a page of journal or diary to write, and closing it again without penning a word.
And it's not because there isn't much to share - on the contrary!
Well, that was what happened to me on Sunday.
I have lots of news I could share, except that they are all not so interesting to blog.

But one thing I am sharing with those reading my blogs outside of Singapore is that tomorrow (9th August) is our National Day.
It is a public holiday, and I can't wait to laze in bed again tomorrow morning.
It also means a mad day for me today, as it's the deadline of the final submission of my MEGA-important report.
As you may have noticed, I am doing my part as a patriotic citizen.
I am using red coloured font for my text! :o)

Oh by the way, in case you are wondering - I am taking a short break.
Will check back in later...ciao.

My Godma

I may have mentioned my Godma in passing in some of my emails previously.
But I don't think I have really said much about her otherwise.
She is a lady whom my mother and I have got to know many years ago.
At the time, she was already working in the sales and service industry, and a very independent lady at that.
Over time, she took a shine to me and asked my mother if she could 'adopt' me as her God-daughter.
She has never been married, and my mother said since I would have another elder person to dote on me, why not.
That was back in 1997.
Since then, my Godma has switched career, and has become her own boss in the fashion industry.
Having a good fashion sense and being a sharp dresser herself, her business has been brisk, since her new shop opened earlier this year.

The things at my Godma's shop are tastefully chosen, with some items (costume jewellery and clothes) handpicked by yours truly - ahem.
These were items I got during the sales, just before I came back to Singapore from the UK late last year.
According to my Godma, these were sold - like hotcakes!
Actually, some of the clothes I picked for her were chic, but needs a certain amount of courage to wear out - especially in a still somewhat conservative Singapore.
They were daringly low-cut, and the wearer must have some amount of 'oomph' on her chest to flatter the blouse.
Therefore, I am surprised that they sold so quickly.
Says a lot here - that my notion about Singapore still being somewhat conservative may not be right after all.
It would be interesting to see WHO have bought those clothes when I'm out on the streets.
I shall have to keep my eyes peeled from now on... ;o)

Ceremony

I am talking about my graduation here.
I was already booked to head out to the UK to attend my degree ceremony for the middle of next month.
But, I've just cancelled all bookings, as I sense that my parents have not been comfortable with the idea, since the London Underground bombing recently.
And that is in spite of the fact that they had not said a single word about it.
And to think that one of the stations that got bombed would have been around where we would be staying - accommodation wise - for the graduation ceremony!

Actually, I am happier.
This means I'll be able to have the actual ceremony next year, over the summer, in the town where I did my course (which is not in London, but in the outskirts of it).
And my parents will be able to meet my former landlords (2 different families) who practically adopted me while I was lodging with them at different periods throughout my course.
Not to mention catching the great summer sales then! :o)

Another advantage would be to show my parents where I lived for the 4 long years, and where I studied as well.
Plus, the hotter summer temperatures would be more suitable for them to adjust to, rather than if we had attended the graduation ceremony next month.

Then again, I would not get to see a good coursemate of mine by missing next month's graduation - we survived the course together, and had good times griping about the hardships we had been through.

Anyway, I will be getting my degree certificate separately through the post soon.
And that's whether or not I am attending any ceremony.
Apparently at the ceremony, I will only get to shake some important person's hand and have my picture taken.
So no difference if I do that next year, or the year after next...hee.

Suffering

I have not been feeling well since Tuesday.
I went to bed on Monday night, feeling some pain developing on the left side of my back.
Couldn't get to sleep, and woke up the following morning almost keeling over with pain.
I couldn't even breathe properly.
Each time I took a breath, I ended up having short gasps.
I got that treated at the Chinese physician's, but still no improvement.
She said I had a pinched nerve, and it needs time for the pain to go away.

I daren't say much about my pain lest my parents got too worried.
So I bore with the stabbing pain and just made do with controlled and slow movements.
My mother was observant enough to know I was suffering.
So she offered to ease my pain by rubbing some medicated ointment on my back.
Since the first time she did that on Tuesday, I have been feeling better.
I even slept better despite the continued pain.

You know, I've never had such serious, isolated back pain before and it worried me a little.
Especially when the pain actually affected the frontal area and on the left side of my body too.
I have put it down to last Thursday and Friday's training sessions.
I was merely sitting on a low stool at a low table.
And apart from lunch and dinner breaks, I was sitting at an uncomfortable angle facing my trainee most of the day.
That was when I first felt some discomfort on my back.
I have decided I will be asking for a proper seat from now on, whenever I have to travel to conduct training.
No way am I compromising only to end up suffering like this!
And in case anyone is wondering while reading this - no, it has nothing to do with the dancing on Monday night...ha.

What a night

Last night was a blast.
What a night!
I finally plucked up the courage to hang out with my Salsa classmates at the social club.
And that was straight after my Salsa class.
The more advanced learners (guy 'helpers', I call them) actually graciously allowed me to dance with them - one after another.
They were dancing with different ladies almost continuously, and were perspiring like anything.
But the two I danced with were kind - they offered suggestions for improvement whenever I went wrong, and repeated the dance steps that I had forgotten.

Anyway, my instructor told to wait for him to finish 3 classes following ours before we left the dance studio, as he would be heading down to the social club.
That meant at 11 pm.
Bearing in mind it was a weekday, where I got to work the next day, I couldn't hang around long enough to wait for his arrival, much as I would like to dance with him (since he is an awesome instructor).
My instructor is a considerate dancer too.
Every time any of us ladies took turns to demonstrate new steps with him, he made us look and feel good on the dance floor.
So, my opinion is: I'll probably learn lots if I get a chance to dance in a social setting with him.
Oh well.
There will always be another time...

But most important is:
I HAD A BLAST! :o)