I will remember .....

Today was quite a waste of time. Went through Facebook to watch others uploaded Serkan workshop & show photo, noticed everyone start to miss Serkan already! Hmmm… including me too. Why? The reason is He is a really nice person and everyone enjoy having him around. Just easy going and friendly and No ego No attitude!

I try to trick my mind of what I have learnt in his workshop. I was wondering am I still remember the 4 choreographies I took? OMG….that is the problem when the video camera is prohibited in the workshop! Oh….can't remember the whole thing. I need to push myself, If I don’t push and challenge to keep going and given things to learn, I will start to lose my mind. 

I am working on the new dance stuff and consolidating everything I learned so far, as well as build and adapt their choreographies to my own style, and of course if I use them I will credit the originators. Start to rehearsal my newest Shaabi with the girls, this is fun interesting cow girl Shaabi, we will rock in the cow girl party....come to join the party when you are in your town!

Again, I am so happy I do have friends out here that care, appreciate and love me. No matter how high the mountain or how deep the sea, I will remember the true friends will be there to support me. Life is beautiful!!

Serkan Tutar Workshop in Singapore 2010

It was nice to catch up with so many of you that I hadn't seen in a while. I hope to see you soon.

Special thanks to Ginny & Eva  came out to meet, miss you!

What a wonderful short trip workshop in Singapore!!!! So glad that myself & Emily managed to squeeze into the early bird rate of 11 hours workshop in the last minute. I really wish I could write more comprehensive review to Serkan workshop, but I have nothing else to say…. Just wanted to let you know it was so impressed with not only his dancing but with his wonderful personalities. We were only able to attend the Saturday and Sunday portion, but it was more than well worth every single second. We really enjoyed learning with Serkan! 

I am sometimes a slow learner. I especially enjoyed the part of the combination where Serkan put a fun and cute unique move and took time to break everything down and explain it so well. Just an interesting combination of oriental dance that he created beautifully! I think I brought more away from that weekend than any other workshop we have taken. It was a truly "marvelous" weekend and great fun! 

I first saw Serkan performance in life in studio studio. Serkan improvised with the Percussion artist. And I was thrilled. Just thrilled!! He made smile on my face, I love his performances...Thank you to Yuki arranged the show at the end of the workshop. No word to say,  just looking forward to the next one... and the next one..... 

Anyway, I would take and recommend Serkan workshops to anyone. Thanks again for all your hard work, Master Serkan, I hope you get home safely and can have some rest for a couple days. I miss you so much, so you have to come back as soon as possible, and promise you we do our homework. See you in 2011!! 

Belly dance teachers, as I have already said in a previous post, I believe that teaching is an ongoing learning process, it is worthwhile attending workshops though, as the experience you get and the new ideas are so important for our teaching. Let's keep learning  and dancing!

Super Excited!

Just got home last night from Serkan Tutar workshop in Singapore. I sat down for my breakfast this morning with my yellow writing pad and pen in hand, with the intention of writing a review of all of the workshops I took, I found that was not enough writing for a blog post in and of itself. I decided to come back to post it later…

First - called my student the floods situation in their area. Sadly, many of them are exhausted by the floods. Studio activities temporary cancelled until further notice.

Called to checked out the performance on last Friday, they told me the crowd was not so good, not many people come out for shopping due to water everywhere. Still, I am deeply grateful to all of you (my students) as I heard you had a blast on stage, I take a deep breath and allow myself to break into a smile, love you my dearest!

So, Cow girls party by Susan Ho next week! Here are the details:

Friday, November 12 • 8:30pm - 11:30pm
Location : Swiss Garden , Sg Petani , Kedah.
Dressing : Cow Girl Fancy Dress ;
Ticket : RM25

The date for party has been changed to  12th November 2010

Boring Evening

No class due to floods floods floods. So I am slacking in my house, doing nothing.....

I just came back after the one hour rehearsal class. The girls (6 of them) will be performed on 5th of November Deepavali holiday in conjunction with the Blood Donation day and the Speech on Recycling. The event is organized by Kota Setar Lions Club. Too bad I am not able to attend on this day, so just briefed one of the girl’s mommy, she will take the lead for everything! 

Received a notice from the complex management that there will be no electricity and water supply in office tomorrow. But I will go back to work, I was wondering what else I can do if there is no possible way for me to have an Internet connection? Actually I have no clue what to do! Will see how. 

Start packing to go to Singapore on tomorrow night. I might pamper myself a bit on the trip,  round trip by flight and accommodation is a luxury room. Yahoo! Cant wait for Serkan Tutar workshop - A Male Belly dancer of the world '08 international award-winning belly dancer & teacher. He was born in Turkey, living in Belgium. I told the organizer-Yuki that I must hug him and take more photo with him. Yuki said I will love him. She is trying to convince him to stay in Asia for 1-2 years.... Yes let’s make him stay! 

Singapore friends, I am coming! It's really been a long time since we last met. See you guys! 

Serkan Tutar

Feeling The Full Emotions...

Thanks God no rain yesterday,  it's stopped for now at least. The weather is windy and cool today. I'm scared of what will happen when the weather change again. Lately the weather has been really strange, I wonder if the unusual weather is the price we have to pay for the global warming and environmental damage. Ummm….some of my friends are returning to their house.   God! so many stuff needs to throw off, then what else can be left for eating? I think after the flood,  all kinds of food will be a bit  expensive, hope that the government will take action to control the  raising prices of food.

Yesterday was another great rehearsal class with the kids.  We did a new formation,  which is always amazing. The day was full of great and the good company of being with kids. l was going well until I got this email last night.  Well, I can't think of much more to say at the moment, since I can't get an email off my mind. I knew I had been touched by words, from which at least I am aware that my efforts in writing have been paid off a little. I cried so much when I read the words ….. Yup, so much pain and hurt  inside  which I can only imagine.

The heights and depths of emotion have left me tired today, but feeling good  when I know  there is always someone or something looking out for me! Sometime I may believe it is from Angels, sometime I feel it is from God, or  it is just from coincidence or chance.  Well I know what I do! I say Thank You! Out loud sometimes!  Thank you for all your words of encouragement! You've really helped push me further and helped me want to continue dancing  that I've been picking for some many years now. You're words have really been a blessing.

I will say goodbye for now, and hope everyone are having a good day.

Studio Building Flooded

Its been raining cats and dogs over here.   After three days of downpour, the North-South Expressway in Changlun was submerged under 2m of water and it were closed since yesterday afternoon. I got  stuck in massive traffic jams for more than an hour when driving to Jitra studio. Whoops……Luckily I came out a bit early and  I arrived on time too!  Usually it was often less than 20 mins if off peak.   

As I was about to go out from my car, it started raining very hard. I thought I would be better wait  in the car  until the rain stop. While waiting, I received a few phone call from my  students that  they have not been able to come to class, some said they need to pack and move their belongings to a safe place. Finally  I  cancelled  the whole evening 2 classes. At that moment,  I felt it was very unlikely that water could have risen so high so fast.

This morning,  I received a phone call from a student, things got worse that  studio area already flooded. Some residents there have not been so lucky!! Some of  my students were forced to move to their relative house. If the heavy rain continues, I think Wednesday class will be cancelled.

I followed up with my student through a phone call couple of time this morning.  Over the phone  I could hear  the sadness voice of women who lived in close by area,  I heard they had exhausted battling to save their  properties from the flood. I watched  the flooded picture/video on facebook,  I saw some guy were rescuing some old people  out of the flood with a ‘sampan’  in nearby area. 

  

It is raining, raining and raining. Some friends told me it will  rain for at least the next 2 days – maybe longer. There was still LOTS of water at  the studio building. In the past I have often read about calamities in newspapers or followed the coverage on television. I never have any flood experience, I remember my friend told me  about this exact same flood in 2005. I’m much more aware of flooding hazards these days.  Its really going to be a hard job even the smallest amount of water damage the house  can be extremely hazardous. And clean-up after a flood requires a lot of time!  

to be continued.... need to have lunch.

My New Warm Up Excercise!

Last two week, I have back ache when I got out of bed in the morning. After sitting over for too long, I felt pain in my right hip, I could barely walk or stand. The pain in my low back was so severe that I could not even begin to do my warm up routine that I had done in the past. My entire experience was a pressure.  It was unusual for me. I went to the doctor, after injection and taking pain medication for a week, I felt some relief. The relief got better after every day.

Now here’s the thing, during my warm up session, I do different exercises depending on what I feel I need the most. Obviously, I need to adjust my routine, I don't want more damage but I do need to exercise my back regularly. In order to warm properly and to avoid to curl my back forward, I started with standing exercise mostly stretching before I did the aerobic dance for my warm-up! Of course, I probably knew what is aerobic activity. I did all these moves in my aerobics class for the past ten years. Once I do, my mind connected while getting the aerobics dance moves put into different sequences and combinations. I did a lot of the step-touch in different directions for variation too, it was much more fun and we were sweating at the end!

Well, I was surprised my students love it! And they wanted more! Oh, my goodness, they made me proud. I have to fit an exercise routine into my already busy schedule, I'm not sure I could do it two times a week. And I know that I definitely prefer belly dancing. I would missed that when teaching fitness, but being a good workout/sport, I will think about it.

Right Track From The Beginning

Let  me hit the highlights of what I actually did this week.  I was pretty much off work on Thursday and Friday, so I had a relaxing WoW time visit my friend in Ipoh,  I enjoyed my favorite food, chat and sleep a lot!!   

And back here  I am start a new beginner choreography for my private class tomorrow!  My mind went blank. Hahaha! Not kidding!! I would say the hardest thing is to choose the music for a student who  is  never attend my technique class before. I watched her dance movement  in my studio  before she committed  my choreography class.  I would say, the most important part is the foundation work.  Like anything that I learn, If  I learn it right then I’ll on the right track from the beginning.  

And now, I am going to have a tough time in my teaching - I’ve to think how to approaches on helping her  up correctly, that’s the hardest thing I’ve found. That’s probably the most important thing to start a student off correctly in their knowledge, and, of course, to really, if anything, know the  proper technique, learn how to do that well.

Nothing is impossible. But really, if you love what you love too to do,  it will come. I found the music,  I finished the whole 3.30 minutes choreography. Been exhausted after two hours practice!  I keep the steps  very simple, not too complicated as she  is getting through the foundation work, so I would say the beginning part starts with her commitment and dedication… So that’s very important!

Yay,  Way of experiment to create a good student!  I am sure I have a certain  thing that I do to  bring  her  along and make her  somebody who wants to learn. 

Chinese Folks Dance Competition

吉北華小中華民間舞蹈觀摩賽 

It's amazing when  the Persatuan Guru-Guru Sekolah Cina Kedah Utara North Kedah (Chinese School Teachers Association 吉北华校教师公会/吉北华小發展工委會) arranged the Chinese folk dance competition on 8 Oct 2010.  The competition is designed to improve public awareness and raise the performing standard of Chinese dance through friendly competition and meaningful adjudication.

The Competition is focuses strictly on Chinese folk dance and is judged by three adjudicators. And I was one the adjudicator and the other two  are famous in  teaching  Chinese dance teacher.  Our job is to provide meaningful written adjudication so that students  will leave this event with a better understanding of how and where they can improve as individual dancers, and as a group.

For Chinese dance competition, the emphasis is on presentation and choreography. There is less emphasis on technique. The adjudicators' will score the four regular categories on the basis of costume, props, presentation, expression and choreography. Scores are out of 100 and the average score is the one that counts.

I was touched when during judging. I really seen the students quality and spiritual aspects. The purpose of the competition is returning to pure truth and kindness of  Chinese traditional dance. Their style is very elegant and they successfully show pure Chinese folk dance. A big THANKS to all  the teachers!! At the end of judging, adjudicators  marking results were visual. I was amazed that we judge honestly no matter what you may think. Every one were happy, and of course I seen some of the students were crying too. I just think you should trust us judges to make the right decision. Generally the right dancer will win, and if you have a problem with the competition/markings speak to your teacher.

After the competition, we went for dinner together with the organisation team. I told them “All the students in the competition have a good understanding of Chinese dance and strong ability to display it. I love it and wish they continue to learn  in the future as modern day people are no longer as good and pure as those gods cherished in the past”  

The four team finally won and  currently scheduled to participate  in  Sg. Petani/Kulim soon. Wish them good luck!!      

The Champion - Kota Sarang Semut School

2nd  Placing

 

  

3rd Placing 

4th Placing

Chinese Folks Dance Competition - I've been already excited to see how it'll grow and develop in the coming decade.

New Choreography - Tribal Solo

Malaysia Tribal Festival on 9 Oct - I bought the ticket  but I am not going because I am exhausted! The exciting things that is my lovely kid belly dancer Grace Heng will perform  a Tribal Fusion Solo. 

I just choreographed my new tribal solo after Taiping competition. Good thing Grace had learned  the fundamentals of tribal style steps, foot and arm in Nanci Traynor workshop, so It is easier part for me to brush up on technique with body awareness, example the Flamenco posture, make sure  my little tribal dancer wont lost it when she dance fusion. I know it's a small point, but it makes a big difference to the authentic flamenco look. And  I  am  proud and confidence that I always  respect the genre I am  fusing with. 

Grace in Tribal Costume

I am sure Nanci Traynor will be happy when she watch Grace perform a Tribal Solo. I wish she can go shine on the stage tonight!  So if you see her, please help me to give some courage to her, her parents and her friends (6 of them) will be there with her too. Thanks a lot! 

Grace had costume rehearsal last night, I laughed so much when she said  this to me "Teacher, my head is so heavy with all the stuff on my head" :D:D:D

How I wish I can be there tonight .....

My Bellydance Photo of the Year 2010 Contest!

Hi everyone, I am in the middle of a online photography competition and I'm excited to see what I  get to do with my photo. Of course I wish to have the chance to win some prizes. I really want to win, and all I need are votes from my family and friends. You simply need to click on the link, view my photo, and vote it. If I get enough votes, I win. It’s that easy! Please use the link below  to vote for my photo. I am at my Contestant No  #3 

http://www.bellydance.com.sg/
 

www.bellydance.com.sg

Bellydance Photo of the Year 2010

Please forward this to anyone else you know that could help me out. 

Thank you very much for your vote. I will keep you posted as to what is happening with the Contest. Wish me luck!

Sahara - Lebanese Style Workshop in K/L

It was fantastic Lebanese workshop with Sahara on Saturday & Sunday! Sahara is a gorgeous dancer! First time in my life I saw a belly dancer teaching with her sport shoe on! It seems like different style of dance master makes a big difference in the experience. The workshops were totally new for me! The workshop I attended :

Modern Choreography Lebanese Style

Balady

Drum Solo

Arabic Interpretation and Culture

The workshop was scheduled to run for two hours and we would be learning a (+-) 2 minute choreography. Woohoo! The music tends to be faster than oriental music. My back has been aching work on the shimmy, cant felt my legs at all! The fast spin, hip movements are more crisp than Egyptian style. And at the end I was exhausted but happy!! I love her choreographies, it was such a FUN to learn and do the movements.

I don't know much about Lebanese style, and Sahara explanation of the nuanced differences in Western styling in Lebanese vs. Egyptian raqs sharqi, Turkish helped me to understand much more. I believe that knowing the history behind it can change the way we dance and the way we think about it. Amazing that something is so small can have such an impact on my dancing too. Shukran for the notes and no regret I went for all the workshop!

Sahara, I cant wait to see u again!! 

Learning to Dance In The Rain

I was feeling down after I read my sister’s email this morning! I breathed slowly and controlled. My first step was to identify the problem and be happy. I managed to call her and talked through the phone. So things are okay with me right now when there is something I can do (tried everything within my power) So start from now I have another financial burden on her.

I found a quote on the CDs cover. I’ve seen it when the day I received the CDs but sadly, I only recalled this quote came to me from one of my inspiration belly dance! Here it is : 

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain. 人生不是等着暴风雨过去, 而是学会在风雨中跳舞。

I love it ! I think this is the quote that we generally see as well. Storms in life come all the time, but we can still be having fun in spite of difficulties. It's true a person has to learn how to deal with what comes your way in life. It's an optimistic way of looking at things. 

I hope whatever it is - I am going to keep my head up and Smile !

Excitement Progress

It is  time to sit back for my brand new action plan! I think a lot of my full time job.  When I start to think about a way to be financially stable,  I really don’t want to give up my  desk job that can support myself.  I worry that without a full-time job's financial support will prevent me to study with some of the best instructors I’ve ever worked with because I want to travel and  taking lots of classes. 

I think with  “all the junk that’s floating around in my head” is because I feel that’s the way my head works.  I write out  everything that has been floating around in my brain and begin to make sense of it.  I have noticed that many times once I get to this point of  writing,  I often come out the other side with a better sense of what I need to do and where I need to go from there :D  

For me, I can safely say that I've worked hard for the past few years in spite of the many challenges and let-downs. I've been spent that much time on choreographies.  I started wondering what you would call it if you choreographed something other than people moving their bodies. I am starting to have a lot of questions. And my next thought is this : how to learn "Expression in Dancing" when the song is full of emotion? I really don’t know how to express it. Some people might say, just  Smile and express yourself while dancing. How about dancing to a piece of  baladi song? Can expression be taught by a teacher? Perhaps the answer is No! 

I spend two hours last night  sitting down trying to figure out what to pack and I didn't even open the suitcase. I realised that I haven't even reviewed the last one workshop yet, and I'm going to another workshop! Woohoo! Will be touring my body and foot…lol  

Group Isis Wings Performance

When everyone saw a dramatic piece where I used big and colorful Isis wings in last November, they said very pretty and asked me to start the wings class. Um….speaking from personal experience here :) Isis wings have to practice really hard. Isis wings required appropriate posture and arm carriage technique. The minor things like keeping the armpits pointed towards the audience, think of classical arms to keep shoulders down, the tiredness of your shoulder when practice bird arms etc. It is very important to identify which muscles move when you are doing a movement to ensure it is done correctly. This is so true of all things belly dance related – I mean props!

I never think I would start teaching the wings dance until recently. Couple of weeks ago, I started wings dance for Nicole and her sister in private class. The wings dance to be presented on her wedding night. I came up with some plans for practicing step rather than just spinning around prettily. Here are 2 videos to show how they work on the spinning technique…. Do you notice the different technique between 2 of them?

 

 

Wednesday Night 15th September - This was a most exciting night, myself, Nicole and her sister, we performed our group Isis Wings. We were assured that the stage was set up for 3 of us. And, wow... what an amazing turnout for the wedding night! Of course, we were the beautiful Isis won the big WOW. I enjoyed hearing audience "ooh and aah" on that night. The audience really love our wing moves during our performance!! Unfortunately, we didn't take a lot of photos, but I think we did a pretty good job. Well done Nicole and Siew Kiang!!! And thanks to Nicole involving Arabesque in her big night.