Takes 2 to dance: Part IV

Omg... I really enjoyed tonight's practice! It was crazily fun! Although my age is catching up and I was forgetful, it was a damned enjoyable session! I think we finally manage to break the ice after a couple of sessions together. I also need to thank Lisa and James for advicing me to keep my worry-looking face aside and bring out the original bubbly me (^_^*)

Kvin is kinda outgoing and courageous guy, a really great partner to dance with! He dares to look into my eyes and buzz me with high voltage. Luckily my heart is safekept in Ed's pocket in Trops, else kena la... 'lol'. I think both of us can generate great chemistry together! Fyi, I haven't start to seduce him yet... beware Kvin... 'rofl'

Kvin shared an experience with me today. He chose the Jive music with the highest bpm (beats per minute) from the CD track. I was stunned. But apparently his instructor told him that if the dancer can dance in fast speed, he can better master the steps in lower bpm. For the first time I attempted such fast pace although i didn't ask how fast! It was crazy, I said 'You are crazy!?!' but I crazily enjoyed it very much. I was exhausted, but it was so shooked!

Today, we practiced along with Esther and Jeremy for the first time. It was fun able to dance with the young energetic couple. It motivated Kvin to work harder also. I guess every youngster need some form of motivation to boost to another level :) Some healthy competition would do everyone good :] 'Ops... dun let Kvin know :p'

Four of us managed to sit down and chat a bit. It was a ice-breaking session for the 4 of us because we barely had the chance to chat like that. Esther is a very sweet young lady and Jeremy is still a boy despite his mature looking face. I am really looking forward to the Penang trip. Albeit the eye-opening competition, I am looking forward to the makan-makan sessions! Omg... I need to work on my weight first, have been gaining quite some weight lately... -_-"

We also talked about costume... -_-" that is another headache for me now. I still do not know what to wear... what hairdo to set... which tailor to go for... The cost for the costume is fairly expensive as expected. Hopeful I manage to get one below RM 400. Would not want to spend too much on one competition. I need to do more homework on this.

There are so many things to work on... I guess I need to note down all the outstanding tasks to be completed, else I will surely forget something at the last minute.

I am exhausted and dehydrated now... after the practice session and One-2-One non-stop session.

It has been a really fun day! Wanted to do some normal pre-sleep reading but I think I'm knocked out for the day la.

Good night Malaysia .... Zzzzz.....

Takes 2 to dance: Part III

Finally we completed our Jive routine tonight!

Actually it was not really a great achievement because it was Henry who reduce the variation in dance after considering our pace. However, for our level, I believe keeping the basic steps would be an advantage for us. We just need to strengthen our basic routine and outshine it with great execution.

Everyone had fun tonight, I supposed. The atmosphere was less tensed and there were plenty of laughter. Kvin seemed to be merrier tonight. Less frowns and more smiles, I am glad.

Tonight, we experimented different pace. From slow to fast. It was not easy. At some point of time, I felt like i was chasing time, totally left no room for executing dance technique. Sometimes Kvin flung me and my feet was off the floor. I felt that I looked rough and both of us looked messy together. We really need to kick some asses and I need to work more on my pace -_-"

There are still a couple of things that are lacking in us. The main one is none other but partnering. I feel that we are weak in usage of tension. At certain steps like Chicken Walk and 4 Steps... I couldn't feel Kvin's tension and strength which I can with Antonio and James. Subsequently, I subconsciously leaded him in some steps, ops! Didn't mean it.

Secondly thing is finding a balance between both of us. Kvin is younger and vigorous while I'm the old lady who is weaker in speed and strength. I'm more focus on the execution of the steps because though i believe both of us can execute with power, we need to strengthen our footsteps first. Less of compensation in our partnerwork.

Anyway, if only we had more opportunity to practice, I believe we can work all the problems out. Hope Kvin excels in his exams and can spare more time for practice after the exam week -_-" Something which is beyond my control but I have to stay positive and have confident.

We all just wanna have fun, but must be supported with determination and commitment!

Receiving is Offering

I am brought up in a family of offering. Despite the moral studies I did during schooling period, I have been educated to offer since young. When I was learning Yoga, I studied The eight limbs of Patanjali. The first branch, Yama is about social behavior; about how we treat others and the world around us. The Yama element which relates to offering is Parigraha.

I love to offer. If I have 12 pieces of chocs, most of the time I would share 11 or maybe all 12. When I know about a good investment, I will share with friends who love investment. When I see warehouse sales, I would inform my lady friends who are fanatic in shopping to share the joy. When I see someone needs help, I will try to help. It is not a holy thing that I want to brag about, but rather it is an instantaneous response in me. On second thought, it is because I feel bless to be able to offer. I feel lucky because I have the ability to offer. There are many people in this world who are deprived from having the basic needs in life e.g. health, shelter, food, family etc, while I have the choice to choose what I want to eat, wear or even partying. I am blessed with ABUNDANCE thus I can have CHOICES. With abundance, I possess more than I need and thus I feel that I should contribute to others who lack. This is the principle that is held by a lot of well known rich people around the world. However, the art of offering depends the selfishness/selflessness of a person.

Now, what about receiving as offering? It may sound contradictory to what I have written earlier, but actually it is not. The reason behind it, BALANCE. Alike male & female, hot & cold, yin & yang, give and take work as a pair.

I myself have neglected this balance. I know about 'Give and Take' but I have tendency towards offering because it feels good to be able to. However, sometimes I reject or decline other's offer. I was not being mean, but rather at that point of time, I really do not need what was being offer. So, I thought that offering could be passed on to someone else who needed or wanting it. Little did I realize that I was actually depriving other's chance to offer what they could/have.

Am I exaggerating the matter? Like me quote some of my encounters:

:: Encounter 1 ::
Last year, Shu Hui went to China and bought me a really expensive wool shawl for my birthday. When I opened my gift, my first response was "This is too expensive for me and I seldom wear shawl la! You keep this expensive gift for another friend la! Why don't you offer the sample necklaces on the make up table instead? I don't mind, I kinda like them. Can I have those samples instead?" What I thinking at that time was, since I wouldn't be using it frequently, don't waste it on me. My best friend made big response. She claimed that she chose the gift for me, not for another people and the shop is a well-known boutique in Shanghai. I didn't realize that I made her feel bad at that time. Later when I recalled back, I felt bad for saying that because I did not appreciate what she did for me. It was NOT just about whether I want it or not.

:: Encounter 2 ::
Last August, Shu Hui went to Beijing with family for the 2008 Olympics. I asked her to buy me a collection of Olympics stamps. I have been collecting stamps since primary school. When we met in September, she bought me this really beautiful set of FuWa (福娃) stamps and a limited edition of Ying Ying (盈盈) T-Shirt. I was so happy and I said "Thank you, thank you! I really love them!" Instead of buying on my behalf, she bought them as souvenir cum belated birthday gift. I could see that she was pleased that I love the souvenirs she bought. Later she told me that she actually queued up for the stamps. I was so touched TvT

I am not sure whether you share similar experience. But I had learn from mine. So now, I practice GIVE and TAKE simultaneously. To be frank, it feels a lot better to offer and receive, as compared to offering alone. I feel more sense of balance.

Alike an ancient chinese proverb, 投我以桃, 报之以李。It is an art of appreciation.

Hope this sharing can inspire my acquaintances and make the society a better living place.

We can make a difference!

Takes 2 to dance: Part I

‘Omg… not the Jive…‘ Although I was reluctant to do the Jive, majority rules. I had a very bad feeling since the very beginning that Jive and Rhumba will be picked, I just did not expect both to be picked at the same time. I mean I have not been so lucky in winning any lottery before.

Not that I dislike them, I just fancy Cha Cha Cha and Samba maore.

What is the Jive then? The Jive is a stamina demanding dance that demands speed and precision in each step while maintaining the bouncy feeling thorough the dance. Plenty of ankle and hip work. So much for ‘Fast dance tempo can cheat the steps through’… doesn’t apply in the Jive.

Rhumba, the dance of love. Equivalent to more time, more practice in order to nurture our love for each other. In order to present an impressive Rhumba routine, we must convince the audience that we are both in love. I have started learning to love him but how can i make him love me in return? Boy, it is challenging but I will try harder.

To kick start with, we did the Jive tonight. I guess Henry has some degree of expectation on us, as his Jive choreography was not easy to cope with. There were lots of spinning and speedy movements. I can’t recall how many times I hit Kvin with my elbow and how much has he twisted and strained my right arm and wrist. Our four limbs got entangled on and off. The whole session was like a fight in disguise, ‘chuckle’, but it was hell of a fun! I can’t believe that I was actually enjoying it!

By the end of the session, we manage to stuff the steps into our overwhelmed mind but I believe we were both exhausted from our dance fight.

I managed to discuss with Kvin face to face on his decision. I basically placed myself on the fence as I had a bad feeling that he wanted to pull out. I confessed to him on the postpone of application and air flight purchase as I respect his decision. Being forceful was the last thing i want to do to him. Surprisingly, he has decided to stick with me. I can’t tell you how happy i was and still is.

There are a couple of things that myself and Kvin need to work on from now onwards:

1. Unlearning and relearning.
2. Remember that it is a partner dance and must appreciate each other more. We are no longer solo dancers.

Last but not least, thanks Kvin for giving us a 2nd chance to try to work this out together but don’t be late next session!

To err is human, to forgive divine

人非圣贤，孰能无过。

It was a peaceful and pleasant dinner as I wanted it to be. However, I thought I could have done better.

许多时候，讲者无心，听者有意。偶尔我们犯错了，

新年。红豆汤

年初四。妈妈煲了一大锅的红豆汤。
“喝多点。内有许多好料。红豆补血，莲子增添唾液，陈皮润喉，冰糖润肺，白果利尿。。。”
妈妈的糖水，不是糖和水，永远喝得最窝心。

Something to anticipate

Today is the day.

Every corner of the department is full of anticipation.

Though everyone has a calm expression, I believe they awaits for ‘The letters of joy’; just like I do.

This is one of the most anticipated moments for a white collar worker like me.

Life with anticipation makes one strong and determinant. That is why we are implant with all these words at different phrase of our life.
Ambition -> Dream -> Aim -> Objective -> Vision -> Goal

One fine day, an acquaintance asked me, “梦想是什么？怎么寻找自己的梦想？”
I sat still; it took me a second to answer her. Not because I do not know the answer. Rather, there was this emptiness in her iris that made me felt sorry for her, I don’t know why. Maybe, because she does not know what to anticipate from her life. But I believe all she needs is a little bit more exposure and time to determine her dream or goal. Maybe she does not realize she already has one, only has less prioritized it.

I believe, as long as we have something to cling on, we will be a survivor in life. Be it family, love, money or glory. It can be anything simple but important to you.

I believe everyone has one.

Life is beautiful, despite how much you possess. It’s how you appreciate from what you possess now.

Anticipate for better, but live now.

“生活有寄托，会使一个人坚强、积极、奋斗。反之，会很沮丧、无聊或颓废地活一辈子。”

Selfless or Selfish

Sometimes in life, we make selfish decision because we want to safe keep the best for ourselves. Is that a wrongful thought? Not really, I supposed. Yet why do we feel uneasy and struggle with the selfish thought occasionally?

Survivors live with face masked. ‘Never let others read you like an open book’, mom warned. She claimed that I am an open book. ‘Really?’

As I dive into the working community, I am gradually exposed to people. Many tend to hide their selfishness beneath charming smiles or smart looking appearance. I believe all behave like that for a valid reason – Security? Fear? Envy? Or maybe greed?

But how about being selflessness? It does feel good to share and it is indeed a blessing to be able to share. Yet, it is not easy to maintain selflessness at all means. To a certain extent, we need to talk ourselves out of it.

There are things which we can share with others, while some, we can be possessive. There are certain things which are meant for one individual’s possession.

Finding a balance between being selfless and being selfish is never easy. Being selfless… does anyone really care anyway?

要在自私和无私之间找个平衡点，谈何容易？

你的感情经得起考验吗？

你的感情经得起考验吗？

How strong is your love?

My boyfriend gave me a call this evening, attempted to mutter out some unpleasant news.

Apparently, his company requests him to work in Singapore this coming month end and the period might last 3-4 months. He kept quiet after telling me the whole thing. I guess he was concerned about my feelings. The last time he left for Singapore in July 2006 for 6 months, I had been strong. As a matter of fact, I have been more independent then.

On second thought, was he feeling insecure about our relationship instead? There has been a couple of breakups among our acquaintance lately. These indicate that, even the slightest period of time can jeopardize a relationship, especially long distance relationship.

The fact is that the better you get to know each other, the more [fragile|solid] your relationship can be. Well, the truth is, we are all standing on the fence, it can be either way. Despite love for each other, a solid relationship includes your acceptance of his EVERYTHING including financial status, family background, social circle, habits and life philosophy etc.

Haven’t you heard of the common phrase ‘因了解而分手’?

I think tonight will be a tough night for him as he has decisions to make.

What about me? Well, I can’t predict tomorrow and I can’t make his life miserable as well. I only know that for time being, I have faith in our relationship. If we were not meant to be, holding on to each other wouldn’t do any good either.

听起来很潇洒吧？我是真的那么想。。。

So now, I need to consider about my Krabi trip in Feb ‘07 and Latin Silver classes… ’sigh’

Paradise exists

When life is beyond control, we hope to escape to a place call paradise.

Today I found out that there is really a place on earth call Paradise.
1. paradise (in Guyana , 57°57′W 5°34′N)
2. paradise (in New Zealand , 168°22′E 44°44′S)
3. paradise (in United States , 97°42′W 33°10′N)

If you have been there before, please tell me how is it like.

Tell me that it is non otherwise and it is just like every part on earth, where each of us has a major role to play in our life and obliged to responsibilities.

我选择相信她。。。

I believe in her…
我选择相信她。。。

近来，有一位朋友在她的生活上做出很大的改变。在短短两个月内，她选择离开拥有六年感情的男友，投向相识只有两个月的上司。

在别人眼中，她可能是突然改变，或是贪慕虚荣，。。。但她并不是完全这样的。这样的评价对她也是不公平的。这只有不认识她和不了解情况的人而言而矣。她也是这段感情的受害者。

其实他们的问题早已存在，只是他们都选择了各自的方式来逃避。两个人如要挞着，只要一点火花、心动就行了。但要维持一段细水长流的爱情，那一点火花又能维持多久呢？他们本来就是不同思维的人，要一起牵手走下去，需要多一份的包容和迁就。

单纯、乐观的她，对一切都满怀希望。虽然她深知两人之间的问题，她依然深信他们是可以一起克服那些种种难题，一起往幸福迈向。但随着长期的相处和了 解，和单方面的努力、付出，她开始觉得疲惫并且质疑这段感觉。感情是需俩人来酝酿的。要是只有一方付出，付出的那位也太孤独寂寞了。。。

男人和我们不同。都是female的我们，应该了解所想望的幸福是什么。

其实她也并非没错。她唯一的错误就是逃避了6年才醒悟，让无心伤害变成终身遗憾。

一段感情的结束，在某些层度上，俩人都是受害者。旁观者的我们就给他们一些呼吸的空间吧！时间将会是最好的心灵治疗。

福如東海，壽比南山．

親愛的媽媽，期盼的日子已來臨．我真的很開心．

希望媽媽所擔心的，會隨著大壽來臨而消失．

祝您身體健康，身心愉快．

我會永遠守候著您．

专 心 致 志

有 时 我 们 必 须 聚 精 会 神, 通 宵 达 旦, 只 为 了 完 成 一 件 看 起 来 那 么 地 微 不 足 道 的 事.

工 作 也 许 是 瞒 漫 长 而 单 调 的; 然 而, 当 它 终 于 完 成 时, 心 中 涌 现 的 喜 悦 与 满 足 似 乎 又 让 我 们 觉 得, 这 一 切 都 是 值 得 的.

要 心 无 旁 焉, 也 许 并 不 容 易; 要 不 问 收 获, 也 相 当 困 难.

如 果 把 过 程 看 成 是 对 毅 力 与 耐 力 的 磨 炼, 漫 长 与 单 调, 原 来 也 可 以 是 生 活 的 一 种 内 容.

原 来 经 付 出 后 所 得 的 成 果 可 让 一 个 人 那 么 的 满 足…

丝 毫 的 感 动

许 多 时 候 我 们 都 盼 望 人 生 有 一 次 又 一 次 的 大 感 动. 然 而 真 正 的 感 动 却 多 半 是 我 们 常 忽 略 的 小 感 动.

这 次 典 型 巨 蟹 座 被 一 盒 风 靡 全 城 的J. Co. 牛 车 轮 和Starbucks Caramel Frappucino 给 打 动 了. 前 者 象 征 着 鼓 励, 后 者 表 示 在 乎.

原 来 丝 毫 的 感 动 已 足 以 让 人 觉 得 很 窝 心.

不 能 说 的 . 秘 密

Every screen is so mesmerizing. 一 个 简 单 的 爱 情 故 事, 加 上 淘 气 的 动 作, 音 乐 的 熏 陶 和 风 景 的 修 饰, 变 得 再 也 不 简 单 了.

一 段 爱 情, 如 有 一 点 私 隐, 是 期 待.

一 段 爱 情, 如 有 一 点 遗 憾, 是 潼 憬.

这 部 电 影 是 奉 献 给 所 有 相 信 爱 情 的 人.

世 界 因 爱 而 存 在.

这 也 是 一 部 能 让 人 对 周 杰 伦 另 眼 相 看 的 电 影.