Age

Ever since joining Hengda Dance Academy, I’ve found that I’ve faced many more frustrations with my age.  Contrary to what many may think - it’s not that I’m feeling old, but rather other people think I’m still in high school….HIGH SCHOOL…SERIOUSLY?!  Not only did the other girls in my dance class (who are mostly in high school) think that I was around their age, but older people like our parents age also thought I was 17 or 18.  AHHHH - some people might say that’s a good thing (perhaps when I’m older it’ll be beneficial), but right now it’s a little depressing to hear.

Do I act immature?

Is my face childish looking or do I have a baby face?

I certainly don’t think I look THAT young.  Perhaps when I’m in casual clothing I can come off as looking younger as compared to when I’m in business attire at work.  Age is a bit of a touchy subject at work.  Apparently you’re not supposed to directly ask people their age.  I never thought age was that big of a deal, but as I’m nearing the big two-five I can understand why people stress about it so much sometimes.  I am caught at an age where I wish I was younger in the sense that I wish I had more time to do everything I want to do, but wish I LOOKED older because being mistaken as a high-schooler is a slight hit to my pride =P

Perhaps a new haircut will suffice in making me look older….=D

 

Spirit Fingers

Lights come on…

Team is announced…

Music begins…

…SMILE, remember the movements, look graceful, but most importantly - don’t look like an idiot!

I traveled up to Vancouver, BC today with 4 other girls in a non-AC car (it was 90 degrees outside in Seattle btw…crazy I know) to participate in a Chinese dance competition. There were about 15 of us girls performing the “water” dance and it was quite an interesting experience. All of us were running off of 4-5 hours or less of sleep (well at least all that were in our car) and we definitely didn’t get enough time to rehearse with some last minute people replacements. The performance itself was awful in my opinion. I know I made some major mistakes towards the end (including doing a complete swap in position with another girl), but we improv-ed the end and somehow it worked. Everyone else thought we didn’t do that well either - we were all dreading the judges’ comments.

From what other people told me, the judges this year were pretty strict. There was a fair share of finger pointing and people feeling the judging was unfair, but I’m just taking in this whole experience as just that - an experience. Course it doesn’t hurt that we got 2nd place, but I was really glad I got to see the level of other performers that came. Some even flew in from as far as Massachusetts! I never thought I’d get the chance to go to a Chinese dance competition.

I remember I was worried in some ways about leaving the HDA when I go to SF (and yes, I did say “when I go” vs. “if I go” to further convince myself it’ll happen soon) because I feel like I’ve established a network here and am finally picking up on the instructor’s style. But, after seeing and hearing how there are many Chinese dance academies in Cali, I’m a little more willing to pull away…

Final thoughts coming out of today - better practice more and not make the same mistakes at the annual performance.  Breathe and just get the emotion and feel of the dances - no one will notice if I didn’t do the right movement as long as I’m assertive on them and keep smiling!