Having not choreographed a dance in two
years, you can only imagine what I put my body through when I agreed to perform
an Indian dance for my school’s Halloween party. Night after night, I trekked
to the English office, which magically turned into a wonderful dance space, and
put my body through boot camp. As I cursed myself for picking a song that was
too fast and too long, “Dhoom Tanna,” I put pressure on myself. I wanted to the
dance to look effortless, fun, alluring, and perfect all at the same time. At
first, I started practicing in my house, but I couldn't think of moves and I
kept stumping my toe on every piece of furniture around. I knew I needed to
find a space quickly and once I did, I was finally able to move like I use to,
well-sorta. I remember when Vanessa, one of my best friends, would have parties
at her house we would create the most amazing dance moves to any song that
played. We were very flexible so each move looked effortless. With age, being
able to bend backwards-stand up and spin on command goes much slower and that
is if I am not stuck in the backwards position!
One night this week, I had just finished practicing, and as
I was locking up I noticed the building was oddly quiet and dark. Usually even
at 10:00pm, there are students still occupying rooms cramming their brains out.
I quickly headed down stairs and what I knew was going to be my fate one day in
these Chinese buildings had met me tonight. The gate to exit was locked. I
immediately started laughing. Laughing? I know, weird, you would think I would
start sweating and panicking, but no I laughed. I laughed because of course I
would get locked into the building. I called my friend, Sunny, and thank
goodness she was awake-she started panicking and changing her clothes as we
spoke. While I waited for her I decided to say loudly “Ni Hao—Hello-anyone
there?!” Then I remembered a phrase I learned two months ago in language
training, “Ni keyi bang wo ma?!”-“Can you help me?!” and yelled it at the top
of my lungs about three times until finally, a nice Aiyi (aunty), who lived in
the building, came to my rescue! That is probably the most useful Chinese
phrase I will ever know.
Anyway, my performance was a hit! It felt amazing to dance
again and it was like I was on a “high,” except this high is good for you! I
was smiling the whole time and the pressure of remembering each move simply
floated away. It is a wonderful feeling to dance again. I am not sure why I
stopped but now I know being here in China will allow me to open all the doors
I closed for no apparent reason but being “busy.” Next semester, along with
teaching 6+,holding a Women’s Mentorship Program, and English Corner, I will also
have two dance classes-one for Zumba/fun exercise class and the other for girls
who are serious about performing. I can’t wait-so much so that I just want to
start it right now!
Off topic: I am still having a terrible time sleeping. I
would stay up until 12, which is when I feel the most tired, then I get into
bed and BAM I am awake again. I usually won’t fall asleep until 2:30-3:00am.
Yesterday, after my dance-Sunny and I had a nice girls night-where we were
talking and drinking a nice cold one! I told her my bed is incredibly hard and
may be the reason I can’t sleep properly. We both came into my room and she
said-yes, you are right-it is like you are sleeping on a board. I told her, I
think the bed is upside down-I’m sleeping at the bottom part and the “soft”
part is on the other side. We lifted the bed and low and behold-I was right. Next
thing you know, we are trying to flip a heavy bed onto the other side. For
ladies who haven’t lifted weights in a while, we did it pretty quickly!
Finally, after many sleepless nights, I can finally rest.in.peace-hopefully.
Off topic, again: There is something about mothers all around the world that I
admire greatly. Every time I want to spend time around my family (related or
not), I always receive a text/call no matter where in the world I am. Whenever
I feel like it has been a while since I’ve seen or spent time with my host
family-right at that instant-magically, my host-mother contacts me. It’s like no
matter where a mother’s “children” are (related or not), mothers know they are
needed. Thank goodness for that.
Hope ya’ll had a great Halloween! J
