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I hopped into a taxi, quickly told the cabbie where I'm going and popped my earplugs in to avoid conversation. If it were any other day, I'd probably be chatty and a bit more social. But I was tired that day. We just had a house inspection, the headaches still wouldn't go away and I knew that there was a lot to be done when I get to work.
Driver: You don't like my music? Me: Pardon? Driver: You don't like what's on the radio? Me: Sorry, I don't even know what's on. Driver: It's classical. Do you like classical? What are you listening to? Me: Salsa. Driver: Oh, rather different from classical then. *chuckles* Me: I'd say so. Driver: Do you dance?
He probably had no idea but that one question changed my pissy mood. I told him that I've been doing Latin dance for a while and that I'm going for my medal this week. He seemed unusually excited for me which I found quite strange. And just as we were driving past Albert Hall, he asked me if I want to hear a story. I told him to go ahead.
In 1954, he competed in the Australian National Youth Ballroom Championships in Albert Hall. His partner was his then girlfriend and they were third placers in the Sydney Youth Ballroom Championships. They did foxtrot, tango, quick step, waltz and rumba. They didn't place in the Nationals and he was quite humble in saying that he thought they were out of their league. But he said it didn't matter. Because at the end of the day, all he wanted to do was to dance and to dance with HER. He said he met her at dance class when he was 15. They were married by the time he was 19. And at the end of the year, they'll be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. And then he snapped out of nostalgia for 2 seconds and cheekily said "Now I've just revealed how old I am."
He was also curious about my own stories about dance. I told him I've always been keen on it but I don't really have proper training like him and his wife did. I only really started getting into it about it 3-4 years ago. My partner, on the other hand, trained and competed when he was in his teens. His main weapon is technique whilst mine is rhythm. He laughed and told me "So you're one of those rule breakers who cause trouble and make things up along the way." I confirmed my reputation as a troublemaker when I revealed my penchant for leading and that gave him a chuckle. All he could say was things change with time but it would've been alright for his lady to lead him because she's a much better dancer anyway. He only reached the silver medal level but she was on top form as a gold medalist. We compared some more notes and before I know it, we were already at my office. He was genuine in wishing me luck and I wished him more happy years together with his wife.
I truly felt inspired after talking to him. The lines on his face showed his age but the glow in his eyes as he remembered stories from the past was nothing short of zest for life and love. He talked about his wife as if he had just fallen in love yesterday. He recounted how dance had been a driving force in their lives - how it started with their parents who loved to dance as well, how they partly attribute the longevity of their lives to the physical, emotional and spiritual exhilaration they got from dance and how they met and built their relationship through dance. Fifty four years later, they're still together. And from the expression on his face and the look in his eyes, he didn't have to say it out loud because I could easily tell that he still adores her. It was beautiful and my dreary day turned out to be the opposite because of it. And at an opportune timing, too. I am doing my medal test tonight and his story is just what I need to remind myself that more than anything, I'm doing it for the love of dance. I am very grateful.
I've just been really busy with work and life outside cyberspace. I'm in front of the computer long enough during the day and I haven't really been keen to do stuff online at home. You'll still find me on ym, msn and gmail though. Just say hi and I'll get back to you if I'm at my desk.
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On a lighter note, I'm almost done with Christmas shopping. I've been good and decided to start early this year. I've wrapped all my pressies for friends in Aus and am halfway through the list of things to send to friends overseas. :)
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We have also completed 2 dance routines for the medal test on the 1st. Please pray with me. I hope I don't get stage fright.
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Can someone give me Jim Sturgess for Christmas? Kthanksbye.
I was tidying up my room the other day and I had the tv on when this caught my attention. I was literally saying "wow" over and over again. They were brilliant!
I haven't seen a routine this good in a long time. And they were so refreshing to watch because they looked like they were having so much fun.
I'm gonna be them when I grow up, haha. Medal test, here I come!
