#206 One year on

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:41:10 GMT

绽放的花季 ❀

Today's August 1st. One year ago, we were at the Esplanade having the time of our lives. It makes me think about the times in Nanyang with Nanyang Chinese Dance, and how things are right now. I miss NYCD so much, I'm very thankful for Laoshi, for making NYCD such a great place, and the management and schoolmates undying support for NYCD. In Nanyang, people appreciated Chinese Dance alot more than the superficial people in Hwachong now. I think that in Hwachong, alot of focus goes to studies, guess that's how the fantastic results come about but I definitely don't feel that the school supports the arts as much.

(No cut because the photos are so pretty.)

#110 绽放的花季 Season of Blooms

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:51:03 GMT

绽放的花季
Nanyang Chinese Dance
1 August 2008
<3

绽放的花季(I'm not used to calling it Season of Blooms) has honestly been the best experience in my life. From preparations till those 2 hours. The whole process and the people made it so wonderful.

I feel like I can't put it down in words. But I'll try anyway.

We started preparations after 90th anniversary when we started to learn the previous SYF dances. I actually remember Becca teaching me Chundao, and what a long way we've come since then. Then we got into committees and I remember fundraising comm being seriously at a loss on how to begin and the uncertainty on whether or not we could raise enough money for the production. and then it was full swing once 2008 began with all the dances starting to come out, confirmation of people in the dance, duixing (positioning) and so on. Practices during holidays to get our stamina up. then soon, zaogong (practice from 7-7.25) began and so did recess/lunch practices. CCA on Wednesday became a normal fixture with Huanghaizi and Qinghuaci practices then while the rest of us stretched and bonded. Soon, June came and time seemed to accelerate with the problem of June Camp dates and 16, 17, 18 Auditorium rehearsal. Teachers watched our performance, the lighting director came. In the meantime, all committees were hard at work with the programme booklet, montage, publicity, costumes, toushis, makeup, pingtai (platform) and so on. Later, every friday from 6-8 we had the "dreaded" full runs in the hall with teachers sitting in front like judges from a gymnastic/ice skating competition. Suddenly, there was only 1 month left, soon it was 2 weeks (including the stress of blocks), after that was 4 days, and 1 August arrived.

The preparation has had its ups and downs.

Ups:
The excitement of embarking on this journey
Selling bubble tea and seeing friends supporting NYCD
All the times with batchies/seniors/juniors
Seeing Jialing's animation for the first time (the first animation!)
Dance night design!!!
Photo spam with Becca and Anna

Downs:
The frustration of not getting the steps right
The frustration of losing the SYF ganjue for Fengwu
Drafting and printing sponsorship letters which didn't get sent out at all (but Mdm Leon was the best)
Trying to make everyone in the committee to work even though we were all busy
The whole issue with June camp dates and Auditorium rehearsal (I'll never forget it, <3 Lianghui and Sheena(: )
One of the hall rehearsals just before Blocks
Chundao kou-ing sometimes can get really really tiring and frustrating
Daidao 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 when I couldn't get it right
Points in time where I felt like giving up, breaking down (Somehow that time at the Hall felt the worst)

It seems like there are more downs that ups but honestly, this whole experience has been an up, except for the downs. |: I'm being incoherent.

Preparation was tough but it felt great that everyone around me was working as hard or harder than me to make dance night a success. Everyone was doing their own part, be it costumes for Sheena, publicity for Lianghui, multimedia stuff for Jialing and of course overall for Yiyi, Bailu, Hernhern. Everyone was juggling studies, dance itself, comm stuff, other commitments and everyone was so willing. I'm glad everyone in NYCD is so passionate. Sometimes, I think that makes the greatest difference. There's no doubt I'll miss this, of course CCA everyday, the people, listening to Laoshi talk, fights with Jialing (which I'm sure will still continue, thankfully :D), (I never thought I'll say this) Kou-ing Chundao. I really think most of my effort went into kou-ing Chundao and I really got so sick of it a point in time, I love dancing chundao even though its really tiring. I feel like dancing chundao now. I'll miss sleeping on Sheena's leg (I know I'll continue doing that), hugging yiyi's leg and teasing my favourite mole, laughing at Clara, teasing Liwen, annoying/getting annoyed by Bobo, crazy crap sessions with nana cheryl lianghui, bus rides with Sheena!, therapy with Becca and so on.

The week leading up to Dance night was so filled with emotions.
Blocks were terrible, because it was double the stress. I think I felt more nervous/worried for Dance night than my blocks (which obviously wasn't as high up on my list of priorities, bad thing) After blocks on Thursday, it was straight to the dance studio (liberation of sorts, I felt I was caged in by books D:) and then immediately full run at Audi. (I must say that we got ALOT of audi rehearsals, the management has really been supportive) obviously the full run was terrible because everyone hadn't been dancing for 4days, I was really wobbly. It made alot of us really worried that we wouldn't be able to do it. Friday was slightly better. Saturday was dance by dance practices. Sunday was liangong from 8-10, then HHK. and was the day I fell sick D: which made me really stressed up and worried. Following that was a full day on Monday, Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday full dress in the Audi (which wasn't up to standard in my opinion). Then I felt super sad that it would all come to an end soon.

Thursday we reported at 915 after (stupid) AMC, and then did barre and stretching and then ate and went over to Esplanade. It felt so surreal as I thought back on how far we've come, like the last 3 months passed way to quickly. In June, it felt so far away, and then suddenly, it was 1 day away. So then we tapped our Esplanade passes (xD) and then went to explore backstage. Roomed with Hernhern and Natalie. We got the "gala princess room", right at the stage door. The room was small and cosy and really pretty. Beside Jialing and Sheena. I must say that the 2 days I went over to Jialing and Sheena's room, Becca Anna Yenngee's room and Cheryl Nana and Hui's room alot. (Because Hernhern was always missing!) Then lighting and stuff with makeup. Till about 10.

Friday was a long day. Starting 730 in school. then we quickly packed and left for Esplanade. Barre, stretching, shengyun in the corridor. Then lighting again. which dragged so long, there was no time for full run. I felt really insecure without full run. Then rushed makeup and then slotting in daidao blocking, then a change in Hudie (I think Laoshi has made us accustomed to last minute changes) and then dinner. The smses of encouragement from Batch08 <3 and friends made it even more certain that time was passing. I seriously didn't know why I broke down at that time, because it wasn't even something that affected me. I was stressed I would get a headache but I guess the breaking point was the remark. It was probably the build up of emotions, worry, nerves, and probably anger from the unjust remark. I do not blame you anymore though, because you didn't know. So anyway, I ran off to Jialing/Sheena's room and dabbed the tears off my eyes and thankfully no one realised (maybe the juniors in the room did but didn't say anything) but when we went to block the change in Hudie, I couldn't keep it in. Then immediately it was shengyun half an hour before the house was open. When Laoshi started crying, I teared abit, and then Jialing, followed by Bailu, then Sheena cried. Then we went back to our rooms to do final preparation. I was calm even though nervous after crying because I knew I had let all the emotions out already and it was time to show the world what we've got. Juniors cried outside the stage door, which was quite scary, but understandable because of nerves.

Molihua was the best I've ever seen, it was quiet and pure. Proud of you, Secones!
Chundao was great. Nerves nerves and more nerves while behind the white curtain but when we ran to postion, the smile took over. Although there were hiccups here and there, I really think it was great. I'm very proud of Chundao, extremely proud, the whole atmosphere was great. (: After Chundao, I rushed into the dressing room smiling. Hernhern said it was good too! Got ready for Chunjiang and when to the wings to titui.
Chunjiang was okay, I was shaking because I was so nervous for our part. Cheryl was great. Yiyi was steady (: and I didn't shake! Our baotuis were steadier than usual. (: I think Chunjiang could have been better because shuangshan was abit messy. But nonetheless, much better than rehearsal.
Daidao was definitely the one I was the most worried about. I think I got my timing for 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 right. I think the snow was beautiful even though the paper was kind of painful. Thank you Theatre Club for tearing the paper! Cheryl's huaziqiao was steady!
Hudie was abit scary because the dry ice was choking. Fiona had an asthma attack but she lasted through the whole thing. |: Thank goodness she's okay now.
Dongtian. I could hear the audience cheer when they had tuoju!
Fengwu, was for Laoshi. We danced our hearts out, for Laoshi.

The audience was really great (: The applause overwhelmed me. Those 2 hours passed so fast. Adrenaline pumped through every vein.
Finale was good. It was a great full stop to a fantabulous night.

Laoshi said before the performance, that no matter how we did, she'll always be contented. Everytime I saw her in my dressing room or backstage, I wanted to do even better. I hope that we did her choreography justice and made her vision come to life. Because this is the least we can do for her after all she's done for us, for NYCD. Without her, Nanyang Chinese Dance wouldn't be what it is. We've learnt so much from her. not just dance, but alot about life. After we leave Nanyang, she'll still be the BEST teacher ever.
I love Laoshi very very much.

Thank you, Dancers.
Every single one of you.

Batchieeeeeeeeees: We've been through so much and Dance night is almost like an official closure to our journey in NYCD. From Chunjiang for mid autumn, Qianhong, Longnu in Secone, Nanyang Glitters and Qianhong in Sectwo, SYF in Secthree and finally 绽放的花季 in Secfour. Thanks for all the support and all the times. because we've achieved alot as a batch! Everyone has worked so hard in their own way. Obviously, Yiyi hernhern bailu with EVERYTHING, Limmin with the never ending chinatown/arab street trips, Xueyan with the programme booklet, Sheena with the never ending costume annoyances, Jialing from a IT noob to animation genius in 3months, Chouyun with the montage and forever with the camera snapping, Lianghui with the posters and ideas for publicity, Qiuhan with the cumbersome job of handling props and so on. Not forgetting settling the dances. Bobo and Liwen with the tiring job of handling molihua, Hernhern with Huaji stealing my Chundao people, Bailu with Chunjiang, Yiyi with Daidao etc. We know we've worked so hard for this and I'm glad that Dance night was a blast. The experience has been fantastic, thank you all so much. <3 <3 <3

Secones: You all have come a long way, in just the month of June, you all improved a whole lot, I guess you all wouldn't realise. Even though I may be quite harsh and scary, I'm really proud of you all. Hope you all continue to work hard and spend every moment in NYCD with no regrets. Jiayou Secones.

Sectwos: The energetic bunch. I don't know you all very well but you all did well for zhongguohua/chunjiang... Continue to work hard esp for SYF okay! Small batch must show your power!

Secthrees: I think through dance night you all improved alot. You all are super lucky to be able to dance the bulk of the dances, especially new dances like Huanghaizi and Dongtian. It is evident that secthrees are very bonded as a batch, hope that next year you all will take NYCD to new heights and not let Laoshi worry too much. and do everyone proud in next years' SYF. Savour every bit of your last year in NYCD okay, because time really flies ): Jiayou Secthrees!

Seniors: Your passion and sacrifice has shown me alot about the NYCD spirit. Always willing to sacrifice and put your all for the society. Its really touching that you all are so much part of us even after you all have left. Thank you seniors (:

Thank you Theatre Club, AV Crew, Teachers, Emcees and everyone involved in the production. Thank you all so much.

Thank you everyone who supported me. Family, Batchies, Council seniors/juniors, HHKfriends, Tuition buddies, Classmates, Schoolmates. I am very touched by the encouragement, smses, words of love, flowers, chocolates, msn messages. Thank you.

Now that 绽放的花季 is over, I still have yet to figure out how I'm feeling now. Its been a fantabulous experience, through and through, and I wish it never ended. But as all good things come to an end, I'm contented having walked through this journey with such wonderful people. Emptiness, is inevitable.
Nostalgia will follow.
But I have no regrets, Dance night was a BLAST.

NYCD, I LOVE YOU!

More (larger pictures) on Facebook soon.

31st July:

My favs

Esplanade passes (:

Unglam :D

Nana <3

Dressing room

Yes, its comfortable!

I <3!

Muscles (or the lack of them)

<3

Four of us

Unglam as usual

Bailu!

Eyeliner friends!

<3 again.

1st August:

the day begins.

One of the saner pictures.

First picture after performance

Angel <3

Limin (:

Jiayi <3

Fiona (:

COUNCIL <3 <3 <3 missing many though ):

Council-dance juniors.

CSS missing Xueyan Weiqing Alicia

Steffi and Lauren

hernhern

amanda

Sonia

Alicia Teeeeeeeee

Classmates!

Bianca Becca and Elmo <3

HHK girls <3

Tuition girls <3

my ever so supportive FAA-MEE-LEE!

BIG SMILE. <3

and the day ended ):

Thank you all so much! <3 <3 <3

My first non-friends lock post, to let everyone I thank know that I've thanked them. (:

Friends only

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:09:57 GMT

Comment to be added (:

Love,
Bianca

because it's not always Rainbows and butterflies

#206 One year on

#110 绽放的花季 Season of Blooms

Friends only