Have Pride, be Bitchy!

I pride myself on being on time(salsa wise), or at least 95% of the time when I'm on the dance floor or in class!

So, pardon me if people think I'm a bitch when I said that I hate EGOistic lead who dare to tell(not by words, but by action) that I'm not on time when the lead himself is like off the beat for almost a bar of music!

Heck! I ain't a great follower(make it an average one at that!), cause I know I'm slow at following some lead, but at least I STRIVE** to be on time!

So, PLEASE! You can use all methods to tell me that I don't follow your lead well, I don't know a move well(when I'm supposedly able to know 'ALL' the moves), I don't turn nor spin(I freaked out at spinning okay!) well, etc!

But don't ever, and I mean EVER 'tell' me I'm not on time when you yourself do not know where the 1 or the 2 or whatever number is!

**It took me almost 2 years(from the day I start learning salsa) to understand the counts/the timing in salsa. I downloaded tonnes of songs & asked for advise on how to be able to dance on time!! But at least I won't make people 'unhappy' on the dance floor.**

Disclaimer: The lead in this particular episode is not a newbie & definitely not on my FB list. Cause I don't think I can stand having EGOistic people around me!

Quick Update!

Can't believe I've abandoned my blog for more than a year.

Just a quick update before I totally forgot what happened so far since March 2009:

July 2009 - started on2 class with Fuzz at Outcast Dance Studio. The steps are confusing at first, but I guessed it's easier for the girls than the guys on the conversion(from on1 to on2) part. And yes, the studio is like the other side of the world for me & Fuzz, cause we both stay in Cheras/Sentul, and the studio's in Bandar Utama!

Sept 2009 - Fuzz left KL(and me) as he has to return to SG. Well, I can't just quit because my 'partner' left right? Hence, I've decided to just continue and see far I can go.

Nov 2009 - still in the beginner's class. Was told that there will be a salsa competition held by the studio for the students with partner work category & shines too! Woo hoo! At last there's a competition for shine itself, i.e. partner not needed. Was tempted, but am not that confident at all! Finally, after much deliberation, have decided to just sign up for the comp!

Jan 2010 - it's judgement day, the result ain't that bad cause I was third in the beginner/advance beginner shine category! Woo hoo! Wasn't expecting to win cause I was so indecisive during the choreography stage for the 1st part of the song! It's only 2 bloody minutes of a song & I can't even decide how to start! Well, all's well ends well I guessed! FYI, I haven't gone up to advance beginner at this point!

July 2010 - signed up for the Outcast's Students Recital like about 2 months before the actual date. Was also doubtful when I was told about the performance, but in the end, after a good pep talk with Gavin, I finally decided to join in the 'torturing' session! Rushing to class after work(in Bukit Bintang), then after class(~ 10.30pm), gotta rush to LRT station just to ensure that I don't miss the last bus(11.40pm) home. The outcome ain't that bad either, after 2 months of practice, and the only mistake I made is missing 1 turn at the starting point. Phew! The pendulum wasn't that daunting comparing to performing in front of so many people! :p

MSF & SISF 2010 has passed and I didn't partake in the full pass cause of budget(cause I need to be in SG the week before SISF also) and not having the urge to join any workshops! At least, am glad that I've attended MSF(full party pass) cause its the last one for Malaysia! Haizzz! Psstt.. SISF might be having a new venue next year. Not sure yet, but we'll know soon(I hope)

Well, that's all for now! Have been very lazy lately & had skipped class for almost a month. Gotta resume class this Sunday! Pray that I don't fall sick lah!

ps. Have checked out the 'new' Union Square in SG; mind you the cover charge is $S20 with 2 free drinks! After conversion to RM, its almost RM50 leh. Doubt I'll ever visit that place again. Might check out the studio party(mostly Fridays) instead($5 only per entry)!

Things I did for the want of salsa songs(& service)

Not too extreme, but maybe a bit nuts :

1. Times Square, KL: Heard salsa song from a distance, found the shop airing the song, went in, shopped, ask the
boss the title of the CD. Got it and realised its in my collection. COOL!!!! no need to search & buy. I would visit this shop again if I ever need a bag/dress & see whether there's any new salsa music being aired

2. KL Plaza: Heard salsa song from a distance again(while on the way to office after lunch), went in the
shop(wooden items on display), ask the sales assistant whether I can see the CD cover or not. Her answer: the CD belongs to a friend of the boss, ie cannot show you the cover. DUH!!! I want to see cover only, not as if I'll run away with it. Too bad.. if you let me see it, I might have intro a friend to your shop(if they have an interest in your stuffs) just for your friendliness. There goes your chance of getting a business deal.

3. Tangs, Pavillion: Was looking for dresses/shirt- further reduction sales until early/mid April(2009), the salsa music being aired is damn interesting & felt like salsaing on the spot.

Proceed to ask Cashier which section is playing the CD.
Answer: Customer Service(2nd Floor).

Went to the Customer Service: can I have the title of the CD or a look of the cover.
Answer from Customer Service: Normally CD/songs are given by Marketing Section, we don't even have a look of the CD before airing it.

GREAT!! You could have done better at servicing me,ie make a call to marketing section to find out the infos, its just an extra step towards customer service. Too bad!! again!! I would have send a thank you card or even sms some major newspaper just to say thank you & promote your friendliness.

Well! Shall see if I'll ever get the chance to hear some great salsa music being aired in the shopping complexes/shops and test their customer service skill at the same time

A bit of this & that

Hi Blog, its been a while after my 'accident in April. Been too lazy to do any blogging.

Summary(I'll try to make it shortest possible) :-

1. I still went to Little Havana the 1st week after spraining my ankle(can't dance, but still wanna visit LH) just to chill & laugh(I didn't say 'laugh', my 'Boss did - so bad of him) at people dancing.

2. I'm not suppose to dance for a while, but still manage to attend the Salsa Congress in Penang. I know, I'm siao(crazy in Hokkien). Luckily didn't bought the whole package as I only went for the Saturday party, had fun dancing (exactly 2 weeks after the 'accident') on the sandy beach - 2 dances actually , with my ankle guard on of course .

The sad part is, I was rewarded by the hotel with dust mites and it was on my injured ankle too. Grrrrrrr!!! I'm so not going to stay in that hotel the next time I'm going to Penang.

3. Went for my usual salsa fixes every Friday after the congress with my jazz shoes on. Can do a few turns & double spin, but no more than that. But I definitely can't do my shines right cause I need to be real cautious. Ishhhh!!

4. Being the bad student that I am, I didn't join(I attended, but can watch only) in my latin dance class, though I wish I could, cause Yukiko was teaching samba then. I totally miss dancing samba & the drills of rumba & chacha.

5. Attended the Ladies Styling On2 by Sally(Gavin's partner) on 07th June. Love the moves & footwork. Did some basic on2 footwork(quite easy to follow & learn) before the styling & it sure is fun. Me gonna convert those moves to On1 count now(wish me luck!!), so that I can apply to both styles. Hope there will be more styling workshops in the future, be it the man or ladies styling.

6.Went for P Ramlee The Musical, loves the stage setting, costumes, the singing(I love the main actor & actress' voice, especially Musly Ramlee's- its 99% like P Ramlee) and dancing. Though they can be more creative when there's technical error encountered during the performance.

7. Had a nice short chat with Sam on Friday about salsa & stuffs & I confessed to him that I love to do shines nowadays more than before, cause it give me more freedom rather than just follow & turn & turn & multiple spins. Am going to heed Sam's advise & try something 'evil' this Friday at LH.

8. Last but not least for this week's updates, I was spun(lost count how many spins) by VBS(Very Bad Steven) at SH yesterday night & the reason I was spun so much is just because my dress twirl beautifully when I do spins & turns. Is it a wonder why I don't wanna wear dress or skirt to salsa(other than for real(not dance related) safety reason) ??

Ouch! of Comission for 3 days ?

My worse nightmare came true!

In short, I slipped at the side of a road, sprained my left ankle & abrased my right knee. And it all happened today, a Friday, ie MY SALSA DAY!!

I can normally stand minor sprains & wound, but this time not so, cause I was totally stumped for 2 minutes & almost black out when I tried to stand.

I practically need to sit for more than 5 minutes to regain 'consciousness' before seeking treatment. The best part is the 2 nearby clinics are yet to open.

Thought of using the first aid kit from my office to wash & cover the wound. And , there are only bandages, swaps & painkillers in the so called first aid kit . Not even a drop of lotion is in the kit. Gonna complaint to the welfare manager next week!

Took a cab to see a Dr and he says no walking allowed for at least 2 or 3 days & definitely no heels!

No walking(plus no heels) = NO DANCING! Help!! 2 weeks without dancing??

It also means I'll have to sit off my samba class this Sunday.

Oh well! At least I was given 1 day MC(Doc said can give 2 if I'm working tomorrow, but since I don't work Saturday, so no need for MC).

Might as well use the given MC-day for another kind of practice

Cross Border Salsa @ S'pore

A night of Salsa Dancing + Bachata Competition + Eddie Palmierie's Latin Jazz Concert = My Singapore Trip.

Have only planned to attend E.P's concert at Esplanade on Sunday & hoped to catch some salsa (the Saturday night before) at Union Square.

Then, thanks to Wai Sum(she got all these tickets for us), we were able to watch the Bachata Competition at Upper Club, Chimes & had a few salsa dancing at the same place.

Nice deco they had and superb dance floor too. Big enough for a whole bunch(& I mean a whole big bunch) of salsa addicts.

Then, we got to know that 2 of our salsa kakis entered for the bachata competition too.
The Bachata contestants

Here's the video of them dancing to Bachata Rosa :



They didn't win the competition, but nevertheless, I definitely salute them for having the guts to enter this competition.

Eddie Palmierie's Latin Jazz Band live performance on Sunday is simply mesmerizing & lively(needless to say). The pieces were a bit long, but I just love to see the congas & timbales being played. The saxophone & trumpet are equally superb(yet I still love the congas & timbales most >_< ).

Some of the VIPs got free CDs from the group too(I'm so jealous of them >_<). No pictures here cause videography and/or pictography are not allowed in the auditorium.. :P

Numeros

Number 1 - 10

uno ---------------- one
dos ---------------- two
tres --------------- three
cuatro ------------- four
cinco ------------- five
seis --------------- six
siete --------------- seven
ocho ---------------- eight
nueve ---------------- nine
diez ----------------- ten

uno y uno son dos ---------------- one and one are two
uno y dos son tres --------------- one and two are three
cinco y cinco son diez ----------- five and five are ten

Days and Months

Days of the Week
lunes
martes
miercoles
jueves
viernes
sabado
domingo

Months of the Year
enero
febrero
marzo
abril
mayo
junio
julio
agosto
septiembre
octubre
noviembre
diciembre

Something Fun

Too busy with my 'children' nowadays to blog about 'Something New'.

But moi still got time to share 'Something Fun'.

Just go here http://www.mambojays.com to vote for your favorite Salsera and/or Salsero and see who'll be crowned the Mambo Queen and Mambo King.

You'll get to vote for the venue for the crowning session too.

Adios for now. Gotta catch up with some(hopefully) before tonight's fix at Little Havana.

ps. Shall blog about 'Something New' hopefully during CNY.

Something Old & Something New

Gonna try something new tonight at Little Havana.

Its not actually that new, since I've it done it a couple of time at LH, say about 1/2 year ago(or is it longer? ).

Just adding a bit more sabor(since it is salsa anyway) and a few more moves to make it something 'NEW' .

Shall blog more about it after tonight's fix. Gotta run to gym now.

A Shoeless(and FUN) Salsa Nite

The 1st post for 2008 & I believe this shall be a pretty good start for my favorite fix, that is Salsa:

In the rush of thing on a Friday morning, I ter-packed my 2 years old latin shoes for my Salsa fix at LH.

Only realised about the wrong shoes when I was on the way from gym to Little Havana.

I can't even stand properly with this old pair of shoes on, not to mention walking & dancing. Tried the first dance with them with a not-so disastrous result , but still felt like falling down whenever I did a turn .

So, for the second & the rest of the dances(be it salsa or bachata) that night, I've decided to just salsa kaki ayam(not totally barefooted, but DEFINITELY shoeless) style.

Can't remember how many dances I had , but I realized I had more fun dancing(me can still do double spin leh ) on me bare feet than with my shoes on.

Could it be that I'm used to practicing in a shoeless manner at home ? Deep required here.

Well, definitely can't do this too often or else I might not get enough salsa fixes, due to some gentlemen just won't ask a barefooted salsera to dance.

Wonder if these gentlemen would reject a barefooted salsera's request for a dance if she(me lar) ask nicely ?

On a different & healthier note: Little Havana(upstairs) is smoke-free on all Salsa Nites starting from the (most)memorable Friday night of 04 Jan 2008.

**Smoke at your own risk - a pail of water shall be waiting for you.

Muchas Gracias

Am still trying to recover from a night of good music & great dancing at LH last night.

Thanks to DJ Lee for starting the night with Salsa Con Sabor, then there's Bella Mujer & Un Beso, Dejame Sonar & much much much much more.

The only song missing from the list is Yamulemau, but I shouldn't be so demanding right ?

A big thank you to Desmond, Ian, Ong Tou, Adam, Jeya, Mango, Sachin, Robin & Jason for the birthday dance & turns & to Fadzli & Esthee for the birthday wishes .

Also a huge thanks to Chin Lai, Chiow Er, Brenda, Ken, Sam(D Boss), Jason for the impromptu birthday song, cake & unexpected birthday gifts .

Never expect to receive so many birthday gifts at my age


A hand-made chocker+earrings set, a flower necklace(I got this way before my birthday is due) & 'Baby'. Mi amigos know me so well.

And then, there's my birthday Tong Yuen(home made by mom) for brunch this morning


I get to eat this every year on my birthday. Don't be jealous yeah.

Hope I didn't miss anyone's name from this list. If I did, tell me yeah. I'll find ways to repay ya.

** A little note: Little Havana is on Saturday 29th December, not Friday.

Saturday Salsa (at The)Lodge

A new(not so) LODGE to salsa every Saturday.



Imagine yourself dancing in an almost smoke-free, cool(and I mean air-conditioned cool) salsa club, lots of fans to spare & later cooling yourself while perched on seats that overlook the pool

And if you're lucky, you might get to feel some of the (au natural)breezy, cool wind blowing in near the entrance too


The map to The(salsa) Lodge(directory)

Go here to see a field report of The Lodge with DJ Swami Gee as the resident DJ. He played quite a cool selection of salsa music with only 1 or 2 bachatas & merengues in between.

Party starts 9.30pm with 1st drink charge (at a steal: only RM6.90 for a bottle of mineral water leh).

Address: 2, Jalan Tengah
50250 KL
(along Jln Sultan Ismail, opposite Wisma Genting)
Tel : 03-21420122
Email :salsalodge@gmail.com

Do beware of the clickety click lightning when you're there

Getting a fix(of salsa) in Bangkok

Shopping+eating+shopping+more shopping+SALSA = my Bangkok trip

The plan is just to meet up with a friend who's working there & shop around.

But it was slightly thwarted by 2 salsa addicts: Uncle James & Shiva(they saw me & my friend upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport on Friday).

The salsa addicts: you coming for the salsa festival ?
Me: No lah, shopping only. Anyway, I didn't bring my shoes
The salsa addicts: Can always buy here.

In the end, I did drop by for a short(but fun) 1-hour-fix where I salsa kaki-ayam(seriously) style. A salsero asked me for a dance & to my surprise, when he saw me bare footed, he took off his shoes to salsa with me


(me)with the 2 (gentlemen)salsa addicts, Shiva & Salsakaki(Uncle)James. Mucho gracias for the dances.

**Thanks to Suzuki san for providing me with the map to Bann Silom(where the salsa party's at on Saturday). If not, I'll be having itchy feet for the whole week without my salsa fix.

Most memorable(& funny) conversations

Q: How come you didn't join the class ?
Me: I thought the class is in TTDI(but, its in LH, duh!!), so, I didn't join lor.

S(tatement): See my (latin)shoe. The straps are coming off already and I have only 1 pair.
But, I brought along another pair, just in case.
Me : LOL(apa lah!!)

Q: Where's your new shoe?
A: Oh!! It's on a holiday..
Me:

Me: What you looking at ar?
A: Just peeking here and there.. the dress so sexy lar
Me: Blocked by people, how to peek ? Go up there and get a clearer view lah .

Are You A Salsa Addict ?

I'm in the Borderline Salsaholic category ..

Take this test to see which category you're in.

Sundae Salsa Movie - El Cantante

A movie loaded with yummy salsa songs+biography of Puerto Rican salsa pioneer(Hector Lavoe)+popcorn+cosy sofa(all provided by Salsa Havana) = how I spent my Sunday evening yesterday.

If only the script of 'El Cantante' have less F*** words in them. Now I definitely understood why it won't be shown on the big screens in Malaysia.

After the Censorship Board beeped out all the F*** words, you'll only hear great salsa songs + a few sentences here and there. And I do believe that you won't be able to see any subtitles for this film either, cause, how on earth will you be able to translate all the conversations with constant beeping(F***) here & there?

There is a bright side of this movie as it does introduce a lot of Lavoe's salsa songs to the audience. I especially love the self-titled soundtrack itself, El Cantante.

If you wanna know more about this movie, just go here.

Well, gotta go & get the soundtrack of this movie; if I can find it in one of the record stores here.

Salsa on a Merdeka Day

Is today(referring to yesterday) Saturday or Friday ?

I practically woke up late, lepak at home the whole day, read mags, uploaded photos & have dinner at home before going to Little Havana(used to do that when we had LH on Saturdays instead) .

HS: how come you're late? You're normally early.

Me: Holiday mar.. so, lepak a little bit longer at home first .

Surprisingly, I didn't make wantan nor cough much last night. Must be the salsa thingy making me better(or could be due to the LoHonGuo infusion doing its magic).

DJLee played a salsa in Mandarin: Qing Ren(Lover) around 11ish .

Nope, me didn't dance to this song. I bet I'll be singing the whole song when salsa-ing to this number.

So happened, we're celebrating DJ Lee U Joe's & Andrew T'ng's birthday too.

Seldom can we see Joe out of the DJ Console area, unless there's a guess DJ. So, this is a perfect night to dance (albeit, a short one) with him.

Did I do the birthday dance with Joe or not? Gosh!! My STML is really bad nowadays. No pictures, cos nobody brought camera/s... ishh..

Asked Uncle James for a merengue, and my hairband decided to drop itself. I just put it in my hand & continue dancing with him till the end of the song.

After that, I tied the (falling)hairband to my wrist when I was about to salsa with Mambojays,

Salsakaki@UncleJames(walked over): How come you didn't tie the hairband when dancing with me just now?

Me: (Grinning sheepishly)Me tie it up now to prevent it from falling off my hair again mar.

(Jangan marah ye Uncle James. I'll put away me hairband the next time round )

Salsa-ed to No Me Ames. Quite a challenge, cause its a slow number(as slow or slower than Yamulemau) & I can't help singing along to these songs while dancing.

The surprise of the night is of course the Berjaya song , just cause its a Merdeka (Holi)Day. Salute to Joe!

Updates for Little Havana(courtesy of DJ Lee U Joe):

Salsa is on every Friday in September - 7/9, 14/9, 21/9 and 28/9.

Post MSF Blur(not Blues)

Have been a blur sotong for the past few days(post MSF syndrome).

1. Forgot where I put my pen, forgot to charge my batteries, forgot how to write scripts & which table to extract datas from and

2. The ultimate blur-ness : (the sign on a bus' door)

BERKHEMAHLAH DI JALAN RAYA. SELAMATKAN NYAWA

Camp on the road to save lives ?

Yup! It's translated as CAMP ON THE ROAD. SAVE LIVES.

My brain captured it that way for more than 10 minutes. And just a few a seconds after I rang the bell to get off the bus, it appeared clearly as

BERHEMAHLAH DI JALAN RAYA which means, BE COURTEOUS ON THE ROAD

What difference a K makes .

Luckily I don't drive. If not, I'll have to put this sign on the car:

BEWARE! BLUR SOTONG DRIVING *_*

Malaysian Salsa Festival

Too lazy to type so many things. For now, it'll be pictures posting time only.

My first MSF(I missed last year's).

We departed from Sentral like 40 minutes after the scheduled time(talk about Malaysian Rubber Time)!!!

The interesting part is where our buses were escorted by the polices from Bidor to the hotel itself. Felt like VIP leh.

We made a smart choice for this festival(learned our lessons well from the previous SISF).

Less workshops & more rests(zZZZz) to make sure we have enough energy for the dancing later.

Not that we ended up dancing the nights away. My roomie & I ended up chatting till 4am instead.

Took a few workshops(3 per day ain't that bad): musicality-on1 & on2(basic only la), sexy movement(where the guy have to give the girl a sorta lap dance), Brazilian Samba, Turn pattern/s & spinning technique.

Shimmy Steven had a workshop of his own during dinner(where we feed ourselves & fattened those mosquitos at the same time) - mosquito bachata & mosquito shimmy(gotta clarify with him again).

CL, AL & moi even accomplished the mosquito shines. Caution, this move can only be perfected while having dinner outdoor, preferably near a lot of trees & with minimal lightings.

And managed to hop into a reggae-ton workshop by the pool too. Darn good exercise for the abd & shoulders.

Didn't take photos on the 1st day at Lumut, but took a lot(well, not as many as Uncle James - almost 2000 woh he said) on the 2nd & last day.

Credits goes to these suddenly-ter-appointed photographers: Jason, Roger, Gina, Chiow Er, DJ Othman, Chin Lai & Sean. Hope I didn't missed out anyone's name. If yes, please let me know yeah!


The triple sharing bedroom in Swiss Garden at Lumut


Roomies(left to right): Chiow Er, Hazel & moi


MSF 2007- Group photo


(Right to left) Ai Ling, Chin Lai, Chiow Er & moi(like the colour combo, no?)


Team Havana with Guru Sam(I refer him as D Boss)


SoMachoMafias with D Boss


Chiow Er & me being surrounded by the Mafias! & yet, still smiling


Stylo Mylo hugging(posing lar) with Martin(Mian Li, don't pukul me ah)


Jason and moi(I like his shirt. Eh, can pinjam ah?)


Chiow Er, TiredButStillBubblyWenNie & moi


Jason aka Mambojays: Why so hot one here? When gonna start partying ?
(psst Jason, don't marah ye, nanti lekas tua )


No salsa yet, so Mambojays went & part timed as photographer
(me photographed the photographer)


Er, let me check the camera first


Chiow Er, (he won't allow me to call him a*** woh)Uncle James aka Salsakaki & moi


Uncle James & moi

oi
Sean & me(so normal posing lor)


Please don't drop me!!
Gotta 'take 2' for this picture. The 3 of us(including the photographer) started laughing like mad & almost left our slippers & camera behind after taking this picture.


Wai Sum & me at the party


3am lor & the salsero/as are still going strong. No need to sleep ar ?

More pictures(gonna chase mi amigos for more of them photos):


With Kaytee


With Nestor


Balik kampung KL lah.


I curi ambil this picture. heheh...
Does Not Play Well With Others (how u salsa if don't play well with others?)

And wanna thank Magna too for the salsa song that she shared with moi us. I still owe her something. Shucks!!