I've had teachers asking other friends, who take the time to go back to visit with the teachers, about me... if I have a boyfriend, if I've finished with school, am I still in Singapore or have I gone back to Australia. I guess teachers hardly forget their students dreams and aspirations, even if we ourselves sometimes forget our wishes.
I've loved ballet since I was old enough to remember those amazing dancers that held me captivated and whom propelled me to be the dancer I am today. I've progressed from soft ballet slippers, soft pointe, demi pointe and even pointe- every dancers' dream.
When I was asked by another teacher today, if I was taught by Ms Chan (my answer was an affirmative) and she said " Yes I thought so... you've got that pull-up, that grace and put-togetherness". I replied that Ms Chan was an amazing teacher and I never wanted to disappoint her. Which is the whole truth. Ms Chan was my very first teacher and I've never forgotten the important things she said.. or says. I wanted to be the best first and foremost for her, then myself cos she made me feel so good about myself that everything else can together naturally perfect.
I've had a other teachers in between but I never felt as good about myself till now. I've had Ms Evan for the past year and a half and I've gotten back that drive, passion and happiness that I had when I started out. I want to put in that extra effort and pizzaz into my dancing. I can name the compliments I've received that till today, ring loud in my ears.
Ms Chan always praised me for something she saw I put good effort into (like how I have my arms rounded and at an angle, not droopy), Ms Heather told me I had a good ballet body (this was the time we had our concert and the costume we had fit "perfectly" on me- although I was feeling slightly er.. boob-ier than the other girls).
Ms Evan, dear Ms Evan... she's praised me uncountable times. I've never seen anyone as dedicated as she is. I've had problems with my feet (they'd become swollen and the veins would turn blueish purple) and I'd have such bad muscle pulls that I wouldn't be able to bend them back to normal unless I manually pull them back. I've endured all this and was thinking of stopping ballet to prevent other permanent injuries. I push myself real hard all the time. There's not a thing called 'giving up' or 'its too hard'. If other dancers could do it, so can you.
She'd be the one who'd tell me to stop and take a break. Show me exercises to keep my feet in better shape. Foot soaks that have helped her. Easier footwork so I don't tax my legs and feet. But she never told me I had to quit (not like another teacher who I secretly think had a thing against anyone taller than her). I miss her terribly when she goes back to China or when she has performances and can't teach for the day. I've decided to make the best out of all my lessons. I'm determined to make Ms Evan and Ms Chan proud of me, for I am and once was, their student.