Back in November, one of the local FCC mom’s set up a Chinese Dance class for any of the children who were interested. Bean was, so we signed up. They had six classes, with the final event being a performance at the local Chinese association’s big New Year celebration.
She was VERY excited to dance on a real stage. We talked about how that meant that the audience would be actually looking at her and her friends. She was OK with that – but I still had my worries. It was not too long ago that a stranger looking at or speaking to her sent her into shy mode.
She knew the moves to the dance (mostly) and all the words to the song. Not that she needed to be singing, but that song is a big earworm (guo xi gua – Big Watermelon) so I cannot blame her. The costumes were adorable, and we were all ready to go.
The curtains opened up, and there was a moment of deer-in-headlights response her. Then she broke out in the biggest grin and just danced her little buns off. She did awesome. I cried. Two little bobbles – one where she forgot the first move, and one where she was doing as she was told, but her position had been changed so she took it upon herself to run across the stage.
It was a great experience – I am so proud of her. As a bonus, the teacher is willing to give us private Chinese language/culture lessons. I had planned on enrolling her in one of the Chinese schools, but had been hearing that it is very hard for kids who do not speak it at home. I want her to learn the language, but I also want it to be fun. Hopefully this will work out.
Checking that the audience is still watching
