2012, The Quiet Year

I don't know what it is about every new year that fills all of us up with hope. Hope for change, hope for better things to come, hope that this year will be the best year yet. I haven't blogged since March 2012 mostly because I felt like I had nothing to say.

To be honest, I was hoping that we could start a family and welcome a new addition only to realise that life does not always happen the way you want it to. I have literally put my life on hold thinking that every month was going to be 'THE' month. So much so, the entire 2012 flew past without much for me to boast about. 

However, in the middle of the year, I happened to bump into an old friend at a Pasar Malam (night market) in Bangsar and the universe threw me an opportunity to get back into the arts. I had the privilege of working with a group of children that I can safely say changed my life. I did not see them every weekend, in fact I spent only 20 hours over the span of 6 months through movement workshops and gave them a little taste of Odissi. But the evolution of these little people from the first session I had with them was remarkable. I sat through the entire production of the Bites of Delights with tears of pride and joy running down my face because the kids were really that good. The entire show did not only entertain me, it gave me hope that maybe there is a chance that our future generation can continue to contribute to the arts in Malaysia. That the talent pool still runs deep and that there are selfless, nurturing artists in Malaysia who can bring out the best in our kids. 

I grew up watching any show my mom read about in the papers. Theatre, dance, broadway, you name it and my mom took me there. She didn't just take me to international productions brought to KL, she took me to many, many local productions. I grew up watching Lena Ang, Joseph Gonzales, Ramli Ibrahim, Faridah Merican, Marion D' Cruz and many many more. I learnt how to appreciate good art just by sitting in a theatre and getting lost in the world of art. I think that is the best way to learn. I hate it when people say that they don't go to an art exhibition or contemporary dance performance because they don't understand. If you don't understand, shouldn't that be even more reason to watch more? 

We need to encourage each other to open up our minds and think. We need to challenge each other and argue and debate. We need to instill this culture in our youth because sure as hell our education system needs to change and it can only change if we change ourselves.

Another opportunity I had last year was to work closely with Teach For Malaysia. I was so humbled from my experience during Teach For Malaysia Week that I took on the role of a selection specialist and got the chance to conduct interviews for the next cohort of Fellows. It was no easy task, we would go through 100 to 200 online applications, conduct five to six 30 minute phone interviews everyday. The entire selection process lasted around 3 months and I have to say that I am so proud to know that there is an organisation out there trying to make a change in the Malaysian education system.

Just before the end of the year I had the opportunity of working with the renowned Pat Ibrahim and one of the most beautiful dancers in Malaysia, Suhaili Michelin. It all started with a Facebook message which transformed into an email and then a meeting in Starbucks and culminated in a duet for the Agong, Permaisuri Agong and even Michelle Yeoh. Sometimes if you ride a wave you come out the other side really impressed that you took it on in the first place.

Phew! I guess 2012 was not that quiet after all. In between all of that we moved into our first house together, travelled through Turkey and had a beautiful family holiday in London. Here's to better things in 2013. I am going to blog more, dance more, love more and laugh more.

Cappadocia, Turkey Aug/Sept 2012

Lows in London Oct 2012

Our Sanctuary