Arabian Nights

Date: Saturday, 18 October 2008

Venue: Traders Hotel, Penang
Occasion: SGGS Ex-Pupils' Association Annual Dinner

After all those months of practice it was finally THE night. I was so, so unprepared. Not enough practice and still suffering from the tail end of my long bout of cough and cold. I was not really in the mood to party and by the end of the last dance I was so groggy I could barely keep my pose.

Anyway, the dinner turned out better than expected despite all the secrecy and conspiracy. Yup, when girls get together somehow all the kiasuism comes out in full force. It all starts with someone keeping a secret which makes the rest go secretive as well. And we end up with secret societies within the society.

Lillian took the trouble to dress to the theme and was the belle of the ball. Our table nominated her for the best dressed prize but excuses were made that performers were not eligible to participate. All of us protested and insisted and so she became a contestant. Now, isn't it strange that they did not announce the winner for the best dressed prize and at the end of the dinner there was an unclaimed and unawarded fruit hamper prize? I tell you, there's a conspiracy to deprive my sister of a well-deserved prize.

That's me with the belle of the ball. I was so sick I didn't even bother to get my hair done!

Ken and Pam were appointed our official photographers. I was so glad to have them attend the show though I am sure they cringed when they saw my jelly belly and love handles on display for the world to see! To top it off, my dancing was very lau chiak with lots of t'hau chiak por. But doesn't matter la, happy, happy have fun will do.

Really appreciate 'bee for making the trip back for the dinner
and performance. I so, so loves her.

I was supposed to dance only one dance but somehow I ended up dancing four. The drum solo piece with Lillian and Shida was a bold move from 3 novices. As they say, fools rush in where angels fear to tread. According to teacher Lisa, drum solos are for intermediate students. We were wa-a-ay out of our depth and our fear and trembling showed. Lillian and Shida wore body suits but cheapo me did not want to spend the money so my flab was more evident. Hence the small picture below.

The 3 fearless novices who dared to attempt the drum solo

Istanbul was actually a line dance modified to reflect an Arabian or Middle Eastern flavour while "One Night Only" was a modern jazz dance.

Istanbul, a modified line dance

Discoing away for One Night Only

The grand finale featured six ex-Georgians dancing to Shakira's Ojas Asi. I must say that as a group we looked pretty impressive.

The jelly bellies performing Ojas Asi

That's Lisa, our instructor, in black

We had a number of guest artistes who are current Georgians but the star was a 14-year old girl who had been belly dancing for a number of years. She was really good and she had the figure which was the envy of those of us who are experiencing middle age spread.

Lavinia, the sweet young thing who stole the show and
put the rest of us old fogeys to shame

All the ex -Georgians who had fun performing that night