Party animals

 

Line dancing at a birthday luncheon

 

BIRTHDAYS are special. How do you celebrate yours? Madam Saw Yang, a senior with a zest for life, made hers memorable by dancing solo at her birthday bash.   

Saw Yang celebrated her 70th birthday on April 11 with a line dance luncheon. She invited about 90 guests for a sumptuous luncheon, followed by a scintillating session of line dance. It was a pleasant surprise when I received her invitation card, complete with a map to the restaurant and a list of 42 line dances. 

 

Why a line dance luncheon?   

“I have attended many line-dancing functions (lunch, tea or dinner) for the past few years, all organised by different line dancing groups from Petaling Jaya, Selangor. I enjoyed all of them – delicious food, great company and dandy dancing,” said Saw Yang.   

“Recently I attended the annual luncheon of the Bandar Utama line dancing group at Jade View Seafood Restaurant in Dataran Sunway. I enjoyed the delightful dishes and lively line dancing there. The spacious dance floor also impressed me.  

“I wanted my birthday to be memorable. Since my friends like line dancing, I decided to have a line-dance luncheon there,” she elaborated.  

I have known Saw Yang for more than 20 years. She was an energetic teacher while working and when she retired, she continued leading an active life. Besides home-making and socialising, she goes swimming daily from 9am to noon. However, eight years ago, she found a new love: line dancing.  

“I have always loved dancing,” revealed Saw Yang.” Being an only child from a conservative family, I was not allowed out during my younger days. With no dancing experience, I first learned the cha cha steps from my line dance teacher in Damansara Jaya at age 62! Since then, I have continued to enjoy every minute of dancing. I joined many line dancing classes in PJ, but now I only go for classes in SS2 and SS3 five times a week.” What a fulfilling life after retirement!  

At 12.30pm, when I arrived at the restaurant, an enthusiastic group of people were dancing on the carpeted floor. Although lunch was at 1pm, Saw Yang had asked her guests to go early for an hour of dancing first. When lunch was served, most of her guests were in a relaxed and happy mood. 

Saw Yang, dressed in an embroidered kebaya, was bubbly and busy as she went around greeting guests – relatives, new and old friends. The guests savoured the lavish lunch with delight. There was no fear of piling on the calories – the dancing after lunch would burn them all away!  

Mdm Saw Yang (in yellow shirt) celebrating her 70th birthday during which both host and guests had a roaring time.

Soon it was dancing time. Saw Yang changed into a yellow T-shirt and white pants complete with a neck scarf and dancing shoes. The pulsating beat of the music was like magic, enticing everyone to the dance floor. Saw Yang started the ball rolling, dancing sportingly with her guests. 

 

Although the guests came from different line dance groups (SS2, SS3, DU and DJ), taught by different teachers, they were dancing harmoniously and happily together, stepping in time to the music. The only variation was in hand movements; some had their hands stretched upright, others had their hands at shoulder height while some waved their hands gracefully over their heads. Although line dance was more popular among ladies, there was one man “among the roses” who was happily dancing and enjoying himself.  

Guests dancing harmoniously, with variations in hand movements

During the break for her to cut her birthday cake, Saw Yang gave a heart-warming speech. She encouraged those who were not dancing to take up the sport.  

“It is an excellent form of exercise and a great way to socialise. If you love music and dancing, you should get involved,” she said.   

Saw Yang also spoke on how she keeps busy and happy. “Every day is a bonus.”  

Each morning when I wake up, I thank God for his blessings. I try to be happy for the day and don’t dwell on the past or wonder about tomorrow.”  

She enjoys socialising with different groups of friends (line dancing, high tea, ex-colleagues) and relatives.   

“We must learn to let go and not worry too much about life’s little problems. We must make time for ourselves, doing the things we enjoy most,” opined Saw Yang.  

The highlight of the afternoon was a plucky performance by the birthday lady. Saw Yang danced solo to two catchy numbers, Lamtarra Rhumba and Ai Ching Cha Cha to the surprise of her guests. Obviously enjoying herself, Saw Yang shook and swivelled her hips to the rhumba and cha cha beat, with her guests clapping and cheering along. There was resounding applause after the dances.  

The birthday lady dancing solo

 

Everyone had a swinging time, those who danced as well as those who watched and clapped. One of the guests, Pang, 62, who took up line dancing recently, reiterated that line dancing was a good workout. He had lost a few kgs after one month and was feeling lighter and fitter. He enjoyed the luncheon tremendously.  

“This is the best gathering I have ever attended. I get to see all the ladies dancing while I dine!” he said with a grin. “When my friends and I get together, we would just eat and then go home, although some would adjourn for mahjong sessions. Line dancing is healthier!”  

Another guest, Wendy, 57, said, “I enjoyed myself dancing to the well-chosen music. When I dance, I’m in a happy frame of mind. I get a sense of satisfaction when I can remember all the steps. It is self-challenging.”   

After the party, guests went home with a happy heart. The muscles and joints may have been aching, but the memory of an afternoon well spent lingered on. Saw Yang received favourable feedback from her guests.  

“All the guests had a wonderful afternoon- music and dancing all the way. The joy and happiness on their faces really made my day!” she said.  

Yes, seeing others happy was the best birthday present for Saw Yang. 

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This article was published in the Star (Malaysian newspaper) on 21st June 2004.

More photos are added here.

My place of refuge and reflection

            

Great for gazing: the red palms that adorn the garden

  

Someone once told me; “if you want to be happy for a day, you drink; if you want to be happy for a year, you get married; if you want to be happy for life, have a garden.”  How very true: my garden gives me immense pleasure.

            My garden is rectangular, just beside my home.  When we bought our house, our first priority was a garden and we are happy with our choice. This garden has changed from year to year in tandem with our changing lifestyles.

            A five feet wall now surrounds my garden. A big lawn in the centre is a pleasant sight. Trees and shrubs surround the lawn.  Every corner of it is memorable: the site where my son fractured his arm, happy laughter of children chasing each other, trials of kite-flying and cheers and tears during badminton matches. 

Canna plants brighten up my concrete wall

I enjoy gazing at my red Palms standing tall and majestic against the blue sky.  Sometimes the fragrance of Chinese jasmines makes me ponder on the intricacies of life.  A purple Bougainvillea flowering above the white wall always catches my eye when I arrive home. When I need exercise, I would prune my Duranta and Ixora hedges and after that, I feel invigorated and accomplished.

Red palms with ferns for flower arrangement

For flower arrangement, I usually go to various corners of my garden for my source. Flowers that have graced many homes include Anthurium, Canna, Hydrangea, Sunflower, Strelitzia, Lagerstroemia, Wild Ginger, Golden Shower and other orchids.  These are often accompanied by foliage grown under the shade of my Christmas trees like Cordyline, Diffenbachia, Dracaena and ferns.

 

My favourite corner: :lagerstroemia with other plants

My garden is not only aesthetic but practical too. Two mature mango trees fruit regularly and have made many of my friends drool with happiness. We often have guava, banana, papaya and boiled groundnuts for dessert.  Vegetables enjoyed throughout the years include brinjal, ladies’ finger, sweet potato leaves, cucumber, bitter gourd, long beans and chives.  Green leafy ones like spinach, lettuce, choy sam, pak choy and kale, harvested at a moment’s notice are warmly appreciated by guests.  

Brinjal: ready for harvesting

Ginger: freshly harvested

Bird's eye chilli

Turmeric

Mint

Kale

Basil: great for garnishing

Chives

Spinach

Sweet potato leaves

 I have a new hobby, topiary.   A row of potted Duranta awaits my eager hands.  It is fun to create animals from plants!  However, since they are still in the infant stage, they do not resemble any animals on earth yet.                        

                                                                   

The environment of my home reflects my love for greens.  In front of my house, an Ixora shrub, a red palm and Cordyline, both with Duranta border are unmistakable landmarks. Behind my house is a compost heap.  This organic recycling nourishes my vegetables and plants.  Very often, beautiful coloured birds feed on my lawn; they know it is chemical-free! 

   Everyone likes to have a place for quiet relaxation, inspiration or meditation or just a place to stand and stare. For me, it is my garden, my Little Eden.   

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This article was published in The Straits Times (Malaysian newspaper) on 20th November 1999. More photos (taken in 2015) are added here. My garden has changed and evolved through the years. Now in 2015, I have a practical vegetable and herb garden and less aesthetic flowering plants.