I had my first tap lesson last night! It was fantastic! I've taken tap before, but never like this. In the past, the instructor is always trying to teach you something right away so you can feel a bogus sense of accomplishment. But, this instructor has no interest in that. She is about technique. I spent almost two hours taping my toe; knees bent, back straight, chin up, hands on hips and trying not to move a single muscle above my ankle. I kept my heel one inch off the ground and tried to pull my toe as far upwards as possible so that I could see the tap on the bottom of my shoe in the mirror. This sounds far easier than it is... My shins burned as I tried with all my might to get my toe up and then do a quick tap followed by a hard flap. (Taps and flaps are not the same!) And after four eight counts on one foot, I'd switch. In most other classes they'd have you doing shuffles and a simple shuffle-heel-toes by the end of class so you could feel like you are "really learning to tap." Instead, I learned to tap my toe... Over and over and over again. And I still looked like a lopsided, drunken flamingoish-bird while doing it. BUT... BUT... BUT... It was awesome! More fun than I knew what to do with! I can't wait till my next lesson on Saturday!
On a quick side note... If I take one thing away from my experience in Korea, it will be the understanding of what it feels like to be a minority. I was the only non-Korean in the class. Wow. I keep thinking I'll get used to it, but when I walk into a new room and a dozen pair of eyes turn to look... I realize that the "deer in the headlights" feeling may not be something you ever get used to.
But, the second lesson I'll take is that people are capable of incredible warmth and kindness... no matter what language they speak. At the end of the class I had to stand in front of everyone and show what I learned. (Seriously, I stood in front of the class and tapped my toe! That's it. Toe up. Toe down. FOR EIGHT COUNTS!). But, the really hard part was introducing myself. Since I was new I had to say my name, and I also added that I was from California.Then I didn't know what else to say. I was puzzled and nervous and frozen... But, some random Korean guy gave a friendly cheer/holler and started enthusiastically clapping for me. I felt like I'd been rescued by a stranger. And as the class ended and all the groups and friends left together I walked out alone and a bit intimidated from the whole experience, but as I turned up the street someone yelled, "Goodbye. Goodbye." I turned to see some of the tappers were going in the other direction, but called after me to say goodbye.
It's great to be different. But sometimes it's nice to feel the same.
Before I wrap this up, I have to share a deep secret... My guilty pleasure television show is "So You Think You Can Dance." I can't help it! I understand the ridiculousness of summer reality television. I know there are about a thousand other activities that could better entertain and stimulate me, but I am hooked! And, normally I'd never let anyone in on this little secret... But, I just about flipped out with last night's episode.
There was one dance performance where the pair captured a range of emotion that captured me and made me hold my breath. It was beautiful and bittersweet. A man attached to his work. A woman attached to the man. Her pain and rage at her own dependence and inability to walk away. His cold composure as he prioritizes his work and still is able to take her heart right out of her chest. Dance is artwork.
Watch the ending, where he walks away. Her complete rage. It's like she is enclosed and trying to break her way out of an emotional prison. Her anger seems all consuming, but it isn't anger at him, it's anger at her own vulnerability and attachment to a man she knew would disappoint her.
Oh... and I like the pop song. Sue me.
See if you see what I see... (The dance starts at about 2:45.)
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