Sweet simplicity.

Have been thinking about old times today. After spending the morning helping teach 5 year olds how to do the chachacha it got me thinking about how I used to do the very same dances, struggle with the same steps, and the sheer joy that came with learning the new dance.

Moving through the ranks, routines have gone from -tap-tap-cha-cha-cha- the basic time step and open out sequence, to featuring arm breakers, spirals and explosion lines. Gone are the days where you could do three steps and pass your medal. Its tough stuff sometimes.

So many things change as you progress, shoes have gone from small square junior 1 inch heels, to 3.5 inch balance challengers!

No more are the ankle socks, and little frilly skirts, hello ladders in tights, hairspray and sparkly dresses ( although no where near the style of a competition gown)

As the dance exams loom once more, the stress levels rise, as one frantic teacher and  pupils finalise sequences in all diciplines. This time round its 12 routines of my own, 3 1st time rosette dancers, and 3 2nd time rosette dancers, plus the toddler show number to compute. Making this years grand total of 19.

Looking back, I do miss the simplicity, but honestly, what Im doing now, and what Im working toward, creates such a sense of achievement. The feeling of being able to teach others, the fact I now have 15 years dance experience, and a whole lot of memories to go with it makes me think that moving on up isnt so bad after all.

The challenges and complexity of what we're being taught now, is amazing. Getting through a routine is often hard enough, so perfoming it and passing it is well ... an achievement! Honestly, I wouldnt change it for the world.