Last day of training..

  Today,I had my usual class with Miko in Bangsar.I always look forward to my weekly classes with her because she gives me confidence and always believes in me(when I don't). I am extra happy today because I managed to do the reverse crucifix..finally! After weeks of trying,I finally got it! Now the question is,should I include it in my routine??..hmmm..

  I worked extra hard today because I was fixing my techniques on the spins and inverts. This is the last time for me to reconfirm anything with Miko before the competition. She has helped me a lot in terms of prep talk and confidence boosting. In fact,she was the one who persuaded me to join this competition in the first place. Thanks a bunch for everything Miko/Sam..you're the BOMB!

  Although my right lower arm is still killing me till today, I can feel that my hands/arms are getting stronger as days go by. I'm starting to be able to do stuff I couldn't even dream of doing before. I'm most certain that this is because I have been poling almost everyday for the past 2 weeks..I am not complaining! I love poling..

  I was hoping to practice tomorrow,but there is no pole Xcess session. I guess I should rest..plus, I've got tones of chores to complete. I'll just run through the routines in my head for the whole day..

  It's kinda sad that this journey is coming to an end..I've learned a lot,experienced new things and met new interesting friends. My lovely friends and beloved family has been giving me their absolute support. At times like these, you come to realise that a lot of people do love you..and you feel blessed. 

Training day 6

  We had our last group rehearsals yesterday..finally we completed the choreography! Like finally!! I felt kinda guilty..I was being a bit bossy!! We had very limited time and somebody just had to take charge. Somehow,being the eldest makes me feel responsible to control the situation. If my fellow contestants are reading this, I'm really sorry guys! We just need a few more run through to perfect it. 

  On the other hand, I'm feeling nauseous like hell..Feel like packing my bags and fleeing off to another planet! Notice how many times i have used the exclamation marks in this post so far??...signs of a nervous breakdown..(talking in screaming mode and anxiety attacks)..uh..uh..uh..

I can't breathe!!

 Well,being the warrior that I claim to be..I have to fight this battle with courage and determination. No chickening out! Born to be a fighter..I'm starting to talk crap..better stop now!

O.U.T! 

Pole Xcess session 4

  Well as predicted..my prayers for a pole wasn't answered! Fat hope!! hahahahahahahaha..

Okay,as you all can see, I'm going berserk! The pressure is driving me nuts..in a way,exhilarating!

I attended pole xcess session and tried my best to complete the choreography. 

I did,but..errr...Can I remember it? 

I bought a new pair of shoes especially for this competition.It's gorgeous but I keep loosing it. It's too wobbly and I don't want to risk a broken ankle..I shall stick to the comfortable but 'not that matching with my outfit' shoes. By the way,safety is what matters most right? Better be safe than sorry..

  The xcess session went well. I managed to gather my focus for the whole 2 hours to complete the whole routine. By the time I'm done, I was incredibly exhausted..now,a new task! memorizing the steps.I'm sure on that day I'll be so nervous,I won't remember a thing.  

Pole Xcess session3

  I am pushing myself..pushing really really hard!! As hard as I could.. 

  Today I attended pole Xcess in Hartamas for another 2 hours. I forced myself to endure the pain of skin against the pole. I have very sensitive skin on my inner thigh, therefore its very painful for me to do all the tricks that requires me too cling on the pole. But I have too..i don't want to surrender!! So today I did as much clinging as I could..almost too much that I literally walked funny on the way back to the car..hahaha!

 I tried to finish as much choreography as I could as "The day" is just around the corner..This is pretty much nerve wrecking for me now as time is running out. I seriously..I mean SERIOUSLY.. need more time!! My routine is in a mess..

 Tomorrow would be the last chance for me to finish, clean, perfect, practice, memorize..yadee yadee yaaa..pheeww! my routine..(are you kidding me??!!)

Wednesday-Fit pole group training

Thursday-Class with Miko

Friday-???(I hope Fiona will be kind enough to open the studio for us to have a last chance to practice)

Saturday- 'THE DAY'!!! .....aaaaarrrggghhhhh *faint*

P/S: *in praying mode*..dear god, please let me wake up to a beautiful shining pole sticking in the middle of my living room..Amin! (wishful thinking)

Training day 5

The trophy..

The certificate..

The pole bunch..

Me and Michelle(Kylie)

 I have been 'Super' occupied lately until I haven't got a chance to tidy up the house!! The sight of the mess is stressing me out (my hubby thinks I have OCD)..I am the type of person who cleans and tidy up after..so the condition of the house is driving me nuts!! 

 

  Yesterday,I kicked off the day pretty early. I wanted to follow 'the gang' for our usual running session but figured that I'll be dead half way through the day..So not such a good idea. So I went to Talent hub for pole access at 11am-1pm. Tried to finish my choreography for the in house competition that evening..wasn't much of a success! Tried my best,that's for sure..

 After,grabbed a quick lunch and rushed to Kota Damansara for the usual fit pole group training at 2pm. Managed to get there on time..pheeww! (punctuality is important for me). Did as much as we could, but we are still behind schedule..Olly was still sick,Chunky Monkey was late(not fashionably),Kylie was a bit late probably because she was having a nervous breakdown (for the In house competition)..Need to buck up people!!! Less than a week from now...

  Me and Kylie had to rush to Bangsar for the in house competition organized by our dance studio, 'Shall We Dance Academy'. Although both of us still haven't completed our routine, we are still going to participate..not pulling out! "WE ARE NOT LOSERS!"

When we arrived, they said that we only have a few minutes to change..so we rushed!

 

 I didn't have to wait that long before they called my name.'Butterflies in my stomach' is an understatement! Clearly I wasn't thinking straight when I agreed to join this competition..knowing I wouldn't be able to complete my routine! 

When they called my name..I put up a straight face, gathered all my guts and walked onto the stage. All eyes on me! And I don't have a single idea of what I'm doing..At that moment, my brain just decided to stop functioning as it went numb.

 I just danced away, taking steps I felt like at the moment..one at a time. I didn't care about the audience anymore. I just had fun! 

Came up 2nd place..hahaha..dunno how that happened?? Now that's what you call pure luck!!

Today is rest day..finally I got that massage that I've been longing for..ooOOoooohhh! I feel awesome now! Ready for another hectic week ahead...

BRING IT ON!!

Training day 4

 I have always wanted to be a dancer since i was a little girl. I started attending ballet classes as early as 5 years old. Whenever i did something wrong, my parents would punish me by not sending me to my weekly classes. That was like the biggest torture for me!! Worst than getting a time out or even spanking! 

 

 When i was in primary school, when all my friends were busy playing catch and hopscotch, I would hide behind the school gymnasium to peep at girls practising rhythmic gymnastics. When they saw me peeping, they would give me the 'I'm a gymnast and you're not..' look! 

At home,I would jump around doing splits trying to imitate them..until one day,my mom got sick and tired of me jumping around the house,he persuaded my dad to enroll me in one of the national programs.

  I auditioned and got through..the rest is history! 

  I ended up in the team for 10 years! When all my teenage friends were busy going shopping,dating boys,gossiping and living a teenage life..I was always in the gymnasium training so hard for competitions,while getting yelled at (yeah..the Russian coaches were fierce). But nevertheless, the experiences i gained were incomparable..Well,enough about the past..I want to be a pole dancer now. 

  Yesterday we had training #4. We pretty much have everything sorted out now..It's just time to fill in the blanks. We always have fun,every time! I think that's the most important thing... besides getting things done!

Tonight, I have a class with Miko..yeaayyyy!! always looking forward to that...

Pole Xcess session 2

 Another day passed by like breeze..I just wish time would halt a little,so I could have more time to practise my routine. Today,2 hours spent at pole excess seemed like too little. The catching up game is rather tiring but exciting,i must say..

 The amount of bruises on my body is starting to look hideous. Wave goodbye to all my shorts and skirts..people might think I've been in a devastating car wreck or heavily battered with a hard object! hahahaha...No! seriously..

  

  I have been putting a lot of thoughts on what I'll be wearing that night. No decisions have been made to this point and it's starting to stress me out!! One thing for sure is I'm definitely wearing heels..In the beginning, I'm a bit worried cause I've never polled with heels before, but after trying it today..Yup! Loved it! Makes my bruised legs look leaner and longer..swoooshhh!

 Owh! finally snapped pictures today..tomorrow is fit pole group training.

Pole Xcess session 1

 I still can't nail it in my head that in 11 days or so, I'll have to perform my pole routine (which I'm still struggling with) in front of a crowd!! Just thinking about it gives me stomach cramps..I'm still crawling with my choreography..God help me!! Or at least somebody..?

 Yesterday was suppose to be my rest day. I needed time to relax my aching body and muscles.. I knew it was too good to be true,for me just to lay around doing nothing?? Impossible..

It was the only day I got to spent some time at home after a hectic week. So I had to do some cleaning.Ended up cleaning the whole house..like squeaky clean! At the end of the day..I was exhausted..again.

 Today,I had a chance to attend the pole excess session for about 2 hours. I finally gathered some moves and made full use of the pole. Managed to cover the first quarter of the song..woohoooo!! I met some of the exotic girls there. They were also working on their solo routine. We shared some ideas and moves to help each other..

Been meaning to snap some pictures to include in the posts,but always seem to forget..

getting old!!

Training day 3

 Gosh! All these work out is weighing me down..This whole week has been filled with pole and running acvities. As much as i want pole all day,everyday..my body just won't seem to let me. Guess you'll never realise how old you are until your body tells you. I'm really feeling exhausted.. but somehow,loving it?..

  For a whole year,last year..I had to stop all activities (Running,Golf,Tennis) due to my pregnancy. After giving birth, I was advised to wait for another clean 3 months before I could start again. Then I started running slowly to pick up on where i left off and also picked up pole dancing(never turned back after..) My body is still not strong enough.That's probably why it's aching so badly all over..It is adjusting to all these extremity.

I busted a knee,injured an arm and my back is killing me..I must be stronger..I must work harder..I must..I must..I must!

 Yesterday we had another group practice. Only me,Mona and Chunky Monkey was there. Owh,Kylie came later because she was having transportation problem.The day before,she met with an accident..She said her mind was somewhere else when it happened. I could easily put myself in her shoes because I know what she's talking about..Lately,while driving,my mind is always thinking about ideas for the routines..music full blast and all! Safety Hazard!! 

We came up with more dance moves for the group routine..

 Today is a rest day ( I wish..), tomorrow will be having pole excess session!

Shall we dance..?

 That's the name of the studio where I'm attending my pole classes starting yesterday..hmmm...reminds me of the movie..The studio is very spacious and conducive,i must say. I have no problems adjusting to the studio, its just the 'looking for parking' experience that's just going to haunt me a little bit! Its a disaster!!!!

 After a while (2weeks) of not having lessons, yesterdays' class was rather exhausting. We had to catch up on a lot of spins we missed out. Yesterday we learnt the *windmill,the varieties of corkscrew and hangbacks,and tuck spin*. Now we've moved on to *power grip* instead of *full bracket*. 

 I was quite disappointed with myself..I have no core power and my arms aren't strong enough! so when Miko was teaching us using the *power grip*..let's just say, I don't have any..

That goes to show how much harder i have to work out my arms to gain strength in order to execute these tricks..the question is, Do I have enough time???

Today is a rest day,at least for any pole activities..But will be running a few km's this evening..

Tomorrow,Fit pole group training..till then! 

*pole terms*

 

Training day 2

 Yesterday,the fit pole contestant got together for the 2nd time to practice our group routine. After wringing out our brains and discussing the choreography,we finally reached an agreement of how the frame should be.The biggest issue was..Jaiho!! hehe..yup the song by Pussycat dolls. Nobody seems to feel the song..we wasted so much time thinking about what we could do with that particular song!! Luckily,Lola was kind enough to offer us another of her sleepless nights to edit in a new song..(Thanx lot Lola..You're the bomb!)

 Owh..since Sabby had to pull out from the competition due to work obligations(poor thing..she's really good),she is being replaced by a doll name Jenny. She's a very shy cat who has difficulty speaking in English.She only converses in Chinese or Bahasa Malaysia..So yesterday everyone was very multilingual..But we will try our best to accommodate her.

 We basically,did a music breakdown and distribution (which is not easy!). With 6 different heads, 6 different ideas and 6 different personalities..this is where the challenge comes. One must learn to tolerate and willing to open up to others suggestions in order to make the goal a success. Towards the end of the night,we came up with the opening act..which i think is a big achievement! Bravo guys..

 

 Tonight, I have a class with Miko..cant wait! will update 

 I haven't got the chance to update my blog for the past 2 days because I was too busy attending to my precious baby boy(Noah).He has been down with high fever..(up to 39'c). For a little baby like him,It's pretty bad..He wasn't getting enough sleep (neither was I) because he was having difficulty breathing..,plus the horrendous coughing!! Oh god..it's so painful just even to hear him cough..

 With the pandemic issues flooding towns everywhere,for a mother like me not to worry is rather impossible. To many funny ideas floating through my mind. His paediatrician says that his case was the 5th of the day. He said to watch out for any symptoms of dehydration..which,if there are..he might have to be hospitalised!! Oh no!! not again...He was hospitalised for Pneumonia 2 months ago..It was a horrific experience!!

 I'm all drenched out of energy..eyebags as a bonus..I just need him to recover. I can't leave him all sick to go for my trainings? It wouldn't be fair for him..

Noah needs his mommy!! I'll be all torned up..

 

 Today,i got the opportunity to use the pole to work out my solo routine at Freedom Kinetics for about an hour.I even tagged Hubby and my son,Noah along(they are my strength and biggest supporter). Well, nothing much could be done cause my music is still being edited..

 The night before, I was learning as much as i can on 'You Tube' about the spins that i haven't done in class like corkscrew,inverts,superman etc.So today,I was trying to execute..Yup!! definitely not as easy as it looks..my arm is getting sore again! (old injury)

 

I am looking forward to see Miko(my ever so patient instuctress) to consult me on these spins..What will i do without her?!! she's the best! 

 Wish I have a pole sticking in the middle of my living room so i can work out on my routine all day..unfortunately not, so i have to grab each opportunity of pole excess and put it to good use..to bits!

 Looking forward for the next training.

training day 1..

 Yesterday was the first time the fit pole finalist got together (after the briefing) for training. There is me,Olly,Kylie,Chunky Monkey and Mona. Although we didn't come up with any conclusions for the group routine, we managed to change and share ideas about the spins and tricks..they are a very nice bunch,I must say..More than happy to share their skills.

 I'm starting to get chills down my spine as 'the day' (I'd like to call it) is approaching very soon!!

Will I make a fool of myself on stage?..Will i remember my routine?..Will i be able to execute the spins and tricks??? arrrggghhhh... sweaty palms!! bruises!! aching muscles!!

               WHAT IN THE WORLD HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO??

Well as my hubby would say.."You're an adrenalin rush junkie!"  Am I? Hmmm...May be I am..

 Got my solo piece music today.But still thinking if i should go with it? I'll let you guys know when its confirmed.. For now,let's just say..ROCK ON!!

 Can't wait for our next training.We'll put our brains together and hopefully come up with a cool routine..

And so..it begins...

 And so..it begins! The journey for my first pole dancing competition..I'm actually having chills as the 'day' is coming really2 soon. June 6th!! its like 3weeks from now!! and i haven't started training..It's not like I'm any good??  

introduction...

My name is Natesa,people know me as Tesa and my friends call me Tess..Owh! and my stage name is Lolita..Started poling late last year after giving birth to my precious baby boy. I've always wanted to try pole dancing but never knew they have it here in home sweet Malaysia. Until one day one of my friend suggested that we try this interesting sport(yeah..its you Eva!)..Since i was looking for ways to shed the baby weight i've been carrying for months..i figure that it wasn't such a bad idea after all..

After a few sessions of sweating it out plus bruises that i can easily pass off as a domestic violent victim..i started to fell in love with this fairly decent sport.For those of you who only have these"funny ideas" of  pole dancing..you should check it out!! its not the ones you see in strip joints..similar, but the objective is waaayy...different! To me,pole dancing is a form of sport to keep fit and a form of art..which both i have deep passion for.

I had gathered my guts and picked up my courage to send an entry for this competition..far from thinking that i could qualify for the semi's. Thanx a whole bunch to those who commented on my preliminary video (good or bad). I take it as a constructive criticism to improve and better myself in terms of my future performances. Please do not stop now..i need more of your support and comments to get me through to the finals..