Lawrence Lin 的小棧

Yesterday, I learned from newspaper that one guy didn’t do well in business. He came back and made some investment in Taiwan stock expecting he could learn some money. Unfortunately he lost all -----------! He finally chose to commit suicide by burning charcoal in his car in front of郭’s headquarter. It is sad. --------
These days, everyone complains that he is having a hard time. Seems that it is not easy to cheer up. Just look at stock market -------------- keep plunging! Now I no more look at my investment report ----!
We open the newspaper ------------- A-ben’s money laundering and abusing state fund ------ prices going up ----- make us sad!
But if we look at all these things happening now from different angles, maybe it is not all so bad. In our lives, there are always good and bad time, not all partying ------!
If everything is going smoothly for us all the time, we tend to slack off, we don’t have to work hard,

School has started already. For us, it is also the beginning of busy life.
There is a saying ‘Variety is the spice of life.’
It is not right just sleeping, eating and fooling around every day. It is no fun dancing all day long. It is impossible traveling all the time. It is not healthful surfing the Net too often. -----------
To fine a more meaningful and enjoyable life, I think it is important to strike a balance in life between family, job, entertainment, friends, personal goal, -----------
Now my life gets back to normal life. It is good to be ‘a little’ busy. Being busy gives me a feeling I still have a surplus value 剩餘價值for the society, though I am now half retired!

"And he went out carrying his own cross" (John 19:17).

There is a poem called "The Changed Cross." It represents a weary one who thought that her cross was surely heavier than those of others whom she saw about her, and she wished that she might choose an other instead of her own. She slept, and in her dream she was led to a place where many crosses lay, crosses of different shapes and sizes. There was a little one most beauteous to behold, set in jewels and gold. "Ah, this I can wear with comfort," she said. So she took it up, but her weak form shook beneath it. The jewels and the gold were beautiful, but they were far too heavy for her.

As summer vacation is drawing to a close. Students are preparing to go back to school. As a teacher, I also have to get ready to start teaching, preparing materials for the students. This semester, I have to teach students from junior 1 to senior 2, five grades, different materials. Luckily most of them are in my computer!
After school starts, I may not have so much time to practice ball room dancing. Anyway I consider it just as exercise and fun and socializing ---------! I will keep dancing, but not give myself any pressure. It is like English. There is no end to the learning. Dancing is the same. There is always something for me to improve on!
But at least, I have to learn to the extent that I make progress and enjoy it.
If just for exercise, I may as well go hiking. It would be easier.

This is one of the important figures in waltz. Looks easy, but we have to know its secret to dance smoothly.
Apply the basics to this figure.
First of all, from pp. no rush! ‘3 and’, don’t drop your body center or frame!

These days I spent some time  upgrading my waltz skill. At night, for relaxation, I turned on TV, I could not get rid of the news report about A-ben’s money laundering scandal, which made me shocked and sad.
I also learned that his die-hard supporters will organize 830 demonstration claiming A-ben is innocent, saying he did not do anything wrong. In a word, A-ben now is trying to make a counterattack (fight back)阿扁大反攻. I just wonder how come it could still happen?
Taiwan’s politics makes me disappointed!
Taiwan’s economics makes me depressed!
Taiwan’s future makes me worried!
That is why I turns to dancing for relief and forget the problems! ^_^

There are three important requirements for making progress in dancing (waltz).
1. Find a good teacher.
2. Practice, practice and practice with a patient partner.
3. Dance with many other good ladies and find out how they feel. Their comments may be your problems
That is what I learned last night.
They said in dancing waltz,
I have no problem with big frame and straight body center,
But I should have a soft upper body and flexible knees to do ‘and’! Otherwise the beauty and power can not be produced.
Dancing is really a tough journey. But if we know the problem and work hard on it, we can make progress. Anyway enjoy the process. The goal may be never reached!
Some other details in figures, such as, standing position, spin turn, turn lock, lunge

如何扮演一個引導者
作者：Harry Smith-Hampshire 翻譯：Sophie Ho
以技術觀點來看，在標準舞中形成舞伴間優異的合夥表現要項之一就是兩人之間的 "引導" 與 "跟隨" 關係。

它的重要性如下：
1. 讓兩人間的相互關係產生最佳的外形，從頭到尾兩人沒有時間差一致性的移動。

2. 建立一貫流暢的舞蹈（因為它是全然詮釋音樂的關鍵）。

3. 自發性的改變步伐、跨步或方向，在開放空間取得充分的優勢。

以上在定義 "引導" 與 "跟隨" 的含義後將個別予以說明。

In waltz, the most important techniques are
1. Frame (big and strong, yet relaxed)
2. Body center (hold and keep it all the way)
3. Let body leads legs. (Someone said ‘ when dancing, you have no legs), such as, swing, outside change, curve feather,
4. Power never off (不斷電, or勿重新出力)
To perfect these techniques, practice these basic 16 figures from time to time.

Our teacher over and over again emphasized the importance of body center!
How to hold it and keep it all the way during the dancing.
He also stressed the concept of ‘driving, flying and release’ in waltz! ( like the world champion John Wood said before’)
發動用力, 飄盪, 放鬆
Here are the details of some waltz figures:
Over spin
1. Hold body center, man slowly backward (left foot), just release but not drop suddenly
2. (lady): first step 進入重心¸second step 斜大步
3. MAN: from heel to ball to toe, automatic turn

These days, the headline news in mass media is A-ben’s scandal (money laundering).
He was found transferring the leftover of campaign fund totaling about 5億 to oversea bank. Now, it is like snowball rolling down the hill getting bigger and bigger.
A- ben apologized to all the people on TV that he made another mistake!
It is sad -------------!
8 years ago, we voted for him, choosing him as our president. We pinned our hope on him. But looking at his performance over 8 years, he let us down.
I truly believe he was once a person full of passion and ambition trying so hard to work for Taiwanese people!

What I said about dancing is my own experience. But what I learned is from formal dancing class, not from parks.
I share with you sincerely. Yet, not totally, exactly right. But I am sure most of them are right. If you are still doubtful, ask your teacher!
移動
1. 每一步要確實
2. 要順暢 (但很多人衝太快, 甚至職業組)
3. 最重要是細緻, 講求力與美, 有快有慢, 綿綿不斷

It is like reading English.
1. After we learn to read every word,
2. We read fast. But it is not good enough!
3. We should strive to read with good intonation and put feeling in it.

How to avoid not using hand to dance or to lead
Power should come from squeezing the ground, through leg, waist (body center), up to breast to head! Not using hands to grab!
If stand steadily and balanced, you will not use your hand!

Standing position
1. The body weight should be on the ball, not on the whole foot or on the heel. Otherwise, you cannot have a good connection with the lady.
2. You upper body should be a little shaping.
3. Keep a good frame, not stiff

Over spin turn:
1. Man, left leg backward slowly, not too abrupt or too rush
2. Hold and keep body center
3. Turn, with heel, ball, toe ------- upward, with just ‘a little’ force from body center, not with your hand! Pay attention to the word ‘a little’

Where is the best place to spend the summer time?
That is really a problem. You stay in the air-con house. It is not good for health. If you go out, it is unbearable, sizzling hot.
Of course traveling is a great idea. But this year, I really found not so many people traveling, maybe because economic depression, stock and fund going down like a land slide during typhoon ---------- it makes people panic.
On the average, every investor lost 30 percents of their investment. One of my friends told me he lost about six million dollars in stock speculation. He said it takes him many years to make it back. Me? 不談也罷!
In the bible, it says ‘The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps! 人心籌算自己的道路， 唯神指引他的腳步

國際標準舞--什麼是華爾滋的感覺
（文章來自領舞網 http://www.05005.com）　　　
華爾滋的閉式舞姿和半閉式舞姿：頭要延伸向上，頸要直，兩肩平，兩手自然，男士的左手手心握住女士右手手心，與眼線同高，右手心掌微托住女士左肩胛骨，男士右腰要微撐住女士右腰，身體中正，含胸拔背，小腹縮，腰背要穩定撐緊。女士左手掌微掐在男士右上臂三角肌處，上半身由左肩胛骨以上往左後上約45度延伸，使上半身充分展開，似一朵綻開的花朵。
跳華爾滋的原則是從一起步到結束，力道要綿綿不斷，環環相扣，連續不停止的移動，雖然三拍的等距一樣，但跳舞時要有快慢的感覺，才會有變化而不致流於平淡。
華爾滋是一種圓的運動，是不斷地做小旋轉的舞型，有如打太極拳。圓的旋轉，以圓心為軸，距離為零，是利用向心力或離心力的自然原理。打太極拳在行進轉動之間，有一定的姿勢，這個姿勢，就有如跳華爾滋的反身動作(CBM)，因有反身動作，配合一些Spin、turn、Pivot......才有各式各樣的圓的旋轉。
頭的位置有兩種：閉式舞姿，男女都看左方，似鐘錶時針與分針l1點的指向；半閉式舞姿，男女的位置看肩部引導的方向。

If a person talks about retirement often, he gets old!?
Yes, I am!
I think when a person is working, maybe he never thinks about $$$$$$$$, for every month there is some income coming into his pocket. But the day will come, he will find no more income into the pocket. He may start feeling panic. That is the time of ‘retirement’.
Unless a person is lucky, he has a rich father or sons making a lot of money, he has to depend on himself. Saving for a rainy day is necessary! 未雨綢繆
How?

1. 剛學舞著(beginner): 開學步車(一步一步學)
2. 業餘組: 開 裕隆小車, (有架子但不夠大, seat fixed but not comfortable, 在高級路段不順暢 --- 呼吸與music 待加強)
3. 職業組: 開 Mercedes-Benz 大車 (寬大, 舒服, 順暢)
4. 世界級: 如 高級溜冰 (力與美, 有快有慢, 涓涓不息)

Don’t dance immediately when you get to the dancing hall.
Do warm-up exercise!
Yet, it is not enough.
You have to
1. 練穩定度(walk, stand on one leg with straight body line and lower shoulders.) --------- balanced
2. 練one 拍 powerful, squeeze the floor -------- powerful
3. 練swing and turn or 斜後退, (如natural weave, outside change, fallaway reverse pivot) ------graceful!
4. 個人solo (個人順, 兩人才會順)
5. count music with your body, not with your brain (用body center 算音樂)
That’s why a dancer usually feels dancing more smoothly in second hour.

No practice, no progress.
Of course, you have to practice the right way.
To learn right, you have to find a right teacher.
1. Lucky one is a cheap but good and enthusiastic teacher.
2. Bad one is expensive and each time just learn a little.
3. The worst one is learn the wrong way. (even for free, don’t learn from him.)

To dance well, the basic body skill is the most important.
But each step also has its dancing secret.
1. Over spin turn: 勿收腳, otherwise, you will lose balance.
2. Turning lock : lock, 腳勿夾死, 否則不順
3. throwaway over sway: 分兩段, throwaway, then oversway. 起來時兩人自然收腳, then stand up at the same time to pp.
4. forward lock+ right lunge: do curving, no stop, powerful on beat 1
5. outside change: don’t turn too soon.

When you are dancing waltz, you can imagine what kind of car you are driving.
The worst is old, small, with bad engine -------
The best one is like Mercedes-Benz (big, comfortable, good cushion, with good engine --)
This is also the dancing secret!
1. Strong and big frame ------- (big car)
2. Hold up body center. (拉住身體) --------(solid and comfortable seat)
3. Soft knee and flexible ankle -------- (good wheel, good cushion)
4. Moving with stop --------- (good engine)
Even when look still, but engine still running.
Engine must be strong on beat 1
Swing smoothly on beat 2
Sway and extend and lower body for next step on beat 3

In dancing, frame is very important.
Frame must be kept ‘strong, big and relaxed not stiff’.
It is like a car ------- good to be big and strong ------- comfortable inside.
Most common mistake is ‘too small, too stiff, and drop too often’.
In today’s lesson, the teacher often reminded me of the importance of frame.
It not only gives the partner more space and feel more comfortable,
but also in many step, it help to dance more smoothly, such as

Today is a special day, for Olympic game opened in Mainland China. Today is also Father’s day.
I don’t care so much about Olympic game as Father’s day.
Every body has a father.
Whenever Father’s day comes, people talk about it --- how to celebrate it.
I kind of envy them for my dad is no longer with me. He passed away many, many years ago.
How I wish he were still living. Now I can afford to give him a big celebration ----, big president or taking him for an oversea trip ---- whatever.

Today is Chinese Valentine’s day.
On the street, in the department, on TV commercial ---------, businessmen are trying so hard to promote this ‘lovers’ day’. For what? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$
According to a Chinese tale, today is the only time, cowherd and weaving girl 牛郎與織女 are allowed to meet in the sky. Usually it will rain for it is considered their tears! We’ll see!
Actually western Valentine’s day, it is not only for lovers. Instead, it is for anyone you love and respect. It could be your father, mother, friend, teacher, student, classmate --------!
The point is ‘love’.

Usually we say ‘three T’ is the three important elements of dancing.(Waltz)
Three T : technique, togetherness, timing
1. Technique: each step has its special tips which involves ‘time and space’, speed, and, lower body, frame, body center, inside and outer circle, --------
2. Togetherness: this is the most important thing in dancing. Without togetherness, you cannot enjoy it. You may as well dance by yourself. How to reach ‘togetherness’, ‘body kung-fu’ is the key. A dancer needs to dance steadily. Often times, during the dancing, the couple may lose balance. When losing balance, one will try to grab the other giving extra strength. That’s why the couple don’t feel dancing comfortably. It is so called ‘每一步要穩! 要放力(勿施加多餘力量給對方)’

最後的演講’ is a famous speech which has been viewed and discussed by 6 million people. The first time I learned about this guy was from my blogger friend in Canada, Julia. Now the book ‘the last lecture’ was also published. The author, Randy Pausch was a professor at Carnegie Mellon university. He learned he got pancreatic cancer about 1 year ago. He was told by his doctor -------- he could only have three to four months to live. Surely he got shocked and cried with his wife many many time at night. Later he decided to face this unchanged fate. He shared his life experience with others and inspired people to pursue their dream! As a father of three children, he also set a good example and let them know how to love and how to live.
Unfortunately, he passed away last week.

"A cup of cold water only." (Matt. 10:42.)
WHAT am I to do? I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good work, therefore, any kindness, or any service I can render to any soul of man or animal, let me do it now. Let me not neglect or defer it, for I shall not pass this way again. --- An Old Quaker Saying.
Give what you have; to someone it may be better than you dare to think.--- Longfellow.
It isn't the thing you do, dear,
It's the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache
At the setting of the sun;
The tender word unspoken,
The letter you did not write,
The flower you might have sent, dear,
Are your haunting ghosts at night.
The stone you might have lifted
Out of your brother's way,
The bit of heartsome counsel
You were hurried too much to say;
The loving touch of the hand, dear,
The gentle and winsome tone,
That you had no time or thought for,
With troubles enough of your own.
These little acts of kindness,
So easily out of mind,
These chances to be angels,
Which even mortals find-
They come in night and silence,
Each chill reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging,
And a blight has dropped on faith.
For life is all too short, dear.
And sorrow is all too great,
To suffer our slow compassion
That tarries until too late.
And it's not the thing you do, dear,
It's the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache,
At the setting of the sun.
─Adelaide Proctor.

There are many different kinds of boys. -------- smart boy, good boy, bad boy, naughty boy, dirty boy, garbage boy, rebellious boy, talented boy, happy boy, cute boy, noisy boy ------. But there is one kind. ------You never know! I call it ‘crying boy’.
One day, he came into our class. Suddenly he realized he forget to bring his notebook, he felt very upset. The teacher said to him ‘it is ok.’ You can just use a blank piece of paper. Yet he was still unhappy. His mouth started to twist and moving, eyes welled up with tears. Then his eraser dropped to the ground. He became more unhappy.
When the teacher started teaching, he found he could not catch up with others, he started to sob. His tears dropped on his paper. He found all mess on it. He cried more! The teacher also wandered why he cries so easily. --- trying to comfort him.