Adventure ride

Finally, the day has come for En to go for her 1st Ballet Class in Utah, the time to put her to the test of going for lesson ON HER OWN (her gym classes require Parent's assistance to get them on the apparatus. For ballet classes back home, she'd wailed once I wasn't around, perhaps because most parents were in the studio and she didn't really get into the mood of learning, as lessons were very disorderly). Prior to this, I had pep-talked with her on various occasions to get her mentally ready.

Unfortunately, it isn't just a test for her, it's MY test too. Why? Because it's snowing heavily and the roads are snow-covered. Gosh, 4th time driving and 1st time in the snow. K called to warn of the road condition as he was stuck on the highway with his colleague. Oh well, what to do. Can't possibly miss lesson, especially when it's her 1st day, so I 硬着头皮 "die die" also must send her there.

After strapping her in her seat, it's time to brush the snow off the windscreen etc. No joke man! There's this thick layer of snow there. If I don't clear it, I won't be able to see at all. Ok, time to move off. Seat belt, check! Heater, check! GPS, check! Done, ready to go. The car certainly needs more power than usual to reverse. And oh my goodness, it's difficult to control the steering, as the car tends to swerve left n right on the snow. Oh boy, this is going to be a tough ride...

Onto Bangarter Highway, a lucky thing it's not peak hr. Snow everywhere, the roads are not very well-plowed yet. Slowly, slowly, 40miles/hr I go (though speed limit is 60miles/hr). WHEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! OHHHH　NOOOOOOOOOO!!! BRAKEEEEEEEE!!! Heart pumping at 150 counts/ min! My car skidded, spun 90 degrees and swerved to the right! And I actually stepped onto the accelerator for a while before realising and braked! Phew luckily there's a road shoulder and there's no car there. A couple mins passed. Cool down, cool down. Ok, just reverse and get on the way. Hopefully no more "surprises".

I can still feel tires slipping time n again. It's ok, just go slow, stay on the tracks created by other vehicles, everything will be fine. Yes, it's nearing, just a couple of hundred feet, hey I can't see the entrance under all the snow. Oh no, passed it. Hah, luckily one more in front. Phew, finally time to park.

Into the warmth of the studio we go. Not many students here yet, guess most are late due to the snow. Ok, class is starting. En goes to the teacher quietly. Hey, that's great! She's actually trying to follow the demonstration by the teacher. No crying yet. Mins ticked by, still going well, paying attention, though sneaking a peak at me once a while through the glass viewing panel. I must say she is progressing much better than expectation on her very 1st solo lesson, trying her best to catch up. Most of the students had been there since session started in Sep. Finally, lesson is ending soon. Ms Heidi comes out from another room with a basket of SWEETS(think it's quite common here to reward kids with lollipops after a class. The same happens at her Gym class)! Ah ha, her eyes start to shift to the basket at the door and she starts to leave! Ms Heidi calls out to her. Luckily she walks back. It's not her turn yet. The girls have to complete some tap movement before leaving. Finally, as she finishes her moves, she runs to the basket to pick a strawberry lollipop.

Hopefully, the ride home will be without adventure. It's certainly easier to drive now as some of the snow has melted.

At last, we're back. So hungry.......

P/s: While having lunch, En went around dancing, prancing and TUMBLING. She learnt it during Gym classes. On her 3rd lesson last Sat, she started tumbling on her own. Through the classes that she has been attending, I realise that they help build her, not just physically, but let her gain confidence as well. Soon, I'll be sourcing for Pre-school for her to attend on some mornings.