In with the new

In the span of 72 hours I learned how to do three new things: three things I can now cross of my life's to do list. Those three things are: learn to knit, playe poker (Texas hold 'em) and Polynesian dance.

For some time now (many years in fact) I have wanted to learn Polynesian dancing. I have always been fascinated by the Polynesian culture, and thought Polynesian dance would be a lot of fun.

I started researching schools in the Lower Mainland back at the beginning of September and found one in Maple Ridge. Living in the south west corner of Vancouver, commuting to Maple Ridge was really not an option, but I contacted the school, nonetheless.

The woman I talked to understood that I didn't want to make such a long commute and recommended a halau hula (dance school) in Burnaby... only a 15-20 minute commute versus an hour to an hour and a half.

So every Thursday night I Polynesian dance for nearly two hours. It's an extremely good workout, and a lot of fun. I especially enjoy the stretching - it is one of the most relaxing things I've ever experienced (expect, perhaps, being in Hawaii itself). To stretch we hula to soothing Hawaiian music, practicing different hand movements which represent different aspects of Polynesian life, e.g. the water, the fish, the rainbow, aloha (love), etc.

Currently we are focusing on Hawaiian dance, and I have learned to use an ipu (a type of hand drum). Eventually we will learn Tahitian, Samoan, Fijian and Maori dancing. I am really looking forward to the latter - can't wait to learn how to use poi balls.

So where did my sudden need to knit come from: I have friends who knit and really enjoy it, but I got my first taste of knitting at a service event my alumnae association was hosting. Actually, that would be my second taste of knitting.

I originally learned how to knit when I was about 12/13 years old. My mum used to knit dolls for the Crofton Bazaar and Saints Fair, so she tried to teach me to knit back then, but I had little patience and was easily frustrated (not that that's changed) and gave up quite easily.

Fast forward 15 years or so to October 1 where some of my sorority sisters taught me how to knit. I learned the basic knit stitch (the casting on was already done) and enjoyed it so much, I decided to pick it up. Last weekend my mum gave me some yarn and needles, and I taught myself to cast on, knit, and bind off.

I find knitting a great stress release, especially while watching Canucks games... I have just requested the Stitch N Bitch books from the library so I can learn some more techniques and begin knitting patterns.


And Texas Hold 'em... For quite a while now I have been saying how I want to learn to play poker, but my biggest obstacle was that I didn't know the ranks/hands. I was thrown blind into a poker game at Tina's last Saturday, but with a little bit of instruction, and my handy crib sheet of poker hands I did very well. Too bad we didn't play for money...