Life List #37: Take ballroom dance lessons

In case you've been wondering how my Life List has been going, I am thrilled to say that I can now check off item #37:  Take ballroom dance lessons.

In true Stephanie form (or maybe it's Titcombe - we seem to have a thing about doing things all the way or not at all), I didn't just take a single ballroom dance lesson. First I found a Groupon for 4 classes (2 private lessons, 1 group lesson and 1 practice party) for $40. Then, after having so much fun doing the first 4 classes (huge thanks to the instructors at Arthur Murray Montreal Downtown franchise), I decided to go all out and really make an event of this Life List item. To do that meant signing up for their beginner's "Quick Start" program (9 private lessons, 4 group lessons and 2 practice parties) and I also gave myself a kind of "race date" end to it all by buying a ticket to the Bal Viennois de Montréal.  (There's the advertisement on the left.)

Last night was the night! After completing all my classes, borrowing a dress from a friend, buying sparkly dance shoes, getting my hair and make-up done, I attended my first ball (a BALL, people!) and danced the night away. (And there's my ticket to the right.)  You can find pictures here.

I danced, in no particular order:  the Foxtrot, the Viennese Waltz, the Waltz, the Swing, the Hustle, Merengue, Salsa and even the Tango! And it was all AWESOME!

This was more than just learning dances. This was about meeting new people, learning a skill and proving to myself and the people attending that ball that I can dance. I may not be great at letting my partner lead on the dance floor (sorry, guys ...), but I'm still learning. I also know now that I want to learn more dances, learn the more complicated footwork, learn about style, etc. This last month of dancing has been so much fun that I'm going to take a few more classes before the holidays, just to keep me going so I don't forget everything I've learned so far.

Take ballroom dance lessons - Done!