I was absolutely thrilled upon escaping the freezing New York winter. Our company’s first stop of the 2011 tour brought us to Texas. I jumped out of the bus in sheer excitement. Yes, the humid subtropical winter here in Houston tempts me for a delicious icy drink—a great change to my coffee-sipping, tongue-burning days back home.

We’ve already completed four successful performances in Dallas and I’m definitely looking forward to more action as we land in our new theater—Houston’s Jones Hall. Being a percussionist is both challenging and fun. It requires speed, concentration and agility to juggle a few sticks in hand and switch between instruments in seconds. It’s tough, mentally stimulating, and sometimes even physically demanding (especially when the set-up requires constant shifting of heavy instruments around us). Despite the hard work, it’s been a very worthwhile and enriching experience for me. I’m learning the importance of teamwork and always thinking of others before myself.

The audiences here in Texas are fabulous. Sometimes, I couldn’t help but take a little peek at the audience in front of me. Today, I saw a middle-aged gentleman bobbing his head cutely in unison with our drumbeats. There were teary people gasping in disbelief during the scene where a young boy was  persecuted simply for reading a Falun Gong book with his mother in China today. I could also hear many ‘WOW’s as they marveled at the dancers’ perfect execution of highly technical moves. During intermission, an adorable little boy peeped into the pit. I waved to him and he responded with an angelic smile. His father acknowledged us and thanked us for an unforgettable show. At times like this, I feel happy just to be a part of the performance. The enthusiastic and emotional responses from the audience is indeed a sweet reward for our hard work.

My favorite post-show activity is eating supper—a perfect ending to a bustling day. I arrived in the green room and saw many people crowding in front of a table. Maximizing the advantage of my height, I stuck my head above the crowd. My eyes widened in joy at the sight of bubble tea (tea+milk+sugar+tapioca pearls+ice). Three cheers for bubble tea! I’m sure that the pleasantly cooling effect of these bubble teas was deeply appreciated by the dancers after their vigorous work-out/performance. For me, the soothing, chilling fluid down my throat is a sweet caloric bonus. However, my rapid consumption caused me to struggle a little through the brain freeze barrier. I tried hard to maintain my eloquence, hoping not to choke on the chewy tapioca as they ascended through my straw at an impressive tempo. I felt like a four-year-old, beaming down at my cup of newly found treasure as I happily indulged myself. After quenching my thirst and spoiling my taste buds, I am now ready for a good night’s sleep and another exciting performance tomorrow. Oh, and of course, another cup of bubble tea.

30 de dezembro de 2010