Last Tuesday I decided to go get my dance shoes for ballroom dance. I ended up paying $82 for a pair of shoes that essentially look a lot like high heels.
To me this was a lot of money to pay and I left the store feeling defeated knowing that I was leaving with only $25 dollars in my pocket when I came in the store with so much more.
This feeling of defeat really got me thinking. I have been dancing since I was two in tap, ballet, jazz, and pointe. My parents had to pay for four or more pairs of shoes a year for me. So if my high heels cost $82 I could just imagine how deated they must have been when they took me shoping for dance.
Thats not including the $100+ for the dance school I went to. They never complained, they always seemed eager and happy to pay for something they knew made me happy. So my feeling of defeat quickly turned to admoration for my parents.
Hey TeShima, I have been following your blog and you've done a great job on it! I was a ballet, tap, and competitive jazz dancer from the age of 3-16, so I understand exactly what you are going through. The amount of money you spend on shoes, costumes, make-up, competitions, classes, etc. is a lot, and I wouldn't have been able to do it without the help of my parents. I've wanted to take a ballroom dance class, but I have never had the time to do it. I may take a PE dance class next year. Good luck with ballroom!
ReplyDelete$82 for ballroom dance shoes?? At least it's going towards something you are passionate about. It really does put it into perspective when you think about how much your parents spend on you when you are growing up when you are trying to figure out what you want out of life. I really admire that you have been dancing since you were 2. I have no idea what my hobby was when I was 2 haha. Be careful with those shoes!!
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ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed reading your blog. I have done competitive dance for 13 years in Charlotte. The tuition, shoe, hand-made costumes, and entry fees are OUTRAGEOUS. My parents were lucky to pay for myself as well as my 2 sisters to compete in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hiphop and modern. They spent well over $20,000 a year for us to do this and this doesn't include hotel and travel fees.
I don't dance anymore considering I am in college and would have to pay my way through this debtful hobby, which as a poor college student would never happen.
I miss it more than you can imagine though and think it is the best way to express my emotions and talent at the same time.
Wow, I can't believe ballroom shoes cost so much! I wonder if there is a used goodwill sort of place for everything dance? Gotta love parents they're always there to support you in every way for everything. Great post.
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