October 6, 1982

October 6, 1982

Do you remember what you were doing on October 6, 1982?

Perhaps not, as it was exactly 42 years ago.

But I do, because it was a special day for me – I finally “escaped” from “communist China” on that day – I left China for Japan on October 6, 1982!

No, I did not leave China in a boat, nor did I sneak out of China in darkness. Instead, together with 149 other “top” Chinese students, I left China with a huge honor: after being chosen by the government to pursue graduate degrees in Japan, we were warmly sent off by some government officials on that day in anticipation that we, upon completion of our studies in Japan, would all come back home, helping modernize China.

Frank Li: The most efficient amateur male in pro/am ballroom dancing

Frank Li: The most efficient amateur male in pro/am ballroom dancing

My first out-of-town ballroom dance competition was OSB 2019, and I placed 4th (Gentlemen, Open Smooth, age-group C). After that, I started privately claiming that I am America’s most efficient male amateur in pro/am ballroom dancing (age-group C initially and S1 now) based on this simple fact: All the other five finalists had been dancing for many more years than I had. Now, it is time to reveal this claim publicly!

Vicki Barbera: A sexy ballroom dancer

Vicki Barbera: A sexy ballroom dancer

Vicki stumbled into the world of ballroom dancing purely by accident at the age of 52. Like probably every amateur student ever, she went to a ballroom party and then thought she would just try a few lessons. Before she could hardly catch her breath, she was hooked, taking multiple lessons weekly, and then even competing, known as a “sexy dancer” …