parenthood experience. years ago. When I first met “I started late as we were the grandmother - she took too busy. We started with care, in her own premises, nothing, we supported the of around 100 monkeys and family, and we wanted to gibbons who were rescued. establish ourselves first It was fascinating and we’ve before having children. realised she needs some When we wanted a child help with that, so we got it didn’t go easily. I had involved and it grew into a 7 times IVF, and when foundation. I finally got pregnant - I The environment became danced until giving birth. I the biggest concern in the gave birth on the age of 42. world. Since I was little – my It was a change - I became mum made recycled bags a mother combined with for food, and was in the being a wife, teacher, and organic farming movement a businesswoman. My son 50 years before it became was with us in the studio fashionable. So I always had since he was a baby. In environmental awareness preschool days he was and was passionate about playing there with kids in all wildlife.” ages waiting for their sibling students, this way he always What or who inspires you? had companions. We never “Several of my teachers. And had a regular schedule with my mother. She was a ‘free my son, we were freestyle. spirit’, she allowed all of us
“Getting older as a teacher you understand the body more and more, and you learn how to use the body correctly and safely. It is nice to know that in The Netherlands they created a retired people dance company, with older dancers who have so much to offer but can’t dance with younger dancers. If I can still do that in ten years from now – I will be thrilled. My dad is now 90 and does everything, driving etc. I would appreciate being the same. If an age was only just a number...” Do you take time off? What do you do then? How do you pamper yourself? “In the last two years I go to Hua Hin almost every
the typical age to start motherhood, and raised my son mostly in the dance studio. I believe in letting things be as they suppose to be, it can be whatever you want, not according to expectations, or cultural ‘what has to be’, you have to choose the way that works for you.“ Your top tip to inspire other expats women in a foreign city? “There is so much here, so many different things. Since you might not be in the city for long – just dig in it. Instead of trying to do the same as you did at home – just try new things here. Living here is not being exposed to Thai style only but to different cultures and communities. You
Bordeaux, France in 1789, it is a simple and familiar love story which takes place in the French countryside. The cast of performers include 5 professional dancers, some well known to the Thai audience and some trained and worked abroad in the most prestigious ballet academies. Also dancing are almost 100 students of Rising Star Dance Studio, ages 4 to adult, from over 25 nationalities. I hope Expat Life readers will come to enjoy our show.”
La Fille Mal Gardee 2/3 June 2018, 2:30pm** M Theatre, Petchaburi Rd. Tickets* & Reservations: 900B at 081 908 3931 081 553 0656 ristar@loxinfo.co.th *Partial proceeds will benefit the Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand. **Ballet performance run two acts, totalling approximately 110 minutes, plus a 20 minute intermission.
“Since I was little – my mum made recycled bags for food, and was in the organic farming movement 50 years before it became fashionable. So I always had environmental awareness and was passionate about wildlife.” He adapted. And we keep this parenting style now when he is a teenager. My son is really part of the family business – he grew up in the studio and in the annual ballet productions he helps backstage, and has his own team.” You are a board member at Wild Animal Rescue; what attracted you to support this cause? “For many years my husband and myself are active at Wild Animal Rescue. A grandmother of a student started this foundation 28
to be who we are and not ‘to fit in’.” What are you proud of? “Being able to take all the incredible training I got and pass it on the next generation – that’s what I’m proud of. As there were teachers who inspired me – I can now be an inspiration for others.” You are on your 60s now. The body is not responding anymore like in your 20s ballerina days. For how long you will keep up with teaching/dancing?
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weekend, whenever I can, and this is my treat. I decided that since I don’t plan to quit my job until the age of 85, I will retire now every weekend. I feel I’ve earned it.”
can give here a lot to your children by allowing them to see there are many options in the world; this is the advantage of raising international kids, after all.”
And last thing - tell us about Share with us your wisdom the upcoming production for life? you work on these days. “I kept changing schools as “At the first weekend of June a child, and never followed we’ll present at M Theatre a conventional path. I the full length ballet La Fille left home just before 16, Mal Gardee supported myself, studied (The Badly Guarded Girl) (and NY was much tougher which is one of the first place back then but vibrant). ballets about “real people” I became a mother at the rather than kings, queens, age of 42, which is not or gods. First performed in facebook.com/expatlifethailand.com APRIL/MAY 125