“I can’t; I have practice.” I cannot remember how many times I have said this sentence in my life. When I was five, my mother took me to the local temple in my hometown to enroll me in Indian classical dance, Bharatanatyam. I remember hating it n the beginning, like everything one’s parent would make his or her child do. Every Thursday, I would refuse to go to practice until my mother dragged me to the car. The hour I was forced to stay in the temple was worse than torture. I did not grow to appreciate it until three years later, when my family friend asked me to perform at a charity event. I refused at first, thinking I would embarrass myself, but she would not take “no” for an answer. It was my first time being on a stage, and I was so nervous. I do not remember the performance, but I remember the feeling after I got off the stage. I loved the thrill of performing, the adrenaline rush, and especially the crowd support. I finally appreciated learning dance. Until the summer before my senior year of high school, I performed at charity events, competed with other dance schools, and danced at family parties. When I got to college, I auditioned for the co-ed fusion dance team and surprisingly made it. I am so proud of all my accomplishments in dance, and cannot wait for what the future in dance will bring.