Class review

This week has flown by quickly. Tuesday was class...Master G taught us a few things about sparring. We did a drill called "sticky feet"...you reach out with your foot and touch your partner with your foot. Hold it for about a second. Then you draw it back. The point of that drill was not to be quick to kick, but to think about the technique, the way you were doing the kick. We did it with front (ap cha gi) and side (yup cha gi) kicks. After that, we worked on a lunging drill where you lunge forward by pushing off your back foot and not jumping, but lunging forward. It's a bit like a fencer's lunge. Master G said to think of your rear leg as the gas and your front leg like the brakes. You let off the brakes and give it gas. You have to think of moving both feet. It was a good tough workout that night.
Thursday was another fun class. We did a "ladder" drill that night. That was a kicking drill...low kick, chamber, mid-level kick, chamber (and try your best to fight the urge to put your foot down!), then a higher kick. I have to think about that drill and work on it more. In the past, I have been allowing myself to touch the ground after kicking....that's going to change because I see the need for it.

Today I went over to Ms. S's house and worked with her and her daughter on Ho Sin Sul. We started at our highest and worked our way down toward the white belt Ho Sin Sul. I got a good idea of how it should be done. I made some notes and will review them. One of the Ho Sin Sul is one that I need to practice with hubby as I need someone heavier than me to pin me down so that I can escape it. That's a practical application and I should work with that.

I'm really enjoying class now. It seems like I had to cross a line in order to reach this part of it. Now I can see what I have been missing. I am settling into my role in this school and will continue to try to improve. One of the things I like so much is the fact that everyone learns the same thing. It's not groups breaking off and working on different things. Instead, everyone learns the same information and it's up to you to keep practicing outside of class. We keep training journals and write after class what we learned. It's a good review because you can go back and see what you've been doing, what was taught and how you think you did. I know I've been working on the lunges outside of class. That is a useful skill to know. Master G said that we need to think beyond moving backwards, to learn to move to the sides and diagonally as well. We also want to learn not to leave any part of yourself behind when you move.

Sunday reflections

Last night was the End of Year banquet for Cub Scouts. I am proud to say that my entire Den was able to be promoted to the next level, to Webelos. That's a great thing! I'm really proud of the boys. They all worked hard to achieve their ranks.
We had to hand out their Bears first for the ones who didn't have them along with their other achievements. I gave my assistant Den Leader the opportunity to hand out the awards. I figured he could do that. I'll have to work on my public speaking...but that's something that can be done at almost any time.

While I was out with the young man last night, hubby got to chaperone our daughter and a friend. They played video games until Aidan and I got home. We finally chased them off to bed at 11:30, but when I got up this morning at 6:30, they were up in Amanda's room, giggling and laughing. We found out just a little bit ago that they didn't sleep all night. UGH. I can't deal with a lack of sleep. I don't know how they did it. I guess they're more resilient than I am, but still...it's crazy in my eyes.

Not a lot is planned for today. I need to work on my one steps. I have 1-4 memorized. I want to advance to the next four and get them nailed, then I can work on the next four. I'm going to get them done in increments. I like the idea of learning more. It feels good to learn. I may drag the hubby outside and practice on him.