Hooray for Friday!

First of all...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ML!!
I don't know if you even read this blog, but Happy Birthday anyway!

I'm so happy it's Friday! I'm planning on taking advantage of the great weather we're supposed to have this weekend to open windows and let in some fresh air. Spring cleaning is here. I just hope I stay motivated. I haven't been too horribly motivated lately.

I'm leaving work at 4:00 today (or 3:30 if my boss will approve an extra 30 minutes), so that makes me cheerful. I can start my weekend off early. Little things like that make me happy. It's all about being happy. (snicker)

I think I've been happier this week than I have been in a while. I've been reading a book by Bob Harper called Are You Ready! Yes, it is THE Bob, one of the trainers from Biggest Loser. I found his book a couple of weeks ago and hubby decided that he'd buy it for me. I started it and while I have put it aside periodically, I've picked it up and am back where I started.
Chapter 2 was a definite motivator. It is titled "Accept where you are and forgive". Hmmm. Think that one speaks volumes. I have read that chapter all the way through once, but put the book down, so I'm going to pick it back up and re-read it.

Tag!

I was recently tagged by Gal Friday to reveal 7 random things about myself. I'm trying to think of random things I can tell you that are interesting...

1. I love to read. I've got 5 bookshelves in my apartment that are literally groaning with books.

2. When I'm stressed out, I write. Most of the time, I don't share it, but I write.

3. I collect snowmen.

4. I have never been outside of the United States.

5. I learned how to speak Gaelic many years ago. Not fluently, but I could speak it.

6. I'm a perfectionist. My instructor is trying to help me overcome this flaw in my nature.

7. I am determined to get my second Dan (EE Dan) BEFORE I'm 50 years old!!
(that gives me 6 years to get cracking!)

I'm not sure who I'll tag...but if anyone reads this and wants to talk about it, please feel free to comment me about it!

Great day for a test

It was a great day for a test. I went to WW for my usual meeting (excellent meeting, got to "bone up" on my forms by reading my book before the meeting started), then came home, posted a quick note to my Support Team and got ready for the test. I don't have very long hair anymore, but it's long enough to make me go nuts if it's on my neck. I pulled it up into a double ponytail, put tons of styling stuff in it to hold it in place, curled, crimped and relaxed. I read a little bit of my book, Size 12 is Not Fat by Megan Cabot and listened to music. One of my friends went to the dojang early, so I ran over there with Amanda. (My kids actually watched the test!!!! I was impressed with them for that!!)
I said hello to the people in the previous test who are in my adult class, gossiped and got a chance to run around and connect with people who were coming in for the test. My friend Beth came in after her Krav class and watched. She and Susan were there. I lined up near them, so I could look over and talk to them during quiet periods in the test.
We did Basic Form #2, Sa Dan, Bassai, Naihainchi Cho Dan and then we did our one steps. Instead of goofing up a simple form, I instead goofed up my one steps but...I didn't quit. I kept going. Nobody knew I'd goofed! Yay me!
We didn't do any sparring, but we DID break boards. My friend Beth held my board for me and I did an excellent front snap kick, hit the board and broke it on the first try. I think everyone pretty much broke on the first try.
We had our belting ceremony--my instructor belted the lower ranked belts first, then he did us. I'm no longer a first gup. I'm now officially a Cho Dan Bo. He gave a brief history of each belt as he tied it around our waists. My belt is extra special to me--he gave me a belt that is about 15 years old, faded but has history--it was HIS belt and my best male friend, DB's belt. That means a lot to me. He said he selected the belt for the recipient based on the history of the belt and the person who earned it. I broke out into tears when he tied that belt. I just couldn't help it. That belt means something to me. I will wear it with pride!!