Busy Saturday

Today has been fun-filled and different. I didn't have a football game last night, so that was a bit of a nice change for a Friday night. We all sat around the house together, doing very little last night.

Today, Miss A had a marching competition in Plano to attend. I had to take her to the school, to get warmed up at 11:00. They didn't leave for the competition until noon, but they had to get in a last minute rehearsal. This is in anticipation of the actual UIL competition *next* weekend.

After dropping her off, I had to come back home and get hubby and the little boy. We went to the BTK picnic today. That was fun too. It was chilly...the temperature hovered in the mid to upper 50s all day. We had a pavilion at the park that was near the pond and caught the breeze blowing off that. It was a tad bit nippy!! They had games for the kids, but most of them spent time at the playground, so they kept themselves occupied. Mine spent time laying down in the gravel on the playground, which I STILL don't understand! At one point, I saw him laying down, turned away from the gentleman I was talking to and yelled my son's name. He heard me, got up and came over to me. Why he was down, I don't think I'll ever know.

Toward the end of the picnic, they had a drawing for some prizes. I was hoping to get my number drawn for that, but instead, I wound up with a "BOB". "BOB", for those who aren't familiar with martial arts, is a punching dummy that is a life-like torso on a stand. Getting him home in a tiny Saturn Ion was a bit of a challenge, but we made it. The stand rode in the backseat with Mr. A, the "head" of BOB was in the trunk. Mrs. MG was kind enough to offer us the use of her truck to bring him home. My friend, Ms. S, also offered the use of her minivan. It was funny.

This evening, we met up with a friend from F*Bk, who happens to have been in school with me back in Washington State. We're talking over 30 years ago!! It was a fun evening meeting up with him, his wife and daughter. We spent a bit of time getting to know each other, sharing our life stories We'll probably get together again at some point. It was fun.

Now we're home, waiting for time to go pick up Miss A at school. She won't be back until 10:30, so I've got a bit of time. I think I'm going to go read my new Funakoshi book that my friend, Ms. S, gave me. Her daughter got the prize with the book and picture frame and didn't want the book as they already had it. It is now in my possession. Thank you, Ms. S!

On a happy note too, I talked with my instructor about my situation and why I've not been in classes. I told him that I had an agenda--to get healthier and improve myself. He told me "get to class. You have no excuse not to go." Well, with that being said, I'm going to be in class on Tuesday!

A picture speaks more than I care to hear

I'm overweight. I don't deny it. I have some serious issues with my weight and have been battling it for over forty years. It's enough to make me feel like crawling under a rock at times.

Tonight was no different. We had our first Cub Scout Pack meeting of the year tonight. This was our "meet the boys and parents" meeting where we discussed what we are doing this year. At the end of the meeting, we had a presentation of a slide show from last year of our Pack doings. This is a fun thing to watch as our Historian puts it together with music.

It was fun (although noisy as 80 some odd boys can really SCREAM when they want to!) and amusing to watch it. I enjoyed it right up until I saw a few shots I was included in. Then I got disgusted. If I think I looked bad in the pictures, there's no telling what other people think of how I look. I just cringed when I saw them. It wasn't fun for me. I don't like seeing how big I am. In a lot of ways, it's just reinforcing what I heard last week..that I've ballooned up and have gained back my weight I lost in 2006-2007.

Definitely not what I wanted to see tonight. Of course, I'm pretty hard on myself anyway, but those pictures tonight made me feel like I need to make an enormous change.

Marching Band

In Texas, football is a *big* thing. In our city, it is no different. In the past month, my daughter has attended 4 football games. Here are some pictures of the band from game 1 (Longview, TX); game 2 against Monterrey, Mexico; and game 3 against Rockwall (HOMECOMING). Two of these games were rain delayed (Monterrey and Rockwall), but we managed to win them just the same.



This is the first game against the Longview Lobos. The band was coming into the stadium.

More of the band. They were paused in front of the stands.

Miss A is the one in the glasses, looking up.

Miss A and her friend, Jo. Jo is an upperclassman who "adopted" her for the year. It's a tradition. The Freshmen (also known as "fish") are adopted by the the upperclassmen.

Miss A, her friend JJ and I don't remember the names of the other two. This was taken at the Rockwall game.

I've attended two out of four games as a volunteer. I'm enjoying it because I get to help the kids, which is good, plus I'm getting to hear our band and see the football games. It's a win-win situation. Last night was a game against Euless-Trinity, which we won. I spent a LOT of time in the stands after my duties as a stand cleaner (we clean the stands so those white uniforms won't be too horribly dirty!) and "Potty patrol". (we hold the jackets for the girls when they need to go in to freshen up.)

I'm really excited about this. It has been a great start to the year. The only downside is that my co-workers are being snippy to me about leaving early for games, so I may not be able to attend any more of the away games.

Busy schedule

This should be a busy year for us. I'm now volunteering to chaperone at the football games, plus I have Cub Scouts. The Cub Scouts is really only 2 times a month--the Den Meeting and the bigger PACK meeting. I haven't figured out where to fit in my martial arts either.

I am sure that I'm a bit on the overwhelmed side at the amount of things the boys have to do to earn the various badges and whatnot they have to work on. I definitely have to plan more than I did last year. I hope the boys will assume enough responsibility to do their own things without me standing over them. We also have to go camping many times this year. That's a chore for the husband. I'm doing band with our daughter, HE gets to go out in "the wild" with the boy.

With the classes Miss A is taking, too, we have many projects going at once. She had to make ratatouille for her French class to work on learning the culture aspect of things. Then there's a "questionable topic" she has to work on for English. She has the topic of the War in Iraq. NOT my idea of a fun research project, but I didn't like her other topics (thankfully one was already taken...*I* had issues with it!). There's Biology, Health, Geography...you name it. This girl has a full plate. I'm exhausted thinking about it and it's not MY schedule (although I'm doing my bit to help her, so that does take a little time in and of itself.)

Mr. A just has the normal fourth grade things to work on--the reading, writing, etc. I've currently got him sitting down, reading his Webelos book to familiarize himself with the requirements for Citizen. Once he finishes that, he's going out with the hubby to go watch football at a local restaurant with his friends.

High school football

If you follow me on Twitter (yes, I tweet, therefore, I'm a "twit"!), you know that I've gone totally nuts about High School Football. I don't know why. I don't really care for professional American football that much. I prefer to ignore it. Given the choice of watching it or something else, I'll choose something else, every time!
I never went to a single game when *I* was in high school. I certainly wasn't involved in Band or anything like that. However...now that my daughter is involved, I find myself being very drawn to the game. It could be because the announcers of the game make it interesting. It could be because I like the band. Since my daughter is in band, that might be why!! I have gone totally crazy with the football thing.

The school sent out a notifier about the activities for Homecoming week and one of the things was to "Paint the town blue" and to have a "blue-out" on Friday night. Painting the town blue involved getting your car windows painted by the school's cheerleaders. I went for that because I'm excited to be a part of this. They're trying to make a second run at the State Championship, so it's worth supporting.

On Wednesday, I went to Lowes and got the cheerleaders to paint my car windows blue. Well, specifically, they are red, white and blue. It matches my car nicely. :) Tomorrow is the actual game and I'm planning on wearing my band polo shirt to work and then to the game tomorrow night. I've volunteered to help at the game and will be reporting to the band hall at 5:30 to get my orders. That's pretty exciting too!! This town is big on supporting their football team and their school, so I'm sure everyone there will be wearing blue. The band will be in blue and white. It's going to be very fun to be there. This will be my first football game (ever) and I'm looking forward to it. I guess I'm just a big kid at heart!!

Views from the inside of my mind...

*Note: this was posted originally at a different blog site about 3 years ago. I'm actually glad I saved it and have decided to re-post it because it ties in with where my mind is at present.**

Okay, so you’ll get really tired of this picture before it’s all said and done! LOL!
I am proud of this picture. I looked at the one picture of me and my friend, Ram, and I realize that I was *very* happy! I looked so happy and relaxed in that picture, despite being at work! LOL! That was a good thing. I didn’t win anything. No big deal. I didn’t expect to win anything. I just had fun because I got to step outside of my usual box. I thought past “safe”. I liked it. I truly enjoyed myself. Part of it was because I was happy being different. I didn’t dress the conventional part. I let my personality out for a short time. I let the mask down.
How often can we say that we’ve stepped out of the box? How many different masks do you wear? This is something that I have been thinking about since Saturday (in fact, it was the subject of my WW meeting). You are a mom/daughter/sister/cousin/best friend/lover/teacher/mentor/Betty Crocker/June Cleaver/Wonder Woman/Super Girl/Ms. Marvel/Spiderman/Superman/whatever. You’re a mother/friend/wife/lover. You’re an artist/teacher/leader/follower/employer/employee. All the masks we wear contribute to who we are or at least the public facade we present. Do we know who we really are? We tell ourselves we do, but when do you let the masks down?
When do you allow yourself to be the *real* you? When do you admit that you’re not better than anyone else, that you CAN say NO to someone? When do you say “ENOUGH!” and start treating yourself better?

Who do you think you are?

Me? I’m still finding out.

Reviewing books

Reading is something I do because I enjoy it. I don't like the stress associated with reviewing books, so I don't read books for review very often. At one time, I belonged to a reviewing website that was all romance books. I'm more of a contemporary fiction reader, but I also read non fiction. The book I'm currently reading is a book I received in exchange for a review.

I'm reading Sang H. Kim's Complete Kicking for review. I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I think it's got some sort of subliminal message in it because I have been visualizing kicks and I've had the urge to practice kicking.

I'm going to have this book finished by the end of the week and will write a review to post up at Amazon.

Thursday night football

This is what my daughter is doing tonight...

Martial arts Saturday

This has been a sleepless Saturday. I slept very little Thursday night to Friday morning. Then, last night I woke up at 1:00 am. Miss A was due in around 2:00 am from Longview and I guess I didn't want to miss getting there to pick her up.
She called around 1:20 and told me they were in, so I went out to pick her up. THAT was a huge parking lot!! All of the parents were out to get their kids. I parked, got out and walked up to the band hall. Got her and her gear, then went back to the car. She had to go back in to get a hair ribbon someone gave her. It has her name and graduation year on it. That was neat. She's going to wear it every game.

After getting Ms. Sleepy (she tried to sleep on the 3 hour trip home but one of the obnoxious boys who I suspect likes her but won't admit to it, woke her up) home, we all crashed out at 2:30. I had to get up this morning to get ready to go out to the dojang. I was helping at the Gup (colored belt) test today and needed to be there at 10:00. My young shadow came in and climbed on me, which ensured that I got up. I didn't have time to get myself any coffee. I grabbed a diet coke and ran out the door. That is not my recommendation of morning caffeine, believe me!

I don't have anything planned for tomorrow, except writing letters. I've decided that I am going to work on letters for a little while so that my daughter can research French recipes. She's got a homework assignment for French class. She has to introduce something from French culture to the class. She has to have food, watch a movie and review it for class or something else. I'm a bit fuzzy on what she needs to do. I'll review that tomorrow.

I am thinking that I'm going to drag out my kicking shield tomorrow and work on my own kicking with my husband. I need him to at least hold it. That way, I'm not going back to class in a complete funk. I'll be working on things I need to work on. I told Master G today that I can see the standard we're holding the gups to. I can do my best to work myself to that standard and then some. I've got to improve my overall technique, etc.

I did get to spar today with a young lady who was testing for her first Gup. I was part of a "two on one" sparring round. I had fun with it and actually remembered NOT to lean in to my opponent! I thanked Master A for allowing me to spar. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I learned a lot about the grading system of the gups. I sat as a trainee at Mr. B's side, listening, observing and learning. I need to temper my assessments with understanding. Testing isn't all about "you showed up, here's your belt." It is a test of the candidate's physical and mental abilities. I watched one young man get extremely frustrated during his sparring session. I could see him thinking "what the heck am I doing?!" I noticed that he started out his testing by looking down, but by the end of that test, he was looking more confident, as if he was relaxing. The young lady involved in the testing looked up at the examiners, but it was very hard to hear her. Her kihaps were very quiet...but she got the job done!!

I'm finding myself thinking about a lot again. I deliberately didn't think on the way home tonight, only turned my radio up and sang, loudly (and off key but who cares, right? I was in my car, alone!). I am sure my sub-conscious will sort out all I have learned today and will put it to good use. I learned some sneaky things for working on abs which makes me want to race out tomorrow and buy a medicine ball. I have more things in my head than I know what to do with right ow. First of all, I need to sleep, so that's number one on the agenda.

Football Friday

Today kicks off the start of Football season in Texas. It's the first game for many of the schools. Allen is playing Longview, IN Longview. The band is going to be going too. I am proud of all the kids for the hours of hard work they put in. I really would like to be going there with them, but this is probably for the best. I can now just hope that everything works out for everyone and that there are no obvious blunders, no lost uniforms, no drama.

If you live in the state of Texas, High School football is a big deal. We're talking HUGE! For example: My daughter's high school won the State 5A Championship last year, so this year, season tickets are sold out. SOLD. OUT. I found this out a week before school started!!! I was stunned. I don't know why, but I was kind of expecting to have the opportunity to get tickets and see the games. You have to get an early start if you want your season tickets. A friend in another school district has the same issue. She couldn't get season tickets either.

It's going to be an exciting several weeks. We have a game tonight, a game next Thursday (that I am going to TRY to get to!) and on and on....the calendar is packed. It will be a lot of fun this year!!!

Fly-by

I am around. Really, I'm not just a figment of anyone's imagination. I've been kind of busy with band. I was trying to insert a picture here but can't seem to get it to load. Nice.

From Marching Band

From Marching Band

Work, of course, has been busy as well. This is a good thing, especially in a "down economy". I'm fortunate that I'm not a victim of the economy. I may have many grumbles to make about things, but not that.

I've also been working on my attitude and my training. I kind of slacked off again in the exercise department. I can't work out in the morning anymore unless I get up at 4:30 am to exercise. I'm having to take my daughter to school by 6:55. I'm now at work a little after 7:00. Makes for a VERY long day, especially when I work from 9:30-6:30 one day a week. I can't work that shift this next week because we have a "meet the teacher" thing going on. I want to attend that because it's good to get to know your student's teachers.

I fixed it!!

I work in Technical Support for a fax machine manufacturer. I am one of the "Digital Support Specialists". All this means is that I can troubleshoot problems and fix them (mostly).
Today, I took my laptop to work in the hopes of fixing the problem with it locking up. I think I can say that I was successful. I ran a number of things, including "scan disk", "Windows cleaner" and "disk check". I also asked one of the guys in the repair center to blow out the exhaust fans on the underside of the laptop. He did and dislodged a feral dust bunny herd. However, the computer has been on *all day* since the removal of the bunnies and it's working beautifully. It's COOL to the touch! The keyboard hasn't gotten warm. The back of the laptop is cool. I'm impressed! I managed to fix a problem and I wasn't even considering that as a problem!! Makes me feel pretty good, all things considered.

Computer issues

I've been having issues and fighting with my computer. It has a tendency to lock up while I'm looking around the Internet. I decided to take matters into my own hands and cleaned off an email client program that had been giving me fits--it wouldn't load properly when I first opened it, so I had to stop the IMAP process on the computer. Then it might load, but would crash while I was doing things. I finally gave up and deleted the program. I figured the pretty stationery wasn't worth the pain in my neck from the other issues.

I still had problems, so in the past two weeks, I've run software programs designed to knock out malicious software (none were found at all!), spy programs (only 9 on that scan) and of course, my anti-virus program. I'm thinking that at the end of my av term, I'll switch to a free program that my husband uses so that I don't have to fight with Symantec's product. It's rather large too. We'll see.

Anyway, during a scan for malicious software last night (clean and that was before the seven hour scan!!), I found a folder that was from the old email client. It had 1,000,000 kilobytes of data!! I was shocked to see it still hiding out in the application data on my computer, so I deleted it. Let me tell you, that was not fast! Then I emptied my recycle bin and THAT was not fast either! The good thing is, that program is gone from my computer completely now. I've deleted it out of the registry and hopefully I'm good.

I feel positive that I've managed to do good things. We can always keep our fingers crossed. My computer at work hasn't had these issues and it's run slow (it's 7+ years old). All I can do is hope that I've resolved the problems. I guess it's now a matter of "keep your fingers crossed."

Saturday is for rest...or is it??

Another week has snuck by me without my knowing it. Well, I DID know it...but I've had meetings this week that have tied me up. Monday night we had a Cub Scout meeting--the first one of the year. Miss A had her schedule pick up on Thursday. She's taking all pre-AP or pre Advance Placement classes, with the exception of math. She's taking Algebra I. I'm glad...I'll get a chance to review with her! She's changing her Biology to a Pre-AP class. I was surprised to hear that from her, but pleased nonetheless. She's a smart girl. Yes, I AM saying that because I'm her mom, but also because I know she can do anything she puts her mind to.

Mr. A's not 100% interested in Cub Scouts..YET. He hasn't gotten into the swing of things yet. I have to get him fired up for it. We did have an interesting talk about martial arts forms as we were walking home from the store this morning. We were talking about him reviewing Kee Cho Hyung Il Bu, because he needs the practice. Just because we're out of class this month doesn't mean that we have to let everything flop. We will practice and work on our techniques and forms.

Next week we have a full week of Band related activities. They start practices in the evenings, so no more "two a days"...instead, they'll practice from 4-8, so I MIGHT get to hear them this week. No practice on Wednesday. Thursday there's a Pep Rally, plus it's "Meet the teacher" night at the Elementary school. I hope we'll know who the little guy is getting for his teacher soon! We want to know more than 1 day before we meet the teacher!! Friday is the "Watermelon bust" at the high school, then Saturday is March A Thon. I've got to help with that. Need to find out what I need to do for that.

Busy, busy

I am here but have been sidelined by the goings on at the house. Number one daughter started Band on Monday. Every day has been a lot of fun. I had a parents' meeting on Tuesday at 7:00...I didn't leave the school until 8:30. There was just a LOT of information to be gleaned from the director of the bands. I'm thinking this year is going to be just jam packed, what with Band and Cub Scouts. Somewhere in that time frame, I am going to HAVE to take time for me and do my martial arts. I prefer to have my time to train. I'm going to make Dan Training on Saturday before we go to Escadrille Registration. I WILL NOT miss that! I have already missed two classes this week. I'm supposed to take Ms. A to the cafeteria on Tuesday at 7:00. Can I sneak in a class on Tuesday? I'm not sure. I have to figure that out. My class is 7:45-9:00. I want to hang out with MY friends too!!
(yes, that's a whine there!)

I haven't even gotten a schedule for Cub Scouts yet, but I'm going to have to get my assistant Den Leader to attend some of the Pack meetings so that I don't have to keep missing karate. I need the stability and the structure of the karate. It's become so much a part of who I am that I feel very...OFF if I don't get to go to class. I'm going to class tonight after Cub Scouts. I won't be in uniform, but I will be there! Might learn SOMETHING! It definitely does wonders for my mental state!

I have an idea for an essay that I've been fumbling with. I need to find someone who would not mind proofing it for me. I have a whole bunch of things in my head but need to put it to some format. I think the subject is going to be an interesting one. I have had it in my mind for a while, so I think it's going to happen soon. Just as soon as I find the time...

Do I need my head examined?

It's August 2nd. That means that tomorrow is August 3, the first day of BAND MOM for me! I get to be a band mom for the next three years (or more if number one son decides to get into band). Tomorrow, Miss A is starting "Fish Camp". That means that she's now a Freshman in high school. I can't believe it. She's in high school now!! I'm excited for her. I'm actually excited for me too, because I will be going to some of the football games at school. I have never been to a single high school football game in my life. I'll be making up for it this year.

This week will be jam packed with stuff. We have the start of camp, a Freshman Parent meeting on Tuesday, nothing Wednesday that I know of, Thursday is Roundtable (Scouts) AND karate, Friday is nothing and then Saturday, I have Dan Training AND Band Registration. Then next week, there's a lot going on...I think I'm free for karate on Tuesday, but there's something Thursday. I have to take Miss A to get her school schedule on Thursday the 13th too. I'm wishing I was an atom at this point...I need to be able to break off into multiple little particles!!

The entire month is going to be crazy. Click here for the band calendar and you'll see what I mean!

Sunday, August 2

I must have mis-timed myself yesterday. I went out and walked the track at the high school again today. Today's time was 19 minutes, 21 seconds. I didn't take my son with me today, so that might have something to do with it. I also worked on my breathing. I walked most of that first lap fairly slowly, but then started walking faster by the last end of the track. My husband was with me and all I heard was "goodbye" as I pulled away from him. I wasn't out to race him, I was out to walk. I didn't have my MP3 player with me, so I wasn't regulating my steps to music. I was just out to walk. I did work on my breathing. I tried to breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth as I was walking. It seemed to be the thing to do. That is something I can do on a regular basis. You THINK you know how to breathe, but sometimes it turns out, you don't really know.

Anyway, I feel successful, so I'll be working on maintaining this time at the recommendation of a couple of friends. As long as I hold this pace for the next few weeks, I'll be in good shape. I can then strive to decrease the time by a minute or two. By the end of the month, I should be walking a mile in 17 minutes. By the end of September, I can aim for 15 minutes and by the end of October, I can aim for 13 minutes. My goal will be to strengthen myself to the point where I'm shaving off a few minutes every two weeks. I think it's a reachable goal.

Run number 1

I did my first run today. I didn't do so well, as I had at least expected to run the mile in in 15 minutes. Instead, I ran it in 25 minutes. Oh well. I'm disgusted with myself, but it gives me something to work toward. I WILL get my time down!!
I spent the first lap just walking. Laps 2-4, I walked and ran. I ran the straightaways and walked the ends. I noticed that I was huffing and puffing a LOT when I finished running, so I figure that I've got a lot of work to do in that regard. I know I'm not breathing right. I've got to work on breathing from my diaphragm, not from my upper chest. I know it sounds goofy, but another running friend told me that I need to breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. You'd think that after 44 years, I'd know how to breathe, but that's not the case when it comes to running! I will work on that.

I need to work on stretches that will help me not be stiff and sore afterwards. I have experienced pain in the back of my right ankle in the past and I don't want to have it continue, so that is a point of research today.

Fitness obsession...

I haven't worked out this week, other than a martial arts class on Tuesday. I missed last night because I wasn't feeling well. I'm actually a bit bummed that I didn't make it. I feel better when I work out!
I can tell I haven't done anything because I don't feel as "sharp". I'm a bit more tired and am dragging. It's amazing how well your body responds to physical activity!

I'm taking my son to the track tomorrow morning. We're going to start working on running together. Both of us have to run a mile. It's great about being "old"...I have the same requirement as him!! While I'm not looking forward to the run, I AM looking forward to the activity first thing. I have missed it this week!

I let a friend borrow my Wii Fit, balance board and EA Sports Active, so I haven't been doing them this week. I'll get them tonight and will start back in on them tomorrow or Sunday. Probably tomorrow, AFTER I run. I have no excuses. One of my co-workers told me that for weight loss, running was probably the best thing I could do for myself. He recommended that I start running first and *then* start doing pushups. I don't quite agree with that...but I know I have to work on my core and get it strong enough to support my weight. Part of that will happen from doing crunches, the other part will come from improving my overall fitness.

I guess I need to restart my fitness goals. It's the beginning of a new month, a new 30 day Challenge to address. It's going to be a fun month!!

Training accountability

Last night, I talked to one of my instructors and asked her to help me start running and training myself to get into better shape and get ready for the possibility of testing in the future. She's in school full time and probably won't have that much time, but she suggested something really good to help motivate me. She suggested that I start posting my workouts on my blog. I'll be putting it over at my training blog (Martialartsmusings). That way, I'll have public accountability for what I'm doing.

I can do pretty much everything they ask of me in class, although in my eyes, it's not quite up to the standards I think it needs to be at. I need to step up further and do more. For example--last night, Ms. M had the kids in her Beginner's class do Roman Chairs. You put your back against the wall and slide down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Then you HOLD it for a period of time. Ms. M is super athletic and had no problems with it. I did it with the kids as I was waiting for their class to end. I could NOT go down until my thighs were parallel to the floor. A green belt pointed that out to me. I started to go down and felt a "ping!" in my right knee, so I stopped. Of course, I need to either get that "ping" looked at or work through it. What I should have done last night was to work through it. That would have been better than just doing that halfway. I have work to do to get to that point again. I WILL do it.

I sent an email to the Masters last night (and copied in a couple of people I know can also push me), asking them to please help me stay accountable for my work outs. I have a certain number of pushups and crunches that I have to do, plus I have to run a mile in ten minutes. I'm going to start working the mile aspect because I'm afraid that my years of inactivity have caught up to me. I'm severely a couch potato. I'm not afraid to do most things, but I've never seen myself as a runner. Time to break out of that mold.

If you are a reader here and you want to go over to Martialartsmusings and give a nudge or a push there as well, please feel free. There's a link in my sidebar under Martial arts blogs. If not, please nudge me here. At this point, I'm taking all the help I can get.

Honest Blog

I was tagged/awarded by Claus to list 10 honest things about me. This is a bit of a challenge, but I'm going to have fun with it. Sooo...here goes:

1. I love the rain. I like to listen to it falling outside. It's relaxing and soothing.
   


2. I don't have an artistic bone in my body, unless it's an ability to write.
   


3. I'm afraid of falling down. You'd think that with my karate training, I wouldn't be so afraid, but I am.
   


4. I am not a natural athlete. I have just recently reversed my apathy toward working out and am enjoying it more and more.
   


5. My favorite thing to do on the weekend is to sit on the couch with a cup of coffee and enjoy the sunrise. I prefer to be alone durin gthis time.
   


6. I have never been across either of the borders of the United States. I used to live in Washington state, but never made it across the border to Canada. Never made it to Mexico either.
   


7. I'm afraid of bridges.
   


8. I am a book hoarder. My apartment is packed with bookshelves and books.
   


9. I envy my daughter her talent for art and music. I wish I was able to draw like she does and I'd dearly LOVE to have a scrap of musical talent to lay claim to.


10. I have a tendency to be hyper critical of myself. I'm working on trying to fix that, but it's hard to break a habit of so many years.
    

Five people are supposed to play along. I'm not sure I know of five people who aren't on other lists who might want to do this. I would duplicate people from Claus' list: Vessie, I Pity the Rhino, Gal Friday, and Cessie, but I'll have to add in Go West as well. No pressure though. If you don't wish to list your unknown facts - if you still have any - don't even sweat it. Just grab the award.

Putting a plan into motion

I think I've decided to run myself through another 30 day challenge using the Wii Active. I enjoyed that and *I* see results, even if my husband does not! 99.9% of your success is mental anyway, or so I think, sooo...that's my plan. It feels really good to workout in the mornings before work anyway!!

I talked to my instructor on Saturday for a brief moment. At some point or another, we are going to get together and choose a weapon for me to start training with. In case you're interested in it, go here and read "Choosing your Weapon".

I'm currently listening to the whispers of the men on the other side of the wall from me. I'm at work earlier than normal. I can't stand being late, so I generally get to work on Mondays at least 30 minutes early. It gives me time to get my first (and possibly second!) cup of coffee, have breakfast and read my mail.
Plus I can pull myself together and get organized--as organized as I can be--before the calls start rolling in. The only downfall is, people know I'm in my cube and come over to ask me LOADS of questions!

I was tagged by a friend to do an honest blog, and I will do that in a bit. For now, I'm about to go get myself another cup of coffee, find an address and mail a card for the little man. He wrote a thank you card to a friend, plus he wrote her a letter too, and I promised to mail it for him. It'll go out today and arrive...well, we don't know when it'll arrive. Hopefully she'll enjoy receiving it!

30 Day Challenge completed!!

My first 30 Day Challenge on the Wii Active by EA Sports is over as of this morning. There were 20 workouts in the challenge. I did all 20 of them. I enjoyed the challenge. I actually changed up my intensity about halfway through. I changed it from the easy intensity to the medium intensity. I will go ahead and go foward with the next 30 Day Challenge and do it on the medium to hard intensity setting. Of course, I've also made my own workouts and will work on those as well. I'm going to give myself tomorrow off as it would be a normal rest day anyway. I'll start again on Tuesday morning.

I've gotten into a routine. I think I've posted before that it takes 21 days of repetition to make a habit. I love the fact that my habit is one that breaks my 'couch potato' habit. I like the feeling of empowerment I'm feeling by taking control of my life. I've given myself the permission to workout, to feel good. It's wonderful!!

Yesterday was Open Training at the dojang. I got a chance to work on falling. I'm not the best person for falling, but I worked with Ms. S. She's a great teacher for the falls. I did back falls slowly--you have to work up to the confidence to fall better. We also worked on front falls from a kneeling position. I'm glad we did that because I'd be worried about falling from a standing position (for now). I have to work on falls though because going forward, I have Ho Sin Sul and One Steps that require falls. There is one One Step (#18) that requires the defender to fall and execute a side kick to the attacker's groin/inner thigh. I need to work on that one. The fall first, not the kick!! That'll come over time.

Not my normal Saturday routine

This morning I started my workouts earlier than normal for a Saturday. I got up at 5:30 and knocked out two workouts--the 30 day challenge workout and one of my own devising. I'm a bit tired, but feel like it's worth it. I actually got a chance to sit here without anyone else up for an hour and a few after the workouts, so that's a plus. I rather like being able to sit quietly and not have to worry about what time any certain cartoon is on or whatever. Currently Mr. A is watching some weird cartoon on television. It's a huge change from when I was a kid. Then, Bugs Bunny was the thing to catch on Saturday morning.

I have to talk about Mr. A for a minute too. On Thursday, he and Ms. M had a talk about his progress. They reviewed his progress sheet and she set a couple of goals for him to achieve this next week--like not talking out of turn during class. If he makes that goal by Thursday, then he will move up from the Beginner class to the Advanced Beginner class. I have warned him that the instructor of the AB class is not going to take any nonsense off him as she's a teacher outside of the school too. That will make him settle in and concentrate a little bit, I hope!!

He sat through my class on Thursday fairly well. For a while, I know he was playing with my cell phone, then he put it into my bag and just watched as we ran through our One Steps and Ho Sin Sul. Then he watched as we moved into the other room and worked on our Bunkai. That was a refreshing thing! He was complimented and told that people forgot that he was in there because he was so quiet. I was very proud of him. I told him that too.

We have Open Training today at 11:30. I'm taking Mr. A with me because he can work on his form and on techniques. I'm going to work with my friend, K, on forms, One Steps and Ho Sin Sul. She'll be testing at our next test and I want to help her brush up. Plus, it helps me out because I can brush up on the White through Green belt one steps too. I also have to concentrate on learning the Red Belt one steps, so that's on my list to practice too.

Movies and letter writing

We went and saw Harry Potter today. It was the first movie I have actually gone to a theater to see since Ratatouiile came out years ago. Needless to say, I was thoroughly impressed by the movie. Did it follow the book? No, not 100%, but since I've read the books, I do understand the parts that were skipped and the parts that were combined. I'm looking forward to the next two. They're making Deathly Hallows into two movies, one to come out in November of 2010 and one to come out in July of 2011.

My son is going to sit down and write his first letter on the computer tonight. He has to write a thank you letter to a friend who has helped him out with information on conservation. He *has* to write the letter and it must be 1. Legible, hence the writing on the computer; and 2. It must make sense and not reference video games (which he would do if he was allowed to!). I will proof his letter, but I'm going to let him do the writing. I am not going to lurk at all. Okay, not going to lurk much!!

I'm going to start in on another letter myself. I *FINALLY* finished writing a letter to a friend in Europe on Friday and it went out in the mail on Friday too!! I'm not carrying it around in my bag anymore. Now hopefully I can get my next letter written and mailed in a timely fashion. I've not been a great pen friend but am going to make a concerted effort to do better.

Letter writing is an art form, one which I need to improve. I like to write, but at times, I feel like I'm writing stupid, inane things. I don't want my readers to think that I'm a class a geek or anything. I just want to convey how things are going on my end. A letter should be, in my opinion, more than just an exchange of information. It's a snippet of someone's life. I want to share my experiences with my friends, but I don't want them to be bored. I guess it's a case of being hyper critical of myself.

Exercise

Thursday night in class, Mr. L gave us a new workout for our glutes that he got from his physical therapist. You stand on one foot, such as your left. Raise your right foot out behind you. As you do, you hinge forward from your hips and reach with your right hand. If you can get down a little lower, that's a good thing.. Keep reaching. It's an incredibly good stretch for the glutes. He had us do this several times during the warm up. I am going to work on that here too because I liked the stretch. There's another stretch we do for the glutes where you are on the floor with one leg bent at an angle. The opposite leg is straight back. You lean forward over the one leg and get the stretch in your glutes that way. I actually enjoy that exercise. I like the stretch. I really should stretch daily but don't. I make excuses about "not having the time" but I know I can make it. I just have to get my lazy butt up and moving.

Today was my 14th out of 20 exercises on the Active. I had boxing today, which I enjoy, as well as baseball and tennis. The tennis was pretty good. I was able to hit a good forehand swing. I'll never play at Wimbledon, but it was a good exercise. I'm practicing using my hips more. I've got to work on that because it translates to karate as well as every day things. In the boxing, I'm working on getting the stances down and the foot positions.

I'm turning into an exercise junkie, I think. I don't run (yet), but I definitely think that I'm getting somewhere with exercising. Once this 30 day challenge is finished, I think I might just go ahead and start another one. I really like the feeling I get from the exercise.

The halfway point

As I've mentioned before, I'm doing the Wii Active 30 Day Challenge. Today was the halfway point for me. I bumped up my intensity level to "medium' because I felt that I wasn't working hard enough on the "easy". It's a nice little program. I rather like it. I totally feel like I'm seeing results, even if my husband does tell me "it's only cellulite". I will NOT let him get me down. If I want to think I'm seeing results, then I'm going to see results! There is a LOT to be said for the power of positive thinking. I've gone so far as to condition myself to *not* get unhappy about about the running and lunges. In fact, I actually like the lunges. Okay, if I'm 100% honest, I don't like the running and the lunges, but I won't be negative about them because I feel like it'll go against what I'm trying to train.

After my workout, I went into my closet to find a shirt that I wanted to wear to karate today and decided to try on a pair of pants that I haven't been able to wear for a while. They FIT! Even better was the pair of jeans (size 18, yes, I'll mention it) that fit!! They were not comfortable, but I could get them on AND I could button them up. That, to me, is progress. I'm happy about that! It was a welcome thing to find out! I'm not ready to wear the jeans, but I can be happy that the exercise routine seems to be working out!!

I reached the halfway point today. I have two weeks to go until the finish of the "game". Once I hit that month mark, I'm going to start another 30 days. I am really happy about it. It's giving me an ego boost and I feel immensely better about myself.

One year ago

One year ago, I made a decision that changed my life in a good way. I left my old martial arts school. For a month or so, I floated, not doing anything, not part of a group of anything. Then I found BTK, attended a Dan Training, then showed up for a few classes and now I'm here and I'm not going away.

I am celebrating my one year anniversary. I'm a part of a bigger whole, a part of a family with BTK. I have friends who respect me. I have friends too, who are more than willing to give me a swift kick in the butt for being a whiny butt (and you know who you are!). I appreciate you, even if I don't tell you!!

I'm totally over myself and my ego. I had a huge case of "this is how things have to be." when I came into this school. Thanks to a few people who took the time to *care*, I have learned to let go of my pre-set conceptions about what I should or shouldn't be able to do. If I don't do things the way they're done in BTK, I can modify what I know to move forward and learn how to do things in this school. You need to check your ego at the door here. Nobody is better or worse than anyone else. Yes, there are people with much experience, but you know, that's because of their training, not because they're better or worse than anyone else. THAT is something I like! It's a nice feeling to know that if someone is demonstrating something to you, it's not for a "shock and awe" factor, but rather from the fact that they *know* the technique to demonstrate to the class.

Who would have thought that one year ago, I would have considered changing things? I'm glad I did.

Vacation doings

We're having a "staycation" this year, but it's turning out to be fairly pleasant. Yesterday, we did very little, just hung out at home, watched movies and played games on the Wii. Today, we went to the National Boy Scout Museum in Irving and had a lot of fun, walking around. We looked at many paintings by Norman Rockwell and some of the other paintings and drawings by his successors. That was very impressive. For a while, we were the only ones in the painting gallery, so the docent came over and talked to us. He explained the paintings to us and helped the kids find the "problem" with one of Rockwell's paintings. It wasn't a problem, per se, but it was an unusual one for two reasons: 1. Rockwell painted himself in it and 2, one of the Scouts shown was painted with only one leg. It was really a neat painting. Rockwell had some serious talent.

We went into a different gallery and watched a quick movie on Scouting. They had a mannequin of Lord Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting that was so lifelike, it wasn't even funny! It watched us, literally. We found out that a lot of famous people had been Scouts. People like Presidents Gerald Ford, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter; Buzz Aldrin, Bill Gates, Neil Armstrong (he was an Eagle Scout), the late Robert McNamara. It was a good learning experience.

After the museum, we came home and worked on the little man's requirements for Weebelos. He described to me what three of the parts of his uniform are (the kerchief, slide and hat), plus told me when and where he could wear his uniform and where he couldn't wear it. We also looked at the requirement for his "Forester" Badge and his "Handyman" badge. He's on the verge of earning the Handyman and on the verge of earning a science and math belt loop. I didn't know how much was involved in Boy Scouts!!

Tomorrow I have a visit to my dentist to fix a broken filling. That should be loads of fun (NOT!). I'm highly fussy about my mouth and can't stand things like shots and whatnot. I won't be in a good mood because I suspect I won't be able to have my morning coffee. I think I'll just make sure I drink a ton of water before I go.

Note: Today was a "rest" day, so I don't have a workout to talk about today.

Day 6 of the 30 Day Challenge

Since we bought the Wii Active, I've been faithful to the program. I AM working out every day, even if I'm not blogging about it here. I've noticed a few minor changes. The changes I'm seeing not everyone else will see right away as they don't see me as I do. I'm pretty happy about it though. I'm noticing that I am getting smaller and it looks like my arms are gaining definition. I'm going to stick with it because it's a lot of fun. I can only imagine what my poor downstairs neighbors think though...there's an "inline skating" thing that has me jumping to do "tricks". I haven't quite mastered that yet. I hate jumping, but I'm getting better.
Tony pointed out to me today that I have a tendency to land hard on my heels when I'm running, so I need to work on that. It may be the cause of some of my foot pain. I'm not sure yet. I'm going to practice running on a track tomorrow, not on the carpet in the living room. It's a "rest" day for me on the Active, so I CAN go to the track. I am noticing now that I'm happier when I'm exercising daily. Must be that endorphin high I keep hearing about!!

I have 20 more workouts to do on this 30 day challenge thing. I'm happy to keep at it. Once that challenge is over, I might just start a second one. I'm not sure yet. We shall have to see. I know I need to start working on pushups and crunches too. Those are important to my martial arts studies, so I'm going to work on them too.

Day 5

Sunday we broke down and bought the Wii Active. Since then, I've been using it regularly, as part of my "normal" exercise routine. I feel pretty good about it. I'm not the best at some of the exercises, but they will come to me. They will also help me with my martial arts. Today, for example, I had lunges (oh, ick!) and boxing. The lunges are a necessary evil, I believe, because I need to build the strength in my legs and Master M told me that they were a way to do just that.
I also had some "boxing" today. This is nothing like the rhythmic boxing that the Wii Fit has. This is aiming at actual targets. If you "break" the target, that's good, but if you at least make the attempt to hit it, that's good too. I definitely will have to learn to use my hips as I'm doing the game. It's a good plan of attack because it'll help me improve my kicking skills too. Kicking=use of hips. Boxing=use of hips. See the correlation?

Anyway, this was day 5 of the Wii Active 30 day challenge that I'm doing. I'm pretty pleased. I've managed to keep up with it so far. I'm not getting discouraged. I'm actually laughing because it has "inline skating" that makes you first crouch way down (to gain speed), then JUMP really high. It's to do a "trick", but that depends on when you jump. If you don't jump at the beginning of the ramp, your avatar lands very hard. (If a person landed the way that avatar does, they'd have broken ankles!!)

I'm on vacation now. I won't be at work until the 15th of this month. I don't know what the guys are going to think. I don't know if I'm even going to worry about it. I've stressed out over doing a good job for so long, it's good to just let someone else worry about it. Of course, in the back of my mind is a small "what if they don't do it the way I want it done?", but...I'm not going to let it bother me. I'm going to enjoy myself. We're going to do home stuff and hang out here. We MIGHT go to Houston for a day, just to see Tony's Grandmother and uncle. That is a "might". We could also go to Oklahoma and also to Shreveport. I'm considering all of those things.

Forms

Tonight I think I FINALLY got my head wrapped around forms again! I practiced Pyung Ahn Ee Dan, Pyung Ahn Sam Dan and Pyung Ahn Sa Dan tonight and was able to do them. Ms. M corrected something I was doing incorrectly on Sa Dan, and I was able to pick it back up and keep going. That made me very happy with myself. So after class, I talked to Master G and was talking about how I "couldn't remember" Pyung ahn Oh Dan. Well, guess what? Not only did I apparently lie about that, I managed to do the *entire* form in front of him and did it all the way through, correctly!

Bear in mind, I've been fighting myself for the past 9 months to convince myself that I did know Pyung ahn Oh Dan. I hadn't actually TRIED to do the form, just reviewed it mentally. That wasn't enough. I figured that since I've been working on trying to reclaim my forms, I'd go ahead and brush up on them and get them back. After all, I am a Dan and need to remember them. I'd been setting myself up for failure by saying "I can't". Well, I CAN!
I was literally jumping up and down and getting excited in front of Master G because I DID!!! It was so exciting to see that I DID remember that particular form!!! YAY!!

Ms. M made the recommendation that I just pick a form and drill it over and over. I'm so glad that she made that recommendation! It felt really good to hear Master G call out a form, which I had been doing and I was able to do it and do it RIGHT!!! My next step is to keep working on Pyung ah Sa Dan this week, plus review of Sam Dan and Ee Dan.

Methods of training

I talked the hubby into going out and letting me get the Wii Active today. One of my FB friends recommended it. I tried it as soon as I got it home. I went through a hard 20 minute workout, but I'm not complaining! I enjoyed that workout and feel like I accomplished something. I need to make sure I warn my downstairs neighbors that I'll be doing some running, in addition to other things. I need to be careful, however, since I've somehow managed to hurt my right heel. I don't know if it's Achilles tendonitis (which is what hubby thinks) or if it's Plantar fascitis, but whatever, I don't plan on aggravating it too much! If necessary, I'll talk to the Masters on Tuesday and ask to be excused from running...or I'll just walk. We shall see. I don't want special dispensation from anyone. I just want to do my best and work hard. They expect hard work, I expect to give it.

In Open Training yesterday, I worked with Mr. D about a rear choke hold grab. It was interesting. It's a matter of someone grabs you, then you smack them in a highly vulnerable spot, twist, elbow them in the ribs, on either side of their body. It worked very well for me. Of course, he was about my height. I haven't tried it with someone taller than me...YET. I need to make hubby practice with me. I worked with the little boy on wrist grabs. I needed the practice and he can help. It was a good thing. He's learning (somewhat by osmosis, maybe) how to get away from someone who grabs him by the wrist. I'm going to keep working with him and also with Ms. A on the wrist grabs. They're good for both kids to know. I talked to Master G about working on them with little A. MG said that it was okay for him to work with me. I have a goal to learn the Ho Sin Sul by the end of the year. I need to get all of the Ho Sin Sul learned. I have no excuses. It's a reasonable goal. I even let the cat out of the bag and told Master G that I have set myself this goal. I WILL make it happen! I know at least 3 of the Ho Sin Sul by memory--they're all wrist grabs, but still, I can do them.

GOOD LUCK BBM!!

Good luck tonight, BBM!!
I know you'll do well! You won't settle for less than 100% effort!

Go get 'em!!

Results of the first week.

I know, logically, you don't actually SEE results from working out in a short time, but...it's been officially two weeks since I started adding in weights at the Y to my pre-martial arts class workouts. I swear that I am seeing results in the mirror. I see my shoulders looking more...well, more defined!! I know it's not really something you see right away, but to me, I'm going to continue believing it. Half the battler is belief. If you believe in yourself, you will have a lot of confidence to continue. That's why I'm going to start telling myself I CAN and WILL finish a lap as I'm running around the building on Tuesday.
I have lost two pounds since I started working out daily. I have to admit that I took Friday off, despite saying that I would work out, but that's fine. I've done cardio every day since (yesterday and today) and I've also done my workout during the week. I'm starting to feel much better.

An update on the creepy caller

I just got home from taking A some clothes so that she could spend the night at a friend's house. She went to Hawaiian Falls (it's a water park) with this friend and called at 4:00, asking if she could spend the night. I said yes because she deserves a break from us. I'll go pick her up at 10:00 tomorrow morning and she'll be mine again. LOL!

While I was dropping off the clothes for A, I took the opportunity presented to me to talk to S's mom about our caller. Apparently he's also been calling S. NOT cool. From what they told me, this creep told S that she was "retarded". She answered him "How nice." and hung up on him. Good for her!! I told her parents how to trace the call (*57, $9.00/call but they WILL be able to trace the boy!) and how to block anonymous calls (*77, IF your phone service allows it!!).
From what I gathered, when he was talking to S's parents on the phone (also after 10 PM on that first call!), it sounded like there were multiple people in the room. S's mom is going to go to the Police Department and file a report as well.

We had one more call on Wednesday when A and S were chatting on the phone, but since nobody answered the phone, he may have given up. One can only hope. If not, we trace his calls and get him that way.

YAY! I'm last!!!

We ran before class last night. I was one of the last ones out the door and DEFINITELY the last one in from the run. We only did two laps around the building, but sheesh! I swear, I'm in class with a bunch of gazelles!! They're all MUCH younger than me and in better shape. I didn't get discouraged by the fact that I was last though...I even made a joke to Master M...I came in and told her later, "Yay! I'm last!!!" We only had to run 2 laps around the building, but man! That was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I walked most of it but did manage to shuffle myself into something resembling a run for a little bit. Master M told me to keep at it...just do my best. Eventually I'll get myself into a better place, running wise. I'll never pass a physical torture, er, test, if I don't start working on it now.

We focused on doing the forms with weights in class this week. It was a bit of a challenge to not just flail out with the weights. On Tuesday, I used 5 pound weights and last night, I went down to 3 pound weights. Before class, I ran on the elliptical for four minutes (with only ONE break!); did triceps presses, some sort of lift for the deltoids and a machine that was called a "fly". I tried to increase my reps and decrease the weight. My chiropractor told me to go for more reps, lower weight, so I listened. (yes, she *can* be trained!)

I know what I need to do to improve my overall health and fitness. It's called KEEP WORKING! I didn't do my Wii workout this morning, but I am NOT beating myself up over it. I figure yesterday was a huge workout, in terms of the weight lifting before, running and weights during, then the kicking workout (15 reps per leg, three different kicks--side, front and roundhouse) was enough to allow me to skip working out this morning. Tonight is another story. I definitely plan on working out when I get home!!

Day 3

Well, this morning I wasted a good 15 minutes of my workout time trying to figure out the television controls. I finally had to wake up T and get him to show me how to work it. I'm the only one who doesn't use the remote for the television...if I did, then I'd know how to change things to the video setting.
It all worked out though...I did get in my boxing and felt pretty good, all things considered. I'm planning on doing it again in the morning. I asked my chiropractor about it today and he said it was good. He wants me to continue with my plan to work on my triceps and biceps and recommended that I use the butterfly machine as well. He wants me to use less weight and do more reps and really PUSH through the last set of reps. I'll put that to the test tomorrow. I'll be back over at the Y at 6:30 and can wait out the little boy's class while working out.
Dr. B also told me to start running on the elliptical machine 3 times a week. He said in about a month, I'll have the endurance to run on it for 16 minutes. Hmmmm. I'll work up to that!

Anyway...I'm off to get my rest so that I can attack my workout in the morning again.

Say goodbye to the Couch Potato

I'm a self avowed couch potato. I have spent the better part of my adult life being a couch potato. No exercise to very little at best. Then I discovered martial arts and that changed my life a bit. At first, I worked out only in class, but as I improved my skills, I realized that I was losing weight and having fun with it. At one point, I had the grandiose plan to run a 5k, so I trained for it with friends. That happened in 2005. I was out *every* Saturday morning, running or walking with friends. It was hard work, but a lot of fun and definitely something I enjoyed for a bit. After that race, we kind of let our walking/running fall by the wayside and never picked it back up again. I was back to being a couch potato.

During the end of 2006 to 2007, I was in some pretty heavy training for my Cho Dan. I was in full training from July to September of 2007 to get in shape for my test. After that, my training went downhill a bit. It picked up a little in January of 2008 and lasted until March. After that, I wasn't really working as hard as I had been for the past year, so I started gaining weight again. It was just a little here and a litte there, but it got me worried about it. I didn't do that much for it--I assumed that I could just keep up my intermittent workouts and that I'd be fine. After all, I had lost weight by doing a lot of intense working out in 6 months. That wasn't the best thing for me, but I truly wasn't motivated.

I think something finally "clicked" for me. I have to take 100% responsibility for my own health. I can't afford to sit back and let the pounds creep back on.
I've joined that "Biggest Loser" thing at the complex and haven't really done that much exercise. Saturday, I went swimming with the kids. Sunday, hubby and I walked for at least 4 miles. We don't know the exact distance because we don't own a pedometer. I feel really good about what I'm doing. I have made two days of playing on my Wii Fit. I put in 30 minutes yesterday and 45 minutes today. If I plan to make that time to play, I think it'll be a good thing.

In addition to the Wii today, I plan on getting onto the eliptical machine at the Y and trying to build up my time on it. I went 2 minutes on Tuesday and 4 (with many rests both days!!) on Thursday. It's a start. I am starting to find that I LIKE exercise. Why it has taken me 44 years to learn to like it, I don't know, but I'm just pleased as punch for it.

We have Wii Sports too, so I'm going to play with the son in a few minutes.
My goal is simple--I need to lose thirty pounds again by the time I visit my doctor next year. Thirty pounds in a year is a good goal. It's roughly 3 pounds a month, which I'm sure is doable. I will feel better and I KNOW I'll look better.
My martial arts will also improve as I improve myself.

So, who is this suddenly new person? Was I taken over by "pod people"? I am finding that I LIKE working out. Couch potato? Bye!!

Birthdays

My oldest turned 14 today. I have been teasing her about being "old", but I'm really proud of her. I almost can't believe she's 14. We talked about that today as we were going from Target to Walmart and then back to the house. She has really been patient, all things considered. I told her I'd highlight her hair for her this summer as a present to her. I think she'll like it.

So, this has been a great day for us. I made her a birthday cake...and I think we shall do many, many more home-made cakes. She requested a "Red Velvet" cake, so I made that for her and iced it with white icing, then sprinkled red and blue sprinkles on it. It was a hit with everyone. I'm glad because I wanted to make sure it was something everyone would like. Mr. A is fussy and won't eat chocolate. I get tired of white cake, so the red velvet cake was a good compromise.

Take a hint

Unfortunately, our caller from Monday night decided to call back. I answered, he asked for A and this time I let her talk to him. He gave her his "name" and she, smart cookie that she is, said, "Sorry, I don't know who you are. Goodbye." and hung up on him. THEN he decided to call back, so T answered the phone. He called not once more but twice more. The first time, he told T that he was someone else. THEN he called back again and started in on T about something. I didn't hear both sides of it, only T's side. We tried anonymous call block on the phone, but it apparently isn't activated. T called the Police Department and went down there to file a complaint. I hope they can trace that phone number because I'd really, really like the boy's parents to know what he's doing. He's not being "cool" or "funny" or anything else. All he is doing is irritating the adults in the house and making A think she's got a stalker.

Let's all keep our fingers crossed that they can find out who this is and stop him from calling.

Four days off

As of the moment I walked out the door of my office tonight, I am on vacation!!
It's only for a couple of days, but I wanted to give A a break from her brother. She's been wonderful with him for the past few days. They went to one of her friends' house yesterday and did "girlie things" while he played on the Wii.
Then Tony picked him up and took him to the dentist and she stayed at the friend's house. I met them at Braums and picked her up. (Braums is a local dairy/ice cream shop/food market. Small and yet...mmmm! I'm spoiled. I won't drink milk from the grocery store any more. Braums milk has me spoiled...but I digress...)
So, anyway, we came home and I got ready for karate.

On the subject of karate, Mr. A is now taking lessons again. Tuesday was rough since he hadn't taken his medication, but yesterday was a different day. I didn't hover outside his classroom TOO much yesterday. I took advantage of a recommendation from my friend, Ms. S. I hit up the eliptical machine again. She recommended it on Tuesday as I was so wound up and stressed that she thought it would do me some good. I used one on Tuesday for *maybe* 3 minutes. I'll say 2 because that's more likely the case. Yesterday, I went for a whole whopping 4 minutes. That was including many rests. I am not going to get down on myself...I tried! That's the big thing there!

I also used a machine to help me build my triceps and deltoids. I did two sets of fifteen reps on the triceps and two sets of ten on the deltoids. I also fiddled with the weights to get an idea of what I need to do to fix myself. My friend DB told me, "You go, girl!" when I texted him about it. LOL! That was a fun text to receive.

Class last night was all about One Steps and Ho Sin Sul. Master F had us partner up and work together from our books on our One Steps and the Ho Sin Sul. Our instruction was to read the book, then attempt to execute the movement by what was written in the book, and then to practice it until you were comfortable with it. We did green belt, fourth Gup Ho Sin Sul and then worked backwards toward white belt, tenth Gup. Our instruction was to start with our highest One Steps and Ho Sin Sul and work down toward the lowest.
It is a fantastic learning experience for those of us who are just starting out in the school. I paired up with a young man who is very tall. He was a good partner to work with. We practiced a side headlock and a full nelson, plus using a backpack and of course, a few well placed kicks. In reading over the side headlock Ho Sin Sul, I looked up at him and said, "you're going down". He kind of snickered, but we both knew it was written to be a take down. I need to practice it as a takedown because that's the best way to learn it. It has to be highly controlled and I made a note on that. I actually read the Ho Sin Sul book before class started and made myself notes. It was a bit fun to have Master F call that particular drill for class.

After class, I talked to Master M for a bit and told her that I felt like it was all coming together for me. She gave me some tips on strengthening my legs so that I can get up and down during the opening of class or any time we have to go down to the floor and get back up. She also made a recommendation on doing my crunches. Still have to work on getting to goal. I know what my number is and I do plan on getting there. I won't set a specific date here (after all, you never know who reads your blogs), but if anyone's interested in asking outside of the blog, I'll cheerfully tell you.

Anyway...I'm going to spend the next four days practicing martial arts and relaxing. I am also sneaking in to see my chiropractor and get my back adjusted because it's been a month and I can now feel my back again. That's not what I want!!

Rest. Martial arts. Rest. It's going to be a couple of really nice days.

Late night phone calls are NOT allowed...

I just fielded a phone call that was supposedly for my daughter. Mind you, the phone rang at 10:10 PM and I answered it. I heard a whispered, "I'm going to ask for Amanda..." as I said "Hello?" No answer. I said hello a number of times and finally got a "Can I talk to A?" I said "NO. Who is this?" He then proceeded to tell me that he needed to talk to her. I literally had to pry his name out of him. I told him that I don't allow phone calls at 10:00 at night. The last time we allow phone calls is 9:00. This "young man" let me have it, telling me that my daughter was going to be "of questionable morals" because I was "over protective". I came close to telling the little thing off, but I settled for telling him I didn't appreciate phone calls late at night. He asked for her cell phone number and I said, "she doesn't have one." That led to an expletive and question about "what kind of a child are you raising?" Hello? I am raising a child who is respectful of her elders, one who at this point hasn't gone into the "ahhh, boys!" mode and I'm happy about that. I went so far as to wake her up and question her about this person. She doesn't know who he is, but thinks it's one of the boys who gave her hell this past school year. I would dearly love to find his number and tell his parents about the late night phone call and lecture.
Am I over protective? I don't think so. I just think that I'm looking out for her best interests.

Eye opener

Yesterday, I had the good fortune to assist at the latest Gup test at BTK. I volunteered to help and was put to work, timing the runners during that part of their physical fitness testing. I guarantee this...after seeing an older gentleman blast past the younger people he was running with, I am GOING to learn to run. He made it look easy!!

I really was impressed by the way this test was run. I hadn't been that closely involved in the testing process at the old place, so I didn't realize how much work goes into setting up tests. I never had the opportunity to do anything in a helpful capacity. Basically, at the one or two tests I attended as a Dan, all I did was just lurk on the sides and make sure the kids weren't talking too loudly or goofing off.

This test was serious. It's not an automatic thing that you'll test. In our school, you have to be invited to test. I realized yesterday exactly how much the instructors see when they're running class. I know that they see a lot, but still...it was an eye opener to realize this. They have to see a lot of things in order to invite people to classes.

This school is a quality school, not a "belt mill". As I watched the students sparring, performing Ho Sin Sul and One Steps, I realized that there is a high expectation placed on each student. If we walk through the doors of this school and we sign up, we are accepting that expectation. We say, "Yes, I commit to working hard, to giving my best." During one point of the test, an examiner asked someone to show him more technique because he wanted to further observe and make sure that the student had learned what they were supposed to learn. They don't just run tests every month and at the end of the test, hand out belts and say, "Congratulations, you passed." This school makes you WORK for your belt.

Another thing I learned at the test yesterday...this school truly IS an extended family. I knew almost everyone there, with the exception of one Dan I didn't get to introduce myself to. When I walked in, the Dans from our other Dojang greeted me by name. They treated me with courtesy-we all know that karate begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy, but this is a living example of it. They are courteous to everyone. They demand the same courtesy from the people within.

What else can I say ? It was an experience that will remain with me for a long time to come.

A little of this, a little of that

Saturday was the Open Training and I was very glad I went. I got a chance to work on the first eight one steps and Ho Sin Sul. I remember the Bear Hug one and am going to make Tony practice it with me. It's always good to practice, especially when you've got someone who doesn't know what you're trying to do. I won't hurt him or anything, but I want to make sure I can perform that Ho Sin Sul properly for when we run through them in class this week. I'm going to attend one class...I have Cub Scouts on Thursday, so Tuesday is my only day.
That's my birthday, so I am hoping that I get a wickedly killer work out in.

Saturday afternoon, I got a quick lesson in picking out wood for the Gup test too. My friend, Ms. S, took me with her as she picked out the boards. That was an interesting concept. The first plank of wood we picked out was very light (for an 8-10 foot piece of wood!). The second one was heavier than the first. It was amazing--we could tell how wet it still was. Like I said, that was definitely an eye opener.

I got a very nice surprise from Miss Amanda on Saturday as well. We received (finally!) the scores from her state mandated tests in Social Studies/History and Science. I knew that she'd do well, but I wasn't prepared for HOW well she did!
She was commended on both of them! This is her third test this year that was Commended!! I am really proud of her!!

I signed up for a "Biggest Loser" thing with my apartment complex. I've finally decided to get smart about working on my health. We had to weigh in, plus they ran us through a fitness test. I did 32 crunches--my fitness goal for testing purposes, for my age, is 34, so I'm on target there. I don't EVEN want to mention the pushups, but I will anyway. I only did 5. I'm supposed to do 36 of them for fitness requirements, so that's something to work on. The trainer didn't allow "girlie" pushups (on your hands and knees). No, these were full on, "military style" pushups in a plank position. Can we say "more work needed"?? Yep, that's me!!

I was the shortest person there and the largest as well. All the other women were so small, I was questioning the "whys" of them, but I decided that I really don't CARE why they're there. I'm not going to be all self conscious about why I'm there. We all want to be healthy. *I* want to be healthy. I want to get some guidance in my work outs so that I can drop close to 100 pounds. It won't happen in 8 weeks, which is when the BL program runs, but if I lose about 4 inches, I will feel great. I am going to start pushing myself to get my butt out and exercising during lunch at work. I'm not taking being "large" anymore. Ms. S reminded me of something I said in my last black belt essay. I had written that "a black belt is an example to the rest of the martial arts community and others" (paraphrasing badly, I think), so I need to make sure that I'm providing a good example!

Full Circle

I recently had the opportunity to forward a copy of my black belt essay to a friend for her opinions. She came back with some incredibly interesting observations, ones that I wouldn't have even thought of.

One of the things she pointed out was that I had mentioned self discipline. That has been, up until recently, sadly lacking in my life. I had let myself get kind of ho-hum about my training. I worked really hard from October of 2006 to September of 2007 to earn my black belt. That started in March of 2007 and went onward to September, so I had six months to work on myself, to get myself into a better frame of mine mentally and get myself physically conditioned. Of course, at that time, the belt test only consisted of doing some physical things--jumping jacks (100), pushups, sit ups and then much technique and finally into forms and sparring. At the very end of the test, we broke boards, then the test was over.

I felt like I was really on top of my game at that time. I had to write an essay on what becoming a black belt meant to me. I still feel that it means that my hard work paid off. At this point, if someone asked me what does being a black belt mean, I'd seriously have to tell them that the journey is not over once you earn that belt. It's just beginning. That's actually how I feel right now.

I had a unique opportunity starting in July of 2008. I left my old school, feeling rather bummed and annoyed with the way things had been going. I didn't feel like I had been appreciated and there were hard feelings. I'm since over that because I've moved on. I built the proverbial bridge, so to speak. I gave up my irritation with the old ways and moved on to a school where things are different. I'm not complaining. I feel like it was a good move. Yes, I've had melt downs. I've gone through a period of time where I felt like I wasn't good enough for this school, where I doubted myself and my abilities. It took a good friend to send me an email telling me to get over myself for me to actually open my eyes.
In this school, nobody judges you on your abilities. If you don't know the Korean, well, they'll help you learn it. If you don't know a form quite the way this school does the form, they'll help you refine your ways. They're supportive, they help you and they encourage you to keep going. As an example, during Thursday's class, when we were doing our "ladder drill", I asked Ms. M if she could recommend something for turning my hips over more during kicks and she was happy to offer advice.

I've come full circle. I'm now looking at things in a new light. I feel like I'm learning discipline again. Yes, I do still have issues, but recently, I haven't found myself griping about how I "can't" do something. I attempt everything with an open mind and give myself the chance. I put myself into my training. You're only going to get out of your training what you put into it. If I want to get a good technique out of it, I need to put a good attitude into my training. I will not help anyone else if I'm negative and whiny, most especially myself.

For all this, I have to thank someone who is proving to follow one of the class tenents..."Honor Friendship". She truly is a person I'm honored to call my friend. If it hadn't been for her and several others, I wouldn't be thinking positively. I wouldn't be where I am now. At the beginning of *every* class, I tell myself that I will do my best. I don't care what I'm asked to do and I'm not going to make snarky comments to myself about what I'm doing. I'm actually learning to laugh at myself and the biggest thing...I'm leaning on my FRIENDS and working on improving things.

The next time someone asks me about my friends, I can honestly tell them that the martial artists I have met are some of the most loyal, most steadfast people I know. If it wasn't for the bluntness, patience, support and most of all, the sheer love these people have for their sport, I woudln't be feeling like I belong.

I've come full circle. I'm starting over and it is wonderful!! I'm back to being "obsessed" with martial arts. I feel something even more important. I. BELONG.

Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day, we need to remember the people who have fought to preserve our freedom. We salute those who fought for us and those who continue to fight on many different fronts.

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.

Feeling pretty good!

I'm feeling pretty good, despite feeling like I've just had my arms beaten to a light pulp from the one steps we worked on during class tonight. If I rest them on the computer, I can feel a couple of spots where there will be wickedly awesome bruises tomorrow or Thursday. Cool. I know, I'm odd. I am proud of my bruises because it means I worked hard!!

Tonight during class we worked on one steps and sparring. The one steps were great. We went through the first 8...and now I have to look at the highest one steps (tomorrow), grab the hubby and practice at least the top few and work my way down the list on them. I am feeling pretty confident I can do it.

We worked on sparring as well. The sparring was "contract sparring" where we told our partners what we wanted to work on. It was blocking for me, plus kicking and punching. At the very end, I worked with my friend, S, on sparring. She showed me how to put together combinations that would be effective. She suggested that I work on remembering that if I block with the front hand, I need to hit with the low hand or so on. Her suggestion was "think Rock 'em, Sock 'em Robots".

Master M called upon me tonight about a one step and fortunately, I had a bit of coaching from my partner, so I wasn't a complete boob about remembering. I did remember #4 without being prompted. I appreciate Master M showing us what she was expecting because it helps me get a clear picture in my mind of what I am expected to do. I think I've about decided I'm a visual learner. I have to be shown what to do in order to learn it. I think my kids are the same way. It makes sense though.

Tomorrow I'm going to work on Ho Sin Sul for a few minutes in the morning. I do have the first two memorized. There are 20, so I have 18 more to go. (hmmm, same number as the Funakoshi Codes I have to memorize. I'm on #13 there...)

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful Mother's Day. It's been a great day to do very little. I accomplished two things today. I got my daughter to the high school to work on her marching stuff and I walked a mile in ten minutes. In addition, I actually *ran* a little bit! I feel really good about that! I enjoyed that! I walked up around the end of the oval, ran the back straightaway to the second end of the oval and then walked the rest of the track. I did that twice. The first time, I actually managed to run sideways as well as running forward. I was trying to get Aidan to keep running. He was running with me but complained about it. I was trying to convince him that he could keep running since he's younger than me. He stopped, but that's okay. I just kept running until the end of the track. I did that twice, so I'm feeling pretty smug.

I also got Aidan to practice my first couple of Ho Sin Sul with me. He liked that. I have one and two down without much trouble. The next step is to get busy and learn 3 and 4 properly. I'll work on those at work this week. I made myself a bit of a promise--I'm going to learn my Ho Sin Sul and work on One Steps outside of class. My next step is to grab Amanda and get her to work on them with me.