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.

Whirlwind

It has been a really busy week! I traded hours with someone at work so that I wouldn't have to work until 6:30 pm on Monday. Tuesday, I took Amanda to her "First Steps in Band" practice. She had a blast. I was impressed by it and have to admit to suffering from "Helium Hand". I volunteered to help with the March-A-Thon the band holds every August before school starts, to raise money for the band. I'm going to walk with the kids about 3-4 miles. We'll be walking about a mile to get from one elementary school to another. The kids play their instruments during this March-a-thon. I think I'm more excited about it than Amanda is.

She did get chosen by a Drum Major to try out for his squad. Basically, what it means is that a Drum Major earns leadership points or something for teaching a Freshman to march. We're going to the school on Sunday for her to work with this boy. I"m going to be there, walking the track.

We also have Cub Scouts getting ready to end for the school year. I'm going to be the Den leader next year too, as Aidan's in Webelos (that will be his next rank). We have a camp coming up next month that I need to get ready for. After that it'll be Amanda's Band Camp in August. One of us will have to drop her off at the school practice field at 7:30 and pick her up (unless she gets a ride home from someone) at 3:30. It's going to make for a very long day for her. I kind of hope her friend, Sammi brings her home. It'll make things easier on us.
The first week of August is the Freshman camp, then there's the full band for the next three weeks. Their first performance will be the last Friday in August, in Longview, TX, which is 3 hours East of Allen. THAT ought to be fun!!

I spent the greater part of today in major stress. I'm not going to go into details, but I've decided that I'm letting it all go away. I'm not holding on to it.
Tomorrow is a new day.

I have letters to write that I have started and put off. The people I owe the letters to are extremely patient with me. I think it's time i sat down and scribbled out a note or three while I'm running my virus check tomorrow.
That's another day..

Mini Goal for May

Okay, I've set a mini goal for May.

I have to learn something for martial arts and I've decided that I will learn it by June 2nd. It's all of 20 lines, each of them referring to a saying by Master Gichin Funakoshi. I have the first 7 memorized, so I'm going to work on the last 20.

I can do it...

Balance

In talking to my chiropractor this week, I mentioned to him that I needed to learn to turn my hips over better when I'm doing side kicks. He mentioned to me that I needed to get a wobble board to work on improving my balance. My chiropractor is a martial artist and knows that you have to have balance in order to be able to get the movement down for the turn. When you perform a side kick, you need to be able to 1. Turn your hips over and 2. Allow your supporting foot to pivot. If you don't, you will not perform the kick correctly. He said that the wobble board would improve my balance and would allow me to be able to execute the kicks properly.

I missed a good class on side kicks a few weeks ago. K said that Master G had everyone lay on the floor and practice kicking. It helped improve the positioning. I have to make a point of practicing that at home. It will definitely help with the ability to learn how the kick should feel.

Tony told me that the Wii Fit board we have should do the same as a wobble board, but I'm not 100% convinced. Yes, it will work on balance, but is it enough to improve the balance properly? I'm going to keep that in mind.
I have the Wii Fit, but I don't use it. I haven't used it in nearly 6 months. It is time to dig it out and start using it.

Great week

This has been an interesting week. I went to class on Tuesday and on Thursday. By Thursday, I was counting in Korean. I learned a bit about the Korean flag. I can explain what the bars on the flag mean. I haven't learned the name of the Yin/Yang symbol in the middle of the flag, but I CAN tell you that the blue is Female, the red is male. On Tuesday, I worked with Master M and K on Pyung Ahn Ee Danm. I feel like I'm doing it better. It's definitely coming together. I learned how to transition to the inside/outside block, kick, reverse punch. That looks better now.

Last night we worked on hand techniques, then went on to work on kicks. Master F gave us a drill where we worked on a high x block. Please pardon me...I had the Korean for that but just let it escape. Sang Soo Sang Dan Mahkee...that's it!
We used a blocking tool, but I can just imagine how that would have felt if we'd been using actual swords/bats/whatever. That and one steps are my next things to work on at home. Well, one steps and Ho Sin Sul. I need that. I want to go back to class and be prepared.

I am also working on learning the Funakoshi codes. In our school, every first gup should be able to know these codes and explain them. It stands to reason that if I am walking into the position of Dan in this school, I must learn it as well, so that's what I'm working on. I DID just learn to count to ten in Korean so that's a good thing. I feel like I've crossed a bridge there. I'm getting somewhere.

In talking to my chiropractor about a few things, I mentioned that I didn't turn my hips over when I was doing side kicks.. He's a martial artist, so he had an answer for it. I need to get a "wobble board". My friend, S, said she got one after one of her knee surgeries. She swears by it. I'm going to look into it. Dr. B says that working on my balance will fix my kicking. I'll be less rooted and more balanced. I think it'll make a huge difference in everything--forms, technique, one steps, ho sin sul. I might even get past the fear of falling that I have. It's certainly worth a shot!!

A little of this, a little of that...

I am doing amazingly well in NOT going absolutely bonkers and nuts, all things considered today. It's my late day, and I had training first off. I didn't get off my last call until 2:00 and will have to get back on the phone at 2:30 because I will run into someone else's break if I go until 3:00. It's a crazy thing. I don't believe in taking other peoples' breaks...they prefer that courtesy, I hope. That doesn't mean that they'll return it, but you know what? I'm making the effort! That's all that matters.

I've about decided that I'm a closet writer. I don't write the best things, but I love to write. I really need to decide WHAT to write and then actually sit down and write. I may surprise myself. I haven't truly decided what I want to do "when I grow up", but I'm sure that another 20 years of answering the phones may do me in.

Hubby gave me a new camera as a combined Mother's Day/birthday present. I've got to find myself a CF card or an XD card for it now. It can take either one. I charged the battery yesterday, so now I have to get busy and read the manual.
I won't call myself a photographer, only an amateur, but I'm enjoying it. I have a dear friend I learned a lot from. I have to credit him for how some of my pictures turn out. I took a close up picture of a bluebonnet that I can credit Rhys for because I wouldn't have ever thought to get that close to one before we became friends.

Anyway...I suppose I need to get back on the phone. I only have a little over 3 hours left until I get to leave for the day!!

The return of me....

I've been working on my mental issues this week and this weekend. I may finally be feeling less moody and less down on myself. I know I haven't been in the right place in my head, but I've been working on that. I'm trying to tell myself nice things daily. I tried it a few months ago and gave it up, but I'm starting over. I want to give myself a fighting chance to be the person I know I want to be. I want to be happier and healthier.

I'm looking forward to this week. I have to work, of course, because I haven't won the darned lottery (YET), but...I'm making the best out of THAT situation. I can't control the crap that goes on--the people who appear to be doing other things than answering the phones, but I'm not going to worry about that too much. I'm not in charge. Someone else is. Until they give me the go ahead to worry about the phones, I'm only going to worry about me, not about others.

We're going camping with the family next weekend and that's going to be a great thing. I'm really, really looking forward to it. Getting out and about, enjoying being disconnected from cell phones, mp3 players, etc. I'm looking forward to that. I promised the boys that if I could get their Den leaders to agree to it, we'll all go out in the woods, close our eyes and listen to the sounds of the birds we'll hear out there. I also volunteered to be the MC on Saturday night at the campfire, when the boys are doing skits (this is a Cub Scout Family campout). I think I can handle it. Anyone who knows me, knows I have a big mouth. LOL! I'm going to have fun with it.

Tuesday and Thursday is karate. I wasn't in class last week due to Cubs and not feeling 100%, so this is going to be a good thing. I'm seeing my doctor on Wednesday and will have a good report from him, I hope. As of this past Friday, he said he was fairly satisfied with my progress. I'm happy to hear that. It means that I'm doing better at controlling things like sitting with my foot tucked up under my rear, etc. I'm consciously thinking about that and correcting it if I happen to find myself doing it. He also told me that I need to build up my upper and lower body strength as well as my core strength. I found a series of exercises in Self Magazine that are great for 'tush tighteners' and they also work the arms and legs as well. I just have to remember to do them on non-consecutive days. I want these exercises to work, so I have to work on them three days a week. Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings, then Tuesday and Thursday are karate. This will work out. I'm going to ask another friend who teaches mixed martial arts classes if I can come in and work with him a couple of times to get some serious cardio work in. I think I finally got serious. I really do.

I was able to find a couple of things I wanted to find this week...I found my language CD so I can review my Korean for class. I also found my other "foot" hidden in my closet tonight, so I have my complete sparring gear again. YAY! Now all I need to do is to get a mouth guard and I think we have one hiding around here somewhere. I'm almost prepared. My next step is to get myself physically fit and I'll feel better. I've decided that I need to get off my (bleep!) and start working on myself. I will feel better and will have a lot more self confidence.

Japanese Festival

Yesterday, Amanda and I went to the Japanese Festival in Fort Worth at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens, in the Japanese Gardens. We went with the BTK ladies. It was a lot of fun. We heard Taiko drummers, saw some dancing and of course, martial arts demonstrations. The first martial arts demonstration was a Hanbo-Jitsu demonstration. That was interesting. They used various grabs and arm bars. We watched one big guy pick up a girl and she showed everyone how to get out of it. She literally swung her feet up, then used her momentum to get her feet back to the ground. Then she dropped a shoulder and threw the guy over her shoulder to the ground.
We watched them, then wandered off to the Zen garden area. Amanda made an origami crane (which I put into her purse, so it got mushed) and got her name written in Kanjii. We tried to do fish painting with the kids since we had three kids, but the ladies at the fish painting pavilion said they were out of paper.

We went out and had lunch out by the Rose Gardens. There were a lot of brides there, taking pictures. It was really neat to see. I think there was at least one wedding taking place because we saw a party of people who were in green dresses and of course, tuxedos. I don't think I saw the bride, just the bridal party.

One of our members, K, and her family brought lunch for us all. She spoiled us immensely. We had a mushroom and rice dish, Japanese meatballs, an egg dish that I liked (need to get the recipe from her!) and for an end, we had cheesecake. It was really good. She likes to cook and it shows. We were spoiled rotten by her. Thank you for that meal, K!!

After that, we wandered around a bit. The weather was misty, humid and very nice. It was peaceful in the gardens. They have a Zen garden that must take a long time to get it just right. There's also several connecting small ponds that are interconnected. They have very large koi in these ponds. The koi know that whenever something is dropped into the water, it's food. They literally will swarm the bridges and the areas near the edge of the pool that are accessible to the public. The caretakers of the gardens have set out food dispensers with kibble specifically for the feeding of the koi. Those fish are HUGE!! Amanda had a blast feeding them. This was her first visit to the gardens. I've been there before, but it has been many years since I was last out there.
There's also a large blue heron out there who regularly eats the koi. From what I was told, the groundskeepers call him "jaws". He's protected, so they can't do anything about it. I got a couple of pictures of him but I was too far away for a good shot. I need to get a new camera for long distance pictures, but that's a dream for another time.

We watched another martial arts demonstration before we left. This one was a combination karate and Tai Chi demonstration. His Tai Chi class demonstration was very serene and looked nice. I would like to take classes some time. If he wasn't out in Fort Worth, I'd be more than happy to take classes. I liked the way the Sensei ran his demo. He didn't have JUST his high ranked karate students out there. He had the full range of students, from white belt to black belt. I really enjoyed seeing it. He ran the demonstration as if he was teaching a normal class. He had the students run through katas. I could see the similarities between the forms I do in Tang Soo Do and the karate kata they were doing. At the end of his karate demonstration, Sensei came down to the mats and did a kata, which I think was Bassai. It was beautifully executed.

They had the Tai Chi students come back out afterwards and they had a group Tai Chi session with the audience. Amanda participated in that and says she enjoyed it. She followed the person in front of her and beside her and did fairly well.

This was the first Japanese Festival I've attended. I think if I'm invited again next year, I'm going.

UIL Competition

Oldest child had a UIL competition today. It was held at one of the local high schools. They had a competition in both playing and sight reading. The band, both Symphonic and Honors (which #1 daughter is in) took 1's in the competitions. I am very proud of them. They did a great job of preparation leading up to the competition. Last month, they had a pre-UIL competition and did very well according to their director.

The next step is for the kids who are getting ready to move on to the Freshman Center get ready for Marching Band. That happens on May 5th. Then we have a Spring Concert on May 28th. At some point, her hectic school schedule may simmer down a little bit, but I'm not 100% sure. There's still a summer time band camp for her to attend.

Bring on the ice packs

Today I went to see a chiropractor for the first time in many years. He was recommended by a friend and I decided that I'd finally get off my butt and go see him. They were able to get me in today (hooray!). He was a very kind and thorough guy. He doesn't strike me as the type to run a thousand tests on you (nor did he!) to get more money out of you. He doesn't have a huge office, nor a ton of people waiting and I think I liked that the best.

He examined me, took some x-rays and then put me on a "tens machine". They were trying to get the nerve in the lower back stimulated to respond better. That was a neat experience. It's like getting a lot of little shocks but it felt good, if that makes sense? It wasn't like a shock of putting your finger into a light socket or whatever. It was just a really good, tingly feeling.

After that session, he manipulated my back some. He had this table that was a bit like a "rack". He strapped my legs down and *stretched* the nerve that runs down the back. He also interpreted my x-rays and told me how we needed to approach the pain I've been feeling. (The pain has been a numb, tingly, sharp, off and on pain that has been with me for over a year. I thought it was my I/T band (ilio-tibial) but he thinks it's a pinched sacral nerve. I forget the name of the nerve, but he thinks that's the problem.

So, after he "tortured" me on the rack, he told me to go home and ice myself. I wasn't able to do it because I had to get Mr. A from school and make dinner, then I had class to go to. I went and had a lot of fun. It was an intense class!
We worked on a lot of things--Ho Sin Sul, One Steps. It was well worth going. I dont' regret much...other than not knowing how to speak Korean. We started out class with a warm up that included 10 jumping jacks per person. PER PERSON!!! 100 jumping jacks. YIKES!! LOL! My poor calves are a bit stiff and sore right now. I've already knocked back 32 ounces of water and may attack another one. We shall see.

It's time to get an ice pack out and and put it on my hip. I feel like I did a lot of good today. I got adjusted, then I went to class and worked hard. I feel like I made a huge improvement in my technique. I do need to remember to ask for help when I don't know something.

Now I'm going to relax.

Reviewing myself

I had Dan training yesterday and I had a chance to talk to Master G. I told him that I was in a better place in my mind. I'm not 100% over myself and my "wannas" but I'll get over it. There's a saying in the dojang--check your ego at the door. I'm not stupid enough to think that I'm as good as the Dans I trained with. I know I have MUCH to learn, but they were there to help me. I worked with Mr. L and had a lot of fun learning. He was so serious but such a good person to learn from. He made no bones about grabbing me during the Ho Sin Sparring. His goal was to grab me and my goal was to get out of his grip. In the past, I would have tried to avoid any sort of thing like that and would have made excuses for trying to get away. I had no option to do that. It was a serious training. It wasn't a "you have to do as little as possible". I like the challenge. I promised Ms. S that I wouldn't flinch (much!) when someone hit me. She warned me that I would be taking hits, but not to say "Ouch!" because they would exploit it and would work on me for that. I'm pleased to say that I didn't flinch (much!) about taking grabs. You know what? I'd be ready to do it again.

I am going to be working on myself. I want to get myself to the point where I'm not afraid of being me. I'm not going to be a whiny person if I can avoid it. I rather like myself the way I think I'm becoming. I didn't like the whiner I was. I've since been working on how I think. I'm leaving the "I don't..." outside the dojang. If I need help, I'm going to have to put aside my ego and ASK.
I do NOT know the Korean (hangul?), but darn it, I WILL learn it! I can now count to six in Korean...I'm working on that. I'm working on terminology. I'm not afraid to ask now. I make mistakes and now can laugh about it. (Ask my classmates about the 7 Class Tenents that turned into 8! There was extra credit for knowing the 8th one according to Master F!)

I still have much to learn. In terms of my learning, I'm just starting out on my journey in BTK. I'm feeling a lot of love and exasperation from my classmates. There are days when I'm sure they want to whap me upside the head, but you know what? I don't think I'd blame 'em for it!

Sore, but knowledge filled Saturday

I love hurting. It means that I actually LEARNED something!! Today was no exception. I attended the first Dan training I have attended in quite some time. You know what? I feel awesome (despite hurting)!! I truly feel that I learned a lot and can put it toward my training in my normal classes.

Master G taught us. He started us out with a quick self warm up for a couple of minutes, then, as there were enough of us to have to form two lines, we paired up with the person in the line ahead of us. I got to work with Mr. L. It's really good to work with someone different because you can't predict what they're going to do when you're sparring. More on that later...

We did a partner warm up with a medicine ball. We had to stand back to back, then one person lifted the ball up over his or her head to their partner. The partner then brought it down and passed it through their legs and stood back up. We did 10-20 of those. I think I blanked out on the exact number. It doesn't matter. It was a warm up.

After that, we did an "oblique twist". MG didn't call it that, but it fits it. With your ball, you are going to twist to the side and pass the ball to your partner, who is going to twist past the midline to grab it. It was a challenge to NOT grab my partner's hands. I got dizzy and when I talked to Master G after class, he said that if you don't breathe, you will get that dizzy feeling. It's good to know. He also gave us some pointers about practicing moving our hands to get in an extra workout for our hands and wrists. It improves the flexibility there too.

We worked on targeting our kicks. As Dans, we should be able to execute a kick well, but to be EFFECTIVE, you have to know how to target and how to hit your target. MG had us pay attention to hitting the target (we used the 'clapper' things and big pads). The first kick was an 'outside/inside crescent kick'...need to work on my terminology knowledge because I can see that I'm missing some thing.

After the inside/outside crescent (12 on each leg, twice), then we switched to side kicks. Again, we worked on targeting and on using our hips. You have to pay attention to how you move your hips and you have to PIVOT on that support foot, not lock it.

We also worked on sparring and Ho Sin Sul, in combination. We went slowly, but had to put the Ho Sin Sul in.. Basically, as you are sparring, let yourself be grabbed, then get out of it using the appropriate defense. It's a lot harder than it sounds. I had a hard time breaking free from Mr. L because he has a good, hard grip. I like things like that because I can learn from him while I'm working with him. I liked the combination of sparring and Ho Sin Sul. I would like to do that again.

Came home from class and have basically done very little. I wrote things in my training notebooks, but nothing else. I'm currently sitting on the couch with the cat and my computer.

Nice night for a walk

This is a bummer. We walked up to the junior high school tonight to go use the track. When we got there, we found that the track is locked up. No entrance. Big padlock on the fence. boo! That meant that I couldn't go running. Since I couldn't run, we just made it a nice round trip walk. It's 1.2 miles from our apartment to the school and I'm assuming it's another 1.2 miles back, so we walked 2.4 miles today. I've got karate tomorrow night, so a walk is out of the question, but probably on Wednesday we'll go walking again.

One of my friends had warned me not to let the weather get to me. I came close, I'll have you know! I came home, sat on the couch and thought about excuses. Then I got up, put my shoes on and we went walking. No, it wasn't the run I wanted, but at least I walked!! We were out for about 30-40 minutes, but we weren't walking fast. I'll work my way up to that. Google Maps says that the route is about 16 minutes on foot. If that's the case, I can cut it down in successive walks.

So. There you have it. I walked. Part one down.

SUNday

These little flowers are so bight, they appear to reflect the light. They were part of the pictures we took yesterday. I enjoyed that. I want to get out and go look for more wildflowers. I may have to wait for about another week or so in order to get some really GOOD pictures.

I'm sitting by the window, looking at the doves that keep flying up to the patio and tormenting the cat. Last week, we were sitting on the couch when a dove came up, perched on the ledge right outside the living room window and peeked in the window. We had the window open and Skeeter saw the bird. He went to the window really fast. We just laughed ourselves silly. That bird apparently wanted to find out what we were doing and Skeeter surprised them!!

Next weekend, I may actually start attempting to run. I figure I'll go to the track and start out with one lap first, then work up to two and so forth. I'm going to drag the kids with me. We might walk it first, then attempt a run. It'll be a good challenge. I don't know if the Middle School track will be open, but if it's not, the High School track will be. There are always people out at that track.
I'm setting a small goal--by the end of April, I want to confidently run 1 lap around that track. I don't know how long I want to say it should take me, but 4 laps is a mile and I should be able to finish THAT in 10 minutes. Time to work up to a ten minute mile. The whole point is to NOT get disappointed if I don't make the mile. The point is to TRY to get the quarter mile first and then work up to the mile.

First Saturday in April

This morning, we went out early and went hunting. We were hunting for bluebonnets. For those who aren't from Texas, the bluebonnet is the state flower. When they bloom, they don't bloom onesies or twosies, but rather full patches, like in the picture above. They are very impressive when they're in full bloom because the color is so blue, it's nearly purple.


The bluebonnets are hardy plants and very pretty. If you're lucky enough to be able to find some that haven't been invaded by visitors, you can get pretty good shots.

Whenever you see the bluebonnets, you will know that Spring has sprung.