comments

Ok, sorry that I haven’t been responding to comments. My CGI is apparently belly-up and I didn’t realize it. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement about the Green Sash and the bump on the head. Sorry I didn’t acknowledge it sooner. GRRR!

green

Ok, perhaps I was a bit too cavalier when I wrote yesterday:

Tonight’s the test for Kung Fu. I’m not too concerned about it.

Class usually ends around 9.30pm. My test ended at 11.00pm. By the end of it, I was so emotionally and physcially spent that I felt like crying (at the end of the test I needed to do 60 push-ups and sit-ups. Those were possibly the most grueling of my life). But I passed! I now have my green sash (roughly equivalent to a Brown/Black Belt in other systems). Two more ranks to go until I’m a Sifu (teacher).

Today, I’m a mass of aching muscle. I still don’t feel that I deserved to pass. There was so much that I know I could do better on. Then again, typically when I test, I dwell on what needs more work, not what I did well.

grrr

I’ve been trying to regularly update, but I haven’t actually been checking this page. I just did and realized that Blogger’s been having problems updating things and I didn’t realize it. No wonder no one is reading this.

Tonight’s the test for Kung Fu. I’m not too concerned about it. I am trying to remember the form that I was just taught.

yikes…! zippp!

Ever look down and realize that your fly is undone and then wonder how long it’s been open? And if anyone else noticed?

I have a little lump on my forehead from getting hit by a wooden sword last night at Kung Fu. We were practicing a two man form and my partner was a little to far away. So when he brought his downward slash I wasn’t in the right position and missed my block. It’s times like this I’m really happy that I have bangs so I can cover up these little mishaps.

Tomorrow night I test for my Green Sash. Friday is the kodak.com picnic at the zoo. It’s going to be a busy week.

rollin’ rollin’ rollin’

I’m posting this from Amityville. I’ve traveled down to Long Island for some vacation and for a wedding. Along the way I’ve had the opportunity to get in some martial arts classes along the way. Like people attract like people and I’ve managed to, through providence and luck, acquire numerous friends who study the arts. And so, with just seven days before my next ranking test, I get the chance to be inspired to greater heights by people who I love and respect. How cool is that!!!!!

I also had the great experience of being reunited with a friend I haven’t seen in 21 years! And amazingly we picked up right where we left off. Which I feel so lucky for! Needless to say (or observe from my abuse of the exclamation mark) I’m jazzed! Of course it could be the two espresso drinks that I had at the coffee shop while meeting said friend that might be responsible for that as well.

orange-you-glad

Well so much for staying on schedule. I’ll be back to it soon I hope. I’ve still had more going on than I’ve been prepared for. But as far as today’s post title, last night I recertified for my second rank (current level) in Kung Fu. For various reasons, before you can test for a new level you must recertify for all of your previous levels. Pat, a fellow student, tested along side of me (this was his first second rank test).

The test was approximately three hours. It roughly devided into an hour of self defense and sparring, an hour of techniques, and then an hour of form work and verbal questioning. I didn’t do as well as I would have liked. The upside is that I know exactly where my weak points are. And since I’m testing in less than a month for my Third Level, that’s going to be really useful. Once I have achieved my third level, its just two more ranks and I’ll finally have my teaching certification.

While that’s still a long way off, it feels closer than ever before.