Less than A Week to Go

Counting the days till the test. Drinking plenty of water already. Not toooo nervous, even though ML said that the adult class is cancelled so that there will be more time for testing. Ok, so, yes, I am pretty anxious.

Got to try out the sais on Thursday nite. Bill showed me how to hold them and flip them around in my hand. I need to practice that before I can learn the form. I learned that they used to be farming tools, used for planting seeds. The farmers used them defensively as weapons against the samurais.

Testing Sheet!

Got my testing sheet yesterday! I am SO excited! Brown belt---second degree. Wow. I can't believe it. I'm surprised because it's only been 4 1/2 months since I got my brown belt. Usually the wait is at least 6 months. I guess going to EVERY class pays off! I'm so excited. April 1.

At it Again

Stayed home from work again. No, it's not a habit. It was out of necesity. I have to finish a take-home final, reflection log, curriculum unit, and put the final touches on my PowerPoint presentation for Sunday. So, I felt so stressed for time that I decided to stay home and work on everything today. I got a lot done, AND I managed to show up to the studio for the 1pm adult class. The only "problem" was that no adults were there! Just ML...and me. How great is that, though? A one hour ATP with ML!
We went through all of my forms and he gave me advice on just about everything. I don't think I can remember it all...keep my wrists straight, make my overhead block higher, pull into chamber after my side kick, widen my stances in places...shall I go on? It was a lot of advice, but greatly appreciated..and needed! Oh, I must not forget to keep my thumb out of trouble, too! Details, details, details....I'd rather have details than him tell me that I'm doing something major wrong. At the end of class I felt really good about my forms. Believe it or not! His help is greatly appreciated.
So, I ALSO went to class this evening! Nothing like a stress reducer. Sensei Matt was there. Surprise, surprise. He kept us busy doing our higher combinations LEFTY. That was difficult. At the end of class he gave out stripes--guess who got their third stripe?!!! Me! I was surprised that Sensei Matt gave stripes out. I thought ML would be the only one to give them out. No complaints from me, though! April 1st, here I come!

Extra Effort

Got out of work a little early. Had report card conferences in the evening. In between, I made my way to the karate studio. ML was there, but he had to leave to pick up his children. I stayed, practicing all my material for about 2 hours. It felt really good that I worked out. I reviewed my forms and focused on weapons practice. The combos and kempos will have to wait until there's someone with me to practice. I realized how long it had been since I went through all of my forms. I now know 9 forms...no wonder I get them confused a bit! I definitely need to work on them. Practicing kempo is definetely a stress reducer. I felt better when I was tired and finished for the evening.

Ahhhh...Feels so Good

The workout last night was great. We sparred, but before we did that, we practiced sparring techniques. Mike does such a great job as a teacher. He is always thinking of how to make our techniques better. He always makes sure our questions are answered. And he's always trying to find something new for us to do. I always learn something new when he teaches! It's too bad he and Bill "toy" with me when I spar with them...not to mention Wally, too! I live for the day when they take me more seriously as a sparring partner!

I left class feeling great, and I woke up this morning with the same feeling....ahhhh!