Tournament Take 2

Today was my second tournament. This tournament was unlike the last one. I should've been more prepared for this one because I knew what to expect this time, but I was actually less prepared than I would've liked to have been. I had not gone over my form and defense maneuver as much as I would've liked to have. Part of that was because I had stopped practicing on my lunch breaks, and part of that was due to the number of group classes I have missed over the past few months. But even so, I was going to participate!!!

Okay, so my Sensei told me a week ago that I needed to be to the tournament by noon for my events, then yesterday at my private lesson he told me to be there by 11:30. Okay, no big deal, I can do that. So I leave my house today and am en-route to SLCC South City Campus and making pretty good time at that, and I reach the intersection of 2100 South and State Street. I'm waiting patiently to turn left, and the arrow turns green. Oh happy day! And then the arrow turns yellow, and then is gone, and not only did I not get to turn, I didn't get to move! Nobody moved in fact. The car at the front of the line was apparently stalled. Many of the cars in front of me changed lanes and went through the light straight and now I was next in line behind the stalled car. When the arrow was green again I made a choice and I turned left around the stalled car on the left. (yes, into oncoming traffic)

The stalled car held us up a little bit, so we arrived at the tournament a little later than I was planning on being there. I walked in the door just in time to hear "Natalie McLean please report to ring 10" Great, they're waiting on me! Now on top of not feeling prepared enough I'm all flustered and a little embarrassed about being late. I run up the bleachers and pull out my gi top (luckily I was already dressed in my uniform - unlike last tournament where I changed once I arrived) and put my belt on and ran back down to the ring, not even knowing for sure what event I was about to participate in.

Turns out it was the defensive maneuver event. Now, let me explain here that in the defensive maneuver event we have to perform the technique on someone. Typically you ask someone from your own dojo that is going to be there as well to help you out in this regard. I had been sitting down for only a few minutes when they asked me if I had a partner. I immediately responded yes and then pointed to another girl in my division (that I know and who attends another dojo) indicating that she was going to help me. Now the funny thing about this is that until that moment she has no idea she was going to be punching in for me! But, she understood and nodded to me that she understood and was willing to help out. Then she asked "what are we doing?" *chuckle* A few moments after that I got another surprise. They weren't waiting for me to arrive to begin the event, but rather to finish it. Everyone else had already had their turn, and now it was mine. I was really not ready for that, and I'm sure it showed in my performance. *shrug* oh well.

While we were waiting for the awards to be announced I realized that in my haste to get to the ring I had forgotten to change my shoes. Oh well. After the awards were given they asked who of us would be participating in more events. All of us were. Then the judges told us the next event would be the Katas/Forms event and that it would be starting soon. I had told my dad and Richard and Emily to be there by 12, because that's when I had originally been told to be there. So I ran back to where Justin was sitting and grabbed my phone. I called them and told them the situation and then I waited.....

Turned out that my next event wasn't as soon as I thought it was. It was about 2:30 I think before they called my division down for the Katas/Forms event. The first thing that the judges do before en event is started is take roll, after which they start the event. Guess who was first on the list this time around, you got it, me. I don't like being first. I was nervous and not being first gives me some time to relax and prepare myself mentally. Once again I did not place in this event. When this event was finished, again the judges asked if any of us were not competing in any other events. All but 3 of us were. Then one of the judges told us to follow him. He took us up to the trophy table and presented us with participation trophies.

So, even thought I didn't place in my events, I still got a consolation prize. Yeah me!

The Tiger Test

Tonight was the tiger test, and I can honestly say that in all my years of testing (elementary - college)  tonight was by far the hardest test I have ever taken.  It was a test that literally pushed me beyond my limits physically, mentally, and emotionally.  My limbs were shaking, I cried, and I almost walked out.  But I didn't.  My Sensei pushed me to keep going.  I pushed myself.  And in the end, I was the victor.  I learned about myself, my strengths, my weaknesses, what keeps me going, my limits, and the truth about those limits, and many other things that I'm not going to share in this venue at this time.  Bottom line - I'm glad I did it, and I'm glad I'll never have to do it again.  I will be sore tomorrow.

Leopard Test

Two down, two to go.  Today was the leopard test.  It was a lot of fun.  It was an all day event.  We played like we were leopards!  Climbing trees, jumping from limb to limb, landing on our feet, you know things like that. :)  *laugh*  I can't really go into a lot of detail here about what actually took place at the test, but I will say that its one I would do again.  I learned a lot about myself and faced some fears too.  It was a good day.

Snake Test

I attended another animal test tonight.  This time it was the snake test.  It was nothing like the Crane test!  But before I get to the test, I have to get to the test!

Okay, so the animal tests are held at different studios.  Tonight's test was in Layton.  I looked up the address to the studio on the website got my directions, and I was off.  It was a good thing I left early.  I followed my directions exactly and I ended up in a shopping center.  That seemed about right to me.  So I'm driving around and I'm checking the addresses on the store fronts, and I am very confused.  Where the studio should be there is an empty space.  Hmmmm....

So I call my Sensei.  No answer.  I figure he must've already left the studio.  Dang!  So I call Senei Tony.  Luck!  He is there.  He tells me that the studio moved and gives me the new address and new directions.  I thank him and hang up and start on my journey again.  Somewhere things went amiss, and I find myself lost.  So I called up Sensei Tony again.  He pulls up Google Maps on his computer and finds my location.  Then he starts directing me.  It was kind of like having a GPS, only one that talked back and teased you for getting lost in the first place. :-p

Okay, so the test.  The characteristics of a snake are its accuracy.  The strikes are powerful but not forceful, and in most cases deadly.  We played a lot with pressure points tonight.  It was a lot of fun.  And I poked a hole in a piece of newspaper!  I know that doesn't sound too exciting, but its harder than you might think!  Try it. :)

Tournament

Today was my first tournament.  I didn't place in any of my events, but it was okay.  I was there more for the experience than anything else.  2 weeks ago I sprained my ankle in class.  That is another story all together.  Anyway, I wasn't even supposed to go to tournament today.  I had to make a bargain with my doctor - no sparring - then I was allowed to participate.  I was in two events: Kempos and Forms.  I was really nervous.  At one point I thought I was going to be sick!  I've never been so nervous before in my life!  But it all turned out well.  I had a good time and I know what to expect next time. :) 

Moving on up!

I passed my belt test!  I am now a purple belt and have earned the right to wear a black gi. :)  I'm very excited.  Especially because I ordered one weeks ago with kaji on it, and it arrived today!  Just in time.

When I got to the test, I was a little bummed.  Sensei Tony was nowhere to be found.  Sensei Mike and Sensei Kaja seemed to be giving the test.  I won't lie, I wasn't pushing myself as hard during the test.  Then about half-way through Sensei Tony showed up!  I was so excited!!!!!  It was good to see him again. :)  

From Orange to Purple

The time has come again.  I've been invited to another belt test.  This one is bitter sweet.  I'm excited for my purple belt test, but it will be the last one with my current Sensei.  He's being transferred to the Bountiful studio.  I'm sad to see him go.

Orange Achieved

I passed!  I made kids cry though. :-/  It wasn't intentional.  In fact, I'm still baffled as to why the one kid was crying.  As part of this test, I was required to spar.  So first I was matched up with another girl in my class.  We were sparring and things were going good, and I don't know if it was just the intensity of the test, but my adrenaline levels seemed to be a bit heightened.  I came in with a hook punch to the head and I came in a bit harder than I meant to.  Don't worry, the girl wasn't hurt.  We wear protective gear just for such occasions.  It did surprise her though, and maybe knocked the wind out of her a bit.  I had to kneel and face the opposite wall.  I knew it was a bad deal when my Sensei told me to do that.  She was crying at this point.  We bowed and were done.  

Now, the thing about belt tests are that they are mixed.  So we have adults and kids of all ranks there.  There were about 4 kids from the kids class there, all testing from orange to purple, so they all had to spar as well.  Two of them were brothers.  So the first two come out and spar.  Then one of the brothers starts crying. (not one sparring)  So my Sensei goes over and asks him why he's crying.  He says he doesn't want to spar his brother. 

Okay, let me pause and paint a picture for you here.  The brothers were 6 and 9.  The 6 year old was short and scrawny.  The 9 year old was taller and stalky.  Okay, back to the test now.

So my Sensei tells him to breath, and that he's not going to spar his brother.  So one of the kids who just finished sparring (both of which were smaller than the 6 year old!) spars again with him.  So about this time I'm wondering to myself who my Sensei is going to match this other boy with.  There are no more kids, and surely he wouldn't put him up against an adult.  I was wrong.

He comes over and asks the other girl if she wants to spar again.  She says no.  Then he asks me if I want to.  I gave him a very perplexed look and ask who I would be sparring against.  He says "is that a yes?" and I said "no!" and he says "too bad!"  So I come out to spar this boy.  It wasn't too bad, he was tough and about chest height to me.  We had a good match.  My Sensei calls "up" and we get in front position and bow to each other and then he starts to cry!!!  My Sensei looks at me and says "what's the deal making all my students cry?!?"  (he was joking of course)  

All in all, it was a good test.

From Yellow to Orange

Hooray!!!  Tonight I was given an invite to a belt test!!  I'll be testing for my orange belt.  Its a little more intense than testing for yellow; there is more to know.  I'm excited though.  I kind of know what to expect this time around so I'll be more prepared!  Wish me luck!

The Crane

Tonight was the crane test.  I had a dilemma as this test approached, and that was that it landed on the same night as my family Christmas dinner.  Yes, I know its January.  Anyway, I had already paid for the test and then I realized I had a conflict in scheduling.  Everything worked out though. I went to the test and then arrived late to the dinner, but I still was there before the meal was served.  

Anyway, the test was fun, but tough at the same time.  One of the main characteristics of the crane is its balance and flexibility.  Two things I definitely do not have.  Two and a half hours later I passed the test.  Hooray!  So I now know that I'm not a crane.  I'm excited for the animal tests yet to come.

Yellow - Such a Happy Color

I passed!  I am now a yellow belt.  Well, sort of.  My test had two parts to it.  The first was the physical part: testing my knowledge of the forms I've learned up to this point and my endurance.  I have never done so many push-ups before in my life!  The second part is a written part.  For my rank I have to write a paper for my sensei about the five rules of the studio.  For those of you wondering, the rules are Etiquette, Effort, Character, Sincerity, and Self-Control.  These are the five areas in which as a student of the martial arts I am expected to conduct myself both in and out of the studio.  Once I turn in my paper, then I will receive my belt, assuming that it meets the expectations of my sensei.

From White to Yellow

Tonight I received an invitation to a belt test.  Honestly, I didn't know what it was when my sensei handed it to me.  Then I started reading it and suddenly became clear.  Although I'm excited about my advancement, I'm a little bit (okay a lot) nervous.  I have no idea what to expect at the test, or if I'll even pass!  And I would be lying if I said that I expected it to come this soon.  The test isn't until the first week of December, so for now I'm left to wonder.

And so it begins...

A few weeks ago my dad came home from running errands (getting water and the such) and he came into my room and place on my desk a flier and said "this is for you".  It was just a flier that had been put on his car while he was in shopping.  We chuckled about it, I set it aside and he left my room.  The flier sat on my desk for a week or so.  I kept looking at it, and I started to think about what it was advertising.

It was a flier for a karate studio.  The offer was for a free lesson, and a free uniform with enrollment.  I've thought about taking a martial arts class off and on for a few years now.  But every-time I looked into it the cost of the uniform was always separate, and they're not exactly cheap.  So, I called up the studio and scheduled the lesson and tonight was the night.  It was a lot of fun actually.  I felt a little silly when the instructor made me take my shoes off and bow, but I figure that's just because it was something new.

Anyway, he taught me some different grab escapes.  Basically these are maneuvers you would use to get out of different situations when your attacker has a hold of you.  Then he taught me some kicks and let me kick the dummy.  I really did enjoy myself, so I signed up.  And so it begins.... my journey in the martial arts, from a white belt to black.  I'm a little nervous about the unknowns ahead of me and excited all at the same time.