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.