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.