Friday, April 06, 2012
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Day 88: Spring Break
The kids are on Spring Break and have an extra-long weekend.
We took advantage of this fact, and of the beautiful day, and gathered up our own offspring and two carloads of their friends. We all took class this morning at 10, then hit the grocery store and the park, where we spent the afternoon before heading back to take the 4 and 5:00 classes.
It was the first day that we've had a huge group of them together at a park in months. We ate sandwiches and chips and cookies at the picnic table. Savageman came out for a while, and it was nice to lie in the grass together and look at the sky while the kids hiked and ripsticked and climbed and played word games together.
Good, wacky fun.
One of the best things about Middle's friends is that they are also very comfortable with, and very good friends with all of us adults as well. At karate, many of the 9th graders outrank us, and in many ways they serve as our teachers and mentors. They share their lives and thoughts and opinions with us, knowing that we will listen and respect where they are coming from. They are also a highly motivated group of achievers, both in and out of school, who are mature and responsible beyond their years. Their goofy behavior matches and rarely exceeds our own adult goofiness (which can be considerable at times), and there is always much laughter and fun when we are all together.
It's a rare and wonderful thing to see kids with so many supportive adults in their lives, knowing and appreciating them for the special individuals they are. Even more wonderful to be one of those adults, enjoying regular interaction and conversation with thoughtful young people who have their entire lives ahead of them.
Grateful tonight for all the teens in my life, who enhance it so much. Looking forward to another full day with them tomorrow.
We took advantage of this fact, and of the beautiful day, and gathered up our own offspring and two carloads of their friends. We all took class this morning at 10, then hit the grocery store and the park, where we spent the afternoon before heading back to take the 4 and 5:00 classes.
It was the first day that we've had a huge group of them together at a park in months. We ate sandwiches and chips and cookies at the picnic table. Savageman came out for a while, and it was nice to lie in the grass together and look at the sky while the kids hiked and ripsticked and climbed and played word games together.
Good, wacky fun.
One of the best things about Middle's friends is that they are also very comfortable with, and very good friends with all of us adults as well. At karate, many of the 9th graders outrank us, and in many ways they serve as our teachers and mentors. They share their lives and thoughts and opinions with us, knowing that we will listen and respect where they are coming from. They are also a highly motivated group of achievers, both in and out of school, who are mature and responsible beyond their years. Their goofy behavior matches and rarely exceeds our own adult goofiness (which can be considerable at times), and there is always much laughter and fun when we are all together.
It's a rare and wonderful thing to see kids with so many supportive adults in their lives, knowing and appreciating them for the special individuals they are. Even more wonderful to be one of those adults, enjoying regular interaction and conversation with thoughtful young people who have their entire lives ahead of them.
Grateful tonight for all the teens in my life, who enhance it so much. Looking forward to another full day with them tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Day 87: Wow, I Needed That
Bliss.
That's what I'm feeling right now. Pure bliss.
It's the exercise.
It was an upsy-downsy kind of day. Stressful. Teary, even.
But at 5:00, Middle and I made our escape and headed into the dojang. An hour early.
I stretched and worked forms on my own for an hour. No distractions.
Meditation in motion.
Kickboxing class was intense. I partnered with a big guy and we both kicked hard. Since the toe break, I've had to be careful with the pivoting and kicking, but today I taped it good and forgot about it. Kicked my heart out. We beat the hell out of each other, did a ground-and-pound drill with the kicking bags on the floor, and jumped rope in the interim. It was gratifying to see how powerful my new side kick is now that I'm getting used to it.
We left the room completely drenched. Spent. Euphoric.
Changed and took class, where once again I delighted in my new side kick and the other changes I've been making. It's nice to be lined up right behind the black belts and feel like I belong there.
Grappling lessons after class. My worst skill, but I'm getting better. I just needed some direction and a chance to practice.
Now that I'm home, I'm basking in the endorphins. Watching a movie with Savageman and Little.
As for the stressors, they aren't gone, but I'm coping better with them now than I did this afternoon.
Things are in perspective, and all is right with the world.
Breathing deeply, melting into the couch. Snuggling with Little.
Feeling noodlely once more.
That's what I'm feeling right now. Pure bliss.
It's the exercise.
It was an upsy-downsy kind of day. Stressful. Teary, even.
But at 5:00, Middle and I made our escape and headed into the dojang. An hour early.
I stretched and worked forms on my own for an hour. No distractions.
Meditation in motion.
Kickboxing class was intense. I partnered with a big guy and we both kicked hard. Since the toe break, I've had to be careful with the pivoting and kicking, but today I taped it good and forgot about it. Kicked my heart out. We beat the hell out of each other, did a ground-and-pound drill with the kicking bags on the floor, and jumped rope in the interim. It was gratifying to see how powerful my new side kick is now that I'm getting used to it.
We left the room completely drenched. Spent. Euphoric.
Changed and took class, where once again I delighted in my new side kick and the other changes I've been making. It's nice to be lined up right behind the black belts and feel like I belong there.
Grappling lessons after class. My worst skill, but I'm getting better. I just needed some direction and a chance to practice.
Now that I'm home, I'm basking in the endorphins. Watching a movie with Savageman and Little.
As for the stressors, they aren't gone, but I'm coping better with them now than I did this afternoon.
Things are in perspective, and all is right with the world.
Breathing deeply, melting into the couch. Snuggling with Little.
Feeling noodlely once more.
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Day 86: Have I Mentioned Getting Serious?
Love this quote.
And thanks, Gretchen, I'm doing both.
Life is good.
Three classes today, plus extra practice and cleaning tonight. There are days when I feel like I live at the dojang. This must be how Middle feels.
There are worse places to call home. It's clean, fairly uncluttered, and full of people I love - including Savageman for a while tonight, which was nice.
As I worked there today, a nagging thought regarding the June testing date kept rising to the surface.
Middle will likely be testing for his senior black belt. If I test the same day - immediately after he's done with his - I will be testing for red, the color that comes before black in Jung Sim Do.
I already had it set in my mind that I would not test in June - I would take my time and work on learning my new material, as well as going back and tweaking all of my old material, fixing the bad habits, etc. Six months minimum, I thought. It's not a race, and I enjoy being a color belt. I want to feel solid on the material I know before moving forward again. I know the female sabumnims would agree in this regard.
Also, it's Middle's special day. I don't want to spend it collapsed, exhausted, with an ice pack on the couch. I want to throw him a party or something.
He has other ideas. If he gets his black belt that morning, he can assist at my color belt test, so he's been especially eager for me to be there. His best buddy, with whom I am also good friends, will be testing for red as well and he doesn't intend to wait. We've prepared for other tests together and he was looking forward to us supporting each other through this one. My friends who will be testing for green want me there too.
Not that peer pressure is a good reason. It's only The Master's opinion that counts.
His input when I told him I had been thinking about waiting? "Never say never."
Meanwhile, it's only been 3 weeks since I tested for the stripe and he has already taught me my hapkido techniques and one of my two open hand forms. He started the second with me today, and I hear the sword form I need to learn isn't particularly long. It's a vote of confidence to have been taught this much material so soon.
In addition, I have a recently-returned-from-college black belt Guru who has been helping me several times per week on the tweaking part. He has already fixed many of my bad habits and is working with me on the sparring and fighting techniques where I need improvement. It's invaluable coaching from someone who is guiding me to think outside the box - and it's already resulted in some noticable major improvements.
With all this extra help and encouragement, I'm beginning to consider the test after all. I guess I will have to see where I'm at physically and skill-wise in these next two months. The current injuries will have to heal, and I will have to be satisfied with my techniques at a more detailed level of precision.
If I continue to put in these kinds of days and get this kind of help, and if my body cooperates, I may be able to do it.
So, yes, I'm taking myself - and these training goals - seriously.
Everything else? The immature interpersonal crap, the politics, the self-doubt? I'm laughing it off. Life is too short to be mired in it.
I look at The Master and his approach to life and I know that I aspire to be like him. Laid back, cheerful, calm, centered. Above the bullshit. There are things he takes very seriously, and things he laughs off. Mostly, it's the latter with him. I'm sensing it's the same with the Guru, and with the closer of my closest friends.
So yes - Gretchen Rubin's quote is perfect for where I'm at right now.
Love it.
Monday, April 02, 2012
Day 85: On Loving Life
This was a full day.
They all are, actually. My days are full.
I'm loving my life.
I'm not saying it's an easy life, or a leisurely one, or a carefree one. It's none of those things.
I could completely dwell on the pinched nerves, swollen pinky toes and screwed up hips I'm dealing with right now.
Or our lack of full-time employment, our drastically reduced income, and our worrisome economic situation.
Or issues or concerns about the boys.
Or the house.
Or the state of the world in general.
But why would I want to do that?
How can I feel anything but gratitude for all that I do have right now?
So this is what I will say about today.
I started the day with a two-hour deep-tissue theraputic massage that was supposed to be a one-hour massage, but once he was in there, the therapist (a friend and former childbirth student) asked if I could stay a while longer so we could finish the job.
It hurt like nothing I've ever felt, and it took all of my concentration to relax and breathe through it. When it was finally over, I felt perfectly noodlely. Grateful for the gift he had given me, and for his skill in transforming my knotted-up body into pleasant noodlelyness. It was the first massage I had received as an athlete, and it was gratifying to realize that he saw me as an athlete as well.
The afternoon was spent with Savageman and the boys, our usual routine punctuated by a flurry of texts from friends checking in, making plans, being silly, sharing their own day with me.
We cleaned up, had our final mentoring meeting with our engaged couple, and I made it into the dojang by the end of class. Got an hour and a half of open practice in with the black belts who have been helping me. Made significant progress there. Realized it's still too soon to be practicing without taping the toes first.
Came home and iced the toes.
Now it's late, the kids are in bed, Savageman is watching the NCAA championship game, and I'm writing and playing several fiercely competitive games of Words With Friends on my phone.
And feeling incredibly grateful for my sweet husband, my multi-talented boys, my wacky friends, and this beautiful day with which I have been blessed.
Anything less than total gratitude would be in poor taste.
They all are, actually. My days are full.
I'm loving my life.
I'm not saying it's an easy life, or a leisurely one, or a carefree one. It's none of those things.
I could completely dwell on the pinched nerves, swollen pinky toes and screwed up hips I'm dealing with right now.
Or our lack of full-time employment, our drastically reduced income, and our worrisome economic situation.
Or issues or concerns about the boys.
Or the house.
Or the state of the world in general.
But why would I want to do that?
How can I feel anything but gratitude for all that I do have right now?
So this is what I will say about today.
I started the day with a two-hour deep-tissue theraputic massage that was supposed to be a one-hour massage, but once he was in there, the therapist (a friend and former childbirth student) asked if I could stay a while longer so we could finish the job.
It hurt like nothing I've ever felt, and it took all of my concentration to relax and breathe through it. When it was finally over, I felt perfectly noodlely. Grateful for the gift he had given me, and for his skill in transforming my knotted-up body into pleasant noodlelyness. It was the first massage I had received as an athlete, and it was gratifying to realize that he saw me as an athlete as well.
The afternoon was spent with Savageman and the boys, our usual routine punctuated by a flurry of texts from friends checking in, making plans, being silly, sharing their own day with me.
We cleaned up, had our final mentoring meeting with our engaged couple, and I made it into the dojang by the end of class. Got an hour and a half of open practice in with the black belts who have been helping me. Made significant progress there. Realized it's still too soon to be practicing without taping the toes first.
Came home and iced the toes.
Now it's late, the kids are in bed, Savageman is watching the NCAA championship game, and I'm writing and playing several fiercely competitive games of Words With Friends on my phone.
And feeling incredibly grateful for my sweet husband, my multi-talented boys, my wacky friends, and this beautiful day with which I have been blessed.
Anything less than total gratitude would be in poor taste.
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Day 84: Practice Area
We finally got our practice area set up in the basement, complete with mats, a kicking bag, and a big mirror I found on Craigslist this week.
I still need to mount the mirror on the wall, but this is a good start. It really helps to see myself when I'm working on forms in particular. For $20, that big mirror was quite a find.
It is also heavy - very heavy. Hard to believe I would let myself drop it on my one good pinky toe, but I did. At first, I was sure that the toe had just been completely chopped off. I was afraid to look.
But it was still there - it was just swollen and purple and nasty looking. I got ice on it right away and it actually seems fine now - not broken, just bruised. (My other pinky toe is another story - it's been 4 weeks now and I think the bone is healed but the joint is messed up. It's going to be a long time before that one feels normal again.)
Grateful tonight for my new practice area, and ample time this weekend practicing with friends at the dojang as well. I feel fit and strong and confident that I'm improving. All good things.
:-)
I still need to mount the mirror on the wall, but this is a good start. It really helps to see myself when I'm working on forms in particular. For $20, that big mirror was quite a find.
It is also heavy - very heavy. Hard to believe I would let myself drop it on my one good pinky toe, but I did. At first, I was sure that the toe had just been completely chopped off. I was afraid to look.
But it was still there - it was just swollen and purple and nasty looking. I got ice on it right away and it actually seems fine now - not broken, just bruised. (My other pinky toe is another story - it's been 4 weeks now and I think the bone is healed but the joint is messed up. It's going to be a long time before that one feels normal again.)
Grateful tonight for my new practice area, and ample time this weekend practicing with friends at the dojang as well. I feel fit and strong and confident that I'm improving. All good things.
:-)
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Day 83: Katniss: Zen Master
She never fails to seek me out and hop onto my lap, curl up and start her cute little squeak-purr just as I'm about to get up and go do something productive.
She clutches my arm with her paw and gazes adoringly up at me as if to say, "I so love this quality time with you."
My heart melts and I'm stuck sitting there, forced to be mindful and content for a few minutes.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Day 82: Working Hard, Playing Hard
Another long day of Real Work administering and scoring neuropsych tests.
Which I actually enjoy very much. I wouldn't mind doing it full-time.
But I sure do crash when I get home afterward - and there's stuff that needs to be done here too.
It's also weird to be cooped up inside all day - mostly in one windowless office. I'm used to moving around a lot, going outside, running errands, etc. throughout the day. When I got home, I didn't really know what to do with myself. I wound up setting the kids up with schoolwork and taking a nap.
Needless to say, it felt good to get to the dojang tonight.
I worked on forms by myself for an hour and then sparred for another hour +.
Afterwards, soaking wet and completely drained, I joined the others for pizza.
And now I'm sitting here, too tired to go upstairs to get a shower, but badly needing one.
Sigh... Going now.
Going.
Now.
Really.
Which I actually enjoy very much. I wouldn't mind doing it full-time.
But I sure do crash when I get home afterward - and there's stuff that needs to be done here too.
It's also weird to be cooped up inside all day - mostly in one windowless office. I'm used to moving around a lot, going outside, running errands, etc. throughout the day. When I got home, I didn't really know what to do with myself. I wound up setting the kids up with schoolwork and taking a nap.
Needless to say, it felt good to get to the dojang tonight.
I worked on forms by myself for an hour and then sparred for another hour +.
Afterwards, soaking wet and completely drained, I joined the others for pizza.
And now I'm sitting here, too tired to go upstairs to get a shower, but badly needing one.
Sigh... Going now.
Going.
Now.
Really.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Day 81: Choose to be Happy
Stealing from something a friend posted on Facebook today, since I worked all day and all evening and just now got home from cleaning the dojang, which got done after the cafe tonight instead of before.
So sweet that you guys waited for me to finish childbirth class before going back so I wouldn't be left out, btw.
You know that I live to mop and practice the 15 Lock Drill. :-)
Anyway, if you don't want to read the whole article, here's a recap:
1) Your need to always be right
2) Your need for control
3) Blame
4) Self-defeating self-talk
5) Limiting beliefs
6) Complaining
7) Criticism
8) The need to impress others
9) Resistance to change
10) Labels
11) Fears
12) Excuses
13) The past
14) Attachment
15) Living up to others' expectations
Wow, that's quite a list.
No time to go into detail about any of them tonight, but I did like one part enough to recopy it here. It was under #6 - Complaining:
"Nobody can make you unhappy, no situation can make you sad or miserable unless you allow it to. It’s not the situation that triggers those feelings in you, but how you choose to look at it."
I will remind myself (and the people in my life I love and want to see happy) of this when I see them giving others the power to make them unhappy.
Really. I will. I promise.
Starting tomorrow. I have to go to bed because I'm working again in the morning.
So sweet that you guys waited for me to finish childbirth class before going back so I wouldn't be left out, btw.
You know that I live to mop and practice the 15 Lock Drill. :-)
Anyway, if you don't want to read the whole article, here's a recap:
15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy:
1) Your need to always be right
2) Your need for control
3) Blame
4) Self-defeating self-talk
5) Limiting beliefs
6) Complaining
7) Criticism
8) The need to impress others
9) Resistance to change
10) Labels
11) Fears
12) Excuses
13) The past
14) Attachment
15) Living up to others' expectations
Wow, that's quite a list.
No time to go into detail about any of them tonight, but I did like one part enough to recopy it here. It was under #6 - Complaining:
"Nobody can make you unhappy, no situation can make you sad or miserable unless you allow it to. It’s not the situation that triggers those feelings in you, but how you choose to look at it."
I will remind myself (and the people in my life I love and want to see happy) of this when I see them giving others the power to make them unhappy.
Really. I will. I promise.
Starting tomorrow. I have to go to bed because I'm working again in the morning.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Day 80: Getting Serious
It's been two and a half weeks since my belt test.
Between earning the stripe and beginning to learn my red belt material, watching Middle prepare for his own black belt test, and all the extra time I'm in the dojang cleaning and practicing after hours - I'm hitting a new level of challenge and commitment.
I'm starting to think of myself as an Advanced Student, and I have the desire to look and feel like one as well. I've been fortunate to have several first and second degree black belts giving me extra help and encouragement as I work to move off my plateau, and it's been great to have them sharing ideas and suggestions with me, practicing with me, and showing me ways to improve without putting me down or discouraging me.
It's been very empowering, and also very humbling.
I find myself wanting to practice more in my free moments. I have mats and a kicking bag in the basement, but what I really find myself needing is a wall-sized mirror so I can see what I'm doing. That's something I can only find at the dojang right now, and it's not often that I get a large section of room to myself there. It has been suggested to me that I should find a peaceful place in the woods to practice, and that's probably true - but for now, I crave mirrors.
Plus, I am in a time crunch. No time to hike anywhere peaceful to practice. Tomorrow I will work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at my two jobs, possibly with a short break to stop at home, but possibly not. I might get a little practice in after my childbirth class, if everyone hasn't already left the dojang for the cafe. Friday, I am giving IQ tests all day, but should hopefully make it to sparring that night. Maybe the group of us will squeeze in a weekend open session, which would be nice.
In the meantime, I have lots to read and I can always practice in my head. I'm being introduced to new approaches and strategies and exercises, and I want to try them all - I just lack the time and space to do so.
Sigh... maybe the lesson for right now is one of patience rather than performance.
Between earning the stripe and beginning to learn my red belt material, watching Middle prepare for his own black belt test, and all the extra time I'm in the dojang cleaning and practicing after hours - I'm hitting a new level of challenge and commitment.
I'm starting to think of myself as an Advanced Student, and I have the desire to look and feel like one as well. I've been fortunate to have several first and second degree black belts giving me extra help and encouragement as I work to move off my plateau, and it's been great to have them sharing ideas and suggestions with me, practicing with me, and showing me ways to improve without putting me down or discouraging me.
It's been very empowering, and also very humbling.
I find myself wanting to practice more in my free moments. I have mats and a kicking bag in the basement, but what I really find myself needing is a wall-sized mirror so I can see what I'm doing. That's something I can only find at the dojang right now, and it's not often that I get a large section of room to myself there. It has been suggested to me that I should find a peaceful place in the woods to practice, and that's probably true - but for now, I crave mirrors.
Plus, I am in a time crunch. No time to hike anywhere peaceful to practice. Tomorrow I will work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at my two jobs, possibly with a short break to stop at home, but possibly not. I might get a little practice in after my childbirth class, if everyone hasn't already left the dojang for the cafe. Friday, I am giving IQ tests all day, but should hopefully make it to sparring that night. Maybe the group of us will squeeze in a weekend open session, which would be nice.
In the meantime, I have lots to read and I can always practice in my head. I'm being introduced to new approaches and strategies and exercises, and I want to try them all - I just lack the time and space to do so.
Sigh... maybe the lesson for right now is one of patience rather than performance.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Day 79: Cleaning Crew
Hard work in the dojang, where I took three classes and pushed myself hard. I'm in training mode for ToughMudder now, as is The Master, so there's no slacking. My ice pack is my new best friend.
Hard work at home as well. In addition to schoolwork and paperwork and chores, we have a new family therapist coming Tuesdays to work with us and The Teen. I won't go into detail there other than to say that he's really good and that it's hard work. Exhausting, draining, hard work.
And immediately upon the completion of the 2-hour session with him, I ran back to the dojang to clean with the Ninja buds. Mopping all the mats, etc. is a lot of work as well, but it has theraputic value of its own.
It's kind of like a "wax on, wax off" type of thing, except with us there's laughter, flinging suds, and spontaneous sparring matches mixed in, followed by hot cocoa and awesome cheesecake together.
After a day of hard work like today, I can't begin to express my gratitude for the hugs and smiles and goofiness of these guys who brighten even a difficult day and keep me laughing so hard I get an extra ab workout when we're together.
Between my time with the them tonight, lunch with The Master, a movie with Savageman (and my ice pack), and all that hard work I did today, I feel pleasantly exhausted. Peaceful, even.
Grateful tonight for work to occupy my body and mind and beloved friends with whom to share the load.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Day 78: Black Belt Attitudes and Skills for Success
Good reminders for both in and out of the dojang, for black belts and color belts alike.
1) Success Skill - Visualization:
Winning black belts learn to practice, mentally rehearse, and visualize the successful outcome of activities. The mind cannot tell the difference between what is real and what is vividly imaged. They learn to pre-play and re-play performance to anchor success and eliminate failure. Winning black belts learn to control their physical and mental state and create an ability to maintain relaxed alertness and to maximize their flexibility and ability to respond quickly and appropriately.
2) Success Attitude - Positive Self-Expectancy & Goals Attainment:
Winning black belts learn to have an overall attitude of personal optimism and enthusiasm. Winners understand that life is a self-fulfilling prophecy - a person usually gets what he or she actively expects over the long run. Winners have HIGH EXPECTATIONS of themselves and work to achieve those outcomes.
3) Success Skill - Positive Self-Talk:
Winning black belts learn to control their "inner dialogue." They create a supportive conversation with themselves that supports their goals and their energies.
4) Success Attitude - Positive Respect:
Winning black belts have the ability to be happy and to function in the world, while showing appropriate conduct and good manners. Respect represents a sincere appreciation of values and the rights of other people. They respect themselves, and avoid habits and behaviors that are unhealthy or destructive.
5) Success Skill - Total Self-Confidence:
Winning black belts have the ability to accomplish anything they are willing to work to achieve. They are not intimidated by the negative reactions of others - nor do they get mired in mediocrity. They rise above the crowd to achieve great heights.
6) Success Attitude - Unshakable Character & Personal Honesty:
Winning black belts know who they are and where they are going. They affect their environment rather than letting their environment affect them. They make decisions based upon their own moral compass, not based upon the tides and whims of those around them. Events don't alter their understanding of right and wrong or of truth and falseness. Winning black belts understand that honesty is more than simply avoiding lies. It includes a belief in the pursuit of truth. In order to have healthy relationships with other people, honesty must be present. Winning black belts take responsibility for their own actions.
7) Success Skill - No Excuses:
Winning black belts accept 100% responsibility for the outcomes in their own lives. Winners take credit or blame for their own performance. They never "externalize" their failures, but take responsibility for their own performance and results.
8) Success Attitude - Positive Self-Motivation with Definite Commitment:
Winning black belts dwell on the rewards of success, not on the penalties of failure. We always move in the direction of our currently dominant thoughts. Positive self-motivation arrives through visualizing your desires while limiting fears. Motivation also comes from focusing on the long-term results desired, not the daily disappointments and struggles. "Whatever you can do, or dream you can... begin it. Boldness has Genius, Power, and Magic in it." Do or do not; there is no try... Winners commit to their dreams and then work diligently and tirelessly to achieve them.
- Stephen Oliver, Mile High Karate
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Day 77: Wrapping Up
Breakfast this morning was Quaker instant oatmeal eaten directly out of the little paper pouches it comes in. I had no idea you could even do that.
We hiked back to the lodge, still soggy, and had another training. This time a family practice M.D. talked to us about medical issues related to Women in the Wilderness, Lyme disease, and Wilderness First Aid. Very interesting and very useful. Looking forward to taking the full Wilderness First Aid training course this year when it's offered.
We prepared more backpacking food, brainstormed more ideas for upcoming trips, discussed icebreakers for the girls, etc.
I came home with a wish-list of books and equipment, some of which will probably have to wait. Fortunately, I got all of the important stuff a long time ago. I'm eager to finally put it to use.
Grateful today for these kinds of opportunities, and for a family who successfully holds down the fort so that I can participate in them. I came home to a clean house and happy boys.
Showered and fresh and getting ready for an evening out with the Ninja women tonight.
:-)
We hiked back to the lodge, still soggy, and had another training. This time a family practice M.D. talked to us about medical issues related to Women in the Wilderness, Lyme disease, and Wilderness First Aid. Very interesting and very useful. Looking forward to taking the full Wilderness First Aid training course this year when it's offered.
We prepared more backpacking food, brainstormed more ideas for upcoming trips, discussed icebreakers for the girls, etc.
I came home with a wish-list of books and equipment, some of which will probably have to wait. Fortunately, I got all of the important stuff a long time ago. I'm eager to finally put it to use.
Grateful today for these kinds of opportunities, and for a family who successfully holds down the fort so that I can participate in them. I came home to a clean house and happy boys.
Showered and fresh and getting ready for an evening out with the Ninja women tonight.
:-)
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Day 76: Soggy Backpacking
My first backpacking trip was a wet one.
But it was actually good to train under these conditions because a good weather trip can only be easier. Now that I've done it, I won't be daunted if I need to take a group out when there's rain in the forecast.
Our Girl Scout Council is implementing a new 5-tier program for girls who want to "achieve the ultimate outdoor experience by reaching goals through physical and mental endurance, preparing for the unexpected and understanding nature and the various ecosystems our world has to offer." Girls start with an easy two night trip on Girl Scout property (which is what we are doing this weekend) and potentially progress to planning and executing a 10-12 night backpacking trip on unmarked trails in the wilderness, which could take place anywhere in the United States.
It's an ambitious program, and I'm excited to be in on it at the ground level. The other volunteers are a great group of people, and we are already talking about possibilities for our next adult training trip.
I'm also finally getting comfortable with all the backpacking equipment I bought two years ago and have yet to really use. Learning how to work my water filter, how to hang a bear bag, how to plan and prepare backpacking meals, etc... It's all stuff I've read about, but actually experiencing it with people who know what they're doing has been really good. My confidence has grown enormously and I can't wait to go again.
Some pictures from today:
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| Heading out |
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| Setting up camp |
 |
| Pumping water |
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| Bear Bag |
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| Heading back to camp |
Friday, March 23, 2012
Day 75: Backpacking, Finally!
Got home this morning at 3 a.m. Slept a few hours, got up, worked a full day doing a testing, quickly packed, and here I am. Had Leave No Trace training tonight, and now we're in the tents. More training tomorrow morning, then we backpack over the hill and spend the night there. Looking forward to putting these new skills to use!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Day 73: Countdown...
We've read the books over and over again. We've had lengthy discussions about the characters and themes and written papers about them together.
We named our cat Katniss.
Tonight's the big night - at midnight, we'll be there with our friends to see the opening of the eagerly awaited film.
Can't. Wait.
:-D
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Day 72: Green Stripe
Promotion results were awarded tonight at the end of class.
In Jung Sim Do, the Green Stripe belt, or Third Gup, is three steps away from the First Dan, or Black Belt. For me, it represents:
36 taekwondo actions
35 hapkido techniques,
30 fighting and judo techniques,
13 open hand kata,
4 weapons forms,
various falls, punches, kicks and hand techniques,
sparring and grappling
(plus the physical endurance to survive the test itself)
By now, I'm at the point where I am beginning to know how much I really don't know. It's a humbling place to be. For example, I may know the 38 or so moves in Pal Gwe Oh Jung, but executing them with proper stances, hand position, and power will take me much longer to master. I'm finding myself needing to go back to basics in order to hit the level of performance above simply knowing what the moves are.
There are other things too, like my side kick, which needs more of a hip twist to really be right. Working on changing the technique of it sends me a giant leap backward now in balance and power, although I have been assured that those things will eventually come back. Again, very humbling.
Fighting techniques are okay, as long as my partner throws a punch or a kick from the right, which is our default way of practicing. Throw from the left and I'm compeletely awkward. They need to be automatic from both sides, which will take a lot more work.
And of course, there's sparring. As a yellow belt, I was just proud of myself for showing up and hanging in through 5 matches. But as a green stripe, I need to learn to actually become good at it. Ditto for grappling.
Fortunately, I have many many people who are patient and happy to observe and teach and work on all of these areas with me. With each new rank, I find myself thanking more and more people for all of their time and help in getting me there. I hope someday I will be able to pay their effort on me forward to others.
Martial arts training has probably been the most transformative experience in my life thus far. (Other than having children, of course.) It has changed who I am in such a profound and positive way and I am eternally grateful for it, and for every member of my dojang family.
:-)
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Day 71: Backflip!
My Ninja Bud and I took a small road trip out to Gettysburg tonight to catch a glimpse of Rick Santorum.
I'd actually met and spoken with him before, during one of his Senate campaigns. He's a nice guy with a nice family. A Catholic homeschooler like myself. I have his wife's book, Everyday Graces, which uses stories and poems to teach good manners to children. I used to read it to the boys at bedtime.
Not sure if either of us will vote for the guy, but it was a nice excuse for a roadtrip.
It was fun to get away for a while. We didn't get real close to Rick, and I didn't get to have my book autographed as I had hoped. We did, however, meet two of the Duggars, which amused me very much, because my friend recognized them immediately and I thought they were just two regular people like us on line. We got our picture taken with them. They, and all the people we stood with on line, were extremely nice.
And, as always, we had a lot of laughs.
I got home to find out that, after close to a year of work at it, Middle had finally mastered the backflip. (Probably better that it happened when I wasn't around.) I know it was a proud moment for him, though, and I'm happy to see that his hard work finally paid off.
He did get this cool video of it:
I'd actually met and spoken with him before, during one of his Senate campaigns. He's a nice guy with a nice family. A Catholic homeschooler like myself. I have his wife's book, Everyday Graces, which uses stories and poems to teach good manners to children. I used to read it to the boys at bedtime.
Not sure if either of us will vote for the guy, but it was a nice excuse for a roadtrip.
It was fun to get away for a while. We didn't get real close to Rick, and I didn't get to have my book autographed as I had hoped. We did, however, meet two of the Duggars, which amused me very much, because my friend recognized them immediately and I thought they were just two regular people like us on line. We got our picture taken with them. They, and all the people we stood with on line, were extremely nice.
And, as always, we had a lot of laughs.
I got home to find out that, after close to a year of work at it, Middle had finally mastered the backflip. (Probably better that it happened when I wasn't around.) I know it was a proud moment for him, though, and I'm happy to see that his hard work finally paid off.
He did get this cool video of it:
Monday, March 19, 2012
Day 70: Clearing the Garden
Yes, it's that time of year again.
The weather is getting warmer, the birds and bunnies and bugs are out and about, and the grass is starting to grow again.
Time for me to head out to my garden for Hard Work and Deep Thinking. This time, Savageman came as well, and worked in the raspberry patch. He looks like he was attacked by a wild animal, but he got a lot of work done. It was good productive time for both of us, in all different kinds of ways.
Working in the garden has always been a pensive activity for me. Some people do their best thinking in the shower; I do mine working in the garden.
The garden is, more often than not, an apt metaphor for Life. Probably why I find it such a good place to meditate, to let thoughts come and go, to check in with myself and listen to where I'm at.
Today, I was in a Good Place.
I found it so satisfying to pull out all the old stuff from last year and discard it so easily.
Even stuff I had once liked, stuff I had thought I needed or wanted, stuff that was once important to me - I was able to see clearly for what it was and to let it go without a second thought.
I've come a long way.
The space in my garden is precious. There isn't a lot of it, and I want it filled with good things, healthy things, things that really enhance the space, not stuff that I've been keeping just because I've invested so much effort into it that I feel obligated to hang on to it and continue to try to make it work in my space.
I wondered - how did it take me so long to learn this?
And I realized - it's a pointless question. Regardless of how long it took to learn the lesson, the lesson has been learned and learned well.
And although I've done this same thing many times - pulled the same weeds and dysfunctional plants to keep them from choking my healthy growth - it's never been with this much ease and decisiveness.
I still have more work to do, but the areas I cleared today are open and ready for nothing but Good Things to be planted there from here on out. Sure, little weeds will pop up from time to time, but now that I know how to recognize them and have the will to discard them right away, they need never take hold again like they have in the past.
What a feeling of excitement and optimism I felt as I once again filled the trash with crap that was sucking up valuable resources and space - space that I now have the option to fill as I wish, with only things that will make my garden - and my life - healthier and happier.
Already thinking of all the ways I can choose to use my space, now that it's truly free.
It's a wonderful feeling.
:-)
The weather is getting warmer, the birds and bunnies and bugs are out and about, and the grass is starting to grow again.
Time for me to head out to my garden for Hard Work and Deep Thinking. This time, Savageman came as well, and worked in the raspberry patch. He looks like he was attacked by a wild animal, but he got a lot of work done. It was good productive time for both of us, in all different kinds of ways.
Working in the garden has always been a pensive activity for me. Some people do their best thinking in the shower; I do mine working in the garden.
The garden is, more often than not, an apt metaphor for Life. Probably why I find it such a good place to meditate, to let thoughts come and go, to check in with myself and listen to where I'm at.
Today, I was in a Good Place.
I found it so satisfying to pull out all the old stuff from last year and discard it so easily.
Even stuff I had once liked, stuff I had thought I needed or wanted, stuff that was once important to me - I was able to see clearly for what it was and to let it go without a second thought.
I've come a long way.
The space in my garden is precious. There isn't a lot of it, and I want it filled with good things, healthy things, things that really enhance the space, not stuff that I've been keeping just because I've invested so much effort into it that I feel obligated to hang on to it and continue to try to make it work in my space.
I wondered - how did it take me so long to learn this?
And I realized - it's a pointless question. Regardless of how long it took to learn the lesson, the lesson has been learned and learned well.
And although I've done this same thing many times - pulled the same weeds and dysfunctional plants to keep them from choking my healthy growth - it's never been with this much ease and decisiveness.
I still have more work to do, but the areas I cleared today are open and ready for nothing but Good Things to be planted there from here on out. Sure, little weeds will pop up from time to time, but now that I know how to recognize them and have the will to discard them right away, they need never take hold again like they have in the past.
What a feeling of excitement and optimism I felt as I once again filled the trash with crap that was sucking up valuable resources and space - space that I now have the option to fill as I wish, with only things that will make my garden - and my life - healthier and happier.
Already thinking of all the ways I can choose to use my space, now that it's truly free.
It's a wonderful feeling.
:-)
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