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Kata, part 1. I did 8 empty-handed kata in all, one sai kata, and one bo kata.

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Kata part 2 with weapons and bunkai (application)

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Two-person work and self-defense: Counter three attacks to the face, three to the middle, and three kicks, showing each counter twice on the right and twice on the left. Two mat escape techniques. 5 self-defense ( Read more... )

Well, I had my black belt test today. Finally! Linda, Tiiu, and I arrived at 9am, before the people who clean the building! We got the room ready, stretched, did sound checks, hemmed, hawed, etc. We waited an extra half hour for our complete board to show up. (The board is the group of black belts who are grading you, or deciding if you pass/fail ( Read more... )

I haven't posted anything in a while, I guess because I've been a bit busy. Busy working, including some overtime here and there. Busy preparing for my black belt test, which is on Sunday. Busy organizing the nursing trip to Nepal, busy saving money. I guess there's a lot going on in my head, but nothing substantial. More stuff of the ethereal, ( Read more... )

Today I picked up some things from Sarah's mother, who just got back from her first trip to Nepal. She brought us back some gifts from Saba's family and Biju-didi. Biju sent me a shirt and a card, and the card made me just about cry. Jyopsi also added her little lipstick kisses and a drawing of a butterfly. It made me very happy but also quite ( Read more... )

1. I had a terrible case of giardiasis (intestinal parasite infection) when I was 8. I looked like one of those African kids from the TV. I think I was NPO for about a month for tests, and then I was on a strict high calorie (3000-4000 calories a day) for three months ( Read more... )

My grandma was intent on me attending this financial help program by Dave Ramsey. It's sort of based on Christianity, in that he quotes the bible, but otherwise it really doesn't have much to do with religion. Unless you worship at the altar of the $ sign, which most of us do. Anyway, I'm altogether thrilled about it, because changing my ways doesn ( Read more... )

Watching Obama's (I mean, President Obama's) speech made me cry. I have never given a thought to our presidents, other than a mild interesting in what they may or may not be doing. I certainly never paused to remind myself to call them 'President' so-and-so before! It honestly feels like instead of a new president, we have crowned royalty. Is this ( Read more... )

One time in your life
You've got the route in hand
But the map is stuck
They said it's not your fault
The tires are tired the camera moves
And your driver's been pulled

And I, I have always felt thisAnd I, I could never hear it ( Read more... )

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