Well...I got the black belt. It was a challenging morning of testing, but in the end, I pulled it off!
I had some trouble with a board break which left my hand a lovely shade of purple and green, but it is already starting to get better.
So, this goal is accomplished. I am wondering, "what is my next goal?". Any suggestions?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
What my Black Belt Means to Me...
As part of black best testing at our tae kwon do school, we are supposed to write a "thesis" on "What my Black Belt Means to Me". I am testing next Saturday (August 16th) for my black belt and my "thesis" is below...
Princess. Spoiled. Girly. Just about everyone who knows me, would use any of those words to describe me. Before ATA, Black Belt would never have appeared on that list. (Quite honestly, it would have inspired laughter to anyone who read it.)
I grew up in a home with one sister. We didn’t do sports. EVER. We were a musical family. We played dress up, acted out plays, took music lessons and painted our nails. I once dropped a piano teacher because she told me I was going to have to cut my nails. That was just how it was. Even when I was choosing a wedding gown, Rick said that the only dress that would work would be a “princess dress”. Then God gave me all sons. Many see that as ironic. Naw. I’m still the princess!
Back to becoming a black belt…I was feeling a little left out that Rick and the boys were going to do karate together. So, I figured, why not give it a try? I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it, AND by how much I wanted to achieve getting my black belt. At each belt test, I painted my toes the color of the belt I was going for. This was my way of still being “girly”…despite breaking boards and sparring. Sparring was a WHOLE new world for me. Don’t get me started on that!
There are several things about getting my black belt that are special to me:
1) I did it with my family. (Perhaps I’ll have a little leverage when they all outgrow me.)
2) I tried something new and unfamiliar to me…and found that I really liked it.
3) I stuck with it…even though I wanted to quit. In fact, I skipped one cycle, with the intention of being done…but I came back to finish.
4) I hope my sons will see that it’s okay for a woman to be “girly”, yet allow her to be “tough” at the same time.
5) Most of all, “Princesses CAN kick butt!”
Princess. Spoiled. Girly. Just about everyone who knows me, would use any of those words to describe me. Before ATA, Black Belt would never have appeared on that list. (Quite honestly, it would have inspired laughter to anyone who read it.)
I grew up in a home with one sister. We didn’t do sports. EVER. We were a musical family. We played dress up, acted out plays, took music lessons and painted our nails. I once dropped a piano teacher because she told me I was going to have to cut my nails. That was just how it was. Even when I was choosing a wedding gown, Rick said that the only dress that would work would be a “princess dress”. Then God gave me all sons. Many see that as ironic. Naw. I’m still the princess!
Back to becoming a black belt…I was feeling a little left out that Rick and the boys were going to do karate together. So, I figured, why not give it a try? I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it, AND by how much I wanted to achieve getting my black belt. At each belt test, I painted my toes the color of the belt I was going for. This was my way of still being “girly”…despite breaking boards and sparring. Sparring was a WHOLE new world for me. Don’t get me started on that!
There are several things about getting my black belt that are special to me:
1) I did it with my family. (Perhaps I’ll have a little leverage when they all outgrow me.)
2) I tried something new and unfamiliar to me…and found that I really liked it.
3) I stuck with it…even though I wanted to quit. In fact, I skipped one cycle, with the intention of being done…but I came back to finish.
4) I hope my sons will see that it’s okay for a woman to be “girly”, yet allow her to be “tough” at the same time.
5) Most of all, “Princesses CAN kick butt!”
Friday, August 8, 2008
Lots Going On...
Obviously, it has been awhile since I've blogged. Just so you know, the temper tantrum to make vacation last longer DIDN'T work. However, it DID prompt us to begin thinking about everything that is going on in our lives and make some decisions that will, hopefully, help us in the long run.
The first decision was that we, as a family, would benefit more from my working ONE full time job rather than a couple part time. For me, it was becoming quite overwheming to jump from one to the other constantly. So, we made the decision to start the process of making that change. I didn't have to search long as my first inquiry produced a full time position at, (SHOCK), River Valley Church. I gave my notice at CHA and started this past Monday. I continue to handle the Events Department but I am now Admin to Jim Garvey (Business Administrator) and Jeff Kerr (Creative Arts). After one week, I can truly say that I love it. The only glitch so far is that we didn't need full time child care up to this point and we are winging it right now.
With change number one came change number two. We decided that Chase and Hunter would attend public school this year rather than private at CHA. (Reed was already going to public school this year). We have had great experiences at CHA and have loved having our children learn in a Christian environment. This is the right decision for our family in our "season" and we are excited to watch them tackle a new challenge! Hunter will go from a class of 8 last year to a class of 25 (and that is only one of five classes.) So, they will definitely see some differences!
The update on our house is that our insurance company is terrible and we aren't getting enough to make half of the repairs that are needed. We are still in the decision making process right now, but know that this is somehow part of God's plan for us right now.
So that is the big update...
The first decision was that we, as a family, would benefit more from my working ONE full time job rather than a couple part time. For me, it was becoming quite overwheming to jump from one to the other constantly. So, we made the decision to start the process of making that change. I didn't have to search long as my first inquiry produced a full time position at, (SHOCK), River Valley Church. I gave my notice at CHA and started this past Monday. I continue to handle the Events Department but I am now Admin to Jim Garvey (Business Administrator) and Jeff Kerr (Creative Arts). After one week, I can truly say that I love it. The only glitch so far is that we didn't need full time child care up to this point and we are winging it right now.
With change number one came change number two. We decided that Chase and Hunter would attend public school this year rather than private at CHA. (Reed was already going to public school this year). We have had great experiences at CHA and have loved having our children learn in a Christian environment. This is the right decision for our family in our "season" and we are excited to watch them tackle a new challenge! Hunter will go from a class of 8 last year to a class of 25 (and that is only one of five classes.) So, they will definitely see some differences!
The update on our house is that our insurance company is terrible and we aren't getting enough to make half of the repairs that are needed. We are still in the decision making process right now, but know that this is somehow part of God's plan for us right now.
So that is the big update...
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