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!”
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6 comments:
Yes, I, as your mother, was very surprised when I heard you were going for your black belt. In fact, I laughed because you were the girliest of all girls - never wanting to be dirty or 'messy' (except for your room!!) I am very proud of you for breaking out of the 'princess' mold to accomplish this with all your boys and I plan to be sitting in the room when you achieve that Black Belt. Not so sure about the black toenails, though!! Lots of love,Mom
Yes...they WILL be black. (maybe with a pink flower for luck) :)
Kate - congrats! I expect a blog with pictures after Saturday...
And I, for one, am sporting black toenails at the moment and LOVE the look. I think you, too, can definitely pull it off. :-)
Kate-
Congrads. I am so happy for you. I was always feared you most of your family (Rick, I feared the least) but now I really fear you!!!!!
Twon: Why do people keep saying that to me? (you weren't the first!!)
Kate, I am so impressed! After I read your blog I thought, maybe I should go for my black belt. But then, I came to my senses! Very, very cool!!!
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