lithera | Another day...

Yesterday was a decent, if slow day. Training is really draining, much like teaching was. My office mate Scott thinks I'm a great trainer. That made my morning when he told me that. Scott was the ichiban trainer until her got another job. It's interesting to watch him learn all of the new things he has to know for this job.

So after hanging out with Derby, Jamie and Kevin for a bit, I went to karate. Shihan wasn't there, but his daughter was. Her workouts are more intense than Shihan's are. We did a lot of sparring drills. There is this fifteen year old black belt named Erin who is always specifically picking me to spar with. She is always trying to get me to be better. This normally results in her kicking my ass all over the mat. Yesterday she was like, "Hit me! Hit me back, don't just defend." She's a good foot shorter than me and it makes it difficult to find openings. Once I just let out with a front snap kick followed by a back kick and she noddded at me, "Like that!" It was pretty much the only salvo I got off at her at all. Except when I kicked her in the elbow. I have a huge bruise on my foot now.

Then I sparred with a brown belt named Martin. I've seen him spar with other people and draw blood and kick them in the head and all sorts of intense stuff.

I was a little intimidated.

There was nothing to worry about. He was really good to spar with. He punched really slow so I could pratcice my blocks and counter-attacks.

I looked up on the board and I passed my orange belt test. It make sme so happy. Now, I just have to get the actual belt.

Bo or sai? Bo or sai? Bo is on Mondays and sai is on Wednesdays. I have to know some bo katas for promotion, but not until like my green belt. I have awhile until I get there. I have all of my katas down up to blue belt. Then is gets a lot more confusing.

I read a really good book yesterday. That was plesant.

Not too much else. I should get back to answering e-mail.