Public Performance in Alaska

During my vacation in Alaska I went on an amazing hike to Lake Ptarmigan with my Aunt's Women's Group. There were about twenty women ranging in age from mid-fifties to mid-sixties. It was a very interesting group of women, and I truly enjoyed the hike. When we made it to Lake Ptarmigan, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to satisfy one of my public performances--even thought it was a remote location. :o) With the women's group, and the other people (about 15-20) that were also up there, I had a good size audience, and I was quite nervous.

I started by telling the audience about Aim High and the Dare to Dream Team and talked about the three forms we have to learn as 2nd Degree Candidates (Palgwe 8, Chumo 4, and Curio), and then I performed all three forms. The uneven ground made it somewhat difficult to maintain balance, and I got pitch all over my feet, but it was totally worth it.

While I was performing, my aunt took some great pictures. Didn't get any good shots of my kicks, but some of the chambers, strikes and blocks look rather good. :o) It was a great experience.

The Sound of Silence

So I often wonder if anyone ever reads these blogs.... I like having to do these to throw right out there what is difficult to do (like our open forms.... I've got about a 3rd of it down, but can I just hide under the bed now? ). I like using it to tell of whatever I've accomplished today (Like when we were MMA fighting with Bkjn (wow, that sounds funky) Dan and I grabbed his leg mid-kick & pulled him in to punch him in the stomach... ha!). But then I know we're told to be sure & enter at least one per week, which is fine, but seldom do we ever get any comments (except for Cgn Girl Sam... thank you, by the way). Then I look at the video blogs at the # of views, and often times there's maybe 1 view or 2, but that's it. Not that I mind that part because doing the video blogs are hardly my favorite or anyone else's, but I don't know, I just thought they should be read too. Okay, here's what we're going to do to find out who actually reads this: The next time you see me, pretend you're Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory and say, "Bazinga". Oh, and no telling anyone else so they can say false Bazinga's either. ;)

Fencing

       Last week I decided to take some fencing classes. I didn't just take it for the extra exercise, but fencing is very similar in a way to sparring and sticks. I also leave fencing classes with sore muscles in the weirdest places like behind my knees, under the wrists and sometimes my feet are stiff. I highly recommend fencing to those who want a good workout and also want to gain speed and fast tactics. I love the sabers ( or swords ) because they're just like what you see in the movies! Except the fact that the end of the foible ( or tip of the blade ) is bent so that no one can well.... die.

  I love, love this new sport and it is defiantly a great way to gain some speed and strength!! And besides any class with a weapon is fun.  :)

 Well everyone is doing an amazing job so far!!!! Keep it up!!!!

Z0E

Quote

I saw this quote by Michael Jordan... thought it was appropriate as I'm sure most of us have felt or do feel this way...

"My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength."

Exposure (to another school)

Right now, I'm at the general store in Spring Green, Wisconsin. This is the only place with in 50 miles of our family cabin that has internet. I will be posting a video journal as soon as I can. Tonight, I'm going to my cousin's tae-kwan-do class in downtown Spring Green. (Its a very small town.) My cousin is a black belt at the school and she said that I could participate in their class tonight. It is a small school, but they do some of the same forms we do. I don't really know what to expect- my cousin says that training are very intense so, I'm kind of wondering.... My mom and I are trying to get her to come down for the final show in October. Got to get back to vacation. Miss Everyone! See you on the 3rd at training (after flying all day). Bye!

CGN Taylor

Courage is not the absence of fear //

overwhelmed....

honestly, i can't wait for class tonight, just to get my mind off of school prep work.

as some of you know, i'm going back to school. which is awesome and i'm looking forward to it.

but there are a few things that are needed...such as high school transcripts...which i don't really have. why? do you ask? well, i was home-schooled. I did the stuff, went to the classes, did the assignments, took the tests, and passed. but after a while, i THREW EVERYTHING AWAY. why? probably cause i got tired of all the paper everywhere, didn't know how to organize it (i'm not the most organized person) and threw it all away cause i got tired of moving it from one place to another just to move it again.

so now the only proof i have that i am educated is the books i still have that i read and studied, my art, and a lesson planner for each year of high school. that's it. one would think that the college courses i took in high school would be enough to prove that i did go to school and that i am educated. nope.

so here i am, in the middle of books, books, books, and more books. god help me if someone starts fire. it'd be screwed. in the mean time, i'm trying to describe the books, what i learned, figure out how to make transcripts, tearing my house apart trying to find proof of the work i did in high school, finding hardly anything. and all i want to do is break down and cry.

not only is this on the forefront of my mind, but there's also the requirements that i have yet to do, like those video journals, push ups, sit ups, projects, my best friend's bachelorette party that i planned that's this weekend, her wedding next weekend, finding scholarships, tuition reimbursement, loans, financial aid, interviews, profiles, finding a real job, creating an open form,

it's all so much. and for the record, yes, i gave in and cried.

i want to go running, but know that this mess will still be here, waiting for me.

110%

So, after the inspiration of Kjn Tom & Master Dave's classes, I came into Monday's class totally ready to kick butt... or whatever else might get in my way. I kicked harder, with good chambers and did everything to the best of my ability. For an hour and a half. My body hates me. :)

I'm not sore today, just exhausted. I think going from giving like 80% all the way to 110% was about 10% too fast. I'll try for 105% tomorrow night... With my luck, I'll end up with push-ups. ;)