Mar23

Watching the sunrise through the Jiu-Jitsu window

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Watching the sunrise through the Jiu-Jitsu window

I woke up early and failed to fall back asleep. When I looked at the clock 35 minutes later, I realized the morning class started in 30 minutes.

Could I make it? Did I want to get up? Not really. If I did would I have time to eat? There was that one Saturday class where I woke up too late to eat much and nearly passed out. Ironically, today’s class was the same lesson.

Finally, with 20 minutes until class started, I flung the blankets from me.

It was still fully night when I left, which was disappointing. I wanted some spectacular sunrise, especially after Chatter Master’s enticing propaganda piece for mornings. (I know that was directed at me, CM!) I ate most of a banana on the way and a couple gulps of Muscle Milk.

The moon when I arrived, on time. The gym was still dark. I thought, Are you kidding me? Is class actually canceled this morning when I finally get up for it? But then Instructor rolled up a few minutes late, and several others poured from their cars, lying in wait, as I was.

I recognized three people from other classes. (Where has Timmy/Andre been hiding? Haven’t seen him in months.) One older gentleman with brown hair I strongly suspect is dyed, was milling, so I offered to practice with him. (Look at me go! So much easier when there are only a handful of students.)

This was Older Gentleman’s (OG’s?) fifth class. I couldn’t help but think, “Aww. I remember when it was my fifth class.” Suddenly I was Nate the Great commiserating with THIS guy about how difficult it was when *I* first started.

In fact, I was the most senior student there. My, how the tables have turned. I was actually teaching THIS guy how to do the moves, such as the basic trap and roll. When I did it to him, a guy much bigger than me, he said, “Wow. I didn’t think you’d be able to do that.”

Jiu-Jitsu, baby!

Jumping ahead briefly to the end of class, it was his turn to try to throw me off, but I got my hooks in and hands out for base, switching from side to side as he tried to roll me this way and that, exhausting himself until he gave up. “Wow,” he said again in a tone of, “This stuff really works.” I threw my arms overhead in triumph. (Like I should’ve done with Andre.)

I’ve always thought 5’6″ 130-pound Instructor was the poster child for the effectiveness of Jiu-Jitsu, but move over, buddy!

Today’s class was stuff I’d done before, so I was only sort of paying attention. Instead, I was watching the sky outside the window turn from black to dark blue, to purplish, to orangish (this is reminding me of bruises), and so forth until it was fully day by the time I left. I would’ve rather been viewing the change from a mountain, but this was a close second.

Here’s another shot of that vineyard I’d taken Neighbor and our other neighbor to for Neighbor’s birthday. (Gotta get better names for these people.) We were obstructing the view in the photo, so here’s a pic from my first visit to this beautiful place. Imagine watching the sunrise here. Ooooohhh.

When I was brand new to Jiu-Jitsu, I had to use all my will power to focus on Instructor. Since I’m no longer new, I got cocky and complacent.

Which, of course, came back to bite me.

Instructor had to jump in because I wasn’t helping OG, like I should have when I suddenly realized I didn’t know what to do myself. Then Instructor jumped in with me to reteach me also. This, by the way, was the only class of which I was now on my third rotation–all the more reason I should’ve known. Really hoping Instructor chalked that up to me not normally being an early riser.

So that was my morning class. Not bad, on the whole. I didn’t feel tired, probably thanks to coffee, but we’ll see how I am tomorrow. Hubby and I did finally talk about my class options and decided that me becoming a morning person would make us like ships passing. No bueno. But, hey, if I happen to get up in time, class is fair game.

The evening classes mean he’s stuck getting our four-year-old to bed on his own, reminding the girls to do their chores, the post-dinner clean up, Mom’s not there for family book time, etc. Like I’ve said before, cons with both options.

Then there’s the other matter: Taekwondo is also on Monday nights, ending 15 minutes before Jiu-Jitsu begins, but, of course, Taekwondo always goes long. So I dashed out of TKD with the girls, raced them home, had pre-calculated the velocity I’d need to be traveling, the circumference of the doughnut I’d have to spin in our driveway, and the exact moment I’d yell, “Now!” for them to fling themselves from the car and roll to safety before the spinning tires smashed them, as I peeled back out, leaving a trail of smoke and the stench of burning rubber.

OR, I inconvenienced Hubby yet again by making him meet us at the JJ gym. The girls jumped from one vehicle to the other. I yelled goodbye and thanks and ran inside, shucked my red plastic flip flops, carried them and my JJ gi across the mat, dodging and weaving between the practicing pairs, to the bathroom where I shed the TKD gi and belt and donned the JJ gi and belt, ready in time to line up on the wall for my second workout in a row.

Basically, it was the perfect night. 😉

I did not die from exhaustion, but Instructor nearly slayed me. During his demo with a larger partner, (They’re always larger now that Adrian Brody is gone.) he asked, “Who’s stronger? Him or me?”

Someone promptly responded, “Him!”

Instructor looked down solemnly, hand to his chest. “That hurt me, bro. Too quick. That was too quick.”

Later he explained that for the Americana, (Finally got the Americana class! Yet not a drop of coffee was served!) you, “Grab one arm and feed it to your other hand. Nom. Nom.”

Maybe because it was so quick and inserted in the same tone as everything else, no one laughed. I was ready to keel over. That was golden. As is this picture.

I don’t know much about sunrises, but sunsets over the ocean are spectacular. That’s two of my girls on the right, btw. No clue who the other random rocker is. You’re ruining my shot, man!

So that’s it! I’m now creeping closer to my second White Stripe. “Duhn. Dun-dun-dun-duhhn-dun.”

What’s your vote? Would you rather see the sunrise over the mountains or the sunset on the sea?

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63 responses »

  2. What about sunrise over the ocean? 🙂 That’s one of my favorites to watch.

    Glad you finally made a morning class. And look at you being the senior student. Glad you got to experience the whole thing even if it isn’t going to be the norm. You had me dizzy reading about switching from Taekwondo to Jiu Jitsu classes! 🤪

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Being on the west coast, sunrise on the ocean isn’t an option for me unless I’m on vacation somewhere far away. I’ll have to put it on my bucket list, Mae!

      Quickly changing from one gi to the next was rather fun, gotta admit. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  3. Great imagery with that SuperMom action, burning rubber! The vineyard life is for me. I pick sunset over the ocean. I have a large canvas of a photo we took of the sunset in Maui circa 2016. It is fabulous!

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Difficult decision. The thing about sunrise is it’s inspiring, the thing about sunset is it’s inspiring. I don’t know if I’d have a preference. Maybe just stay open to whatever works for you each day?

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  8. They are BOTH beautiful! I guess I’d go for a sunrise over the mountains, just because that’s a lot more realistic for me nowadays.

    One time, a friend from New Jersey commented on one of my sunset pics over the ocean, saying how weird it was to see the sun setting over the ocean versus rising over the ocean. Having never lived on the east coast, I feel like seeing the sun rise over the ocean would be weird.

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. It’s nice to be in a partnership where each of your hobbies and passions are weighed considerably and family sacrifices are made so everyone can be happy! 🙂 Good job for making it in no time to your class!! 😀

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  11. This is so hard to relate to. Who could give up sleep, or breakfast, to exercise? I’m just not one of those give 110% type people. Breakfast in bed is more my style. But good for you. We can’t possibly be related, right?

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  12. I lived on the Texas Coast for ten years so I guess I’ll say the mountains. As far as exercise before sunrise, I did that for 15 years. Hit the gym every weekday morning at 4:30. I don’t do that anymore and am so much happier.

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  13. There is so much to love about this post. Your title is excellent. But it could also be called “Becoming an old-timer at a new-time!”

    And also I love the description of dropping the girls off after TK. And of course the sunset at the beach picture.

    But most of all, the very real conundrum of the trade-offs between any time except the middle of the day for time as a parent. Which is such an impossible puzzle to solve and yet watching you and every other parent do it is so inspirational to everyone else!

    I prefer sunrise on a mountain but I wouldn’t turn down sunset over the sea!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yep, your title would’ve worked too, so long as someone more senior didn’t walk in. It’s great that Instructor is getting so many new students. For his sake more than mine, as it’s better for me when I get to partner with someone who knows more, but I’m glad for Instructor.

      Those noon classes with Lopez are *supposed* to happen soon, but I’m still waiting on the official word on that. Also, it turned out to be a great thing that I went yesterday morning because the circumstances of yesterday evening were such that me leaving for class would’ve been no good.

      After talking with a couple of other commenters on here, I’m realizing that sunrise on the sea needs to happen for me, specifically, sunrise on the Pacific! 🙂 But I’m grateful for all other iterations, which I’ve seen, and they are all amazing.

      Like

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  15. Sunrise in the mountain. Sunset on the sea. Morning cup of tea.
    You have passed ‘on fire’ for martial arts and entered inferno. I’m so happy for you.
    Glad the TKD helped the girls be prepared for that drop out and roll car exchange 🙂
    I’m glad you at least got to see the morning change. Those changing colors are magnificent. Just like those referred to bruises.

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. Sunrises from a jiu-jitsu window must be so kick-ass 🙂 In the state of Washington, I get to see the sun rise or set over the mountains–and we are only about 15-20 minutes from the Puget Sound, so we can see the sun set or rise over the ocean. I must say that both are pretty impressive. Cheers!

    Liked by 2 people

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