Jul31

Most girls dream about their future wedding…

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Most girls dream about their future wedding…

I never did.

I did, however, daydream about how I’d most like to receive my new belt. In my ideal world, my old friends from Betsy’s Jiu-Jitsu Journey Part 1 would be there. They would understand how much finally getting this belt after 16 months away and having to start over would mean to me.

The students in my beginner class, meh. They’d sort of care, but also not, with the possible exception of the few other females.

I commented to Instructor and Mrs. Instructor that it would be nice to get the new belt when the blue belt students were around. Mrs. Instructor laughed and reminded me that it’s meant to be a surprise.

I was indeed surprised. At the end of a class, Instructor awarded a stripe to one student. Then he did the recap of the day’s lesson, signaling to me that the awarding of promotions was over. Disappointed, but whatever, I let my gi top hang around my waist to cool off, thus making me to look like an idiot (aka, my natural state) when the moment came.

See that big line up of dudes? Only a couple of them know me.

HOWEVER, it just so happened that one blue belt friend from the old days WAS there. Not only that, he was standing right next to me. If I could only choose one person from back then, this is the one I would have chosen. It was truly a blessing to me that he was there.

I froze the video to get this shot as I’m stepping away from the wall with Thoughtful One next to me, smiling. Everyone else is like, whatevs.

I did not receive a coveted, “I’m proud of you,” from Instructor, but he did say, “Very well done.”

He was either referring to my test, or letting me know how he likes his steak.

I did get this, which I later asked him to sign, “Because I will keep it forever, and my grandchildren will say, ‘Grandma is so cool! She knew [Instructor]!'” (He did not sign it “Instructor.” That would have been hilarious but also frightening because it would mean he reads my blog.)

The funny thing is, he had my new belt hiding in his gi the entire class! Mrs. Instructor, who was there that night, said, “I’m surprised you didn’t notice it sticking out.”

I was clueless.

“Didn’t that bother you when you were rolling?” I asked Instructor.

“Huh-uh,” he said. “But when I bent over, I thought maybe I shouldn’t have done that. I worried it would show.”

Nope. Also special, this class was his favorite: elevator sweep. I was, ironically, stinking it up. I remember thinking that if I got my belt that night, my partner might think, “Really? Her? You sure?”

Ah well.

The two four-stripers there (including the one who motivated me to get a move on) gathered around me after class.

“What was the test like?” A: Exhausting!

“How long did it take?” A: About a half an hour.

“So you knew everything, huh?” A: Well, it wasn’t perfect.

“How did you prepare?” A: By beating up a friend. (Then I nudged Sensei. Did I mention he’s back? If not, it’s not important.)

Backing up just a smidge

Handing my combatives card to Instructor for the last time.

In my second to last class as a combatives (white belt) student, I was only two classes away from receiving what would be another stripe on my belt–ridiculous because I’d earned the max, four, years ago. At this point I’d have nine or ten.

So when Instructor collected my card, I said, “Hey, look. Almost to another stripe!”

He merely smiled, probably confused a little, like, “Betsy doesn’t really think I’m going to give her another stripe, does she?”

I thought that would’ve killed! I decided to try again the next night, planning to say something like, “Oooh, almost 40 classes.”

But before I could, Instructor collected my card and said, “Almost 40 classes!”

!!!!!

So he got my joke after all and threw it right back at me. 🙂

Me laughing in disbelief at what he had just said.

Oh my goodness. I can’t help it. Here are more pictures.

So chill in my new belt.

I said, “Are we supposed to be doing tough guy poses, because I don’t think I can not smile.” I glanced over. He was smiling too. Phew.

Teaching me a new pose, the fist bump. But not just any fist bump.
He had to instruct me on how to hold my fist for maximum coolness factor. (My words, not his.)

Here comes the best part. If I couldn’t have all my blue belt friends present, I told the Instructors that SD had to be there, at the very least. That was a must.

When we stood for pictures, I said, “Where’s SD?”

He was busy with a student, so, “We’ll just take some without him,” Instructor said.

When SD finished, he jogged over saying, “You’re taking pictures without me?”

Me saying, “We were waiting for you!” Looks like his elbow made it into the shot.

“What silly thing should we do?” I asked.

SD: “I’m doing a James Bond pose.”

Haha.

But let’s just end on this one:

Yay! Mission FINALLY accomplished!

Special thanks to Mrs. Instructor for kindly sending me all these pictures! And for tirelessly listening to me gush on the highs and lows of class (and of testing) these last few months. We weren’t friends during Betsy’s Jiu-Jistu Journey Part 1. NOW I understand why I couldn’t finish that time around! 😉

Alright, alright. Here’s your trivia. You’ve earned it.

Anne Brontë was the youngest of the three 19th-century literary sisters.

New question:

Native to the Andes, these South American rodents live in colonies called herds.

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48 responses »

  1. I never spent much time dreaming about my wedding. Spent some time stressing over the bills it generated, but never dreamed about it.

    Congratulations! We all knew you’d get the new belt. You know, if you wore an ankle brace on each ankle it would look more like a fashion statement that an injury. Just a thought.

    and those would be chinchillas. Whole herds of them.

    Liked by 3 people

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  4. capybaras? all I can think of. your accomplishment and refusal to give up are utterly inspiring! I love how happy you were and how you were smiling so much and that your faves were there and it all worked out so well. the universe conspired and you worked ass off.

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. If that is how he likes his steak, then I’ve lost all respect for the man.

    Congratulations, by the way! I love that you were surprised. And the answer to your trivia question has to be capybaras. (Or elephants, but I’m guessing they’re not native to South America, nor are they considered rodents.)

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. Congratulations, Betsy and love that they managed to surprise you! 😀 Your contagious smile always shines bright in your photos and what a great class!

    Well, I was going to say guinea-pigs – know they like to have these cute animals running around – only to later eat them! 😀

    Happy Weekend, Betsy! xx

    Liked by 2 people

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  18. Wow, I am not messing around with you, I could get belted! Congratulations Betsy! What a fabulous surprise! If the instructor didn’t say it, I will, “I’m so damn proud of you.” Loved all the pics! Hugs, C

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. Pingback: And so I begin again. | Writing and Martial Arts

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