Here are some follow-ups to previous posts.
After the one about Mrs. Instructor, she let me know she hasn’t subscribed to my blog because
Awwwhhhh… My very own stalker. Just what I always wanted.
After my Sensei goes to Singapore post, (dang, I should’ve called it that!) Ju-Lyn and I were talking about the visit. I wrote:
I have old stories I haven’t yet shared, so I must take you back to my Combatives class days for a moment. Please forgive the timeline whiplash.
Instructor is quite funny, seemingly without even trying. For instance: “If you need to take someone down, be careful of what’s behind him. You don’t want to land in the street or on a baby stroller, or koala, or a cat. Be aware of your surroundings.”
I leaned to the woman next me. “Did he say koala?”
“Yeah, I think so,” she said, equally befuddled.
He weaves stuff like this in seamlessly.
Another thing he does is explain a move then ask Surfer Dude if he has anything to add. Since I was often demo partner in SD’s absence, I mentioned to Sensei that my new life goal was to be asked if I had anything to add.
Sensei responded with a characteristic insult. My first clue it was coming was when he opened his mouth. I, however, saw this as an excellent opportunity to make my first class joke.
I recently hit my 20th class of Betsy’s Jiu-Jitsu Journey: Round Two. During that class, Instructor said to me, “I’ve never given a fifth stripe before. Do you want me to add it to your belt?”
I pointed out that my first, first stripe was falling off anyway, so he might as well replace it.
“Do you want me to just do it after class, or should I call you up in front of everyone and do it then?” The latter is how stripes are normally awarded. I’m not usually one to want attention and fanfare, but this would mean I had just completed my 100th Jiu-Jitsu class.
And, darn it, I wanted some fanfare.
I was determined not to have a baking story to share because everything would be smooth sailing.
Hahahahaha!
First of all, I had asked a daughter to be sure we had all the ingredients we needed for our black belt ceremony cake. I was told to pick up whipped cream; otherwise, we were good.
Then Monday morning, day of the ceremony, I checked the recipe just to be sure. Wouldn’t you know it, I needed both milk and dark chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream. This was after going to three stores the Saturday before.
Son of a biscuit. Mondays are my busiest work days. I was at the closest store as soon as it opened at 9 and was out by 9:03, rushing home to get my work done. Finally, around 3:00, I took a break to make the ganache frosting.
I had three bowls with a cup each of white, milk, and dark chocolate chips and had to watch the heavy whipping cream in the microwave, at 30 second intervals, to catch it when it was just boiling. Then I needed to pour 3/4 cups immediately into each bowl.
Naturally, my boss called me twice while in the midst of this.
Meanwhile, back in Taekwondo Land… The black belt test for my three girls and me was December 21. I couldn’t tell you about it yet because there was a backup at the embroiderers. Then scheduling conflicts with Sensei. Yadda-yadda. But this happened last night:
Last night Sensei said, “Your final test is, what does the Korean lettering on your belt mean?” Youngest Daughter: “It means, ‘Oh yeah!'” Surprisingly, that was incorrect. The real answer is ‘Victory.’ (I got it right.)
Here’s what I wrote, fortunately back in December, or I’d probably have forgotten much of this:
While writing my last post, I had a bit of a revelation: What if partnering with Sensei is the problem?
When in doubt, Sensei is always the problem.
But maybe it’s a combination of me being distracted by my desire to show that man up because I’m so annoyed at him being better at me in everything, and his inability to turn off the teacher switch. Like, dude, stop telling me what to do and let me think for myself a moment. (I’ve since said this to him, and he said, “Sorry,” so we’re cool.)
After this revelation, I considered asking Instructor to put me with someone else. Then I thought better of it and decided to leave the partnering to fate.
As fate would have it, Sensei was late, so Instructor partnered me with someone else. How’d I do?
I was having an Andy Dwyer moment.
If you haven’t watched Parks and Recreation, Andy is the endearing yet not so smart character played by Chris Pratt. In one episode he’s trying to win over the girl he likes, April. A friend tries to help him formulate a plan by asking, “What are your skills?”
Andy responds, “I’m nice. I’m in a band.” The friend waited for more, but that was the extent of Andy’s CV.
I feel on par with Andy. I’m one of those things. The other, no one in their right mind would have me do.
Side note: I was recently telling a friend I had zero musical ability. “I like to dance, though,” I said.
She perked up. “Really? What kind?”
Evidently she was expecting salsa, swing, ballet, heck, even tap would probably do.
“Uh, just to music I like.”
She turned her attention to someone else.
Probably a good thing I didn’t mention head banging.
So, I’m sticking with “nice,” and some people think I’m funny. That’s two. I have to accept that Jiu-Jitsu is not in my skill list, despite how much I wish it would be.
Here’s an opportunity to use two of those 149 pics I’ve been stockpiling. I spotted this and another t-shirt two years ago and snapped pics in case I ever had cause to mention Parks and Rec. I hope fellow fans will appreciate them.
Okay, so I did that free seminar thing with Sensei back in November, right? And we snagged coupons for two free weeks of class, making plans to use them this month. I eagerly awaited our first class, last night at 8p.m., a time that seemed far too late. I kept watching the clock, trying to find ways to fill the time.
This is taking forever. What should I do? Wash dishes or something?!
Don’t worry, I didn’t stoop that low.
Finally, the hour drew near. Once again I perceived the heavenly choir of angels as I pulled my plastic-wrapped gi from the back of the closet.
It was almost surreal to bid farewell to my family as I went off to war. Or, just, you know, to a martial arts class.
First, if you’re new here and don’t want to be lost, read this paragraph. If you’re old hat, feel free to skip along. The brief recap: I did Jiu-Jitsu for nearly a year and was In. Love. Then, in September 2022, when testing for my next belt, I injured my foot and ankle. Things got gnarly, and I spent some time in a wheelchair. I nearly went back this past June but busted my knee before I could. I somewhat convinced myself the universe was against me doing Jiu-Jitsu forevermore.
Then this happened…
I’m still on Gracie Jiu-Jitsu’s distribution list. So, imagine my excitement when I saw the announcement for a free two-hour self defense seminar. I dug my old gi from the back of my closet, pulling off the plastic cover, singing, “Awwwwwww,” like a heavenly chorus. I tossed the bag aside and held up my beloved uniform, saying, “BEHOLD!”
My daughter, witnessing this, laughed, shook her head, and pushed her glasses farther up her nose.
I signed myself and two of my girls up and spread the word to others. Only one person took me up on it. Any guesses?
When combing through Diane’s recipes for my last post, I came across the most brilliant image.
A heavenly light shone upon my computer. My eyes widened in delight. A choir of angels sang. I had discovered:
Sensei keeps giving me zucchinis, right? And he loves chocolate. This was perfect. But it got even better. I was told Coral would be in town for her birthday weekend and intended to come to class.
I texted Mrs. Sensei.
Writing and Martial Arts 