Tag Archives: Taekwondo

Apr24

I had a decision to make

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I had a decision to make

Should I cut back on Jiu-Jitsu or not?

Me with HRH/Mrs. Instructor, posted on the gym’s Instagram.

The biggest stressor in my life right now is an impossible deadline to finish book two of my YA trilogy. The editor said I should submit the sequel when book one is in presale. That’s possibly in September. Zero chance I’ll be done by then–with draft 1 and 2, maaayyybe, but the final, at least 20th, draft? Not a chance.

I need more time. There’s the job, the kids, the house, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, checking 2nd grade math homework, etc. Something has to give. You may have already noticed blogging has mostly “given,” as in, I’ve not been around much.

There’s also the book reading. I have three for which I need to write reviews. And my boss wants me to clean up transcripts of interviews she’s done and compile them into a book.

She and I were at a conference recently where, at the “VIP poolside dinner,” I met a woman with the most intriguing story that includes seven years of homelessness before a radical transformation. When dinner was over and everyone stood, I ran to her side of the table and said, “You are so amazing. Will you please be my friend?”

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Jul7

The birth of Taekwon-Jitsu!

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The birth of Taekwon-Jitsu!

One of my daughters wanted to continue Taekwondo. Sensei said it would take a lot to pull him back into teaching. I suggested maybe we do a blend of Taekwondo and Jiu-Jitsu on a quid pro quo basis. I’ve acquired some grappling mats. Might as well use them. He agreed. And thus, Taekwon-Jitsu was born!

Sensei practiced three forms with us then eagerly pointed at the mats. “Remind me how to do triangle chokes.”

But first I wanted to be sure everyone had break falls and standing up in base down. Youngest Daughter, who was my assistant when I did self defense classes with fellow moms at school, went over trap and rolls and wrist releases with her sisters. (I was so proud.)

Meanwhile, I helped Sensei with triangle chokes. At some point I elbow escaped to get back into guard and so subsequently had to refresh his memory on elbow escaping. (I should mention, he only did Jiu-Jitsu with me for a month.)

Visual reminder: triangle choke

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Jun7

Stay or leave, I want you not to go, but you should [maybe]–Dave Matthews

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Stay or leave, I want you not to go, but you should [maybe]–Dave Matthews

Jacqui at Word Dreams suggested I write a memoir about my martial arts experience. I’m intrigued by the idea. I do enjoy writing books and recently learned there’s a Polish version of my parenting book. (There’s also a Polish translation of my first book. Good ol’ Poles!)

The problem is, it’s hard to start a book when you don’t know the ending. Will it be book-worthy? Betsy takes on the world and succeeds against all odds–Yes. Betsy does martial arts for a few years then quits because her body can’t take it any more?–Not so much.

But I worry that could be my fate.

Here’s the thing: my lower extremities hate me. Still. I wear my ankle brace constantly, and I’ve been back to sitting on the shower floor for months. The first time I decided to sit because my feet can’t take the pressure, I sort of smiled inwardly, in a sad ironic way, and thought, “Hello, shower floor, my old friend,” because I tend to think in modified song lyrics.

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Feb15

Where there’s a belt, there’s baking

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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.

Here was the intended final product, from the back of the Ghirardelli brownie mix box from Costco.

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.

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Feb13

I don’t normally accessorize, but this belt had my name on it.

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I don’t normally accessorize, but this belt had my name on it.

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:

After nearly two months away, it felt weird to step back into this gym. But here we be! Youngest Daughter: “We have our black belts. We’re so cool now!” 😛

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:

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Dec26

Photo Dump, Part 1

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Photo Dump, Part 1

I’m just assuming there’s going to be a part 2 since I’ve saved so many random things to show you. Here I go, sort of backwards in time. First of all, did everyone get something like this in their mailbox?

Cute.
Way to angle for some cookies, Joe. I complied. No thank you note, though. Let’s see what you get next year, “JOE”!!!!!

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Nov12

Giddy, y’all. Gi-ddy! (There’s a pun in there.)

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Giddy, y’all. Gi-ddy! (There’s a pun in there.)

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?

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Aug18

On physical therapy and self defense

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Physical therapy for my knee injury went well. It was helpful, but I ran out of sessions before getting to complete mobility. I’m on my own now.

I said my thanks and goodbyes, as I genuinely liked the people at this place. They were amiable and fun to chat with, to the point where I felt we were truly becoming friends.

And I enjoy being friendly and nice to people. I also enjoy the thought of beating someone up.

Humans are complicated beings.

My previous physical therapy place had this little display on the reception desk. I took several pics specifically with you all in mind.

The person I’d most like to show-what-for is, of course, Sensei. Because he’s always got it coming.

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Jul23

“Time to hang up your gi,” they said.

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Here’s a little recap in case you need it: If all had gone according to plan, I would have gotten my red belt in Taekwondo with my three daughters at the beginning of April. Instead, thanks to that Jiu-Jitsu injury that kept me from walking for 3.5 months, I got behind and was only able to test for brown in April.

Then, because of my “expert” negotiation skills, I “convinced” Sensei to let me test early for red and get caught back up to my girls. All would be right in the world again. I was fully back on my feet, slated to test for my red belt May 1. But on April 29, exactly nine months after my foot/ankle injury, I busted my knee.

Some of those who saw me on crutches YET AGAIN so soon said, “Man, maybe it’s time for Betsy to quit martial arts.”

I did not consider that an option.

Though I wasn’t able to catch up, I was at last(!) able to test for red this past week, which included some board breaks.

Sadly, the moment of impact wasn’t captured, but here’s the immediate aftermath of me breaking that board with a palmheel strike.

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May14

Now the shoe is on the other foot.

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Now the shoe is on the other foot.

Trigger warning: I’m about to talk about another injury. If you’ve experienced Betsy Injury Trauma, you may want to move along.

But, for a delightful change of pace, I didn’t damage my left foot. Not even a foot!

This time it was my right knee. I dropped a larger-than-me human on top of it.

At the end of my women’s self defense class (the irony), one woman asked if I could go off-curriculum and show them how to throw someone over one’s back. No problem, but I didn’t stop to think that she was much heavier than I.

She landed on my leg, which elicited an audible “crack.”

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