Tag Archives: Taekwondo

Black and white special

Awesome, Nature,

Ah, the old black and white got me again.  It rained just under 2 inches in the last 24 hours.  Sometime last night, the weather further delighted us with a dusting of snow…it’s the first sticking snow we’ve had this year around the house.  I hate snow…have I ever said that before?  Well, I do.

Did I ever mention I hate snow? Well, I do.

Of course, since we got Ginny, she likes to be outside as much as she can.  Two inches of rain plus bare ground = muddy dog so we have been trying to keep her inside as much as possible.  Until I can potty train her though, I will have to keep on going out when nature calls.  Well, nature or the clatter of stray cats that congregate on our patio called a lot last night.  She had to go out last night several times as Mother Nature delighted us.  Did I ever tell you I hate snow?  Well, I do.

Early in the evening, I took Ginny out with fully intact feet.  Isaac and I went to taekwondo last night and did our thing, however.  We practice kicks and forms and the usual stuff at TKD.  At the end though, we get to “free fight”.  As I have said before, it feels like a special sort of crazy to enjoy fighting and watching my kid fight, but it really is thrilling.  Anyhow, we were free fighting and having a good time doing it.  I usually have to fight black belts as they are mostly adults and despite my beginner status, by size alone it would not be fair to pair me with anyone under 16 or so.  I think most of the black belts like it though, because I am able to really fight with them which gives them some semblance of a challenge.

Some friends of mine have mentioned that they could never do TKD because they felt like they would just get mad and go to town.  I am certain that if one got out of control during TKD, the black belts would end it very quickly.  They are good folks and are very skilled.  All that is to say, they like to spar and get a workout and they like control.

Ignore the hairy man-feet

So, I was fighting my favorite guy to fight last night and he told me to feel free to really go for it…so I did.  I did a series of kicks, the last of which was aimed at his head.  For that one, I had no intent of making contact (as that would probably end my evening), but he had to throw the block as if I were.  TKD is done barefoot so his block + my bare foot swinging (at near light speed) ended in my having a black toe this morning.  Have I mentioned I hate snow?  Well, I do.  I also hate black toes.  Black and white are kicking my butt today!

A new belt

Awesome, Family, ,

Isaac has been taking taekwondo for several months now and the other night, after class, he took his yellow belt test.  He has been studying Korean terms and practicing his forms (the pattern of moves he needs to know for each belt).  He had it all under his “belt” as test night came.  I took him to the dojang and he was cool as can be for his normal training session.  After class, most people headed out until only black belts and the 5 people being tested remained.

Each student had to do two of their forms and answer Grand Master Kang as he asked them questions about Korean terminology.  Isaac did great on the items as he had studied so much.  I knew that he would also have to break a board with a kick but I figured there was no way to safely practice that at home.  So, the moment of truth came and it was Isaac’s turn.  He lined up and positioned the poor guys who had to hold the board and took a practice kick to make sure his aim was right.  And then, my poor helpless son kicked the board so hard that it cracked perfectly.  In fact, I heard the board, long since dead, come back to life, just so it could scream in pain.  His eyes lit up and I have never seen him more proud.  I think I was also as proud as I have ever been.  He didn’t know what exactly to expect so he just jumped in with both feet…well, really with one foot..but he went for it!

Each student got to keep their board pieces but had to line back up for another round of questions…this time the hard ones about family life and respect and helping one’s parents by doing chores and obeying, etc.  This was probably the toughest part of the whole test, especially for the kids.  Kids had to think on their feet and speak extemporaneously.  He answered every question (though, now I have some leverage!) and was passed with no hesitation.  Grand Master Kang awarded him a yellow belt with a green tip.

The last few evenings since that night, Isaac has done almost nothing but practice his forms and think “taekwondo”.  His pride is warranted and I am delighted that he has found something he enjoys so much.  I think I may have to toughen up some for his teenage years though…