Silver lining

This week has s-u-c-k-e-d at work. Too busy, too much stuff going on, too many changes, too many worries, etc. I was working late and pondering skipping class. I went anyway. I am glad that I did.

We did forms- I like forms- and I even got to demonstrate some. Then we took
BOB

And Billy- ours is green

And a couple of free standing bags off of their stands and put them on that mat to practice different grappling.
Then we practiced being a ref :P, but that meant that we eventually grappled. I actually got the young guy (early 20s) with whom I am to test near to submitting. He never actually tapped 'cause I think that he was holding out. I also managed to elude being submitted, mostly 'cause he kept trying to do this and I managed to avoid it.

I was pretty happy w/myself. Grappling consistently drives me batty 'cause I don't like our sport approach, but I soldier on and it finally paid off. Yipee.

There's not a non-hokey way to say it, but I know that it is not me. Romans 14:6 "He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks."

Thanks for stopping by.

Life is pain (highness)

"Life is pain highness anyone who says differently is selling something..."

So last post I noted that Sifu (Chinese for "teacher") Fassler invited me to test for black in April. Great-eek.
Well, Thursday I dutifully went to class and while doing left front kicks felt a twinge about where my leg and bottom meet. After I thought about, it has happened off and on for awhile, but I made it through classes no worries. He also asked me cover class this week and teach forms- which I love.
Friday, no remembrance of the twinge.
Saturday, twinge returns and I decide to walk to the library to work it out. BAD IDEA! Between the temperature drop and the walk, my leg stiffened and hurt a lot. Guess who pulled a hamstring?!? I actually had to use my cane Sat. night when I went to the store and not 'cause it looked cool.
Sunday, still in pain, missed church and mostly did not move my leg much. Took much ibuprofen.
Monday, limped much, but was on the mend.
Today, limping less, mending.
I came to the realization that this has happened before. I don't remember how long ago, but I remember my leg feeling weak, having trouble putting on socks, pants, etc. because of the bending. This stuff sucks. Definitely looking to avoid it in the future. :)

The Invitation

So certain people who will remain nameless think that I do not blog enough. This may be true, but I try to make my blogs noteworthy.
I did want to share something though: My instructor e-mailed me and invited me to test for black belt in April '09. It was just an e-mail, but I had to think about it. I accepted and will be working to be ready.
Yikes! Four months to get off my tail and put things into a higher gear. I knew that it would be coming. (Actually, I probably missed several opportunities by my attendance and class issues.) I am not nervous, but I have a glaring sense of my inadequacies (weight and endurance mostly.)
Prayers and supportive wishes would be appreciated.

Supplemental information:
Current martial art: Kajukenbo
Class nickname: Spaniard ('cause it sounded cool, I speak Spanish and it was the nickname of Maximus in Gladiator)

That's about it for another week or two.