iRide

Wow–what a day!! It started with a restless night of sleep for me. Tonya said I tossed and turned all night. I also woke up about an hour before the alarm was set to go off. Ya, I was nervous. Fortunately, Tonya’s friend Michelle said she would video tape the whole testing for us. We borrowed a video camera from Pastor Mark and gave it back to him tonight. He said he’s going to transfer it all onto DVD for us as soon as he can.

We arrived at the Dojang on time for the boys’ class at 9AM. Their class lasted until just before 10AM. I got my dobak/uniform on and started to warm up and stretch. With students from my school and our sister school in Oceanside all present, there was a total of 26 people testing–12 of us for 1st degree. The other testers were testing for 2nd and 3rd degree, as well as some people who were mid-term testing to stay current.

We received some instruction from the Floor Coordinator just before the testing officially started:

We started off with sparring and that went really well. Geared up, waiting for the high rank judges to enter:

The high rank judges talked a little before we started:

Getting set:

Throwing down:

After sparring, we moved on to forms. I did 3 warm-up forms (we were told to use our 3 favorite forms for this). I chose Songahm 2, In Wha 1 and In Wha 2. We then all performed our official testing form: Choon Jung 2. Here’s a few pics. A lot of them didn’t turn out–too blurry. Here’s some of the more clear one’s.

Standing at attention before forms testing commenced:

Songahm 2:

In Wha 1 comin’ right at ya. LOL

In Wha 2:

Choon Jung 2:

After that, we moved onto board breaks. I blew through my 2 breaks well. I broke double boards–two 1″ boards, for each break–Hammerfist moving straight into a step forward, reverse side kick. Dad tried to take some pics, but I blew through the breaks so quickly he didn’t have a chance. Several of the other testers, judges and spectators said my breaks were pretty intense. It’s quite a compliment. In all honesty though, I was so nervous it was all basically a blur. I’m glad we shot video the whole time so I can go back and watch it later. I do have a pic of the carnage after though:

With successful sparring, forms and board breaks behind me, the hard work was over and it was on to the belt ceremony. All spectators had to leave as the Black Belt panel set up for the ceremony and the 12 of us testing for 1st Degree got a tutorial on how the ceremony would go and what we needed to do.

When everything was ready, the spectators were let back in and the ceremony began. Several readings were done and then the 12 of us were brought out. We lined up and then performed Songahm 1–the white belt form–3 times as sort of a celebration of our accomplishment.

Lining up, getting ready to do Songahm 1:

We then gathered around the table with all the high rank judges:

We had more readings and a tea ceremony that was really cool. We then signed our names in our school Black Belt scroll and lit our own candle:

After that we presented our gifts to our respective school and then it was on to the Belt presentation ceremony. All the high ranking Black Belts lined up and we were presented with our new 1st Degree Belts and went down the line shaking hands and offering words of encouragement and respect–very cool!!

After everyone had received their Belts, we were called up again, one at a time with our families so the families could share anything they wished. It was cool hearing parents and spouses congratulate and praise their kids and spouses for their achievement. Dad, Tonya and the boys got up with me:

After that, we all lined up for the group photo:

Brand new 1st Degrees:

Chief Instructor Merrilee Neal and Instructor Kimber Garcia with the newbies:

Mrs. Neal and I:

Mrs. Garcia and I:

Proud new 1st Degree:

Mrs. Neal chooses a Korean phrase or words to describe you and those are printed on your Belt along with your name. Mine says “Planting seeds for the future”. It means a lot to me since I want to become and instructor. When I read the translation included with a card given to me from the school–I’m not gonna lie–it brought a tear to my eye. Teaching means so much to me. Having the text on my belt that says that so well really made my heart soar.

As I sit here now, putting this Blog update together, it still hasn’t sunk in. I’ve spent 2 years and close to a thousand hours of training to get here. It’s crazy to think I finally achieved this mile stone. Thinking about all the sacrifices I’ve made over the last 2 years. Blood (literally), sweat, no tears but lot’s of aches and pains and physical as well as mental fatigue…well, it was all 100%-with-out-a-doubt worth it!!

I read somewhere that less than 30% of people that start taking a martial art will see it all the way to Black Belt. Out of those 30%, less than 10% will continue their training. I am without a doubt, one of the 10%-ers!!

So now, more importantly–the real journey begins. These last 2 years were just building a foundation. Teaching discipline, muscle memory and flexibility. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Until next time, seek your bliss.

Plant new seeds and ride lots…