Passed the test...
Because I did my best. OOS!
This is a phrase we use in the closing of a class at my martial arts dojo. (By the way, the OOS is pronounce in the same fashion as the marines and their WHOAH!! It's origins are unknown to me but I have a feeling it is Japanese.)
Never before did this phrase become more true for me then today. I passed my first degree black belt test. What a strange and wonderful trip it was. It was a thirteen and a half hour test, five last night (5:30pm - 10:30pm) and eight today (6:00am - 2:00pm). 80% of it was physical with 60% mental and 100% spiritual (yeah I know the math does not add up but fuck it...that's how it was!).
Now that it is finished, I am so ecstatic that I cannot sleep. I am exhausted but cannot sit still. Even though I twisted my knee, got a black eye, have a foot shaped bruise on my torso, have major muscle groups cramping up whenever I move, and have numerous other marks and scraps I have not idea where they came from, I would not trade it in for the world. There was many blood, sweat and tears shed this weekend (so sue me if I cried, I wanted this since I was eight years old).
Some of the highlights were:
*Working out at 6am in 20 degree weather in a open park with no trees to protect against the 30 mph winds.
*Carrying a 100 lb bag for at least four hours of the test from area to area.
*Running up and down a soccer field with bungee cords strapped to your waist as some one pulls back on them.
*Getting blasted by snow in the face at 30 mph.
*Shoulder rolls the entire length of the soccer field.
*Lunges the entire length of the soccer field.
*Step in side kicks the entire length of the soccer field (I hate that fucking soccer field.).
*Kicking 21 targets with my right leg without setting it down. Oh and they were not together so we had to hop to each target.
*Grappling blindfolded.
*Getting kicked so hard in the solar plexus that I thought I was going to puke but still maintained composure enough to finish the round.
*Getting rocked in the jaw by some strike (never saw it coming so I do not know what hit me) to the point where I saw stars.
*Learning and preforming a brand new Kata in under ten minutes.
*And so many more things I do not have the time to go over.
Why are some of these brutal exercises the highlight? Because I could do them. And I never gave up. I did everything that was asked of me and according to my teachers I did an excellent job. I accomplished what many do not. I stuck with it and never once did I even entertain the idea of quiting. Did not enter my mind. I proved to myself I am capable of accomplishing anything I put my mind to.
With that being said, I am especially thankful to my instructors over the years, Sensei Amy, Sensei Tom, Sensei Karen, Sensei Clayton, Sensei Bud, Sensei Paula, and Sensei Karla. Without their help, knowledge, and support, I could not have done it.
This is a proud day for me. Tomorrow I go back to being the usual smart ass and cynic but today I am hopeful and positive.
Because I did my best. OOS!
This is a phrase we use in the closing of a class at my martial arts dojo. (By the way, the OOS is pronounce in the same fashion as the marines and their WHOAH!! It's origins are unknown to me but I have a feeling it is Japanese.)
Never before did this phrase become more true for me then today. I passed my first degree black belt test. What a strange and wonderful trip it was. It was a thirteen and a half hour test, five last night (5:30pm - 10:30pm) and eight today (6:00am - 2:00pm). 80% of it was physical with 60% mental and 100% spiritual (yeah I know the math does not add up but fuck it...that's how it was!).
Now that it is finished, I am so ecstatic that I cannot sleep. I am exhausted but cannot sit still. Even though I twisted my knee, got a black eye, have a foot shaped bruise on my torso, have major muscle groups cramping up whenever I move, and have numerous other marks and scraps I have not idea where they came from, I would not trade it in for the world. There was many blood, sweat and tears shed this weekend (so sue me if I cried, I wanted this since I was eight years old).
Some of the highlights were:
*Working out at 6am in 20 degree weather in a open park with no trees to protect against the 30 mph winds.
*Carrying a 100 lb bag for at least four hours of the test from area to area.
*Running up and down a soccer field with bungee cords strapped to your waist as some one pulls back on them.
*Getting blasted by snow in the face at 30 mph.
*Shoulder rolls the entire length of the soccer field.
*Lunges the entire length of the soccer field.
*Step in side kicks the entire length of the soccer field (I hate that fucking soccer field.).
*Kicking 21 targets with my right leg without setting it down. Oh and they were not together so we had to hop to each target.
*Grappling blindfolded.
*Getting kicked so hard in the solar plexus that I thought I was going to puke but still maintained composure enough to finish the round.
*Getting rocked in the jaw by some strike (never saw it coming so I do not know what hit me) to the point where I saw stars.
*Learning and preforming a brand new Kata in under ten minutes.
*And so many more things I do not have the time to go over.
Why are some of these brutal exercises the highlight? Because I could do them. And I never gave up. I did everything that was asked of me and according to my teachers I did an excellent job. I accomplished what many do not. I stuck with it and never once did I even entertain the idea of quiting. Did not enter my mind. I proved to myself I am capable of accomplishing anything I put my mind to.
With that being said, I am especially thankful to my instructors over the years, Sensei Amy, Sensei Tom, Sensei Karen, Sensei Clayton, Sensei Bud, Sensei Paula, and Sensei Karla. Without their help, knowledge, and support, I could not have done it.
This is a proud day for me. Tomorrow I go back to being the usual smart ass and cynic but today I am hopeful and positive.
My younger brother has held a black belt in Tai Kwon Do for several years now, and I know it's one of his major senses of accomplishment in his life so far.