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Friday, May 30, 2014

Celebrate the Small Things- It's the End of May Already?!?

Thanks to our host Viklit and co-hosts Diana Wilder, L.G. Keltner, Cyborg Mom and CaffeMaggieato!

This week I'm Celebrating:

Bev the Radio Star  On Sunday a co-worker of mine and I were guest speakers on Recovery Radio, a local program that talks about the services we offer through our company.  The host interviewed us on the topic of mental health and acceptance and we spoke about the programs we run, how people can get help, and the realities of living with a mental illness.  It was way more anxiety-producing than I originally thought it would be and I was super nervous at the outset but by the end I was actually having fun and even thought that it ended too soon.  All-in-all not a bad result for my very first time on the radio!

A Day Off  This past Monday was Memorial day for us here in the states and while we didn't go away or have the typical cook-out we did celebrate not being at work by sleeping late, eating pancakes and binge-watching season 2 of Sherlock.  Benedict Cumberbatch + Martin Freeman + Pancakes = Heaven!

Progress with Breaking  So, as I've been talking about pretty much non-stop since a few months ago, my 3rd Dan test is coming up in- wait for it- 3 weeks!!!  Ahhhh!!!!  One of the things I'm most anxious about is breaking boards.  Of all the things I have a mental block about that's arguably the one with the worst, most seemingly-indestructible barrier.  As such, getting through the breaks on live boards prior to the test so that I know that I can do it is hugely important.  Well, last week I did my most difficult break (a 360 degree spinning back kick) successfully on live boards three times in a row.  Granted, for the test I need to break through three boards with that kick (cause it's a power break), but still- progress.  Of course now I only have three weeks left to get that kick down, but I'm focusing on the positive side of things for now.

That's it for me, what about you?


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Friday, May 23, 2014

Celebrate the Small Things- May 23rd

Happy Friday and thanks to our host and co-hosts Viklit, Diana Wilder, L.G. Keltner, Cyborg Mom and CaffeMaggieato!  You guys rock!

This week I'm celebrating:

Have I mentioned how much I love karate?  This past Sunday I went to a really awesome training where I gathered with friends from my gym, masters from other gyms and other students to learn and practice drills.  They covered everything from some basic hand drills that open doors to a billion cool techniques to pressure points and their relation to the elemental system to the history of Okinawan karate and where all the different martial arts systems derived, how they spread, and how they developed.  It was serious information overload but so, SO much fun.  I keep coming back to the conclusion that really awesome people are connected with this and the more exposure I get to them the more I realize what fantastically good company I'm in.  It's the best community I've been in since college and I just love these folks.

And have I mentioned how much I love my co-workers?  Yes, I know I have- but I feel the need to say it again.  They are just so smart, so supportive and so wonderful to be around.  Group supervision is my favorite part of every workweek and I don't know what I'd so without it.

And last but certainly not least, 3 day weekend!  Woo-hoo!  I must say I was very surprised by how quickly this came up (a full week early) but I'll take a long weekend wherever I can get it. 

What about all of you lovely folks?


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Friday, May 16, 2014

Celebrate the Small Things- May 16

Happy Friday, everyone!  This Celebration is special since we not only have our founding host Viklit to thank for the creation of this wonderful hop, but now have four new co-hosts!  I couldn't be more excited to welcome Diana Wilder, L.G. Keltner, Cyborg Mom and CaffeMaggieato to their first Friday celebration as co-hosts: Welcome aboard, guys!  Thanks for expanding this hop!  Make sure you stop by to say hi to all these lovely ladies.

Can you believe it's the middle of May already?!?  Where does the time go?  For some of us this means that the spring cleaning project we've been putting off is running out of time, for others it means we're gearing up for summer and having the kids invade otherwise quiet time when school ends, and for me it means that I have all of 5 weeks until my black belt test.  5 weeks!!  A.K.A. only 35 days! Ahhhhhh!!!

Thanks to a good practice yesterday with one of the Masters who is kind enough to train with me I'm feeling pretty good about forms (katas).  They've always been my strong suit in general and getting solidly good feedback from him was very reassuring.  One-steps, knife defense and self defense aren't worrying me too much- I think some more practice will give me all the confidence I need with those.  But the breaks- Oy.  I think I've finally figured out which three I'm going to do but now I have all of five weeks (and only five classes in which I'll have the opportunity to practice) to actually successfully get each one done on live boards.  Again, AHHHHH!

I'm trying my damnedest to keep the fear/excitement teeter-totter weighed on the excitement side, but every now and again I get those moments of panic.  So I'm celebrating all the work I've done, continue to do, the support of my friends, the guidance of my instructors and the constant stream of "You'll be great!" I'm getting at home whenever I panic in front of my boyfriend.  I am grateful for all of these wonderful people and grateful to myself for putting in the work (5 days a week at the gym=work!) I've put in.

Wish me luck on my continuing training as the countdown to 3rd Dan continues!

And now, as always, time to hop!

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