6 down/46 to go

This week was another week at white belt level, but at least there were two other adults in my class on Tuesday. I stayed a few minutes after class with Master Olson to discuss my next steps. I could have tested for gold belt that night, but decided that with only 2 weeks to go, I would just wait until the formal graduation night. I'm curious to see what the whole experience is like and to see how I do under pressure, performing in front of a larger group and with the head of the school observing. I've performed like this before for dance classes, but that was many, many years ago. Master Olson also paid me a nice compliment, saying that there are some advanced belts testing as well, who are very good and that I'm very good at my level and overall we would help make the school look good. Nice to hear and good timing. I was getting a little frustrated, even a little bored attending classes with 6 and 7 year old kids and repeating many of the lessons we had learned earlier. I keep trying to remember, repetition is good and starting at the lowest level is humbling and maybe a positive thing for me right now.

5 down/47 to go

Back to writing again after a short hiatus. I've been working hard the last three weeks trying to get to my gold belt, with no luck. After a short trip out of town, I raced back to get to class the week of the Sept. graduation. Unfortunately, graduation was canceled for that month--too few potential graduates & a need for Master Olson to be at another studio the same night. He offered to let myself and the one other adult white belt test the next week in class. More practicing, more anticipation for class on Wednesday... where he decided we weren't quite ready to test yet. Back to class this week with another promise of gold. Only this week, he forgot altogether. Frustration is starting to set in. Now I imagine we'll just wait until the formal testing in October.

I was eager to move on to the next level and especially to start attending classes with adults only. There's nothing like going to class with 5 to 7 year olds to make you feel like you're really starting at the bottom. I guess karate is truly a metaphor for my life in general these days. I often feel like I'm starting over, in my career and even in my emotional life. Even while heading in the right direction, there's bound to be disappointments and setbacks right? Maybe it's about time I learned some patience and persistence? A few more weeks to practice and I should be in fine form, plus I'll still get the opportunity to experience my first 'real' test, with all the associated pressures & tension. Patience and persistence....