Can’t Hurt Me

 It’s amazing how fast future events can arrive. It feels like yesterday Sifu Ryback said “44 Days” till the grading. “I got some time” I said to myself. Now realizing. I actually don’t have really anytime left. The grading board has already made their decision. I just need to either prove they are making the right decision, which ever that may be.  Which brings me to the control we always talk about. I have no control over what happens that day. I just need to do my demo and not hide anything. I want my flaws and strengths to show that day. I won’t be perfect that day, I’m only going to be as good as I prepared, and if I was perfect would mean I have achieved mastery. And if I did that than something isn’t right. Like I said earlier. The board has already made their decision. I just need to prove they are making the right decision. Numbers P/U 45097 S/U 42380 Forms 704/749 Sparring 218 AOK 724 Mileage 1136.82km

 That’s how much time is left until the grading. Am I nervous? A yes but who wouldn’t be nervous when something you have been working towards for nearly your entire life is less than a month away. And most people fail to realize that how they truly feel in some of the most important situations in our lives. We can all say “I got this” or “no one can stop me” but deep down there isn voice saying “umm actually you need to chill out and take a look around”. That was me last year going into the grading. I had my ego leading the way and it cost me. I didn’t check myself, and I never properly prepared because I thought nothing can stop me. Well can I tell you something. If you think nothing can stop you. Something is definitely going to come out of left field and stop you right than and there.  So sometimes we need to just stop. Take a moment and reflect with ourselves. “Did I do everything I could have”. No, than get back to it and finish. Yes, move forward to the next one. 

 Today in class we started with kicks where we need to gain distance first. And Sifu was telling us that we need to know where we are kicking even before we kick. Especially when it comes to our board breaks. And he drilled it into our heads at class today. Than we worked into constistantly setting up our boards the right way every time with some tips to make sure that the board holder is also ready. These were some great gifts of knowledge.  We thank worked on our forms, and for me the three big things I need to develop is my phrasing, still being active with my “resting hand” during techniques, and getting my front knee in the right position for my bow stances. And yes the title to this blog is correct because it was my 23rd birthday today!

The one thing I have noticed right after the first couple games was my conditioning has gone up a noticeable amount. There are not enough of us to constantly be changing in and out of shifts so we usually stay on the ice for about 2-2.5 minutes before coming off. This works out to typically 10-12 times of skating the entire length of the ice each shift. And you are usually on the ice for about 10 shifts. So it is a lot of skating and not a lot of time to rest since there are only two of us on our team waiting to change out for someone coming off.  I have noticed that I am significantly more aware of my surroundings and situations on the ice. This has come from Kung Fu and I do not need to question that. I feel more connected to myself and equipment when I am on the ice than I ever did before when I played competitively. Maybe if I was this good back than I would have competed at some higher levels. I have a goal for next year to compete in an adult league. But no hitting, which is ...