So... I don't work at the Tae Kwon Do Studio anymore...... So I'm not really the Token "American" anymore.
But... I was thinking.. that in all situations of my life I am the token something.
At work.... the Token Young Person
At school... the Token Slacker Teacher
At Krav Maga... I think...it was..the Token Girl..or was it the Token, Non-aggressive, Experienced Martial artist...
Umm.... I had more of these written down in my notebook that I keep in my car... but since I can't remember them I will have to hold off till later.... But basically the idea was that since I am the "different one" in most all situations in my life there are humorous observations that I notice in how I am treated and how people seem to perceive me that I can still write about..... Eventually.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Somehow, Tae Kwon Do runs deep in my blood. No matter how hard I try to grow up and move on, I can't.
There is a hook in my heart and in my body that pulls and pulls me back to my home studio and my unwavering master. Nothing makes me happier than being at the studio, on the mat. To steel the words of one of my adult ninja counter parts, "even if I am mopping the floor, I'm happy to be in uniform on the mat."
No place is perfect, but no place is better than where you spent hours, days, years shedding your sweat, blood, and tears training yourself and sharing your knowledge with others who have the same goals as you.
Needless to say, I NEED TAE KWON DO, and I can't stay away any longer. :)
There is a hook in my heart and in my body that pulls and pulls me back to my home studio and my unwavering master. Nothing makes me happier than being at the studio, on the mat. To steel the words of one of my adult ninja counter parts, "even if I am mopping the floor, I'm happy to be in uniform on the mat."
No place is perfect, but no place is better than where you spent hours, days, years shedding your sweat, blood, and tears training yourself and sharing your knowledge with others who have the same goals as you.
Needless to say, I NEED TAE KWON DO, and I can't stay away any longer. :)
Monday, March 14, 2011
You know you love TKD when...
You know you love TKD (Tae Kwon Do) when...
1) You use the abbreviation "TKD" in your daily speech.
2) Your week includes training between 2x and 5x per week.
3) You spend time on martial arts supply websites looking for cool accessories or weapons you don't know how to use but still want.
4) You refer to your teacher as "Master", and bow even when you are not in uniform.
5) You will take ANY reason as valid to be on the mat in uniform (whether it be training, or mopping).
6) You sometimes keep your uniform in your car, just in case you have time to stop by the studio for a class.
7) Your sparring gear never leaves your car.
8) You don't shudder at the thought of 50 push-ups, or 100 sit-ups. Pssshh, I could do those in my sleep.
9) Jumping Jacks are a close and personal friend.
10) Black Belt Testing is a very personal and emotional journey that is different for everyone.
11) You know full well that training doesn't start to get REALLY good until you reach your Black Belt.
12) The 7 home rules become a way of life for you, even as an adult.
13) The most comfortable shoes you own are Pro-Specs TKD Shoes, (but the Adidas brand are way cooler)
14) You have many uniforms from different studios because even a thing like a studio closing won't stop you from training.
15) Most of the T-shirts you own are studio T-Shirts, or T-shirts from tournaments, or events that you've volunteered for.
16) You know you will never need those T-Shirts again, but something inside you won't let you get rid of them.
17) You often find your Saturday mornings filled with extra seminars, or trainings that are not required, but you go anyway because, well more mat time is more mat time and you love it.
18) The part of the movie, Kung Fu Panda, where Master ChiFu takes Po to the birthplace of KungFu still brings tears to your eyes.
19) You know it may never be possible for you but you still wish you could do a split kick in the air.
20) You watch carefully when an instructor or higher belt performs a difficult kick because it is your secret desire to kick as good as them.
21) You wish you could do a Flying Side Kick as good as that one kid who can practically fly.
22) You fall asleep going through your newest form in your head, (for me it is Sip Jin for 5th degrees).
23) You are so obsessed with Side Kick that you practice it every chance you get by putting your leg up on something, lining up your shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle, and pulling your toes down and back so your body gets used to that form.
24) Precision and control are things you keep in your mind while training.
25) You practice keeping your fists in the proper position so when you hit something, only the mommy and daddy knuckles make the connection.
26) When tournaments approach, instead of training for your own events, you find yourself saying words such as: Chung, Hong, Kyung Go, Gam Jum, Shi Jak, Kal- Reo, etc. because you know the Master will ask you to referee at some point.
27) You love forms and hate sparring, or you hate forms and love sparring ( we all fit into one of these categories)
28) You know what the Korean Anthem sounds like and you like it.
29) Your body automatically starts bouncing at around 6pm, just like dogs salivate close to eating time.
30) You can (or you want to be able to) write yours and other's names in Korean because you were taught the Korean alphabet by somebody.
Feel free to add more if you can think of any :)
Ahn Yong Ha Seo
1) You use the abbreviation "TKD" in your daily speech.
2) Your week includes training between 2x and 5x per week.
3) You spend time on martial arts supply websites looking for cool accessories or weapons you don't know how to use but still want.
4) You refer to your teacher as "Master", and bow even when you are not in uniform.
5) You will take ANY reason as valid to be on the mat in uniform (whether it be training, or mopping).
6) You sometimes keep your uniform in your car, just in case you have time to stop by the studio for a class.
7) Your sparring gear never leaves your car.
8) You don't shudder at the thought of 50 push-ups, or 100 sit-ups. Pssshh, I could do those in my sleep.
9) Jumping Jacks are a close and personal friend.
10) Black Belt Testing is a very personal and emotional journey that is different for everyone.
11) You know full well that training doesn't start to get REALLY good until you reach your Black Belt.
12) The 7 home rules become a way of life for you, even as an adult.
13) The most comfortable shoes you own are Pro-Specs TKD Shoes, (but the Adidas brand are way cooler)
14) You have many uniforms from different studios because even a thing like a studio closing won't stop you from training.
15) Most of the T-shirts you own are studio T-Shirts, or T-shirts from tournaments, or events that you've volunteered for.
16) You know you will never need those T-Shirts again, but something inside you won't let you get rid of them.
17) You often find your Saturday mornings filled with extra seminars, or trainings that are not required, but you go anyway because, well more mat time is more mat time and you love it.
18) The part of the movie, Kung Fu Panda, where Master ChiFu takes Po to the birthplace of KungFu still brings tears to your eyes.
19) You know it may never be possible for you but you still wish you could do a split kick in the air.
20) You watch carefully when an instructor or higher belt performs a difficult kick because it is your secret desire to kick as good as them.
21) You wish you could do a Flying Side Kick as good as that one kid who can practically fly.
22) You fall asleep going through your newest form in your head, (for me it is Sip Jin for 5th degrees).
23) You are so obsessed with Side Kick that you practice it every chance you get by putting your leg up on something, lining up your shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle, and pulling your toes down and back so your body gets used to that form.
24) Precision and control are things you keep in your mind while training.
25) You practice keeping your fists in the proper position so when you hit something, only the mommy and daddy knuckles make the connection.
26) When tournaments approach, instead of training for your own events, you find yourself saying words such as: Chung, Hong, Kyung Go, Gam Jum, Shi Jak, Kal- Reo, etc. because you know the Master will ask you to referee at some point.
27) You love forms and hate sparring, or you hate forms and love sparring ( we all fit into one of these categories)
28) You know what the Korean Anthem sounds like and you like it.
29) Your body automatically starts bouncing at around 6pm, just like dogs salivate close to eating time.
30) You can (or you want to be able to) write yours and other's names in Korean because you were taught the Korean alphabet by somebody.
Feel free to add more if you can think of any :)
Ahn Yong Ha Seo
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