Martial Arts Drilling

I'm trying to be dilligent about my drilling. I made a chart so that I can record the techniques that I practice each day. And today, I took a look at 58 Korean terms. I know 5 of them, but I figure if I learn 5 each day, I should know them all by October. I realized as I was learning punching and blocking, that the test will be a practical application of the techniques--taking the offensive and defending, not just performing 10 techniques in order. I am working on blocking and punching together, not block then punch like I first learned. I need to step out of the way of the attack--hard when my first inclination is to step INTO the attack. I need to work work work on hoi jeons--turn my upper body fully, extend the bow's wrist, keep it high and come around like a tornado. Good thing I have several months to get it together. Always, always something to tweak and refine.

100th Birthday Celebration

Many of us acquired our first jobs at a local restaurant and inn. My husband worked at the business for 12 years, his friend and bowling colleague was a chef for 39 years and I worked as a desk clerk for almost three years while attending college. The founder celebrated his 100th b'day this week, and patrons were invited to eat at the restaurant and sign a birthday card. Last evening, our little group gathered at the restaurant (my husband and son, my husband's friend and his wife). Brightly colored mylar balloons with "100" and latex balloons waved jauntily in the restaurant. We dined on frog legs and palm heart salad with Italian dressing, split pea soup and house salad, prime rib with baked potato with butter and sour cream, roasted duck and cake with happy 100th and a birthday candle. And to end the meal, the best coffee ever!. The owner's son, grandson and the general manager greeted us at our table. Happy patrons came up to acknowledge the wonderful meals that my husband's friend had prepared back inn the day. We signed the birthday card, and then wished the founder a most happy 100th birthday. He was a truly remarkable businessman, always smiling, a bundle of energy with joy for life. Thank you, Hermann!

Mother's Day

I am trying to figure out how to download the photo of Tamara, the horse I've been riding. The photo is in the windows library. Still working on it! I didn't have to work today, though I stopped in for a minute. When I went to clock out last evening, I had an order in the action queue. All is well, we can take care of it tomorrow. I was looking out the window, when I noticed that a white car pulled up in front of the house. The driver got out, holding a hanging flower basket. I thought, "Oh! Very Nice! My neighbor is getting a gift!" It still didn't register (til the driver came toward our house) that the flowers were for me! My son and daughter sent me a beautiful hanging begonia basket and gorgeous pink and lime green floral arrangement! I am blessed to have my sons, daughters and son-in-law in my life! My friend at work has been extremely sad for days. She is estranged from her daughter and it is breaking her heart. My prayer is that the two can reconcile this day, put the hurts and disappointments of the past behind them, and look forward to the future.

At the stable

I can't help but think about the branch manager's daughter. Stage 4 cancer. An inoperable brain tumor that might be handled with a cyberknife. Cancer in the lungs and in the adrenal gland. So, I saw my riding lesson has a respite, a distraction. I fed Tamara an apple to entice her into the arena. I curried and groomed her, and put on her bridle, saddle blanket, riser, and -English saddle. I then lunged her. She walked, trotted and cantered. I forgot at first to plant my feet and walked around. Today my instructor asked me to work on figure eights. Provided quite a show when I dismounted. I left my foot in the stirrup too long, and lost my balance as the gear shifted and fell on my seat in the sand. Nothing was hurt! I gave Tamara her apple and carrot pieces. I really hope that I can find a way to continue the lessons after these initial five are over. I would work on leg strengthening exercises the first year.

A Worker Ant

My husband injured his back trying to pull the seats out of the van so that he could move my daughter back from her dorm. Since he was unable to drive, I went to help my daughter pack and load her things. By the time we returned home, my hapkido class was in progress. So, immediately after receiving the invitation to train for my black belt, I missed a class. The university in the city held graduation exercises this week and it was prom for the seniors at one of the high schools. The wind caused a power line to sag at the branch store location. The electrical wire tangled with the internet and phone cable, burning it. So, the branch flower shop was offline most of the week. Once the cable was fixed, I had to enter information for the previous days into the computer, organize corsages and boutonnieres for prom, and prepare bouquets for graduation gifts. After work, I stopped at the store for food, prepared, served and cleaned up after dinner. The branch store manager called me and told me that her daughter has a brain tumor and a tumor on her lung. Very scary stuff since her husband died of cancer. Her daughter had surgery to remove one tumor, but the other is inoperable. She will begin radiation and chemo. When I get exhausted with work and chores, I give myself a pep talk. "It will pass. Be grateful that you can do the work. Be like an ant. A little bit at a time." It helps when I think of working tomorrow for the branch manager (otherwise she would work nine days in a row!) and the upcoming days. I look to Sunday, May 11th, Mom's Day, when I will have a day off from work, sit outside, put my feet up, imagine I am at the beach...