Monday, January 16, 2012

Martial Arts

Ah...martial arts. As many martial artists know, the term 'arts' is quite deceiving. Yes, it is beautiful and one can be quite creative with them, but unlike arts such as cooking and painting, you don't usually harm someone with a canvas or flour.

Unless you're me, that is. XD I'm strange, a person with the thought that anything can be a weapon, just with varying effectiveness. Well, back to the martial arts. I have been in ju-jitsu and kempo style karate for six or seven years, but it is leaning more towards the latter as my first year as a black belt in both come to an end. Last February, I took my black belt test and passed, with my sensei even saying that mine was one of the best he has ever seen. I was ecstatic. I swear, I nearly broke my boyfriend's ribs with that happiness-fueled hug. I may be a good distance away from second degree, but I'll get there when the time is right. Why rush? I love my sparring, my kata, and my self-defense.

(Of course, at my small size, I would be screwed if I ever got surprised by a strong person looking to inflict harm. :P)

Just last month, in December of 2011, I started aikido. Aikido is a circular martial art based off circular movements and putting the joints in uncomfortable positions. It is strange being a white belt all over again. I'm unfamiliar and shaky with all these new movements and positions. At least unlike my previous time in a new martial art, I know the basics of good physical shape and discipline so I won't be the "worst little white belt ever" for two or three years. Thankfully, with this knowledge and skill the 'clicking' process will be a lot faster than the previous. I'm familiar with a few of the techniques already, but the variations are mind boggling. With only a month or so of training, I don't know enough to identify the difference between 'kyokonage' and 'tenkan.' Heck, I don't even know if the two terms are related. So far, I'm just a more aware learner than I was before.

Just for kicks and giggles, here's me in my new Pikachu hat.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Welcome

Welcome to my blog, Ponies, Pokemon, Blocks, and Undergrad Life. As you probably can gather, I am a fan of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Pokemon, Minecraft, and academia and learning in general. Because I thought the title would be too wordy, I excluded my growing interest in Dungeons and Dragons, my giant interest in rodents (gerbils are my favorite) and rodentology (my future profession), and reading. This blog will hold various chronicles from these subjects, gathered from my everyday life as a college student to my imagination which won't shut down when I need to sleep. :P