Kyellan Posted August 23, 2016 Report Share Posted August 23, 2016 Take a good look, because that is just ONE of the awesome places I'm going next month. So, I totally fell off during the last challenge. Had some old issues come back up and kick my ass real good. Knocked me off my feet for a couple of weeks and set me back hard on just about every one of my goals. The only thing I was able to hold on to was the control over my diet, which has been pretty okay. I've managed to keep making my own lunches regularly, and keeping my caloric intake down has kept me hovering right around the 200lb mark. Fortunately, I've also managed to mostly hold on to my routine of getting to class. It's become almost the background noise of my life... doesn't matter how much the day sucks or how awful I feel--if I can walk, I make it to Kung Fu and do the best I can. I've also done some regular-ish walking around the office park at work, trying to keep my activity up in a low-bodily-impact manner until my body decides to stop being a bitch. I'm now two weeks from departure on my five-year-late European honeymoon. Wife and I have been planning this trip for the past 18 months. We'll start by flying into Copenhagen, Denmark, and spending two days there before hopping a train (which, I kid you not, gets on a BOAT) which will take us to Germany for the remainder of the two weeks. In Cologne, we will attend the final farewell concert of our favorite German band (Unheilig), and then set off for a week in the Moselle river valley. We'll cap things off in the place pictured above, by attending a Medieval Market (and meet up with a certain other Rebel!), and generally enjoying quiet German village life for a couple of days. Since the issues that are plaguing me still have not subsided, and I'm leaving in two weeks, I'm not really going to be pursuing a challenge-as-such this time. The next fortnight will be filled with a whirlwind of preparations, packing, printing, and making sure that everything is in place so that I can leave my house alone for two weeks without any problems. In that time, I will still be attending class of course, at least until 9/2. (I might go on 9/5; it will depend on how well I do packing that weekend.) In happy news, there is a tentative plan for my first sash testing(!) this Saturday. I'll confirm it tonight, but Sifu wants to test me before I leave, and there's very little time left for that! So, I'm not dead, and still very much looking forward to my upcoming travels. I miss you guys--once I get back, I'll be hanging out here more again as I try to sort out post-trip blues and get my life back on track again =) 4 Quote "You are what you do. Choose again, and change." - Miles Vorkosigan Challenges 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted August 23, 2016 Report Share Posted August 23, 2016 OMG. How do you put a train on a boat? 1 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Kyellan Posted August 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2016 28 minutes ago, sarakingdom said: OMG. How do you put a train on a boat? Like this, apparently. Seems it's a thing. I'd think the docking would have to be REALLY precise =) But they do it multiple times a day, every day, so there you have it! When the train boards the ferry, we all have to go up to the passenger deck--I plan to get a few pictures while we're up there! 1 Quote "You are what you do. Choose again, and change." - Miles Vorkosigan Challenges 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Link to comment
RisenPhoenix Posted August 23, 2016 Report Share Posted August 23, 2016 Glad to see you're alive. Death of a Karmic Twin wouldn't bode well for me, I suspect. Also huzzah, sash testing! Let us know when it is! We all expect video! 1 Quote RisenPhoenix, the Entish Aikidoka Challenge: RisenPhoenix Turns to Ash "The essence of koryu [...is] you offer your loyalty to something that you choose to regard as greater than yourself so that you will, someday, be able to offer service to something that truly is transcendent." ~ Ellis Amdur, Old School Link to comment
Kyellan Posted August 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2016 1 hour ago, RisenPhoenix said: Glad to see you're alive. Death of a Karmic Twin wouldn't bode well for me, I suspect. Also huzzah, sash testing! Let us know when it is! We all expect video! My Sifu is very private about this kind of stuff--I highly doubt there will be video. He won't even let my elder classmates tell me what to expect! Sifu is very old-world that way... testing is just part of the process. His students don't pay for the grading, or for the belt. He offers an opportunity to his students to earn something to show their progress to the world, but within the school it basically means nothing. The techniques and--secrets? I guess--that you've been presented with and learned are the real markers of progress. It's kind of a weird place, that way, but I don't mind. I will, of course, provide photo confirmation if/when I am presented with a sash, however. =) 1 Quote "You are what you do. Choose again, and change." - Miles Vorkosigan Challenges 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Link to comment
Chen Wangting Posted August 23, 2016 Report Share Posted August 23, 2016 Ich wünsch dir viel Spaß während deines Urlaubs! Genieße es! 1 Quote Link to comment
Kyellan Posted August 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2016 16 hours ago, Chen Wangting said: Ich wünsch dir viel Spaß während deines Urlaubs! Genieße es! Vielen Dank! Wir freuen uns sehr viel darauf! =) 1 Quote "You are what you do. Choose again, and change." - Miles Vorkosigan Challenges 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Link to comment
Kyellan Posted August 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2016 Confirmed: sash testing is this Saturday. There's another guy (who's been at class a little under a year) testing with me, so he's definitely testing for a white sash. Sifu has in the past mumbled things about my potentially testing straight through white and into yellow, which I suspect may be happening, since I've been with the school almost two years and outside factors (other students joining/leaving etc) have conspired to interfere with my testing. Sifu doesn't like to a single test; he prefers to have the camaraderie of others there with you, and until now we haven't had anyone near my level who attended often enough to be ready. So, I have been sash-less for much longer than would otherwise be. Not that it matters particularly to me--I've been continually learning and Sifu keeps sharing new techniques and advancing my training (plus I keep coming home with medals and trophies and such from tournaments), so I haven't been worried about it. So, we'll see how it goes. I'm pretty confident that I would get a white sash almost hands-down. Not as sure about yellow, but we'll see. There are no details of the test shared beforehand, so it will be a mystery until I get there. I'll let you all know how it goes. Went to the doctor yesterday for a yearly physical, came out with a clean bill of health. True weight is hovering around 200-202, which seems to be a comfortable place for me to maintain at for the time being. (Doc's office got 207, but I was fully clothed + shoes and carrying accessories, so it's no big surprise). Overall, I'm pleased with where I'm at. Now if I could just get these old issues to leave me alone again, I'd be psyched. 5 Quote "You are what you do. Choose again, and change." - Miles Vorkosigan Challenges 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Link to comment
RisenPhoenix Posted August 25, 2016 Report Share Posted August 25, 2016 1 hour ago, Kyellan said: Confirmed: sash testing is this Saturday. There's another guy (who's been at class a little under a year) testing with me, so he's definitely testing for a white sash. Sifu has in the past mumbled things about my potentially testing straight through white and into yellow, which I suspect may be happening, since I've been with the school almost two years and outside factors (other students joining/leaving etc) have conspired to interfere with my testing. Sifu doesn't like to a single test; he prefers to have the camaraderie of others there with you, and until now we haven't had anyone near my level who attended often enough to be ready. So, I have been sash-less for much longer than would otherwise be. Not that it matters particularly to me--I've been continually learning and Sifu keeps sharing new techniques and advancing my training (plus I keep coming home with medals and trophies and such from tournaments), so I haven't been worried about it. So, we'll see how it goes. I'm pretty confident that I would get a white sash almost hands-down. Not as sure about yellow, but we'll see. There are no details of the test shared beforehand, so it will be a mystery until I get there. I'll let you all know how it goes. Went to the doctor yesterday for a yearly physical, came out with a clean bill of health. True weight is hovering around 200-202, which seems to be a comfortable place for me to maintain at for the time being. (Doc's office got 207, but I was fully clothed + shoes and carrying accessories, so it's no big surprise). Overall, I'm pleased with where I'm at. Now if I could just get these old issues to leave me alone again, I'd be psyched. 1) Good luck!!! You're gonna destroy that exam! 2) Jebus we really are karma twins, down to weight. Though I missed out on that get-sick-and-drop-weight thing you had two challenges ago. 3) Kick the old issues in the butt. Obviously. 2 Quote RisenPhoenix, the Entish Aikidoka Challenge: RisenPhoenix Turns to Ash "The essence of koryu [...is] you offer your loyalty to something that you choose to regard as greater than yourself so that you will, someday, be able to offer service to something that truly is transcendent." ~ Ellis Amdur, Old School Link to comment
theodinspire Posted August 25, 2016 Report Share Posted August 25, 2016 3 hours ago, Kyellan said: Sifu doesn't like to a single test; he prefers to have the camaraderie of others there with you, and until now we haven't had anyone near my level who attended often enough to be ready. So, I have been sash-less for much longer than would otherwise be. Not that it matters particularly to me--I've been continually learning and Sifu keeps sharing new techniques and advancing my training (plus I keep coming home with medals and trophies and such from tournaments), so I haven't been worried about it. I can confirm that camaraderie does help with alleviating skills testing anxiety. Good luck on it! 2 Quote Level 5 Monk (Broadsword Focus), Level 1 Assassin Battle Log | Fitness Tumblr Challenges: Currens | Octavus | Septimum | Sextum | Quintum | Quartum | Tertium | Secundum | Primum Link to comment
ChrisWithaStick Posted August 26, 2016 Report Share Posted August 26, 2016 Oh my goodness I need to get back to Germany. I was there for 6 months years and years ago, and have wanted to go back and tour towns along rivers. I look forward to hearing about the trip! I like your Sifu's style of testing, and appreciate he doesn't charge for it. The other style of testing I like is "That was a good practice. Congrats, you've earned your next belt/rank", which is what we have in my ryu. 2 Quote Human | Plays with Sticks | Monkish Leanings | Rangerish Overtones Occasionally Updated Facebook Link to comment
Kyellan Posted August 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 Short update, as I have to go make dinner: I am now officially a yellow belt at my kwoon. Photographic evidence to follow. 7 Quote "You are what you do. Choose again, and change." - Miles Vorkosigan Challenges 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Link to comment
theodinspire Posted August 27, 2016 Report Share Posted August 27, 2016 Congrats! 1 Quote Level 5 Monk (Broadsword Focus), Level 1 Assassin Battle Log | Fitness Tumblr Challenges: Currens | Octavus | Septimum | Sextum | Quintum | Quartum | Tertium | Secundum | Primum Link to comment
RisenPhoenix Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 It's been 17 hours. Where is the photographic evidence!??! (Als be glad I didn't start harassing you via text at 10PM last night when I saw the lack of update. Be thankful.) 2 Quote RisenPhoenix, the Entish Aikidoka Challenge: RisenPhoenix Turns to Ash "The essence of koryu [...is] you offer your loyalty to something that you choose to regard as greater than yourself so that you will, someday, be able to offer service to something that truly is transcendent." ~ Ellis Amdur, Old School Link to comment
Kishi Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 Pics or it didn't happen. 2 Quote Work like a farmer, train like an athlete, fight like a soldier. 2 Tim. 2:3-6 BATTLE! Link to comment
Kyellan Posted August 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 Okay, I wanted something better than this, buuuuuut... 6 Quote "You are what you do. Choose again, and change." - Miles Vorkosigan Challenges 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Link to comment
Toshimi Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 Congrats! 1 Quote Try not, do or do not- Yoda Link to comment
Lou_be_Lou Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 Superb! Congratulations! 1 Quote NF challenges: March 2018 , 12 , 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Link to comment
RisenPhoenix Posted August 28, 2016 Report Share Posted August 28, 2016 4 hours ago, Kyellan said: Okay, I wanted something better than this, buuuuuut... Niiiiiiice! Also, you looking damn skinny there, dude! 1 Quote RisenPhoenix, the Entish Aikidoka Challenge: RisenPhoenix Turns to Ash "The essence of koryu [...is] you offer your loyalty to something that you choose to regard as greater than yourself so that you will, someday, be able to offer service to something that truly is transcendent." ~ Ellis Amdur, Old School Link to comment
Kyellan Posted August 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 So, now I have a little time to actually explain what happened. I won't go into too much detail, but... HOLY CRAP. I haven't had the DOMS this bad since Mud-Day. The first hour was basically a stamina test, the second hour a skills test. (So, naturally, test the skills when we're already exhausted from the stamina portion!) It was a straight two-hour all-out workout, running through pretty much everything I've learned in the past two years. By the end we could barely stand, but both myself and my younger Kung Fu brother, D, passed our tests. Sifu did in fact skip me a level, as you can see by my yellow corded belt above, which happens very rarely in our school. I'm really very honored that he chose to do so. I would have understood if he'd wanted me to take the white belt as a symbol of progress with a promise of another test to yellow in 3-6 months, but this way is much better I messed up more than I should have, but overall I did my forms pretty well. He even complimented what I have of my Monkey King staff form (well, he said it was "actually pretty good" which is high praise from Sifu!) so that made me quite happy. Obviously I need more work on everything, but I'm not claiming to be a master just yet anyway, haha. I am very pleased to have a marker of my learning to wear in class and to tournaments. ----------------------------- T-minus eight days and counting before departure. I'm so excited/terrified. Excitified? Terricited? Whatever. 2 Quote "You are what you do. Choose again, and change." - Miles Vorkosigan Challenges 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Link to comment
Kyellan Posted August 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2016 I wore my belt to class for the first time last night, and I feel pretty good about it. =) It was very nice to feel accepted, somehow, in that silly and symbolic way. Overall I'm tired, but feeling pretty good. It's seven-and-a-half days from liftoff. I kind of feel like I'm going to spontaneously combust from excitement... maybe I should dial back the caffeine intake a little, haha... Quote "You are what you do. Choose again, and change." - Miles Vorkosigan Challenges 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Link to comment
Kyellan Posted August 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2016 Oh, says the universe. You think you're stressed out, do you? Think things are rough? Well FUCK YOU, that's why. Last night on my way home from lightsaber class, some douchebag had dropped some scrap wood or something in the road. It had nails sticking out of it. It was dark. I ran it over, and it blew out my front passenger tire. I limped my car to the nearest gas station (probably not the best idea in retrospect, but sitting on the side of the road in the dark seemed less so), and naturally, had no cell service. Luckily the gas station let me use their phone to call my wife and then my roadside assistance plan. Didn't get home until after 10pm. Then, today my plan was to work from home to get my car fixed... but my work laptop wouldn't boot. The one time it actually got past the 'Starting Windows' screen, it dragged out the Windows boot sound for almost 30 seconds of screeching cacophony. So I rushed to put myself together and get to the office so I could take it to IT... and it booted fine as soon as it was sitting on my desk. I can hear Loki's mocking laughter from here. Quote "You are what you do. Choose again, and change." - Miles Vorkosigan Challenges 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Link to comment
Oramac Posted August 31, 2016 Report Share Posted August 31, 2016 On 8/29/2016 at 7:58 AM, Kyellan said: HOLY CRAP. ----------------------------- T-minus eight days and counting before departure. I'm so excited/terrified. Excitified? Terricited? Whatever. WOOT!! Congrats on the belt! That's awesome news. I think excitified is a good word. Should totally be in the dictionary. 9 minutes ago, Kyellan said: I can hear Loki's mocking laughter from here. Damn dude. Sorry to hear that. Hopefully the car is an easy fix. Just a tire. Look at the bright side. It didn't happen on the way to the airport. I'm excited for your trip too! That looks/sounds like so much fun! Also, sorry I'm late to the party here. The internet is hard. 1 Quote "Someone ever tries to kill you, you try to kill 'em right back." - Captain Malcolm Reynolds Current Challenge Also, I Agree With Tank™ Link to comment
Kishi Posted September 4, 2016 Report Share Posted September 4, 2016 Welcome to the ranks of the belted, man. 1 Quote Work like a farmer, train like an athlete, fight like a soldier. 2 Tim. 2:3-6 BATTLE! Link to comment
Kyellan Posted September 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 Well, today's the day. We leave for the airport in just a few hours. All the best to you guys while I'm away--keep being awesome! 3 Quote "You are what you do. Choose again, and change." - Miles Vorkosigan Challenges 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Link to comment
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