I Got My Purple Belt!

This is what I've been practicing toward since starting class. It has always amazed me that I can throw people heavier than me with no effort. Of course, they need to be moving so I can use their momentum. But, I am thrilled and hope to continue my studies when I leave Guam. 

Sensei notified the base newspaper and they sent a reporter to interview me.

Judo lessons teach skills for the mat and for life

Judo: The Second Tournament

Drew's second judo tournament was completely different from the first. I was worried that he wouldn't be in the 42 lbs and under group. If that happened, he would be competing at the bottom of the next heavier category instead of at the top of the lower category. It's been a long time since I pulled out the bathroom scale. Fortunately, ours reads heavy (well, I guess "reading heavy" might be upsetting for some people), but Drew was well within the limits. Consequently, he displayed text-book take-downs and scored full points within seconds of his matches---barely enough time to snap photos!

Drew was so proud of his medal---he wore it for the rest of the day and took it to school to show his teacher.

Here Drew poses with his fellow weight-class competitors:

Drew's First Judo Tournament

Well, Drew had his first Judo tournament and in true Guam fashion, the weekend started off packed. I had already paid for us to run the Strides for the Cure 5K at 0600 and was slated to attend the Cookie Master training at 0900 at the Girl Scout Center so Anna's troop could get the paperwork to start selling cookies. That was the same time as Drew's judo tournament and Sensei was convinced that Drew would make a good showing.

I ran through all sorts of scenarios: get a babysitter to watch Anna and Drew while I ran the 5K (yeah, right---a teenager showing up at 0515?); take Anna and Drew with me and have them wait while I run the 5K (to save Drew's energy for the tournament); or forgo the 5K. I ended up doing the latter because I didn't want to interfere with anyone's sleep even though I got up when the alarm went off at 0450 and dressed in my running gear and considered running around the neighborhood.

I sent an email to Nicole and stated I would attend the Thursday evening training instead. So that was taken care of.

Now all I had to do was keep two bickering kids from ruining the morning.

There were a lot of tears at this tournament; boys tend to be really vested in the outcomes of their endeavors. Drew wasn't. I don't know what happened to his competitive edge, but he was eliminated in the first round. I asked him about this and he said, "I thought this was just a practice warm-up."

Oh, well. There will be more tournaments where he can demonstrate his expertise.

So Much Fun on Tuesdays and Fridays

Not only do we pack our weekends, it seems we are packing our weeknights, too. Anna has Girl Scouts at 1600 and Drew has judo at 1800. I have judo at 1900. That one little hour between all the activities is when everyone eats dinner.

I started judo this summer because Drew really wanted me to go to the "Parents' Class." I wasn't sure I would like it and I really had to push myself to get past the ickiness of "touching-someone-who-isn't-a-family-member (-or-a-patient)" . I also feel less than graceful on the mat; dance moves have never come easily to me without a lot of practice.

But now...well, I feel as though everything is clicking. I am remembering the moves (I love muscle memory because I don't have to think). When we do randori I am able to get submissions as often as I have to submit ("Mata!"). I am really happy to have a regular hour of exercise and to do something that is just for me.

When I come home, I am still sweaty and I feel relaxed and joyful. Judo means "way of gentleness" and I thought this was interesting:

Principles and Goals of Judo
Judo, which is translated as the "gentle way", teaches the principle of flexibility in the application of technique. This is the flexible or efficient use of balance, leverage, and movement in the performance of Judo throws and other skills. Skill, technique and timing, rather than the use of brute strength, are the essential ingredients for success in Judo. For example, in Judo classes you may learn how to give way, rather than use force, to overcome a stronger opponent.

The principles of Judo, such as "Maximum Efficiency" and "Mutual Welfare and Benefit", can also be used in our dealings with others in life. The ultimate goal in Judo is to develop oneself to the maximum extent possible, always striving for perfection, so that you can contribute something of value to the world.

Maybe a little bit of the pleasure I derive from the practice of judo is related to the preparation for and completion of class. I no longer dread class. It's amazing what a little mastery can do.

Judo Chop

Drew has finished a 10-week course in how to throw other people around a gymnasium. Great.

Seriously, he was awarded a Yellow Belt today. We are enrolling him in the next class, which starts after Easter. Hopefully this class will teach "How not to practice on your sister."