So! Graded to blue belt this afternoon and thought it perinent to jot down a blog while I'm still buzzing!

I managed to get an A- in this one. I think my master does it as B, B-, B+, A, A-, A+, etc. He made some inference to it during today's session. I was pretty calm this time, which is unusual for me by a long shot. I think I subconsciously knew how much I put into this, and how I already knew whatever would be thrown up, since we do it all during class anyway.

The only reason I didn't get an A+ was that during my pattern, Yul Gok, I had to restart because I fucked up a bit. However, was asked to do Joon Gun, which is the pattern above me, and I performed it to high standard. Typical me to crap my own one up, and do well on the one above! I'll get it perfect next time.

My theory was all well learnt and bang on, no problems there at all. My power was good, my line work was actually better than usual in class. My sparring even stepped up a bit. The cardio part, which we haven't done during a grading before, was much better than all those else who were grading. So glad I put extra time in the gym for that, because the masters were very impressed. I also knew some tricks to pace myself and not use too much power, which leads to fatigue quicker.

Master K was incredibly proud of me today, and I was too. He said I really and truly earnt my belt. Since I don't view my parents in a parental light much anymore, this really means the world to me, to make my idol proud. I'm now officially a senior, and the fun begins.

My brothers did well, too. My younger brother, Bob, graded to green belt. He didn't do spectacularly, but he gave a solid performance that he should be pleased with. He knows what to do better on, and I'm sure he will do. My other brother, Ramboneses, was incredibly courageous. He's been ill with a horrible virus, taking him out for a week. This doesn't sound a lot, but my brother never takes time off training or work. He still came to grading, and despite almost passing out many times, he did very well. I know he would never NOT grade if I were grading, or he wasn't dead, so it's good to see his attitude paid off. Even if it was a bit too far and he should know when to stop. One master saw him in golden light for pushing through, the other master explained that he wouldn't have been allowed to grade in the olden days because you don't get leneancy over other people just for being sick. Grade when you're 100%, don't half ass because you're functioning at 70%. I'm still proud of him.

P, the other blue tag, didn't grade. Ramboneses and I are officially a belt above again! Hah! And C graded, finally, too! She is now a yellow tag. I'm pissed off that at the end after grading she looked like sour grapes, but I'm hoping it was just residual stress from actually grading. We'll see. I'm still proud of her, too.

Now it's time to start working towards red tag, and show that I WILL be a black belt soon.