Saturday August 8th, 2020

Shodan Test

F and I both passed! It was difficult, but also really cool, and so great to see Sensei, his wife (who is another kind of Sensei in her own right) and the other senpais there to test. We all made it through.

Photo from 9/7/2020: my old ichi kyu belt under my new shodan belt; we waited
a couple weeks before our belts arrived. See 9/2/2020 for belt ceremony description

I had help from an earthworm. I’ll explain tomorrow.

We also made it back home to participate in the karate Zoom class.

And I probably spent an hour on the phone (and F, too) with our fantastic Senpai/Sensei who moved to Rochester, NY.

The grandparents bought Vietnamese take-out for the family to celebrate, and that was fantastic and filling.

I cannot stay awake.

Author: an Ichi Kyu

I study Kyokushin karate at a dojo in Burbank. I don't yet have permission to say more than this about my dojo. I am also a mother of two, both of whom have studied Kyokushin karate a year longer than I. They are instructors! My husband created the art posted on this site. I have his permission to use it, but he expressly asked me not to credit him as the artist. He's moved on to other styles, and doesn't particularly want a public association with this piece. I love this artwork, personally. And me? I work full time as a cloth and hair simulation artist, as well as a python coder, in the visual effects industry. I have roughly sixteen years experience in film and about four in television. I am 50; I suppose my decision to attempt the black belt test, along with creating this blog, represents my mid-life crisis. Wish me luck!