Amanda Takes Off...

Last night was more running around the elementary school track. He said ten times, but it was eleven. After laps and sprints, we played a game at the elementary school that confused me in explanation but was a blast in reality. We broke into two teams of five on the (smaller than normal) basketball court. One of the teams than split up amongst the hoops. Master dragged his toe in the sand to make safe zones around the hoops. The goal was to run from one safe zone to another without getting tagged by the other team, which was standing in the middle of the court. I only managed to run across once, but I tagged four people out. It was all fun and games until we went back to the studio and did more sit ups and leg things.

When I first started coming to this studio, I was a bit concerned that he did so many non-tae kwon do things. Now, however, I'm very happy that he mixes things up constantly. I think it prevents burnout and makes the body work harder.

Tonight we did poomse and I discovered, once again, that I'm not the only one to forget the forms. Tomorrow I have another belt test. Passing will bring me to a red belt, and to learning the form I need to test for my first degree (first dan) black belt. Master found out that they count six months from my ARC date, which, because my workplace dragged their feet, was issued more than a month after I got here. Black belt tests are only held once a month, and I miss the February test by one week. So it looks like I'll be testing in March.

I can surely use the extra time and practice, and nobody owes me a black belt, least not by a certain date, but it's still slightly frustrating when Master wanted me to test next month or the month after. It also means that I probably won't be able to compete at the big regional tournament in January or February. And I won't actually get my black belt for a few months after that, which isn't a big deal.

A few days ago Master started fake shooting at me again. He said, "생존?" I stared at him. He said, "Hmmm, Survivor?" Turns out that in November the Saturday Activity is paintball (페인트볼) at 북한산 Bukhansan National Park. He also mimicked revving a motorcycle, so I think there will be motorbikes there?

I honestly have very little idea what we're doing, but I signed up. I've never done paintball and I'll probably be awful at it and fall into a fit of giggles, but I love these Saturday activities. During soccer, hiking, and tournaments I have a lot of fun and learn a lot of Korean.