Amanda Takes Off...

This morning I looked at my wallet and it looked very thin. I think my students lifted some money. I have thought, brainstormed, receipt-examined and there is no way I've spent that much money in the past five days. Sigh.

I did, however, find 11,000 won on the floor of the taxi I rode home tonight. For what it's worth.

I was late to taekwondo tonight, due to a project. I got there and the boys were prepping for tomorrow's test. I groaned, because usually that means Master's ended class early. I talked to Master. He said we were going to go running. It was cold, so I'm glad I bought the track suit he offered a few weeks ago.

We waited for Master's Brother's studio and I asked where we were going. He said the Speedom (velodrome). I said, "But that's far away."

"I know. We have one hour."

I stage whispered to Ghost, "Master is crazy."

Actually, it wasn't as far as I thought, about 3km away. While we were running, Master's Brother made us get into a rhythm while chanting.

Hana (step step step), dul (step step step), set (step step step), net (step step step).
Hana (step), dul (step), set (step), net (step).
Hana, dul, set, net. Hana, dul, set, YA!

He kept telling us to start with our left foot. I couldn't do it. I couldn't get on the left foot. It reminded me of the single day I tried marching band. I could not get eight steps. Seven, sure, no problem. Eight? Nope.

The run there wasn't a problem. The run back, I had to walk a bit and my chest was a bit tight feeling. Still, considering that I no longer run, I was pretty pleased.

After class I asked a new white belt his name and age. He's 19, so I asked why he was starting taekwondo now. That's very unusual in Korea; usually new students are elementary aged, they get to first or second poome and then quit. Turns out he wants to go to military college, and he needs taekwondo for it.

Class ended after 10, which is why I took a taxi home. Missing money or not, it was worth it. I was exhausted.