Saturday, October 23, 2010

New Belts

Brian and Honor both have been enjoying the work-outs at their new Taekwondo school. The coaches work them very hard (very, very hard!), but they are always laughing and having fun too. Brian has had taekwondo before, in Cairo, but the school here started him at white belt again. They’re young and it’s all good review. Brian wasn’t concerned as he didn’t feel it was a negative. Review, work hard, and there’s a chance he’ll move up faster than new students. They had their first exam today, and he has already jumped one belt! Honor only went up the one, but she did a great job and she’s not jealous, she knows that Brian has more experience than she does. I like that they work so well together in class, and I really enjoyed the fact that they got to test together today.

Warm up…

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Then Brian and Honor get ready to test first.

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They start the poomse (form) together, although Brian left Honor behind on this as he’s much more confident with the movements.

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They had to demonstrate their kicks and punches.

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No boards to break, but they had to demonstrate their abilities and strength against pads the instructor held.

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Finally, their new belts were presented.

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Honor earned her white with yellow stripe, and Brian jumped to a yellow belt. I am so proud of them both!

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11 comments:

Lydia said...

That is such a great accomplishment! It's always a wonderful feeling!

Connie said...

Thanks Lydia! They've both worked very hard at this, and first thing they talked about after the test, was getting their next belts! Of course, talk soon turned to stopping for a cookie at the bakery on the way out, and yes, they did get one! :)

Emily said...

That is fabulous! What a great way to develop confidence and awesome skills!

Connie said...

Emily - it is a joy to watch them in class! The coaches push them, but in a way that the kids just keep on going. I wish I had the knees for it, the adult classes look just as fun.

Ziz said...

You must be so proud - it is so cool to watch the development of our children. Congrats!

I'll Take Mine... said...

Congrats to the kids! They look so proud. They should be. That's hard work. Isn't it a great feeling to see the kids work hard at something and succeed?

Connie said...

Ziz - we watch them grow, and yet, are still surprised when they do something so very 'grown'! Yep, definitely very proud!

I'll Take Mine... - it is a tough workout, and tough to remember the forms. These new belts were not only for this exam, but kudos for the past couple months of hard work! (and I think the kids get that too!)

junglemama said...

Good job!

Becky said...

Your post has been included in the weekly State Department Blog Round Up
at:

http://smallbitsfs.blogspot.com/2010/10/i-never-knew-state-department-round-up.html


Thanks for your wonderful contribution!

Anonymous said...

Well done to your girls! I'm definitely going to encourage Pudding to take up a martial art, though she is already pretty kick-ass!

Expat Mom said...

That's so great! Congrats to both of them! I can't wait til my boys are old enough to take karate.