Karate, karate and more karate..
Last weekend brought about the first GKR tournament of the year. New venue this year. Much improved, bigger floor area. This meant more rings and we were hoping an early finish but this didn't happen. The first part of the day seemed to run fairly smoothly but around the time it was time for me to compete things had slowed right down. We ended up getting home at 6.30pm. Jessica moved up an age division and was a bit apprehensive as to how she would go on the day. Yes, thats right...Jess nervous!!! But she didn't have to worry. She cleaned up in all 3 events she competed in leaving with 3 gold medals around her neck.
I competed in 4 events coming home with 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze. All in all I was happy with how I went but as usual, looking back on video footage I can improve in alot of areas. oh...and that picture of me with all the medals??? well I'd like to say they were all mine...but they were just the spare ones at the end of the day and I walked up to my Senior Instructor holding them and said with a serious face..."Sensei, I'm pretty happy with how I went today." He thought it was pretty funny and said 'We have to get a photo of that'...so we did!
This is a picture of me and some of my own students that competed. We had 20 entries and came home with 25 medals. I am VERY proud of them all.
NAS - Round 1
March 12th found Jessica and I competing at the first round of NAS for the year. For those of you who don't know...NAS stands for National All Styles and is a tournament for all types of Martial Arts including Karate, Kung fu, Tae Kwon Do just to name a few. Round One was held on the Gold Coast at Carrara Stadium and turned out to be a bit bigger than usual with approx 200 competitors. Jess competed in Continuous Sparring (1st), Point Sparring (2nd) and Individual Kata(3rd). SHe was happy to come home with her 3 trophies especially after tying for 3rd in Kata and winning the kata off. In a big division of over 20 competitors she held her nerve and got great results.
I entered Open Black Belt Kumite (sparring), Veterens Individual Kata and kumite. I know what you are thinking....VETERENS?? Rochelle isn't old enough to be a veteren!! Well, I agree but once you hit the ripe old age of 35 you are considered over the hill and are sent to the old people's division :) Anyway....I was happy with my efforts coming away with a 2nd place in Individual Kumite.
And I'd like to thank....
Forget the Oscars....today was the presentation of the School Leaders at Greenslopes State School. It was with baited breath that I waitied for the aceptance speech...hoping to hear a mention of the wonderful mother that played such a huge part in her life, who moulded her into the person she is today and is guiding her with love and affection towards reaching the goals she has set for her future. YEAH RIGHT!!!!
No mention of me at all!!! All she talked about was winning the next sports day! Jeeez, someone has to get this kids priorities sorted out!
After the badges were presented we headed to over to the MOST important part of the morning's ceremony according to the kids....THE CAKE!!!
Beach Training
Sunday morning, 7am found the girls and I on Main Beach, Gold Coast for an early morning training session. Since I was still out of action and not training, I took the opportunity to take a heap of photos. Beach training is always alot of fun. Forget technique, just concentrate on keeping your balance.
Even though Ashlee and Madison don't do karate anymore they did get in on the act.....after they
played in the sand and surf of course.
Snip, snip
Well it's been more than a week since I updated everything, 2 weeks actually. Has been a busy time. I have been in hospital having some minor surgery....well it started out as minor then while I am in that room that they give you the drugs, the surgeon(after discussion of my symptoms) decides to add another proceedure to her list. One which requires incisions. Anyway, to cut a long story short I hobbled out of the hospital 10 hours after arriving, struggling to stand up straight let alone walk. Apparently whatever they found isn't life threatening. Didn't see a doctor after the op and 2 days later got a specialist appointment in the mail.....FOR MAY!
I was very lucky to have my own personal nurse in Brian and he did a fantastic job of looking after me. He fed the kids, stayed over to make sure I made it through the night and generally did everything for me. I don't think I would have recovered as fast if it wasn't for him. I did get to return the favour 2 days later when I drove him to have his very own operation....a VASECTOMY!! Yes, that's right. No more children for Briza! I jokingly said I wanted to watch and should take the camera. Apparently I should have....cause I got to watch the whole thing and photo's would have looked great on his blog.
It was over in 15mins and Brian spent most of the time floating on the ceiling from the valium injection he got a few minutes before it all started. The Doc has done over 28,000 of these operations (apparently moved to the suburbs to wait out his retirement...we were hoping his hands were still steady!) there was very little blood and two white spaghetti looking tubes that were cut and it was all over. I'm sure my operation would have been more spectacular but I'm not one to compete (cough,cough).
On to more exciting things. As I told you last time Madison was about to make a speech to run for House Leader. Well after a nervous speech (yes, she dropped her palm cards halfway through but recovered well) voting took place and on Tuesday she was given an envelope with a letter inside congratulating her on achieving her position. I think she was excited, couldn't tell because she was jumping up and down so much. :) Following her sisters into a leadership position was something she wasn't sure she could do but she has proven herself wrong and I know she will do a great job.
