What a year! It felt like yesterday when I joined my kid on the mat. First of

all, I have survived, which alone makes me happy. According to Rickson Gracie,

"Eight out of ten walk out of an average academy in six months." Ours is a great

school, but attrition has indeed been brutal. I could count with one hand guys

who started around the same time as I and remained.

Technically, I have stopped believing in strength, especially my own. It is

futile against big muscular guys and most of my partners were at least 20 lbs

heavier. On the other hand, I have indeed seen what leverage and technique can

do. Folks my size such as Stephan, Will, and Tim C. have devastating games and

they give me a hard time any day. My own progess, especially in escaping from

underneath and getting on the knees, has given me great confidence.

Jun 15, after watching Rickson's recent turtle series, I suddenly realized

transitioning to guard as the third option in addition to takedowns and

reversals. This option meant I would never be stuck at turtle any more! (My

memory was full of such awkward moments when a big guy sprawled on me and I

couldn't do anything.) After switching to open guard, a good position in

real fights, I could try hook sweeps and set up attacks. If my opponent passed

my guard, I could get into turtle again. It felt like stringing words into a

sentence.

Life however was made of surprises. Just as I was elated at finally discovering

a path, I had to stay away for a week. Small injuries in the feet, the left hip,

the back, the shoulders, and mostly the hands (from gripping and accidents),

seemed to have accumulated to the point where I had to stop. Thankfully, the

recovery went well and felt like the liquid metal guy self-healing in The

Terminator.

Overall, it was a great month. In addition to the turtle revelation, I learnt

some slick armlocks from cross-side and was able to apply and even submitted a

bluebelt. Eric rolled with me and was happy about my defense. I finally was able

to relax on the mat.

As I kept saying, one good reason to train is for the kids. Dads and even moms

stay, I have observed, almost 100%. Sometimes, the whole family join in. In our

case, I am happy that Tim, my son, still attends three times a week and seems to

enjoy. I look forward to training beside him before he leaves for college.

PS. Sat Jul 2, I received from Brenda the third stripe on my white belt. (I felt

unsettled by Prof Gene's leave early June. He was a great guy. Wish him the best.)