Olivia is an Orange Belt

Today I joined a lot of parents for a karate belt ceremony to celebrate their kids getting their new belts and Olivia got her orange one!

Olivia got hooked up to karate after I took her to a trial session hosted by a Korean guy near work. She has been practicing ever since, although at another facility closer to home.  To be honest, sitting through that trial session made me want to sign up too. Karate intrigues me and most importantly lifts my spirit which not too many things in my life right now can have that kind of effect. I truly see it as my kind of sport, if only I have the luxury (time wise) to practice it.

At the beginning of the ceremony was a performance by six young black belts. They were in their early teens and the performance was very impressive. What impressed me the most was that all three girls could land on the mat with a 橫劈 (split facing forward) which was very beautiful to watch.

I was very happy to see today that Olivia gained more power in her moves which showed progress, but I would like to see more concentration and aggressiveness in her eyes in the future (sorry, mommy is a perfectionistJ).

Olivia was very excited today and she told me that she would stick through to get all the belts and then quit right before the black belt.

"Why quit before the black belt?" I was surprised.

"Because I am afraid that the test is going to be too hard for me and I heard that you have to do your kata backwards in order to get the black belt" she answered.

I am not sure whether it is true that one has to do his/her kata backwards, but recalling those jumps and 橫劈 I saw at the performance, I can see the test could be pretty hard for her. Even though I don't have the expectation of her getting the black belt, as long as she benefits the physical exercises, discipline and up-lifting spirit from practicing karate, I still want her to know that quitting is not the way out when she faces difficulties.

"Honey, you don't have to get the black belt but you should at least give it a try. It would be a pity if you just quit without giving your best shot at it, don't you agree?"

Olivia nodded her head. I guess we will have to wait and seeJ.