Commercial for Jazz's Taekwondo School

Here is the school Jazzmin takes taekwondo and gumdo....




Enjoy...

Back to Blogging

I know I have been bad about blogging for a while, I blame Mafia Wars - a game on Facebook and MySpace. Whenever I had a spare few minutes I'd play that instead of blogging. Shame on me... But I have deleted that program so hopefully I will be more consistant with the blogging.

Just to catch up, I think everybody knows about my belly swelling to the point I thought I was 4 months pregnant. Turns out it wasn't but I don't know what exactly happened because my ob/gyn didn't tell me (as he only communicated with me by leaving voicemail messages). All I know is that my tests are all normal. But my belly has started going down since I got my monthly a couple weeks ago.

I am having my wages garnished for the next couple of months due to an old student loan from about 20 years ago. But since I am not taking martial arts for a few months - the money I save there will compensate for the garnishment. So I guess it's not so bad. Though it's not a particularly great thing to go through.

Jazzmin will be going to public school next year. I've finally come to the conclusion that the education she gets at Holy Rosary is no better then public school. Additionally, I don't like most of the teachers at Holy Rosary and don't have confidence in their ability to teach effectively. Most seem a bit off between the ears. It took a while for me to decide that public school was just as good because Jazzmin did have some good teachers in the begining. I liked her kindergarten and 2nd grade teacher - Jazz and I had decided maybe it's that she gets a good teacher every other year. But then 3rd, 4th and 5th grade teachers have not impressed me or were just bad. I don't need to pay for crazy - I can get that in public school for free. I checked out the state testing of the public school in my area and they do moderately well in english and above average in math. So they're at least as good as Holy Rosary - maybe better.

I feel like a prisoner waiting to get out of jail when it comes to Jazzmin finishing this school year. I will be happy to not have to take a train to her bus stop anymore. We'll get to leave the apt. later in the morning as a result. When I come home her after school is at taekwondo - so it's a 5 min walk from home. Instead of taking 2 buses to get home with approx 20-30 min travel time. And by going to taekwondo 5 days a week she'll go up in the ranks faster then she has going once a week. Plus Jazzmin always has this extra energy to burn after school - so being in taekwondo will tire her out and I'll pick up a mellow version of my daughter.

And let's not forget the fiscal liberation as a result of Jazzmin being in public school. I plan to pay off all my bills while also saving money to go to Korea the summer of 2010. I will also put more money into my 401K. But all this has to wait until the end of June. Sigh.

OK, that's it for now - I'm all blogged out.

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Officially Orange Belt in Gumdo

I guess I am moving fast up the ranks in Gumdo - I suspect it's just the nature of the art that you get promoted to the next belt sooner then you would in Taekwondo. I messed up when doing the white belt form - it's super easy but I guess I wasn't thinking about what I was doing and just wanted to get it done. My mistake was stepping with my right foot first instead of left at one point. Not a major mistake.

my teacher's teacher (Master Estrada) was at the Gumdo promotion test as he has to be present at the promotion for it to be valid. So he was there along with a student who was a lower ranking black belt, she administered the testing. She used full phrases that we were not acquainted with so it made somethings confusing at first. But then we all got the gist. She didn't give me the full test as she did not test me on the second form of drawing technique and short form. I didn't realize this until after the next person had gone up, otherwise I'd have reminded her. I guess that's good for me - less I had to do.

One of the guys in my class had started taking classes a month before me, but he and I are the same belt. But when we line up by rank he insists on being ahead of me due to his month seniority. I always give him a hard time about it, which shames him into relinquishing the first spot - but I don't take it. I'm bringing this up because I thought it was a little amusing during testing that there were 3 orange belts (me, friend & 1 other) and a yellow belt testing. So the yellow belt could've sat at either end of the line and been at the correct position. But when the yellow belt sits on the end my friend is on he sends the yellow belt to the other end because he presumed he was to be first in line being that he had 1 month seniority.

At the end of the belt promotion test Master Estrada commented on what had transpired and he singled me out stating that I had greatly improved. Which is great coming from him.

The only bad part of the promotion test was that I was told to be there for 3:30pm since it was to start at 4pm. I had rushed from an appt. to get there on time and as it turns out not only did I not need to rush, but Gumdo didn't get to start testing until 6pm due to the fact that the kids in Taekwondo were testing before us. So Jazz and I had to wait a loooooong time.

At the end of the promotion, when it was time to go home, I said good-bye to Master Estrada and let him know that my daughter was going to start Gumdo soon and how eager she was. She is always doing different forms to show me what she knows and talks about how much she wants to take Gumdo. He asked where she was and I called her over. Without my promting she greeted him with the proper hand gestures and said "Haidong" - which is how how we're required to greet him. I was proud of her for doing that on her own.

Today Jazzmin is going to get surprised with the fact that she is going to get to start Gumdo in February, which is a Christmas present from me. She's not starting until February because she has basketball games every Saturday for the month of January. She is going to be SOOO excited. I am having the teacher call her into his office in such a manner that she thinks she's in trouble. Then he's going to present her with her wooden sword and inform her she'll be taking Gumdo soon.
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Tonight we're going to be cutting bamboo tonight using a REAL sword in Gumdo. To date I have only used the wooden sword. On Monday I got to use the real sword for the first time when doing paper cutting. Seeing how the other guys use the sword I didn't expect it to be so heavy. It also didn't help that it was far too long for me. So it's awkward to hold due to it's weight, awkward to take out and put back 'cause it's too long and it has a functioning blade on it that could dismember. I didn't even do a good job cutting the paper with this extra sharp sword. I didn't cut it at all. If you don't swing it straight and put too much force it's not going to cut. So if I can't even cut paper with the sword - how am I going to cut bamboo.

And not only is it awkward to handle and my technique not up to par but these swords cost hundreds of dollars. In fact, the one he's going to have us use is $1,000. So what if I break it and have to pay for the repairs (break as in cause the blade to chip). This is all a bit overwhelming to me. I sent my teacher an e-mail asking to paper cut with the real sword again tonight and give the bamboo to my fellow classmates to use. But I also stated that if he still feels I should cut bamboo despite my concerns that I would. We'll see what happens.

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Dude looks like a lady

There has been a new teenage student in the adult class. 'She' has shoulder length hair, feminine facial features and a quiet/polite dispisition. I thought it was great to have another female, even if younger, in the class. I was partnered up with this young student in class and noticed her 'lady parts' were showing when she extended her arm to punch. After class I told the teacher that he might want to suggest to her parents that she wear a t-shirt under her uniform.

Turns out - the person was a boy! I've seen this kid in class for over a month and there was no question in my mind that the person was a girl. Even Jazzmin swore he/she/it was a girl. I was so shocked. Later, when I got home, I started thinking that the teacher was joking with me and the student was indeed a girl. But then the next morning when we were headed for taekwondo class we saw the student on the street, in boy clothing.

Oopsy - my bad!
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Ode to My Big Toe

A week or so ago I sparred for the first time in Taekwondo and I hurt my big toe. I didn't think it was a big deal even though it appeared bruised around the edge of my toe nail. I thought it might be black and blue under my nail but because I had nail polish on I wasn't sure. I thought that was the extent of my injury though.

I got a pedicure on Saturday and it looked as though my nail was completely torn from the nail bed. But my nail still felt securely in place. Last night a little blood started coming out of the side of my nail while I was in Gumdo class.

OK, maybe my injurred toe is not appropriate fodder for a blog but I am bummed about it. It could take about 6 months for things to be resolved. If the nail stays on I have to worry about water getting underneath and creating fungus (which is resolved by soaking in white vinegar). Or will it, in fact, come off and then I have to walk around with no toe nail. Gross! As of last night I've started wearing bandaids on my toe so as to ensure nothing pulls at my toenail to encourage it to come off further.

And who is to blame for this? My former pedicure guy - he cut the sides of my nail at the top that were connected to the edges of the nail bed. He said it was to prevent ingrown toenails and I thought nothing of it. But obviously when kicking in sparring the fact that part of the edges weren't attached made the force of the kick pull up my nail. Had he not cut the sides I doubt I'd be in this situation.

So annoying!
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Summer Coming to an End

I can't believe the summer is almost over, it's gone by so fast. I only have 2 more weeks of going to class Mon. - Fri. at Taekwondo. I will be glad to have some weekdays where I can just go home and relax. I am really surprised that I was able to keep it up all summer - I was sure there would be many days where I'd have a hard time motivating myself to go. But that has not been the case. I guess part of it is that it helped that the lady who normally handles the office hasn't been in that much this summer. She makes me uncomfortable with the way she acts toward me sometimes so it makes me not look forward to going there. When a friend of mine came to watch me in my class a couple weeks ago and the admin. was there - even she noticed how funky the admin. treated me.

I don't know if I lost weight working out so much - it's hard for me to tell. I think I have. But I'll still be working out a good amount even when Jazzmin is around. I am going to take Gumdo Mon. & Wed. and Taekwondo Fri. & Sat. This will put an end to my having to rush after work to attend classes as all of them are after 8pm. Saturday's class is at 9am though - have to get up early for her dance class anyway. So it's not a big deal. And that's another thing, this year we have ample time btw. Taekwondo and dance class - no more running 'like a bat out of hell' from one class to another. That is a bonus for me because I hate to rush. I hate having to worry about making it someplace at a specific time - it makes me anxious and I just hate rushing. Given a choice, I always give myself ample time to avoid it.

My Gumdo belt test has been postponed - it was supposed to be this Friday but the teacher administering the test couldn't make it. My teacher can not perform the belt promotion test - it has to be his teacher, who has a school in Long Island. The test will be sometime in September. I'm glad it's been postponed because I don't feel as comfortable with my knowledge of things as I'd like. Especially with the added stress of having to do it in front of a teacher I am not familiar with and is said to be tough. I also don't want to make my teacher look bad by doing poorly in the testing.

I am going to go with Brenda & Andy to pick up Jazzmin Labor Day weekend. Can't believe I am going to see Jazzmin in less then 2 weeks. It feels like she hasn't been gone that long. Hillary is going to come up so we can see our new nephew. We will possibly visit with our maternal aunt and uncle while we're there.

Another bit of news is my landlord wants to offer me a 2 year lease at a 1 year lease renewal price. I just signed my lease renewal for this year - but only did so for one year. It seems a little fishy that they'd make such an offer. But, of course, I am going to take it - at least this way I don't have to worry about my rent going up next year or signing another lease renewal.

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Hunger & My Weight Loss

I am so hungry right now. In fact, I find myself to be hungry most of the time. The supplements I am taking (flaxseed oil, CLA & B complex) are obviously doing their job in speeding up my metabolism. A breakfast that would normally keep me satisfied until late afternoon now only does so for a couple hours. I had a ham, onion, ham and cheese egg white omelette and a yogurt around 10am. Now it's noon and I'm starving - as if I hadn't eaten all day. ^*^sigh^*^

But I know if I want to lose weight I can't binge when my tummy is screaming for food like this. So I have to suffer the hunger in order to reach my weight loss goal. I am going to have my trusty hot chocolate - that always helps chase away the hunger. It's actually relatively low in calories and has the added bonus of giving me my chocolate fix (admitted chocolate addict).

I hope this is all worth it. At the end of the summer I hope I will have lost lots of weight and be noticeably skinnier. I can never tell if I've lost weight unless it's significant - so I am not sure if I've lost weight. I think I have. Another problem is getting on the scale isn't a valid measure of my weight loss because I am not only losing fat - but gaining muscle from my workouts. I have been keeping up the 5 workouts a week - only 3.5 weeks to go. Of course I will be working out 4 times a week once September starts up - but it will be more spread out. Instead of Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs, & Fri. it will be Mon., Wed., Fri. & Sat. And no kick boxing after this month - only Gumdo and Taekwondo.

Well, wish me luck on my weight loss!! :)
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Promoted to Green Belt

I did my testing in tae kwon do last night and I am officially a green belt now! The testing was not easy - actually it was the warm ups that were not easy. I threw up twice during testing due to my asthma, thankfully I made it to the bathroom on time.

I made a mistake doing my form - I get easily confused when I am super tired. I added a yellow belt form step in the orange belt form that shouldn't be there. But he let me do it over again - so that was good. I broke a board with my elbow while it was held vertically on my left side. And I used the trusty ol'ax kick for the other board breaking. I was thinking of using a tougher kick but I was so tired, I opted for the easy way out.

Like the crazy person I am, I stayed for the Gumdo class even though I was super tired. But we primarily worked on forms so it wasn't so bad. I went to bed a little early last night and ended up waking up late as I didn't hear my alarm. I had plenty of time to get ready for work so it was OK. Tonight I have kick boxing - it's the early class (6:30pm) so I will be home early and can rest this evening.

Friday night the taekwondo teacher won't be teaching the class as he is helping to facilitate a seminar in Martha's Vineyard. One of his black belt students will be conducting the class. Hopefully this kid won't get over zealous with the warm ups.
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2 Hour Workout

Well, I survived my 2 hour workout last night - 1 hour of Taekwondo and 1 hour of Gumdo. The taekwondo session was moderate - 25-50 of each warm up exercise (push-ups, jumping jacks, crunches, mountain climbers, squat touch, etc.). The rest of the class was spent going over curriculum because there were a few people (myself included) who had to prepare for our belt test this Wednesday. Doing curriculum isn't particularly taxing so the class was doable. Gumdo is never that bad - just get through the warm ups and then do the sword forms.

Unfortunately I have to take two classes on Wednesday too. First I have to take my belt test - which will be done during class. And then after I have to go to Gumdo because they're doing tip testing and I don't want to miss that. Next week, no doubling up on classes. Maybe I'll alternate weeks of doing extra classes, as it is - I already do 5 a week. Doing 6-7 classes in a 5 day period is a lot.

There was this little 8 year old girl in my Gumdo class last night - her brother was in the class and so she was allowed to take it instead of sitting around waiting for him. She takes Gumdo with her age group - so it's not like she doesn't know what she is doing. She is so tiny - she's the size Jazzmin was shen she was 4 years old. She is very cute - but the reason I love her is because she asked me, "Don't you have a little sister that goes here?" She was referring to Jazzmin. I told her no - that was my daughter. And she was like, "Oh!" She just assumed I was Jazzmin's sister - now if that isn't a compliment, I don't know what is!!
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My Workout Schedule

I have been doing my '5 days a week' workout schedule for the past 2 weeks and it's working out. Though I'd like to just relax after work, this is only for the summer and I can stick it out until the end of August. Actually, I threw up in Monday's Gumdo class - we had to do 100 jumping jacks and my asthma was not having a good day that day. On humid days my asthma is much worse. So I got the dry throat and then the gagging - then it proceeded into throwing up. But I threw up and then went right back and continued with the class. I actually feel better once I throw up.

I was hoping to take 2 classes in a row, for at least a couple of the days, each week. But, unfortunately, my pulmonary doctor doesn't seem to have any immediate solution to my asthma - so I don't know if I could make it through 2 classes. On Tuesday I am getting promoted to green belt in Taekwondo - so I am going to take 2 classes in a row on Monday so I have extra time to practice. We'll see how that goes. If I survive - perhaps I will do it again the following week.

The kick boxing class is fun - I primarily like it because it's filled with middle aged women who aren't in shape. AH YES, MI GENTE!!! Which is not to say I think I am middle aged. lol The workout is hard but at least everybody is struggling just as much as I am and I'm not being picked on for being the worst.

Next month I am scheduled to get promoted to yellow belt in Gumdo. This has to be done by my instructor's instructor in Long Island. So my teacher is going to drive me and one other student to the school. Gumdo is a tight community - there are only about a dozen or so people in THE WORLD who are masters in the art and can instruct (my teacher being one of them). They don't even put the instruction, etc. in writing so it can't be taught by anybody who isn't part of the federation. I like Gumdo - am contemplating taking it after the summer is over - we shall see.
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Taekwondo Sparring & Commercial Shoot

Friday was my first attempt at sparring in Taekwondo. And I must admit, I was not even remotely good. Though I did have the impediment of my chin guard not staying in place compounded with the asthma issues as a partial excuse for my poor performance. After the class I figured out how to adjust the chin guard though. I had a tight chest pain even after I arrived home from my asthma because of sparring. Odd thing about how my asthma reacts when I spar and grapple (wrestle) - I don't feel out of breath until I stop doing the activity instead of during.

Saturday they conducted a commercial shoot at Taekwondo - I participated only in the Gumdo portion. I didn't really want to do the commercial at all 'cause I am not photogenic - but I did it to ensure females were represented. I didn't do the Taekwondo portion 'cause I thought the female aspect had been taken care of. But the day of the shoot the girl who said she was coming didn't show up. Oh well. As the moment grew closer for me to participate, I got nervous. And then when I realized that knowing the terminology factored heavily into participating (only just started Gumdo), I was even more nervous. But I hung out in the back row and just did my best to follow along. It's not that I didn't know what the moves were - I just didn't know what they were called. I was supposed to get a terminology sheet but never did. Will have to remind him when school commences.

The commercial will air on a number of Bronx stations - I wonder if I'll be visible in the commercial? Probably not - but we'll see.
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Summer is Here!!

So Jazzmin had her dance recital on Sunday (Brenda will post video soon on youtube), Brenda and Dawn were also in attendance. Upon finding our seats for the show I found out the seating chart they showed me when choosing the seats was utterly wrong. I ended up in practically the same seats I had last year, seats I was trying to avoid. Why, you may ask? Because they are right in front of the speakers. Apparently the people producing the show don't feel the music is loud enough until the audience is bleeding out the ears. Fortunately I had forewarned Dawn of the potential noise and she brought ear plugs.

2 hours after the show started and just after intermission ended, Jazzmin's class finally came to the stage to perform. Jazzmin did very well - esp. considering they had made changes at the end of the routine a week before the show - and she was absent from that class. So she had to learn the new ending the day of the recital. Fortunately we were able to leave right after her performance and not be subjected to another 2+ hours of deafening music.

After the show it was a mad dash back to my apartment to pick up Jazzmin's suit case and my cat Nova. Nova is staying with Dawn for the summer (at the very least) and was taking the trip with them to NH. I sprayed a little Feliway spray on a paper towel and put it in the carrier, as I did when bringing Nova to the vet, and put him in. I felt confident that he'd be as calm and sedated as he was when I had to transport him to the vet while traveling to NH. But, sadly, that was not the case. Apparently his pupils got tiny and he left his mouth open in between meows. Brenda said she's never seen such a terrified cat. I felt so bad for Nova - poor thing.

When I called Dawn the next day I found out that Nova had taken refuge in his litter box and wasn't coming out. At least Jazzmin is there so he doesn't think he was completely abandoned. I'll call in a few days to see if he's doing any better.

My apt. feels so empty without Nova. He would always sit in the doorway of the bathroom when I was getting ready for work, etc., he'd always come up on the couch to get affection or lay on the back of the couch to hang out with me and every night (without fail) he'd come up on to the bed just as I layed own and gave me love paws. It was like a nice kitty cat massage for me.

Well, I hope it's all worth it and my asthma goes away with Nova gone. I already vaccumed the couch and my bed. This weekend I am going to wash all the floors and clean the air purifier filter so there are no residual cat hairs stored up there.

Next week the tae kwon do school is closed - but after that starts my intense workout schedule. I'll be at the school 5 days a week and taking about 7 classes. I am on a mission to lose weight. It's going to be hard motivating myself to do it but I am going to try my best. I just have to keep telling myself that it's only for 2 months.
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Gumdo is Low Key

I took my first Gumdo class last night - I was hoping to have my cool uniform but it hadn't come in yet. :( It turns out that Gumdo is pretty low key and not necessarily a workout to suppliment Tae Kwon Do. Gumdo is more skill based then athletic.

I'm still going to do it for the summer, esp. since I'm contractually obligated to. It'll be good to do just for the experience even if it doesn't contribute to my weight loss.

I've decided to take the kick boxing class at the school this summer - that's an additional 2 classes. And I know, for sure, they do a good workout. I'm going to take this, not only because Gumdo isn't a workout, but because it turns out that they're not going to have Saturday classes this summer. Apparently the kids' classes are very empty during the summer and the 2 adult classes on Saturday are not insentive enough to stay open. Taking Saturdays away is taking a workout from me - so kick boxing will help make up for that.

I am determined to go all out this summer to lose weight - am going to do everything I can while I have the opportunity. I am also going to go on a diet. I already make an effort to not go crazy with the junk food and watch what I eat, but I am going to followed a structured diet this summer. It's by this doctor who helped run "Celebrity fit club" - wanted to try and see if it works!

Today I have my echo cardiogram - so hopefully after this I can get treatment and start recovering from my asthma issues. Then it will be easier to take the classes this summer and I'll be more inclined to go during the school year. Can't wait to get this asthma thing resolved!!!!!!!!!!

The Peril of Tae Kwon Do

I took my first night class of tae kwon do on Friday since the onset of my really bad asthma symptoms. Night classes tend to be more intense then the Saturday ones - intense because of the way the class is conducted (boot camp). I was able to participate in the Saturday ones reasonably well so I thought I would be able to handle the night classes.

Friday's class was hard - everything was a struggle. It didn't help that it was 100 or 50 of any given exercise. 100 jumping jacks, 100 sit ups, 50 push ups, 50 mountain climbers, 100 up and down leg lifts, etc. etc. etc. The other students had to do 20 laps of running and then 10 laps of duck walks, but due to my asthma issues not being resolved (still get asthma attack even with emergency pump when I run), the teacher gave me alternative exercises. All the exercises involved working out my abs. Close to the end of class my tummy started not to feel well and I had to run to the bathroom to throw up. It was more like the dry-heaves then anything. But like a trooper, I went back to participating in class after throwing up. I think it was all the labored breathing that caused this.


I still went to class the next morning, on Saturday, and it wasn't so bad. But I had to do more ab work due to the fact I am unable to run. I guess my teacher has noticed my need to work on that area. lol But the combined ab workouts of Friday and Saturday has caused me to have very sore ab muscles for the past couple of days. My abs have never hurt so much! Hopefully by the end of the summer all this work will pay off.

I'm not going to let what happened to me Friday night to deter me from going to night classes again, as I get stronger it will be come easier (or at least more tolerable). My workout routine is going to be intense this summer. I am going to be doing 4 tae kwon do classes and 3 Kumdo (Gumdo) classes additionally. It comes out to 8 hours of working out each week. I also am going to go on a diet to further my weight loss. We'll see what happens!

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Gumdo Anyone?

I'm thinking about taking Gumdo classes his summer in addition to Taekwondo. I think it'd be interesting to try and would also step up my workout. I'm really going to be on a mission to lose weight his summer. I can't take Kumdo when Jazz is in town because it's asking too much of her. To sit through an hour of Taekwondo and then another hour of Gumdo... 2 hours of waiting around several times a week.

I'm still waiting for resolution regarding my asthma but I'm hoping a solution is eminent. At the very least I can still do classes using my emergency inhaler, as long as I don't run. Running majorly effects my breathing even with the emergency inhaler.

Fortunately, my job gave out bonuses, thats another reason why I'm willing and able to take Gumdo. I do have extra money during he summer because Jazz is gone but I want to pay off some bills and also want a little "wiggling room" with my budget. So with the bonus I don't have to dip into my summer money to do Kumdo.
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First Class Back at Tae Kwon Do Saturday

So I finally took a taekwondo class since all the drama from asthma. It was as light as a class could be - and by the end I was feeling worn out. I took my emergency inhaler before class - as always. I was able to do the warm up just fine (25 each of jumping jacks, push ups, mountain climbers, up and downs and squat thrusts). Then after that all we had to do was practice or forms for the rest of the class as there is to be tip testing next week.

During the last 20 min. of class I was starting to feel really drained, like I had really done a workout when I didn't. I did have to take another hit of my emergency inhaler halfway through class. I wasn't extremely out of breath but I felt discomfort. For the duration of the weekend my bronchial tubes felt sore. Strange, huh?

Also, my body is feeling like a rusty robot since I took the Prednisone. Hopefully that is something that will eventually go away.

I think I am going to limit myself to just Saturday classes until my breathing issues are resolved. If this light class was hard on me - the regular class will be impossible. Even if he gives a hard class next Saturday - it's less of a pain to compensate for my issues 'cause the class is small.
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Asthma - Rhymes with Plasma

I don't think I am going to tae kwon do tonight - I am afraid of going and then 5 min. into class being crazily out breath and then having to turn right back around and go home. Plus it's raining - I don't like to go anywhere when it rains.

Jazzmin is going to be with her Grandma Simon Wed. - Fri. due to school being closed. Maybe I will go to class on Wednesday when I don't have to deal with picking Jazzmin up. I was also thinking about waiting until Saturday to start back up with classes. Saturdays tend to be more tranquil, which is not to say that I won't have to work out just as hard as the other days. It's just on Saturdays there are a fewer students and it doesn't have the boot camp atmosphere. I really should go on Wed. though instead of putting off the inevitable. We shall see.

I think I am going to take Dawn up on her offer to take my remaining cat for the summer. I'd like to see if I feel normal again. I'd like to know what it feels like to feel normal again. Every day my asthma is on my mind - everytime I approach a staircase (which is often), I wonder how out of breath I am gong to get going up. Lately, it's not uncommon that if I lay flat in bed that I feel a slight tightness in my chest from the asthma. Asthma, asthma, asthma - I am so over it.

I have an appt. with the pulmonary doctor on Friday - we shall see what comes of that. If they can work some magic then it looks like Nova (cat) is stuck with me. I am so annoyed that I stayed with the allergist I initially went to when the onset of allergies reared it's head. A quack, no doubt, that should not be allowed to practice medicine. My first hint should've been when they did the allergy test to see what I am allergic to and cat did not come up positive. Let's see - without cat I was OK, with cat I have allergic reaction - obviously their test was wrong. Instead they told me I was allergic to 2-3 things that I have never had a reaction to (ragweed, etc.). But I didn't care if I got shots for those as long as I got shots for the cat allergies. When I started with the shots they didn't even have cat allergies as one of them - I had to request it. Even after having told them I have cat allergies at previous visit. There are several other things that happened that lets me know this place is only interested in milking people's insurance for immunatherapy shots and don't really care about the health of the patient.
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Tae Kwon Do on Monday

I am starting back to Tae kwon do on Monday. I am nervous about going because I am not sure how my asthma is going to hold up. I have good and bad days since taking the prednisone - I don't think my asthma is completely under control. I still get out of breath over things I should not. But I think I am well enough to take class, I hope so at least.

I have an appt. with the pullminary doctor next Friday. Hopefully all this drama will be resolved soon so I can breathe like a normal person and not have to worry if something is going to make me out of breath and unable to function properly.
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Strong as an Ox!

I had grappling in tae kwon do on Friday - though it's not part of the martial art of tae kwon do, they still teach it in our school. Grappling is more part of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It used to be we'd focus on it the last week of each month but now he's going to have it every Friday. I haven't grappled in a while - probably two months, it just has worked out that way. Sometimes I fear the class 'cause you can really get beat up and sore.

On Friday, I didn't do as well as I normally do - but I still did respectably. I was paired up with the only other female in the class. It was hard to do the practice portion because she was not really going at it full strength. Then when it came time to actually grapple - she didn't want to do it and sat it out. Normally this wouldn't be allowed but she's dating the teacher/owner so perhaps he just allowed it due to that. I took turns grappling with the different men in the class. One of them I should've done way better against. Then there is this one guy whose uniform is grimmy, he's extremely sweaty and it's just gross so I wasn't really trying to give it my all and get all that stink on me.

The highlight of the class was when I got one of the co-instructors in a lock. We started on one knee and from there I got up and put him in a headlock. Then we took it to the ground and I wrapped my legs around him from behind. He couldn't get out of my hold and he is a brown belt (2-3 belts away from black belt). Everybody in the class was amazed - another co-instructor getting Sabumnim's attention to marvel at what I was doing. Can't lie - it felt good. Felt even better when the guy I had pinned was remarking that I am strong as an ox! :) Felt good to impress the more seasoned people there. But I think I got lucky with getting the guy in position to begin with because he'd never seen me fight before and didn't know what he was in for. I don't know as though I'd be able to repeat it, but I'll sure try! He's a slender guy so that makes it easier for me.

I grappled with another one of the co-instructors and it was just lights out both times. He would just lay me flat and fall on top of me - that would be it. He was too heavy for me to move and try and do damage. The second time I thought I'd try to give myself some advantage so perhaps the match could last longer, even though I knew I was going to lose. So we started with me behind him attempting a headlock. He just flipped me over on my back and fell on top of me again.

I got to grapple with Sabumnim - but he wasn't really trying. He just got me in a hold where I was on top and he had his legs wrapped around me. I kept fighting but soon realized that as long as he had his legs around me - fighting with the top half was pointless. I had remembered what he said about people always forgetting to use the bottom half of their body in a fight. So I opted to stand up with his legs around me to get them off that way. He held on with his legs and then finally just released.

I got black and blues under my upper arm, I seem to get black and blues there whenever I grapple. I've always thought they were marks left from people trying to pry me off of them, but now I think they're just impact black and blues. Sometimes if you get slapped hard enough you'll get this splatter looking black and blue pattern. That's basically what I have under my upper arms. It's the only explanation I can come up with.