New Gup ranks

Selim and I had successful karate tests today.  I went from 9th Gup yellow belt to 8th Gup orange.  Selim went from 8th Gup orange to 7th Gup advanced orange, or as we say, orange with a stripe.  I found this test to be easier than the previous -- probably because I knew what to expect.  I didn't have the anxiety and I felt more confident in the movements.  When it came time to break the board, I did an axe kick.  It was a good one and I broke the board on the first try.  Selim broke his with a front kick.  The orange with a stripe group tried running, jumping side kicks.  Selim wished he could have tried that.  I told him that next test, he can ask for that.  Quite impressive, seeing these young kids take flying leaps to kick a board in half.

I had been sad thinking that I would be missing so many classes and getting left behind once I start my new job on second shift.  I told Mr. Hebert that pretty soon I won't be able to attend night classes.  He told me that most weeks he has a lunch time class with just a few folks and that I would be welcome to join.  What a nice surprise!  One less thing I have to give up once I start second shift.

I'm parent on duty this weekend while Nedim is in NY.  There was a Turkish parade today and he wanted to go.  He ended up riding the parade route in a cart, handing/tossing out T-shirts.  He said he had fun.  Oh really, what a surprise, my hubby in the center of the action, speaking his native language and having a good time.  I am not surprised.  I'm glad that he is enjoying himself.  His life will change as well once I switch shifts and then it always possible to accommodate these adventures.