What? There's a new post here?

Hello there people!

Yes, it's been rather quiet here at the Other Journal, and for good reason. I haven't been to TKD classes in a month. Even though I can't pay for lessons other than Drew's right now, and had the offer to continue training anyway, life has been just a huge mess. It's really not fun with "real life" gets in the way, but rather than get into the messy details (and believe me, if you knew the details, you'd think it was a South American soap opera or something), I'll just leave it at saying that it's been a terrible past month or so. To summarize, we had a house guest who, while a decent house guest, overstayed his welcome. Then, the bigger problems had to do with a property my husband owns and rents out, and it continues to be a problem, but we are hoping we are starting to see the end of the tunnel with that soon. As a result, I'd have to sacrifice my training time. It's okay for the most part, because the property issues are much more important right now. And I have needed a break. But I think I need to get back into the swing of things. I have been practicing my form, but told SW that I was opting out of this cycle's testing, even though she said I could still do it. It was only this past week that I was able to tell her about the insanity going on, because we, even as friends, haven't had much of a chance to catch up lately. But anyway, this cycle was a major mid-term, and while I'm sure I could pull it off, I don't think I would so a great job, just a good one, and I'm a slight perfectionist that way. I'd rather do my best than my "okay/passable". I think I'll try back again after tax time, as the graduation/testing is on tax day. My knee needed the break, my lungs needed the break, and I, for sanity reasons, needed the break. But I miss my friends, and I think I do need more exercise again, so I need to make time in the near future.

In the meantime, Drew has been continuing. This past week has been pretty good, since we have been on spring break for regular school, so things were rather quiet in do-jahng, which was good for Drew. Not as much sound overload, and he was able to concentrate a little better. Of course, he still has problems focusing, and he loves to watch himself in the mirror a little too much and makes faces at himself, but I supposed that's part of his immaturity as well as him being 6 1/2. But he's doing so much better in class, and not having meltdowns like he used to have. Even the other day, while I was talking to SW, he was starting to have a minor meltdown because he couldn't get his chest protector off, but someone else helped him, and it was nipped in the bud quickly. He's starting to help put his gear on and off himself, which is good. He's made a lot of progress overall. He knows most of the whole form, even if he only has to know half. And, he's learning to get less frustrated when things don't happen instantly for him, like learning some new board breaks. Of course, it helps that the instructors are patient with him, and he does get it eventually. I remind him that some of this stuff take practice, and as long as he tries his best and keeps trying, he'll eventually get better.

Things have been good enough, both in the do-jahng and at home with the reduction of meltdowns that I feel like I'm starting to have a "normal" kid. And believe me, that's a HUGE relief. Yes, I still have to put things in place to make sure that life runs more smoothly for him, and do my best to diffuse the meltdowns quickly and put him in his place when needed. But when proposing the idea of TKD Boot Camp to him, Drew was actually open to the idea. A year ago, I don't think he would've lasted. But this year, I think he can do it. SW and I discussed it, and she thought it'd work out great for him. He will have just gotten his purple belt earlier that month, and she said that getting his blue at boot camp would be an excellent transition. I still have to figure out the financial logistics of it all, but I will. He may also go to TKD fun camp too, which Drew was saying, OH YEAH, I want to do that again. The good thing about doing those is that even if I can't pay for it all up front, SW knows we are good for the money, and I will give her as much as I can when I can, and that I will consistently give her something. I've always been good that way. So both TKD Boot camp AND TKD fun camp (half day of TKD and half day of fun stuff?). Can't beat that! I'm just glad Drew is going to be mature enough to do boot camp if we can swing it schedule-wise. And that he's up to it! That's progress in itself.

So, that's what's been happening here. I wish I was getting this midterm out of the way, but I didn't feel like I had practiced enough, especially since this midterm was all about board breaks. The rest of it would've been fine. But it's not a race. And I DO want to get this particular midterm out of the way, because the sooner it's out of the way, the sooner I can move onto using the BME instead of the SJB for weapons. (We know how much I love SJB--NOT!) And in looking ahead with the midterms (I have a list of the requirements right here at my desk to refer to), I also get inside and outside flow/joint locks and JB to do before testing for my second degree, and even double BME drills for the 2BD rank test, so that should be good. It's something to look forward to, at least.