Hi, from Rainy Queensland. Australia

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[Glenda Gill]

It is finally raining, here is our little piece of paradise in Mackay Qld. We have been on water restrictions for the last couple of years and now thanks to the rain, we have no more water shortages. Until next year lol. :D
I have just started to do aikido. I have been doing tae kwondo for about 3 years. But I felt like doing something that is completely different and challenging in different ways. Aikido is so different to what I have been doing before. To tell you the truth, I find it strange to be using my brain, instead of getting all hyped up. Am I the only person who understands what I just wrote? Sorry, makes perfect sense to me.
Anyway, the bug has well and truly bitten me and I am really enjoying myself.
I am a swimming instructor for children and I am also an artist who does pottery and ceramics.
I am here to learn more about aikido and people who do it.

[Michael O'Brien]

Hi Glenda,

Welcome to Aikiweb from Nashville, Tn.

[Glenda Gill]

:) Thanks Mike

[Mark Freeman]

Hi Glenda,

so you've been bitten by the aiki bug, I hope you realise how serious the condition can be. You may find that like many of us you are condemed to a lifetime of purposeful practice, with good people, with the side effects being a more stable and relaxed demenour. Not a bad disease to have by any stretch of the imagination. :D

Welcome to the world of aikido and aikiweb.

regards,
Mark

[akiy]

Hi Glenda,

Welcome to AikiWeb.

-- Jun

[crbateman]

Aikido is so different to what I have been doing before. To tell you the truth, I find it strange to be using my brain, instead of getting all hyped up. Am I the only person who understands what I just wrote?Absolutely not. I spent many years teaching TKD, and the "culture shock" I experienced when changing to Aikido was staggering, and yet strangely calming. You'll be fine, and you'll learn a whole new way of approaching budo. Best of fortune to you.

[eyrie]

Welcome Glenda, I hear there's a Cat2 cyclone coming your way.... need rain? ;)

Sunny one day, perfect the next? Must be a perfect day then... for a cyclone. :D

[merlynn]

welcome to aiki web feel free to e mail me any time for a chat

[Glenda Gill]

Thank you all for making me feel welcome. Luckily for us the cyclone stayed up north. Which is not good news for them, it was a category 4, which had winds of 240km. At the moment we are watching another one coming towards our city, but the winds are dying down - thank goodness.
I am glad that other people understood what I meant about aikido, I felt a bit silly writing it.
Going from kicking and punching a person to a martial art, where you can do so much more damage by not using any force at all.
My first lesson, I freaked out and told my sensei, that there was no way in hell, I could ever hurt a person doing aikido, because there is no force. It looked too soft.
Anyway, I am well and truly bitten and enjoying it immensely.

[Patrick O'Regan]

Hi Glenda

I am glad you missed the cyclone. Although Wati may send some wind your way. My wife is from Innisfail and all the reports sounded very scary. I am glad that Aikido is alive and well in NQ. All the best in your training.

cheers

Paddy

[Glenda Gill]

The stats from the cyclone were 3 in every 5 house had some damage to them. Also millions of dollars worth of damage to farms and stations. We are so lucky to have it miss up. Now her brother Wati, has decided to slow down and hopefully will not come any further in to Mackay. He was right on course for us.
In Mackay, we only have the one aikido club, and we have a children's class, as well as an adults. My 9 year old son also does aikido with me, in the adults class. And to see him, put down a 6 foot man is just amazing. He seems to have picked it up a lot faster than I have.