19 years....

Hey, some of us are slow learners.
January of 1996 I bowed in to the shomen for the first time.
January of 2014 I ranked for Shodan.
Test was a lot of fun. Then I saw the videos and saw lots of things I didn't like.
Such is Life :-) Once again, I suck at a higher level.

Allow me to join you...

1992 was my first time, in high school.
1998 Shodan.
2014 Nidan.

Sensei told me I was too stiff after doing shihonage on me last night. I still haven't learned to relax. The tension is in my mind.

頭が硬い, 体が硬い

I reckon need to video myself regularly so I can examine my technique. I feel it is beneficial. Pro sports practitioners do it, I don't see why we shouldn't as well.

Hey Janet, Happy Birthday.

Congrats on your test. I am glad it was fun.

Congratulations on the journey, Janet.

Hi Janet,

Congratulations! Now, get back to practice.

(And, I'm guessing you meant to write "January of 2015 I ranked for Shodan".)

-- Jun

Janet Rosen wrote: Hey, some of us are slow learners. January of 1996 I bowed in to the shomen for the first time. January of 2014 I ranked for Shodan. Test was a lot of fun. Then I saw the videos and saw lots of things I didn't like. Such is Life :-) Once again, I suck at a higher level.

19 year olds shodan. hmmm..... just younger and younger every day.

Congrats on your Shodan, Brooklyn!!!!

Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.
After enlightenment, drink beer, order pizza.

Seriously, and the bunnies can pardon my French, but...

It. Is. So. About. Fucking. Time.

You've been at the rank for years. Glad someone finally made you own up to it. Go train.

So, your belt is still going to be sticking out funny when you can post in the 20-years experience section. I'm finding that funny. And great.

Yay, Janet! I'll bet you wouldn't be so harsh about someone else's video! Besides if you were already perfect, why would you need to practice? Congratulations, and yay again!

Janet Rosen wrote: Hey, some of us are slow learners. January of 1996 I bowed in to the shomen for the first time. January of 2014 I ranked for Shodan. Test was a lot of fun. Then I saw the videos and saw lots of things I didn't like. Such is Life :-) Once again, I suck at a higher level.

EEK. Thanks, Jun. YES it was last night. January 2015!

Susan Dalton wrote: Yay, Janet! I'll bet you wouldn't be so harsh about someone else's video! Besides if you were already perfect, why would you need to practice? Congratulations, and yay again!

Well, I'm realist enough to understand that the test and the videos capture a moment in time that includes how I felt last night, how ukes were, what specific stress I was or was not feeling, and to also realize that it is not a transcendent moment but a milestone along the ongoing path. I was happy about many things and see where I need to focus during coming months.

Photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zanshinart/16289316861/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zanshinart/15671232293/

Janet Rosen wrote: EEK. Thanks, Jun. YES it was last night. January 2015!

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

By the way, on an unrelated note, I love the picture of your watermelon radishes. I have been growing them too, and they are great!

Long time coming - glad to see your milestone was reached. No need to tell you what comes next.

Congratulations.

Peter Rehse wrote: Long time coming - glad to see your milestone was reached. No need to tell you what comes next. Congratulations.

LOL! More training.....

Congratulations

I'll always remember what my first sensei (Sensei Inaba 6th Dan Calgary Aikikai )told me after a kyu test and it still holds true , "Now that you've finished your test you have time to really learn the techniques !" I'm still working on ikkyo after 15 years

Congratulations Janet.
I'm also similar. 1972 start judo, 1980 shodan. Stop (injury)
1993 birthday present to myself, start aikido, (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
2007 shodan, Calgary, AB.
2009, nidan, Christchurch, NZ.
Now, the rust is setting in.. Not sure I can remember how to tie the hakama.

Nicely done, Janet! Thank you for the example you set!

Congratulations Janet.

I love the pictures. Thanks for sharing them. About videos, funny how one's perspective changes. After one of my kyu tests, I was so embarrassed I offered to retest even after I learned I had passed. And much later I thought I had a magnificent nidan test. Now when I look at tapes, I can't remember what was so awful about that particular kyu test--looks like a run of the mill kyu test to me. And my nidan test was much more magnificent in my mind than on the tape--nothing particularly spectacular about it at all.

Reminds me of my friend who wasn't going to buy a portrait package because she had two chins in the picture. The salesperson said, "Honey, one day you'll look back at this picture and say, 'Wasn't I cute back when I only had 2 chins.'" My friend bought the package.

Robin Boyd wrote: By the way, on an unrelated note, I love the picture of your watermelon radishes. I have been growing them too, and they are great!

MMMMMM....yes.....watermelon daikon...put it in my kimchi!

Susan Dalton wrote: Reminds me of my friend who wasn't going to buy a portrait package because she had two chins in the picture. The salesperson said, "Honey, one day you'll look back at this picture and say, 'Wasn't I cute back when I only had 2 chins.'" My friend bought the package.

FABULOUS story!! and with that....ok....deep breath....the first five videos are up and more will get added as I upload them....

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...PaZ8ab8bvrpGBp