After pretty much my entire family getting displaced from Hurricane Katrina that hit New Orleans last month, now another hurricane is devistating the area. Now it's Rita's turn.
So far, the track is headed for Houston where my sister is located. Luckily, she has a place to go for the time being. I just hope that the hurricane doesn't delay her graduation since she is set to graduate this summer.
Also, all of my best wishes go out to those that live in the western Gulf Coast area. I hope that all of you make it out alive and are able to rebuild quickly. This has got to be the worst year on record for Hurricanes in the United States.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
More Kendo Practice stuffs
I should have posted this a long time ago, but I guess it's best to have it up here now than not to have it up at all.
Well, Kendo practice is in full swing this year. There are a LOT more people around this year than there was last year. At last week's practice, there were 11 people, 10 of us in bogu. The only person who didn't have bogu with him left his at home in Germany. I hope he is able to get a set soon so we can have a full on practice with little restriction.
For the suburi exercises, since none of us have suburito, we had to do haya-suburi 100 times with 2 shinais in our hands. After that, we did 50 more with only one. I must say, it sure took a lot out of me. It's really hard to keep up since I get tired around the 10th suburi. I have never had to swing so much weight around before in my life and here I am doing my best to keep up. After finishing the 100, and did the 50 the normal way, the shinai felt much lighter. But I was so tired from the previous 100 that it was still hard to keep up. It goes to show you that new variations on exercises can show you just how far you have to go until you can become really great at Kendo!
After the suburi, we all put on our bogu. We did exercises like kirikaeshi, kakari-geiko and variations on different hitting techniques. I am quite rusty from not doing them over the past 3 months, but I am getting better as time goes on. These exercises were done with great intensity and really forced me to keep my spirits up as I tried my best.
Then we ended in jigeiko. Due to the lack of time, I only got to fight once, but I think I did better than I have done before. The evidence in this is that I didn't get so tired all the time and I didn't stay too long in taiatari so much. I hope that I can go to practice this Thursday or I will have to skip the next two thursday practices due to classes :(.
Overall, the practice was nothing but greatness. It actually felt more like a Kendo practice since I was giving it my all the whole time and there were so many new faces there. I hope that they all stay cause it is nice to get a different experience in jigeiko (whenever I get the chance to fight against them).
Now, I just need to make sure I am ready to make ikkyu this fall...
Well, Kendo practice is in full swing this year. There are a LOT more people around this year than there was last year. At last week's practice, there were 11 people, 10 of us in bogu. The only person who didn't have bogu with him left his at home in Germany. I hope he is able to get a set soon so we can have a full on practice with little restriction.
For the suburi exercises, since none of us have suburito, we had to do haya-suburi 100 times with 2 shinais in our hands. After that, we did 50 more with only one. I must say, it sure took a lot out of me. It's really hard to keep up since I get tired around the 10th suburi. I have never had to swing so much weight around before in my life and here I am doing my best to keep up. After finishing the 100, and did the 50 the normal way, the shinai felt much lighter. But I was so tired from the previous 100 that it was still hard to keep up. It goes to show you that new variations on exercises can show you just how far you have to go until you can become really great at Kendo!
After the suburi, we all put on our bogu. We did exercises like kirikaeshi, kakari-geiko and variations on different hitting techniques. I am quite rusty from not doing them over the past 3 months, but I am getting better as time goes on. These exercises were done with great intensity and really forced me to keep my spirits up as I tried my best.
Then we ended in jigeiko. Due to the lack of time, I only got to fight once, but I think I did better than I have done before. The evidence in this is that I didn't get so tired all the time and I didn't stay too long in taiatari so much. I hope that I can go to practice this Thursday or I will have to skip the next two thursday practices due to classes :(.
Overall, the practice was nothing but greatness. It actually felt more like a Kendo practice since I was giving it my all the whole time and there were so many new faces there. I hope that they all stay cause it is nice to get a different experience in jigeiko (whenever I get the chance to fight against them).
Now, I just need to make sure I am ready to make ikkyu this fall...
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Great News!!!!
I called my mother yesterday to ask about the remaining family members that I haven't heard from since Katrina. Well, everyone is well and accounted for. I am currently counting my blessings many times since EVERYONE made it out alive. We are one lucky family for that to have happened.
Of course, there is that air of sorrow that the city that was once known for Mardi Gras, the French Quarter and its casinos now has been changed into one of anarchy and water. My prayers go out to those that are still in the city waiting for help and those that have missing family members that they still haven't found.
My biggest hope of all is that the world doesn't think that black people are savages. Despite the scenes of looting and shootings and such, we are not all savages. Most people are just trying to get the necessary items while a greedy few are the ones looking for Jewelry, Televisions, and video game systems. Just remember that the media tends to slant things quite a bit. I know who I am and I know who my race is, we are just like any other human out there. Besides, people of other races would do the same thing if there was no acting government in the city to punish them and stores remained uninhabited.
Of course, there is that air of sorrow that the city that was once known for Mardi Gras, the French Quarter and its casinos now has been changed into one of anarchy and water. My prayers go out to those that are still in the city waiting for help and those that have missing family members that they still haven't found.
My biggest hope of all is that the world doesn't think that black people are savages. Despite the scenes of looting and shootings and such, we are not all savages. Most people are just trying to get the necessary items while a greedy few are the ones looking for Jewelry, Televisions, and video game systems. Just remember that the media tends to slant things quite a bit. I know who I am and I know who my race is, we are just like any other human out there. Besides, people of other races would do the same thing if there was no acting government in the city to punish them and stores remained uninhabited.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
First Kendo Practice of the Year + Katrina
I am pretty sure that most of you have heard by now, but Hurricane Katrina has devistated the Gulf Coast to the likes of no other in the history of this country. Unfortunately, I have family that have been involved with this. The good news is that most of my family made it out before the storm. Some are staying with my parents in Georgia and others are staying in Houston with my sister as well as the astrodome.
This news really sucks cause it's tough to realize that something that your memories are being taken over by the water that has been flooding the city. All we know is that New Orleans will never be the same again.
This also brings me to another point, a lot of people have been saying that they don't feel sorry for those that live in a disaster-prone area. Well, let me say this. Some people don't have a choice where they live. Whether it's money problems, job commitments, or family concerns, people have a reason to be there. If it was so easy to up and move, many people would be moving across the country every day.
On a lighter note, I start Kendo again today! I can't wait to start up again and once again resume training. I hope to redevelop my Kendo soon cause I know I am very rusty!
Sorry I had to make it short, but I am a little short on time. I had plans to take care of all these things, but sometimes, things take longer than expected.
This news really sucks cause it's tough to realize that something that your memories are being taken over by the water that has been flooding the city. All we know is that New Orleans will never be the same again.
This also brings me to another point, a lot of people have been saying that they don't feel sorry for those that live in a disaster-prone area. Well, let me say this. Some people don't have a choice where they live. Whether it's money problems, job commitments, or family concerns, people have a reason to be there. If it was so easy to up and move, many people would be moving across the country every day.
On a lighter note, I start Kendo again today! I can't wait to start up again and once again resume training. I hope to redevelop my Kendo soon cause I know I am very rusty!
Sorry I had to make it short, but I am a little short on time. I had plans to take care of all these things, but sometimes, things take longer than expected.
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