And The Results Are In?

Well, well, well, well, it’s been a long week but thankfully it’s the weekend now though!  This week I’ve been training for my Taekwondo test (which was today) and arranging a guest visit for the Earl of Sandwich himself, Lord Sandwich.  On top of this, I finally started learning Japanese (from memory):

-          Ogenke desu ka = How are you?

-          Okagesame de genke desu = Fine thanks

Ok, so maybe not impressive but I only just started!  On top of this, I’ve also started to spend more time working on Project Atoll so I'm actually pretty tired this week.  Speaking of Project Atoll, I’ve decide that I will now give a monthly update, on a separate post.  This will keep everyone updated but without saturating this entire blog with updates. 

So, as mentioned, I took my 1^st Taekwondo test today.  The test itself was split into the following four sections:

·         Kicks: where you perform each specific kick 5 times per leg.  For this test, I performed 10 different kicks

·         Punches: You perform single, double and triple punches.

·         Basic: This is punches, kicks and blocks (or combinations of the three) whilst moving in a proper stance.  Overall, I did 8 different combinations, 10 times each (turning around twice).

·         Poom-say:  This is a routine made up of multiple steps, involving kicks, punches, blocks and steps.  For the test, I did 2 different Poom-say routines.

As for the belting systems, this is made up of 11 belts (or Kups).  These are:

·         White

·         White/yellow

·         Yellow

·         Yellow/Green

·         Green

·         Green/Blue

·         Blue

·         Blue/Red

·         Red

·         Red/Black

·         Black (followed by various Dans)

Now, an interesting fact about Taekwondo testing is that if you can prove you have learned what you need to do, you can actually skip belt stages and due to this, I was aiming for a green belt (I’m currently a white belt) due to the length of time I've been training.  So, how did I actually do?  Well, ladies and gentlemen…

Find out right after a word from our sponsor!

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If you are just tuning in, we are currently waiting to hear the results of Robert Basford’s controversial and intense Taekwondo test.  The judges are back…a tense hush has fallen over the crowd.  Yes, I believe this is it!  The results are in!!  ROBERT BASFORD HAS…been told that he has to wait until Wednesday before he receives his results.

Now, imagine how surprised I was when I got told that!  I had the impression that I was going to get the results then and there, like I have always done for martial art tests.  So now I get to wait nervously until Wednesday as I have no idea how I did.  I know that I messed up on a couple of areas (Damn you middle block with punch) but on the other hand, my instructor said I did well.  The real thing that has got me worried is that the examiner said everything was good but that I used power and needed more flexibility.  No idea if that was just friendly advice or whether or not it is going to be something that affects my score…

On the plus side, I did get to see my instructors club's Dojang, which was a nice bonus.  I also got to play with a proper punching bag and got taught two new back kicks (including a really interesting one where you feint with your back leg then suddenly kick with your front).  So, combine that with sharing some Nepali tea and food with my 'sabumnim' or instructor, and it was a great experience no matter what the result is.

Pick of the Week 

Soul Eater - I haven't recommended an anime in a while!  Set in a world where a somewhat camp and thoroughly entertaining death ensures a balance between life and death, the Soul Eater story follows a group of reapers and weapons (humans who can turn into weapons) as they try to protect the world from those things that go bump in the night.  However, things go south when a witch decides to try and unleash pure madness in the world.  A classic Shonen style anime, this is an action packed story with an electric story and fairly eccentric characters (Dr Stein and Death to name a few).  As it's fairly old, the animation is a little dated and some of the characters can verge a little on the annoying side but overall, it's a great and colourful watch that will keep you amused and entertained throughout. 

Music of the Week 

So, a little bit of triva about me.  The 2nd album I ever owned was Bon Jovi - Keep the Faith, given to me by my cousin Sharron and her now husband Creighton.  Since then, I've been a huge fan and have even seen him twice!  So, today's song is a Bon Jovi one and is also one of the better songs from Rock of Ages.  So I give you, Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead or Alive

So, that is it from me this week.  I will give you results when I get them and next week, I'll be discussing my first foray into the Dungeons and Dragons board game!  Until then, I'll leave you with this question.  I recently read a study showing that people who were given a litre of Olive Oil each week, lived longer.  Now, I use Olive Oil and a litre would last me months!  So, the question is:

'What did they do with it?' 

My guess is they covered themselves in it and slid down hills.  Answers on a postcard please.