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November 4, 2009
4.4: Jamie and the Purple Belt
On Saturday morning, Jamie tested for (and passed!) purple belt. I haven't spent much time watching her work out in a long time, that's something Rex has taken over, since he's also learning TKD. I stay home where it's acceptable for Owen to run wildly around the house, shouting and carrying odd objects from room to room.
When Jamie first started learning katas, the process was a nightmare for everyone. She just wasn't catching on, I had issues with the teaching process (for once someone else's!), and Rex just couldn't understand why she didn't get it already. She finally mastered Cheon-Ji after months of struggles on all our parts. And when I say mastered, I mean she had learned the pattern, not that she did it crisply, with power or intent.
The next kata, Dan-Gun, went much faster. It was as if something clicked in her, and she was finally putting her amazing memory to use. Still, she moved sloppily, running movements together and pathetically extending her arm instead of punching with power.
She's now in the process of learning her sixth kata. I'm not sure when the change happened, like I said, I haven't watched her work out much lately. But she is AMAZING. She made each movement separately, crisply, powerfully. It was like watching a different kid.
Way to go, Jamie. You EARNED this, and I'm so incredibly proud of you!
Posted by me at November 4, 2009 11:23 AM