Grandmaster Will Be Here for Testing
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| Wed, 08-16-2006 - 10:06am |
I thought that would be the case since he's usually in the country in the fall, but I found out for sure last night that Grandmaster will be in town for our black belt testing in October. I had been thinking that I may not be ready for October, but I now feel a lot better about my new forms than I did beginning of this month. I still am not sure about the sword stuff, and I don't want to test if I'm not certain I know these things, but Master Jamie told us again last night to plan on October.
I have younger sisters, so I have seen The Princess Diaries. Kind of like it actually, and I feel like here right now; I have this great desire to "run" like she did when things were about to get scary. One of my classmates tested in June, and he didn't have to test before the Grandmaster, not that testing is easy in any case with the Masters Johnson there and the other black belts, but still...sigh.
I guess this will be good for me though. So onward in my preparation for testing. At least it's not 'til the end of October.

It's hard to think about Grandmaster, or even Master Jamie or Master Johnson, being where we are now, but you're right. They were once. Good point. I hope he sees how much work I've put in over the years learning this art he loves. I know even as black belts we will improve and need work, but I want to be ready.
Like your daughter, I can usually go into the zone when I have made speeches or run races or stuff like that. I am usually nervous before, but once it's time, I'm OK. I hope that's the case here too.
BTW, I've been meaning to mention that I like your sig. I love the way you did the photos and then did the sort of negative or reverse
That is exciting!
In a way I think this is great news for you and your fellow testers; how many of you will be taking it? It may seem like a little more pressure (and I love Gretchen's point of him being in your situation at one point), but think of all the positives this will add to your experience. Plus it adds a little more motivation to your practices beforehand.
We're right behind you Lorie :-)
~IslandGirl
School's out for summer!
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Thanks.
I guess it is exciting. I guess if one is going to test for black belt then knowing one has passed the test with the grandmaster present makes it that much more cool.
It does add a bit more pressure, but I do think you guys are right. It will add to the experience in the end. And, true, it will give me that much more motivation to practice, practice, practice.
I believe there will be two of us testing, me and one of the Chris's (how does one write that). The one we call Tall Chris hasn't been in class too much lately, so I don't know if he will want to test with us or not. That would be cool if he can, but in any case, it won't be just me. There may be some from our sister school, but I doubt it; if anyone from there is testing, it'll likely be for higher black belt levels.
~IslandGirl
School's out for summer!
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As for what you would write for one of the Chris's (LOL), you have me stumped!!! LOL, truly.
As for the test, from what I hear from Jeff, 4th dan black belt and often teacher, we will test together, doing forms facing different directions, so we can't watch each other, and I would think doing the techniques together. Yes, we will do them together; I remember now Jeff said quite a while back (he tested with two other guys) that if you test with someone you don't have to do all the stuff. I may do even numbered techniques and Chris may do odd or whatever. That's good too in a way.