A nice cool rainy night

After some days of sunny weather, the rain visited today. I had just recovered from a migraine attack which occurred yesterday and thought I would give training another miss today. There are a few things weighing on my mind for the past month and it is about time that I deal with at least one issue. It has affected my mood more or less and I would like to get back to my old self again. 

So today, I cycled back home from school in the rain, took a hot shower, had my dinner and just relaxed in my room. Then my father, who is far away from us and had discovered the wonders of Facebook, came online and the family had a great group chat together. Some time with my family is just what I needed and it will keep me going for sometime.

A little of revision, a nice cup of tea and I am ready to call it a night.

Tomorrow is going to be another beautiful day.

When routine sets in?

I am sure you had one of those days where you train with a partner who does not follow what the sensei is teaching. I met yet such a partner today.

My initial reaction is always that of annoyance; with the fact that you disregard what the sensei is teaching and stick to what you are most familiar or comfortable with. To me I feel is a act of disrespect towards the sensei that is taking the lesson and a breach of etiquette. 

However, I decided to revisit my thoughts on this matter in an attempt to decipher what may be reasons for such behaviour. 

• auto-pilot (Can't… control… limbs…)
• did not pay attention. ( I was too busy wiping the sweat off my face.)
• did not understand what was being shown (Wow you can do sankyo that way? But how?)
• did not agree with what was being shown (No no no, kuzushi is not possible that way)
• uke being excessively resistant (I have to change to something that works!)
• indifference (It is just another sankyo)
• training versus workout (I am just here to break a sweat)

The above are the reasons I have come up so far which may explain why things like this occur during training. As far as I am concerned, if one falls into the third category you could still attempt to perform what was being taught by the sensei. If you tried but face difficulties it will mostly and surely catch the attention of sensei, who would approach and guide you, as it would happen in most cases. But if you do not even try, then it negates the point of having sensei to lead the class and instruct, doesn't it?

As for the fifth category, I have spoken to some of my friends about this situation. This may warrant a separate post altogether because several factors, such as the level of training, the partner you are training with, your mindset towards the methodology of training etc. would come into play. As I am still exploring this issue for I will leave it for now.

Anyway, my partner is a yudansha and what was instructed is clearly very different from what is being normally instructed. That is wonder of training because of how much you can learn from every sensei. Sometimes I am guilty of not paying full attention during demonstration of a technique as my mind would be still on a previous technique or simply spaced out. But everytime I try my best to see what sensei is trying to tell me through his instruction. 

We should, figuratively speaking, empty our cup everytime we come to class. But how often do we do that? Or rather, are we willing to do that?

The little things - the shoulder pat

This little thing came about from an aikido event.

I was at a get-together party on the first night of an aikido training camp. It was the 8th of its kind. 8 is an auspicious number to the chinese and looks like the symbol for infinity when laid horizontally. Due to my dan rank I was seated at the corner of the dojo along with some members from HD. I finally managed to indulge in some respectable conversation after 9 months of study but was still nervous and feeling inadequate about my communication ability via Japanese.

As the party progressed you made your rounds with the members and before I realized you came to our group. In fact, you sat next to me! Due to my nervousness and apprehension, I remained silent after the formal greeting. Conversation followed and I listened quietly. Then you turned around, gave me a smile and a double pat on my left shoulder. My reaction was a smile and a deep nod. I am not sure, but I felt, at that point, that it was enough for the both of us. Your gesture, my response, mutually and fully appreciated. 

Thank you for the shoulder pat and everything that comes with it.

The 11th IAF Congress and Seminar

I had been looking very forward to attending my second IAF seminar. It was 4 years ago that got me thinking about training at Hombu Dojo. Now here I am, having the time of my life doing what I have have wanted to do since 3 years ago.

I spent a great deal of time with my good friends and training with friends as well as new acquaintances. I also had a surprise dinner with someone whom I thought who not be possible to have dinner with during my time here. There is also this transition of wearing a different coloured belt on the mat. I made new friends, kept and lost friends.

As expected, it was a memorable and eventful week. Every experience, whether good or bad, made me grew.

Taking the exam

I did it. I registered for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). After 9 months of studying at the Japanese language school and living in Japan, I think it is time for me the take the test. Something to note though, by the time I finish school at the end of the year, which round the time I will be taking my JLPT, I would have only finished the N3 syllabus. The interesting thing is, I registered for N2! 

I had been living the life of a full time student since the beginning of the year but I would like to spend some of my time here doing a part time job. Sometimes I feel like I am wasting much time doing nothing. Which leads me to feel like a diminished individual. But then again I haven't been actively looking for a part time job either. So when teacher brought up the subject of taking the JLPT, I told myself that I would use this as an impetus to start the ball rolling. 

The next 2 months will be very tough, because taking the test above one's level is…always tough. But eversince I started Japanese language class I became committed to the study. For sure I came to Japan to train aikido at Hombu Dojo but I am also a language student. Therefore I cannot just train aikido and neglect my studies. I chose to come to Japan as a language student so I have responsibilities towards that end. If one chooses to do something one must do it well. 

So, I will work hard for it! JLPT N2 in December 2012. Go go go!