BAMF of the 2nd degree?

It's a little strange that I haven't had any Hapkido posts on here lately.  Things have been a little quiet since Chris injured his foot and Master Sim had his little baby girl.  This week was our first week back after a two week break so that the boy could mend his footsie.

I can't tell you enough how much I love Hapkido.  Never in my life did I ever really want to learn a martial art, but when Chris said he wanted to practice it I decided that he couldn't be the only one in the relationship with a black belt. 

I enjoy Hapkido for so many reasons.  I feel like I'd be able to put up a strong fight in any compromising situation.  If I happened to have my katana with me I'd be in even better luck.  I also like it because it's a pretty intense physical workout.  The first few weeks were rough.  My legs, wrists, arms, joints, every possible muscle in my body hurt.  Bad.  It's gotten better, but even as I type I have to rest my arms in a certain position or else I'll get a sharp pain in my arms.  It hurts so good.

Today we got a big surprise when Master Sim asked the boy and I if we wanted to test for our 2nd degree black belts before we left Korea.  Uh, is Anderson Cooper stunningly handsome?  Silly question.  We enthusiastically said yes and asked when the next test is.  His response?  "Oh.. next test.. next month".  As in, we'll be testing for our 2nd degree black belts in less than 30 days.

Whose got two thumbs and will be working her ace off?

This girl.

 Oh and look.  We even bought Ares his very own Hapkido uniform and katana.

You can stop judging now.   

Saturday.

Saturday was a great day.  It was exactly what the doctor ordered.  The boy and I realized that we've been ridiculously busy every weekend since we've been back [from America] and that we deserved a weekend to just... be.  We really only had one thing on the agenda and that was to attend our good friend Sarah Willey's black belt test.  In fact, I was her partner aka punching bag for the test.  She got to throw me around like a ragdoll and in turn, I get to test for my 2nd degree black belt.  woot woot.

Sarah's Hapkido master (Master Che)  is actually our grand master.  He taught Master Sim pretty much everything he knows.  He is intense.  Well, more like scary.  We've trained with him a few times and everytime he ends up putting me in a joint lock until I feel like crying.  He just stands there watching my agony all whilst smiling.  He moves like a snake and there's just something about him that demands respect.  He's the most quiet and least showy of all the masters that we've met, but I tell you what, the room goes silent once he walks in.   I find it incredible that Sarah Willey had the determination to take private lessons with him! 

Look at her!  She doesn't even look nervous!



Sarah Willey informing me that she'd be punching me... a lot.

 We didn't get any pictures of her actually performing her self-defense because Christ took video of it instead.  We only got the beginning and the end of it.  We did, however, get some pictures of her awesome kicks!

Yeah, she was amazing!  We're so proud of her.  Welcome to the black belt family Willey!