We took a photo of everyone who tested prior to class tonight and he is going to submit it to the local paper. They may print it, they may not. Its always "iffy" on what they will and will not print, but sports are a little thin right now, so we might get some space. It would be cool for the community to see what there is at the Nebraska Hapkido Association.
Here is the crew who tested! Don't we look like fun!?!?
Here is the video of some of the board breaks for this test. You can also see it through the link to the NHA blog in the previous post, but here it is:
I started Hapkido in June of 2000. I had been looking for a self defense class, and found Sabumnim's web page. At that time, I emailed him and asked him about the class, what we would learn, etc. He suggested I watch a class or two and decide if it was something I wanted to learn. I was ready to go watch, but had to take a Biochemistry class that happened to be at the exact same time as Hapkido. So, I emailed him back and told him that I would return in 6 months. Much to his dismay, I did return to watch a class. I showed up on a Thursday and pretty much immediately decided that I NEEDED to learn this stuff! I got to watch Michelle throw Jonathan around and was very jazzed to learn how to do that! Michelle is a petite female and Jonathan is quite stocky. I've never been a small female, so I figured if she could do it, I could! I told him that I was ready to sign up. I showed up on the following Tuesday, paid my fee, and have never looked back!! -- okay, that's not completely true. I am definitely one of the people that needed to pay that first three months at once. I remember not being able to walk after the first couple of classes. I think I would have quit had it not been for the fact that I'd already paid for 3 months! I'm so glad that I did go back.
Hapkido has helped me grow in so many ways that I could not imagine my life without it. It is a part of who I am now, and I can honestly say that I like who I am. I may not like my physical self, but I like my mental and emotional self just fine. I'm also pretty thankful that it brought me to my husband. I still don't see my husband in class, its Sabumnim, and I'm quite glad that we can keep that separate. However, it would be nice, during tests, to see my husband's support and not Sabumnim's judging expression.
All in all, it is an outstanding milestone for me. I started just over 8 years ago. Normally, full black in our style of Hapkido takes about 3.5 years -- IF you go to every class and work very hard. I was able to go faithfully for one full year before leaving for Palmer College for 3 years. After I returned, my mind was willing, but my body was not able to do the same level of technique and skill that I had before I left. It was quite frustrating to feel like I was "starting over" but again, I'm glad I didn't give up. It is now 4 years later, and I finally achieved my black belt. I'm not planning to quit anytime soon. This is simply a first step. There is so much that I have to work on to get better at, and so much more to learn. Another journey has just begun for me in Hapkido.....however, now I have at least two years before I have to endure another test. :) :) :)
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