day 16 of 21 (Treena Glover)

Another BUSY BUSY BUSY day. Day 16.

My day started at 6:00am and did not wind down until a minute or so after 7:00pm. I was jumping through hurdles today to make this day work successfully. I am pleased that I got almost everything accomplished that I needed. There were only a few things I did not get around to. One being my personal training session with Rock at 6:00pm. I called Rock to cancel and I could hear the disappointment in his voice. I too was disappointed because I was really looking forward to establishing some consistency with this personal training thing. I also had two other engagements that needed to be rescheduled.

At 7:03 (I looked at the time) and yelled YIPPEE!!! I still have time to make it to my Hapkido class. In taking my own advice from blog 15...I decided to take a different route to the gym. I drove South on Cicero until I got to 87th street. Then I drove west on 87th until I got to Harlem. I drove South on Harlem expecting to turn on 95th street...but somehow I didn't see a way to turn on 95th and ended up around 105th somewhere. The battery on my cell phone had died, so I could not use my GPS system to find my way. My work cell phone was buried underneath layers in my workout bag. So I decided to drive to the nearest gas station to find my way when I bumped into Southwest Highway. I then took Southwest Hwy back to 95th street, making a left on 95th. I drove a little bit longer and wah lah...I was at my destination.

The excellent thing about taking new routes in life (talking now in metaphors) is that your view of the world opens up and you are forced to pay attention to your surroundings. I noticed all the cars alongside me while I was driving for the first time (in going to the gym). In looking for the street signs I was more cognizant of land structures and the various people that came into my path. I got a little turned around...but that's okay. We need to step out and try out the varieties in life...because only then will we understand the larger picture of our lives.

Anyway...I made it to the gym with ten whole minutes to spare. As I rushed downstairs to the locker room, I noticed Bridges (fellow Hapkido student) waiting for the Taekwondo students to finish training before our Hapkido class started. He and I locked eyes and we both waved hello. When I was dressed and ready for class (I changed in less than five minutes) I went and sat next to Bridges. He complimented me on on how I looked in my summer dress that he saw me in. Wow! I guess he never saw me outside of my Hapkido gear.

Anyway class started at 8:00pm exactly and we met the new instructor for Wednesday & Friday nights (Master Choi). Master Choi gave us a phenomenal stretch then he worked us on some sparring moves. Master Choi matched Bridges and I up to work the sparring moves. One of the sparring moves we learned was very very sexy to me! Odd. I know...but the moves felt like very close intimate dancing (minus the final knee jab required to the chest). I thought it was just me thinking that way...but Bridges smiled at me while I was doing it and said that "this move is turning him on" Then Master Choi had us switch...and I moved from the attacker to defense and the moves remained equally as....exotic.

Moving on...We continued to learn various sparring techniques with the partner we were matched up to for the day. We then went through our kicking combinations and sparring moves (associated with our individual belt colors). Bridges and I decided on our own we would also go through our breathing and falling forms. Ten minutes before class ended we did more stretching.

When class ended I approached Master Choi and asked if he could help me on my falling forms. Side note: Recall from blog 15 that I am going to be tested on that tomorrow by Master Kim. Master Choi happily agreed. I learned the back fall from Master Lee. If I am ever kicked in my chest and I happen to fall...I know how to fall on my back with my feet straight up and my head off the ground facing my knees to prevent injury. When I scream Hapki that seems to tighten my stomach and give me strength to swing my legs to hop back up with quick efficiency. There is an actual technique to a right side and left side fall. I kinda got that. I'd rate myself as a C+ on the side falls, but wanting to rate myself as a A I looked to Master Choi for assistance. His tips to me was all in the position of my legs and how I should lift my hips completely off the ground to give me power to move from one side to another. The front fall is a bit more challenging, but I said what the "heck" I fell right into the front fall today without fearing that I would break something...and what do you know??? I kinda did the front fall in an okay manner. I just have to keep practicing it before my test tomorrow.

When I looked up from practicing my falls I noticed Bridges and two other students staring at me and Master Choi. I guess they were trying to get some precision tips on falling as well.

So...day 16 I exercised for only one hour in Hapkido.

For breakfast I ate only a fruit salad (different fruits and nuts on a bed of spinach). I had two cups of water before breakfast and two cups of water after breakfast.

For lunch I had a ham and cheese sandwich plus two cups of water.

For dinner I had leftover Lasagna Hamburger Helper and chips. I drank two more cups of water.

It was a slow day on the water intake. I had only 8 cups today.

Until Day 17... Begin to vocalize what you want and desire. Put your energy out there and watch your desires come back to you.

Treena Renee Glover

Producer and Co-Host of Self Portrait
selfportrait@rocketmail.com