More Black Belt Stitching Wizard Stuff

Sunday, November 29, 2009

I Am Now a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Taekwon-Do!

It was a long, grueling two hours today! Testing for black belts was myself (going for a 3rd Dan promotion) and Danielle (going for her 1st Degree Black Belt), so it was the test of the Danielles! Danielle is now 13 and she started Takewon-Do at age 8, and at that time while I was still teaching, she was actually one of my students. So, today I was so proud and happy to be standing next to her testing. Since the testing was just the two of us the head instructor of Almonte Taekwon-Do definitely put us through our paces with little rest time in between!

I've got a lot of pictures to share with you of the whole process. Todd was fantastic and played camera man for me today, however because he was in my self-defense skit there's no pictures of that portion of the test. Also he didn't take any pictures of the pattern portion, which was a good thing, since I had several brain farts and had trouble with the diagram on two of my patterns... which I put down to nerves!


Here's Danielle and I prior to the test, all nervous smiles but happy to be finally getting this done and over with!
Getting my head shot done for my Black Belt Status Card which will come from Vienna along with my Certificate (I.T.F. HQ) in a few months.
Bowing in to start the testing


Kicks on the shields and paddles (Jason my good TKD buddy for YEARS was holding for me)


Step and model sparring with Paige, she's like a little sister to me, we have too much fun in class together!

Don't 'ya just love the expression on Paige's face when I used a finger tip thrust to the armpit! Priceless! That one should go in the yearbook... she goes to the school I work at.
Here I am annihilating the poor girl!
Here's Danielle doing her 1 step sparring with Amber, lucky girl for colour belts its all scripted for you. For black belts you're making them up (I had to make up 9 one steps, 5 model sparrings). Fingers crossed if Amber works hard she'll be going for her 1st Degree Black Belt at the beginning of the summer.
Danielle performing self defense on Richard (he's testing for his Red Belt next weekend!)
Next it was onto the free sparring, first I was up against Paige, who rocks at sparring! I sware this girl has no fear and kicks my butt every time (this is my least favourite part of TKD).
I can assure you we never leave the ring angry! There were lots of hugs today!!!
Danielle got to beat up on Bob!
Once again I got my butt kicked, this time by Jason who also rocks the sparring ring!


Then came the multiple opponents! Here's Danielle against Richard and Paige
I got to play with Richard and Bob
But since I'm testing for 3rd Degree things have to get a little harder, and Jason was also thrown into the mix... oh wait that's me being thrown!
This was my special break, four targets in the air, I only took out two.


This is what your hand looks like when you don't hit with the right knuckles! (yes that's my stitching hand)


Here's how not to break 3 boards with a downwards knifehand strike.


This is what your hand will look like afterwards (my stitching hand as well! Who cares about work or anything else, its all about the stitching!)


Two boards 360 reverse side kick

Danielle Jumping over Amber and breaking a board.

Patiently awaiting our comments and results!

Promoted! To 3rd Degree Black Belt, the head instructor putting on my new belt.

My new belt! My 2nd Dan belt was finally broken in... now I've got to soften this one up, but I'm not really complaining!
Danielle was also promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt, I'm very proud of her

Like I said lots of hugs!


Roses and hugs from our Moms (I was so happy to have both my parents and Todd's parents there today)!

The whole Almonte TKD crew who came out to help/watch! Special thanks to Todd, Peter, and Jason for help with my Self Defense skit and Paige for being me Yuki!
Pictures with our head instructor
Can't you tell we're happy??!!!
Our after picture! Can you see the relief in our eyes?
After the testing Danielle's parents had a nice little get together for anyone who wanted to come over, delicious pizza and this great cake form DQ... notice it has Danielle2 (squared) on it? How cute!
I'm tired and feeling slightly battered and now that I've got this out here in cyber space... I'm off for a long deserved nap!

63 comments:

Bonnie Brown said...

Great Pics! and congrats again Dani!!

Aussie Stitcher said...

Enjoy your nap Dani, looking at the photos you deserve it. Congratulations on the achievement all of your hard work has paid off.

Anonymous said...

Remind me not to make you angry. You look fierce!!! Congratulations. Hope the stitching hand heals up quickly.
Judie

Melissa said...

Congratulations, Dani!!!

Jennifer said...

Congratulations Dani!!!! You worked so hard and it certainly paid off. I am sure your families and Todd are very proud.

Paula said...

Congratulations. A well deserved new belt as you can tell how much work you put in.

valerie said...

Congratulations Dani! It looked intense!

Barbi said...

Congratulations Dani! The pictures are fantastic! And you have some well earned battle scars to prove it :)!!!

Silverlotus said...

Congratulations, Dani!

AnnMcD said...

Way to go Dani!!!!

Lisa said...

Congratulations!

Daffycat said...

Well done! Congratulations, Dani!!!

Heidi said...

Congratulations!!

Crazee4books said...

Hi Dani,

Thought I'd drop in this evening and see if you'd post about the test today and your results. I've been thinking about you and your test today and sending good, supportive vibes your way.

Congratulations on gaining your 3rd degree black belt. That is dang awesome!!! Good for you!!!

It was great being able to see the pictures and get an idea of what you had to do to earn your advancement.

I meant to ask you how you got into TKD in the first place, and how long you've been practicing it.

Hope you're resting now and enjoying your success.

Hugs!! Judy

Anonymous said...

Congrats! I am TOTALLY not messing with you now .... you would kick my butt for sure!!!

Hope the bruises heal up quickly! But, they sure don't hurt as much when you get such a great reward.

Dani said...

Congrats Dani!

claudia said...

Congratulations to the second power! YAY for the both of you! I am so excited for you!

Donna said...

Woohoo! Congratulations! You dun gooood!

Von said...

Sleep well my friend! You deserve a good rest after your accomplishments today. Hearty congratulations!

Karen said...

You Go Girrrrrl!!! Awesome. Congrats on your accomplishment!! Hope your hand feels better soon and you don't lose too much stitching time. ;)

Angela said...

Huge Congratulations Dani! Fabulous pictures and those bruises are incredible.

imnverted said...

A big congrats Dani!! Great pics

Mary said...

That's is soooo awesome! Congrats to both of you. I love the pictures. I am really impressed by the breaking 3 boards on the concrete. I hope your hand will heal soon enough so you can stitch again.

I am jumping up and down for joy down here in Boston. You are definitely an inspiration for me to get back into shape and someday start back with tae kwon do.

Many hugs!!!

Mary said...

P.S. Your stitching from the last post is great!

Devon said...

Wow what a achievement,,,congrats to both of you,,and thank you so much for sharing the pictures with us,,
And yes Amelia Island is off of Jacksonville..

Blu said...

Woohoo! Congrats on your 3rd Dan. The pictures are incredible and your bruises are intimidating!

Christine S said...

Way to go! Congrats!

riona said...

Just wanted to add my congratulations to the many others above ... an awesome achievement ... my sympathy for all the bruises ... it seems to be the norm for anyone involved in martial arts ... I have become accustomed to seeing an amazing array of bruises on my 27 year old son who is just as serious about his karate as you are about your tkd.

Carolyn NC said...

Awesome - congratulations!

Kathy A. said...

I am so very proud of you Dani! Congratulations my friend!!!

Becky K in OK said...

Congratulations! The photos are awesome.

Yvonne said...

Congratulations! I can never do that. I really enjoyed the pictures. Hope your bruises heal fast. I am seriously thinking of hiring you as my defender whenever I have to go shopping :0)))

Erica said...

Congratulations! What a fantastic accomplishment. Hope your scrapes and bruises heal quick!

Tama said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful accomplishment!!!

Mylene said...

Congratulations Dani!!!

and great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Katri said...

Congratulations, Dani!

Awesome pictures!

Chiloe said...

Wow!!! You do rock and totally deserve it !!! I love the cake !

I never imagined it was so much work. Hope your stitching hand heals quickly !!!

Sadie said...

Yay! Congratulations Dani! Love all the pictures, Todd did great with the camera. I hope you have a lovely nap and that your stitching hand is okay :-)
Well done!

Anonymous said...

Great pictures. Many congratulations on your amazing achievement! I hope your stitching hand/arm recovers very soon.

Laural said...

Congratulations!!!

Jo said...

Huge congratulations. I hope your bruises clear up really quickly, especially given it's your stitching hand ;)

Christine said...

Congratulations!

Giovanna said...

Congratulations, I'm so pleased for you! Impressive photographs, and I hope your hand gets well soon :-)

jayne@~an eye for threads~ said...

Way to go Girl, we all knew you could do it! Thankfully we don't need belts to stitch, just butts. Congratulations to Danielle 2.
Be always in stitches.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your achievement. Hoep that stitching hand gets better soon.
Clare

ollie1976 said...

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! WTG Dani!
-Jen

Donna said...

So cool! Congratulations! Awesome job.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Dani! Amazing job and well done! I suggest finding some arnica to put on your arm and hand..it will get the bruising and swelling down faster! Can't be hurting those hands lady!

Stacey in NS

Kielrain said...

Big congrats to you. Love all the photos!

Sally said...

Congratulations Dani!!! Fantastic photos:)

Jenny said...

Congrats Dani - what an acheivement! :)

stitcherw said...

Congratulations, what an achievement you had. Loved all the pictures, they really help show what you had to do. But ouch, your poor hands and arm. Stitching is going to be a bit on the painful side with those bruises for a while I think, but well worth it.
Sue

jane said...

Congratulation Dani, great photos and thanks for the explanations of what was happening

Lindsay said...

Congratulations Dani

Anonymous said...

Is it meant to bruise like this or does that happen only when you don't hit the right way?

Wanda said...

This is so exciting Dani! I'm so in awe of you! You are one amazing gal!

Kajsa said...

Way to go! Congratulations on your accomplishment!

Andrea said...

Huge congratulations, well deserved.

Rebel In Ontario said...

YEA! Only two hours? Cameron's yellow belt was over three hours long!

Good for you! I knew you could do it.

Carmen said...

Congratulations Dani!! you must to feel so produ,and happy! amazing girl!!
Hope your bruises heal fast!!.

tkdquintmom said...

CONGRATS DANI!!! I'm really behind on my blogging but fantastic job. I so can appreciate what you have gone through. It is such hard work and it has paid off. I get to test for my 2nd in October '10 so I'm already prepping for it. At that time, I get to take on 2 on 1 sparring.....yikes...Then three more years before my 3rd. Short term goal...2nd...long term goal: 4th ...then I'll be a master. I'm proud of you girl!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Woo Whoo - Congratulations!!

Karan said...

BIG Congratulations Dani. But Ouch - that hand/arm looks painful - hope it's OK now. :0)