A couple of Saturdays ago I tested for my black belt in TKD. I knew this testing would come eventually, but it always seemed so far away even as I tested up through the ranks. However, I was finally a senior red belt and the black belt test was finally a reality. I was pretty excited about this testing for obvious reasons. I was also pretty nervous. I would that would be pretty standard. Failing any test would suck, but failing your black belt test would really suck. You’d have to wait till testing came back around, and that would suck since you’d waiting so long for this event. I do realize that this should not be the end of my journey, but it does mark a major achievement in the journey of a martial artist. In fact it’s not the end of the journey – it’s really just the start.<\/p>\n
And this isn’t my only martial art. I also do Kung Fu and Tai Chi at Shaolin-Do . I’ll get to experience this amazing achievement again in my life! That’s just crazy. But as awesome as getting this black belt is, it also brings me face to face with some really tough questions and decisions. Not only do I do all of these martial arts, I recently started CrossFit. Read\u00c2\u00a0here<\/a> for that story. Plus, there’s the whole wedding thing. And while I know that the wedding thing won’t be a problem forever, it will be around for the next 8 months! I have to face it: I have too much on my plate. And when I search my heart to see what I would want to remove, I keep coming back to TKD. It sucks, but I knew when I started Kung Fu that this day would come. I love TKD, but not more than Kung Fu and definitely not more than CrossFit. I can’t do it all, so I believe this is the thing that must go. I’m going to try to stay for one more testing which is roughly 16 weeks from the last testing. In that time will be a regional competition that I will definitely be competing in. It’s sad to think that these 2 events may be my last. Yet, in the end I think I’ll be happier. It will be nice to not have my mind on so many things, and the extra time will definitely be appreciated.<\/p>\n No matter when I do actually quit TKD, I will ALWAYS be a black belt, and that is just too awesome! I’m proud of myself! I want to take everything that TKD taught me (like awesome kicks!) and use these skills in Kung Fu. Everything I learned will always stay with me as I continue my martial arts journey. Maybe one day TKD will come back into my life, but for now, I think that this is what works best for me. I happy. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n Here are the pictures from my testing:<\/strong><\/p>\n waiting to get started<\/a><\/p>\n in line<\/a><\/p>\n punch!<\/a><\/p>\n warming up<\/a><\/p>\n hook block<\/a><\/p>\n kick!<\/a><\/p>\n chamber<\/a><\/p>\n keep your guard up<\/a><\/p>\n Videos from my testing:<\/strong><\/p>\n