Aikido Breakthrough~!

So today wasn’t an overly exceptional day. I was tired and really wanted to sleep instead of go to Aikido class. But I missed the last few classes (a cold and mid-terms), so I needed to go, for my body and my image within the dojo.

I’m really glad I did go. I think this is the first class I participated in everything that went on instead of doing extra ukemi (rolls/falls) practice. Every exercise, I’d start of not understanding. But, by the end of the round of practice, I’d be able to complete the technique at a reasonable speed! And, I was even able to be instructed in Japanese, which was particularly exciting for me.

I did a lot of work with Ayano. She’s a cute lady, maybe early 40s? I’m not really sure, but I was paired with her maybe three or four times. I like her, because she tried to explain to me what I was doing wrong, and the, for lack of a better word, aura didn’t feel tense or impatient when I was beginning to learn the technique.

This class, I really felt a lot better about my technique. I still suck by a lot of means, but I am improving, and that’s what matters to me. To think that I almost didn’t go to class because I have a quiz tomorrow and an interview for a big Internship (that I’m so nervous for that I catch my-self shaking a bit). But after class I couldn’t stop smiling because I was happy I went.

I also talked to some of the women in the class for the first time today. I guess they weren’t sure of my Japanese and all that. It’s shaky, but I can understand others, and get my point across most of the time. So I feel like I’m included a little more in the group. There was also another guy, I think his name was Noebu, who looked new to me, but after word I found that it’s just been a long time for him. It works out that we’re at about the same level. We talked a bit after about snorkeling and catching fish.

Overall, I moved further into the group and progressed my ability, so it was an exceptionally good aikido day! Another plus is I’m more relaxed that I was. I really can’t go long without some form of M.A. practice, or I get too tense.

 

From NO Electricity to Aikido

電気がないの？？
So today I woke up with NO electricity! At first I didn’t realize that the electricity was off, I thought that maybe my heater just stopped for some reason. It was so cold, so I delayed getting up. But then I tried to go brush my teeth, and the light wasn’t working either!

Of course, I thought the breaker must have blown. And that made sense because I heard something that sounded like that last night when I was getting ready for bed, but I then I was thinking it was something in my neighbor’s apartment. So I went to switch it back on. Of course, it didn’t work. Even though I fought with it for around 10 minutes to turn it on.

So then I thought, “maybe Leopalace* actually had a limit to how much electricity I could use during my time here, and I just didn’t get that information.” (Leopalace is my apartment company, they had made me pay in advance because I wouldn’t be in Japan for 10+ months from the time I started renting.) This would be too unfair! No warning or anything!

So of course I was upset and confused on the way to my 9am class! And the whole time we were supposed to be studying new grammar, I was impatient to go to CIE and call the company to see what was up.

But Shiomi Sensei was really awesome. She worried about what I would do tonight because I can’t live without electricity really, it’s too cold. I told her I would probably stay with a friend if it didnt get fixed, and she gave me the heating packs that you attach to your clothes to stay warm.

Anyway, I went to the CIE and they called Leopalace for me. They said that the electricity was still on and everything looked good. So the CIE staff (Morisa) told me that I had to unplug everything! After all it was nothing (T_T);; So embarrassing… but I’m glad it wasn’t a worse situation.

他の学校事
After talking to the CIE, I was a little hyper, so I postponed studying until an hour before my test. And then I took an early lunch because after everything in the morning, I hadn’t eaten yet. At 11, I started to study. Actually, it was really very simple, because it was just Kanji and Vocabulary. So an hour was enough time. What I didn’t really know was the grammar structures they wanted me to use. So, maybe for 1/4 of the test, I will get only half credit for my answers. ::oh well::

After the test, I sat around with Ikki for a while. Actually, I stopped him from studying for the time I was around. But, I think it was the I’m annoyed entertained type deal, because he didn’t really seem that interested in studying anyway. And it was a lot of fun! ☆

I also helped Kris measure up for some bogu. He is having a difficult time deciding between a 5mm set and a 3mm. He says he wants the 4, but he doesn’t want to be that broke for something he might not be able to keep up when he goes back to America. I think it wont be a problem, he’s just not looking in the right places for groups yet. But he’s really excited about it, so I’m happy to help him.

I also had a meeting with my group for HRM in Japan. We have to give a presentation next thursday on gender inequality in the workplace, japan. It’s an interesting topic, but one of our group members and I are having creative clashes. She’s thinking that what she’s learned from a teacher is the absolute, and I’m more prone to my actual experience. It’s been difficult to follow through with everything. But, I have a plan, and I’ll let you know how it goes!

合気道
So I was pretty tired from my day, and a little unenthusiastic about getting my butt to Aikido practice today. But, as always, I’m really glad I went.

Today was the first time I was able to practice with Anna. I think she’ll be pretty good after a few more lessons. She seems to be learning reasonably fast. Though, she does need to slow down a bit when learning the moves. I know it feels better to go faster, but then you don’t learn it properly really.

I also was able to bond a little bit with some of the other members. One senior was at first kind of stand-offish. It’s probably because I’m new, and it’s difficult to teach new techniques at first. And hard to go as fast, so there’s less practice. But then we finally worked together, and I picked it up after he explained it to me slowly. After practice, he said bye to me, and something that translates to “let’s practice hard again next time.”

I also talked to another student who was my age after class. Working together with him, he saw me understand his explanation. And after thanking everyone, we talked for around 5 minutes. And he was patient with my bad japanese.

Maybe these are really little things, but it’s made me very happy, since I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to connect with the other members.

And, as per usual, I’ve managed a couple injuries. (笑) I hit my elbow again >_< and I managed to do something to my right hand, but I’m not sure what. But, of course, it’s no big deal!

またね～☆