And what does all of this have to do with anything you may ask? Its all about the Yin and Yang of Life. Let's take a little journey, shall we?
For many of you who know me, I have spent most of my life growing up in a Korean-American household. This means I've gotten some really different influences in my life that I'm very grateful for but at the same time probably contributed to the Gemini/bi-polar mess that I am. For those of you who have followed this blog, you know that I spent my misspent high school years in Germany at Ansbach American High School. While there I participated in a variety of activities including sports (football, wrestling, soccer, baseball), band (marching, concert, jazz) and drama/forensics. I was a very busy boy and yet I still managed to keep my grades up enough to be in the National Honor Society. I have no idea how that happened.
Anyway one of the other things I did while there to tap into my Korean heritage was to take Tae Kwon Do lessons. Now I probably could have taken a form of Karate, or Kung Fu but my cousin was living with us at the time and he had some previous experience with Tae Kwon Do as well so I worked with him and with a teacher who was stationed at the base. He was completely old school and we worked our butts off almost every day for two years. We learned forms, we learned to use weapons and we learned to fight in a controlled environment. I even went to a tournament once and I did okay but no trophy. The point was he was old school and he treated us fairly but firmly and we respected him and really learned the material. With my cousin's help I worked very hard and I advanced to second degree green belt in two years but that's as far as I got. Now when I mean "old school" I don't necessarily mean this;
or even quite like this (sorry, this one is from Brazil so its in Portuguese - but if you've seen the movie you know what's going on);
So, no he didn't use anything to trick us into it rather he just made us work hard although I wouldn't have been adverse to this "old school" technique;
No, it was just hard work and lots of practice, drilling and sparring. And we NEVER used pads. We used mouthpieces most of the time but never EVER with pads. I remember my cousin clocking me in the mouth with a spinning back roundhouse kick that knocked me off my feet. That was cool to see coming at you but not so much when it hit. My point is that "old school" training or even "back in the day" training (to see when that was just check below)
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| (you see it ranges from the front haunches to the mid spine - borrowed from Bikesnob NYC) |
Yes, they may have learned the "moves" but the maturity and understanding to use it correctly is not always there. Nor the respect or the patience or the multitude of other things. Now some may say, "well its not REAL, its only a junior black belt" but to the kids when they are bragging/telling others there is no distinction made. They simply say "I'm a black belt". Now don't get me wrong, I'm not jealous but let's be realistic here and see the real problem. Everyone is after quick results and instant gratification. A black belt in five years (that's assuming they started right out of the womb). Where is the balance? Where is the harmony? How can there truly be any?
Why do you ask am I even talking about any of this at all? Well today was a day of experience the true nature of Yin and Yang and the ebb and flow of balance. Today was a day of sadness for me, much more than I thought I would have but it truly was difficult for me. I had been preparing for it all week but when it actually came it was a bit more than I excpected. You see, today was my last day at Sunrise for the next two years. Next summer I won't be at camp since at this time next year I should be somewhere in Western Virginia getting for the final push up the coast. Yes, at long last it will REALLY happen, either solo or supported but next summer Connor's Army XC happens.
As exciting as that will be it was saddening to know that I won't be back, especially when so many of the campers told me how much they would miss me and drama. This year I was the only drama teacher so I got to see every single kid in camp from the smallest Acorns to the oldes CIT's and all the counselors in between. I saw some kids who couldn't be bothered to try drama become some of the first to volunteer or to come up to me during the day and say "what are we doing in drama today?" Although I reall missed being able to teach dance as well, being the only drama teacher this summer really allowed me to make some connections - connections I hope will last me two years.
To counter act this Yin (blackness, negativity, sadness) was a good deal of Yang (whiteness, positivity, happiness) to even everything all out.
To begin with, after months of having pain in my lower back area and putting off going to the orthopedist, I finally went yesterday morning and found out I have sacralization of my L5 vertabrae. Although I'll have to go to physical therapy (the Yin) I won't have to have surgery (the Yang) at least for now - Yay!
Secondly, we finally have our donation link up on the Sunrise Day Camp home page! You can see it by going here - and if you happen to feel moved to make a donation - even better. Go Yang!
Thirdly, I have been working with a camper who is a high school student (i.e., Leadership) and he came to camp with very little swimming experience. He is an accomplished athlete and has great power but hasn't really swam much in the past. I've been working with him to try to get him from level two (the small three foot pool with elementary/middle school kids) to the big pool (i.e., four to six foot). We've had our ups and downs and he has gotten so close on so many occasions but the swim instructors were hesitant to put him up above. Well today he made it!!!!!! He was so incredibly happy and they let him stay there. I was so proud of him and what he's accomplished! Again, go Yang!
And lastly, we've been working on trying to get a sprinkler system and a patio put into our back yard. The patio is not so important but I just don't want my grass to completely die while we're away next summer so we're putting in a system to keep it watered during the two months we're away. We just found out that the company putting in the system might be interested in sponsoring us! Woohoo! Even if it's not much, every little bit helps and we'll be able to have the money we need to pay for gas!!!!!!
Now all this good news/bad news may not completely give me inner peace like our friend here;
but it really makes the sadness of not seeing my Sunrise family for two years (except for the occasional Sunrise Sunday) a little easier to bear (get it?).
Stay well and I'll see you on the road.
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