Breaking a Baby Board

See that?! I did it myself!

Ok, back story. I've been in Tae Kwon Do since April of this year. Me and my Dad have been taking it together and we're both gold belts, the belt after white. So we're not exactly experienced. He did have some martial arts lessons when he was in college but still.

Tonight, Tae Kwon Do was cancelled and instead my Dad decided we were going to break boards, which we've never done in our actual classes. He told me to put my elbows into my sides and hold the board while he hit it with the heel of his hand. It didn't break. But I succeeded in elbowing my self in the stomach. *facepalm*

He then held the 'baby board' out for me to donkey kick. And I broke it! <- Proof! Also, he elbowed himself. Ha ha. What goes around comes around.

In my humble opinion, tonight's lesson was: "don't experiment with martial arts"... DAD! Although breaking a board was pretty cool, even if it was only a baby board. And we're both still alive and came out of it without any major injuries, so all's well that ends well. :)

I didn't think I was going to like martial arts when I started. It seemed violent and like it required too much dedication to me. But really Tae Kwon Do is about self defense. Most of what we learn in class is only to use if you are attacked. Of course a good defense is a good offense, so we learn some of that kind of thing too. Dedication wise, I don't practice much outside of class. Between school, work, flute, chores, sleep, and some sort of a social life, that pretty much takes up all of my time right there. And I do spend about four hours a week in Tae Kwon Do class. So I see that as plenty, especially since this is a hobby and not a vocation. So for now Tae Kwon Do is just for fun because I don't see it turning into much once I start college. But it certainly is fun! It's almost therapeutic too... Always a plus.

It requires so much concentration that is takes your mind off of whatever else is going on. It's like sink or swim in that if you don't concentrate it shows. I'm still awful at jumping front snap kicks even when I do concentrate though. Obviously, my problem is over thinking things. Anyone who really knows me could tell you that. And occasionally, martial arts helps with that too because at a certain point muscle memory kicks in and takes over for you. It's the balance of concentration, muscle memory, and body mechanics that makes a really great martial artist. Body mechanics is letting the way your muscles and joints already work help you with your goal. For example, when you are doing a round house kick, the objective is to strike your target with the top of your foot ( the part just below you ankle). But the only way to achieve this is to 'turn your hip over'. It's hard to explain in the written word but you sort of turn backwards and sideways at the same time. This is a feature that is already built into your body! You just have to allow it to happen because it's when you fight body mechanics that you are unsuccessful.

Transformer!

I made a Transformer! It was a project for Astronomy, which I took over the summer and didn't exactly finish... ha. He's solar powered and I started at night time. That should have been a flashing neon sign right there. Because the last time I put together a model like this from the same company, I had to take it apart several times. I practically threw a screaming hissy fit this time. The gears would turn when they were uncovered but as soon as I put on the other half of the robot they stopped working. I stood out in the driveway (for the solar power) for literally twenty minutes experimenting with different ways to put the cover on.

Finally, I called in help. Me and my Dad heated up a a nail and widened the holes that the gear shafts go into. The company's measurements must have been off because that fixed the problem! He still doesn't walk but that can't be fixed because their design is just bad.

He's also got a scorpion mode and a tank mode. I think he walks in the scorpion mode but I still have to test that one.

This was a kit from "Robotikits" that my Mom ordered. I also put together a solar system model from the same company. The kit comes with a bunch of already cut pieces that you break out of the packaging and then assemble. This one only had a few gears, thank goodness. The solar system one was 3/4 gears.

Upside Down is Better!

Since my last post caused so many "wow's" with you readers, I almost feel like nothing can ever be as good as that post! Wah. But I'm going to keep going anyways.

I have a book from the library, called The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook by Betty Edwards. In her book, she explains about the different sides of the brain. "The left half of the cerebrum: for most right-handed individuals, is where verbal functions are located " "The right half of the cerebrum: for most right-handed individuals, is where visual, spatial, relational functions are located."

I did an exercise in the book called Upside-Down Drawing. In the book was pictured an upside-down horse, drawn by Anonymous and titled Frontal View of a Horse (oh the creative titles...), I was instructed to also draw it upside-down without looking at it right-side up until I was completely finished. That is what is pictured here. I was pretty pleased with it when I flipped it over. The horse is a bit thick-necked but besides that he looks quite handsome dahhling (English accent).

In the remarks after the exercise she says, "It goes against common sense that it is easier to draw something upside down than right side up. When an image is upside down, however, the verbal brain mode is disoriented in its attempt to use visual clues to name and categorize."

News flash: it can be easier to draw things upside down! Even though I took one look at it and knew it was a horse, my brain sort of forgot about that while I was drawing and so I wasn't sitting there thinking 'this doesn't look like a hoof'. Instead, I was focused on copying what was on the page.

In closing, if you are struggling to draw something, I encourage you to try looking at it in a new way - literally. Keep thinking those creative thoughts that will lead to creative actions! And keep reading my blog!

"God's Word is Alive and Working..."

Today I'm going to blog about a bible verse. A friend posted it on her blog, which you should totally check out http://whenlifegivesyousermons.blogspot.com/ So thanks to her for providing some of the inspiration for this post.

God's Word is alive and working and is sharper than a double-edged sword. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones. And it judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts. - Hebrews 4:12 (NCV)

Today is the ten year anniversary of September 11. At church, my Pastor spoke about the way people asked why God would allow such a disaster to happen. He said many people asked him "Where was God on September 11?" Everyone who is old enough to remember that day at all remembers where they were when they heard the news. So then where was God? My Pastor said that God was with those who comforted the grieving. He was in the hearts and spirits of the EMTs, Firefighters, Police, and volunteers who responded so quickly. He was encouraging the churches who fed the workers and volunteers.

Americans bonded together that day. While it was a tragedy that no one would ever wish for, it brought us closer together as a community. And we could glorify God through our willingness to help others. That is where God was.

I cannot tell you why so many people lost their lives. I can only tell you that God has a plan for everything. His word is alive. Even though the Bible was written long before this disaster happened, the words in the Bible can still comfort those who are grieving because the Word is alive.

In Acts chapter 2, verse 23, Peter speaks to the people about Christ. He tells them "Jesus was given to you, and with the help of those who don't know the law, you put him to death by nailing him to a cross. But this was God's plan which he had made long ago; he knew all this would happen." He knew all this would happen. Since the Word of God is alive, Peter was not just speaking to those in front of him that day. He was speaking to every person who has ever read the word of God. To every person who will ever hear those words in the future. They apply to you and to those around you.

God knows what is going to happen. Everything is a part of his plan. And while not every part of the plan is going to be something you like, every part is going to make you a stronger Christian. The deaths of all of those people on September 11 are incredibly sad but my hope is that like Peter changed the lives of 3,000 with his Words (Acts 2:40-41) God changed the hearts of those who died that day. I hope that they cried out to God with their last breath. Because even if you do not spend your life in service to God, he will still take you into his family at the very end. That is the great amount of his mercy. No matter how many times you sin, God will always take you back into his arms with words of forgiveness. And that is why we honor him because no other person in your life will forgive you every time and then forget what you've done. "...you'll sink our sins to the bottom of the ocean." - Micah 7:19

So on this day of sadness, I encourage you to turn to God for comfort. He may not tell you all you want to know right now. But in the end, God will give you what is best for you. And in the last moments of life for the people in the twin towers, I pray that God called them home and that they are in Heaven.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

...So I have a box of words...Now what?

I'll tell you what! Pull three words at random from your box. Then write three sentences using one of the words in each. Write about what that word means to you, why you put it in your box, or make up something fictional. "Write a sentence that makes the word bigger than life," suggests Quinn Mcdonald.

Now that you have three sentences, examine them. What do they say about how you see the world? How you see yourself? How you see those around you? "What is the Universe (or God) trying to tell you?", asks Quinn. Write that down, too. You may have surprised yourself by tapping into some reserve of your soul and finding meaning you didn't know was there. Or maybe you wrote about something a bit less exciting. Either way, if you keep at it, you may surprise yourself.

Now write a sentence that uses all three words together. It could be serious or silly. It's your sentence so you can make the rules.

For example: (Said in a Hermione Granger British accent, I could continue with 'Swish and flick' but I'll spare you that)

"A secret can come between people.

Autumn weather makes my soul sparkle.

A ring symbolizes a promise.

//The Universe (or God) is saying that I see the world as a fragile and dynamic place.//

The ring sparkles in secret.

-secret doesn't have to be a negative word, as long as it is something that brings people closer together."

As you can probably tell, I put 'secret' on a circular piece of paper because it is a negative word to me. A secret is something you aren't told because it will upset you. A secret is something you don't deserve to know. A secret is something people whisper about you behind your back.

I've been lied to and lied. Had omissions made to me and made omissions. Secrets are part of what makes us human. They are sometimes flawed just like we are.

But secrets also come in happy forms. Surprise parties, something you reveal to someone who means a lot to you and you realize that you've never told that to anyone else, or a joke you weren't expecting. This exercise sort of made me see things in a new light. I don't like being lied to but maybe, just maybe, sometimes a secret could be something beautiful.

Now I just wrote two plus paragraphs about a single word. Let that sink in for a moment. Either this exercise is extremely stimulating or I'm incredibly long-winded. Or both, I suppose.

A Box of Words

You know that feeling when you're trying to write a sentence but the word you're looking for isn't home when you ring the doorbell? That's when a box of words comes into play! If you're writing a journal entry and you can't figure out what is you're trying to say, just pop open your handy-dandy box o' words and all your problems are solved! I used square/diamond shaped papers for words I like and circle shaped papers for the words I dislike. AND I happened to have a penguin box sitting on my dresser (curtsy of my sister).

So take a few minutes every so often to think about some words you like. Maybe it's a code word between you and a friend *cough* cake *cough* or maybe it's a word that reminds you of a time when things were happier. Or it could be a word that just sounds amazing. But make sure to include some words that have a negative feel too. Otherwise when you journal, you'll sound like Strawberry Shortcake. You can put the words in different boxes if you want, or use different color paper, or write one in cursive and the other in print. The possibilities are endless! Just have fun with it.

A few of the words in my box (reminds me of 'What's in your wallet!?') are:

Paisley

Devil

Ring

Silver

Dork

I'll let you decide which ones go into which category. I can't help you with everything, can I? To quote my Aunt's GPS: "You have now reached your destination. I will not help you carry your bags." And the GPS is programmed with a British accent, just sayin'. ^_^

A Found Poem

A Found Poem is created by flipping through a magazine or book and cutting out words and phrases that interest you. Once you have several to work with, you arrange them in an order that pleases you.

When I started this, I was a bit skeptical. I picked up the closest magazine, 17 Magazine, and started flipping through it. I was thinking 'all they have in here are pictures...' Not true. They have adds too! :D Those work just as well as a true magazine article. If anything, they're better! Because my poem ended up with a variation of colors and print sizes. I was also skeptical as to the words I found forming actual sentences. But when I got started moving them around, it was one of the easiest things I've ever done. It wasn't something I had to think about. They practically moved themselves to say what I was trying to.

I really like this kind of poetry because usually when I write poems, they suck. I get all wrapped up in making it rhyme and I end up with a super cheesy ode to cheese. Found poetry is super easy! And fun! And relaxing and distracting all at once. It's like drawing because you don't really have to think about it while you're doing it. So I encourage you to give it a try!

I'll copy the words of my poem here so that you can read them:

"My prayers doodle twists and turns ignited by light.

An irresistible, ignore-proof! ability to love.

Babe: a gleaming look, inspired by a sweep of rose.

BE UNSTOPPABLE

Being really true to myself, not shy at all produces a light-as-air feel.

The countdown to a blunt JEWEL.

Repeat this mantra to yourself: poufs are supposed to work out.

Very much the loudest: a burst of the ultimate."