Ukemi

The art of falling.

The art of blending with your partner's defensive technique and minimizing the impact on your own body. Done well, it is truly a thing of beauty. Soft falls, smooth falls, gorgeous rolls. No pain, just absorption and distribution of impact. Very, very cool. The best ones make it look so easy and effortless.

But it's not. It's different with every partner because every person is different in how they give and receive energy. After a while, you learn your classmates' patterns, their styles, their aikido, and you blend accordingly. I might go in harder with one person that I trust to throw me cleanly and softer with others.

So, I practice and I practice and I'll practice some more. Someday, I'll get there.

And then I'll practice some more.

Broken Record

Do your homework.

Clean up your toys.

Brush your teeth.

Get dressed.

Lift the seat.

Flush.

Wash hands.

How do you ask nicely?

Put on your shoes.

Where's your (backpack/jacket/homework/library book/underwear)?

Don't hit your brother.

I love you, too.

I'll always love you.

What Have I Read Lately

In the past few months, I've been blogging less and reading more. What a treat. I love to read.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows
Five Patients
Absolute Friends
Dos and Don'ts in the Philippines
A Painted House
The Beekeeper's Apprentice
White Elephants
An Excellent Mystery
The Thirteenth Tale
Snow Falling on Cedars
Memoirs of a Geisha
Everything is Miscellaneous

Currently: The Princess Bride
Next: Empire of the Sun

While all of these books were entertaining and interesting for various reasons, the one book that you MUST read is The Thirteenth Tale. Just go out and buy it or borrow it. Go. Now.

Ahhhhh, A Nice Longer Run

I haven't been running that much lately. I mean, I still run three times a week, but I haven't been running very far. Mostly 2.5 to 3.5 miles at a shot. On Wednesday, T and I ran the Dish. Or maybe I should say that he ran the dish and I ran/walked it. Those hills! Oh! Those inclines! I'm pretty sure that's about a 4.5 to 5 mile round trip.

Today, I thought I'd go out for a continuous longer flat run. Right along my usual weekend path from days of yore, along the creek and into the regional park nearby. I decided I'd go for 40 minutes and try not to stop running - 20 minutes out and then 20 minutes back.

It went well. The weather was gorgeous - sunny, with a little breeze, temperatures in the low 60s. I figure that I kept about a 10 minute mile pace, maybe 10:30. Definitely not fast but not slow either. I felt good and pushed myself the last quarter mile. My heart rate when I finished was 162.

I'm thinking about running Bay to Breakers again this year. It's the third Sunday in May, which gives me just under two months to get ready. It's doable.

Next week: 45 minutes straight.

Bone-Tired

Ever heard that expression? Yeah, me too. I think I know what it means.

TGIF.

I keep meaning to put up some pictures of the lovely spring that has sprung around here but right now I'm just too darned tired. But I couldn't pass up a chance to post on a 29th of February.

Spring Has Sprung

While some areas of the country are getting buried in snow, right here at home, it is most definitely spring.

My daffodils:



My favorite crocus:



Finally, another sure sign of spring:



I can hang up my clothes to dry again. Whoopee!

In a few weeks, the tree in my front yard will burst into blossoms and I shall take a photo.

Diabolical Plan

My brother and his family are visiting us this weekend. His three kids and our two kids had a 'conference' on Friday night. Today, we found the minutes in the form of a list on a sheet of paper:

1. Trick parents
2. Pooh drop (many times) - I'm really hoping they're referring to Winnie the Pooh
3. gather weapons
4. gather tools

The kids range in age from 8 to 3. Should we be scared yet? :)