the yellow sash

(Grace and Mr. Kao paying respect. Note the beloved blue belt on the floor and Grace wearing the pretty new sash.

The Jesus lives sign on the drum kit behind is because the class was held in a church for a couple of weeks...)

A quick tribute to Grace and all her hard work. She has been very focused and serious about her new karate class here in NM. Her instructors have diligently worked with her to bring her up to speed with the new forms and terminology. After almost 4 months, with classes twice a week (double what she'd been doing in MA), she was invited to test for her yellow sash. The tests are pretty intense and the kids are required to have all of it memorized. She had to count to 10 in Chinese, name the 4 values of the system, the 3 focuses, and perform a series of kicks punches, and finally do "short form 1" which is a series of blocks made in various positions and stances. She tested last Thursday and passed with flying colors. I am so proud of my Grace for working so hard and making this transition from Master Doug's program without a single complaint or worry. I am amazed that she just went for it without looking back and willingly gave up wearing her blue belt to start over in this system.

(I had to include a picture of Grace and Daddy too. One thing I really like about this program is that they heavily involve the parents to help the kids learn. After she tested, the class learned a cool self defense technique with their parents.)