Progress

Today was a day of progress. Yesterday was a different story. It did not start off well. I was tired, sore, felt a little sick, and kept making mistakes. I dreaded afternoon practice. Thankfully, a surprise trip to get visa photos replaced our afternoon training. We all rode the bus to a shopping center to get photos, commodities, and to pick up Andy’s computer (in for fan repair). I bought some instant Nestle coffee, drank a cup (or two) and stayed up way too late thinking, “gaaaaah tomorrow I’m gonna die.” I planned on sleeping till eight, in lieu of breakfast, to make up for it, but I woke up early anyway.

However, I really wanted to make a good showing after yesterday and resolved to show initiative-- which worked out great. Also, I began learning Chinese last night. I had picked up a word or two already, but now I’m on to whole, useful phrases. Last night I learned, “Ill be right back,” “I need to go to the bathroom,” “want me to do it once more?” “please, you first,” “good morning,” and a phrase to say when leaving the table before the master. I used nearly all of them during the day, a stellar success!



I called home at midday and touched base with Daniel (school-owner Daniel) for quite a time before afternoon training. We talked about my student visa, tuition (I think paypal would be the best way to deal with it, and he is brushing the dust off his account), new students, and a new master. Apparently we should expect several new students in the near future, as well as a master to teach Shaolin Style (or one of them, not sure which), and perhaps a Wing Chun master as well. He also spoke of weekend sightseeing excursions when the weather gets warm, and perhaps overnight trips as well— exciting prospects. Afterwards, I stepped out and snapped some pictures of Daniel’s mother in law— she tries hard to make us feel at home here, and cheer people up when things look sour.



The stick (sword!) was her idea.



The afternoon went well, if not as well as the morning, because I was really starting to fade. The master taught me many new steps in the form, some of them rather physically demanding. When it’s completed to an acceptable degree I’ll probably post a video of the form, but right now I can’t be bothered to describe it— Spaaaacing out.

Dinner is upon me, goodbye.