two degrees − 1 June, 1998
I graduated High School and gained my first degree black belt from international self defense school in the same week.
My high school graduation was held downtown at memorial auditorium. My senior year had been shaky and It was necessary for me to take a course at the community college to make up credits for failed classes. It was a rough year. I just lost all desire and ambition..
before the graduation ceremony, we gathered outside on the steps in our caps and gowns. one of my teachers actually approached me and said: "you're actually graduating?" and when i said yes, he replied with a snide "im surprised."
eat me you old hag, you were one of the reasons I would rather shove rusty staples under my finger nails than go to class. Allowing people to team up to be cruel to me, right in front of him.. I had no recourse and they had no consequence. It seems to be the opinion of most high school teachers that it's a rite of passage to be tortured and ridiculed. I would not relive those 4 years for any amount of money or comfort.
anyway. it was over..
due to my make up credits at the local CC, i had to wait an extra week to receive my actual diploma.. which means i left the ceremonies without one. a slight hiccup in the process, that's all.
3 days later, I stood in front of a panel of 12 black belt judges. The test was 3 days long. First we were tested on each and every technique we were taught. every single offensive or defensive move in Kenpo Karate. Then on every Kata or "long form" in the martial art. we then had a written and oral test, as well as a presentation of an essay we were to write on the history of the art. Last but not least, we were paired up with one of our black belt judges for a sparring match. The goal of which was not to win, but to show how well we could remain in form while getting the shit beat out of us.
Mr. Chuck Riordan chose me personally. My friend and my teacher, a family friend that went way back to the 60's when my uncles were taught by him.
Before the matches began, he took me aside.
"Michelle, we're friends right? you know I love you?"
-I'd known him for all 6 years i'd trained and taught at the school.
"of course we're friends. I love you too"
".. well i have to tell you something. when we're on the mat and the bell rings, none of that applies. none of it matters."
and that's about the time i started shaking.
It was the most exhillerating, frightening and frustrating experience of my life. I got a shot in on his shoulder, and then one great kick square in his groin and that is all he ever allowed me. The next kick I tried, he caught my foot and threw my leg up, sending me backwards, landing me on my ass.. but i was up in a flash to take more pounding and soon the 3 minutes was up.
The judges deliberated for one hour. A whole hour. and finally returned with the verdict that we all passed. Im sure they knew within 5 minutes that we would, but wanted us to wait and stew it out.
when you joined the school a black belt was ordered with your name embroidered on it and put on the wall as a tool of motivation. The ceremony began with each and every one of us climbing a ladder and cutting our belts down off of the wall. We then knelt down in front of the judges. removed our old belts and waited, as one by one the head professor of the school, Larry K. Reid, tied our black belts onto our waists. we knelt with our old rank and rose again with our new.
Regardless of how weak i feel sometimes, regardless of my personal or professional mistakes, I can look to June of 1998 and know that not many people could have done what i did. and I'm proud of that. I really am. that takes a lot for me to say.
blood, sweat, tears, long nights and exhausting days. two degrees in one week. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.
My high school graduation was held downtown at memorial auditorium. My senior year had been shaky and It was necessary for me to take a course at the community college to make up credits for failed classes. It was a rough year. I just lost all desire and ambition..
before the graduation ceremony, we gathered outside on the steps in our caps and gowns. one of my teachers actually approached me and said: "you're actually graduating?" and when i said yes, he replied with a snide "im surprised."
eat me you old hag, you were one of the reasons I would rather shove rusty staples under my finger nails than go to class. Allowing people to team up to be cruel to me, right in front of him.. I had no recourse and they had no consequence. It seems to be the opinion of most high school teachers that it's a rite of passage to be tortured and ridiculed. I would not relive those 4 years for any amount of money or comfort.
anyway. it was over..
due to my make up credits at the local CC, i had to wait an extra week to receive my actual diploma.. which means i left the ceremonies without one. a slight hiccup in the process, that's all.
3 days later, I stood in front of a panel of 12 black belt judges. The test was 3 days long. First we were tested on each and every technique we were taught. every single offensive or defensive move in Kenpo Karate. Then on every Kata or "long form" in the martial art. we then had a written and oral test, as well as a presentation of an essay we were to write on the history of the art. Last but not least, we were paired up with one of our black belt judges for a sparring match. The goal of which was not to win, but to show how well we could remain in form while getting the shit beat out of us.
Mr. Chuck Riordan chose me personally. My friend and my teacher, a family friend that went way back to the 60's when my uncles were taught by him.
Before the matches began, he took me aside.
"Michelle, we're friends right? you know I love you?"
-I'd known him for all 6 years i'd trained and taught at the school.
"of course we're friends. I love you too"
".. well i have to tell you something. when we're on the mat and the bell rings, none of that applies. none of it matters."
and that's about the time i started shaking.
It was the most exhillerating, frightening and frustrating experience of my life. I got a shot in on his shoulder, and then one great kick square in his groin and that is all he ever allowed me. The next kick I tried, he caught my foot and threw my leg up, sending me backwards, landing me on my ass.. but i was up in a flash to take more pounding and soon the 3 minutes was up.
The judges deliberated for one hour. A whole hour. and finally returned with the verdict that we all passed. Im sure they knew within 5 minutes that we would, but wanted us to wait and stew it out.
when you joined the school a black belt was ordered with your name embroidered on it and put on the wall as a tool of motivation. The ceremony began with each and every one of us climbing a ladder and cutting our belts down off of the wall. We then knelt down in front of the judges. removed our old belts and waited, as one by one the head professor of the school, Larry K. Reid, tied our black belts onto our waists. we knelt with our old rank and rose again with our new.
Regardless of how weak i feel sometimes, regardless of my personal or professional mistakes, I can look to June of 1998 and know that not many people could have done what i did. and I'm proud of that. I really am. that takes a lot for me to say.
blood, sweat, tears, long nights and exhausting days. two degrees in one week. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.
