Another Worlds in the bag

Let's see how many spelling errors I can have In this one...

I went to worlds alone this year. It was...different. I still felt connected to people - the Carrollton school has made me feel very welcome. My Forney family is still my family, even the ones I don't get along with. The ladies in my ring - are so inspiring. The judges I sat with for score keeping (I love score keeping!), and those who judged me - were all great.

I had a realization this time. I've been "playing". No, let's be real. I have not taken my training seriously. I've quit training. I've made a million excuses - becoming disillusioned by people I respected, afraid to get hurt. Lazy. But this lack of training is showing. It's hurting my ego. And I had to step back and take a long hard look at why I let that continue to happen. I don't know why, but I know it can't continue. By not training, I'm only inviting injury when I do compete. So I had some decisions to make.

I want it back. I used I be good, and I want it back. It's not going to happen just because I want it. It will happen if I work for it. I want to train and I have no excuses other than just fear.

So I'm done with that. I have always been proud of the notion that I did crazy, out of the norm, things. Well, that's back. I've set certain goals for competition - some I've shared with my instructor, some that I'll keep to myself.

But just know - I want it back.

Tina, you will be missed - but Tina-II will drive on

I don't know that I've ever told the story of my car Tina. I traded her in today for a younger model, so wanted to write it down before it got lost in my memory.

We ordered a Prius in June of 2008 when gas prices went through the roof. it took two months to get it in and when it finally arrived, she had earned her name.

Back in 2008, a hurricane named Ike was headed for the Texas coast. Galveston had not seen a hurricane in many, many years, but this one appeared to be headed straight for it. We got a phone call one morning telling us that the car was being delivered that afternoon. The ship had landed in the Houston shipping channel that morning and rather than waiting a day or two like normal, all cars were being transferred to Dallas to avoid the storm.

So I named the new car Tina. Because she ran away from Ike.

Get it - Ike and Tina (Turner)? It still makes me smile.

This was long before the llama-kamas...but the name Tina goes with them very well...Napoleon Dynamite's llama was named Tina. Tina now has her own license plates, thanks in part to Thumper - 2lamas.

3.5 years later, Tina has been a faithful companion. I've run her out of gas twice. Left her running for nine hours and she a) wasn't stolen, and b) hardly used any gas. She's stowed a bass drum (the anchor bass), a smoker, a large duffle bag, a suitcase, a laptop bag, and two people (all at once. Her navigation skills are excellent. She's got new headlights and new tires, and 90,000 miles. She's still a pretty shiny red. While she had that much more in her, now was the best time to let her go.

Tina-II ... Or maybe Tina ver. 2.0? ... Arrives in a few days from Houston. She'll carry the same plates - 2Lamas. But like all 2nd wives, she's definitely got some upgrades. Moonroof with a solar array that cools the car - when it's off. Leather seats. Navigation. IPod dock. Internet. Only a single CD player, but I only have one CD - Tina Turner's Greatest Hits, which was the very first thing I purchased after driving Tina off the lot back in 2008.

Fitting, I think. Here's looking forward to 90,000+ miles with Tina-II.

People Warching

It's no secret that I've been married since I was "but a wee lass." this alsoeams that I've been the wife of a Dallas Fireman for 25+ years. When we were first married, I would visit whatever station Larry was assigned to, and they would ask me if I was there to visit my dad. Someone, I think my mother-in-law, suggested that I join the Ladies Auxillary as a way to meet people - but I thought then that those ladies were OLD (oh how vain we are at 17, lol).

Today, I'm watching my two boys, Matt (16 about to be 17), and Streven (15), compete in the 10th Annual Fire Games hosted by Dallas Fire Rescue, as Dallas Fire Rescue Explorers. A month or so ago, they helped with the annual Easter Egg Hunt, hosed the the DFR Ladies Auxillary.

Something occurred to me today, while I was watching the boys and observing the parents and instructors around me. These are my kind of people. There are many different Explorer Posts represented today - approximately 200 kids between 14 and 21. Parents, firemen, wives and girlfriends, other siblings. There's even a CPAP course going on at the same time (future rookies training to be rookies with DFR). And not once have I thought someone was dressed inappropriately, or acting like a floozy, or even thought of anyone as just rude. I've talked to several different people, from all walks of life, and haven't felt that way once.

This is important to me. I've been told that I'm old and bitter, or jealous and bitchy. And I don't think that I am, but when I was told this, I took it to heart because of the circumstances in which it was said and by who said it, and it has caused me to question my entire character.

I'm not old and bitter, or jealous and bitchy - I'm "mature" and outspoken, and I have low tolerance for posers, as my kids would say. Web people try to be something they're not, I tend to get irritable about it. Be who you are - don't try to be something you're not. Say what you mean - because otherwise you're only playing games. This doesn't mean you have to be mean or rude - and I'm learning that by being outspoken about how I feel can and will lead to hurt feelings, because people aren't always ready to be as honest with themselves as I might be.

But when I around "people like me" - people that have the same ideals and who have grown up with others who felt the same - I'm normal. This is good for my spirit.

Life is like a box of ... Socks?

A few weeks ago, I went to Dollar General with my youngest to get him some cheap earbuds. I don't know how they do it, but both boys run through earbuds amazingly fast. While I was there, I bought a plastic bin ($4) to keep unmatched socks in. Everyone has this problem with socks, right? We'll wash clothes, and end up with 6.5 pairs of socks. I don't know how this happens, because we always wear two at a time, but they never make it into the same wash load together. So they end up staying on the couch after the laundry is folded, waiting to be matched in the next load. Except it never fails - not every sock gets matched up. They sit on the couch for weeks at a time (unless we have company over, and they get hidden), in vain. Occasionally, I'll throw them bak in a random load in the hopes that they'll find their mate, but they always return to the sad little pile on the couch. So I got the box, in the hopes it would make matching easier. (or make the pile easier to hide when company comes over...). This morning, while getting dressed, I needed a pair of socks. Rather than look in my drawer,I went to the sox box. (I just made that name up, but I like it!). And after a bit of searching found a matching pair. And it occurred to me that this Sox Box is a metaphor for my life at times. There's always a place to find something that you need. You just have to know where to look, and how to keep it organized so you can find it. We have Sox Box for family and friends - that person you can always go to for a shoulder to lean on. For work - solving a complicated problem or achieving a goal can be found in your "box" of skills/talents. Taking a day to treat yourself is a "Self Box.". And the proverbial box of chocolates has no equal. Where is your Sox Box, and what's in it? When you find you are missing something - look in the box. You never know what you'll find.

Words we shouldn't know how to spell

Mom
Dad
Run
Jump
See Jane Run.
Run Jane, Run.

Those are some of the first words we learn to write.  Eventually we branch out into more difficult words - School.  Mother. Father.  Homework.  You get the drift.  And by the time we're in our 20s we know how to spell more words than we can every use in a single day.  And it's all inside our brain, nesting away until we need them.

I learned a word last year that I wish I'd never heard of.  It started off hiding from us by masking itself inside other big words  Kidney failure.  Liver failure.  Englarged heart.  Cirrhosis.  Congestive heart failure.  Cancer.  But all those were small words when compared to the real one.

Amyloidosis.

Amyloidosis is a disease of the bone marrow/blood cells.  Amyloids are produced in the bone marrow, and is something that everyone has, but most people have the ability to get rid of them normally.  A few people - not the lucky ones - develop a condition in which the amyloids build up in the blood stream and deposit themselves on various organs.  As they build up on the organs, they cause them to fail.  Only a few people are diagnosed with Amyloidosis - maybe 1,200 -1,500 each year.  I suppose those few could consider themselves "lucky" - in that they received a diagnosis.  Most doctors hav never heard the word.  Isn't that special - we know words that highly educated doctors don't know?  Many times, the disease mimics other conditions and the doctors don't diagnose in time.  The big words we learned first we heard for six months before chance dealt us a card and a doctor who randomly ordered a particular test because he happened to attend a conference the week before.

There is no cure for Amyloidosis.  Prognosis is terminal.  The trick is diagnosing it in time so that certain procedures can be taken to reduce the effects and before the affected organs fail completely.  And it turns out that the most effective treatment is also the most dangerous - autologous stem cell transplant.  Another big word or four.

Stem cells are the roots of our bodies.  They contain the blueprints for how how our bodies work.  By harvesting stem cells from a patient, then killing off all the bone marrow where whole blood is produced, and then giving back the stem cells, the hopes are that the stem cells will return to their places and start doing the work they were intended to do, without the bad bone marrow getting in the way.  The bone marrow is removed by a single shot of Melaphan, a posion used for chemotherapy.  It affects the digestive tract as well as the bone marrow.  It causes hair to fall out.  It makes taste buds disappear.

My sister-in-law was diagnosed with Amyloidosis in 2010.  Since then she's undergone "normal" chemotherapy, and most recently a stem cell transplant, in the hopes that the Amyloid production will be halted and her affected organs can start to heal.  It's been a rough ride - she's now experiencing complications and the doctors aren't sure what is going on.  Since the stem cell transplant, her body isn't producing white blood cells, platelets, and other things essential to her well-being like it should.  Those really smart stem cells seem to have encountered a road block of some kind and are having a tough time getting back to where they belong.  I worry about her every day.  I worry just as much for her family, who is pretty much left to sit back and watch and hope that the doctors can "fix it."  All we can do is sit by and watch, and try to encourage her.  It's hard - her spirit is starting to wear down.  Whose wouldn't, after being in the hospital for 20+days, with no end in sight?  We're hoping her numbers go up soon, so that she can at least spend one or two nights in her own bed.  And at the same time, we want her to stay in the hospital so that the doctors are near.  And yet life goes on - we have to continue going to work, and taking care of our own kids, while she's fighting for her life just a few miles away.

All these big words.  Once upon a time, I liked learning new words.  Knowing big words made me feel smarter than the average bear.  Now - they makes me feel helpless.

We love you Dea - keep fighting the good fight!

Musings from Llamaville

A friend reminded me I haven't had an updated post in a while.  I would like to write that all has been quiet, but it's really been a very busy few months.

The llamas started on a new healthy lifestyle, and have lost a total of 27 pounds to date.  And then they fell off the wagon, and have been ignoring the little voices that tell them to start back up again, and so have gained back 2 pounds.  Today it starts again - no more excuses!

We went to a family wedding this weekend.  I say this with all respect to my family and friends in Arkansas...but who would've thought that the nicest, "fanciest" wedding I've ever been to would be in Little Rock, Arkansas?  My youngest cousin got married this weekend in Little Rock, in a gorgeous church (Cathedral of Saint Andrew), and then had a wonderful reception out at Pleasant Valley Country Club.  Dinner, dancing - and good times with family.  I sure wish Camden was closer to the Rock - that 2 hour drive can be quite a trip.  And of course, what is driving with Chelle without getting lost?  I missed the "first" 430, and saw a sign for Shackleford, and thought, well, I know Shackleford, duh.  We ended up taking 30 West to Benton, hanging a left on 35 to Sheridan and eventually found 167 (187?) and made it back to Camden all in one piece.  And only about 10-15 minutes behind Uncle Wayne, who KNEW where he was going.  :)

This will be a long week.  We leave on Wednesday, the 22nd to head back to the Rock.  Protech, Fit Test, testing to watch, friends to cheer on, judging (5 rings!), and compettion.  And the 3rd Annual Party at Laurie's House!  I'm so looking forward to the trip.  It's the most tiring fun I'll have all year (until we go skiing, and while that's fun, it's somehow not nearly as tiring).

PS...wanted to add some pics...this is for Thumper. :D



Tales from Under the 'Hood. Or...what happens when a Prius runs out of gas

Well, last night was interesting.

I will say that the most interesting comment of the night was when my husband told me that I run out of gas more than anyone he's ever met.  And I will state for the record, that it's not my fault.

Cuz, you know.  I'm a girl.  And I truly believe that my tank was siphoned while I was at work.

Now, with that out of the way, here's what happened last night.  And why you should be aware of your surroundings at all times, and NEVER rely on the Dallas County Sherriff's Courtesy Patrol Truck to help you out.  Because apparently they won't.

On the way home from work last night, I was talking to my husband about a friend with a Prius.  Apparently, when it came time to trade it in, he found out the hard way that the Prius is subject to some kind of "battery remediation" charge, which is more than the car is worth.  I haven't delved into this any further than random conversations about it, but it's noteworthy that I was discussing this - when suddenly the dash in my Prius went haywire.

(to add to the weirdness, brother and I were discussing possible alien invasion and elderly abuction that morning...but that will be a different post).

Back to the topic - the dash went haywire.  And it felt like I was losing power, which it turns out was what had happened.  I made it up onto I-45, and exited Martin Luther King Blvd., hoping to find a gas station.  But as I crossed the service road to turn right, the car lost all power.  And I do mean - ALL power.  No lights, no nothing.

And so I suddenly found myself in the position of - That Random Person on the Freeway Whose Car Had Died and was Making No Effort to Move Out Of the Way.  I don't like that person - they're annoying.  I have had many a conversation about how they're just too lazy to try and move, and how miserable they are making traffic.

Karma hurts, let me tell you.

Now to be fair (and try and shuffle more blame onto someone else) - where the car died was not exactly the best place for me to be...by myself, in high heels and a business suit...alone.  I could see the gas station - it wasn't a block away, on my side of the street even.  But I couldn't get to it.  I couldn't tell if the car was in park or neutral, and there was too much traffic to make a serious effort for pushing it.  And there wasn't anyone to ask, because I didn't have any cash on me, nor did I feel safe doing so.

And then appeared what I thought was my Knight in Shining Armour - the Dallas County Sherriff's Courtesy Patrol truck.  Let me tell you - the black and white of that truck never looked so wonderful.  But as I sat there, trying to smile at him, and wave others by, while my hazard lights were blinking merrily away...he drove off.  He sat there at the light for a few minutes, chatting with a homeless person on the side of the street, and he did make eye contact with me - and then off he drove, into the sunset.  Without a single word or offer of assistance.

Well, okaaay then.  I'm on my own.  Just for grins, I tried to turn the car back on - and it worked.  So I was able to limp over to the gas station.  When I got out, I was immediately confronted by someone wanting to pump the gas for me.  (Again, not the best place in the world to be as a woman, alone, in high heels).  And I will confess - one of my random thoughts at this moment was that the plastic kamas - IN THE TRUNK - weren't going to be helpful if I needed them.  But one of my heels might have been...and I was working out how quickly I could get one off if I needed to, let me tell you.

I had to go inside to prepay for the gas, and was once again confronted by someone inside, asking how I was doing.  And THIS is where I think that whatever training I've had up to this point helped - I looked him right in the eye and told him I was fine, and asked how HE was doing - and he grinned, said fine, and walked off.  And after that, I was left alone.  Until I went back outside and had to deal with Mr. I Want to Pump Your Gas for Any Change You Have.

The moral of the story has several important points to remember...

• Be aware of your surroundings and be confident.  Outside or inside was no time for me to turn into "ohmygosh I'm in the hood and I'm going to get mugged please don't look at me/talk to me" girl.  I think if I had taken that position, it's possible that I would've been harrassed more than I was, which was very minimal, to be truthful.

• Always have something around you that can be used for self-defense.  It might have been my purse, or it might have been a heel.  Even if you're a ninja, don't rely on the plastic weapons that you've stored in the trunk.  Mr. Bad Guy is not going to wait patiently while you get them, and then let you whack on him for a bit while you shout "Get Back, Leave Me Alone, I'm a Karate Kid!"  That might actually bring about more issues that you ever dreamed of.

• Even a Prius can run out of gas, and at 60 mpg, it will suck the life out of that hybrid in about ...a tenth of a mile.  Thank heaven for bridges that have downward sloping exist ramps.  

• When you find yourself out of gas, in the 'hood, 30 miles from your husband, at 7pm...don't mistake his tone - he's not really mad at you, he's worried.  And if you continue to ask him "Well, what do I doooo honey?" - it's not going to get much better over the phone.  Especially if you get a little panicked about it - because he can't do anything right then.  Men don't like to feel helpless.  Especially when you put them in that position because you didn't check the gas level before you left the office.  So - always check your gas level when you first get into the car.  It may keep you from having to rely on the Dallas County Sherriff's Courtesy Patrol - which you shouldn't.

Random things going on in Llamaville

Not much has been going on in Llamaville. Not much worth reporting anyway.


In September, LK1 and 2 participated in Run the Jailbreak, a "mud run" consisting of 14 obstacles and 3.8 miles. Obstacles included mud, water, tires, mud, hay bales, mud...did I mention mud?

We ran with "Perkins the Terminator" and "Mojo the Beast" and had a blast At the start of the race, it doesn't look that bad...But by the end, Mojo was the cleanest of us all.

 
Marching season has officially started for the Beast - and I've never seen him do so well in school and stay so organized...I think he's found his groove.  (Interesting segue - someone told him  yesterday that he reminded them of the Llama from The Emperor's New Groove.  Bwahaahaa!

For Poolah, if she's reading - by the end of marching season, we will have the band perform the Llama song.  It's so completely morphed now that it's epic.  :D

Blackbelt Attitude

Clark - you're awesome!  Keep on keeping on, buddy - you make my heart happy.  :)

Countdown - 15 days

The llamas have injured a hoof. The good news is that this is happened before. Randomly, a hoof will "roll," resulting in sudden sharp pain, maybe some swelling and brusiing, and then viola! Back to normal. This time, however, there was not really a Voila! moment.

After a week of limping around and proudly showing off the swelling and brusing, I decided to take the advice of several friends and visit the doctor. Who diagnosed a torn ligament. His words were "Oh yeah, it's torn. Flapping away in the wind." He did seem surprised that I was walking around as good as I was - hardly any limp, and could go up and down on toes with no problems. Side to side, however, was an issue, as after a week, I still couldn't rotate it completely. And the bruising is epic (his words, not mine, but I like them). Based on that, and the condition of the OTHER ankle, he seems to think I've done this before, and this was "just" a reinjury. So two weeks of wearing a brace and doing whatever I want, non-impact, and then 4-6 weeks of rehab. So no backflips, 720 aerials, butterflys, or kicking the bag for a while. (Rats. I almost had the 720 down. The backflip was right behind it!)

Which will be interesting, as at the two week mark, I'll be competing at Worlds. :D This is why doctors love me - I'm a guaranteed source of income, lol. Walking annuity, even.

However, I did come away from this experience with at least one lesson. If you have insurance - don't delay getting to the doctor. It might not have made a difference in recovery time this time around, but it could've. IF I had gotten into the proper brace just a week earlier, the swelling might have gone down sooner. Maybe. But if you're paying for it - use it. That's what it's there fore.

The best news out of the injury - the balance on my right leg has improved by leaps and bounds! Of course, that was already my good side...but that's okay, I'll take any gain, lol.

JUNE 1ST - THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!

Worlds Week begins is approximately 22 days!

On the schedule this year - Protech training on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Top 10 Competition on Thursday. I can't wait!

More to follow.

What happens in Vegas...

What an amazing adventure LK1 and LK2 had over the weekend! It started out great - they met up with their friend Thumper and arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare.

Famous last words, let me tell ya.

It was announced that the incoming plane that would take the LKs to San Francisco was late arriving from Chicago - by about 30 minutes - and it was anticipated that the connection would be missed to get to Vegas. There were 11 people on the plane (13 really, the LKs were in disguise and had been checked as luggage), and all were sitting in the back. We were told that they would try and hold the plane for us and let us off early - but alas that did not happen. The plane took off 10 minutes before we arrived.

So - what to do now? One of the problems that was immediately realized was - the LKs were testing for 3rd degree on Friday morning - with a mandatory testers meeting at 8am - and they were stuck in San Francisco overnight. United booked them on the 8:30 flight, but after much whining, agreed to put them on standby for the 5:50am flight. But we were told that it was completely booked.

After spending at least 3 hours in baggage trying to get luggage off-loaded so it could go on the standby flight, Thumper and the LKs spent the night in the lobby - wide awake. Did you know you can stay in an airport for over 6 hours and not get questioned about why you're there? And if you bring in at least 15 taped boxes and leave them in the ticket line, you can walk away from them and nothing is said - probably because there was no hint of a security guard anywhere, who would you report the unattended boxes to? Simply amazing.

Finally - at 3:30, Thumper and LK1 and LK2 changed into their uniforms and managed to get tickets - and actually made the 5:50 flight. They landed in Vegas at 7:30, ran to baggage to get the luggage, and made it to the Convention Center with 10 minutes to spare before the meeting.

Testing went well - other than taking 3 attempts to break the boards.

Competition went as could be expected. Friday night they had dinner with some fabulous friends, and finally, after being awake for more than 36 hours, they managed to get some rest at the hotel. All told, by the time they got home Saturday night, they'd had 7 hours of sleep out of 67 on the road. Greatness.

The LKs came very close to competing in Creative Weapons on Saturday - but the corner judge said that they'd been modified and weren't protech. Turns out, the center judge later said had he seen them, he would've allowed them, just for fun (simply because the LKs joined the ring at the last minute and didn't have anything planned as far as, you know, a form or anything).



Stay tuned - the LKs are going to learn a new weapon as soon as they find out if they passed to 3rd. Watch out long-range bo, here they come!

The Llama kamas are going to....LAS VEGAS!!!

It's been awhile since there's been an update on this blog, so here goes.

Tonight, LK1 and LK2 are traveling to Las Vegas to attend the ATA Spring Nationals. While there, they will be testing for 3rd degree, competing in traditional weapons (Oh Sung Do), Creative forms (with Ozzy, thank you very much), and traditional forms and sparring. While there, they will be meeting up with lots of friends during competition and testing, and for dinner - let's get this party started!

Currently, they are waiting for the day to go by faster, because it seems to be crawling by. The bags are packed (except for their jeans and a t-shirt), the airline info is printed, lunch has been eaten...what else, what else?

See you in Vegas baby!

Theme of the Month - GOALS

The first Texas tournament is this weekend!

The theme of the month is currently GOALS - setting goals in our personal lives as well as our taekwondo lives. In thinking about what the focus should be this month, LK1 and LK2 have decided the following is what they will be striving for at the tournament:

1. Meet new people - this should be fairly easy...what tournament have you ever been to that you don't meet someone new?

2. Have fun - well, duh. That goes hand-in-hand with being at a tournement, I would think.

3. Improving scores in traditional forms - Worlds was a high, it's true. 7-6-7 hasn't happened in a long time. But if that could be done again, that would be nice.

4. DO NOT SMILE AT THE AUDIENCE (OR TALK TO THEM) DURING WEAPONS COMPETITION - this is a big one. Originally, the LKs were going to try and compete with DBME (um, yah, it's kind of funny picturing llama kamas competing with a weapon), but they're most likely going to fall back on Oh Sung Do. And when they do, the major goal of this tournament is to not smile at the audience (or talk to them) during the form. Hey, it could happen.

5. Win one round in sparring - one round at a time, that's all it takes.

Personal goals -

My baby turns 14 this weekend (sob). How did he go from 21 inches tall, and 8.5 pounds...to 5'9", 140 pounds, and a size 12 shoe? Sheesh. My goal is for him to have a fantabulous birthday - and I just KNOW he's going to love his birthday present! (it's still a secret - he might read this between now and then)

A New Season, A New Plan

The llama kamas realized one morning that a new tournament season has started! (Don't ask what they've been up to since Worlds...it seems the older they get, the worse their memory is).

After browing thru old posts, and pictures taken from Worlds...and hearing who was attending the Texas Twister in a few weeks - the llamas have a new plan! Their goal for the tournament season this year...is to get pictures with as many Taekwondo students as they can! From white belt to 9th degree black belt - everyone's included! So if you know about the llama kamas...or stuffed goats...find Mrs. Barton and she'll get your picture with them and send you a copy.

Won't that be fun?

They are also in the process of designing a new means of transportation...seems that riding around stuck in a belt all day is wearing, and with Grand Master's signature, that is not a Good Thing.

The scrapbook has been started - and it should be noted...the iPhone pictures lack resolution, so there will be a camera, along with a notebook to make sure that names and dates are recorded correctly.

So look for the crazy lady carrying around stuffed animals on red sticks - at the very least, you'll get a giggle.

6:30am Sunday Morning, June 28, 2009

The weekend is almost over and the llamas do not recall being so tired. As exciting as Thursday was...Friday prooved to be even more exciting. The day started out bright and early - with Master Rose's Top 10 Competition in XMA Form.



And he won! The llama kamas were so excited they could hardly stand still - this was the first time they'd watched someone they knew win World Champ. Later that evening, the llama kamas attended opening ceremonies - watching Grand Master break his boards was awesome. And they met some new friends...

Master Benson getting ready for XMA competition

The Llama Kamas meet Barbie


Mister Henderson ready to compete


Senior Master Kohl



The Llama Kamas get signed by Grand Master


But most exciting...the Llama kamas meet Mike Chat - the creater of ATA XMA. A former Blue Power Ranger, open circuit chamption, and all around a great sport.


The day ended on a high note, with this photo taken on the trip back to the hotel

June 25 - The First Day is Over

The Llamas woke up bright and early, and looked forward to getting everything underway. They were nervous, excited - but most of all, they couldn't wait to experience Worlds for the first time



The day started out early with testing - and the Llamas had a great view of many high ranks midterming and testing for rank - the demonstrations seen today were very inspiring - from forms, to sparring, to board breaks, the llama kamas got to see it all. They got a chance to meet Matt K from the ATAForums, and had lunch with him and others at Wasabi.



And then...the time came for Top 10. The Llama Kamas received some last minute instruction for an Oh Sung Do...and then they were up.



While they didn't place in the top three, they were very happy for the experience - and they made new friends ;) They were too scared to go up on stage to receive their pin, but they did watch.



And their instructor was very proud



Finally, they were able to call it a day, and get some very much needed rest.

June 24, 2009, 7:30pm - The Llama Kamas are on the lam(b)

Well, they finally started their journey - after a grueling three hours at the Llama Style Station, the llama kamas managed to get home and pack up and headed out to live out their destiny. They were slowed by some hideous traffic whilst driving thru Greenville, TX, but eventually got thru it and ate now more than halfway thru with their roadtrip. And even though the tree hours seems at first glance to be a setback - they are undeterred - this will be the Worlds to remember


The Llamas on the Road

History of the Llama Kamas

I have an iPhone, and it's notorious for correcting my spelling, because...being an Apple product...it thinks it's smarter than me. That very well may be true - because if I truly was a higher-functioning being, I would turn off the auto-spell check, and rely upon my own intelligence to get things typed out right, but that would be too easy.

I have a hobby - taekwondo. I practice Songahm Taekwondo, with a school affiliated with the American Taekwondo Association. If I'm not working, or sleeping, or reading...I'm thinking about TKD. Doesn't mean I'm actually participating - just thinking. Or, if you ask my husband - talking about it.

So one day, it occurred to me that I needed to be thinking about scheduling out my mid-terms as a 2nd degree, as I hadn't done any yet. Each midterm is designed to test something specific, and it can vary. For the kids, it's usually form and sparring at all, and a select weapon...er, training gear...at others. Because I randomly teach at the school, I want to become familiar with all the training gear available to my rank, and that would include double sshang joel bhang (DSJB, or nunchuks), double bhang mah ee (DBME, or sticks), and sshang nats (kamas). Since we midterm every three months, and I could be up for a rank test within a year, I needed to get on the ball about what I was going to test when. And I wanted to schedule a test at "the big show" - Worlds 2009, just for the experience of it, because testing in front of an international panel is a little...intimidating.

To ask about the scheduling, I texted my instructor - from the ever-so-smart iPhone, and here's how it went...

Me: am I midtermined in December? My plan is march for dsjb, worlds for form and breaks, September for dmbe and December for rank.

Answer: Works for me

Me: do I need an additional one for lamas? (and the expected dismal showing at worlds?)

Answer: how will you use lamas as weapons. They're kinda big

Me: It would be impressive though, right? Swinging lamas around

Answer: Dodge the spit

Me: If we used alcapas we could sell the sweaters after.

Me: im buying a keyboard fir this phone...after I get your hradphones .

And little did I know - this was only the beginning.

Quite a bit later - months, even, I went to instructor camp and certified. The following week or so, we had a belt ceremony after testing, and my instructor pulls out this...box...from a friend at our other location. After reading the note outloud to the school, I open the box:

"Dear Chelle,

Congratulations on achieving your certification. I understand that you are looking to learn a new weapon - I hope your instructor knows the form!"

And this is what I found:

So now they travel with me to tournaments, generally in my gear bag, although lately I've had to courage to stick them in my belt and use them to make Tiny Tigers laugh. I've been told I need to compete with them (but am so not going there, and yes, that makes me a sissy, but that's okay).

But now - because I'm silly this way - they're going to make the trip to Little Rock for the 2009 Worlds tournament.

Stay tuned!