One of my TKD goals has been attained.  My husband and I tested for our 1st Dan Black Belt this past Friday night (05-30-08).  It was finally time for something that I was both looking forward & dreading.

I could go into detail, but I guess it was pretty much like all belt testings.  Except, once I was able to relax, I actually had more fun than I ever expected.  Especially during the part that I had been dreading the most.  The 2-on-1 sparring round.

I wasn't looking forward to having to spar 2 black belts at the same time.  But when the round started, it got very obvious that the 2 black belts that I was facing were basically just playing.  They just smiled way too broadly.  And when they started to smile so big, I relaxed.  When I relaxed, I started laughing.  When I started laughing, I just started having fun with the whole thing.  Not exactly what I expected, but that's what made this testing even more special.

After the testing was over, we took the sound equipment back to the academy.  Our instructor met us there and sort of let the cat out of the back.  Normally, you don't know for sure whether you made it or not until the awards ceremony the following Tuesday.  Well, Ms Carroll met us at the door, grinned really big, and said, "Congratulations!"  I kind of had the feeling that we had made it, but that definitely ended all doubts.  It feels so good to make a goal that I had set for myself (officiall) almost 2 years ago.  (Unofficially, I had wanted to be a black belt for most of my life.  Just didn't know anyplace to go for training.)

Now.....on toward the next goal.....level 2 trainee instructor....