So here I am, fresh (and reeking) from my three-day black belt test.

I am now a fifth-degree black belt in Kenpo Karate.  One of six in our organization.

Score!!!

I am in almost too much pain to type this— let’s just say my physical resources were thoroughly tested, and leave it at that— but I have to say that I enjoyed myself a lot more than I thought I would. 

Thanks to the judging board, Mr Gilbert, Mr Davis, Ms Thibault, Mr Racette, and Mr Keschinger, for making my actual test such a pleasure.

And special thanks to my support guy, Mr Marc Katz, for letting me tie him into pretzels during our weeks and weeks of practice.

Now I’m going to take some painkillers, sack out in front of the TV, and maybe watch Ip Man 2.