Yellow is the New Orange

Last Thursday night, my Sensei told me she wanted to test me for my next belt.  This was after the class had gone through every Kata they knew.  Talk about an exhaustive 45 minutes, and I only did the first four kata, then watched/practiced my four for the rest of the time.  I knew she had my number as I could see her out of the corner of my eye when performing.  Once she even nodded her head as if to say "Yes!  You got it!"  I think I actually started twitching that instant in fear, and she saw it and she giggled.  "Are you sure you are ready?"  Absolutely Sensei, I think I managed to say, because in my eyes she is in charge.  If she thinks I am ready, then I am ready.  My own brain can catch up later.

[DadOfAllTrades chided me for not focusing on the Kata, but Sensei has this long black hair and one can tell when she is looking at you because either one sees light or dark.  I saw only light every time the twists and turns of the Kata had me facing in her general direction.]

So it is now Sunday (well not really, but I am just setting the mood here) and I have had two nights of dreams about my Kata.  Two kinda restless nights.  As I am getting ready for class I even throw on some eye makeup.  Damn, I am vain, I think;  but I don't really care.  One must look good when they are humiliating themselves.  This is not to say that I didn't know what to do or expect.  I just know that I get really nervous when put on the spot and my brain stops functioning.  Seriously. I have been known to stumble on my own name when under pressure.

I am sitting in the line up of those who are testing and am watching the youngin's ahead of me (Sunday is open mat-any age, any belt)  Some knock it out of the park, some falter and then get it.  As the testing gets closer to me, I start to hear my heart beat.  Real quiet at first, then by the time I am called, it is like thunder.  Seriously, I can barely hear her tell me what to next.

After a pause or two it is over.  Even though it seemed like it took roughly the time it took to birth my first, then the next thing I remember is my little one coming up to me and congratulating me for getting my yellow belt.  Then Sensei tying it around me waist and muttering under her breath "Were you nervous?  'Cuz I have seen you do those Kata better that that."

But I am now a yellow belt.  That is the third of numerous belts and I have many to go.  But I did it!!!  I am getting officially dangerous, as DadOfAllTrades pointed out to me.