Skip to main content

An awarding evening -- 2009 Blues Award

By








Oh, what a night!!!

Just before Rembuden Taikai, I received an official letter from University Waikato informing me that I have been nominated to the WALLACE CORPORATION UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO BLUES Award, and will accept the award on 9th October, 6.00pm.

I published this news to our emailing list and gave invitation. Thanks to Jeffrey and Ya-Yi, Annie, Amigo, Leo and Amy, Awatea, Clement, Adam and Debbie making themselves available for me to make me have a real awarding evening.

It started from 5.40PM. Awatea dressed his formal suit and drove his blue pumpkin carriage arriving my house preparing to pick me up even without a notice in advance. I was so surprised by his thoughtful and lovely manner when I was expecting Debbie to meet me at my home. Because I planed to bear with my sore lower back driving ourselves to the venue. That moment, I feel myself is a modern Cinderella.

As usual, we are the only one and the strongest team in any event when we all get together.

Everybody look so different comparing with dressed in Gi and Hakama. Even myself. Haha. I would like to apply Debbie's words regarding my dress. She said, 'Sam doesn't know what he has missed'. I think her words applying to the evening as well although this is my 2nd time to have the award.

Same as Kendo cut, each strike is a unique strike in the same evening. Each day is a different day of our life.

I met my thesis supervisor from Sport and Leisure studies Dr. Clive Pop and his lovely wife, and had a very good chat. When it's about time, we all moved toward our table. Unfortunately, each table can only seat 12 people so that we have to move Awa and Clement to sit with others. However, they were seating close to us. Therefore, we didn't miss too much with each other.

Along with the progress of the night, we met so many extraordinary young and professional people from Olympic or World Champs. We feel really honored. The venue made me think of the sentence I heard in Christchurch, 'we decided to be extraordinary...'.

Thanks to Clement's mid efforts to nominate me.

I deeply believe, 2010 will be our team's year in Blues Award evening.




Labels:

Comments

Sam Tsai said…
I know what I have missed.

And, I am working hard to avoid missing more. :)
1:30 am
Post a Comment

Popular Posts

2025 Beginners Information

By
You are warmly invited to join us and  start your New Year resolutions as a  Modern Samurai .  --- Information for Year 2025 Beginners --- Little Samurai Class (age under 14): 1.30 - 2.30pm, Saturdays  Beginners Class (age 14 and above): 2.30 - 3.30pm, Saturdays Intermediate and Advanced Class : 3.30 - 6.00pm, Saturdays Starting Dates: Term 1: Saturday 25 January Term 2: Saturday 10 May  We will be accepting new students all Saturdays of May, but the earlier you can start, the better. Term 3: Saturday 19 July   Term 4: Saturday 11 October Join our 2025 Beginners Facebook Group  now to get updates. Or, email us for more information.  Course Information: No previous experience required. Regardless of gender,  ages from 6 to 60  are all welcome. First lesson  is your Free trial. Membership Fees:  Kids and School students: 50.00 per month Tertiary students and adults: 80.00 per month Family discounts : the 2nd family member is 50...
Post a Comment
Read more

How do you practice seme?

By
Kobayashi Hideo Sensei – How to Seme (w/English CC)  小林英雄 先生 - 攻め方 How do you practice S eme ?   Very early on, I have heard of the “Three Opportunities to Strike”: strike when your opponent’s technique is about to start, strike when your opponent’s technique ends, and when the opponent is mentally and physically depleted. Since then, this line of thinking has given me a direction in how to train. In 2017, Utsunomiya sensei, 7-dan kyoshi, came to visit us and taught me the concept of “okori”. That reminds me of the conversation that happened 8 years before that in 2009 with Morioka sensei, also 7-dan kyoshi, who asked me: “What is the timing or reason of your strike?” I think most people are familiar with the idea that you should “ seme then strike ”. However, when do you strike after seme has been a source of struggle for most kenyu. That’s why when I saw the video from Kobayashi Hanshi where you seme for the purposes of creating “okori” , I felt this added a whol...
Post a Comment
Read more

Experiencing Jōdan-no-Kamae & Gyaku-Dō

By
Wednesday 31st May 2023 Keiko Reflection - Janet Tonight’s Keiko was planned by Marleen sensei & led by Senpais Leo & Joyce.  We had a rare opportunity to watch & learn some wazas/ techniques first hand from both senpais particularly on their specialties: Jōdan-no-Kamae & Gyaku-Dō. The upper-level posture or stance ( Jōdan-no-Kamae ) which Leo Senpai uses, is the Hidari (left) Jōdan , where the left foot is in front of the right foot, so essentially the foot positions are reversed from normal Chudan position.  Using the posterior right foot to push off when going forwards & the anterior left foot to push off when going backwards.  Otherwise all other elements of footwork remains the same, like heels off the ground using Suriashi sliding steps, maintain inner parallel & the distance between both feet, right foot not overtaking left foot, using the left foot for fumikomi & right foot quickly follow up after strike to run through with Zanshin…etc....
Post a Comment
Read more