Promotion!

[torbjork]

After one of the weirdest promotion tests I've ever had, I'm now 2nd dan in WTF TKD and 1st in KHA HKD!

The test was supposed to start at 2:30pm, the candidates (two others and myself) were there from about 1pm to get the hall ready and warm up. Of course the GM and master were late, so we didn't start until way past 3pm, and then begun the test sitting crosslegged and listening to the GM explain about the political manouvering currently taking place in the WTF and among the myriad hapkido federations. When we were good and stiff, we got up to start the physical part - we first had to spend a few minutes uncramping our hips :D

After we'd demonstrated a number of hapkido self-defense techniques, it was on to taekwondo poomsae, and then breaking - and that was that! Well, except for another session of sitting crosslegged listening to more explanations about what the GM expected of us in the future, and (very constructive) critique on our performance.

I swear, the hardest part was sitting crosslegged for so long (I mean LONG) in a slightly chilly and drafty hall. My hips still creak.

On earlier tests, there's been a lot more of a physical element - kicking drills galore, explaining techniques, doing lots of kibon dongjak, and goodness knows what else. Not this time, it was just self defense application, poomsae and breaking. Plus the sitting and feeling our lower extremities turn to wood, of course.

I'm happy I passed of course, and don't mean to complain - I just thought the procedure was a little odd this time. Anyone else have similar experiences?

[De_Franza]

Can't say I have... but no black belts for me (yet) either.

But let me say CONGRATULATIONS! Raise a glass of glog in celebration! :D :toast:

[torbjork]

Thanks - the gløgg season is over, however, so I'll have single malt instead :cool:

[rjrkihap]

Hi Torbjork,

Congratulations on passing you test(s). Did I understand correctly that you tested for two belts (one in TKD and one in HKD) at the same time?

Ron

[Erik]

Congrats, buddy!

Uffda!

[torbjork]

Hi Torbjork,

Congratulations on passing you test(s). Did I understand correctly that you tested for two belts (one in TKD and one in HKD) at the same time?

Ron
Thanks! Yes, the GM responsible for dan promotions isn't in Norway that often, and we needed to be efficient. Next time they'll probably be separate due to time-in-grade requirements being different. I hope :cool:

Thanks Erik - Not really "uff da,' since I passed :cool: You're familiar with "Red" Stangland's old joke books I take it?

I'm hoping, but can't guarantee, that we'll stick some movie clips from the test on youtube or one of our websites - the other involved parties have to give their consent first.

[Musubi Dojo]

Congrats! :D

[jwinch2]

Congrats! Very nice accomplishment...

[Erik]

Thanks Erik - Not really "uff da,' since I passed :cool: You're familiar with "Red" Stangland's old joke books I take it?
My wife (then girlfriend) and I figured out this meant "something" in Norwegian and we ran around the apartment (when I was living with those guys from Bergen) saying "Uff da! Uff da! Ja ja ja!" just to be silly. No idea what it means. :D

I'd love to see some youtube vids, by the way.

Congratulations and uff da (what's that mean, anyway?)!

[Eliz]

After one of the weirdest promotion tests I've ever had, I'm now 2nd dan in WTF TKD and 1st in KHA HKD!

The test was supposed to start at 2:30pm, the candidates (two others and myself) were there from about 1pm to get the hall ready and warm up. Of course the GM and master were late, so we didn't start until way past 3pm, and then begun the test sitting crosslegged and listening to the GM explain about the political manouvering currently taking place in the WTF and among the myriad hapkido federations. When we were good and stiff, we got up to start the physical part - we first had to spend a few minutes uncramping our hips :D

After we'd demonstrated a number of hapkido self-defense techniques, it was on to taekwondo poomsae, and then breaking - and that was that! Well, except for another session of sitting crosslegged listening to more explanations about what the GM expected of us in the future, and (very constructive) critique on our performance.

I swear, the hardest part was sitting crosslegged for so long (I mean LONG) in a slightly chilly and drafty hall. My hips still creak.

On earlier tests, there's been a lot more of a physical element - kicking drills galore, explaining techniques, doing lots of kibon dongjak, and goodness knows what else. Not this time, it was just self defense application, poomsae and breaking. Plus the sitting and feeling our lower extremities turn to wood, of course.

I'm happy I passed of course, and don't mean to complain - I just thought the procedure was a little odd this time. Anyone else have similar experiences?

Congratulations!!! :yourock:

I am 4th Dan TKD and 3rd Dan HKD, but they are two different schools entirely. The closest my promotional gradings have been is 8 months apart in the same year. That was a hard training year for me. I can't imagine two gradings at one promotional test. I would be bonkers! Hats off to you - that is incredible!

Sitting? Check the age, friend. Sitting is the worst thing I can do. :p

Now, go and celebrate. You earned it. :toast: (an e-toast from me!)

[Jeff Butterworth]

Congratulations

[torbjork]

Congratulations and uff da (what's that mean, anyway?)!
Thanks for the congratulations everyone!

"Uff da" is a very useful term, applicable to commenting on any kind of mishap. Anything from a typing mistake to someone's house being levelled by a mudslide followed by wife leaving them before their boss fires them is covered by "uff da" :D Very norwegian.
"Ja ja" (usually not ja ja ja) normally means that what happened was to be expected - a little similar to the latin sic transit gloria mundi, but also applicable to non-wordly issues. We're a veritable barrel of laughs :cool:

[Erik]

We're a veritable barrel of laughs :cool:
Ja ja... :laugh:

[Jonathan Randall]

Congratulations! :bow:

[X_plosion]

Congratulations to you! :bow:

[De_Franza]

Ja ja... :laugh:

looks like someone learns quickly!