Thursday 31 December 2015

おみそか

Today is New Year's Eve. Here in Okinawa/ Japan it is a big day. Everyone has to eat soba with their families. The long noodles symbolise living a long life. 
It's a day where families Come together and spend time together.
I'm so lucky- Hisano and James invited me to thier families house.  Not family but they made me feel like it. They are so so kind here. 
James and I went running this morning. We went a longer route. It was tough. Tokashiki will be hard. I'm not sure if I will be able to do it in a hour. I will give it my best shot but I just don't know if i can run it fast enough!
Here's the soba that Hisano's mum made - was really good! 
She made all this food too- oishee! 
And then we even got home made cake! 
Then I facetimed everyone- Sensei, brothers, dad. 
Messaged the other people and got the cutest picture of this little boy. 
I am so so proud of him and so lucky to be able to say I'm his auntie. He is a very special little boy and I love him to the moon and back. 
He is my favourite elf on the planet. Obviously. 
Drinks are a go! 
Tonight is a naihanchi night. 
Tomorrow we are going to the shrine with Sensei and we are going to do karate. What better way to kick off 2016... 

Tuesday 29 December 2015

My rescued flower

James and I went to a new 'angry house' the other day. 
It isn't actually called angry house, it's called 'agri- agricultural house' but because there was this one day where I was having a really bad day so I went to James' house and he suggests I ride my bike to agri house- to get a pineapple and to cheer up a bit. I so thought he was sending me to the angry house- for being angry and grumpy. Ever since then it's been angry house to us. 
At this angry house though I found a cauliflower - I love cauliflower cheese! And this poor looking Christmas cactus that had just one flower on it for ¥400. 
It was cheap, probably because it was all lonely and not the healthiest. So I rescued it. Now I need to take care of it and bring it back to life. 
I bought it a new pot and some stones to hold the water. Now it lives on the kitchen table in the warm and sun. Seems to like it because today we have more flowers! 
So far, so good. 

I've had a Christmas cactus in every home I've lived in now. Isn't that strange?!! 

Last karate training of the year...

Well, what can I say. 2015 has been a year I'll never forget. 
I've been happier than I've ever been but I've also felt sadness, fear and pain like never before. Good and bad come together but overall I am very very happy here. 
Training, my dojo mates and senpai have been there and I've had to go no matter the situation.
When happy we train, when sad we train, when we're in pain, we train. Simply- no excuses. Train. 
It helps. 
We clean the dojo together after every training but tonight, being the last session of the year we trained but then we all spent half an hour really cleaning the dojo. 
When I was cleaning it was kind of emotional, a lot has happened on that wooden floor this year. 
We trained for competitions, we had visitors, friends and family from all around the world train with us, I dislocated my thumb, we hurt- a lot! We sweated- a lot! we laughed - a lot!  
What I love about this cleaning we do- and all the cleaning we do- everyone helps. 
White belt, black belt, young or old- we all do it. Together. Happily. 
Then we all sit down and eat ice cream together. These people have become family. We're one big crazy, but happy family. 
2016 will be a good year, as long as we can keep doing what makes us happy. 

Monday 28 December 2015

Boxing Day.

Today we have work. 
Before that though, it's Saturday and we have karate training. 
The strangest thing happened- I was only saying yesterday how it would be super cool to try the kusanku bunkai - recently we have been working on the shiro matsu no kon bo bunkai- that is very cool- albeit a little scary- we have come very close to hitting each other hard around the head with the bo!! 
So I go to training today and we are practicing everything and we did a bit of the bo. Then Sensei said he wanted us to do kusanku - 'hai Sensei'
Then he says kusanku bunkai- James looked a bit surprised too! 
How did Sensei know that that's what I wanted to do. It's all a bit creepy!! 
So after training we have laundry to do. Today is bedsheets and dogi. 
Jeff got thrown in too ;) 
I made ninjin shiri shiri too- one of my favourite champuru okinawan dishes. 'Ninjin' is a carrot and apparently 'shiri shiri' is the sound the grater makes when you grate the carrot! 
So basically it's grated carrot stir fried in sesame oil - sometimes with onions and other veg/ spam, salt, pepper and some 'hon dashi' which is powder stock. Then once it's cooked a bit you add eggs and let them cook too. Then tada, ninjin shiri shiri. 
Way more successful than my Goya champuru attempt
Tonight, one of our friends from miyako- jima brought us some omiyagi - it was purple potato cream break. So oishee! 
Coffee and purple bread for breakfast will get me up and running ;) 



Sunday 27 December 2015

Christmas!

 This was something I wasn't looking forward to. Christmas has never been the best time- usually stressful and tense or lonely and working. 
However this year that was going to change. 
The first good thing was that we decided to close the bar in the end because of the karate demonstration in the evening. Then James said we would do dinner at his house. He bought the chicken and veg and I bought all the accessories! 
We cooked everything at the bar in the morning and then ate at lunchtime. 
We even did Christmas crackers. It's the little things... 
James came back with the most amazing coffee for me from the man across the road that grinds and roasts it himself too. 
Then we all watched elf together followed by avengers and karate practice for the evening. 
The demonstration was fun. I so thought James was going to kick me in the head when we did the wood breaking part too! 
 We found Santa. Then went back to James' to do Christmas pudding and custard. I don't even like Christmas pudding but setting it on fire is traditional and who doesn't like custard?!
Got home and facetimed dad. 
Perfect end to a really great day. 
It was a relaxed happy time with good food, good company, great karate. Couldn't ask for more. 
Just when I was expecting a crap Christmas, the opposite happens. 
Not because incredible things happened because it was just a normal kind of day, but because the people I'm around here really care and that really shows. 
Turns out that mr grinch, really isn't such a grinch after all... 
:) 


Sunday 20 December 2015

Karate Masters Shoot!!

So Friday was the day that James, Chris, Yuki and I went and visited two Amazong Sensei on Okinawa to shoot them for the karate masters project. 
In the morning James and I went running at 6.30am- a early and cold but good start! 
Then I went home for a shower and then met James at the bar. From there we went south to go and visit Nobuko Oshiro- the highest ranking female karateka in Okinawa. She is a 8th Dan in Shorin Ryu karate and is simply incredible. She is so welcoming and kind and gives off the grandma feel! Yet she performed the most impressive kata I've seen a lady do, so far. 
She took us for lunch to a really great little herb cafe with all locally grown fruits and veg- really great and healthy food. after that we went with her and her husband back to the dojo where we photographed them together and then onto the sugar cane field to get some pictures for the 'beyond the dojo' part of the project. 
The dojo was beautiful and had everything any karateka could ever need or want to aid training. I could spend hours there having a great time. In particular I really liked the way they store their sai!! 

I really really like this lady- she is a different kind of karate inspiration to me. The guys are amazing but this is different. 

In the afternoon we went to see Takamiyagi Sensei. He does Chinese Kung fu and shuri te. He gave me mikan so we're friends!! 
We went for dinner to the Greek food place together- he had never been there so it was nice for him to try new foods, I think he liked it! (Or at least he pretended well!) 


Then we went to work. We were late but hey, I was with the boss so no worries! 

We're all getting a cold- was bound to happen eventually but one by one, everyone's sniffling and sneezing everywhere. Let's see what happens this week! 


Wednesday 16 December 2015

Wakayama- day 3

Today we got up at 7.30, we went for breakfast at 8.30 and met Aya- San who sorted this whole trip for us, along with sensei's brother. 
They sorted such a brilliant trip for us, it was above and beyond. 
We had breakfast together and then we went to the largest waterfall in Japan. 'Nitchi falls'. It was beautiful- as was the shrine. Literally like something from a movie. 
After that we got to walk all the way down to the base of the falls. It's seen as a sacred place. 
They burn incense and wood. 
Lots of people pray here. 
And there is the most beautiful trees lining the path, it was stunning. 
After this we go for lunch together. I had tuna curry. Surprisingly tasty! 
After this we go to a onsen for your feet! 
Now we are making the long drive back to the airport. It has been a action packed three days with some memories I won't forget. 
I'll do another post with a link to my video when I make it and the pics off james' camera.
Really really amazing experience. 

Tuesday 15 December 2015

Karate masters- 22 to go!

So I've worked out that I have just 22 (of 58) more signatures I need to get for my karate portraits book. 
When I have finished I will do a giant blog post with every single signature and the story behind each one. My plan is to finish before the end of 2016. 
From the 34 signatures I have so far, here are some of my highlights: 

Number 1- My Sensei: Arakaki Sensei. This one is special for obvious reasons. 
Sensei has helped me change my life, he has such a kind heart and is such a inspiration to me. 
Work hard, play hard and always do your best. 


Number 2- Higaonna Sensei. 
The reason this one is so special is because it was probably one of the most difficult to get! 
I got to experience Goju Ryu for the first time with Higaonna Sensei and Seneha Sensei and got them both to sign my book. 
What a brilliant way to try Goju Ryu for the first time. Unforgettable. 

Number 3- Sakumoto Sensei. This is the Japanese national team coach. He is probably the best sports kata teacher in the world- His students become the world champions! Very cool!!!! 

Number 4- Shinjo Sensei- there are two Shinjo sensei's and they were both great but the reason I Shinjo Sensei senior was memorable is because he took the time to sit down with me and sign my book and tell me that as long as I love karate i should put everything I have into it. He said simply to keep training and everything will happen he told me to always have a kind heart. For one of the scariest looking guys in the book he was just the nicest man. 
He gave me some fantastic life advice. 

Number 5- Nakamoto Sensei and his karate museum. I went to visit him and he got his son to sign my book and gave me a tour of his Kobudo museum. A really interesting day and a very kind man. 

Every page I get signed is making this book more special. The stories behind every single signature is different but they are all very memorable in their own way.  

I can't leave the island until I've completed what I started. 

I can imagine me when I'm older and hopefully teaching In my own small dojo somewhere, showing my students this book and explaining each Sensei and their importance in the karate world and keeping traditional okinawan karate alive. 

Being able to say I have met almost every one of them will be a pretty incredible thing. 

Wakayama- day 2

I woke up around 8.40 today, feeling very sick from the night of shochu (Japanese sake) and 'slats'. I've never drunk shochu before and didn't realise the hangover was so bad. Awamori doesn't do that! 
So, then we get picked up and go to see a beautiful shrine before karate training. 
I have lots of pictures of this place, it was bigger than the shrines in Okinawa, and was very beautiful. 
There were a few smaller shrines off the bigger one which was very cool. 
And there was a brilliant carving of this guy. He was a famous samurai. It looks like he could be doing a move from a karate kata, even though he is doing Kobudo. It's all connected and very cool. 
After this we go to karate. The students were grading for grades from 4th kyu to 2nd kyu. Morimoto- San got his 2nd kyu. His karate is really good. All their karate was really really good. For the time they've been practicing and their situations they are great. 
So far this is the only picture I have. I'll add more. 
Then we had the absolute privilege of a personal eisa show from these guys. They are really amazing at eisa. They let me wear the costume and try and join them. I'm in the middle in the sky blue. 
It was a incredible experience, and most definitely something I won't forget. 
Eisa is something I've wanted to do ever since my first trip to Okinawa and so this was a highlight for me. 
Then it was time for dinner, we had a nabe which is a traditional mainland Japanese way of cooking, you have a little stove at the table and a pot you simmer all the food in stock to cook it. It was really great. Lots of fish and pork- and pizza! something for everyone. These guys really did everything so well for us. 
 This was the nabe food, pork and vegetables. It was good. 
Then we went back to the hotel just in time for a quick dip in the onsen before bed. Perfect way to warm up. 
What a brilliant day. A sharing and showing of very good karate, eisa that was perfect and a new 'family' dinner. These guys have taken the Okinawa spirit to the mainland and are truly using 'icheriba chode'- once we meet, we are family. 
I don't think anyone will ever truly understand how much karate has turned my life around. 
松林流 空手道

Sunday 13 December 2015

Wakayama - Day 1

Since we arrived we've been treated like royalty- it's incredible. 
We got to the airport and we were picked up in a nice mini bus- we drove for around a hour to a beautiful temple where we left the bus and took smaller cars up 'Mikan Yama' (orange mountain!) I've never seen so many orange trees in my life- they were so cool!! 
We pick over 200 Mikan and eat lots too! We had to check each tree before we decided we liked those Mikan! 
The view from Mikan mountain. 
This was a good tree. The small Mikan are the best. 
After this we went back to the temple where we ate lunch, for a fish bento it wasn't that bad! 
And considering it was called 'Matsubayashi' it can't be bad eh ;) 
This was where we had lunch. Those trees are just amazing. 
This was lunch. It's a fish, but a Matsubayashi fish, can't be bad, right? Let's see inside.... 
We've got rice and sashimi and tempura and some other unknown items. Rice is good. Tempuras good. Miso shio is good. This might be okay. :) 
After lunch we get back in the car and start the drive to wakayama where Sensei's  brother lives.
We stopped on the way at 'Yaho' point. Not sure why it's here but I can research! 
This picture doesn't do it any justice! The mountains lined with trees in all the colours were amazing!! 
We get to the hotel and there's a onsen! It's my first time in a onsen- after you get past the whole naked thing it's great! 
Sitting outside in this natural hot water and looking up at the stars is something I won't forget in a long long time. 
Then we go for dinner. This could be difficult! It appears we just have lots of raw things! :/ 
However there is a Mikan and they give us lots of shochu (Japanese sake) - never drunk it before, it's not my favourite but it's better than the raw fish. 
There were snails too. Right there at the front. 
After eating rice we go to the massage chairs and use the two best vending machines I've seen here yet! The ice cream one and the alcohol one!! 
We decide to sit in the massage chair and drink some 'Slats' (what a name eh!) and eat ice cream. 
I think James liked his slat ;) 
Eventually we make it to our rooms and bed. I drank too much alcohol. But it was fun. 
This day has been amazing. A day of new experiences, and learning! 
The people here and the kindness they have shown us already is just so touching. It makes me emotional because I've never met these people and yet they have been so kind and welcoming. I suppose it's humans at their best, something so rare but so special when you are a part of it. 


Thursday 10 December 2015

2nd kyu... 2 years on...

Two years ago today I got my 2nd kyu. I remember getting the belt and it literally just fitting me- it was the biggest belt- 320cm. 
I remember seeing this picture and deciding that something had to change. I was 21 and 117kg. 
2 weeks later I had finally got the courage to go and join fat club all by myself. 
It was one of the scariest things I've ever done but one of the best decisions I've ever made. 
Within a year I had gone from 117kg to 80kg. I lost 37kg and dropped 5 dress sizes. 
All of it was because I knew we were coming to Okinawa (at the time just for a trip!) and I knew I would be getting another shureido gi and for the first time in my life I wanted to get the correct dogi for my height and a belt to fit me with no worries. 
I wanted to be fitter and healthier my asthma was getting to the point that it was affecting daily life, I was on super high doses of inhaled steroids as well as weeks of oral steroids for flare ups that were happening more and more often. 
I gave myself type 2 diabetes and spent months bordering between diabetic and borderline. I had to change before I killed myself. 
Karate and Okinawa were my goals... 
2 years on I'm living in Okinawa. I fluctuate between 72/ 76kg. I'm still chunky but chunky isn't fat. 
Diabetes/ borderline is a distant memory. My asthma is better controlled, unfortunately it's something I'll probably be on inhalers for life, but it's better than it was. 
My dogi is a size 4- previously a size 8. 
And my belt I'm wearing in the picture is 295cm- it goes round twice with some nice ends now! ;) 

Life's changed, at the time it felt like such a huge and daunting thing to do but the biggest thing I learned the whole way through was that small consistent steps are all that's needed. 
I'm not there yet but you never give up ;) 
決して諦めない。