Oh dear.
There is one week before my test to black belt. One week. I feel so nervous. And slightly paranoid. Which is not a goodthing.
I need to practice more. It's bad to say that now. A week isn't much time.
A haiku:
Will I pass the test?
Will I be happy with it?
Will things be the same?
With rank comes responsibilities.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Everything is Illuminated : Review
Everything is Illuminated (2005) was a great movie. It's based on the book by Johnathan Safran Foer of the same title.
Each of the three main characters, Johnathan, Alex and Grandfather all have conflicts. They all are internal conflicts about their identity. The final reveal shows that all three are connected to a village called Trachimbrod.
Alex, is part of the family business of being a tour guide. He has aspirations of being a first class accountant. His issue is an identity crisis. He wants to be an American, but rejects being a tourists. Tourists don't belong places. Alex wants somewhere to belong. Surprisingly, he finds his roots. And chooses to live life as one of the Jewish faith. And at the end, it is revealed that he is the one writing the novel. He's also the translator for Johnathan.
Alexander (Baruch), the grandfather, has retired from the family business of helping Jewish families reunite. But his son begs him to take this tour. So he and his grandson, Alex take Johnathan on a tour. Baruch is "blind". He has shed his past of being a Jew to avoid persecution during the second World War. When he discovers his past, he commits suicide, knowing that he has no more skeletons in the closet.
Johnathan, knew about everyone in his family. Except his grandfather, Safran. So, he goes to Ukraine to meet the woman in the picture with his grandfather. Only to find out that she was killed by the anti-semitic army. But, he meets the sister of the woman, Lista. He discovers the atrocities of the war and how lucky his grandfather was to not have died. Through his journey, he learns so much about his familial past. At the end, he brings the earth of Trachimbrod to his Grandfather's grave to complete the cycle of life.
This movie had so much symbolism in it that even if the movie was watched a hundred times, there would still be more not seen.
8.5/100
Each of the three main characters, Johnathan, Alex and Grandfather all have conflicts. They all are internal conflicts about their identity. The final reveal shows that all three are connected to a village called Trachimbrod.
Alex, is part of the family business of being a tour guide. He has aspirations of being a first class accountant. His issue is an identity crisis. He wants to be an American, but rejects being a tourists. Tourists don't belong places. Alex wants somewhere to belong. Surprisingly, he finds his roots. And chooses to live life as one of the Jewish faith. And at the end, it is revealed that he is the one writing the novel. He's also the translator for Johnathan.
Alexander (Baruch), the grandfather, has retired from the family business of helping Jewish families reunite. But his son begs him to take this tour. So he and his grandson, Alex take Johnathan on a tour. Baruch is "blind". He has shed his past of being a Jew to avoid persecution during the second World War. When he discovers his past, he commits suicide, knowing that he has no more skeletons in the closet.
Johnathan, knew about everyone in his family. Except his grandfather, Safran. So, he goes to Ukraine to meet the woman in the picture with his grandfather. Only to find out that she was killed by the anti-semitic army. But, he meets the sister of the woman, Lista. He discovers the atrocities of the war and how lucky his grandfather was to not have died. Through his journey, he learns so much about his familial past. At the end, he brings the earth of Trachimbrod to his Grandfather's grave to complete the cycle of life.
This movie had so much symbolism in it that even if the movie was watched a hundred times, there would still be more not seen.
8.5/100
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Book Review : Four
I've just finished Four By Veronica Roth. It was strange to re-read Allegiant again from a different point of view. In some ways I prefer Four's point of view over Tris'.
So Four is one part of the whole Divergent trilogy. This book wasn't part of the original three books. Unlike the other three books, this one is told in Four's perspective. In the other three Tris was the narrator. Except for Allegiant where Tris and Four alternated in narration.
This was a nice way to relive the series. Especially after the ending to the series. I wanted Tris to live. But her selfless Abnegation personality caused her to give herself up. So everyone lived. But her...
You need to read the trilogy in order to fully understand what happens in this book. Since all side stories are just side stories. They may or may not make sense without knowing the full back story. So give it a read if you want.
Rate : 6/10
So Four is one part of the whole Divergent trilogy. This book wasn't part of the original three books. Unlike the other three books, this one is told in Four's perspective. In the other three Tris was the narrator. Except for Allegiant where Tris and Four alternated in narration.
This was a nice way to relive the series. Especially after the ending to the series. I wanted Tris to live. But her selfless Abnegation personality caused her to give herself up. So everyone lived. But her...
You need to read the trilogy in order to fully understand what happens in this book. Since all side stories are just side stories. They may or may not make sense without knowing the full back story. So give it a read if you want.
Rate : 6/10
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Of Blogs and Black Belts
AGH. In six weeks, I will be testing for Shodan-Ho. Or at least I should be if I pass the pre-test(s). So, this has led me to my usual frenzy of finding information about whatever topic that I happen to be interested at that time. So, now it's black belt requirements. I've found that different schools have different requiremnts. Despite being of the same type of Karate. Or the same type of Tae Kwon Do, Ju-Jitsu, Judo, etc.
So, I was reading one school's requirements that stated a Godan (5th Degree Black) would only need a total of sixteen years to be eligible. While another school needed thirteen to even be considered for black belt. That's really a huge gap in years. The Godan school seems to have a faster rate of progression than the school with the thirteen years. Mind you, it's minimum years. But still.... That could result in some pretty young Godans. There's nothing wrong with young black belts. To an extent. They should not be owning their own school, or be holding a bajillion-dan black belt. Young, I would define as 30 is too young to be a Roku-Dan (sixth degree.) Maybe even Godan.
Within the school that I attend, 35 is the minimum age needed for Yondan. So, Yondan here may be older on average than some other school. But I do not actually know. Because I don't have a black belt, so I can't be qualified to make judgement about qualifications.
Either way, I hope I will be taking my Shodan Ho (Junior Black Belt) in six weeks and passing it on the first try. And not end up like the poor guy who forgot how to do Seisan halfway through the kata. Everything went downhill for him after that.
And instead of doing my homework, I'm writing this post and reading stuff about black belts. This site is a pretty good site about the philosophies of karate. See here. It's an online magazine called The Shotokan Way.
So, I was reading one school's requirements that stated a Godan (5th Degree Black) would only need a total of sixteen years to be eligible. While another school needed thirteen to even be considered for black belt. That's really a huge gap in years. The Godan school seems to have a faster rate of progression than the school with the thirteen years. Mind you, it's minimum years. But still.... That could result in some pretty young Godans. There's nothing wrong with young black belts. To an extent. They should not be owning their own school, or be holding a bajillion-dan black belt. Young, I would define as 30 is too young to be a Roku-Dan (sixth degree.) Maybe even Godan.
Within the school that I attend, 35 is the minimum age needed for Yondan. So, Yondan here may be older on average than some other school. But I do not actually know. Because I don't have a black belt, so I can't be qualified to make judgement about qualifications.
Either way, I hope I will be taking my Shodan Ho (Junior Black Belt) in six weeks and passing it on the first try. And not end up like the poor guy who forgot how to do Seisan halfway through the kata. Everything went downhill for him after that.
And instead of doing my homework, I'm writing this post and reading stuff about black belts. This site is a pretty good site about the philosophies of karate. See here. It's an online magazine called The Shotokan Way.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
School Should Be This Way
I don't think my idea is revolutionary, but it would be interesting. School should be four weeks long, then a two week break. Then repeat.
For all the teachers and professors, it would allow them to teach things in one block at a time. There would be no odd weeks with only one or two days. So, it would be more convenient.
As for the breaks, having too long of a break can be boring for students. Also, two weeks is enough for everyone to recharge.
This method would result in less school days per year for some districts. But it would allow for schools to have major off site trips for the students without the hassle of missing class.
It sounds great. I don't know how it would actually work. But it isn't bad of an idea. The current way that school is set up revolves around the old planting and harvesting schedules. Most families don't live on farms anymore. So why not be modern?
For all the teachers and professors, it would allow them to teach things in one block at a time. There would be no odd weeks with only one or two days. So, it would be more convenient.
As for the breaks, having too long of a break can be boring for students. Also, two weeks is enough for everyone to recharge.
This method would result in less school days per year for some districts. But it would allow for schools to have major off site trips for the students without the hassle of missing class.
It sounds great. I don't know how it would actually work. But it isn't bad of an idea. The current way that school is set up revolves around the old planting and harvesting schedules. Most families don't live on farms anymore. So why not be modern?
Monday, July 28, 2014
Free
At what point does a free item become not worth it to receive?
If it takes a tremendous effort, like hiking ten miles to receive a free television, would you do it? I personally wouldn't.
What about buying an expensive item? If it is a value for it's price, I would buy it. There was a study done on the longevity of clothing. The results found that buying expensive clothes was actually cheaper than the cheap articles of clothing.
What about if store A sold cereal for $5.50; whereas store B sold the same one for $5.80? Store A sounds better.
Let's say that store A required a ten mile drive. Store B was a half block walk? How about now? Store B sounds better due to the cost of gas is way more than $0.30.
So the overall idea is that : Do the cost of time and travel justify the savings of the product in the long run?
If it takes a tremendous effort, like hiking ten miles to receive a free television, would you do it? I personally wouldn't.
What about buying an expensive item? If it is a value for it's price, I would buy it. There was a study done on the longevity of clothing. The results found that buying expensive clothes was actually cheaper than the cheap articles of clothing.
What about if store A sold cereal for $5.50; whereas store B sold the same one for $5.80? Store A sounds better.
Let's say that store A required a ten mile drive. Store B was a half block walk? How about now? Store B sounds better due to the cost of gas is way more than $0.30.
So the overall idea is that : Do the cost of time and travel justify the savings of the product in the long run?
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Voicing Thoughts
When is it okay to voice our opinions out loud?
If we do, should it be constructive criticism or outright slamming or shaming of the other person? Or do we just imply our thoughts?
Usually, when our thoughts are positive, we don't give a second thought about it. But if it's negative, people may hesitate.
Personally, I would like for people to be honest and tell me the truth. But not to the extent of saying negative things about me for their pleasure.
So, sharing our opinions is a good thing. But we must be considerate.
If we do, should it be constructive criticism or outright slamming or shaming of the other person? Or do we just imply our thoughts?
Usually, when our thoughts are positive, we don't give a second thought about it. But if it's negative, people may hesitate.
Personally, I would like for people to be honest and tell me the truth. But not to the extent of saying negative things about me for their pleasure.
So, sharing our opinions is a good thing. But we must be considerate.
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