Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Nunchucks Nana

On my last post, several people commented about my learning nunchucks. If you want to know more about that, you might enjoy this guest post I wrote for Barbara Torris at Retire in Style.

When I tell people I have a black belt in taekwondo, they are, not surprisingly, surprised! I just turned 60 and I’m a grandmother twice over. My hair is gray and my skin has seen better times. And yet, there I am, out there kicking and yelling with people much less than half my age. And loving it.

Not a grandmotherly hobby. The joke in my family is that my grandchildren will not remember me baking cookies in the kitchen. They will remember me heading out the door in my black belt uniform with my nunchucks. (Nunchucks are martial arts weapons consisting of two sticks joined by a chain.)

How did this come about? Click here to read the rest.

20 comments:

  1. I just know they'll remember you well!

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    1. Karen, Well, they'll remember me...I hope well!

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  2. I love the visual of your swinging those nun chucks. Vidur attended karate class for three years but did not enjoy the sparring or the constant beating his Sensei seemed to enjoy dishing out to the kids :D The katas were fine. He quit just as soon as they started learning to wield the nun chucks and we have the pair at home :-) Pretty painful when they swing it and it knocks the back of the head.

    :-) Would love to see a photo of you in action! Hugs! Galen!

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    1. Vidya, That's too bad. You really have to find a good match. I like the katas, too. The sparring makes me nervous, but I'm in a women's sparring class now that I like a lot. My nunchucks are padded, so when I clunk myself it's not quite so bad. If you really want to see me in action, email me and I will send you a short video that my teacher took of me. You will quickly see I'm just a beginner!

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  3. You go - you are being a wonderful example to your grandchildren....I have told my grown children that when someday they have children I want to be called Gigi...

    thanks for sharing,
    Nancy

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    1. Gigi! That's great. My sister's grandchildren call her Suzie. I like being Nana. Thanks for commenting.

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  4. OMG how awesome are you?! I keep seeing you swinging those nunchucks around and taking out a bunch of bad guys all in one fell swoop! LOL Oh, and they'll remember you alright! Indeed they will. I bet you'll be known as the cool grandma!

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    1. Ha! Just like Bruce Lee! Well, only if the bad guys are 100 years old using walkers! Thanks for commenting.

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  5. Stacia, Welcome! Thanks for following. I will come visit you right now.

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  6. Nominated you for the sunshine award! http://healnowandforever.net/2012/04/26/shiny-happy-bloggers-holding-hands/ Come take a look!

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  7. I love the sense of confidence you've garnered through martial arts practice. It's encouraging to know that you weren't very active before you engaged with the practice. There may be hope for me! Naturally, I appreciate how it refreshes your mind too. Great story.

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    1. Sandra, Yes, there is hope for all of us! If I can do this anyone can. Thanks for your comment.

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  8. Wonderful post. I need to follow your example. My grandchildren will always remember me in the kitchen. I need to add some more interesting activities for them to remember.
    Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. Bonnie, When you think about what matters to kids, I'm guessing our grandchildren will have much happier memories of us in the kitchen full of good smells and good food than swinging nunchucks. Certainly when I think back to my childhood, the smell of my mom's chocolate chip cookies baking ranks high! Thanks for commenting.

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  9. Galen Pearl, you are such an inspiration!! I turn 49 next month and you are such a great example that it is never too late to set goals. Blessings to you!

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    1. Alida, You're still a young'un! You could have your second degree black belt by the time you're my age! I think even more than having goals, the point is that we can do what interests us have gives us some fun. Thanks for commenting.

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  10. You go, Girl! I love your attitude and your writing style! I read your guest post - that's what got me here. now following you!
    Hugs, GraceinAZ

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