"It always looks darkest just before it gets totally black."
A quote by Charlie Brown that leapt out at me as a neat segue into my topic which is that I just passed my 3rd Kyu grading in Shotokan and earned my brown belt.
When I started I found it hard to imagine I'd ever make it to green or purple. I think I'm beyond that kind of thinking now, even about the black belt. The combinations get harder, you're expected to show more spirit, but this seems to be largely a matter of determination and practice. I enjoy karate and, within the constraints of my body, I want to do it.
Once again I single out my instructor, Sensei Richard Hughes of TVSK, to thank him for his patient tutelage and for running friendly, and convenient, clubs.
Congratulations to everyone else who passed too :) We all worked pretty hard on the day and man was it hot!
Now I start learning Bassai Dai which, despite looking harder, I cannot imagine enjoying less than Tekki Shodan.
Onwards and upwards!