Kendo

If it weren't for kendo, I'd probably have put on a lot of weight this summer. I was pretty active when I was in Torreon...trying to make it to the gym at least twice a week for tae bo or dance class. I brought all my work out clothes with me this summer, thinking I would go jogging (ha! yeah right! what was I thinking?!) or go to the gym while K was at work. Well, blame it on the super humid Kentucky weather, the expensive gym pass or just plain laziness (probably the biggest cause), I didn't do that much working out. To be precise, I went to the gym twice and never went for a run.

Thank goodness for kendo practice. I started kendo while in Japan and have been doing it off and on (more off than on) for about 4 years. The last time I had practiced was my 追い出し稽古 (farewell practice) at U of T. It had been a year since I picked up a shinai, but since K was teaching twice a week, he suggested bringing my bogu so I could practice with them. Well, it turned out to be more than just that. In addition to the regular twice a week practices with the Louisville Club, I went to the US Federation Summer Camp in Cleveland and a special practice in Indianapolis too. Who knew that this would be my summer to practice with some of the best kendoka in Japan! As much as I avoid and dread practices sometimes (and watch the clock SLOWLY tick by during practice) I really do enjoy kendo. When I don't do it and am just watching, it makes me antsy to get out there and participate. Of course, the going out for drinks and yummy food after practice is always an incentive to go to practice (and every organization that I've practiced with here loves a good drink/meal after practice!) So I'm glad I got to do so much of it this summer, and I regret not bringing my stuff to Toronto to practice there as well (next time, I promise I will bring my bogu!)

Today is my last practice with the Louisville Kendo Club since I leave on Saturday. I've been sitting on my ass all day doing nothing, so I'm excited about going out and doing something physical. Even if it means getting beaten up and exhausted in 10 minutes.