The Take Down

When danger comes upon most people they have that fight or flight mechanism, I however, have always had that fall down to the ground and cover your head mechanism. Being the only girl in my family has helped me practice this over and over as my brothers would scare me. Because of this when it came time to sign up for our annual winter class, my friend and I chose self defense. At first, class was pretty easy, blocks, kicks, strikes, identifying target points and getting away from grabs. Good things to remember, not to awkward to do. However, a few classes into the semester we all watched in wonder as our instructor put down mats and then strapped on a huge chest pad, leg and foot pads, and then put on a head guard with a clear visor. "Is he bringing in someone to fight with and show us what to do?" we wondered. Then he called each of us back, one at a time, for the take down. Imagine walking toward imminent danger, while eight other people are watching your every move. You can hear the instructor's voice as you get closer whispering, "You're just walking along minding your own business. . . . . . " and then bam, he grabs you, and you have to use what you have learned to get away from him. Some of you are probably thinking he isn't really that tough, and that he probably lets you get away. Speaking as a young student who hesitated slightly, and then was picked up, thrown to the ground and pinned, I would beg to differ. Pretty much you have to give it your all, or you're a goner. However, knowing that he isn't easing up on you, makes it even more sweet when you get away, and I must say while it scares me to death, I've thrown him twice and there is no better feeling then that.
The most dramatic moment of class came last week as my friend was going to the mats for the take down. We were all watching intently ready to yell suggestions, or encouragement. However, we were soon screaming in terror as our instructor pulled out a gun. Now obviously, it wasn't real, but our instructor is a man of few words and the gun came out of nowhere. Next he took out his fake knife, and somehow I was the lucky victim. (My weak spot and a knife, not a good mixture.) However, it was a really good learning experience. This class has taught me how not to be a victim, and the simple, most effective ways to get out of bad situations. I highly recommend taking a class like this to everyone. Sadly, this week is the last class and somehow I find myself in a nasty ankle brace (slight running accident). However, I figure hurt people get attacked, so maybe I'll still go and just give him a good eye poking.

The Largest Ice Cream Cone in the World, and The Disappearing Mailbox

I just had to share this delightful ice cream picture with everyone. My family was all together last weekend for a baby blessing and my sister-in-law gave my parents this amazing collage of family pictures all compiled into a poster. She sent all of the family photos to the place and guess which one they chose to enlarge and feature in the middle of that poster? That is right, this baby. The ice cream cone and I are now, as we should be, the pinnacle of all attention. And so of course the first comment out of every person who saw it was, "Whoa, somebody was hungry" and "Did you eat it all?" and so on and so on. Sadly, I must confess I did not eat all of this, not even with the help of two other friends. Perhaps one day, okay let's be honest, probably never. After all it is one huge ice cream cone.
The next most important event, after this ice cream picture of course, is the happy fact that I'm off track. I officially went off track last week, however, I spent most of the week in a math conference. Which makes it very unofficially. Truly, there is something heartwarming and hilarious about sixth grade teachers earnestly searching for new ideas on how to teach their students that 9 to the zero power is 1, and how to decompose a circle into wedges to figure out area. I must admit these are memories I cannot describe adequately. And so tomorrow officially begins my off track. I had decided to go on some little trips, but then I realized life has been crazy. I haven't really been home for months and might need to get caught up on what is going on here.
Let me illustrate how this thoughtful conclusion came to me.
Yesterday I went out to get the mail. To my astonishment, the mailboxes were all gone. My mind tried to grapple with how and where the mailboxes had gone, and then sheepishly I wondered how long they had been gone.
Next, I sat down to watch a movie. Just as I got settled in I heard, "drip, drip, drippy, drip." I could only take it so long until I began a battle with the kitchen faucet. In defeat, I looked at my roommate who calmly said this had been going on for a month. Who knew?
Lastly, as I was putting away my laundry, I noticed my favorite pink, sparkly sock. Sock as in one, that has been there for a year in hopes that I would magically find the other one in the laundry one day. Perhaps I need to clean out my closet. And the more I look around, the more I realize there is a lot to catch up on here. Of course the first thing on my list is a walk around the complex, the mailboxes can't have completely disappeared.