2 1/2 years and 50 Posts later- what have I learned?

To start, I have learned I need to make more sensible resolutions, like finding a job so I can continue to pay for class, and working on what has become a muscular-puffy midsection. My body seems to keep reminding me I'm not ten. I know not to cheat on penalty push-ups, but gravity says otherwise. Monday we did 50 in succession. When I was a bitty gymnast, I could easily do that, but then again, I was 10 and weighed 60 pounds. Ah, the good ol' days.

I have learned that there are some things I cannot change- bratty children, the amount of bratty children, time and space restraints- all of which can affect my ability to be ranked at any one time without actually concerning my ability at all.

I have learned that no matter how I keep my interest in Japanese culture lowered, some freak always emerges and reminds me why it's become so uncool. And not children- adults- sink their money into what they perceive is a culture with all the answers only to end up with a whole lot of garbled information, trickets they don't understand, and an unattainable dream of becoming Japanese.

I have also learned that, no matter what, I will lose something important I need for class. It happens whether I check my bag before leaving or not.

I think we've all learned collectively that the ability to catalyze change is next to impossible. Like correcting kids on their Japanese pronunciation. There is a kata called Honto no Inochi... which kids constant say "han-toe no nocky"- I dunno where they got that from- it's not even close, but heaven help you if you try to point out it's wrong. And the bowing to sensei as they come in and leave? They still don't have that one.

I've also learned there is a double-standard for kids who have sane parents, and kids who have psycho parents. The latter are always the first in their rank to get promoted, whether they deserve to or not. And then, when they sit at a rank for a while because they could care less about coming in the first place, their parents will start asking questions like "Is he going to get promoted soon?" blah, blah, blah. These are the same parents who make their kids stay after class to get help even though they don't need to, and it cuts into aiki class. And of course, kids learn this behavior and think it's acceptable. Dumb parents.

Lastly, I have learned a dog does in fact have buddha-nature. My dog has never entered a martial arts buildign and yet, when driven by the promise of food, can do a perfect armbar.