And thus my term break draws to a close. I leave for KL after lunch, and it's back to ready myself for the return to the grinding stone. In retrospect, I think I've done quite a bit this break. I didn't do what I wanted to (like building a longbow), but I did get other things done.
I painted the doors in the house - all 8 of them. By the time I got to the sixth door, I felt like I could just collapse and sleep. If it wasn't for my grandma's encouragement (my parents think she spoils me), and my dad's coffee, I'd have left the doors half painted and went to sleep. Totally changed my perception of painting. I have to say, I've now got a new-found respect for painters.
I also finally decided to write a nice letter to both my host mom and teacher in Japan. It's been quite a while they've heard from me. Also included some curry paste and bak kut teh sachets which they quite seem to enjoy. I quite suck at keeping in touch, and if it wasn't for the incessant nagging reminders from my mother, I'd never have gotten around to it.
Last break, I joined this group of old folks at a nearby park for Taiji - just curious as to how tough this whole slo-mo old people's exercise actually is.
I got my feisty ass whooped in slo-mo. This thing is no joke, I tell you.
Can you do a front kick? Yes? Good. Now try doing it reeeeaaaaally slowly, like at 46 bpm (click here for a metronome).
The style I picked up is called Chen style (陈式), and is the parent form for Yang (杨), Wu(武), Wu(吴), and Sun(孙) style taiji. This style of taiji, although given it's prestige as a parent form, is one of the least practised style of all five schools. Unlike the other four schools, the Chen style alternates in rhythm - vigorous at some points, gentle at some points. Unique to this style is also fajin (发劲) - a quick power burst action, which is, I think, never seen in other styles.
Well, I never finished learning the set last break, so I rejoined them the moment I got back. I still haven't finished learning the set, having only learnt 24 out of the 83 moves, but I've made pretty decent progress.
Yeah. *Pats self on the back* Time to take my last nap before the term starts. Ciao.
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