Orange belt, here I come!
Posted by Kimchee, May 29 2008, 07:24 PM
I got my test application today for next week's promotion test. I'm really excited about it, although I managed to sprain my knee last week. Grrr. Unfortunately I don't have a cool story to go along with my injury. Sadly, it happened when I got up in the middle of the night to go pee. Stupid 64 oz. of water. I curse you! The doctor says it probably will be at least 2 weeks until I notice much improvement. In the meantime, I'm sucking it up - pain is only temporary, right?
Wish me luck! Test is next Wednesday...
Are you ready, Grasshopper?
Posted by Kimchee, Apr 9 2008, 09:21 AM
We have our first TKD test tonight! All 3 of us will be testing for yellow belt - even Lil K! She's been doing great. There's actually quite a bit of stuff that she needs to know. I think she's still not completely excited about doing it, but she does have moments when I'll catch her doing her moves when she thinks no one is watching. I'm hoping that it's starting to grow on her more. Last night she told me that she misses Mr. Teon (her old TKD instructor). I think it's because the class was full of 3-5 year olds and they did more running around than actual TKD stuff.
Anyway, wish us all luck!
"It's all about the belt, Jerry."
I did it!
Posted by Kimchee, Mar 30 2008, 10:20 AM
I JUST finished Book 7 of Harry Potter.
I'm not saying anything else about it, but I know a few of you had asked me how my reading was going. DONE! 
We're soon to be "crossing the pond"!
Posted by Kimchee, Mar 25 2008, 10:00 AM
Is that how that saying goes? I just found out yesterday that Mr. K is definitely headed to the UK for a couple of days next month to meet with a customer. Of course we're taking advantage of that - Lil K and I will be tagging along for the week. We're still working out the logistics. We're not completely sure where the work is to be done, so we're holding off on making any travel arrangements.
I'm really excited. I've never been to Europe before. We'll only have 3 full days in London, so I welcome any advice and suggestions on the "not to miss" list. We will have the kid in tow, who will be 5 then, so keep that in mind if you are offering any suggestions.
I feel like quite the jet-setter. Just got back from San Diego, headed to NYC in a couple of weeks, followed by a week in the UK, only to turn around a day or two later (depending on when I get home) to fly to Toronto. BTW - I really don't like traveling. Let me rephrase. I like being in the place I'm headed, I just hate the "getting there" part. This last flight was so turbulent I was nauseous for the rest of the evening after getting home. I know that everything will be fine, but all of these flights are really making my fear of flying phobias resurface.
So let me get back to focusing on the positive. What kinds of fun things should we not miss in the London area? I'm pretty sure we'll just be staying at the Marriott, unless anyone has a place they highly recommend. Since our trip will more than likely involve stays in 2 different cities (one possibly being Menwith Hill), do you think we should use a travel agent that knows the UK? We'll have to rent a car - is there anything special we need to do (other than making sure we drive on the wrong side of the road - HAHA!)?
So many questions - but hopefully we'll have a lot of fun.
Move over, Amelia!
Posted by Kimchee, Mar 22 2008, 08:58 AM
Yup - so I did it! I got to fly a bi-plane. It was SOOOO cool.
Here's the link to some pictures (I can never figure out how to just post here):
Biplane Pics
I had Mr. K take pictures while he was up. I did not want to be responsible for that while I was trying to fly. Anyone that knows me knows that I'm somewhat clumsy. Something bad would've happened, I'm sure. It was an absolutely beautiful day! The sky was clear and not too windy. The pilot did the hard part (taking off and landing). Once we were up about 1400 feet, I got to take control of the stick. I did some turns and dips. I felt just like I was on a roller coaster. We flew up the coastline over some really nice homes. There were also quite a few surfers out as well. I have no idea what city we were flying over, but the airport was in Carlsbad, if anyone is familiar with the area.
We didn't do any flips or anything crazy like that. I asked, but they told me no. 
It was really a lot of fun. So peaceful and relaxing. I loved it!!
My feet hurt...
Posted by Kimchee, Mar 18 2008, 01:07 AM
Ug - such a long day! I'm currently attending a conference in sunny San Diego - I started at 8:00 this morning and just got back to my room (about 11:00 PM). On my feet the whole time.....yowtchie. Although I have probably the best shoes ever, my feet are still killing me. Two more days to go.
Highlight of the day - got to go on board the USS Midway. It's an aircraft carrier than had lots of airplanes and helicopters on board for us to see. I got to ride in a flight simulator and shoot at things. Super cool. They were also giving us free food and drinks. YAHOO!! Happy St. Patty's Day!
I'll be manning out booth again first thing in the morning but I'm bailing out early. Story has it, I'll be flying a bi-plane. I'll update more and let you know if that's actually a true statement. 
Thinking of a career change
Posted by Kimchee, Mar 6 2008, 10:06 AM
I'm having a dilemma. Maybe it's a mid-life crisis. Whatever it is, I'm in a total rut work-wise. I've been doing pretty much the same job for the last 10 years and I'm bored. I'm looking for something that will make me excited to go to work. There was a time when I loved what I was doing, but no more. There are two major reasons for why I am still at my job:
1) I have great benefits. I work 25 hours a week, from home, and I get full benefits. Health, dental, vacation/holidays, 401K, etc.
2) I have no idea what I want to do with my life.
I know I should just suck it up and stay here because most employers won't offer me what I have at my current job. On the flipside, I guess I don't really know what might be offered since I haven't even tried to explore my options. Actually, that's not true. I did interview with one company, but they are a start-up and don't have funding available for a sales rep just yet. Although I'd LOVE to work with them, my feelings aren't hurt. I'm not even sure that I want to stay in sales.
Right now I sell a COTS ALM product to the Federal Govt. It's really nothing exciting. Very boring to me, truth be told. I'm completely unfulfilled, but it's a steady job. Because I'm in this rut, I feel like the only thing I'm capable of doing is more of the same. If that's the case, just shoot me in the head.
I thought about trying to find something with a non-profit, something in the healthcare industry, being an admin somewhere, medical billing, transcriptionist, (enter in whatever list of careers from the correspondence school ads).
I know there is no such thing as the "dream job", but I'd like to try and find some middle ground. Sometimes the paycheck just isn't enough. Bleck. Guess I'll spend some time today searching the 'net to get some ideas.
Somebody's reading my blog...
Posted by Kimchee, Mar 4 2008, 08:58 AM
There were some new faces at TKD last night! I'd like to think that the guy and his son are 'onians and they came to the studio based on my recommendation. It's highly unlikely, but I can pretend. The class was pretty full last night! We did lots of kicking drills. The instructor was explaining how we were to kick the pad and he had the guy in front of me demonstrate. I was second in line and I guess I was supposed to just "demo" using the other leg but I wasn't paying attention and kicked as hard as I could (like during the drill). He looked at me and asked if I was mad at him. HA HA!
Lil K did pretty well and hung through most of the class. She doesn't like working on forms very much, she thinks it's boring. As soon as they broke the pads out, she was all about that.
At some point I know I'm going to have to supplement my workouts with other exercise. TKD 3 times a week is great, but I'm not really losing any weight yet. I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with my dietary habits. 
At least if I keep up my TKD, I can learn to kick someone's ass for calling me fat.
Hi-YAH!!!
Posted by Kimchee, Feb 28 2008, 11:56 AM
So I'm finishing up my first month of Tae Kwon Do and I still LOVE it! Don't get me wrong, I'm in more pain (muscle aches) more often than not, but I'm having so much fun. It's been a really long time since I've been so excited about something and actually can't wait to get back in the gym. Since I started, I did have a week where I only went once instead of three times due to illness. I was really bummed about it too. Mr. K has been sick for about a week now, so he's not been able to go, so the last couple of classes I was the only one representing the Kimchees.
I'm still the only one in the Tuesday night class. I'm definitely not complaining. I'm getting personal instruction and it's really helping me progress. Master Park and the other Masters are so great to work with. Not scary at all, but definitely picky when it comes to form. That's the way it should be. Master Park says I'm picking things up really quickly, so Tuesday night he had me doing the side kicks that the yellow belts do.
If anyone has thought about taking up TKD, they do offer different intro memberships as well - lasting a week or a month. I think their promotion ends tomorrow, which is 55% off when you sign up for a 12 month membership. Tuesday night classes get lonely - it might be fun to have another 'onian in there with me. Of course that could also be a way for the Kimchee haters to get in and spar with me.
I'm going again tonight. Not sure if Lil K will be working out with me or not. The family classes are great in that you can work out with your kids, but I think she's actually preferring the classes that are kids only. They seem to be a slower pace and a little more playful. They still expect a lot from the kids (listening and focusing) but in the family class there are a couple of other adults in there so they need to keep the class moving. The other kids in the class are about 10 or so. Lil K is still only 4, so I think it's a bit of a stretch for her. Being that she's such a daddy's girl, she'd probably do better when he's in there with us. Maybe next week.
She can come with me or stay home with him - but either way, I'll be there!
Bella's a 'tard.
Posted by Kimchee, Feb 11 2008, 09:58 PM
She got stuck under the couch.
She's ok - luckily I've been working out. In addition to my herculean strength, my adrenaline was pumping so I managed to lift the couch up by myself so she could scamper away to safety.
I feel like such a hero.
on Orange belt, here I come!