Boxing Bishop

As most of you know, Hunny and I both work with the youth in our church. Most of the time we are split up, boys and girls, but once a month we get to go together. The last Thursday of the month is a combined activity where the Young Men and Young Women do something together.

This week, Pres. Rogers, our Bishop (Pastor), directed the activity. Unbeknownst to most of us, he was a boxer back in the day. For this activity, he had set up eight stations of workouts that a boxer would do. There was jump rope, heavy bag, cone jumping, shadow boxing, punch Bob, and a few others I don't know how to describe. The youth were instructed to do the activity for one minute then a whistle would sound and they would have 15 seconds to rest. One more minute and then rotate to the next station. Eight stations, two minutes at each, twice through. Needless to say they were beat. As one of the leaders, I really didn't get to go through all of them. I was in charge of jump rope, encourage them to keep at it. So I did get a lot of jumping in.

After everyone went through twice we all guzzled water and sat around Pres. Rogers as he gave an incredible sh-peal on boxing. His younger brother was a 3 time World Amateur Boxing Champ. He then applied boxing to life. How there are those that only workout and try while the coach is looking, those that go and workout and do their best at the gym, and those that go the extra mile. Which are we? So many great insights that just about make you want to start boxing, or at least take on the world. It was insightful and inspiring. A great quote I had not heard before was said, "A true winner will not allow the possibility of losing enter her mind."

Afterward, he passed out T-shirts that he had had made for us. I can't believe the awesomeness of our Bishop. He does so much!! The activity was a blast and I think the youth really enjoyed it. Shoot, I was talking to one girl later who said she was going to take up boxing because she enjoyed it ALL so much. And she just got her brace off her knee from surgery, too.

Big Fat Guys

Hunny and I went to Japan this weekend. While there we took the opportunity to attend a Sumo tournament. We came at a great time because there are only a four tournament a year in Tokyo and each lasts 15 days. We attended the 9th day. The tournament lasts all day beginning with new comers and ending with the big kahunas. Or in Japanese, the Yokozuma. The Yokozuma is the best of the best. We learned that he can only become one after winning 15 tournaments. The neat thing is he can never lose his title, even if he is defeated in a tournament; only, if he continues to do poorly is he expected to retire. I guess it is a way to keep his honor.

When we first got there I were stoked and super excited about watching a bunch of fat guys throwing each other around, like Japanese wrestling or something. But then when we got there we were really confused. It was cool that they really do that stomping side to side thing and slap their bellies but it seemed like it took forever before they would actually go at it and then it didn't even last that long. We then remembered, after making our guesses, that there was a pamphlet that explained everything. We read up on the origin and rules and even the responsibilities of other participates. Sumo wrestling was started as an activity at celebrations, kind of like dancers for entertainment, but wrestling matches. The stomping of the feet is the attempt to scare away evil spirits. Then they extend their arms, palms up, to show they have no weapons. They also throw a handful of salt to purify the ring. What takes so long for the match to start is this ceremony of giving the stink eye... glare, to intimidate each other. Then they get up and do the whole stomping thing and more salt. They would do this a few times. Thankfully there is now a time limit set whereas anciently there was none. It went from unlimited, to 10 minutes, to 7, to today's rule of four minutes. The signal to go, we concluded ourselves, is when both fists touch the ground. Then they charge at each other and either go brute force to brute force or act like sissy's and slap around at each other until one of them falls or steps out of the circle.

I was quiet surprised at the amount of foreigner participants. There were two from Georgia (the republic), a Bulgarian, Australian, and something else. They were massive. I would root for them which would get me more into the match. Which in turn would produce some vocal reactions during and after the fight. "Go Euro!" "What was that!?" "Don't turn!" "AHHHH!!!!" It was pretty intense.

Another neat thing about the tournament was the opening ceremonies of the big guys. They all wear a huge apron thing and line up on the circle and swing their arms in sync. Their little apron things can cost up to 200,000 dollars. Crazy huh? The Yokozuma's ceremony was just as weird. He not only has his little apron thing but a huge rope that weighs 25-35 pounds. His ceremony was similar to the stomping and everything before a fight. But when he stomped, every one cheered and gasped and clapped. Ok? Oh he did it again!! It was a lot of work up for a few stomps and some hand swings. But everyone loved it.

click to see more sumo pictures!

So, as I mentioned before there are other participants. Besides the wrestlers there is an announcer, a guy with a fan, kind of like a ref, and judges. The announcer in a very high pitched voice will sing the names of the two who will be fighting. He is also responsible to sweep the ring from all the salt thrown. The fan guy also has ranks and has to work up. He is mostly a ref and encourager. And then there are 5 judges who sit around the Dohyo, If one of them feels the refs call was incorrect they all step up and discuss their view. They aren't commonly used but we got to see them get up for one match. When two went down at the same time they had to be sure who touched the ground first.

It was so neat to learn more about the culture and sport. We really enjoyed ourselves. We feel all cultured now. It was cool to learn and see all the ins and outs of Sumo. I'm really glad we got to go.

Happy New Year!

We hope this new year finds each of you well and in high spirits. It is a wonderful time to reflect on past goals and blessings and to be about setting new goals and looking toward the future.

I know it has been over a week since this new year has begun but I am still reflecting on this past year as my thoughts turn to 2012 and the adventures it will bring. Bee and I have made several personal goals for this year as well as a family goal to make sure we keep up our blog and make sure you all know what we are up to. We also hope to do something new and exciting every other month. If you stayed up with us through 2011 then you know this goal came about after the awesome time we had trying out paragliding. We hope you continue to check in here and read of our adventures that you can have some part in them with us.

As we counted down the hours to the new year on the eve of 2012 we did so with our best friends here in Korea, Randy and Brandi Lee. The four of us get together often for dinner and game night. We take turns hosting and New Year's Eve was Bee's and my turn to host. We made ham-bone soup out of ham-bone from Christmas and had a variety of chips and dips and other snacks. It was tasty, though Bee was a little disappointed that it did not turn out as good as the first time she made it.

The four of us played Settlers of Catan, a popular German board game, up until 15 minutes to midnight and then grabbed our bubbly (Martinelli's) and ran down the street about 4 houses to the home of the Perkins, some friends from church who we also frequent. They were having a get together for the occasion also and, with cup in hand, we all counted down the final minutes to the new year together. It was fun.

The Perkins had invited us over for the whole evening but we had already made our plans. I think it was perfect the way it all turned out. After jumping into the New Year with the whole gang we returned back to our place with the Lee's to finish the game we were in the middle of.

It was an enjoyable night, and early morning. Much more enjoyable than going out in the cold to some crowded Korean street to watch them hit a giant bell a bunch of times. We look forward to a new year filled with good friends and new adventures. Stay tuned!