Its been two years since I started to do karate! Looking back, I definitely grew more confident and more skilful in every training. This December 9th, I participated in the yellow black belt to green belt grading, which is definitely the hardest one that I have encountered so far. However, due to my diligent practice before the grading, I passed with a high mark. I am soon going to be a green belt!
I practised calligraphy and Chinese ink drawing since the age of 4 to somewhat 10 years old. Also, calligraphy classes were compulsory in my previous Chinese school. So this activity is essentially a way to connect to my past and my roots. Although the materials used are different from before (before I used better ink and has a serious setup that looks like this: 
but now I’m writing with water on reusable scripts. )
I practised mainly the style of “kaishu”, which is the common font used in everyday life for the Chinese. It is also the entry level style of practice. At first, during the practices, I thought it would be very boring because this is nothing like my practices before. However, when I started to write, I actually felt at peace and mindful. My stressful thoughts of University and assessment disappeared momentarily. That is the moment when I thought I understood why the ancients once said that calligraphy both trains the mind and the heart. Although some strokes are extremely hard to write, I didn’t give up practising.
After this experience, I actually considered picking up calligraphy again by training with a master when I graduate.
I am still working towards the goal of achieving an ARSM diploma, however, it is delayed due to the intensity of the school work and other circumstances. I haven’t had much time for practice nowadays, however everytime I tried to improve upon the weaker parts of the piece, or improve on certain smaller techniques.
I have passed my grading successfully for yellow belt in December and is working towards yellow black/ green. However, when one reaches yellow belt, karate becomes very technique based and one really needs to practise and learn the techniques precisely if one wants to achieve a good grade. In the next grading on April 29th, I would have to remember all the katas and leg katas since white, orange and blue-black, whilst also remembering how to do the new katas- eg. yantsu, perfectly. From yellow belt on, the techniques are increasingly harder. I have decided to dedicate my every Wednesday after school to this activity.
I personally need to practise more, and also be more resilience when I am in combat and doing practices. my goal is not to feel tired even after the warmups in order to increase my stamina.
This links to Learning Outcome 1 and 2, as I am able to reflect upon my personal strengths and weaknesses in regards to the activity, and strive to be better at it. I hope the next time I do a reflection on karate I will already be green belt.
Link to Yantsu:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYFP3vZK_jc
On Lian He Zao Bao during grading:
It has been nearly two service seasons since I have started Chinese chat, and I felt that I have developed my communications skills by a vast amount compared to the start of the seasons. I and my mentee have developed a trusting relationship with the service sessions. After I am more used to these digital learning platforms, I made the tuition more fun and interesting, and I would use treats to encourage him to work harder. However, I also recognised that it is very important that he is motivated to achieve a better grade too. So this time, I aim to work together with his Chinese teacher and ask her regularly on what she thinks he could improve on.
This relates to Learning Outcome 2 because I have undertaken challenges in the area where I have no experience in, and I greatly developed my communication skills too. I also set new goals for further personal growth, so it also relates to Learning Outcome 1.
An example of our SWOT analysis
