And she is on her way to a nervous breakdown.  Kidding.  Sort of.

Between traveling, getting sick, moving, preparing our rental, taekwondo tournaments and normal and not so normal life stuff like going to the grocery or vacuuming, (we may or may not have just vacuumed for the first time since we moved a month ago)  I feel like I’ve lost my groove.  Lost any sort of semblance to a routine.  Lost most of my motivation.  Lost any sanity (assuming I ever had it).

This past weekend, was our first much needed weekend to relax a bit.  Life has been a whirlwind and it was nice to land back in Kansas California. That’s not to say I didn’t have a wonderful time in Vegas. In fact, it couldn’t have been better.  My grandparents, Cirque Du Soleil’s Kà, Eric Clapton, a king size bed, wonderful meals, Brent, the boys, and a landing a jump kick to someone’s head made it a memorable weekend indeed.

I ended up with a first place in forms and a third place in sparring.

Caught in the middle of a jump front kick.

Showing respect.

This was from my first match.   She fell  and I had to take a knee.  While I was kneeling, I glanced over at the score.  It was 2 (me) to 4 (her).  One more point and she would win and I’d be out of the competition completely.   I also knew that there was only about 15 seconds or so left so which meant I had to kick her in the head for 2 points to tie and go to “sudden death” or jump kick her to the head for 3 points. I made up my mind to try and land a jump kick to her head .  It was the only way I could win.  Never mind, that I had never landed one in class much less at a tournament but I thought what the heck!  Why not try?  At worst, I’m going to miss and she’ll win.  At this point ,she was winning anyway.

We shook hands and then the judge called “spar!”  A few seconds later, I felt my foot hit her head at the top of my jump!  I was shocked!  I guess the practicing in the garage paid off.

A different match.

The match I lost…

…and I wonder why.  Giving her my head to kick???  Geez.

I started off good and was up 3 (me) to 0 (her) but then she scored a kick to my head for 2 points followed by a kick to the chest for 1 point tying the score.  Then, she got two more points winning the match. It wouldn’t be honest to say I didn’t care but I will say winning isn’t the reason I do taekwondo.  I do it for fun…

…and friends!

…and to be with my kids!

…and to be with my love!

(The kids and Brent decided not to compete this weekend.)

Oh yeah…remember how I mentioned wearing yoga pants on the strip???  What could be better than yoga pants?

My dobok!

I’m sure Vegas has seen stranger things.

(P.S. I updated my other blog if you want to see more pictures of our trip.)

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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This weekend Brent and I took off for Vegas for the day.
Again

6:45 AM : Left the house

By 8 AM: we made it to the Mojave Desert.

Noon: Arrived at the classy Sante Fe Station for the tournament.

2 PM: I competed.

I fell and…

…got this.

I got first place in both of my events.

I was really happy.

But what’s even better…

…is being with my love

and…

…making new friends!

I met these girls last week in AZ and they are a nice group of gals!

3 PM: Hit the road.

We spent all of 3 hours in Vegas.

(We party hard.)

I didn’t gamble one cent.  If I wasn’t such a tight wad so frugal…

…I would have played “Kitty Glitter”.

5 PM: Stopped at the Mad Greek in Baker where things got a little “craaaazy“.

Check out this feast for two.

I was so excited about the tabouleh that I got choked on the first bite.

I have” mad” skillz and I “saved my own life” by pulling this out of my own throat.
(I know.  Yes, the picture in your head is as it sounds.  Yuck. )
Seriously, Mad Greek, you might want to DICE THE PARSLEY!

6:PM : The sun begins to set.

Nothing as beautiful as Greek statues, sunsets, and gas stations.

9:PM : Arrived home and decided to hell with getting old.

Forever young.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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I love starting a roadtrip while it’s still dark.  There is nothing quite like watching the sunrise welcome a new day of adventure.

Saturday morning, Brent and I, alone, took off for Vegas with a change of clothes, two cups of coffee, beef jerky, bananas, and some sparring gear.

We decided to take the road less traveled, small highways, through the Mojave Desert.

It had recently rained and the clouds were still heavy ready to kiss the ground again.  There is nothing quite like the smell of the desert after a rain.  Fresh baked cookies can’t even compare.

Then there are the whimsical Joshua Trees, unique and proud in the morning light.

A few hours later, we found ourselves in a casino off the strip.  Waaay off the strip.  Its ring ding zings and flashy lights are the polar opposite of the stark beauty and quiet of the desert.

Like Clark Kent, I went into the bathroom telephone booth one person and emerged another.  SuperNervousGirl.

There were 8 girls in my ring.  During forms my mind must has still been in the desert as I forgot an entire section.

I started off slow in sparring.  I always do because I don’t like to hit first…or get hit first.  It’s quite a conundrum.

The score was 3 (me) to 4 (her).  One more point she wins.  Two more points I win.  That moment, I decide I’m going to aim for the head.  The head is 2 points.  Round kick.  It hit.  Not hard.  I turn to see my instructor’s smile.  I want to make her proud.  But my favorite part?  Hearing Brent’s cheers.  He’s a quiet guy so when I can hear his voice my day is made.  I finish my matches, his cheers still playing in my head.  Third in forms.  First is sparring.

Competing is fun but not as fun as hanging out with friends.

That night we stay with friends and go see a murder mystery at dinner theater off the strip.  It’s a bit saltier down there but, like a kid, I love the lights.

Morning.  Starbucks.  The road.

Breakfast at The Mad Greek.

Love the absurdity of our big yet small crazy world.

It’s been 13 years since I’ve stopped here with my gram and gramps.  The place hasn’t changed.  I am happy.

How could I not be with my love…

…and gyro omelettes…

…and faux marble statues surrounded by bright blue vinyl.

My very own hero and handsome warrior.

We continue on through the Mojave until our tummies signal us to stop.

Not for mini donuts. For him, a date shake. For me, these.

Another gift of the desert.

The trip was quick but fun and, in a weird way, romantic.

Seriously?

Who stays here?  Right next to the freeway?

We nearly got rear ended died with laughter trying to get this picture.

I prefer the desert.

Even a mad dash and back trip through the desert.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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