How exciting! This is a fun life season and I’m glad you’re making the most of it. Good luck getting into your top choice school!

How exciting! I’m so glad you both took time to refresh & rejuvenate! This 13-month challenge is like a marathon, yet it’s so intense we need to pace ourselves. Some days I do extra so that I can rest others. Taking the moments to rest will refuel you as you continue. Celebrating you both doing some self-care!

I had a lot of fun on this trip with you!!😀

That’s a beautiful place to visit. It’s awesome you walked so many miles in such a scenic place. That’s such dedication to spar in the morning before leaving. Good job to you both.

Elinor, I love the motivation you found to help you get your miles in on your bike! We have 4 cats at our house, so we are cat lovers. I’m reminded that there’s an island in Japan that has many stray cats, and if I recall correctly, people live there for free (or mostly for free) if they care for the cats. I’m happy you found a way to build this habit into your day and to bring yourself some joy!

Your commitment to making it happen, no matter what, has not gone unnoticed. It looks to me like you completely attacked this first month! Now you just have to do it 12 more times. 👍

I am glad the cats help keep you motivated in bike riding. It’s enjoyable to meet new cats in different neighborhoods. Congratulations on completing your first month. The some of the numbers are on track to finish early. That’s great.

Nice job! I’m glad you’re enjoying the kata you chose. You mentioned that you began learning this as a brown belt. At my first dojo, we learned this as a blue belt (if I recall correctly). It’s really interesting how alike and yet how different Isshinryu can be from one school to another. I hope you continue to enjoy doing all those jump kicks this year!

Chinto is an amazing kata! You will see so much progression in your kata over the next 13 months. Keep up the good work!

Chinto is a difficult but, rewarding kata. I hope you enjoy doing it 1000 times.

Looking good Elinor-San! In your progression toward 1000 reps, you’re going to notice so many small adjustments to make. Those small improvements add up to a next-level kata. It’s those invisible things that many practitioners never get because they don’t put this kind of work in.