1 - Man you are amazing! How on earth do you manage to do so many different things??? I wish I could do half the things you have accomplished so easily. I have become a fan of yours after I read your book on R6 .You keep on inspiring me.

Good Luck!!! I used dream to become a martial art expert when I was younger. Dream died …for many reasons.

2 - I came not a lotus geek - I came across this from a web search - but we were there! My wife Lois is an assistant instructor at the Smyrna school, and my son and I are purple senior belts after saturday. As a post-cardiac survivor, I am training my way toward being able to make it through the test next year. It's tough even for people in decent shape but I know I can make it if I pace myself! Congratulations!

3 - Good Luck! Sweep the leg Johnny! Or Rocky in this case!

4 - Mental note ... do NOT fight Rocky - be it Oliver or Balboa

5 - Wow, thanks for all of the well-wishes and comments! It means the world to me

BTW, I have posted a blow-by-blow of the day and the testing here:
http://www.lotusgeek.com/sapphireoak/lotusgeekblog.nsf/d6plinks/ROLR-6GDPEK

Rock

6 - First, I want to take a minute to congratulate Rocky on this big step. Choi has been a huge commitment of many, many MANY hours over the last 2 years. As my best friend of 25 years, your persistence never ceases to amaze me.

For those of you who don't know, Rocky was in a horrid accident 10 years ago in which he broke his hip, both knees, an ankle, shoulder, and had over 300 stitches to his face and neck areas. I was told that IF he survived, he would never walk again without a walker...if at all. Well, he obviously lived...and walked. (With only a cane 4 months later!!) So, for him to now be kicking with the power that he does, is truly amazing.

For those of you who think that this came easily...please think again. There were many a night that I thought the dream of a black belt should come to an end as I watched him suffer in pain from his hips to his ankle. But, since I'm only his wife , he chose to ignore me and press on. Pil sung Rocky!!

I love you,
Deb

7 - Break a leg...theirs, not yours!

Remember... Wax on... Wax off!!!

YOU CAN DO IT!

8 - May the force be with you!
stw

9 - Good luck Rock!!!! I studied Shorin Ryu Karate when I was a kid for many years. I still carry the knowledge and technique I learned with me today.

Kick some butt!!!

10 - Awesome news!
Congrats on this high level of achievment.
Since Lotusphere, I've gained my blue belt in Kempo Karate.
14yr son - 2nd degree Black
12 yr daughter - Green with brown stripe (tested same day as my last test)
10 yr son - Green belt
All are on demo team.

I wear my un-official Lotusphere shirt with pride, too.

11 - No luck required - you wouldn't be taking the test if you weren't ready for it!

Have a blast!

Karen as Mr. Miyagi

12 - Ok my friend, it's monday morning, and the people are getting restless. How did you do?
-Devin.

13 - From someone who has to do warm-ups and stretches to lift a cup o' coffee, let alone kick three feet over his head, MAJOR congratulations on even being allowed to test for a dan level. And best of luck on the actual test.