A few interesting lessons

What do calligraphy and boxing have in common?

Well, they're both activities I've done recently but haven't written anything about yet! So here it goes...

I actually started taking Japanese calligraphy (called "shodo") lessons just before I left for the Philippines. I've had three shodo lessons so far, in which I've practiced making kanji (Japanese/Chinese characters) with ink and a brush.

The first lesson was just for practicing stokes. At my second lesson (pictured), I started practicing kanji. My teacher made four orange circles over my work to indicate I did it correctly.

My "shodo sensei" (Japanese calligraphy teacher) is such a nice, patient guy!

I have my shodo lessons every Tuesday for one hour. It's harder than it looks to do all the strokes correctly and in the right order. It's a slow and methodical procedure, but so far I'm enjoying the new activity.

It's probably hard to imagine me boxing, but I did try it. Just for kicks. :)

One of Jemma's friends--named Tomoki--is a prize-winning boxer/fighter, as well as instructor, and invited us to come to his private gym to have a go at boxing!

Tomoki (right) practicing with another student, who was with Jemma and me.

Tomoki-san showing us how to properly kick. Looks painful, huh?

Jemma getting ready to give it all she's got. :)

The three of us after our lesson. I put on the ginormous, I'm-not-messing-around-gloves just for the picture. :)

While it was fun to kick and punch and learn a bit of self-defense, I'm not committing to boxing lessons on a weekly basis. Dancing is definitely more my thing; I still have dance practice every week, and our first performance is tomorrow! Stay tuned to for that...