Bit of a cheating post that last one, copied it from my review on our ISK Tang Soo Do site (take a look on www.cornwalltangsoodo.co.uk, nothing like a bit of shameless advertising to start the day). So here’s a proper update on life since June.
The summer has passed as always, much quicker than I’d have liked. Lots of things I’d planned to do – like get ahead on dissertation work in preparation for third year – had just not happened and so I’m in a bit of catch up mode at the moment. However, plenty of beach trips in July and the trip to Florida with my better half and the rest of the EMTF more than made up for it. We spent two weeks in hot and sunny Florida, spending pretty much every day tramping around theme parks. Several of the rollercoasters like Manta and the Harry Potter ride were instant favourites but it has to be the lazy rivers at Aquatica and Wet n’ Wild which were the best. Nothing can beat slipping out of the boiling hot into cool water and a life jacket that just lets you float along without effort. That’s surely what holidays are all about? They really know how to do food and drink in America too. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten that many hot dogs, burgers, MASSIVE STEAKS, chinese buffets or Cheesy cheeto crisps before, putting on at least half a stone in the process. Everything tasted different too – fanta being the most memorable one. It was literally bright orange, looking and tasting exactly like the fantas you get in Africa which was rather strange. I could go on about the edible side of Florida but I’d be here all day.
It was great to spend so much time lazing around in the sun, especially with the break in the middle to go off and compete in a business resort as it just made you appreciate the time outdoors in the heat that much more. The competition weekend was extremely tiring, with both days starting before 9am and not finishing till gone 8 o’clock at night. When you’re only competing for between 2 and ten minutes, that’s a long time to be waiting around. But having said that, it was still a massive eye opener being in a room filled with Martial artists from all over the world. There was something like twelve countries in attendance with over 400 competitors. That makes for one hell of an after party!
So it was a very subdued party that made their way back down to Cornwall once the fortnight was up. Returning to normal life was a little depressing but with a trip to South Africa planned for January with my folks and partner, I wasn’t down for too long 
The next five weeks saw me take a rather reluctant break from training in an attempt to get my hip back on track. I’ve been having problems with it since last November which really isn’t ideal at just 20 years old. However, the break seems to have done it some good and apart from one twinge it’s been absolutely fine. So fingers crossed that continues.
I had a brief break back at my parents for a couple of weeks too which was great. Sadly my dad was still hobbling around on crutches after yet another operation on his foot which meant I had to drive him to the station at 7am to get him to work…needless to say I simply added boots and a hoodie to my pjs for the trip into town. However, he’s back up and hit the ground running so to speak so hopefully that’ll be that and his feet will stay right this time! I’d been keeping little Brock the hamster at my parents’ for the time I was in Florida and then when I was home and although he’d had a few run ins with the cat nothing too untoward had happened. It should have been a warning to us but it wasn’t until we came home one night after going out for dinner with friends that we realised how stupid we’d all been. Poor Brock had somehow managed to get out of his cage (I suspect the cat had something to do with breaking the tunnel) and had been pounced on. It was a pretty sad day but we buried him out in the garden next to my dog which helped a little. I still wake up in the night wondering why I can’t hear his wheel squeaking like mad as he exercises but that’s the same with any animal that passes, you miss them and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Anyway, there’s lots to be doing, not least attempting to do well in my last year at university (how time flies!), so will be getting on with that. I’m afraid I don’t have much new music, will have to remedy that. However, if you have an android phone and not much else to do download Dragon, Fly! an awesomely addictive little game that drains your brain. I’m just getting into the Fast and Furious films which I can definitely recommend to anyone who’s not seen them – brilliant and the cars are to die for!
