Level Up!

RED BELT KENJI has leveled up!

RED BELT KENJI is evolving!

RED BELT KENJI has evolved into... GREEN BELT KENJI!


Yep, I have leveled up! Along with many others, as we received our new belts on the 23rd of March 2013. Granted, I believe that none of us were actually expecting to have failed grading, but it was still a good feeling regardless~

><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>

If I'm to put photos here, then naturally this has to be the first! It is our new president, after all! Sum-taicho's usual serious demeanor shows, as he calmly gazes into the camera with his presidential aura!

><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>

Following President Sum comes our very own Man of Sheer Power, one half of our committee's vice presidents, Leon! One can tell his composure with the easy smile on his face.

 ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>

><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>

Nowhere near as important as the others, yet still here because he's the one writing this post so he gets special privileges, is the cute, handsome, smart, humorous and not to mention extremely humble Awesome Webmaster of Awesomeness, Kenji (if you haven't figured it out yet, that's me)! Not to be confused with the other Kenji, who is much less awesome than me :D

That's all! The other photos are all on our facebook page, and will soon be here too, credits to our photo uploading person, Crystal! The photo albums can be accessed on the right side of the page, so look out for it.

><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>  ><>

Handing out of new belts aside, training was as per usual that day, if more harsh than usual due to the green belts having to attempt Cuts #3 and #4 with only our non-master hands. I can still feel the aches from it as I type this! It was quite an eye opener for me to realize just how weak my non-master hand is, as I struggled to even maintain my stance in the standard guard. I wasn't the only one. We're gonna have to train up more!

Sparring was made marginally more difficult when I realized that the swings had left my left hand rather unresponsive, though nothing debilitating. It was then that I discovered a rather huge error in my sparring, as pointed out by multiple seniors and sensei.

I tend to move in way too much and end up in less than a sword's length from my opponent when I attack. In particular, I've become so accustomed to stepping in with my attacks that I step in with every attack, which has proven to heavily compromise me. I spent a good few hours after lesson pondering over this flaw in my sparring.

Senior Nicholas later told me of how sensei Radz had once told him to 'fight (against) muscle memory', to be in complete control of our own bodies and not let it control us. On further discussion, I believe that the key to success is composure. Personally, I tend to get riled up when I spar. The more intense the spar, the more I lose myself in the battle lust and run on instincts, which not only inhibits my ability to be in full control of my body but also any strategic and tactical planning.

Only by remaining calm can I properly assess the best course of action to take in any particular situation, and only by remaining calm will my body obey me. If I am lost in fear, I will strike too late. If I am lost in excitement, I will strike too soon.

That is not to say that we should be mechanical in sparring! Adrenaline-fueled emotions can give us strength, when properly utilized. Instead of losing ourselves in them and letting them control us, we can channel those emotions into our determination to win and sharpen our focus!

Of course, it's much easier said than done, and I'm far from actually learning how, but knowing the what is at least the first step taken, no? :P


Kenji
The Man Who Let The Dogs Out
SPKC Webmaster 2013

SPKC Chalet 2013

Disclaimer: SP Kenjutsu does not condone the consumption of alcohol. Any such references are unaffiliated with the club and are purely the stupidity of the idiots involved.

Woof, woof! Sup, guys? It's me again :D

On the 11th to 13th of March 2013, we had a chalet~! A fairly eventful one, with much hilarity and nonsense, and therefore entertainment! Now then, where do I start?

On the first day(night), I was forced to learn how to cycle. I conclude that bicycles are evil and whoever invented them must be burning in hell now. I have no sense of balance *sad* ...after one chipped toenail, some falls, and many times feelings like an absolute idiot, I at least managed to learn how to ride straight! Turns are still beyond me :x

Twas' a good lesson on tackling fears head on, and having the determination to continue in spite of setbacks. President Sum can attest to how many times I failed and how scared I was!

There was a night cycling session to Changi and back after the lesson(torture), which I sat out of (I was tired, okay? ><), though I've heard that there's an interesting story about a bus stop and 'sheer power' to be told. Ask Leon for details!

Later that night, or rather early morning, the group of us still awake bore witness to Andy's amazing Wing Chun skills and loss of ability to do basic maths. The efforts of certain people also helped to drive Yu Fang half crazy in the process :3 ...I'm innocent, by the way!

Come morning, I passed out for some much needed 'zzz's. Meanwhile the breakfast group shared an amazing tale of epic proportions involving the Nepal guy and Feifei the cat. In some ways I'm rather glad that I missed it. For my own sanity's sake.

It was much more crowded on the second day! Mahjong, Wii and barbeque! If I recall correctly my barbeque kill count stands at 15 satay sticks, 4 chicken wings, 2 sausages and 3 dory fillets. I was then promptly banned from the marshmallows for fear of the resident black hole in my stomach. Though I still ended up having some anyway after the barbeque (though not roasted), thanks to Ezan hiding away a packet of them!

In the Wii session following the barbeque, Neo displays his gaming prowess by kicking everybody's posterior, even when outnumbered 1 to 3. Sato Kenji causes rage with his camping skills!

Of special note is Ezan once again proving that he deserves his feline-related title, though this time the cat scratched him a good long one :3 ...no, not THAT cat. That one is much more mean and evil and kicked me off the bed =(

The second night's entertainment was supplied by our ever lovable friend whose name starts with 'A' and ends with 'ndy', via his awesome dance moves, performed half naked. The top half, that is. I wouldn't dare include this if it was the lower half instead!

When most everyone were visiting the sandman's castle, a small group of us guys proceeded to have a Manly Bonding Session, deepening our understanding of each other (Crystal, get your mind out of the gutter!) as we pondered many questions about life.

I left not long after breakfast the third day along with Sato Kenji, being too exhausted to continue. We passed out quite soon after getting on the MRT, for most of the trip (people kept tripping over SK's long legs).

In conclusion, SPKC chalets are nonsensically awesome and ridiculously entertaining (an argument can also be made as to them being awesomely nonsensical and entertainingly ridiculous too). All you peeps who didn't attend or didn't stay over missed out so much!


Kenji
The Woofman Supremo
SPKC Webmaster 2013

2013 committee says "HI!"

Dear Diar... oops, wrong audience!

Time flies, and a year has passed since my batch first tried out kenjutsu in the Sports Hall (which is no longer there). We have sweat and bled (I'm looking at you, Crystal) much through the past year as we underwent our journey from fresh new greenhorns who knew nothing about wielding swords to... slightly less fresh greenhorns who will at least not kill ourselves with our own blades. At least, I hope so.

Our seniors and instructors have taught us much, and opened our eyes to many new experiences (including but not limited to getting absolutely destroyed by them in spars, repeatedly). It is not just the way of the sword that they have passed down to us; they have given us many life lessons and gems of wisdom as well.

Of which includes one on the issue of responsibility and of putting ourselves forward to take up that responsibility. Our seniors, awesome as they are, are moving on. They have done their part for our club, and a splendid job they have done. While we may wish some of them to remain forever, time flows. The Year 2s are now Year 3s, and most of the Year 3s are soon to be bald.

We even witnessed the passing of the torch from sensei Zack to sensei Brad for SP.

It's our turn now. Our turn to give back to the club as it has given to us. Our turn to support the club and help it to continue being awesome. Our turn to be seniors to the next batch of fresh new greenhorns coming in a few months. Our turn to take up responsibility.

Ladies (what few there are) and Gentlemen, I present to you the committee of 2013!

President: Sum Zong Wei

Vice President(s): Leon Lim

Secretary: Tay Ei Fong

Treasurer: Lim Hui Xian

Social And Welfare: Bryan Neo

Quarter Master(s): Justin Francis Wong and Wei Kian

Project Coordinator(s): Crystal Lim and Muhammad Amirul

Webmaster: Kenji Choo

...and we say HI! :D


Kenji
The Amazing Dogman
SPKC Webmaster 2013

p.s. Andy, your role in the club will never be replaced. Ever. We love you.