Everyone is a little nervous on grading day, no matter how well-prepared we are. Today was no different, but everyone who took the test passed (which is not always the case!). There were even a few surprises - it's amazing how well one can perform under pressure. As a result, we saw some amazing, and I mean amazing, technique from Michelle and Cindy. Make no mistake about it: when these two young women put kote gaeshi on you, you fly!

Ron and Greg, both in their 50s, also put on an impressive show. For two gentlemen who themselves say they're "old", they looked like a couple of twenty-year-olds. Young men - be warned! Veronica showed off her wicked tenkans (turning the body to avoid a strike), Phi's breakfalls are more of a work of art than ever, and Philip's speciality - shiho nage - is something anyone would want to avooid. Everyone has a specialty, a certain thing he/she does extremely well. It was clear on test day, and shows how people learning the same techniques take something different from the class.

A good time was had by all. Congratulations to all!