In case you’re not aware, Alden practices a Korean martial art form called Tang Soo Do. Twice a week, she puts on her uniform ,heads to the dojang (I hope I spelled that right), and learns all manner of positions and moves so complex and challenging that the thought of doing them myself makes my head spin. The other day, she had a test, the results of which would determine whether she could move up to the next belt class.
The first part of the test involved various kicking, punching, blocking, and leaping. Although I am certainly not Tang Soo Do master, I thought she did a great job.
The last part of the test was to break a board with her foot. Which seemed impossible to me. I could no more break a board with my foot than I could throw a bowling ball over a mountain. But Alden seemed determined.
Her instructor, Mark Pagano held the board.
And in one careful (and powerful) swipe of her leg, Alden broke the board in two. It happened so fast that this is the best photo I could get.
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Afterward, Alden was presented with her yellow belt, her first actual “Federation” belt.
Her new belt in place, Alden bowed to Mark (her “sabonim,” the Tang Soo Do version of “sensei”).
She is now a Bobcat. Which means, in other words, all you boards out there had better watch out.