Well, what can be said about today. After a strange encounter with my french teacher and a walk into downtown Wavre (avoiding school security) I had my first Judo practice in 4 years.
Let me set the scene, youngest by 15 years, one of 2 girls (9 people)(two belgian champions) and me wheezing from the weight of my new judo gee. I can not describe how much I loved it, not because I was almost killed by exhaustion or because I completely forgot all my mad skillz but because of the people. Kindest I have ever met, the laughed at me and I laughed at them.
During the class I was fighting with this 50+ flemmish man (black belt) and he sat me down to tell me a story. On resting position on our knees he acted out this dialoge in horribly broken english.
- 'When fish----ing, you catch fish, the poisson move. With whole fish or head?'
Me - "He moves with his whole body...?"

- 'Now, you be fish. You the fish.'
I have never had to hold back so much laughter in my life. I was a fish, and the karate kid. But he smiled and laughed too. After my course they told me to keep my new gee and that the classes were free, as a early christmas gift. We then sat down in a rough circle and gave our ice tea/cola orders to the organizer who bought the round. I assured them I will be coming back and parted, getting a drive to my house.
And now, after a yummy dinner filled with so much laughter I am in bed, ready for tomorrow and the next, and the next, and the next, and then judo again.

Peace, frites and Mr Miyagi.
Catherine