it's cloudy for the first time since i got here. i miss home a little bit today, and realize it's actually the first time i've even thought about home since getting here nearly a week ago. i miss the way deep bruisy clouds ominously roll in heavy and low and rain lasts for days. i miss riding the train. i miss a few people. more than anything i miss rolling.

certainly no brutal case of homesickness though. i am still in training paradise and it's impossible to overlook that fact. plus i move into the resort with the pool tomorrow.

yeah, maybe it's not so bad...

i'm struggling with the language here and going from the very detailed, very technical style of training i'm used to. today's drill of the ridiculous: catch front kick, swing to the side, kick opponent. man that sounds simple, no problem ! i do it. pot says "no no. you switch." and does a quick switch step. i do it again. pot says "no you SWITCH."

"i'm supposed to switch." i confirm, and do a quick switch step to demonstrate. "yeah yeah switch okay !"

okay i thought that's what i was doing. i do it again, making sure it runs with the switch.

"NO ! you SWITCH !"

ok WHAT. i look to the guy i'm working with like maybe he's soaking something in that i'm not and he says "maybe he wants it faster." i sort of doubt that; one thing i really like here is that they do prefer you go slower and get technique right. but okay, i try it faster.

"switch ! switch !" pot throws up his hands in disbelief and stalks away.

"alright." i say, frustrated but moreso confused.

i'm trying not to let impatience get the better of me while i'm here. i hate my stupid temper and it does me no favours so i try to keep the reigns on it.

my stomach is impatient with me trying to figure this shit out right now. run, eat, train, eat, read, sleep, eat, train, eat, read, sleep. like a good boxing combination. 1, 2, 3, 2, 4 SLIP 2, 3, 2, 4 SLIP out.