Day 46

If you're looking for something to be impressed about, try this link: World's Youngest Black Belt in Karate.

I, for one, am impressed.

I mean, I'm pretty impressed that my own five-year-old knows how to set up a Wii console from start to finish, which is awesome because now when he asks me "Mum, can I play the Wii?" my sole contribution to the process is to say "Yep." Likewise with the x-box, and I am soooo grateful to not have to spend a half hour fiddling around in order to set the thing up to play a game that more or less involves holding down a single button for three minutes. I'm bursting with pride.

But when it comes to a five-year-old busting chops like a tiny ninja on speed, now THAT is impressive.

Best quote: “Getting a black belt is tough and normally takes five years." No kidding, honey. But I guess you didn't have five years to spare, seeing as you spent two of those learning to walk and pooping in your nappy. Craaa-zzzy.

Unlike Little Miss Ninja, I don't have a black-belt or equivalent in anything. Makes me wonder what I've wasted my 29 years doing, exactly. I am what some affectionately like to call - a "jack of all trades". Except maybe cooking. And playing Call of Duty. (Obviously I have not been chosen to answer the Call.)

There's stacks of things I can do with moderate competence. My "jack list" includes: sewing, teaching, parenting, computer fixing, riding (both horse and horse power), painting, guitar playing, and other assorted tasks. I've put enough effort in to be able to master the basics, but then I go no further. Why is that? What is the fundamental difference between a five year old who has the discipline to train karate for 2.5 hours a day (To what end?? What is the point??! It seems a lot of effort to go to just to avoid being bullied at school...) and me, who struggles to remember to change the sheets once a week?

This discipline is a strange beast.

M xx