On Monday, I went to the last meeting of the beginning tai chi class. Our section had started with 20 people, but had dwindled down to 8 regular attendees by the end of the eight weeks. I've really enjoyed the class - it is a wonderful mixture of strengthening and martial arts and almost balletic postures.

At the end of Monday's meeting, our instructor asked if anyone wanted to perform all of the postures we'd learned as a means of "passing" the course. (This is a parks and rec class - very laid back and mellow.) I thought to myself "why not?" and volunteered. I performed all of the movements from memory without prompting! The instructor said he has never had a student without prior tai chi experience learn all of the postures with such precision. Eeee! And I was the only one who even attempted to perform.

I now have a certificate which says that I have demonstrated knowledge of Tai Chi Chuan - Yang Family style, Chang Man-Ch'ing lineage, William C. C. Chen form, the first third.

I am inordinately pleased. And I'm looking forward to starting the second level.