Tonight was my last Aikido class here at Phoenix. I've been really bummed at all the, well, not goodbyes, but hope-to-see-you-laters that I've been doing over the last few days, so, having the other black belt teach was very... cathartic.

He teaches what I call elevator Aikido.  He's had plenty of occasions to use it in practical applications in his jobs as bouncer and police officer.  So, he teaches at a higher level than I do, which I really enjoy.  Tonight was filled with hard falls and hard throws and I'll probably be aching and bruised for the next week, but I loved every second of it. 

It was a bittersweet ending when, at the end, they all attacked me (as is traditional when saying goodbye ~ I know, not everyone will understand that and it's okay) and let me bow out for a final time as their sensei.

I'm going to miss those guys.  Especially in Bagram where the days will be really long and it will be difficult to find a class that meets at 9pm or later.