"The Chata" and My Fourth Book

Well, friends, today, I am starting off with the story about my sister, Little D. As most of you know, I started a road trip with my family, from Chicago to Arizona, and decided to collect one story a day.  I enjoyed that project so much, I decided to continue collecting and post interesting stories.  The next one is based on several secondhand accounts:  "The Chata"

Chata in Spanish means flat nose and is usually a term of endearment reserved for a wife or kid.  There's your Spanish for the day.  "The Chata" is about my sister's last "friendly" Tang Soo Do tournament.  Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial arts form, and my sister has been practicing, I think now for over two years; she's about to test for her black belt in May, which is an amazing accomplishment. 

Anyway, she was at an international friendly tournament a few weeks ago between Mexico and the U.S. She was representing region 2, which included other students from states like Utah. Few members came from her dojo that day, so the spotlight was on her from members in her dojo, especially the younger kids who look up to her.

My sister is around 5 foot 3 inches.  She is a beautiful person inside and out, but she is intense and fierce.  She is lean, maybe a size 6, all muscle and strong.  Her eyes are large, her nose chata, and her smile is gorgeous with perfectly white teeth.  The only thing weird about Little D are her small hands, which pack a hell of a punch. 

Now, my sister usually places in every category, but that day, a majority of the judges were from Mexico.  She was sparring with a 60 year old woman, much shorter than she is.  The woman had been "messing" with her blocking all of her shots and weaving in and out.  The judges were also not calling the old lady out, for what, I don't know.  I suspect for not actually sparring.  At some point, my sister go frustrated and went to punch the lady. 

Unfortunately, the spirited woman bent forward, just when my sister was punching, and my sister hit her on the right temple.  Even though she wore a padded helmet, the old woman immediately crumpled to the floor--out cold.

The referee, a Chinese doctor started screaming at my sister, "Bad Girl! Bad Girl!  Go to your corner!!"

My sister was like, "What corner?"

Little D, sat at the corner and proceeded to take her protective gear off.  Then, she got yelled at, again, for taking off her gear and was disqualified from sparring.  Apparently, had she not taken her gear off, she could have continued fighting.  The 12  year olds were shocked that Little D laid out an old woman and disappointed she didn't place that day.

Now her husband calls that move "The Chata" which, just happens to be her nickname. Her sensei was disappointed she didn't place higher, but when he saw the videos, he realized the judges were being biased.  I can only imagine what he thought of "The Chata".

*** 

On the writing front, this morning, I am reading over "La Bruja in the Orchard."  I did more research on the incarceration process.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a hold of the officer who has the skinny on felony arrests and the incarceration process.

However, after doing my own research, I tweaked some of the content, so it is more realistic.  The story takes place in 2028, and I may make up some bullshit about wearing an ankle bracelet, even before you are incarcerated, even before having an arraignment before the judge.  That will save a lot of the story.

Well, that is all. I am back to getting up early in the wee hours to write.  Luckily, my kids are very entertained here, and it looks like I will be done with my novel before I go back to Chicago.  But first, I must finish "La Bruja in the Orchard."  

Keep writing those stories that wake you up at ungodly hours.  #Resist