I broke it with my BARE hand!  A couple of weeks ago at work someone sent out an article that a woman was attacked on a jogging trail not far from here.  She fought the assailant off but it, understandably, shook us all.  My work, being cool, brought people in to give us a self defense course.

It was AWESOME.

In the course I found out some staggering and sad statistics:

-The changes that a woman will be a victim of a sexual assault in her lifetime is 1 in 3

-The average rape lasts 2-4 hours

-Only 15% of rapes are ever reported.

–77% of the time, the attacker and victim know each other

–50% of women comply with a rapist’s demands even when NO physical force is used

–87% of the victims are female, while 98%  of the attackers are male.

–90%  of the time, the victim and the attacker are the same race

–1.3 rapes happen every minute

–The average age of a rape victim is 14 years old

The class was just an overview-I learned how to hit and kick effectively. But it really made me want to look into self defense some more.  It also convinced me that when Lucy is old enough, I want to put her into some sort of martial arts/self defense classes.  I think that will be really beneficial for her.

The other thing I got from the class that I think would be great for every woman to have is this:

It’s a mini baton called a kubotan that you can use as a weapon or if you hold onto it you can swing your keys as a weapon.  I think it’s going to be GREAT for running. Here’s a link to a pink one! They’re only $5, completely legal, but you cannot take them on a plane.

In not so depressing news, I got a package from a friend today and it it were these:

I have looked all over the Bay Area for the last 4 years and haven’t been able to find these flavors.  I’m about to go have some Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride RIGHT NOW!

In other exciting news-I got ALL the pictures.  I’ll get the CD soon and get to share with you but for now, believe me when I say that they are beautiful and awesome.