Interesting to hear from someone who has visited an SD school. I was planning to visit the school that opened in Australia when I was last in the area but unfortunately didn't have time.
With respect to the sai, I know at least one Chinese art that has it. While the form flows a lot more than your 'typical karate kata' a lot of the techniques are similar - after all, how many different things can you do with a sai?
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Behold, I see my father and mother.
I see all my dead relatives seated.
I see my master seated in Paradise and Paradise is beautiful and green; with him are men and boy servants.
He calls me. Take me to him.