Monday, January 31, 2011

Hello

It seems that this email got placed in my spam... I'm glad I found it!
Life is great! I'm very happy that BBT is up and going again. I've been playing on a basketball team with my friends, and it has gone very well. My first semester of school is over, and I'm looking forward to working even harder this semester.
Yesteday, Noah and I volunteered at our church. We worked from 12 until 3 on everything from greeting our elderly guests as they entered our state of the art diner, to preparing the plates for our esteemed guests. I even got to clean dishes! My favorite! Although that was fun because I may have squirted Vanessa and Connor with the sink hose a couple times. On accident of course ;).
I'm looking forward to training with all of you this year. Your are truly the best!
See you on the floor!

video journals

hey guys! let's not forget that we have to do video journals as well! i looked on the youtube site and there's...4. i know, i really don't have much room to talk since this is jan 31st and i'm just now going to somehow get my video online. but i figured if i needed the reminder, then there are probably other team members who need the friendly reminder too. :)

on a better note, you guys are doing great with the journaling! keep it up! :)

Ketchup

err.... i mean catch up. Its hard to keep track of all your pushups and situps, and what all you-re supposed to do, especially when you got the requirements a week late. But because of Aim High, and other conditionings, its getting a whole lot easier to do my pushups and situps. I can even do 6 pullups now! I know i should just keep pushing forward.

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
~Thomas Jefferson

The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.
Vince Lombardi

Getting Into the Groove

Well, I'm definitely learning the importance of pacing yourself. I crashed yesterday after swimming. Felt fine after swimming, making breakfast, cleaning house, and all that fun stuff. But then my body just went on stand-by and I took a 2 and a half hr nap. Adam & I took a 9 mile bike ride to Barnes & Noble and back on Saturday. I agreed to it because I stopped by Aim High and everyone had all these plans to exercise the afternoon away... not sure if it was inspiration or guilt, but I figured the bike ride might be fun. Plus Adam wanted a spy kit they had on sale (worth 9 miles, in the eyes of a 10-yr old).

Anyhow, my point is that I found out that your body likes to exercise, but it's definitely going to tell you if it's had enough (whether you like it or not), so listen to it. Right now, I have to go to work, when what I really want is a very long nap. I made sure to go to sleep on time so I could be well rested, but another nap would be most awesome... Looking forward to class tonight, sweating a bunch, and being with my BB training group. :)

Sunday, January 30, 2011

My WOW! :)

     SBN Dan gave me the best idea for a wow! Okay so this is what he said or commented on my corn syrup blog, " Zoebie, this is a great! If you can create a list of what not to eat, I'll make sure the testers get it and also apply that to their training, myself in cluded!! Great job!" -SBN. Thank you SBN! So again this was not my idea but I loved it so much I guess I had no other choice but to steal it! Again thank you SBN! Maybe by Wednesday the list will be done! Hope everyone can make use of it!!

by the way I made two video journals!All I have to do now is put it on YouTube! ( What does YouTube mean anyway?)

   Well I have no school Monday and Tuesday! So I'll have time to make the list!


                                                         Zoe- :)

Find Time! - so exhausted.. so proud.. so mixed feelings..

Team! Blogs are looking great and much more mature. again great job.

Lately I've had my, to what I believe, stress related headaches and blochy spots returning. I've heard of this kind of stuff as I've grown up - when working at Intel there was someone in my team that took time off due to this kind of thing - to which I'd thought - yea, not me. I'm a machine that can't break, I have a strong mental strength and am grounded enough to know how to balance. Well years later, and even planned stresses I'm finding myself, at moments, at that place where the tight feeling in my shoulders, shortness of breathe and creeping headaches presume during the days. It's a weird place to be in. I realize what's happening. I'm able to meditate, and refocus and refocus and focus again to alleviate the pressures but at times i need to focus harder than others to maintain a clear head so I can also have a healthy body.

I really need to make time on the floor to train, and to make sure I'm getting my hours in, both in Jits and in Blackbelt training. It is not as simple as just getting on the floor. No it's damn hard,. Whereas Aim High's dojo is a place to turn off the day for most, it IS the day for me. Now don't get me wrong, I'd never want that change, but the effort to turn off the day and escape to a simple place is next to impossible. So, i change the way I look at it, meaning I might think it's impossible, and make it possible through efforts of understanding the situation and making the correct arrangements to allow for the desired outcome. I believe it will always be a struggle to simply walk from the desk and step foot onto the floor without a million needs coming my way, but i'm thankful for each one of those needs and feel that it's because of those issues that we are where we are and have in our school what we have. Once I can ninja my way through it, though, then i'm so settled on that floor.

I have a road to travel to overcome the negatives on these issues, such as the headaches, but really whatever, it'll happen and the outcome will be easier and easier to achieve.

I'm sick and tired of everyone being sick and tired. =) thanks ozzy for that play on words. The team has been so sick and out of work lately. that's hard. a lot of the stresses this year, which is only this month, has come from everyone being sick. I'm SO freaking thankful for my team though, when one's down, then others step up. My board of directors rock and roll too - it's awesome the more i let go of so much that I get to tackle, the more the board steps up and handles things. I was a great feeling to know that all issues were handled when I was out with my Father, and came home to no 'red alert' issues. Thank you team and thank you board. 2011 will be a fantastic year!

-Sbn

Kids Who Aim High

When I logged in tonight, I wasn't quite sure what I was going to write about, so I started reading everyone's journal entries. As I scrolled through the entries, I found myself in awe of the youngest members of the Dare to Dream Team.

Sometimes, when I'm out in the community, I come across young people and I am amazed at how focused they are on trivial things...it makes me wonder about what values they are developing and how it's going to affect their lives as adults and the people who surround them.

The young people who have trained, are training, or who will train as black belts at Aim High do not reflect this quality. They are aware of their affect on the world, and they understand the social responsibility they have to make a positive impact.

Every interaction a person has with another leaves an impression and makes a change in some way, even if only in a very small one.

Chandler, Zoe, Taylor, Sarah, Hunter, Noah, Christopher, and Darius (as well as those who are not testing this year)...all of you make such a positive impact in my life. Every time I train with you, have a conversation with you, and read or hear about something you have said or done, I am truly inspired.

Your drive and dedication for personal growth, the understanding you have of social responsibility, and the respect you have for everyone around you is astounding!

All of you set an example I want to follow. Don't ever stop aiming high! :o)


Major Act of kindness

Today I can cross one Major Act of Kindness off my list. I voluntered at my church. What happened was, around 40 people came to my church. They were a group of elderly who use to serve are church called the Amazing Grays. We made food and then served them. It was really cool because we had a 80's theme with a old stereo amd we had these cool hats.

Awesome week

This week we had a lot of classes. Dang they were tiring! I still need to focus on keeping my hands up. (Note to self, go to future, get clones x2 that keep their hands up, return). Today is my birthday party! I’m turning 10. Double digits!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Taking my own advice


When I was asked during the Power Within Test what my advice was for next years testers I said "catalog your bruises." So I am taking my own advice. Bruise #1....Jan. 26....Dan's MMA class. *smile*

CGN Jessica

Thursday, January 27, 2011

It's not just teaching how to kick and punch accurately...

So tonight SBN and BSBN were out teaching at another school, and a few others we sick, leaving only a few of us teaching. (Great job, by the way, guys!)
KJN wasn't feeling so great, so I volunteered to help him out with the adult beginner class. At first, it was kind of weird teaching people who are my size. lol. But it was neat, 'cause we could get a lot more details worked out.
What else is there to say? Honestly, I think a great way for us to improve in our own skills is to teach them to others. Because there's the pressure of I NEED to be right so they can be right. But you also think of the skills in a different aspect-how to explain them clearly (sometimes over and over and over and over...), how they can be used in other ways, and neat little substitutions for things like blocks and counters, etc.
It also teaches a lot of patience. Sometimes, people don't understand how or why they need to do a certain move, or have a certain attitude, or what say you. And it's not like you can tell them, just do it. They need a reason, understandably. Otherwise, what's the point?
Being an instructor at AH has made me a better student and person. I've always known what it's like to be a student, in school, college, the new employee learning new skills for work, etc. Being on the other side opens my eyes to what the instructor/boss is expecting of me and it makes me what to be a better person.
I'm really glad KJN and SBN were willing to take a risk and let me teach. Thanks guys. :)

Teaching

Today, I helped out by teaching in the studio. This is the first time since before school started and it was really fun. During the little warriors class, I recognized two boys that weren't getting much out of the group lesson. I was able to pull them a side and give them, a more direct and focused lesson on the basics (they couldn't handle more then 3 directions at a time because they are only 4 years old). I'd like to thank those two boys for giving me a fun time too. Little kids are so cute and funny! I think they learned a lot and, I'm excited to work with them again some time. That's all for now :)

New fans!

      Okay I know this is like my fourth post in the last two days, but the reason why I'm writing so many is that I wrote theses down before I could start blogging. Anyway I was waiting for the mail man to come like a dog waiting for its food. The reason is I ordered some awesome black and gold fans! I will be using these for my open form and hopefully use these at the Pacific Jewel. They came unharmed and brand new! I'm so, so, so, so happy!
               
                        P.S. Please comment on my other blogs! I love reading them! ;)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

No more corn syrup

       Hello black-belt team! Now the title of my blog gives away what I am going to be talking about in this blog, but oh well. So I have been doing this for two years now with my family and that is not having any food in our kitchen that has corn syrup! Corn syrup was first discovered  in a food lab ( that's right a food lab. Now that so sounds healthy!NOT!) and they have all different kinds of corn syrup like (HFCS stands for high fructose corn syrup) HFCS 55 ( used in soft drinks), HFCS 42 ( used in breads or any baked treats) and much, much more. I'll list some foods that have any form of corn syrup....
Power Ade                                                              
Heinz ketchup
Some salad dressings
Breyer's yogurt
 Sometimes meats
Crackers
And of course every single candy you can think of!



  •      Even if the bag says all natural still check because I found a bag of apple chips that said all natural things were in the ingredients, but I checked and found high fructose corn syrup as the second most used ingredient! SO BE ON THE LOOK OUT! REGULAR SUGAR IS MUCH, MUCH, MUCH, MORE HEALTHIER!

           I don't mean to scare anyone, but this is a black-belt test so be healthy!
    P.S. Can't wait to go to class tonight! 

    WoW

    I got an idea for my wow. since im afraid of heights my mom said see will take me to a rock climbing wall and film me doing it. All the credit from the idea goes to my mom because she came up with the idea.

    training

    had a great jits class last night... i'm starting to see how you can turn one submission into mulitple submissions..  (it's all clicking together!!)  i swear jess and i learned about 4 to 5 submissions just from going into the lapel choke.  it was also great to roll with the guys.... coach john basically said no more... switch partners.  it's never bothered me to roll with the guys, i just don't want to take away from their training.. most of them are all blue belts and have been doing this a long time.  but if you really think about it, not only am i learning so much more when partnered with someone who dominates (experience/size/strength) me but they are learning too... their forced to focus on the details of their submissions and/or escapes with someone who has a small frame.  =) 

    Tuesday, January 25, 2011

    BFFs meet garbage

        I wrote this on the 24th of Jan. on a piece of paper because I had gotten the blog invite late. Anyway I have an awesome environmental act just for me and a few of my BFFs! I was thinking of driving down to the beach and each of us will have a black garbage bag, walking along the coast searching for garbage! And when we think the coast is clear we just hang out and maybe freeze in Feb's. cold sea water! The perfect clean up for the water, people, plants and even animals!

    Pain

    Hey guys,

    I wanted share some concerns I'm struggling with. I think it's pretty common knowledge that I've been having knee and shoulder pain associated with my career in the Marines and brought back to the surface during my 1st degree test. My concern is that the pain is coming back sooner and more often than I would like it to. This by no means is going to stop me from training or keep me from testing, but I thought I better make this disclosure to the team.

    I'm going to have to make some modifications in class and with the requirements. I want to feel like I'm pulling my own weight but if my push ups are done on my knees, or I don't do the same kicks as the rest of the team I don't want anyone to think less of me. The brain is a crazy thing because in actuality I know none of you would.

    I love to hike, backpack and row my canoe and kayak. I want to be able to do these things now and well into the future. If I don't take care of myself, or risk injury during the test, I may not be able to. Being a black belt is a lifelong journey. Just like this test is a journey. I want to complete it and still be whole.

    CGN John

    My first blog! / My dad's dream!

       Well I finally am able to post all of my blogs! As SBN knows my dad gave up his dream job that he has been working for for the past four years(to become a firefighter). It really upset me that he went all that way and said no. But through out this journey my father has taught me many lessons. My father was told several times that no one would hire him because of his age and what not, but he never gave up even when people were telling him no. In the end he got job offers for some of the states best fire departments. First lessen....NEVER GIVE UP even when people tell you no! The reason why my dad gave up his job in the first place was that we couldn't afford to live with no pay for about a year and I even offered all of my money to him(390 dollars) just so he could accept the job. Well this goes into my second lesson.... DON'T PUT YOUR DREAMS FIRST AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS! If my dad did take the fire job I wouldn't be able to keep doing karate and my mom wouldn't have enough money to advertise her new books! This blog is for my dad for never giving up his dream and never giving up on his family!  

    My first blog! / My dad's dream!

       Well I finally am able to post all of my blogs! As SBN knows my dad gave up his dream job that he has been working for for the past four years(to become a firefighter). It really upset me that he went all that way and said no. But through out this journey my father has taught me many lessons. My father was told several times that no one would hire him because of his age and what not, but he never gave up even when people were telling him no. In the end he got job offers for some of the states best fire departments. First lessen....NEVER GIVE UP even when people tell you no! The reason why my dad gave up his job in the first place was that we couldn't afford to live with no pay for about a year and I even offered all of my money to him(390 dollars) just so he could accept the job. Well this goes into my second lesson.... DON'T PUT YOUR DREAMS FIRST AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS! If my dad did take the fire job I wouldn't be able to keep doing karate and my mom wouldn't have enough money to advertise her new books! This blog is for my dad for never giving up his dream and never giving up on his family!  

    Fast Food Free from CGN Sarah

    Howdy! CGN Sarah here! I am SO EXCITED for my first “WOW”!!!!! I am going to design a patch that reads “Aim High Academy Of Martial Arts, Fast Food Free” and anybody who wants to can sign up to go an entire month without eating fast food! You can buy the patch for an undecided price and will be allowed to wear it on your AHAMA uniform! Around the studio I will post signs with facts about fast food, like how the food coloring they use in red, pink, and purple shakes is made from the smashed up guts of a microscopic Cuban bug, or how one hamburger patty can contain meat from over 1000 cows. My goal is to get 100 people to sign up and commit!

    In other news, last night’s class was awesome (Classes are always fun but highly intense when SBN Dan is teaching :)). The motivational talk at the end of class was great. It was nice to hear about other team member’s opinions and stuff. It’s really reassuring to know that my team is there for me if/when I need them.

    TTFN! B)

    CGN Sarah

    12 Hours a Day

    So much to do, and so little time! Between school, class, extra training and other events I can barely find the time to reach my push-up and sit-up goals. My schedule is so crowded and over-whelming, it makes it more difficult to find time for all the things I need to do. I know that most of the team is behind, but I also that we can all 'make it happen'. here is a quote that continually helps to motivate me:
    "If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes."
    ~St. Clement of Alexandra
    Keep working hard everyone!

    Beyond having a busy schedule, the physical challenges are increasing in difficultly because I have to do so many and I get tired. My muscles are still sore from last night's mma class. It's to bad all those push-ups don't count. Before school this morning, I wanted to reflect on the test so far. I think we have had an awesome start to what is going to grow into another amazing test. Our team is made up of wonderful, inspirational people and I couldn't imagine another group I'd rather test with. Let's keep it up guys!
    To keep extra training hours in, I'm going to start attending the adult and family classes if anyone would like to join me.
    I'm also going to start arranging my 'wow'. This is defiantly going to put me out of my comfort zone! I'm going to try to contact a brownie girl scout leader to ask if I could do a demonstration on basic self defense for her troop.
    Good-bye for now and great job Everybody!

    Monday, January 24, 2011

    Conditioning! I love it!

    I'm really happy that we're starting conditioning now. To be honest, I didn't want to wait until March to start. There's something different when we're doing conditioning together vs. training in class together. I guess 'cause we can focus more on just doing it instead of the details. And it'll be a lot nicer when the weather gets warmer and we're no longer running in the dark. :)

    Sunday, January 23, 2011

    cool thing that happened to me.

    I got an email the other day from my old boss (the principal that hired me, now he's a counselor at SST). I hadn't seen or talked to him for a few years. When we took Josh to the SST (school of science and technology) open house I saw him. It was great to see him and hear how much he liked where he was working. We small talked for a little while Josh looked around the school and then we went home.

    At work the next day I received an email from Dan (my old boss's name) that said that he was teaching a new teacher class at Lewis and Clark college and was wondering if I would like to come and talk to them about what it's like to teach middle school.

    So........ As my WOW for this phase of the test I am going this Tuesday to talk to a college class. I was very honored that he asked me. He knows a lot of other people (maybe more qualified) but he chose me.

    Cool.

    CGN John

    Being in Nature

    Huge hike today with John and the kids. It was crazy - ended up only being 3 miles but it took us over 2 hours! Most of it was up hill but what a beautiful day to be out. My dry fit worked so well that that the inside layer of my rain jacket was soaked. It was a workout!

    One of the draw backs of the studio is having to be inside to train - I can't wait for the weather to warm up enough that we can do more work outside. There is something really awesome about training in nature. Forest, Beach, River, a Meadow....write back and tell me your favorite outdoor place to train.

    Tomorrow night is my monthly board meeting so I won't be there for our last joint training session. Candidates good luck! You are amazing! Black Belts....I will be with you in spirit!

    ~ CGN Jessica

    Saturday

    Saturday morning was the beginning of the D2D candidates special training... the offical start isn't until March 5th, but I wanted to give them a head start.  We had a little set back, something that will be discussed at Monday's training, but other than that...everyone did awesome.  Very proud of Darius and the progress he has made since last year.  WTG Darius!! And Dana, for training along side her son!!  Just so you know candidates, these special trainings are for you... even when a BB trains with you, they are not obligated to do the conditioning unless they want too.  My focus is on you only and your progression.  

    BTW - I was really impressed with the way some of you did a little extra to push a teammate even though you were done with your reps.  WTG!! 

    Expect an email here in the next couple of days... I want to keep this good vibe going and get you ready for March 5th.  We'll be doing numbers that day!! 

    To much energy

    Yesterday we had the first conditioning class. It was a great class and I ran more than 3 miles! Then when we got back to the studio we did even more cardio! Boy was it tiring! And after that, I had to go to the kids class, demo, and then the OGA demo class! But this is not all. I still had energy to go fishing with my family. My mom said that she needs to cut all the sweets from my diet.

    Saturday, January 22, 2011

    Watercooler News-1/22/11

    And now on watercooler news.....
    I went to my first Ice Hockey game today. It was the Portland Winterhawks vs. Seattle Thunderbirds. Ice Hockey is really brutal. You can start fist fights, slam people into the wall, and push people around. I really enjoyed spending time watching the game with my family and friends. I even got a free hat! I think it's really good to enjoy the little things in life. And here's a present. TWO quotes!

    * Happiness is like a cat, If you try to coax it or call it, it will avoid you; it will never come. But if you pay not attention to it and go about your business, you'll find it rubbing against your legs and jumping into your lap.
    -William Bennett

    * When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
    -Helen Keller

    Oh, and the winterhawks won 5-1! :)

    Piles from Yesterday

    Tonight I really stopped to think about everything I have to do and how much time I have to do it all. I ended up realizing that everyday that I don't get 250 push-ups and sit-ups done, that amount adds on to everyday following. Sometimes it seems like those things we don't get done just go away and we don't worry about them for awhile. But, those things come back and we have to make them up, to use the clique: what comes around, goes around would fit this situation. I haven't even finished 1000 push-ups or sit-ups yet and now more than ever do realize what mistake not doing more was. Now, each day gets more and more of physical challenge. This test takes a lot more planning than it seems at first sight. Lesson learned, I proceed with new knowledge about time management.
    So here we are, 6am on the morning of our first run for the black belt training season and I'm convinced I was meant to be a fat middle-aged couch potato, because I really want to go back to sleep. But, pudge is my enemy and the runners are my friends, so off I go.

    My biggest challenge so far this training season? Time. There's just not enough of it. I got out the phase 1 sheet, listing everything to be accomplished over the next several weeks, only to sit there wondering how I'm going to get it all done.

    Did Bruce Lee and all those other guys have this problem? Did Bruce's teenage daughter come to him and say, "Dad, my dress just has to arrive in time for Winter Formal... Can you get your friend Karate Joe to do my hair? Oh, and my friends will be here around 6, so can you drive us to dinner, pick us all up afterwards, drive us to the dance, and, oh yeah, we may need you to pick us up. Can we go to the mall for shoes now?" Did Bruce's cat hack up a hairball right as he was going out the door for a 9 hr work day after walking his younger child to the bus stop, only to have his spouse step over it and say, "Cat puked." ?

    My point is, I'm quickly finding my life disappearing around me to train. I signed up for it, I want it badly, and at the same time, I know that each year it seems more is added onto the first degree test than the last year and I find myself knowing that I have to finish this goal this year because I don't think I can do it next year without getting a divorce, quitting my job and telling the kids to go everywhere on their bikes at night.

    This year, the physical requirements don't seem to be nearly as challenging as the life surrounding it.

    Friday, January 21, 2011

    Ma'ma! I'm Coming Home!

    As I sit here in the SeaTac Intern. Airport I can't help to be immersed in the great view of the airplanes leaving, the fun noises of the restaurants and coffee shops, and comfortable wood of the seat I'm sitting in.. and all that goes along with a giant enclosed shopping area that also just so happens to be a release point for huge cans with wings that bring people to and back again.

    No I have some good time to reflect about the things that are important in life and enjoy all the abundance and greatness around me. You see, when your attitude is good, there's nothing that can stop you from enjoying whatever is happening. No i'm not talking about a false fake view on reality, but an ability, habit if you will, to find the good in not matter what happens or your circumstance.

    This week I've been battling with a lot. Like on pile of play dough in a room of kindergartners I've been pulled and molded in many different directions. Papa had a scare, as he is 80yrs old, there wasn't something right with his insides, so they had to go inside and take out the wrong to make the wrong right again, which they did, and so did I have to do with many different things around the academy. Now like a doctor going into surgery on my dad, I was too a surgeon going into the belly of the beast to remove the issues at hand all while dealing with the little things and the big, outside of the belly. (too deep? am I doing too deep with these analogies? naa...)

    I held it together though. I don't say that with the wit of wanting to bring myself up, but I'm actually proud with my performance, given that I had no rehearsal or prior moments to get prepared. I knew there was a lot happening, but I didn't know it, as in everything, would all happen at once?!

    Now like that surgeon, having to make decisions and thinking about the next move before they get there, they don't go into that surgery room without a team of $%#$ good people surrounding them. There is a specialist for each area - someone to keep the heart going, the lungs moving, the sweat off the face of the patient and the surgeon. There's machines and computers in place to keep it as safe as possible. But with every surgery there's a risk, a toll that is paid, and a moment of doubt.

    My dad come home tonite, as I left Reno, he found a brand new lazyboy, and a breath of fresh air as he was given another chance, and the reality that thus far, his moment has not come. But with a 10in stapled incision in the place that once was the opening for his triple bypass, and the exhaustion and lack of muscle movement etc.. he's on the road to recovery. But it's nice to see recovery insight.

    I too feel that in many ways the situation around me with my team, my business, my passions and visions have been through a surgery like my fathers. But I too feel that now, even though we have just passed the tip of it, we are now on the road to recovery and all that comes with it.

    As a team we are tough. We are sound and able. We have the ability to create, motivate and continue regardless of circumstance or surroundings. As a Team we can make everything out of nothing. But like a surgeon, without a team, the chance of success is greatly lessened if at all.

    I realize that my attitude and outlook effects everything I do. For a moment I realized the expectations of this test and thought, 'how can I?'.. But because of the lessons learned this week, i'm able to answer that question. ' I can, with my team..'

    Thanks D2D - Workout hard tomorrow 1st candidates! We were all there once, and keep moving forward. Read my lil' motivational emails and hit your requirements, as you know I'll be 'hitting' mine..

    -Sbn Dan

    Wednesday, January 19, 2011

    Another test...still the same challenge.

    During the Power Within test, the push-up requirement seemed to be my enemy, and here I am in a second test with even more to do. I haven't quite figured out completely what it is about push-ups that is such a challenge for me, but when I was talking to SBN the other night I think I came to the conclusion that my perfectionist nature is to blame.

    It's not the push-ups...it's me. If I'm going to try and make sure I'm doing push-ups with the best form possible, I need to break up the style of push-up, and do them throughout the day.

    CGN Guy once told me that when trying to increase the number of reps that you can perform, you need to do as many as you can to the point your form begins to suffer, and then rest. Push yourself to the point of failure, take a break, and then do it again. Point of failure can mean that your core gives out, your arms begin to wobble and stray away from your body too far, you begin to lose the straight line in your hips, etc.

    I know I'm not the only one who feels the push-up requirement is daunting, so I'd be happy to talk about this with anyone and show them what CGN showed me. Just let me know.

    My solution to my own problem is that I'm going to try and do 3 sets of 10 push-ups with the best form I can hold every hour I'm at work. 30 and hour for 8 hours will be 240 push-ups minimum every day. Then I can finish up what I need to get done for February after work while I'm also working on the other requirements.

    My arms should be pretty darn buff four weeks from now... :o]

    1st blog

    i am right about to go to school. this is my first time doing this so bye.

    Tuesday, January 18, 2011

    1st blog

    14 years ago I was feeding Jessica grapes, fanning her brow, and wiping her head with a cold rag.
    This will be one thing I will never regret!

    Cgn John

    Sarah's 1st Blog Entry

    Wassup! I will be posting my blog on my mom's account because I am to young to have a google account. I wish the system would let me do my blog but, what can you do? Today is my brothers birthday. I was at my group piano less on tonight so i missed out on training. i am SUPER excited about my open form. 25 seconds!!!! I'm already behind on my push ups and sit ups. I will have to come up with a good routine.
    Ta Ta for now!!!
    See ya at BB training!

    -CGN Sarah

    14 years ago....

    Well 14 years ago today I wasn't feeling very good. Joshua was born about 7 hours ago on this day and I was positively wiped out. I had been on bed rest for 3 months following pre term labor. I gained over 50 pounds after laying still for so long. I was only allowed one trip up, and back down our stairs each day. It was CRAZY. Labor was horrible - I was so out of shape I couldn't breathe let alone push. And then there he was. Beautiful and perfect. I look at him today, and see the young man he has become and I think "this is one thing I will never regret."

    I could never have imagined that 14 years later I would be testing for my 2nd degree. How happy is that? Moms....whenever this test gets tough just remember NOTHING is tougher than labor. If you can survive that you can survive ANYTHING! And for those of you who are not moms yet....just think of this as your dry run! :-)

    CGN Jessica

    This is why I train

    Earning my Black Belt, achieving that goal is so important to me. It will be something that I have accomplished. It won't be just another empty, shallow, broken dream that became a nice thought accompanied by the phrase, "What if?"

    This new dream (outside of getting my BB), this new goal is so fragile. Like a bubble. And I'm afraid it's going to pop. Bubbles pop so easily and are lost forever. True, there are more bubbles, just like there are more dreams, but it's still, it's hard and painful losing a dream.

    I don't want to let go of it. I want to see this other dream become a reality. I was talking to my dad earlier and I snapped at him because he was asking a legit question about how this goal is going to work out. I was wrong to do that, I know. Especially because he meant well. But I realized something-I'm afraid. I'm afraid of losing another dream, of another goal becoming just that-a dream/goal and nothing more. No flesh and blood, so to say, to those dreams.

    This is why I'm working so hard on getting this belt. Yeah, to someone else, it's just an over sized belt with my name on it. But to me, it's so much more. It's finally achieving a goal. It's victory. It's accomplishment. It's a dream that became a reality. And it will mean that I can do anything else I want.

    This is why I put every fiber of my being into it. This is why I will not give up. This is why I put up with the pain. I will win. I want to taste victory. I can't lose. I can't. And I won't.

    I found something, and I want to share it with you.

    "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed but not given to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed...That is why we never give up...our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever!"

    Tired...

    I have lots to do and it feels like I'm running on empty.  I need to be cloned... x3. 

    Monday, January 17, 2011

    Catching Up

    Finally I'm over my cold and can return to training tonight. Since Thursday, I've been trying complete my push-ups and sit-ups for February. I've defiantly fallen behind and probably need to do over 300 each day. Being sick as put put me back a long way, I'll have to work extra hard to catch up. Self discipline is the only thing that keeps me going to the end. I know that I chose to start this test and that means I'm going to finish it. The physical challenge is nothing to the mental hardship it takes to keep going right now. At least now I'm well enough to start again. See you all tonight!

    Sunday, January 16, 2011

    If Life throws you fish, make sushi. yum, sushi..

    Crazy start to the year. There's a lot of big things happening, not all great, but the ones that are, really outweigh the bad. I'm sitting in the PDX airport headed to reno to visit my dad. He had emergancy colon surgery about, well, they started about 30 min. ago. I'm sure he'll be more than okay - but it's good for mom and dad to have their kids there for support. I mean they've supported me for more than 28yrs, and I know how much I appreicated everything.



    Its heart warming to see the team that surrounds us at Aim High. the family feel is more than prevalent. That feel is the same bases why i decided to start the school and put all I had/could into it. I still feel that was the right decision, but trust me, the road has thus far been long and hard... but a road worth traveling. A lot has been learned and discovered. A lot of lives have been changed and shaped..



    My training has been getting better and better. I feel like i'm getting back into the shape I way for my UBBT tests, and that's fantastic! I really have about 10lbs of fat more to go. working on the requirements on a daily plan is a great way to stay on top of it. Small steps to get a long way.



    I've been fighting a cold, that has been frustrating a lot people - not just myself, and that interferred with Black Belt training and a Jits class, however I doubt they'd want my snotty nose and gross sounds around them. Needless to say offline training took effect to make up for the missed episodes.



    I'm not sure how long I'll be in Reno but I'll be training, that's for sure. I'm going to head to the plane and get moving.. Until next time. I also am looking forward to reading all your journal entries tonite and tomorrow while on the road! Let's keep connected via these and keep each other motivated and moving!



    -Sbn Dan

    The first week

    It's the first week since we got the hand outs and I though that this week's classes were easier. Probably because all the workouts seem hard to me. I hope every thing is fine with the new hand outs. I’ll see if next week, the training is a lot harder.

    Just a test...

    wanted to make sure i got this setup right before posting anything... :)

    Saturday, January 15, 2011

    Hectic. 1/15/11

    It is intresting getting back into the just of things. Doing 150 pushups/situps every day, already calculating how im going to do everything. All this on top of Drama practice. And normal Aim High Workouts. Well, say goodbye to free time chris, because your going all in. On another note, i enjoyed the conditioning work that BSBN Cory set up for us. I love working on the core muscles. Thanks BSBN Cory! In addition, im going to find a motivational quote for each week. (should be easy enough.....right?) And because everything should be started with a Chuck Norris quote, here is the starting quote:

    "If you want to accomplish anything in life, you can't just sit back and hope it will happen. You've got to make it happen."
    ---Chuck Norris


    Hehe. Make it Happen  : )

    Signed,
    CGN Chris Hoskins,
    Dare to Dream 2011 Test

    Friday, January 14, 2011

    Officially a black belt candidate

    On Saturday we got the expectation sheet for black belt. I was surprised about how much we had to do this year. It is a big list of things but I think I can do them all. Just wait and find out (30,000 push and sit-ups! WOW!)

    Thursday, January 13, 2011

    A Great Start

    I think last night's conditioning was a wonderful start to set the pace for the year ahead. Thanks for the great class BSBN Cory! I think it is great to have a focus for each training. The different activities really exercise the core well, I'm still sore today (no complaints there). I'm still finalizing a plan to get all my push-ups and sit-ups done and get back into the training mode but, last night was a great opening. The journey begins now, twice as intense as it was in 2009 with the power within. Second degree is defiantly a challenge, but where would be the pride and accomplishment in being black belt if it was easy?

    Tuesday, January 11, 2011

    Getting Started

    First step - organization. Got books put together today with sheets to track progress on all the requirements. There is TONS to do. First WOW - flash mob - plans are underway for Feb 5th! Made it kickboxing but had to skip jits. Looking forward to Cory's class tomorrow. J

    There is always more to strive for...

    The title of this post is my affirmation for this test. No matter how much you learn, accomplish, etc., there is always more to work towards. There are always going to be people to help, problems to solve, and fun times to be had. That is how I plan to approach my training on every level...what more can I and all of you other testers get from ourselves and each other? I think it goes along with CANI, and the philosophy of Mastery...and Aim High overall.

    All of us are connected in that we see a goal, but that goal is not the end of the road.

    I hope everyone keeps this in mind throughout the next ten months...we have five phases to accomplish a larger goal, but that goal also leads us to more and more discovery on every level. Someone came up with the phrase "Black Belt for Life." I see that in all of us, and I hope for everyone there is always more to strive for. :o)

    Best Black belt team so far....

    It's good to see we are all getting started on these journal entries, If we are going to make it thru this test and come out the best yet we all have to find time for every part of our requirements or knowledge base needs as much attention as our forms and we should rep out journal entries like roundhouse kicks and i think with the group we have we can easily hold each other accountable and easily meet and exceed the standards we have in front of us.

    Dare to Dream! let's get it started!

    this week

    wow this week has been crazy. dare to dream is officially on. everything hurts.but is so awesome!

    Monday, January 10, 2011

    Friday, January 7, 2011

    -Sarah Ban Breathnach

    The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.
    -Sarah Ban Breathnach

    Wednesday, January 5, 2011

    Dream Big

    If you are going to dream, dream big.

    Dare to Dream - Test Post

    This is a test, this is only a test. If this had been a real post, there would be something important here. But this is only a test. So quit reading. Stop wasting your time on this. Don't you have some forms to practice or something? Why are you still here? Go away. OK, fine, I'll be the bigger person and stop first.





    Are you still here?