Monday, January 31, 2011
Hello
video journals
on a better note, you guys are doing great with the journaling! keep it up! :)
Ketchup
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
Sunday, January 30, 2011
My WOW! :)
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..
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
Major Act of kindness
Awesome week
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Taking my own advice
Thursday, January 27, 2011
It's not just teaching how to kick and punch accurately...
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
New fans!
P.S. Please comment on my other blogs! I love reading them! ;)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
No more 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
training
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
BFFs meet garbage
Pain
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!
My first blog! / My dad's dream!
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
Monday, January 24, 2011
Conditioning! I love it!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
cool thing that happened to me.
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
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
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
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Watercooler News-1/22/11
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
Friday, January 21, 2011
Ma'ma! I'm Coming Home!
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.
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]
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
1st blog
This will be one thing I will never regret!
Cgn John
Sarah's 1st Blog Entry
Ta Ta for now!!!
See ya at BB training!
-CGN Sarah
14 years ago....
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
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!"
Monday, January 17, 2011
Catching Up
Sunday, January 16, 2011
If Life throws you fish, make sushi. yum, sushi..
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
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Hectic. 1/15/11
"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
Thursday, January 13, 2011
A Great Start
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Getting Started
There is always more to strive for...
Best Black belt team so far....
Dare to Dream! let's get it started!
this week
Friday, January 7, 2011
-Sarah Ban Breathnach
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Dare to Dream - Test Post
Are you still here?
