sensei8

I've never lost a child. In that, I pray that I never will. My thoughts and my prayers go out to each and every parent that has ever had to endure this pain. October 10, 2010, a local newpaper, Tulsa World, published a story. To me, this story wasn't just another run of the mill type of story. No! To me, it was a means for the readers to get to know about a brave and special little girl named Tess. I got to know a little about Tess, her mom, Laura Gonsalves, and about her last day alive. This story touched me so deeply, and it still resonates in my inner-most being. So many personal and private experiences between Tess and her family on that day was gladly being shared with the unknown reading public; I was so grateful that I was amongst them, and I was so thankful to Tess' mom for allowing me to get to know Tess and Laura and the rest of Tess' family on her last day. Tess' courage and acceptance at 14 years old was more than a million adults conbined could muster. I don't know if I could've had Tess' resolve or courage or acceptance if I had been in her situation, especially on my last day. By the time I reached towards the end of the story, I was crying. However, when I finished reading the 9th paragraph, I was sobbing uncontrollable because of it's complete totality. Heaven must've needed a new angel! Here's the story... http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?no=subj&articleid=20101010_222_G3_ULNSor604275&archive=yes **Patrick, I hope that this is acceptable and that it doesn't violate KF's User Guidelines. If so, I'm truly sorry!!**

Please realize that I too have never seen a double charge and the like for testing fees for when a student happens to fail; I was just playing devils advocate for the sake of the topic. Just as well, I too, wouldn't test anyone that hadn't earned the testing invitation. Again, I was playing devils advocate for the sake of the topic. Solid posts thus far....thanks!!

WOW...OUCH...OMG...MOMMY!! The Rangers AND Cliff Lee dominated the Yankees...No...the Yankees got spanked by the Rangers. Petite gave up a 2 run homer in the 1st inning, but, after that hiccup, Petite settled down and did his thing very well. Then...came the top of the 9th inning...one run after another run....for the Rangers...6 runs to be exact...final score...8-0 at Yankee Stadium....MOMMY!! Cliff Lee was beyond solid...13K's, and gave up ONLY 2 hits...dominated the Yankees? No! Humiliated the Yankees!! I've got a ton of respect for Cliff Lee and the 2010 Rangers. I hate them still, but, I'm on my knees bowing to their abilities. Oh yeah, Josh Hamilton, please quite starting things...yeah...started the 1st inning by going yard for a 2 run bomb, and then he started the 6 run-fest in the 9th inning by a lead-off double. Holy moly batman! NOW I'M SCARED and a little WORRIED on the posibility of not getting the repeat championship for the Yankees! 2 more games at Yankee Stadium and then we're back to Texas, unless the Rangers continue their hitting dominance....freaks! AAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!! MOMMY [sucking my thumb] GO YANKEES!!

MNF>>> I wasn't even close on the score I predicted...24-21...NOPE...it was the Titans, as I predicted, but the final score was...30-3. DOH!!

The funny thing to me about Big Bear, CA is that IT'S NEAR LOS ANGELES, CA. One doesn't usually think of mountains that big near L.A.

It happens often in martial arts schools...TEST DAY! Question to my fellow instructors.... When a student in a martial arts school fails a test, WHY?... A) Because that student(s) didn't demonstrate any marked improvement(s)! OR B) Because "I" can get another testing fee or something else by not passing that student(s). The majority of us, if not all of us, here at KF will pick #A for obvious reasons. But, here's the problem with #B, imho. This is what a lot of parents and the like think when their "Jane" or their "Tom" fails a test. Once a parent gets #B stuck in their heads; it's almost impossible to get them to accept #A. Is this mentality/mindset only from parents who are customers of McDojo's and the like? OR This mentality/mindset permeates more often than not from Non-McDojo's as well? The summation of "WHY" can be hard for parents to accept. Parents, once decided, only want to hear that their kid(s) have passed. The summation of "WHY" speaks about making improvements, and that speaks about WORK/EFFORT. That's alien to the parent as well as their child/children. "Why? You just want more money!" "Why? You just don't want to promote my Billy/Lilly to, pick a color, that belt because you don't want my Billy/Lilly to get a black belt!" "Why? You passed Gary/Shari, but you won't pass my Harry/Mary!" No matter the reason, to that parent, the instructor is dead wrong. Just as soon as the parent wins the arguement with the instructor; the parent becomes in charge of the testing board, hence, the instructor. It's very hard for parents/students to understand, and/or listen to the truth from their instructor? WHY isn't CAN'T! WHY is a path to CAN! Are you large and in charge? Or are the parents large and in charge? Not at my dojo/Hombu...EVER!!

Solid Shugyo!!

Good point! Kathy trained with Eric Nolan from Bakerfield, CA at one time.

Rosetta Stone has a kanji tutorial as well? Go figure...cool!

Imho, there's nothing like teaching kids!! Congrats, and you'll find just how fun it is across the board, if you haven't already!

Solid post!!

When Soke was alive, I addressed him in the Dojo/Hombu as Soke. When Dai-Soke was alive, I addressed him in the Dojo/Hombu as Dai-Soke. However, I never addressed Dai-Soke, who was my Sensei, him as Senpai, nor did Dai-Soke ever address me as his Kohai at any time, although we both had an extremely close relationship that lasted well over 4 decades. When I'm at the Hombu, I've no Senior to address because I'm the most Senior within all of the Shindokan Saitou-ryu since Soke and Dai-Soke passed away.

Which methodology should you adhere to? The methodology of the style? The methodology of your fellow martial artists? The methodology of what works the best for you? The methodology of your instructors' instructor? The methodology of your instructor? The methodology of proven martial arts champions? The methodology of the well known martial artists? Your methodology? Another step in your journey is about to be made!!

Also, please define "young" because I'm 53. Are you speaking in children as young, OR, are you speaking as those who are adults that are much younger than I am?? Train with means to me...an exchange of ideas and/or a reinforcement of things already learnt. So, define "train"...please!

Personally, I've always found it was much harder for me to write the Kanji than it was for me to learn the language. I'm more versed at the speaking than I am of the writing.

If we're not to teach children "dangerious and the like" techniques, by whomever's definition that might be, then we shouldn't teach anything within the martial arts to anybody, kids and/or adults. After all, we're not teachers of ballet!

Good points Brian. Sabathia wasn't his usual self in game #1 of the ALCS, and I was reserved to the fact that the Rangers were going to win their first playoff game at home...against the Yankees, but then the 8th inning smiled favorably upon the Yankees and they showed why in sports, especially in baseball, it's not over until the fat lady sings. Of course we had Mo to save the win for the Yankees. Now, comes game #2 of the ALCS and the Rangers took command of that entire game. Lewis started the fight and the Ranger bullpen kept swinging and Feliz finished the fight...Feliz threw HEAT; most of his pitches were in the 90's and some were 100 mph...can't hit what you can't see until it's in the catchers mitt. I'll admit this...these Rangers are much better than the 1996 Rangers when the Yankees took care of them with ease. Therefore, it'll not be that easy for the Yankees. Game #3 will have Lee for the Rangers and Petite for the Yankees; battle of the Giants. Oh yeah, speaking of the Giants. I'm not too moved about the NLCS at all, to me the NLCS is like buzzing flys...they're just as annoying as a fly. Whomever wins that series will give the winning team of the ALCS a fight of their life in the World Series. But right now, the NLCS is a big yawn...to me...for now, I don't care who wins between either of the teams because I'm focusing on the ALCS and the Yankees to win that series. But, it'll be a drag out fight. GO YANKEES!!

Well...week #6 is in the books...and it was an interesting week. Jets continue to win, and their winning streak isn't a fluke, it's TALENT across the board. Dolphins win is contributed to scoring in EACH quarter and never saying die...congrats Patrick. The Chiefs would've won if it wasn't for the...4th quarter. I keep thinking that the Texans shouldn't be in the NFL, but, they keep surprising their opponents, this week the Chiefs with a LATE TD in the 4th quarter. Tough loss Brian, I thought for sure they had that one, but that fat lady hadn't sung yet. The bumbling stumbling dorks called the Cowboys deserve everything they get when they lose. First, Romo is improving on his...INTERCEPTION numbers...again, TRADE HIM! Those 2 interceptions cost the Cowboys 10 points...sheech! Get rid of Wade Phillips because not even Wade knows what he's doing! DUMB, but deserved penalty. The penalty rule for over celabrating is awful, but that penalty wasn't dumb, no, it was Austin leapfrogging over Williams that was dumb...same thing happened LAST WEEK against the Titans...and now, the 15 yard penalty set up the Vikings for a touchdown...my oh my what is it going to take for the Cowboys to have that so called 'special season'? I don't know either! I love my wife dearly..."They (Cowboys) only lost by 3 points", but what my wife doesn't understand is that the Cowboys...LOST. That's all that matters at the end of the day; they lost, whether it was by 3 or by 30 points, they LOST, they earned the big 'L' in the win/lose column...again and again! Look at Peyton...25-38, 307 yds, 2 TDs...Washington fought but the Colts took care of business! The Saints took the Bucs to task harshly with a 31-6 victory...can someone say "Ouch!"?!! Week #6 had its share of close games...welcome to the NFL where some games are awesome and some belong in the basement. Speaking of the basement...the Bills, the Browns, the Cowboys, the Lions, the Panthers, and the 49ers are guaranteed to stay in the basement the way they are playing. MNF, Titans VS Jaguar's almost always provide a great game of football...I'd say the Titans will win this by a score of 24-21. GO COWBOYS!!

No, the Cowboys should TAKE you up on your offer...for real!!

I wouldn't treat ANY of my students that way EVER!! Without any hesitation on your part at all...LEAVE that so-called school ASAP.

I believe that many KF members might find this interesting, especially those who have a keen interest of history. Enjoy... http://yamada-san.blogspot.com/2008/02/meeting-of-okinawa-karate-do-masters-in.html

How about them Rangers? Rangers beat the Rays 5-1, and now the Rangers will face the Yankees in the ALCS. I'm only concerned with Cliff Lee; he's dangerious! But...the Yankees will win the ALCS and effortlessly walk into the World Series, and whomever the Yankees have to face in the World Series will only mean one thing for the Yankees....YANKEE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS...AGAIN!! GO YANKEES!

Children's interests change as often as the wind. In the martial arts, one needs motivation more than being athletic inclined or competitve or being gifted. Your kids must WANT to do the martial arts. You must continue to support and encourage and believe in them everyday and in every step of the way. The martial arts isn't for everyone because it's difficult, and it's suppose to be. Well, I've some bad news for you. Martial arts training will never end, therefore, they'll never finish. If in finishing you mean earning a black belt will be the finish line, well, the accomplishment of earning a black belt is huge in any martial artists life, but, taking the martial arts for the sake of earning belts isn't a good reason. And for that reason, if it is for that reason, then you're missing the forest because of the trees. Again, earning the belts is suppose to be difficult and it's suppose to take some time and it's not suppose to be the reason for learning the martial arts. Imagine if your were to rush your kids through school. That would be detrimental to their educational growth. Same thing in the martial arts; nurture their martial arts growth for that will be to the betterment of them in the long run. They shouldn't be concerned with how long it'll take, only that they train hard everyday. Keep your kids on their martial arts journey, and in the long run, you'll be glad that you did. The financial burden can't be overlooked because it's the reality of the many, many years of martial arts training. The economic downturn has taken its toll upon us all in one way, shape, and/or form. Imho, the martial arts is a want, and not a need. I don't need the martial arts to survive but I need food and shelter and the like. If the financial burden is to much, then stop your kids from taking the martial arts until your finances allow it. Sometimes, as parents, we have to make tough and unforseen decisions, and in that, our kids don't fully understand as to the reasons. The process of the martial arts is akin to your kids' regular school; one grade at a time, no matter how long it takes to complete each grade. That's the martial arts, as far as the belts are concerned, in a nutshell. Knowledge is paramount in the martial arts, not the belts!! Practical? Do you think that your kids are learning how to defend themselves? If not, then voice your concerns with their instructor. If they are, then it's worth it and it's practical. But in order to be good at anything it'll take a lot of training and a lot of time. Again, speak your concerns with their instructor. You keep speaking about "FINISH" as though that's the most important element of the martial arts, when it's not! Although, if black belt is 'your' goal for your kids, then your kids won't learn what's important from the martial arts, and that is, KNOWLEDGE!! Black belt isn't the end, it's only the beginning! Karate is karate, please forget about the adult karate and the kid karate stuff. And yes, it's an aesthetic sort of thing, where they either get it or they don't. Each martial artists reaches their AHA moment many times, over and over, while on their martial arts journey. The martial arts isn't for everyone because it's difficult across the board. It's not so much different from one instructor to another within the same style, but, it's different from one style to another! Instructors in the same style teach differently, yet, the instructors reach the same goals for their students within the By-Laws of the governing body. In that, not all instructors of the same style are always on the same page because not all instructors teach the same, and in that, not all instructors have interpretated the same style the same way. Not all black belts can teach!! Within the same style, yes, for the most! Although, if you were to switch from one style to another, well, that's a big NO!! If you go from one Shotokan instructor to another Shotokan instructor, your rank should transfer unabridged. However, if you go from Shotokan to Tae Kwon Do or even Goju-ryu, then you're going to have to start from white belt because you'd have no prior experience with TKD or Goju-ryu. By the time a practitioner reaches brown or black belt, they should already be physically fit to compete as a brown/black belt because by the time they've earned a brown belt, they would've been in their style for several years already. Good luck and I wish you and your kids the very best!!

Gaining a belt in any style of the martial arts is suppose to be difficult. Besides, gaining belts is a bad reason to want to begin any martial art. Train very hard and let the belt tests take care of themselfs. I wouldn't classify Kyokushin as brutal; it's a 'hard' style. Effectiveness of any martial arts is up to the practitioner, and in that, if the style is ineffective, it's not the fault of the style, it's the fault of the practitioner. Every style has beginners and every style needs beginners. Imagine if Kyokushin no longer had any beginners for one reason or another. I think that would start the downfall of that style. No! You're a beginner in Shotokan, so, switch asap. What I'd advise you is to not switch over and over and over and over. Taste and see if Kyokushin is good for you. Whatever the style, it must fit YOU across the board!! One final piece of advise if your going to switch to Kyokushin, and that is this. Learn a new word...SHUGYO...SUCK IT UP because you're going to need to call upon as much fortitude as you can and often! Good luck and train harder than before!

Well, I'm not all to surprised by the Cowboys LOSING AGAIN !! Romo has mastered throwing the interception....ARGH!! TRADE ROMO for a riding lawnmower!! GO COWBOYS!!