Member of the Month: Zaine

[Patrick]

Hey all,

Thank you for visiting KarateForums.com.

We recognize one member every month as the KarateForums.com Member of the Month for their positive contributions to this community.

Our honoree this time is... @Zaine for the fourth time!

Last August, Zaine marked 20 years of being a member here at KarateForums.com! That's an incredible period of time, but it is easily exceeded by the quality of your contributions over the years, John. Thank you for being such a big part of our community!

Patrick

[sensei8]

Congrats @Zaine; well deserved!!

[DarthPenguin]

Congratulations @Zaine , well done! 20yrs is a fair innings too!

[Zaine]

Thank you so much! To paraphrase Bilbo Baggins

Quote

I am immensely fond of you all, and 20 years is too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable martial artists.

I was 15 when I found this website, I am now 35. I signed up on August 31st, my mother's birthday. She turned 35 that day, ironically enough. I don't quite remember what kyu rank I was, but I have been a part of this website so long that it has seen me through to my Nidan, a marriage, a child (now 12), 2 college degrees, and so much more. Martial arts is my most enduring passion. As someone with ADHD, hobbies come and go quickly. I know a very detailed amount of things about a litany of subjects simply because I heard a sound bite on a random Tuesday and dove head first into research. I heard someone with ADHD say that they have all of that information in their head and all they're waiting for is the write combination of words to activate that file. Like a trivia sleeper agent. That also seems to be the case for me . Martial arts, however, has been the consistent hobby in my life. So much so that I consider it to be more than a hobby. It's an essential part of who I am. I am not John Asbill with karate. This community, too, has been the consistent pillar in that journey as I sought advice and then, one day, found myself giving it out.

I've said it before, and I will say it again. This is the best community of martial artists out there. The compassion of the people here and the desire to see others grow is so unique. I love this place. Thank you @Patrick for giving us a place to speak.