Written by Avi, Gail, and I have officially completed the first week of our black belt test! I have been training in Isshinryu karate for roughly 5 years now and I am so excited to be starting this journey. I was 12 years old when I started training in karate and ever since then I have been … Continue reading “Black Belt Week One”
Written by Gail Mader
So I began the One Heart Challenge on June 1. When Sensei Oliver invited me to join the challenge along with Elinor and Avi, I was grateful and yet scared. I know how much of my life I focused on preparing for my shodan test. It literally took an army of people to support me … Continue reading “The Journey Begins”
Written by Olivia Ford
It’s official! Our dojo now has two new black belt candidates. Elinor and Avi are finally starting their black belt tests. With a combined nearly fourteen years of training, they are starting the thirteen month journey. Starting on June 1st they will begin their test. This is extremely exciting to see since I have been … Continue reading “New Black Belt Candidates”
Written by Olivia Ford
One of the many things that I have to complete in order to finish my black belt test is to seek out a master. I have to talk with someone who is considered a master in isshinryu karate. A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Master Diane Ortenzio-Cooling. She is a ninth-degree … Continue reading “Seeking Out A Master”
Written by Olivia Ford
Last weekend, I finished the final stage of my community service project! After weeks of collecting donations, buying the items I was short on, organizing, and planning, I was able to start the final day. Last Saturday started with the card-making process. The dojo was open to students of all ages to come in and … Continue reading “Project Completion”
Written by Olivia Ford
Today is Mothers Day! I know that I have made a blog about my dad on my blogs and how he is doing the black belt test with me, however I have never really written about my mom on my blogs before, and I think that this is the perfect opportunity. When I was first … Continue reading “Mothers Day”
Written by Olivia Ford
I just wrapped up the donations part of my community service project, and I received so many donations. I knew that I was going to get a lot, but I never imagined the sheer numbers of things that I would receive. We have a spare room in my house and it has been absolutely taken … Continue reading “Community Service Project Progress”
Written by Olivia Ford
This past weekend I competed in NorCal. NorCal is a big drill competition for all of the JROTC units in northern California. This year my school competed in unarmed drill, armed drill with rifles, and color guard. I was a part of the unarmed drill divisions and I led the JV color guard team. We … Continue reading “NorCal”
Written by Olivia Ford
One of the requirements for my black belt test is to run a community service project. For my community service project I am working with a women’s center, called Wellsprings Women Center, to make care packages for women in need. Wellsprings helps women who have lived in bad environments get back on their feet by … Continue reading “Community Service Project”
Written by Olivia Ford
One of the ways that I have been getting my miles in is riding around my neighborhood. Specifically, going up and down parking garages. I am lucky enough to live just a block away from the UC Davis Medical Center, and there are three different parking garages within it. I have been going on my … Continue reading “More Mileage!”
