This week has been full of fun and excitement. I spent the three day weekend with my dad visiting family down in the central valley. While we were there I got some practice driving on busier streets and I have to say, flatland is a lot easier than the terrain in Auburn. We also did […]
This week was scary, and fun. I auditioned for next year’s spring musical, Mean Girls. This was the first time I had done anything like this and it felt good to put myself out there and I am looking forward to seeing if I get cast. Mean Girls is one of my favorite movies and […]
Written by Cooper Riegel
Not much happened this week. It’s been a rainy week in Auburn so I’ve spent a lot of time inside. I still went out for a hike in the rain earlier this week, and I have a feeling the flower bloom this year is going to be enormous. I was also able to get some […]
Written by Cooper Riegel
This week marks the end of the second month of my test. The physical parts of the test have been easier, and the sparring rounds I am doing with Sensei Chris Hadlock have been very fun but also challenging. His style of fighting is very different from what I am used to and it is […]
Written by Cooper Riegel
This week has been very exciting! I started my first job on Sunday at the Unitarian church here in Auburn. Also, I was finally able to get my Driving Permit! Now, I need to take a driving lesson so I can drive on surface streets. Along with the 3-day weekend has come time to start […]
Written by Cooper Riegel
This week was packed full of new (and old) karate experiences. There was a tournament up here in Auburn at Master Bennati’s dojo. This was the first time I had been back there since I came to Zen in 2020. I was very nervous at first coming back to the place I trained originally from […]
Written by Cooper Riegel
Wow. To say I am impressed with Dirk and David is an understatement. I am very grateful to have been involved in their test and it was amazing seeing what lies ahead for me and Lucas. When they began their tests, I wasn’t able to imagine the dedication and willpower this test requires. Now that […]
Written by Cooper Riegel
One of my favorite parts of this test has been the 1000 Mile Journey. It has been getting me out into nature and I am very happy about that. There is so much to see and I have definitely gotten more motivation to go outside. I took this photo on top of Mt. Lincoln while […]
Written by Cooper Riegel
Being a Black Belt – What does that mean to me? It is difficult to explain to someone who has not practiced a martial art. Some of my family and friends will be with me at the dojo to support me during my test and I appreciate that a lot. They all know what the […]
Written by Dirk Herfurth
What it means to be a black belt (…should I pass!) Setting a goal and sticking to it! No quitting, no excuses! In my very early days at the beginning of my training sensei made a comment about putting a picture of a black belt on the refrigerator as a reminder of the goal. It […]
Written by David Brezinski