Walking For a Cause

Today we participated in the annual Orange County Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk which took place at Cal State Fullerton.  Lots of positive feelings and good vibes abound, even though we walk to fight a cruel and insidious illness.  

The campus at CSUF sure does look different from when I attended in 1982-84.  The original buildings I barely remember and I can't get over how many new buildings are there.  I know it gets a bad rap as a "commuter school" but it still feels like a university!  Nice football stadium, would be nice to have a team again.  

Even though it was only a two mile walk, I am exhausted!  

Unilateral Decision

I have made an executive descion:  I am naming the dog Gretta, I don't care what everyone else says since I pick up the $@#&!  And there is a lot of it!

My Indian name is Yellow Belt

After much practice, many mistakes, and a great deal of uncoordination, I have achieved the rank of yellow belt in karate.  Thank you, thank you very much.  After the testing, I realized I should have tested for the orange belt as well, but since each cost $50, I saved myself some money.   I wish there were some other adults in the class.  I was one of the only students not being videotaped for posterity!  Hannah passed her test as well, so we move on to the next challenge:  a new set of basic moves and a new kata.  

IN OTHER NEWS...

The election is over, and thanks be to God!  Is it me or did this election seem to last forever.   I hope President Elect Obama can fulfill all the promises of his campaign and lead us on a path to improved economic success and national security.   

Finally, a new blog!

Blogs are only as good as the blogger, so I am not doing well!  It has been over one month.  I have two weeks left to practice for my karate test.  I was hoping to try for an orange, but it looks like I will only be able to test for one belt this time.   

Big news:  NEW DOG!  My first and last attempt at fostering a dog ended in our adopting a 1+ year old German Shepherd dog which we have renamed Gretchen.  I wanted to name her Gretta, but no one else liked that one.  I guess they are too young to remember Garbo.  So, we won't be fostering anymore, because it is just too hard to let go of a great dog.  

Love working with the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County!  Check out their website for all the great things they do for dogs.  I plan to become a volunteer at Saturday events as soon as I get a free Saturday!  

ST. JUSTIN FESTIVAL IS THIS WEEKEND:  OCTOBER 24-26!    I hope to see the one person whom I know might read this blog there this weekend!  I will be working the beer booth on Sunday night and the Info Booth on Friday night.  Whoohoo!

Karate Update

Well, I just have to share that I have learned the first kata of my karate training, called Heian Shodan.  During a recent class, being observed by my husband who holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, I performed the kata with two other class members, a 9th grader and a 3rd grader (That is a funny picture, I know!) and we won the in class competition!  Whoohoo!  But best of all, my black belt hubby told me afterward that he would have passed me for my orange belt.  Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks!  I can't wait to get rid of the white belt.  

Partial Credit

Will the USA get credit for the athletes who medal for other countries but train in the US?  Just about every Track and Field participant competes for an American college or university.  I think we should get some credit, partially.  

I think 1/4 of each medal is fair. 

Michael Phelps: Aquaman or Myth?

I remember when Mark Spitz won 7 gold medals in Munich in 1972.  I was in the 2nd grade and even then I loved the Olympics.  That was an amazing feat, juxtaposed by the murder of Israeli athletes at the hands of Palestinian terrorists.  Even at the age of 8 I realized that was an event that I would remember for life.  About 17 years ago, I was at a Vons in West Los Angeles and the man in front of me in line was Mark Spitz, who at the time was a dentist, I believe.  I didn't recognize him, he was graying, but after being told who he was, I felt I had just had my first "Brush With Greatness."  

What kind of dedication does one have to have to reach the pinnacle of performance in a sport?  I can't keep my mind focused in line at Costco!  

Anyway, what a tremendous accomplishment for Michael Phelps.  I give credit to his Mom.  I know it's hard to watch your child compete, but to see the type of pressure the media has piled on him this week, and to rise to the occasion shows his greatness.  And Mom was there for all of it.  She deserves a medal too.

Feet Don't Fail Me Now!

Karate Update:  OK, this is the first sport I have ever participated in that does not require shoes, and consequently, my feet are KILLING me!  No lie, it is worse than marathon feet.   I am hoping it gets better, because there is not time when you are not on your feet.  We have attended three classes per week for the last two weeks.  I am going to stretch it to four this week by going Saturday.  I want to improve enough that I can feel somewhat comfortable in an adult class.   So far I have only been with the juniors and other beginners.  Yes, they can kick my ass, even the 8 year olds.

I am currently working on my first Kata, Heian Shodan.   When I master that, I will be able to test for the first colored belt, which for me should be orange.  

I may actually be able to do the splits at some point, and that would be a milestone.

I Didn't Know I Had Muscles There!

Well, I have finished my first karate class, and it was great!  I am not in as good a shape as I should be, however, and I know I will feel it tomorrow.  What an invigorating and motivating experience.  It was all the more exciting to share it with my 12 year old daughter, who toughed out the more advanced class.  I have a feeling I will have my work cut out for me to keep up with her!

Here is my first attempt at blogging. Right now, I have nothing to say, but I would like to express that I did get the idea to do this from my neice, who is more like a sister to me.  Let's hope it gets better from here on out!