Sensei's Day Out

I love Saturdays! After Sandokan classes which ended at noon, Tom, Lisa, and I started our adventure with a trip to Lowe's to purchase a new grill. Once we set up the grill Tom started cooking and grilling his secret recipe roast while Lisa prepared sides and I went home to plant flowers and wait for Heide to finish grooming our beautiful Yorkie named Rudie.  We went to Tom & Lisa's for dinner which was by far one of the most delicious dinners I've had in a while.  Despite Tom's recent spine surgery he can still give Emeril a run for his money especially with his garlic pepper seasoning.

After dinner, Kathy and Charlie played outside while we built a bonfire in Tom's firepit. Having had a great dinner, I had a certain energy and decided to do a front handspring over the fire and we enjoyed giving and getting rides in Charlie's wagon around the yard.

                                           

Times like these spent with great friends, great conversations, and great atmosphere feel like it should never end because we felt relaxed, happy, and full of life. So thank you, Tom and Lisa for your part in a perfect day.

Elisa's 3rd Kyu Testing

6/29/2012, a little bit after 7pm, Elisa Greene began her testing for Ed Parker's Kenpo.  Testing started with basics such as punches, kicks, spin kick, jump kicks and combinations. Elisa exemplified perfection in her form, posture and chambers. After the water break, testing continued with all forms, again, Ms. Greene went through forms with 110% knowledge and confidence. Testing continued with techniques. The techniques were executed with perfection and the knowledge of the attacks and explanation of techniques was more than 110%.  I am very proud of Elisa for her determination, her heart, and her love of martial arts which was very evident during testing. The testing was very exhausting and it lasted about 2 and a half hours nonstop.  There is no doubt in my mind that Elisa Greene will be an excellent Ed Parker's Kenpo instructor.

World Karate Union Hall of Fame Event and Sandokan in the Poconos

This was the most exciting weekend of the year yet!  Arrived on the 22nd, and we had World Karate Union MMA cage fights.  The fights were very intense with a lot of energy. It was awesome to meet and talk to the fighters such as UFC's Kamal Shaloris "Prince of Persia".

Saturday morning the 23rd we kicked off the day with Professor Ruben Torres's Chinese Green Dragon Tournament.  Competitors from different countries exemplified excellence in Chinese arts as well as all the exotic Chinese Weapons.  At 1 pm Sandokan Stick and Knife Tournament began. The participants were very excited, energetic and ready to go.  At 6 pm the Hall of Fame Awards Banquet began and it was great to run into some martial arts friends that I haven't seen in a few years, plus to make new friends from different countries.  Opening ceremonies began with the Marine Honor Guard followed by India's Spiritual Guru Sri D'nish who had traveled from far away to be a part of this excellent event.  The night ended with a lot of fun and dancing with our Canadian Martial Arts family.

Sunday the 24th the World Karate Union Open Tournament began. The lines were very long at registration, filled with many competitors from different systems, backgrounds and rank.  At the tournament I participated in the Weapons Form after not competing in over 10 years and it felt like I had never stopped.  I received a lot of applause which left me wanting more.

After an exhausting 3 days my energy and spirits were so high that I didn't mind the two and a half hour drive home and I can't wait to do this again as soon as possible.  I already marked tentative dates the the WKU Toys for Tots event in November on my calendar.

Exciting Weekend at the Poconos

Looking forward to seeing friends from all over the world at an exciting weekend of events in the Poconos at the World Karate Union Event. Scheduled for Friday night are Cage Fights, Saturday's schedule includes the Green Dragon Kung Fu Tournament and the inaugural Sandokan Stick & Knife Fighting Tournament. But it doesn't end there because Sunday is the WKU All Styles Open Tournament.  This weekend will packed with excitement, energy, fellowship, and comradery.