Six Frigates (book review)

Six Frigates: How Piracy, War and British Supremacy at Sea Gave Birth to the World's Most Powerful Navy by Ian W. Toll

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Watercolouring

It is extremely intimidating to know so many artists of so many mediums. Having a mother who creates anything she wants with a carving knife, brush, piece of charcoal, or calligraphy pen made me feel safer as an art critic than an artist. I am not a grumpy critic, but a bit picky thanks to a lot of exposure to art on all levels.

However, in the past year, I have come to the conclusion that art is not about meeting societal expectations, but to enjoy. It would be inappropriate to tout myself as a trained artist, but it is equally inappropriate to not pursue something that I enjoy. As a result, I decided to make postcard size gift tags for some friends and family, although my first sampling of friends and family was a very small circle given my rather new entrance to personal art.

After many attempts with charcoal, pastel, and coloured pencils, I have surprisingly found that the intimidating concept of painting is the most comfortable. Oils are terrifying to me because of the requirement of precision, but watercolouring is something that actually relaxes me. The clean colours and ability to 'move things about' with water is very attractive to me. I've made 4-5 larger watercolours from travels and postcard size paintings of Malta and France trips, but below are my string of paintings for this holiday season in order of completion.

The 4-Hour Work Week (book review)

The 4-Hour Workweek, Revised and Expanded: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Playing for Pizza (book review)

Playing For Pizza by John Grisham

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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Complications (book review)

Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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My New Tree!

This started with an innocent shopping trip to Fry's (no, not the electronic store; Arizona seems to have a Fry's grocery line here) for some essentials. However, my heart nearly stopped when I saw 4-5 foot Mediterranean Fan Palm's for only $20. That seemed rather unreal because mid-western floral shoppes don't even carry these large of palms and it would still cost more than the traditional western cost of 75-100$. I anxiously check all the prices and see that it isn't a fluke - these are really that cheap!

I rush in to ensure I can reserve my 50lb tree while I shop. Of course this is the one time that the annoying "welcome to Fry's" dude isn't there. I rush to the floral department even though I know better. I finally literally run down a manager yelling "SIR, SIR, SIR" until he had to acknowledge me. He seems in shock that I care so much about it, and explains that they are on the sale because they are starting to dry out. While I can only think "but you charge $25 for a bunch of crappy cut flowers", I just smile and ask to get a ticket so I can check out. I found his shruggy attitude of "just tell the clerk when you check out" terrifying because there are only 12 out there and I fully expected a dozen people to come flocking in the next ten minutes demanding their Mediterranean Fan Palm. How could they not? He did not share my concern.

I race around the store in extreme panic that my precious palm will be gone by the time that I get up front, but shockingly, when I arrive, not even one person had snatched up my prize. Clearly people here have no sense of value. In fact, the check-out clerk seemed completely confused about the whole process and acted like I was the strange one for wanting it. Whatever people! The florist is paged, and in her apparent relief to ditch a palm on an unsuspecting victim, is very helpful as I ask her to stand guard next to my baby as I grab my car.

Her expression as I pull up with my MiniCooper is indescribable.

Only at the loading point do I realize these things have thorns. That was an unpleasant 10 minutes as I provided the shopper's entertainment and misery of the florist getting that thing in the car.

I very proudly pull out, the owner of my very own 4 foot Mediterranean Fan Palm with my hatch up, blinkers on, going 30 miles per hour in constant panic that I may hurt the palm. Elle is equally ecstatic and panicked, giving little "ouch" sounds when she tries to hold the branches and remembers that it hurts to hold just like it did 2 second previously. z4's and other such sports car zip around me with incredulous looks as I proudly beam with excitement of my new purchase thinking "yeah, you buzz me like that with your stupid little sports car. I have a Mediterranean Fan Palm and the fact that you don't makes you an incredible loser."

They seemed to have a different perspective.

Arriving home, Elle leaped out (actually crawled out extremely cautiously) and ran to each arriving car to their flat announcing our new purchase. Neighbors were in awe, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't the positive awe.

Meanwhile, my porch is becoming quite the exotic potted plant garden as people shake their heads and shop for their fake Christmas trees.

I am Superwoman!

Sound arrogant? Surviving the story below with a 3 year old within the same 24 hours is a little mindblowing to me.

Air travel to me is like the bus system in the air. Stuff happens, routes get messed up, bus drivers get grumpy, and there are many times when it's simply uneventful. For those who travel the system often, you get used to the funky things, but those who don't travel it often (beware the families that are clearly disorganized or have a stressed expression on their faces) are offended by every possible funky thing that could occur and slow the whole system down. Just take your freaking shoes off and don't wear the Roman sandals with 8 buckles. These are the little indications to select the other security line. However, turning my 4 hour flight into a 22 hour / 4 state tour was taking it a little far for me as well.

This story starts when I show up at the airport ready to rock and roll, but was informed of either a 7 hour delay in Indianapolis, or a 4 hour delay there and another 4 hour delay in another equally boring airport (Detroit). I look down at Elle, fresh from her good sleep and ready to destroy the world, and opt for the early next morning flight that will have her zombified.

So let's roll the clock forward to 430am the next morning. Nice and early. Elle is sleepwalking - awesome! We'll start with the classic "we'll be sitting here on the runway for an hour because of storms." Whatever. While I'll miss my connection, I assume there are several more flights to Phoenix from Memphis since I'll still get to Memphis in the morning. Ha!

One horribly turbulent ride to Memphis (my sensitivity to airsickness is phenomenal and I did not have Dramamine - so there's puking at this point), we are circling for an hour when the pilot announces that Memphis is not allowing us to land and we're running out of the fuel. I'm too busy puking to care a whole lot about the crashing possibility, but this was apparently a concern of the pilot's, so he headed down to Mississippi where we refueled and I recovered on the ground for another hour before heading back into Turbulence City.

Let's just skip all the sickness and say we land in Memphis. It was very very unpleasant. Having piloted myself, I could tell what stages he was at in the landing process and the time between each stage was killing me because I wanted it to go faster. Elle was very kind in her announcement to the entire plane that it was "disgusting". Thank you Elle, I'll remember that support when you're sick.

We hobble off the plane and the lady yells at me that I "just stood there" (pardon me for trying to not pass out) when they rescheduled my flight for 15 minutes from the landing. Which terminal, I ask. B11. Right. I know this airport pretty well and there is nothing on this earth that is going to get my carry-on, 3 year old child, and my own sick butt there in 15 minutes. She slows down to take in the situation and agrees with me. I forgave her for what I felt was originally an outrageous expectation when she kindly rescheduled me for a later flight so I can recover.

However, I was dismayed to discover that the rescheduled ticket was to Atlanta before I could get to Phoenix. If you have spent any time at all in Atlanta, you'd understand my dismay. That place is seriously on one of the levels of Dante's Inferno, and continues to achieve a lower level with each visit. I run to the Skyclub and beg for mercy. Explaining my situation, I asked to be switched to another airline that I knew was direct from Memphis to Phoenix. Now this is a secret to those who are less traveled - airlines will rarely, if ever, voluntarily transfer you to another airline, and probably will not if you have baggage, but if you request it, they care about customer service and will usually work with you. As I guessed, there was one more direct flight left in the day (we are sitting at 1p right now) leaving at 230p with US Air. Unfortunately this means going outside security to get to the ticket counter, but I risk it.

You guessed it. That plane was full. Back through security, who freaked with my five million boarding passes for fifteen different planes that had come and gone while I was puking in the air. That was a long explanation.

Kudos to Skyclub lady who let me collapse in the club and get Elle a snack, juice and hot chocolate.

Trucking back out to the Atlanta flight, I grab some Dramamine that fortunately just keeps me only wanting to puke for the next 55 minutes.

Please note as I land in Atlanta, my most hated airport besides perhaps Philadelphia and Gatwick, there is 2 1/2 hours to waste when all Elle and I want to do is collapse. Memphis was kind enough to take my other carry-on as checked baggage at no cost to help them save space. Actually, they thought they were inconveniencing us when I nearly wept with relief to have one less thing to carry around through 82 airports.

Overdosed with Dramamine, worried about Elle right now who seems only capable of asking "is this the last plane" (really, she was amazingly good), and just glad that this was the final leg, I collapsed in the second row (was in the last row for the last two flights, which causes more nausea). 17 hours into this insanity, I just started laughing hysterically when it was announced that engine #2 was not functioning and to immediately deplane.

275 people circling the announcement desk had to be intimidating to the poor chick trying to get us another plane. She was more than happy to shuttle us to another poor victim to be stared at until we could board. It was interesting to watch 275 people with all their crap move en masse 5 gates away and end up exactly in the same positions of staring at Victim #2 as we were previously stationed before.

Finally loaded and in our same assigned seats, which frankly, I was worried about because I finally had managed to procure a reasonable location on the plane, we get the proverbial announcement that we'll be holding for another hour or so on the tarmack for weather. I took it as a good sign as we have come full circle to the first delay that caused this domino effect where we sat on the tarmack for an hour for weather. I was relieved.

22 hours into our trip we landed at PHX. I have to say that I did not expect my two checked baggage (free courtesy of Delta's just trying to get me home) to make it to PHX successfully, but they did. So I would like to just end this long arduous post with one thing:

MAD PROPS to Delta for amazing customer service throughout the whole miserable experience that was totally out of their control due to that stupid storm that overtook the Midwest. The one time that they could have helped me onto another airline, they did try. And guess what...both my bags, although checked in at two different cities, followed me on the exact planes that I was on. You have to understand how insanely amazing that is. There should be a case study on logistics of Delta's baggage service.

The Haunted Mesa (book review)

The Haunted Mesa by Louis L'Amour

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


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Summer Review

As an adult educator, it's a constant focus to implement self awareness techniques and future oriented strategies for motivating adult learners. However, as a typical human, it's easy to make one self exempt from "the message". Implemented personal kanban has really improved my personal abilities for self-reflection, and as such, immediately see the connection point between my small triumphs this quarter that directly apply to my big picture goals. It is good to feel the results of my own efforts with motivational techniques in adult learning curriculum.

That is the message to all of you; however, now I am going to take the time to record my own reflections that the visual controls of kanban has shared with me.

As I have tweeted in the past, my three categories are no longer To Do, Doing, and Done. As an effort to continue self-motivation within the personal kanban process, I switched these out for Opportunities, Active Involvement, and Personal Fulfillment. The subconscious stress of reviewing my kanban board each week quickly turned into excitement over simple name changes because it affected my mindset.

Since my world operates on a quarterly basis being in school and being a director in a school, my three columns get 'wiped' each quarter with a fresh start. The end of August is upon us, and my quarterly celebrations is upon me.

Summer 2010

Opportunities that I was not able to take advantage of this summer...

• Finishing my watercolour of a favourite scene in Rome (personal)
• Research theorists for my next major PhD compilation (education)
• Create the self-directed APA tutorial (consulting)
• Write article on the need for passion and relevance to effectively learn as adults (consulting)
• Incorporate my consultancy (consulting)
• Rewrite CM3000 for Ohio Christian University (consulting)

Action items of which I am still actively involved...

• Teaching CM3000 for Ohio Christian University (consulting)
• Aligning kanban to university needs administratively (director)
• Implementing kanban into curriculum for group learning (case study)

Celebrations!!!!

• Decluttered our Indianapolis home (personal)
• Moved from Denver to Phoenix (personal)
• Registered for Research 8200 for Walden's Fall quarter (education)
• Registered for Chicago residency for Walden's Fall quarter (education)
• Finalized 130 page compilation on adult learning theory and motivational strategies for PhD (education)
• Brainstormed consultancy model (consulting)
• Have professional website specs to developer (consulting)
• Taught ORE100 for Ohio Christian University (consulting)
• Rewrote PS1010 for Ohio Christian University (consulting)
• Assisted the guidance of university client through the accreditation process (consulting)
• Designed 8 courses for university client (consulting)
• Co-wrote GEN322 course for university client (consulting)

A day ago I was completely stressed and feeling that nothing of significance was getting accomplished. Today I feel major strides towards my bigger life goals.

Observe the power of visual controls for self-reflection and goal orientation.

Fashion Rant

I love high fashion.
I hate high fashion.

How can you love and hate something at the same time?

I have to say that it's always fun to look at people's creativity and imagine ways to adjust your personal wardrobe for next season as if I live in Paris. People without the financial resources to get an entirely new wardrobe seem to easily overreact as it is amazing how you can use accessories and a few key pieces to completely change what you have.

However, watching Fashion TV sometimes drives me batty. While loving the catwalks, I can't help but roll my eyes at the interviews of guests and editors before the show as they proudly state that they are wearing the [designer] blouse, [designer] pants, and [designer] boots with the special [designer] belt accessory.

REALLY?

I grant you that I do sometimes say "I love my Gucci boots" or whatever, but quite frankly, I usually identify all my shoes, boots and favourite pieces in some form, whether it's my unique identification such as "Spot" or "Roman boots" or "Rings", all of which are examples of how I name my clothing yet are also designer. However, this was not the case in the interviews. It was simply a mode for showing how uncreative they are personally by putting labels on their back. I'm pretty sure that at least in my own little world that clothes are to be worn for a flattering and fun experience, not to be a walking advertisment. I was especially pleased when an Elle reporter responded to the query "so what are you wearing" with "I am wearing a biker jacket, black jeans and black boots." Go girl! Wear something because it makes you hot, not because you have to list what designer clothes you're wearing.

Also, she looked better than the others who had a laundry list of show-off tags. I have no doubt that what she wore was designer too, but she focused on her composition, not names.

Additionally, it doesn't matter what you wear if it makes you look good. Self-awareness of your body shape and type is essential for good fashion.

Good things happen with planning!

As my friend Ellen pointed out to me today, I'm living an amazing life, so I should stop screwing it up with stress! It's possible that she fears my physical destruction with the constant travelling, having a family, earning a doctorate, working full time (remotely) and now starting a consultancy. I too see some possible disasterous endings to this scenario, but I believe some well placed strategies will make this work. The nice thing is that everything feeds each other, which is the first strategy. Many of my ideas for both the consultancy and my work as a director of online education is fed directly from my required research for the doctorate in the very field for which I'm working. Also, taking one small step at a time with the consultancy is an important strategy, but a name, philosophy and experience is needed in preparation for the eventual work I want to enter.

Bottom line with this story is that good things happen, especially when you work it. Now I just have to manage it. A few things I've successfully learned through the last five years that brought me to this point of satisfaction and excitment in my career:

1. Choose a field that you feel reasonates with your personality, passion and long term goals.
2. Choose a degree in that field that is either very classic or very new. There are a lot of 'tired' trendy degrees out there.
3. Make sure that the job you want is not only in demand now, but going to be more in demand in the future. This requires understanding the big picture of that industry and impact the economy will have on it, ie, education is an industry that does well in recession.
4. Think about the target audience or group that you'll have to work with - are you a face to face person or somebody behind the scenes? Make sure your goals fit that personality.
5. Keep abreast of publications and try to get involved with professional groups within that field.
6. Network the crap out of contacts!

As you can see, this requires some upfront thinking and reflection, but it's never too late to find what fulfills you. I've seen so many successful people in careers they love who started completely over in mid-life. What you did before or do now cannot be a waste because you carry those experiences and knowledge into whatever field you wish to enter.

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank


My rating: 2 of 5 stars

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Good God...

There are some days where winning seems so unlikely that you wonder if you should fight it out or just give up and hide. Since tire drama with my MiniCooper caused the cancellation of a trip to Michigan a few months back, it seems only ridiculously appropriate in some sick Fate's mind that tire trouble rears it's ugly head just as I head out to Chicago for a long weekend. While thinking the indicator light for a low tire would be simply adding air, the gigantic gash in the sidewall told me otherwise. It would be difficult to fully express my disgust as the dealership was closed and the rental agency was closed for the holidays. It is also difficult to exactly determine if the offer of the 10 year old pick-up was a good thing or a very bad omen, but I had chosen to fight it out and took the offer.

With tears threatening to ruin my make-up, I control myself as I move my bags from my adorable and zippy MiniCooper that is perfectly suited for Chicago... to the large and not so exciting pick up truck that is perfectly ill-suited for Chicago. Let's just say it's parked and will not be requested until I leave. Taxis suddenly seem attractive.

Before we can at least celebrate the fact that I made it to Chicago though, we have the lovely little pull-over drama where the cop decided the taillight being out was a national crisis. While the verbal warning was a relief, I was not pleased as the entire incident could have been avoided if the dude had a grip on life. The final act that did require touching up the make-up after tears was when the alterations shoppe that is always open on Saturdays was closed for the FREAKING HOLIDAYS. Seriously people, shoot off some fireworks and eat a hotdog, but what is with the entire country shutting down? So of course my newly hemmed Burberry dress was not a wardrobe option for Chicago, which was probably the most upsetting.

I don't know though. Losing the Cooper AND the Burberry dress for the Chicago getaway? I'm only human.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Weather Adaptation

I've heard that the human body is amazing with adapting to the weather you are enduring. This has been clearly proven because I lived in the Midwest in the muggy miserable conditions for years. However, a year in Colorado living 6000 miles above sea level where there is no humidity and not even that many bugs has taught me that when life improves, it's really hard to adapt back to something less desirable. I drove 400 miles east out of Colorado and stepped out the car for a rest stop and nearly wilted on the spot. As a frantically look around for an oxygen mask and tank, I realise just how much I had forgotten what it was like to breath in air that was practically liquid. Since Kansas is probably one of my least favourite states, I rush onward to St. Louis. Guess what peeps. It is WORSE! The gallant plans of taking Elle to each zoo of each city has been officially burned to a crisp. It is my humble opinion that she is suddenly much more into the air conditioned aquariums and art musuems.

...and for the next while, my life will focus on minimal movement outside, treating each exposure to the insane weather with a quick-as-possible stepping stone to an air conditioned facility.

Meanwhile, somebody PLEASE tell me how the HELL I actually taught Tae Kwon Do in this crap in an aluminum and un-airconditioned building for multiple years. I'm not even sure how we maintained such a great body of students in these conditions, let alone survived it myself!

Harry Potter Series (book review)

Harry Potter Boxset Books 1-7 by J.K. Rowling


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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Drood (book review)

Drood by Dan Simmons


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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Updates

I tend to not post something unless I feel a burning desire to talk about something, so when you see a lack of posts, I'm essentially floating through life taking a day at a time. I am excited about this summer though. I recently implemented an online Kanban board for my department at the university, and after a successful use of it, we got excited and obtained individual boards. Now with a colour optimisation of each facet of my life (OCU, PhD, consulting and personal life) with the handy little hover due dates and the amazing concept of WIP, I feel completely organised and ready to take summer by the horns. My fear of "how can I get all this done" is now "I can get these items done this week" without completely losing it on the overall goals of summer. Woot! I still maintain a calendar of course, but I can actually manage the calendar now thanks to happy prioritisation and WIP.

On another front, I'm slightly jealous of Eric's two week visit to London for time with friends and three small conferences or some sort of work related joy (I think he's confused conferences with wine tastings or something), but I am getting even by making him jealous over taking Elle to St. Louis and Chicago. I don't think Eric understands that he's supposed to be jealous ;) We're still crossing our fingers for the month-long stint in India as a family (thus the nominal money saving efforts of not taking the entire family to the UK in peak season), but I rarely depend on Eric's company being timely with such awesome destinations. They are simply fabulous on coming through on annoying locations like Dallas and Atlanta though :P

Meanwhile, Denver is lovely! The 90 degree weather with zero humidity has resulted in several extra book reading hours on the porch rocking. It seems to be the opinion of Denver's population that this is perfect time to go and exercise. I find this a little confusing as it's a much more appropriate time to go the parks, grill a gigantic steak and fall asleep on the picnic table, but we've already determined that I'm not exactly a great fit for these robust mountain climbing bikers who switch to running if it's snowing. I am happy to report that I have taken the challenge of the P90X series that is definitely kicking my butt and resulting in the loss of 10+ pounds and the rationalisation of more evening picnics.

More to come as the summer wears on! Happy warm days to all :)

Legend of Drizzt - Set II (trilogy review)

The Icewind Dale Trilogy Collector's Edition by R.A. Salvatore


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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Trip Albums

...and now we have the East Coast trip and St. Louis trip updated!

East Coast Spring Journey

St. Louis

Elle's Third Year (photo album)

It is unbelievable to me that Elle is three years old and that I'm now starting her fourth year's album! Meanwhile, enjoy reminiscing her third year :)

Elle's Third Year

A Fond Farewell

They say that you're either an East Coast or a West Coast person. Although my experiences out west are limited (working to adjust that), I am betting that I am truly an East Coast girl. My style fits in here well, I feel very comfortable here, and am usually able to relax better here than other places.

So it is with a fond smile and "I'll be back soon enough I'm sure" that I bid adieu to the East Coast for the season!

In other news, Ellen will be very proud of me in that I am half-way through the third book of the Harry Potter set (annoyingly addicting little things) and actually sat on the porch in the sun smelling the blossoms and did nothing for at least 30 minutes.

*bows to applause*

Oceanic Renewal

My elements are definitely a strong water and fire. I assume my personality can be attributed to fire, but the essence of my being is largely driven by water. Despite a crushing deadline and other major issues that would normally stress me beyond measure, I have already calmed immensely after only six days of being very near water, especially salt water. Imagine how I'll feel after another couple of weeks down here!

Two blogs in one week is enough signal alone that I'm much more relaxed. Give me a couple more days and I'll even be eating properly and working out consistently. Magical. I started a watercolour that hasn't gotten terribly far, but the fact that it's started is a great sign that I'm recognising life exists outside of work and a few instant gratification activities.

My reading during this month and holiday is dedicated to two book sets, The second Drizzt series by Salvatore and the Harry Potter set. Yes, that's right, I haven't read the Harry Potter set. Sigh. However, I'm almost done with the first book in each set - awesome reading!

A roaring fire, driving on the beach, and tea

What's all that make? A great birthday of course!

Besides my awesome loot, I mean, extremely thoughtful gifts from wonderful people, I was lucky enough to discover that the north end beach of the Outer Banks islands is drivable. Yes, that means you can take your car on the beach.



Of course, the common sense of driving a MiniCooper on sand may provide doubt, but it has been known while I recognise what probably isn't a great idea, that has nothing to do with the result. Besides, there was enough traffic on the beach to help when I inevitably misjudged a soft section as you can see below.



However, I now understand the nuances of the beach driving experience (better, at least...after a couple failed experiments), and had a fabulous drive. Elle glared at me many times. Hopefully I can kick that common sense out of her soon.



I loved how there was all the stumps, shells, and oh yeah, on-coming traffic with NO LINES. It was magical ... no rules (except you were discouraged to hit other people and to not speed). It was a very cool experience!



Moving on from the beach excitement (well, not really, I'll be returning tomorrow. And the next day.), it's cool enough out to enjoy a lovely fire (real one) in the fireplace while leaving the door wide open for the air to flow in off the water. I'm not paying the heating bill after all :) It's been a most excellent day complete with bacon, wine and tea, so welcome, 32nd year of my life!

The Magnificant Obsession (book review)

The Magnificent Obsession: Knowing God as Abraham Did by Anne Graham Lotz


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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It's the small things of life...

...that make it fun. Despite stresses, illness, deadlines and general responsibility, there are the pleasant little things that can make a day special. Today was such a day when I took a dozen or more of books and books on CD that I've read into a local bookstore and got $80 credit. I tend to only keep classics and antiquarian books, but that doesn't mean that I don't greatly enjoy buzzing through the modern stuff. You know modern books will become classics, but you usually sense what kind of stuff from which the book is made in order for it to eventually become a classic, and those usually aren't the light reading material. There are a few fantasy and sci-fi series that I think will stick around for a long while like Piers, Salvatore, and Rowling, but that's not the norm for the zillions of modern writers out there.

Usually I resell books on Amazon if I can undercut the lowest offered book price and still make $10 or more. However, that's not always possible, so the remaining books go to The Book Alley in Lakewood. My loot today involved The Lord of the Flies, Clockwork Orange, Dune, Freakanomics and a couple books on CDs for my travel time. Still plenty of credit available too, so I look forward to future visits.

What promised to be a somewhat lifeless day full of work and definitely a bad headache instead had a great start making the headache an annoyance instead of a mood driver.

Teaching Reflections

It's interesting looking back over my twenties and realising how completely unprepared I was to teach Tae Kwon Do, but knowing it was the only way to prepare one for such interesting challenges that occur only in the field. Teaching involves far more than expertise in one's knowledge. Psychology, sociology, teaching methodology, and a whole hell of a lot of patience is also required, especially when you teach a physical sport to children. After going through the experiences that essentially mold you into an experienced instructor, it's easier to instantly throw together a lesson plan on managing a class of teaching martial arts to 30 white belt 5 year olds that have zero discipline or support in the home.

There were days though....when my mind was completely blown.

Like when the kid in the back got scared and peed on the floor. What do you do with that? Ignore it? Address it? How to address it?

Or when there is visible lice and pink eye in your classroom, and you wonder how to incorporate hygiene in the martial art lesson (lived with anti-bacterial soap) and still got it every school year. ARG

Or like when I was teaching really tough kids for a summer who were considered extreme at-risk and are probably all in juvy right now. The lessons were far more involving discipline and respect, and that's difficult to do with teenagers who feel that the world is against them.

Or when you know a kid's getting beaten at home and neglected, but CPS will simply make it worse instead of better. Try dealing with that.

Or my absolute favourite, when a lockdown juvy centre rings and wants us to demonstrate Tae Kwon Do, then when we get there, we're told that no violence should be demonstrated. "No kicks, punches or board breaking." Really? Talk about changing approaches on the fly!

I think the most important lesson I learned through everything was to keep them human. It's especially hard when you're dealing with a chaotic class of 20 students with absolutely no sense of protocol or discipline, and you do have to be tough as nails, but never failing on the fairness and consistency. Of course I did fail on that, but apologising for it to the student(s) is the best demonstration any instructor can show for respect. Even more, explaining decisions is not a sign of weakness, but show of respect to the student(s), especially as they get older. How can you ask them to respect you if you don't respect them OR yourself in return?

Anyway, I digress. All of these experiences made me into a different person. Yes, I'm really tired from martial arts in general and don't really have a craving at the moment to go kill myself coaching all day at a tournament, or even better, competing and coaching at the same time. Ridiculous. I don't even want to train right now; although I know that won't last too much longer because practicing is now part of my blood. However, the whole teaching, training, coaching and business running experience was possibly the best, most effective, and longest lesson that makes a the knowledge from a degree program pale in comparison. You learn to think on your feet and trust your instincts. The only component required for that lesson in life is a passion and a mission.

All Moms Work (book review)

All Moms Work: Short-term Career Strategies for Long-range Success by Sharon Reed Abboud


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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Lived another day...

...thanks to my very strong and overworked guardian angel. Today apparantly involved some overtime. While I tend to live an overall careless life, I was even shaken and very happy to hold still. My angel is happy for the break now that I'm safely parked in Starbucks trying to regain composure from the day.

Getting pulled over for speeding 18 over the speed limit in Ohio (by a State cop no less) wasn't the most fantastic start of the day, until of course I got to infuriate Eric with getting away with it. Then I felt quite smug (although I admit slowing down in general since I'm happy to finally have a clean licence!).

However, the pothole incident left me a bit rattled, and Habanero (my car)a bit banged up. Actually we're both a bit banged up, but when you consider the end result that we're both safe after running into the concrete barrier at 80 mph, I feel very protected by Somebody. I swear, the barrier simply leaped up and attacked us. It was very violent, and fortunately was able to limp into Philadelphia where Habanero is getting special attention at the MiniCooper dealership (replacing both front tires and rims).

In all seriousness, I suggest to the turnpike idiots of Pennsylvania that if they are going to have the gall to charge me $20 to cross their stupid state, they could at least attempt to make the road passable. A disaster pothole shot my poor car straight into the middle median (concrete barriers). I saw it coming and managed to sideswipe it, giving all the impact to the poor tire. Several spins and a ditch later, I am in complete shock that there is absolutely no body damage. Booyah to Mini! However, let's just say the ride into Philly (this happened 114 miles west of town) was really really rough.

Tomorrow everything should be back to normal, but I have to admit, I'm happy to take the train anyway right now ;)

Leadership and Self-Deception (book review)

Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box by Arbinger Institute


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Echo Park (book review)

Echo Park by Michael Connelly


My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Easier said than done....

It is always always always easier said than done! If you remember or take a quick look at my previous blog post, you'll know that I'm trying to change my mindset to be more open in providing the benefit of the doubt to others and truly becoming love. While I do maintain my Henna tattoo, i.e., constant reminder, of "become love", my exhaustion with recent work deadlines and renewed studies has shortened my temper with fellow humans. It's now become something that has to be extremely conscience for me to implement, but I have hope - it's still early in the year.

In a spot of bright news, I am now stocked with fantastically delicious mead, and get to restock the best fruit wines in northern Kentucky this weekend with Eric.

In another spot of bright news, this rather exhausting and dreadful week will lead into a much better time in Philadelphia and New York City next week :)

The Five Secrets... (book review)

The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die by John Izzo


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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A Different Beginning...

Every New Year seems to be a fresh start, but the implementation of that 'fresh start' is usually quite difficult because we have our baggage from all the previous years skewing that so-called self renewal. However, something fascinating that I read in book titled The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before you Die by John Izzo is that we can't change everything that we've identified needing changed at once. Despite our constant attempts being jacks of all trades and masters of none with our multi-tasking everything, we can't truly improve many things at once effectively. Also, goals rarely get the job done as well as simply tuning your mind to what you want changed by a constant presence, ie, mindset change. This insight actually thrills me because I'm really tired of failing my New Year's Resolutions.

Instead, I am going for a complete mindset change by immersing it with my life. Dr. Izzo suggests writing the change on a card where you have to see it a lot, so I decided to put "become love" as a henna tattoo on my arm where I can always see it.

Become love? At first I thought that seemed really sappy or unrealistic. However, this is a strictly interpersonal adjustment where I stop assuming the worst out of people. That most certainly does not mean to be naive, but it's a change in response to people around me, forcing me to drop my defense barriers and not make assumptions why people decide what they do, even if it negatively impacts me. I guess another way to explain it is that I want to not take things personally to the point where my cognitive skills are taken over by blinded hurt and subsequent defensiveness. I believe this will make me much less brittle as a person and more understanding of people and relationships with people as a whole.