So I've been reattempting the Body-For-Life challenge, and I have to say the challenge is there. Again, as before, its the number of times a day that I'm supposed to stop and eat thats killing me. Following the diet is fine, eating healthy is fine, work-outs are time-consuming but fine. Its just eating 6 times a day takes a huge amount of work to prepare the food, and to remember to stop when you're not even hungry... doesn't always happen. You can eat only so many of those energy bars before you just want to huck it out the window. And I can't exactly stop and heat up my chicken when I'm driving down the Whitemud or Henday.

Well, I'll just keep plugging along. I doubt I'll be a shining star of an example for this challenge, but I'm trying... 

Sifu Khona LaRocque, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta

When I began this UBBT journey, I based its’ enlistment on the full support from my family, specifically my wife, but its’ successful completion on the encouraging words & actions from my instructors, but more importantly from my teammates. I tested today for my high red belt, though we hit our minimum eligibility time frame, I prodded my fellow UBBters, Mrs. P and Doc. L  to accelerate their training and test earlier for my own personal and selfish reasons.   Like good teammates, they put aside their personal agendas and trained with me though it was obvious that nagging injuries and work schedules would limit their performance and setback/hinder not only their test outcome but also potentially their daily livelihood.

Today, I saw the true make-up of a warrior.  Leading up to the test, I watched Doc. L grimace in pain while executing techniques that he can probably perform in his sleep.  And during the test, he did not slowdown, nor did he compensate for his injury that worsened as the test continued. I have been involved in witnessing athletes gut out performances in the 4^th quarter, the final minutes, and in the last innings all for the benefit of the team.  This was something different and special for as Doc. L continued the test he  would be jeopardizing his life outside the dojang, his livelihood, his lifestyle for at the end of the day we adults our living out the dreams we had when we were fifteen as we continue this black belt journey.  If you were looking for a Teddy Roosevelt to lead you in a charge up San Juan Hill, an Audie Murphy to attack a German bunker, or just a fellow student/ a role model to lead by example we have one in our dojang.   Today, I trained with a warrior….

I've been very angry lately.  There is a lot going into that, some of which can be shared, some of which is none of anyone's business.  What else is new.

There she goes again, making it very clear that the lines in the sand are still drawn.  That's just who I am I guess.  My one sister describes me as a very private person, where as my other sister views me as crass.  Most likely the same thing, only their perspectives differ.

I find this time of year very complicated.  I am referring to Remembrance Day.  I've always felt that one day a year is insufficient to properly honor those who gave their very beings for us.  More so that I know many people currently serving over seas, and many more in the process of preparing to deploy.  Perhaps it is also affected by having known someone who did not return from war.  Hard to believe it's going to be 2.5 years come December.  Time is a merciless mistress, but our mistress all the same.

Anger seems to be an old friend.  I have had many occasions where it's all that has kept me going.  A place where the last reserves of strength hide.  It's by no means healthy, but it is there.  Harness it and control it's outlet.  Define it and defuse it.  Learn to live with the potential, and be in control.  

That's a funny word, isn't it?  Control.   There are so very many things that we do not have control of.  We have the illusion of control, but no actual power.  I guess that is why it's so easy to release control of the things we do have power over.  Easy to make the excuses and shirk responsibility.  But that's all they are, excuses.

Doesn't change anything.  Bottom line you still have to deal with your baggage.  No one else can do it for you, they can help if you open yourself to them, but they can't do it for you.  You just gota put on your big girl undies and deal with it.  Easy advise to give, following through is another matter.

Lisa Freitag

Silent River Kung Fu, Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada

Anyone that has any kind of common sense can be labeled an explorer! To have an open mind first and a closed mouth we can’t help but learn from our surroundings. This makes us explorers. Even college educated I will always have something to learn. A marriage is a journey of exploration. Raising a child is a journey of exploration. My tae kwon do studies are an exploration. My business, limited as it is now, is an exploration. Dealing with the death of my mom is an exploration into my own mortality. I could go on and on but I believe I have made my point. If you are breathing and willing to learn even if it is recognizing your own short comings we are all explorers there fore …I am an explorer.

      Barack Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4^th 1961. His father was a native Kenyan and his mom was a Kansas farm girl. They divorced when he was just 2 and 4 years later he returned to Hawaii to live with his maternal grandmother. After high school he attended Occidental University for 2 years and graduated with a political science degree from Columbia University in 1983. In 1985 Obama moved back to Chicago and worked with low income residents and was during this time he joined the Trinity United Church of Christ.

    Obama entered Harvard Law School in 1988 and graduated in 1991. He returned to Chicago and practiced as a civil rights lawyer. He also taught at the University of Chicago Law School and in 1992 he helped organize voter registration during Bill Clinton presidential campaign. Obama was elected to the Illinois state Senate in 1996. In 2000 Obama unsuccessfully ran for the United States House of Representatives. Obama was against the war against Iraq saying it was a dumb war. In 2004 Obama successfully ran for the US Senate and was the keynote speaker for John Kerry in 2004. In November of 2004 he retained his Senate seat with 71% of the vote to 27 % of Alan Keyes. In 2007 Obama announced his Democratic candidacy for the 2008 Presidential race and defeated John McCain on November 4^th 2008. Barack Obama is our 44^th President.

Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther could stand so Barack Obama could run !!!