Jiu Jitsu 6/30/2011

Jiu Jitsu, what a frustrating challenge to choose.  My husband and my two teenage daughters wanted to get in shape and do something fun as a family.  I have a room full of free weights in my basement that I use on a daily basis.  Squats, curls, cable pulls, abs workouts and the monotonous treadmill and such.  Daily I do my workouts to keep myself fit. Then my family says "let's all try Jiu Jitsu!"  So, we got a membership and started going to class four days a week with out fail.  In my mind I thought I can do this I am in good shape. Have you ever taken a jiu jitsu class?  After the first class every muscle in my body was spent to its limit.  My legs and arms where shaking and my Cloths where drenched with sweat.  When I woke up the next morning my whole body ached in spite of my weight lifting and running routine that I have had for years.  Jiu jitsu is so much fun and so much frustration all at the same time.  We go to class and the instructor shows us proper form. We go through the moves step by step until we thing we have it in our head.  We learn how to use leverage to get to the positions we want.  We learn how to take someone to the ground, how to get out of their guard, how to get side control and knee on belly positions with proper form. We learn how to submit our opponent with a triangle, an arm bar, a chock.  We practice over and over again until we get it right.  Then the last 30 minutes of class we roll full speed against one anther using what we think we have down in our heads.  It is funny how the mind works.  Once you start trying to submit your opponent and keep them from submitting you while you are rolling on the ground with every ounce of energy and strength and mind power that you have Everything thing that you think you know disappears from your mind.   My instructor tells me that each time we learn something it needs to be practiced correctly three to five thousand times before it comes naturally.  That my friends is a lot of times!  It has now been three months sinse I began my class. I have woke up with bruises and pains and broken toes. I am learning to be strong and have confidence in myself. I am improving, getting stronger, learning to be patient and wait for the right time to make my move to get a submission or points for a position.  I am a simple white belt learning the sport.  I love it because it challenges my body and my mind.  It is giving my girls confidence in themselves and my husband has lost 30 pounds.  We are all getting something out of it, especially me.  The great thing about jiu jitsu is that it is always evolving so, you can always learn something new.  Anything that teaches confidence and focus, that makes you think and react, that physically challenges you to your limits and helps you be a more centered person is something I defiantly want to be a part of.  Jiu jitsu is just that for me, an awesome challenge, you should try it.

My Hero's 6/29/2011

As I sit at my work desk and ponder the days of the week that have past I am sad but proud.  We have lost another hero.  It is my honor and duty to serve the Veterans that fought for my freedoms.  As they come in the door with their families they realize this is the last place they will live.  They move about the home laughing and talking with smiles on their faces.  They all come from different back grounds, different wars, and they are of all ages.  Yet, they all share the commonality of war. They display their honor to this country with pride in simple ways.  I flag flying from the back of their wheelchair or a bumper sticker stating their branch of service.  The display cases outside their rooms are a reflection of their past.  Some are filled with metals and military pictures and others with pictures and nicknack's from family and grandchildren.  They are our war hero's! These feeble bodied men with missing limbs and scattered minds once forged the the battlefield, armed and strong taking victory over the enemy.  They fought to keep us safe and free with no regard to their own lives.  What a true honor it is for me to get to serve them.  They share their stories of war and life and love and family.  We get to know and respect them and then it happens...  Sadly over the intercom you hear a Veteran Hero is Leaving the building.  Everyone assembles down the main hall to the front door with tears in their eyes and our hand over our chest saluting the flag that covers our hero as it slowly passes to the exit.  You can hear taps softly played in the background as the hero's body leaves the building for the last time.  God Bless our Hero's!  My small part in serving them will never make up for what they have done for me.

My Life Credo

I believe that life is a self fulfilling roller coaster that is set in motion at the moment we are born. I believe that the choices we make in life set the track.  There are long slow climbs to the top, swift drops to the bottom and times we simply go round and round from the choices we have made. Sometimes it is fun with hands up in the air screaming and other times it is scary and we need someone to hold our hand. We have breakdowns and have to take time out to be repaired. I believe that the roller coaster of life is a gift that is given to us with intent of seeing how we ride.  The dude who pushed the start button is always watching! Then, when the ride is over, we are released from the bar that had us trapped and as we step out of the seat we are set free. I believe it is up to me to make the most of the roller coaster. 

Oh to be a kid again!

I think it would be great to be a kid again.  No worries of life.  I had a great childhood. I was protected, nurtured and loved.  I must admit I am still a kid at heart.  I do wear what I want and am often silly in places people might find strange. My girls are 15 and 16 and we have great fun together dancing and singing and playing around.  They think I am crazy but they love that I have fun with them.  I got to go to Disney world this year with the band.  I am sure that I had more fun then all the kids.  When I told my dad I was going to be a chaperon he laughed and ask me who was going to chaperon the chaperon.  We all had a blast.

Connie's Corner: Freewriting for 10 minutes on subject I believe be...

Connie's Corner: Freewriting for 10 minutes on subject I believe be...: "I believe that being childlike is great, you can look at the world with no worries, no timings, no exceptations. You act up and no one care..."

Comment for Britany

It seems we have alot in common. I am a miidle child going through school to get my nursing degree. I have the cutes dog in the world and take care of my hubby in much the same manner.  My friends make fun of me because he doesn't have to get off the couch for anything. I also work at the Veterans Home so I can serve those who served for my freedom.  It is nice to see there are others out there that have a giving heart.

Britt's Blog: This I Believe Pre-writing - Freewrite

Britt's Blog: This I Believe Pre-writing - Freewrite: "I believe that I am a caring person. I volunteer a the cox south ER. I voluenter aa a transproter in cox south. I love animals and children...."

Britt's Blog: This I Believe Pre-writing - Freewrite

Britt's Blog: This I Believe Pre-writing - Freewrite: "I believe that I am a caring person. I volunteer a the cox south ER. I voluenter aa a transproter in cox south. I love animals and children...."

Tonya's Blog: Britt's Blog: This I Believe Pre-writing - Freewri...

Tonya's Blog: Britt's Blog: This I Believe Pre-writing - Freewri...: "Britt's Blog: This I Believe Pre-writing - Freewrite : 'I believe that I am a caring person. I volunteer a the cox south ER. I voluenter aa ..."

Britt's Blog: This I Believe Pre-writing - Freewrite

Britt's Blog: This I Believe Pre-writing - Freewrite: "I believe that I am a caring person. I volunteer a the cox south ER. I voluenter aa a transproter in cox south. I love animals and children...."

I believe honeysuckle smells good.

I believe that honeysuckle smells good. It has a sweet arroma to it. THe smell of it reminds me of my child hood walking or riding a bike down country roads and enjoying the pleasures of being a kid. barefoot in the springtime. walking with my mom hand in hand/ My mon is awesome. she has the biggest heart of anyone I know. She taught me how to love. I love unconditiionally. I find it very easy to forgive peole but cannot ever find the forgive myself.  It is diffecult for me not to correct everything that I know is wrong and type like this. Not as easy as I thought it would be.  I don't have a problem with trying though. I am alwasy up for trying something new. I used to go hunting with my dad. I never killed anything. I just enjoyed the time to stend with him.  I always got to help him clean the kill and help mama cook it.  these are good memories in my mind. time spent with my parents who were always there for me every minute of my life in every situation.  They are the greatest. It is no wandrer I have such good memories.  Honeysuckle always reminds me of them.  It takes me back everytime. I get a whiff of it in my nose and I am transported. I t alwasy gets a deep breath in and a relaxing sigh amd I am calmed. Today has not been calm. there are people running in and out of my office asking for a million differant things as the peer review looks at every noock and cranny.  I want to go home.  My girls are there I hope that I am as good a mom as my parents where for me. I try to encourage and be there for the girls. they are beautiful and growing up very quickly.  I hope that they see good things in me. They love me lots. and I love them back and I hope that when they have a trigger into there past it is a calming experiance that involves their mama and it is peicful and full of good things.   #363

I Believe

I believe I can fly.
I believe in you and me.
I believe in Jesus.
I believe my girls are awesome.
I believe that anything is possible.
I believe that love is tough.
I believe that a true friend is hard to find.
I believe you have to give respect to get it.
I believe I worry to much.
I believe that I drive people crazy.
I believe that Heaven is real.
I believe in giving gifts from the heart.
I believe most people are self centered.
I believe technology has made us as a people impersonal.
I believe that honeysuckle smells good.
I believe that my mama loves me.
I believe that disability makes you stronger.
I believe that angels do exist.
I believe the Steelers are an awesome football team.
I believe that the best memories are made in the toughest experiences.
I believe that trials make you stronger.
I believe you have to keep trying to get something right.
I believe that people don't take the time to really know one another.
I believe that a prognosis can change your outlook on life the minute you hear it.
I believe that life isn't fair.
I believe that life isn't promised to be fair.
I believe that tears bring healing to the mind.

My personality and Learning

I found that the Jung Typology test was spot on for personality.  I was a little shocked to find that by answering a few questions about myself that a test could peg me so well.  In my opinion there are many things that effect my learning and writing.  I know that online learning, although convenient;is a challenge for me.  I would do better in a structured physical environment where I could interact with students and the teacher verbally.  Online learning seems a bit cold and impersonal to me.  You type and hope that someone responds to encourage you. I find myself worrying weather the writing was what was assigned. I often look at my assignment and think that it will not be acceptable.  I am not good at waiting for results.  I like instant feedback. I am aware that in a classroom and online that the teacher needs time to read and evaluate and post grades. I find it difficult to be patient.  On the other end of the spectrum, I am very structured in my work and am thankful that I know what is expected of me before the week starts.  I have a very active lifestyle and need time to organize everything I need to accomplish for the week.  Much like the indicator says, I have a hard time relaxing until my work is completed.  I am committed to getting my degree!  I am committed to this class! I hope to meet the expectations of the instructor and the other students but, I find my biggest challenge is going to be my acceptance of myself and my writing. I am ready for the challenge.