Last week I went to Florida for the AAU National Taekwondo Championships. This would be my first trip that I have ever taken alone, first flight alone, first time officiating at the national tournament, and first time renting a car. I had mixed feelings about going. I was nervous for all the "firsts". I practically grew up on an airplane because my mother is a travel agent and we always traveled, but I always had a companion. Money made me very anxious. And I was also afraid of some bitterness, being reminded of my horrible ending of last year's Florida trip that had consequences that lasted me up to twelve months. In short: I wasn't sure how excited I really was to be going at all.
But I had to make it a positive one. I was hoping the getting away would help me recharge my batteries, clear my head, maybe work on my book, maybe read a book, and I wanted to enjoy my own participation in the tournament as a competitor and official. I wanted to do a good job across the board. Since I've been feeling better as of recent, working hard was a no brainer.
Other than some frustrations with the car rental, the trip itself was good. I forgot my flashdrive so I couldn't write so I read my Barbara Walters memoir. First day I did absolutely nothing and stayed in at my condo. It was actually quite pleasant. Not many people can stand doing things alone. Although I am certainly not a loner, I can definitely appreciate the solitude of being alone and being productive and enjoying my time alone. I've done it quite a bit over the years and it's no different to me. One day of solitude was good. The next day I had to drive to Ft. Lauderdale for a few meetings.
I drove each day about 45 min to an hour to and from for the tournament. I introduced myself to the head referee in charge, Master Chuong Pham. I wanted to make sure he knew who I was and thanked him for the opportunity to officiate this week. He told me that this year I was the only official from New Jersey. I told him confidently, I was trained well in New Jersey and would represent well. It was that night I had my visit with Franco and Mary.
But over the course of those three days I got along very friendly with a man named Jeff Jenkins. He was an International Referee with a lot of experience. But what I liked about him the most was that he was real. He was what he was and if you didn't like it, too bad. I always respect people like Jeff. Says it how he sees it, stands by what he believes and makes sure he's heard, but also light-hearted with a little off-color, yet friendly humor. We hit it off right away, but I also learned a lot by watching him officiate, and he really pushed the envelope with me while officiating as well. As much of a good time he was, he was also a very fair official and I respect him for that. Apparently he is known for causing riffled feathers, but in my experience it's the ones who don't cause enough riffles that don't make enough of a difference. More on Jeff later.
The TA, the head of our ring I know very well. Master Joe Hasan, the Adirondack District Director who hosts the tournament in Troy, NY. HE mentored me throughout the three days and gave me a lot of opportunity to gain experience and I felt that he really believed in me. That gave me reassurance and made me very happy and confident in what I was doing. I do hope that I came through for him, as well as the rest of my team.
I met a great group of people from Georgia including Master Bobby Stone's wife, Stacey. She was full of good energy, always had a smile on her face, and so warm when she greeted you. She has a good heart and looked out for me while I was in Florida, knowing for the majority of the beginning of my trip I was solo. I have known Master Stone for a couple years now and he is as funny and witty as he is an excellent official. He has centered for me many times and did my upgrade when I ranked to a class "C" Official with the AAU. It's always a good time when you are in the presence of Bobby Stone. There was also Wendy, who I got along with right from the start. The Georgia crowd got my vote.
I enjoyed the company of the Tennessee martial artists including Debra Hooper and her children. Her son, Jacob worked with me a bit too during the week and we had a great time. Her daughter Payton recently got married I think. They were already setting up an itinerary for me for a visit. I think the Georgia crowd were battling with Tennessee and Texas to where I would come visit first. I loved it! They had me laughing the entire time. But when we worked, we worked. And we worked so well. I have not officiated a national tournament before but from what most people said, it was easily run and smoothly gone.
The bottom line was I utterly enjoyed myself. The only downfall to this experience was that my personal mentor, Master Balon, could not be in attendance this year due to a scheduled surgery he had on his foot that was causing him a great deal of pain. He was the one who got me started in all of this and it would have been such a treat to experience this with him. But I hope I made him proud of represented New Jersey for all it's worth.
I have a few more blogs to write about this group of people. But the real delight was that it has been such a long time that I had that much fun and for the first time I did not want to leave and go home. I really felt like I belonged where I was. Working side by side with these martial arts masters from across the nation, many whom I have known about and watched for years, was an absolute privilege. But an even greater honor to share the time I had with them. And they welcomed me with open arms. I sit here with tears in my eyes because of the gratitude I have in my heart for the experience they gave me. But more it to be said about my time with them all, next time.
Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO
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