Traveling Trials and Tribulations

When I was in high school, my music teacher used to get teased because she always had bad luck when it came to traveling. When she did a trip, it would snow, or the bus broke down, or something. Well I think I inherited this trait from her. People say the traveling is dramatic. I find it more entertaining sometimes in the middle of all it all. It's entertaining because the circumstances and situations you absolutely CANNOT make up. In the last three weeks alone I had four instances.

But before I give you those instances let me tell you two quick stories of my traveling trials and tribulations. 2007, Virginia Beach with Mrs. Verost and the choir, we had the major buses with nice seats and bathrooms and televisions. But as we traveled and while we were down there, we went through not one, not two, but three buses while down there! Each one prior to it, broke down. Another time we went to Six Flags and the bus broke down and we had to wait until they could send a new one.

In 2010, Aunt Karen, my brothers, my cousins, and my mother and I went to Florida. Our flight was for 5:30. We did not want to check in luggage but ours was randomly chosen to be checked in at no cost. Fine. THEN, we boarded the plane and waited on the runway for 45 minutes. We were then told there was an issue with the fuel, the plane originally was going to Ireland but now Florida so they had to change the type and amount of fuel. Fine. Half hour later, we are told to get off the plane. We de-board. 45 minutes later, they RE-board us onto the plane. ANOTHER 45 minutes later we are told we had a mechanical issue and one of the lights in front was out and had to be replaced. We sat for ANOTHER 45 minutes. Long story short, we were supposed to be in our hotel room by 8. We didn't LAND until close to 3AM.

We were cranky that next day and decided to go to Disney World which was NOT on the agenda. Things started off great, Aunt Karen and I (being who we are) were chosen as honorary prince and princess of the day and got free fast passes. We go to Space Mountain. Five minutes we are already in the front. We are n3ext on line to get on the ride. Someone goes on the speaker and tells us everyone has to leave because of a mechanical issue with the ride. We get another free fastpass. You can't make this up.

On the way home from that trip, we get on the plane to go back to New Jersey. We get on the plan, but we sit there once again for 45 minutes. Then the captain gets on the speaker and tells us there is a fuel issue on the right hand side of the plane and the fire department was called to help with the issue. -_____- you see my point.

SO this past month, ready for this? I was supposed to leave for my Georgia trip Thursday night at 6:25. It snowed VERY badly in New Jersey that day, a plane ran off the runway at La Guardia airport. I called, waited an hour until I got an operator, I was going to change my flight to next morning but operator said all flights were still on schedule. I said Fine. Then I get an email 30 minutes later telling me my flight was CANCELLED. I could not book flight for next morning, I had to wait until the following NIGHT. I lost a whole day. Upset, but fine.

Next day on Friday, I get to airport at 4:30 for a 6:30 flight. Get through security and get to gate, Blah Blah Blah, I get an email that the flight is delayed until 9:35pm!! I am annoyed and upset, this wasn't supposed to be an inconvenience for my friends down south either. Then the flight was delayed AGAIN until 9:50. Delayed YET AGAIN for 10:22. We go to a different gate by ten after ten, and we are told ANOTHER DELAY due to mechanical issues. By that time, the people in my gate and I were very close. We felt each other's pain and were not in the best of moods. Flight didn't leave until 11:05 and I called myself a cab and got to my friend's house at 2:35am, only to be ready and up and about at 6 to be at our destination at 7. It was a great trip but the getting there was a FUN adventure. I took the bus home which is a 16 hour drive, plus walk a few blocks to subway, walk a few blocks to port authority, take another bus to Jersey, then picked up by my loyal student Mike Gavela, go home shower, and immediately go to teach class.

That following Thursday I traveled ALL day to Rockaway, Denville, Clifton, I was all over the place, and then to Lodi to pick things up, and then crunched time to get classes. I was meeting friends later that night. I knew I needed gas and when I left that night the gas station that was nearest was closed. I knew of the next one off the highway. Problem was I never made it, I didn't have enough to get me there. I got stuck on the highway. I called AAA with 5% battery and my friends told me cancel the tow truck, they'll come help. Okay. I obeyed. Phone died. Apparently they could not get to me and decided to head back. SO my phone died and by 10pm, I got out of my car and waved down a two truck who helped me get to a gas station, bouht a car charger, and went on my way to my destination.

That weekend, I drove with Master DeJesus and a friend to West Chester Pennsylvania for our Haganah weekend. We left early Sunday at 10pm. Around 11pm, one hour away form our destination, we hit a pothole so big on 202 in Pennsylvania, that the car got a flat tire. And did you know new cars don't come with spare tires or donuts? Our friend called his insurance company ad we called taxi services, car services, tire places, etc. EVERYTHING is closed at that time. We rolled along slowly on the shoulder at 5 miles per hour to get over the bridge into New Jersey. I was yet again able to call AAA to get us, but they can only take 2 passengers and we were having trouble get a taxi. After MANY phone calls and synchronizing the tow truck and cab, we finally found someone (AAA could NOT) towed the truck to the tire place, took cab to two stops, drove to pick up my friend and bring him home and then drive home. I arrived home at 4:30am, only to be up for a morning appointment. LOL! I thought the funniest thing was that we had assault rifles and pistols and ammunition in the car from the weekend. Imagine what a police officer would have thought? LOL!

I'd have to say it;s never a dull moment, and when I get into these adventures, really have to laugh. People think I kid around when I say I am Lucy. But it's definitely not far from the truth! LOL! But we gotta take what we can and laugh in the moment the way Lucy would! Or cry the way Lucy would! LOL! (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO

Georgia Qualifier

I've been enjoying my experience as an official for Taekwondo. My mentor Master Balon encouraged me for so long to have this kind of experience and finally a few years ago, when he was still a Clinic Coordinator, certified me and I officiated for the first time at his tournament in 2013 and I officiated one other tournament that year. The following year I upgraded an AAU tournament and had the opportunity to run a ring at another tournament, officiate in Queens and New Jersey again, and then officiated three days at the AAU Nationals for the first time which was a blast!

Over the year I also got experience officiating at other tournaments I was able to attend outside the AAU, representing what the AAU has taught me and have met a lieu of other new faces that I ended up having a great time with. When I was in Georgia last year at the end of the summer I even got the chance to help out officiating one of the local tournaments down there which was pretty cool.

At the beginning of March, I had the pleasure of traveling down south once again to my dear friends in Georgia. It was quite the adventure getting down there (a later blog), but I would not have missed being down there for them for the world. It's what you do for family. I've also never been to other AAU tournaments outside by region really and I plan on traveling and broadening my horizons even more next year.

What was really great was that it was like being at nationals all over again. The Tennessee crew were there and welcomed me with open arms, the Florida crew was present, the Chief Referee from Missouri was there who EVERYONE knows, the North Carolina people greeted me with big hugs, and other than me was Master Hasan from New York from the north! They think we talk funny, but they just don't know better yet LOL!

Me with a few familiar faces from nationals!

Master Stone is the Georgia District Director and Regional Director. He ran a fantastic tournament. He had 300 competitors, over 120 were Black Belts! That's a HUGE margin for the Black Belt divisions and I was utterly impressed by the quality of these Black Belts that came out to compete. Certain rings ran with the electronic hogus of KP&P for the Black Belts, and other rings ran Olympic Sparring for color belts. There was also forms divisions being run, and designated rings for other events that will be at the AAU Junior Olympics like padded weapon sparring and board breaking. Then of course was Point Sparring and even a division of Team Point Sparring.

The tournament ran very nicely and with all those events and all the divisions, with six rings, I believe the tournament ended at a great time of 5:30 or 6:00. Organized and timely without losing quality. Beautifully done. There was no lack of officials who showed up to help. Although we all helped run the rings and officiate the tournament, we are also all martial artists and had plenty of time to talk and collaborate about martial arts.

It always amazes me to see and learn how other people from across our nation train and interpret and instruct their martial arts. And these guys are absolutely awesome. I got to see Master Dave Turnball of Florida work with his students, Master Hooper from Tennessee is very smart and very sharp, I always have fun with the Georgia crew. My first nationals ever I worked with Kelley Hardy and it was great to be on the floor with her again. And of course one of Master Stone's senior students Miss Wendy Heath was on her game that day as well.

Miss Stacey Stone and I at the Georgia Qualifier. 

Master Debbie Hooper of Southeastern District. 

But something I haven't stop hearing from ALL my friends from down south was this: "You HAVE to meet Master Kathy!" That's all I've heard! For eight months! You gotta meet her! You gotta meet her! Well FINALLY I had the honor and privilege to meet in person Master Katherine Wieczerza from Tennessee! This is Master Stone's instructor, but she is ALL of the southern master's instructor apparently.

She is a phenomenal martial artist, and one I want to do one of my specials on. She is not only a brilliant Taekwondo and Tang Soo Do practitioner but also director for the Gojo Shorei system. Once again, the tremendous loyalty all these other phenomenal masters and their following had for this woman was a great comfort to see. And no, it wasn't just southern hospitality. These people truly are loyal and respect her for the stature she holds in their lives. It was beautiful to see.

But I also see why everyone wanted us to meet. I would listen to her speak and everything resonated with me, I understood all her references, and sometimes I would chuckle because it was as if I were hearing myself speak. One time I was having a conversation and she was standing behind me and I had to stop because I realized we were having the exact same conversation saying just about all the same things. I guess I felt validated in the sense that if Master Kathy were saying it,  must be saying something right! LOL!

My time in Georgia is always a pleasure. This trip in particular was cut short due to circumstances out of my control. But I will be back. But my goal next year is help out all my other southern friends if I can. So far I've done my little by little each year I say I am. But it did make me look forward to nationals this year. And this year I'll have my own team getting to compete again and it'll be a nice meeting of the two worlds. Congratulations Master Stone on a job well done! (BOWS)

Master Kathy and I in Georgia.

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO

The 2015 Haganah Annual Conference

A few years ago now, when I met Sigung, Grandmaster Frank Yee, he told us some very wise words. He said as important as tradition is, innovation is just as, if not more important. When he wanted to write his book on the 5 Animal Form in 1987, he knew he couldn't do it because he was still creating and formulating his art. He constantly was innovative and evolved over the years. It was only this past year in 2014 that this book was published. 

In the summer of 2013, I met my mentor's mentor for the first time. Founder of the Haganah system, Mike Lee Kanarek. You can read about my first meeting with him here. He was amazing, real, brilliant, and intense. I attended yet another seminar with him one year later, and I had asked him to be involved with a long term project which I ended up doing a Youtube Special in October. I have been training in Haganah under my mentor Master Samuel DeJesus since January 2012 and even took a FIGHT test under him at his school. 

This month in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Mike Lee had hosted his annual Haganah Conference where all his Haganah Black Belts and chosen FIGHT instructors from across the nation came together to train, be upgraded in the system, and to some even test for their Haganah Black Belt. The very first Conference was held in 2005. Since then the Conferences were held in places such as Las Vegas and at the headquarters in Florida. 

Let's explain a few things first before you get lost in all the lingo. FIGHT stands for Fierce Israeli Guerilla Hand-to-hand Tactics, a system that mixes principles of Krav Maga and Hisdarut, and combatives and tactics from Mike Lee's experience in the Israeli Special Forces. Its a fantastic, elite fighting system of high level self-defense, for lack of a better description (at least without cursing lol). The system had developed and expanded over the years and branched into areas of ground surivavl material, Israeli Tactical Knife fighting, and Israeli Pistol Tactical Training dealing with the high stress situations involving rifle and pistol usage. 

One can become a Black Belt in the FIGHT system but in order to become a Haganah Black Belt, only Mike Lee himself can produce those Black Belts and only after one does an intense amount of training and certified in all areas of Haganah, not just the FIGHT system. These tests would be done once a year ONLY at the annual conference. My mentor happens to be a Mike Lee Kanarek (MLK) Black Belt. 

The Haganah Black Belts and FIGHT Instructors gathering for the annual conference. 

I do not know how much information I am allowed to convey so I will keep my information limited, but changes in the direction the organization have been made for the betterment of EVOLUTION. Evolution to the system, evolution to the protocols, evolution to the quality, as any true founder would do. Mike Lee's entire FIGHT material has been changed and upgraded #Evolved. It's the second generation, of Gen 2 material. I got certified in the gun material in November at the headquarters in PA with Stu Bryant who is a fantastic ambassador of Mike Lee's. I had the opportunity to go to the conference this year and complete my Gen 2 certification and learn the upgraded empty hand and knife material as well, and train with other Haganah Black Belts, be with my mentor and many other I have met over the years, and witness a MLK Haganah Black Belt test which spanned over the three days we were there. 

Learning from Mike Lee is phenomenal. He has a very charismatic personality, rough around the edges, but a REAL person. He tells it how it is, he has no problem giving his opinion, but he is developing you and building you up in the process. But also to see him demonstrate his own material is priceless as well. There were some fantastic guests during the conference as well. 

For reasons I won't disclosing because I do not know to the extent of what I can share, the conferences will be changing in the future after this particular one, and only those attended this very conference will be allowed to attend these conferences for their continued education in Haganah and are all the true ambassadors of the Haganah system in Mike Lee Kanarek's name. I was honored to be a part of this brotherhood and this very event, and all left as Gen 2 Instructors. I also wanted to represent all my mentor had taught me over the years with great quality as well. I owe it to him to being a part of this world. 

Another highlight was that one of my mentors was testing for his Haganah Black Belt at this conference! Rick I met as a FIGHT Instructor at Rockaway Fight Center, and I believe is Master DeJesus's first student to become a Haganah Black Belt! He went through a lot of conditioning, stress and aggression drills, high level stress scenarios with the rifles and pistols, build ups drills with combatives and endurance, and the entire Gen 2 FIGHT material, ending with sparring. Without getting into much detail, it was amazing what these candidates had to pull through for this weekend. Mike Lee kept the standards high. 

Rick Testing for his Haganah Black Belt under Mike Lee Kanarek.,

Again, without disclosing too much information and not a lot of detail, this group is the last to do their MLK Haganah testing at an annual conference. Testing procedures will be different and there are not 6 platinum Haganah schools across the nation that can produce Haganah Black Belts from Oregon, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, and others. The Haganah headquarters was in Florida for about a decade, I think. There was this HUGE banner that would be at the hosting headquarters and was given to Stu Bryant when the headquarters was relocated to Pennsylvania this past year. This was another evolved concept.

Mike Lee had decided to do away with a central headquarters and the headquarters would be spread among all the ambassadors at this very conference. He had cut up that large banner that these individuals have seen for so many years and gave the pieces to each one of us, signed and numbered. Wherever we are, that is a part of the legacy of Haganah and it's longevity. I have my piece framed and hung up in my school already. To many of the people who have known Mike Lee for so long, it was like he was giving a piece of his heart to each of us. It was a beautiful moment, and you couldn't help but be so proud to be apart of this brotherhood. 

As militant as the art is, Mike Lee has a tremendous amount of experience in traditional martial arts, and although he may tell you technically he does not keep the physical elements in his system, he certainly does keep the same principles alive in his system as a true martial art would be. How do I know that? First and foremost, the amount of LOYALTY that was in that room was overwhelming and so comforting to see. There is not one person in that room who did not have the most utmost loyalty to Mike Lee Kanarek. They would have his back no matter what, and truth is, he has all our backs in return. I do know that it took a long hard road to be sure of the true allegiance of people he had in his system, but as with anything, you go through the rough waves to find what is needed. 

The greatest martial arts masters have that very key. I see it with Mike Lee Kanarek and his Haganah Black Belts. I see it with Grandmaster Kang and his long time students. Joe Lewis had it with his proteges, and Mike Lee has for the late warrior. I see it with my own Sifu and his Sifu as well. I saw it with the martial artists down south with Master Kathy and Master McNeil. I am beginning to see it in my new generation of students now as well. Loyalty is key. And Mike Lee Kanarek knows his family is strong not just physically, but loyally. 

It was an honor to be a part of this and I strive to be a good ambassador for Mike Lee and to also continue to represent my personal mentor as well. I want to congratulate my mentor, master Samuel DeJesus who was promoted to 3rd Dan in Haganah aand some other warriors from our area such as Sifu Dave and Ed Du Plessis. Also thank you to my buddy Allison who joined me in this certification process and Stu Bryant for all his help and hosting this conference, and his excellent students. And to the other instructors and Black Belts who helped in the training and gave good training as well, especially Mark and Steve. Congratulations Mike Lee on a successful conference. It was badass, and I am proud to be a part of it. (BOWS)

Rick, me, Steve LaPenta, and Master DeJesus before we left for the conference. 

Me and Mike Lee Kanarek with my piece of the Haganah banner. 

Yours in service,

MASTER A TRENTO

The FIRST Pure Bred Trento Black Belts

Danielle and Samantha Niblock with Master Trento in October 2010 at their first belt test. 

(SPECIAL THANKS TO MICHAEL GRELLA FOR THE PICTURES!!)

"There are two ways to spread light. By being the candle or the mirror."

-Edith Warton

I'm exhausted. It's been so long since I have been this busy, I almost forgotten what it was like. But at the same time, I feel like I'm back up to some of my old tricks. It's been nonstop since 2015 began. End of January I moved TMAFC from Rochelle Park to Saddle Brook, beginning of February I took my Kung Fu test, I gave workshops and Seminars, We traveled to Albany for a tournament, I had belt testing for my students, I traveled to Georgia for a weekend, I was in Pennsylvania for a weekend, I'll be in Queens next weekend, I'll be doing more workshops and seminars, and I'll be going to Georgia again and Florida for a weekend martial arts gig. 

But when you has a passion for something, it is not work, and it is nothing but utterly exciting and motivating to continue on your quest. This past week was a very special week at TMAFC. I said it is our first "March Madness" at TMAFC. I do Black Belt testing twice a year only. My Black Belt tests are very different compared to many tests. Going through the ranks myself, I had to go through six day Black Belt tests. I, myself, loved them. My attitude was it was the ultimate accumulation of everything I am working for and that it would bring me to the ultimate peak performance in which I believed a Black Belt should be. It was exciting and I was enthusiastic, with a bit of appropriate nervousness. 

What I didn't know is that not everyone had the same mindset as me. Actually, now that I think about it, I don't know if anyone had. You see, my first master would do these Black Belt tests, and I didn't see it until much later in my training that his tests were more like a fraternity hazing process. There were drills and challenges that were ridiculous, not appropriately challenging, over the top, objectives that were unreasonable, and sometimes people were set up for failure. He would also play psychological games and get inside your head to break you down. This is NOT what I do.

In 2009, I did my first Black Belt test for TMAFC. The test was great, but there was a problem that never left and trickled into just about every test since then. The students testing under me thought of my old master and they thought I was him. Do I do similar drills? Yes. Do I have similar set ups? Yes. When the students falter, do I get stern? Yes. But are the objectives the same? No. Are the standards similar? No. Are expectations unreasonable? No. 

Over the years there were a few things I had figured out along the way. Why it's important to talk about certain topics during the test (for the audience's benefit, not the testers). A structure that could be followed and a way to set a bar and learn how to push the envelope in an appropriate manner. A way that consistency depending on the levels being tested would be ranked (not referring to belts). I really have my testing down to a science. And I really know how to target certain areas for the testing candidates that bring the best out of them. As long as they don't resist. 

All the people who tested with me for Black Belts have been my students, but the ones who ranked Black Belt were my students from my first school under my old master. They had that influence, they had that experience, they all had the similar psychological torture trauma that I broke much of it away, but enough still lingered that made testing processes sometimes more challenging than anything had to be. Do not get me wrong. All previous testers did a phenomenal job for their testings. They soared and grown and transformed in ways no other human beings could have grown. But there was always that lingering past energy of my old master. 

My last test was a couple of years ago. I had no students ready to test during this time, and it was a matter of waiting for the next group to be eligible and go through the ranks. During that time, changes were made in location, scheduling, curriculum, management, and structure. This past week, two of my very first students from when I opened TMAFC in 2010 were eligible for testing. But these two ladies would be different. And I knew it months in advance. They would be doing things differently and things no other students ever had done before, and I've been saying this for months because of one key element: they are purely my OWN. They have only trained under me. They have no other influence in their training other than me. 

Samantha and Danielle Niblock on their first day of martial arts training. 

I opened TMAFC June 5, 2010. Danielle and Samantha Niblock began June 28, 2010. Almost five years later, these twin sisters were testing for their adult Black Belt at TMAFC. They are the FIRST March Madness (our first test with the new months, March being the first), the FIRST test at the NEW TMAFC location in Saddle Brook, and the FIRST pure bred Trento influence students for Black Belt. I know both their parents were nervous, but I had full confidence these girls were ready. The one thing that remains consistent was that the students testing DO understand a little more about this process of what's going on then the people watching it. This is something that they have chosen to do and been training for. This test is to test all aspects of their training but also to be the ultimate positive reference point to transform into a completely different human being by the end of the test. 

Adult Black Belt testing is for 13 years of age and older. The girls were one month shy of the age cut off. So I offered them the chance to take the adult test or the junior test. They both made the choice to take the adult test. That alone shows great character. They had to get three recommendation letters from my own Black Belt students who believe they are capable to taking the adult standard Black Belt test. Mr. Robert Lisciandrello, Miss Samantha Volk, and Mr. Andrew Kranich each wrote letters for the girls, and I thank all three of them for doing so. In preparation the girls also took part in our competition team classes and adult classes to prepare for this test. 

What they did this week, most adults couldn't physically do or have the mental drive to do. Their written test day was Monday which they had to answer some very deep philisophical questions to build the mindset for the week. Tuesday they had to put their words to action thorugh their condtiioning test including a total of 2,000 jumping jacks, over 200 burpees, speed drills, beating their time each objective, horse stance for five minutes, 3 minute planks on medicinie balls, and military drills that I got from my Haganah Conference including srpints, suicides, running with the other person on their back, wheel barrows, lunges, and duck walks. 

Danielle and Samantha as high green belts. 

Wednesday was Self-Defense Day which they did extreme blocking and striking, low level escapes and high level self-defenses, multiple attackers, and a pass or fail test for each, and stress and aggression drills. Thursday was the test of focus and concentration through the technique of forms. Besides doing their traditional Taekwondo forms, they did them in different directions, under one minute, chosen forms for different objectives such as backwards, reflection, starting and ending on same points, blindfolded, etc. Friday was Basics where many Q&A's were asked and performance of the basic blocks, kicks, and kicking combinations were involved including speed drills with objectives, hand techniques as speed drills with objectives, and trust drills such as kicking paper in a person's mouth while balancing on one leg.

What I may add is this: Every morning of a Black Belt test I do the test in the morning myself. I never ask my students to do anything I cannot do. That being said, I have always in past tests either not do everything on the cards I had written down, or would lessen repetitions or time restraints depending on the difficulties and challenges of the individuals testing. I've done that for every test prior. This certainly does not mean those tests were any easier at all. But the struggles from those tests were overthinking, over-nervousness, thinking I was getting in their heads and therefore not listening to the directions, poor attitudes in the moment, etc. 

This was the first time EVER in my five years I did EVERY single bullet on my cards EACH day of the test. There were moments I would think, Maybe I should move on to the next thing and not add another objective or maybe I should lessen the reps here, this seems to be a little extreme. I did not do that AT ALL this time. Those moments popped in my mind for a second, but that was it. Only a second and then I stood my ground. If I said 100, it was 100. If I said both sides, it was both sides. If I said another 1000, it was another 1000. And these girls did EVERYTHING.

Their attitude was impeccable. I KNEW whatever I told them to do, they would do it, and do it well. They never showed moments of weakness during the week. They never let emotions take over. They always made a conscious choice to stay light hearted and smile (something I was always known for doing in my own testing),  and took the mental lessons to heart and very seriously in putting them into action. In return, I was VERY relaxed and light hearted myself during the entire testing. Their confidence made ME even MORE confident, and I believe my confidence made THEM more confident. The spirit was one. 

Final Day of Black Belt testing

I had seven judges on Day 6. One of my own and 6 guests. Miss Samantha Volk, who worked very closely with the girls over the years. New friend Master Christian Seiglie who is the New Jersey Gong Kwan Yosul liason and 4th Dan in Taekwondo. Mr. Michael Ramirez from the ATA, good hearted individual with a lot of heart and drive and student of my Songahm mentor.  Master Joe Nilon who is a master of Hapkido, practitioner of Taekwondo, and Gen 1 FIGHT Instructor in Haganah, we met in 2012 paneling together at a Black Belt test at Rockaway Fight Center. My own mentor, Master Samuel DeJesus, who was recently promoted to 3rd Dan in Haganah and 5th Dan in Taekwondo. His student, Mr. Austin Redlich was on the panel for the first time, and dear friend and 3rd Dan in Taekwondo Miss An Marie Cooper. Beautiful people who I know all have my back, and I theirs; all bringing great experience to the table.

For those who know me, the first five days of testing, and all my color belt tests I do NOT sit behind a table. I am standing and moving around and am RIGHT IN THERE with the tests. It just isn't me to sit behind some table to judge. The first two portions of the final day is forms and judge's choice. It's the only time I am sitting and even then I am finding reasosn to get up and be right int her during the test. And if anyone noticed, for just about the entire test, I am right in there, on my feet. 

The girls did their Taeguek forms in approximately 5 minutes. This is the FIRST time a student did not make silly mistakes due to nerves, overconfidence, or over thinking. They also learned these 8 forms in six months for their test. but the way they prepared and practiced definitely showed. They are also the first students to have the proper detail and style according to WTF standards. they showed ITF forms and the forms meanings. I was very proud of them. 

Next came our traditional judge's choice. Miss Cooper asking about the twin rivalry in training and how they dealt with something as real as that and how is has been transmuted into other areas. Mr. Austin wanted to see advance spinning kicks which the girls have never done before and took a chance at doing something they never had before. Master Joe and Master Seiglie both asked for self-defense scenarios which the girls showed that they not only understood the principles and concepts that were being asked for but also prepared to do them. Mr. Ramirez asked a question to be answered about why they were doing what they were doing while performing a plank drills to the satisfaction of the judges. Miss Volk, knowing their weak point was breaking made them choose their most difficult break and this was the beginning of the major challenges the girls would have to face, overcoming the mental block transmuting into the breaking of boards. And Master DeJesus questioned them individually about certain questions on their written test along with knuckle push ups on their broken boards. 

They had to next do Olympic style Taekwondo sparring. Following the AAU rules, they did a few matches and then rapid fire sparring changing opponents every 15 seconds for several rounds beofre having to spar 2,3,4 and eventually 5 people at once. Then the judges requested their own objectives they wanted to see while sparring. Quite frankly, there was nothing the girls would not do. There was never a sigh of disbelief, there was never a pain face or a whiny expression. Never did you see fear in their eyes. Whatever was asked, they said "Okay" and then did it. I believe the judges did a fantastic job in trying to push the envelope. 

The most emotional part is always the self-defense portion. But what I did for the first time, and never did before waqs have the girls demonstrate the entire low level escape and high level self-defense curriculum, which my own mentor Master DeJesus actually gave them a mini lesson in the middle of (an honor I know the girls appreciated). But this was also an adult test, so they were to be treated like adults. And in return, they responded like adults. 

A simulation of the worst case scenario for self-defense can always be created. One of the ways I do this is with "the tarp". Many people have seen me do this. It is a constructive way to get the hypothalamus of our brain to release the chemicals of the mind to chemically trigger the adrenaline needed to respond in fight response rather than flight response when in a mode of survival. People do martial arts to learn how to defend yourself. Even in the most extreme cases where everything is against you, you can't see, hear, move, and being attacked, you see the person fight to survive. When a father of a young lady, such as these two, can say to me that they know they will never have to worry about their daughters, I know I have done my job. Someone once said it was very "jigsaw" of me to do. But when it comes to self-defense, there is nothing more important than knowing how to fight for your life. 

The final portion was breaking. By this point, it is the last thing the girls have to do and they are running on fumes after what they did physically in the five hours that day, and the 2-3 hours each day prior to that moment. We had chosen hand and foot techniques for them to do, not realizing that they were all techniques they had chosen to do, and they had purposely chosen the most difficult and harder breaks to do. That shows great integrity. Most people will choose the easy way out, but that would not have settled well with these girls. These ladies have standards and they had every intention of meeting, whether people thought they were crazy or not. and THAT I couldn't have been any prouder. 

After the judges reconvened, we decided the girls deservedly so passed their Black Belts. The families were proud, the judges were proud, their parents were proud, and I was very proud. YES I cried, I always do. I used to make fun of my Aunt Dottie, who is one of the greatest teachers you'll ever meet, for always crying at occasions with her students. But I understand why. We had alumni students present, who I got to spend a lot of time at the after party with laughing like odl times, some say they even want to come back to train. Many students stayed to see this test. People from the gym stayed to see what this test was all about. 

When I awarded their certificates, I made a modification to their certificates. A candle on either side with the number "1" on it, to represent that they are the FIRST ever of the new generation of Trento Black Belts, and I couldn't be prouder. It really was, one of the best test we ever had. It was one of the best panels we ever had. And at this present moment, the energy is so good, so great, so positive, so uplifting, the new era is here, and what better way than Danielle and Samantha to pave the way for us.

Danielle and Samantha, you showed such maturity beyond your years. You have grown up so much in 5 years, but you have grown up so much in six days. You did not see this test as torture but as an exciting adventure! You were intense, yet lighthearted. You smiled and didn't get bent out of shape. You welcomed push ups, and you mistakes did not upset you. You never rolled your eyes, you never sighed in disbelief. You didn't listen to the "don't let him get in your head" comments. You welcomed me into your head to build you up and we worked so well together. You were the candles to shine bright and will light the wicks of others to come. You worked beautifully together and will always have this to share with each other for the rest of your lives, and it's because of young adults like yourselves that I can say to people who worry about our world's future, I can say "It'll all be okay" and its because we have people like you as our future. A job well done, ladies. Well done. (BOWS)

Yours in service,

MASTER A TRENTO

(SPECIAL THANKS TO MICHAEL GRELLA FOR THE PICTURES!!)

Undying Love

I don't remember this magazine having permission to use MY picture on the cover! LOL!!!

"I'm not funny. What I am is brave."

-Lucille Ball

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love Lucy. But so did the world. I have been a Lucy fan for as long as I could remember. Not only for her work but for the person. I actually have my own Lucy moments just about every week, I wish I could have them recorded. There have been many close to me who have had the privilege of experiencing those moments with me. I have a lot of them by myself these days.

So of course when a magazine has Lucille Ball on the cover of it, a few of my students and members had to get it for me. I was the first person they thought of! I know all about Lucy, so reading these articles that makes it seem like its all "new information" is malarkey. But reading the article still reminds me how very much I AM like Lucy. 

Lucille Ball is a pioneer and the reason we all have televisions today! The funniest and hardest working woman ever, she was the greatest at her trade and no one could top her. I Love Lucy is the only television show EVER that is playing every hour of every day since 1956. More people watched her having baby Ricky then Eisenhower's inaugural address and bumped him off the front page. She began this television show with her real life husband Desi Arnaz. They fell in love doing a film together.

They met resistance at first with the networks. Who would believe the all American girl was married to a Cuban? But she argued that she WAS. They took matters in their own hands doing an on the road vaudeville act and the rest  was history. But this was also so she could work with her husband who was jealous of her career and couldn't stand being known as Mr. Ball in the time of the 1950s. But Lucy had a mouth on her and didn't put up with such nonsense and gender role stereotypes, and her response to that was "If they put an "s" on the last name of it, you'd be shaking their hands!"

Desi along with Vivian Vance and Will Frawley were well known but got their universal fame because of Lucy. She shared the fame and glory, never worrying about herself, but anyone who joined in on her ride benefited greatly. But her husband was a womanizer. He had his mistresses and it devastated her for so many years. Finally they decided to divorce and it broke America's heart, and I Love Lucy, was no more. 

But I don't know if people knew that after their divorce in 1960, they remained VERY close. They were the best of friends! They still ran their studio together which ran shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show and Star Trek. They loved being around each other more than anything. But they couldn't allow themselves to be together as a couple. Most of their friends and people who knew them to THIS DAY say that if they just put aside their differences and egos, stepped up to the plate and made personal changed within themselves, their marriage would have continued stronger and greater and lasted until they died. As successful and wonderful as Lucy was, she could never top I Love Lucy and no one to this day could ever beat her. But she always felt that something inside of her as stopping her from truly moving forward to being all she could be. Holding onto that undying love can be quite a weight. 

They both remarried, but their new marriages were NOT the same love affair that they both had for each other. Lucy's long time chauffeur for 30 years said he would pick up the phone and say "Miss Ball, it's your husband!" And she would respond "Which one?" 

They talked every week, but there is one thing that never ended. Their love for each other. Even though they went on with their lives, they never really gotten over being in love with each other, and all their closest friends and relatives knew it. Some would say "Who knew if they knew it." Their love for each other was undying. The last time they spoke was what would have been their 45th wedding anniversary. He died a few days later. He was supposed to read a speech for Lucy at the Kennedy Center Honors that year. Someone else read his speech. He ended with "'I Love Lucy' was never just a title." 

Imagine all your life two people in love but ego and pride kept them apart? Don't let the hurts of the past take over. Allow for yourselves to grow and fix together. There's nothing wrong with asking for support for what you need to better yourself, and there is nothing wrong with disagreeing. People are allowed to feel what they need to feel, but if you KNOW you're hurting the other person, and that other person figures it out, however you stir the pot, there aren't truly any real deal breakers when true love is involved. Let love take over, not your fear. (BOWS)

Yours in service,

MASTER A TRENTO