Finally...Forgiveness...

Like everyone in the world, I have experienced hurt, loss, betrayal and have gone through the emotions of anger, resentment, regret, and hate. We experience these circumstances and emotions because we are nothing more than HUMAN. I try very hard a lot of times to not be human.  My closest friends may say that is the one thing they dislike about me. But that's who I am. And trying not to be human has great advantages, and it also has it's many great disadvantages. One of them being that you cannot avoid but BE human. We participate as humans sometimes in the worst of ways.

A year and a half ago, I had gone through an experience that I can honestly say was probably the most devastating thing I have gone through. It involved many people who were very close to me that I loved very much, including my best friend of seventeen years. The details do not have to be enclosed, but it caused a lot of hurt, pain, grudges, and resentment on everybody's part. And there was enough blame to share with all involved.

It was Super Bowl Sunday. I now call that day the Sorrow Bowl. The aftermath of what happened that day left a terrible black cloud over all who were there. Some of my closest friends, who were more like family hated each other, were unforgiving, there were lies and stories, families I was once close with hated me out of ignorance, and there were a lot of misunderstandings of actions and intentions.

Over the past year and a half, I have been unable to forgive myself for all that had happened, nor forgive my former best friend of seventeen years. It destroyed me. I felt like I went through a horrible divorce. I involved him in every aspect of my life. Everything I once loved to do I couldn't do. Everything I still did had a hurtful memory, almost like a haunting that followed me every where I go. And some of the people who were once involved to this day are still affected and hold those negative emotions as if it were only yesterday, which does not help in moving on.

Spirit has been stern about forgiving. Throughout the year the topic finds it way to the surface and gets thrown in my face. But I didn't want to. I learned more and more about forgiveness, but couldn't bring myself to doing it. I wrote a blog on forgiveness if you click on this link. Mr. Miyagi said "Those who live with no forgiveness in their hearts live in worse punishment." I have always known this, so I did a great job at avoiding that. But I guess I needed to experience that worse punishment. Only a few weeks later did I write another blog on changes and the past, how we are supposed to learn from them to move on even if they still do hurt. Then a few blogs later I learned about mercy and peace, and I was taught how mercy is for those who don't deserve it and peace was created for those who cannot find it. Then my understanding to accept led me to the lesson of letting go which in turn brought me to the lesson of not caring. All the lessons lead me to forgiveness. But I wouldn't have it. Even with the time I had helped someone heal betrayal with the Forgiveness oil, helping them trust in where life would take them, I still couldn't do it alone.

We teach what we need to learn the most. Humans are flawed and fragile. We all are. So it would be a human's mistake that lead me to seeing something else. A situation had occurred where I shared something I thought I saw concerning my ex-best friend and my brother. I didn't act on it because I was unsure and I don't like to act or speak unless I know what I am talking about. The ex-BFF and brother both know this about me. But it doesn't change when we are committed to knowing and feeling how we want. What I was feeling was mis-communicated to one person who brought it to my brother more mis-communicated who then told the ex-BFF, before I knew it the details changed and intentions misinformed and I looked like the most blatant liar in the world.

It was then that I realized how we as humans participate in ways to fuel our negative emotions so we ourselves do not have to truly deal or release ourselves from moving on. We like what we know. It's predicable. It's scary to let go of all we know and learn from the unknown. We deny ourselves that. WE ALL DO IT. Sorrow Bowl put aside, I thought about everything from that point ON, and could only imagine the falsities and lies both I particpiated in and the ex-BFF participated in when we listened to those around us on how to move one and what to do without just doing what we always did, consult each other for a solution. We had a lot of strong "cheerleaders" around us, but many were wrong, very wrong. Thinking about this, I decided enough was enough. It was time to allow for closure.

I contacted both the ex-BFF and my brother. I wanted to be big boys and talk like adults. Not to point fingers and not to talk about Sorrow Bowl, but to get a basic understanding from each other and find a solution to move forward. The ex-BFF responded first. We all agreed, and we figured out a day and time. Just with the texting back and forth, I was laughing. The ex-BFF and I were still clowns in every which way. They wanted to meet at TMAFC. I wasn't happy about this. I did not feel it was a neutral place and truth be told if they wanted to leave they could, I couldn't. We had no other solution so I allowed it. I tried to think what I could do and then spirit told me "Be a master and teach." I had my answer.

The day came when they both walked into my school. It's been a year and half since I've seen the ex-BFF. He took his shoes off and bowed to the flags (which is what you're supposed to do on dojang) and walked up to me and shook my hand, asked how I was. I told him "Nervous." He said he too. The three of us stood there shooting the breeze for like five minutes, avoiding this talk. But I can't lie, I think we were all enjoying each other's company. He was impressed how I had an iPhone but found it typical my battery was dead at the time (tippy me). He liked my new uniform and noticed how I wear contacts.

I looked at them both and said "Okay, you wanted to come here so you're getting a martial arts lesson. On the mats!" My brother couldn't believe I was serious. I damn straight was serious. I gave them spots on the mats, we bowed to the flags, then they bowed to me. I told them "This is called...Qigong." I did some very basic Qigong movements explaining to them the posture, and the movements, the visualization, the energy flow, the alignment of the body, etc. After a few minutes the ex-BFF looked at me with a little smile and wide-eyed saying "You've been doing some deep mediation stuff." "You have no idea," I said.

Then I did the Qigong form that I did from my Black Belt test. I thought it was a great way to get us started before we talked. We took all the lessons we needed from our past and brought them into our present, and took all we DON'T need and throw it away. We did these movements several times before creating our Qi balls. After some cleansing breaths, we inhaled the Humility oil before we got started.

As we talked, it was like the last year and a half never happened. I was even having fun a little bit. We still referred to inside jokes that went over my brother's head, waving him off as if to say "don't worry about it" if he didn't understand and we laughed. We did not discuss what happened at Sorrow Bowl, that was not our reason for meeting. But we discussed the events that followed that were unnecessary and irrelevant. The abridged version: my ex-BFF and I tried very hard to make each other people we were not, we both disappointed each other, we outgrew each other and worked hard at going past the expiration date but it spoiled anyway. We both participated and believed only what we wanted and were committed to having resentment and hatred from the things we NEVER knew nor heard from each other but our cheerleaders. None of this takes away from the events on and leading up to Sorrow Bowl, but everything after, a lot of pain and angst on both our parts could have been avoided.

My brother happened to have gotten in the middle of all of this unfortunately. We discussed our viewpoints and how the hurt was made and the viewpoints on all our parts. We expressed how we felt and agreed, if we could just keep a flatline of common courtesy, we could move on in a better way. We also agreed not to participate in anything else from our cheerleaders. A lot of damage has been done already that we don't need to add to or allow others to add it.

Then I did what I said I would NEVER do....but I should know better as to never say never. I took out the Forgiveness Oil...I inhaled it...and I forgave him. I felt my ego doing all it can as to not allow me to do such a ludicrous thing!  But spirit prevailed over my ego. I told him fighting back tears that I forgave him and that peace be still in all our hearts from this point on.

It's done....finally....forgiveness....I really, honestly didn't think I could do it. I don't know if the ex-BFF thought I could do it. I don't think my brother knew I could do it. But I did it...the emotions were flushed out of me. Pain does not leave, but this wave of acceptance and allowance to move forward without the grief has begun. We said our goodbyes and moved on.

I do not know what the future brings. No reconciliation may ever come of this, nor will anything be fixed. But if we were to see each other on the streets, we could say hello with a smile and at least remember what once was that meant to much to each of us. One day we may sit don and discuss Sorrow Bowl, but not until we are both ready. I read recently that you truly know you have forgiven someone when you can honestly wish that person well. Regardless of how much hurt I was, after forgiving him I feel as if I can truly say, I hope things go well for you. And I hope he can say that about me. But to the ex-BFF, I do want to say I wish you well. And cholesterol is healing ;) lol.

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO

My First Lesson With Sifu

"As you wake to a new day, choose to be like a beautiful flower.
Open up to the rain, for it will nourish you.
Rise to the sun for it makes you so much more.
Become quiet and peaceful as nighttime falls.
Allow yourself time to reflect, for tomorrow will come soon enough.
Your beauty will surely grow with each passing day.
I see your beauty.
Can you?
Will you?"
-Sifu Pedro Cepero Yee

Hung Ga Kung Fu uses the principles of the five elements and five animals of traditional Shaolin philosophy. It is a system that provides mental and spiritual growth along with your physical growth through internal and external training. The history of this martial art can go as far back as the Ching Dynasty in thr 1720s-1730s. Growing up and training in the martial arts, I always felt the kung fu was THE art of arts. The traditions, the history, the spirit of it all was so real, so "magical", and the essence of this martial art changes you. It's something I've wanted to do all my life. Well that time has finally arrived.

Friday I had my very first lesson with Master Pedro Yee (Sifu). I was beyond excited, and a little nervous too. I walked into the school and Sifu gave me my uniform. He told me he would be presenting me with a lot of information which would be important for my understanding during the training, and to let him know if anything became overwhelming and if my mind were overloaded with too much.

We warmed up with Qigong. Each position was held for one minute. This set of movements were to open the "Seven Golden Passages", which would open the different Yang and Yin meridians in the body, depending on the pose. I felt the Qi charge up in my body at the different points, whether it be in my arms or my legs. Sifu went on explaining the flow of Qi, what we were physically accomplishing, what to expect later on, and I even got a little history lesson on how these poses were formed.

I began to learn the three earthly branch stances and we did drills using these stances. I was amazed at the amount of knowledge Sifu has with the mechanics and the techniques, and the understanding behind every movement. I know I need to train hard to have that same understanding as he in order to truly embrace the essence of Hung Ga. I need to feel it all out, and allow spirit to guide me to this understanding.

It's very different from Taekwondo. The breathing, the mechanics, the kias. Actually there aren't kias, but depending on where the strike goes, a different syllabus is used and a different range from within your body is released. I believe that's when you're body is truly in alignment with the spirit. When I stopped thinking about making the proper sound and breath, it found its way to the surface.

You can feel the tradition and spirit in the room as we continued with the lesson. The more Sifu got into the lesson, the more I got more into the lesson. The louder Sifu got, the louder and more intense I became. I loved every minute of it. I also began learning the first and oldest form of Hung Ga called Gong Ji Fuk Fu Kuen, subduing the tiger in character "I" pattern. The first half is Gong Ji Kuen by itself. The second half Fuk Fu Kuen was added later. From what I remember it was in the 1730s during the rebellion when they felt they needed to better prepare by practicing breathing and control along with power and speed. My understanding will continue to improve.

I used to think I was blown away when I worked with my old master. I thought working with Master Balon blew me away. But after training with Sifu, I now know what being blown away is. My legs were shaking violently, partly from the drills, and I am sure partly from the massive qi flowing through the lesson. I was in awe. I don't think I ever got so much out of a lesson before as I did on this day with Sifu. I am absolutely amazed and so grateful. I am blessed to start right, fresh from the beginning.

I am so ready to see where my training will lead me. Sifu is a master's master, and I trust him one hundred percent. I am so lucky to have him as a master and am grateful for the opportunity to train under someone of his caliber. I hope I don't disappoint, and I hope I can reach my full potential in the highest degree, as long as I keep to my course.

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO

Breakfast with Sifu

I met Sifu Pedro Cepero Yee at his school when he was hosting a Qigong Qi-Healing seminar at his school in Clifton, NJ that my mentor, Professor Lisa Sargese, invited me to. I knew after that day that I had found my new martial arts master. But I would not begin my training with him until I achieved some of my goals and completed projects in my current training leading up to my master test in Taekwondo.  Once I accomplished all I set out to do with that, would I begin my training with him.

The day after my one year anniversary of meeting Sifu, or Sifu-versary as Lisa calls it, I had met with my new master for breakfast, to discuss my new training with him. I was beginning a completely new era of my martial arts career, and a new era of my life. I was starting as a beginner yet again with the best of the best and with a clean slate. This is what I have been waiting for my entire life to do.

I arrived extra early because I did NOT want to be late for this meeting! It's okay if he were to come late, but I certainly wasn't going to be! We met for our breakfast and I got to catch up with him about my Black Belt test and my Florida trip, and then we got down to business. Sifu asked me what my goals were for my training, because he had his own ideas but wanted to hear some of my own insights.

Like I said, this is brand new for me. I am coming into this as a novice completely! However, I do want to train in every aspect of kung fu, to truly understand and feel the essence of the art. I broadly expressed my goals. I want to of course train in the physical (fighting/body) methods of the training, train in the meditative (thought/mind) methods of training, and the spiritual (healing/qi) methods of the training. Sifu is in charge of the syllabus for me.

Then Sifu explained to me a little bit about how he teaches and how he wants me to come into understanding and feeling the art in my training. As we sat there eating our breakfast, I hung onto every word as he explained the history of Hung Ga's organization which in turn gave me the history of Sifu himself. I won't go into every detail of the stories, but my eyes were getting wider and wider and I felt myself lean in over the table more and more as I listened and learned. I was amazed at what I was hearing.

It's mind blowing to see how far the essence of hung ga as come whether it be the development of the organization, or the true feel of the honor and integrity that truly makes Hung Ga what it is today. Sifu told me countless stories involving he and his father and trips to China, politics, naysayers, adventures which in my eyes that had the values of Hung Ga prevail above all things. Keeping one's word and honor above all else. Being true to oneself and continuing the path of upholding one's values even in the face of danger and envy. I was inspired.

I very much related to many of the stories on my own level of experience. Many times in my own story of how I came to being today, it was when I kept to my values did great things follow, good outcomes and solutions were to be found, and people were transformed for the better in the process, even those who were against you. I know what it feels like to want to do great thing with your life and have people who envy you absolutely despise you and even try to sabotage you. I know how by acting out of integrity can people change for the better and see life in a new light. I got to reflect and learn simultaneously.

Sitting there having my breakfast with Sifu was not only motivating, but enlightening. I could feel the love he has for his art, and I was excited to become a part of this lineage. It has been four years since I have had someone to call "master". I've been training solo this whole time, and although I have had incredible mentors, they were not my masters. I missed having a master-student relationship. And boy am I ever so grateful to have found Sifu.

I'm a little nervous too. It's been so long. But I can only apply what is expected of me. Be true to myself, keep doing what I have been doing, stick to my word, and uphold the values I live by, and the essence of martial arts shall prevail in all aspects of my life. I hope the ancestors will guide me in all I do in my life and on this new journey. All I can do is my very best while training with the best. Words cannot express my excitement. Now begins a whole new world with my training with Master Pedro Yee!

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO

Visiting Grandma Lucy

Therapist: So ladies, what brings you to therapy?
Fran Fine: I came because my mother has an obsession with me getting married.
Sylvia Fine: I came because my daughter has a delusion that I have an obsession.
Grandma Yetta: I came because they brought me and I don't know how to get home. (Looks at Fran) Who are you?
Fran Fine: I'm your granddaughter, Fran. Grandma Yetta: Oh Franny, nice to meet you. Fran Fine: One nice thing about senility, you're always meeting new people. 


The apartment Kristin and I live in was originally the apartment of Kristin's Grandma Lucy. Grandma Lucy is 98 years old today. She is a very strong German woman who has had a very full and long life. The last couple of years, Grandma has been getting older and older and can't walk, can't hear, and can't remember too well. A couple of years ago, Grandma Lucy moved into a nursing home in Demarest, NJ when she couldn't take care of herself anymore.

Kristin's father would religiously visit her every week and Kristin and her mother would make regular visits as well. But they never knew what kind of day it would be when they saw her. Some days were good where she was responsive and knew who everyone was, other days she didn't know who anyone was and would cry. The bad days were the most emotionally trying days. Kristin would dread going to visit because she understandably didn't want to see her grandmother in such a miserable state. Many times when I'd ask Kristin or her parents how Grandma Lucy was doing, they would answer "Existing."

Very recently, Grandma Lucy was moved to a new nursing home closer by to us. I knew of this particular nursing home myself because my great-great aunt and great-grandmother lived here before. I knew the place like the back of my hand. I actually celebrated my 13th birthday at this nursing home many years ago when I came to visit them. It's been ten years since I've been here. That time of my life seems so long ago. I never thought I'd ever be back to this nursing home to see anybody. Until now!

I went with Kristin this past Sunday to visit Grandma Lucy. I knew she was a little hesitant because of past visits at the old nursing home of not knowing whether it would be a good day or bad day. We drove up and walked through the front doors. It's been ten years since I walked in here. We walked down the corridor to where Grandma Lucy's room was and she was sitting in the hallway in her wheelchair. The second she saw Kristin she made an "Oh!" face and pointed at her. She recognized her right away. I was personally happy about that. It was a good sign.

We wheeled her into her room and we began talking to her...or actually writing to her. She can't hear so Kristin would write on a pad of paper and Grandma would read it word by word. She still can read and comprehends! Not bad at 98! She remembered who Kristin's sister was and who Sadie was, she remembered Kristin's sister lived in Texas and made jokes how she had money to live in Texas, rubbing her fingers and thumb together.

She was sitting in her wheelchair for a long time I guess, because she would randomly say about every 5-10 minutes or so that her rear end hurt, and she would start laughing, which made us laugh. She was witty, laughing, talkative, responsive, I'd say it was a really good day for Grandma Lucy. Every time she said something so witty we weren't expecting, Kristin and I would bust out laughing, and Grandma Lucy laughed with us. I think I was crying I laughed so much at one point. I was really enjoying myself with Grandma.

Her lunch came at one point and there was a piece of paper on the tray with her name on it. She thought it was a bill and asked when she had to pay for it. I told her "It's on the house!" She couldn't read my lips so I went slower. "IT'S. ON. THE. HOUSE!!!" She stared....."FREE!!!!!!" Then she understood and it was so cute when she made her surprise "oh!" face, like she couldn't believe she was getting a free meal! Kristin looked at her and said "It tastes better now, eh!?" LOL!!

We walked her around a little bit to get a change of environment and scenery, and at one room Kristin and I saw these two roommates watching television, one in a wheelchair and one standing up. Both just engrossed in the television. Kristin turned to me and said "Look! There we are sixty years from now!" I asked her "Wanna put a deposit down for a room now so we don't have to worry about it then?" LOL!!

But one of my favorite moments was when Kristin picked up a picture from the nightstand of her grandmother, her sister, and Kristin. She picked it up and held it up and told her grandma that she had the same picture in her office at work. "I have it on my computer so I can see you every day." I thought that was the sweetest thing. Grandma Lucy's response was "You won't get a lot of work done then!" It was a great moment.

At the end of our visit, Grandma Lucy told me how strong she was and she wanted to fight me. So she made a tight fist and I put my fist against hers and we started to test our power and push each others fists. And you know what? The old lady has got some umph! I was impressed! She was also very proud, and Kristin had her show me her muscles. Grandma had this big smile on as she showed off her power!

We said our goodbye after what must have been over an hour. No tears, just I love yous and see you soons. I was happy I went to see Grandma Lucy, and I was even happier it was a "good day" for her and Kristin could leave knowing her grandmother is doing well. To see a 98 year old, you really begin to think WOW, the things she has seen, the things she lived through, the life she experienced, you never know whose presence you'll be in. But I was happy to have had time with Kristin and Grandma Lucy and have a day where I got to see her smile, laugh, be cute, make jokes, read, eat cake but not lunch, and try to overpower my fists. All I have to say about Grandma Lucy is, you go girl!

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO

Magical Mrs.Campbell

Me and my sixth grade teacher Mrs. Callie Campbell at her last day at my old elementary school.

Growing up through grammar school (or elementary school, whatever people are calling it nowadays), we will always remember certain teachers whom we loved when we were in their classrooms and we continue to love as we get older. We love them so much, we continue to go back to visit in that old classroom again each year a few times, just to say hi!

In the sixth grade, I had a teacher named Mrs.Campbell. I was eleven years old when I had her as a teacher and I remember so much about her class. I remember where I used to sit every day, I remember the topics of the class, and it's funny how when we look back the silly things we remember. For example, I think the entire year I learned about Ancient Egypt. We had a social studied unit where we learned about Ancient Egypt and once that was finished, we had Ancient Egypt in our art history class, and then when THAT was finished we had a unit on Ancient Egypt in Language Arts!

Mrs. Campbell's favorite subject was math, and was a superb math teacher. She always had above the chalk board (now white board) in big bold letters "MATH RULES" for everyone to see. But everyone who knew her best would know that she was an avid reader. Mrs. Campbell LOVED to read! Always has and no genre was off limits. She was able to find the right book for any student. It was a gift to be able to get children to enjoy reading. Her love for reading became contagious to the students of her class.

SO it was the year I began reading one of the greatest fiction novels of our time, Harry Potter. At the time, only the first four books were out. I read them all, re-read them all, and I ventured out to reading other magical books to hide away in and just get caught up in imagination-land. Mrs. Campbell really got us to enter new worlds with reading. But "Harry" was our favorite. We'd plan and scheme and try to figure out, and just be blown away with the brilliant writing of J.K Rowling. She of course was also convinced she would have made a wonderful Professor McGonagall, but Dame Maggie Smith did very well. That year for Halloween, I dressed up as Harry Potter and we had a few other characters, and of course Mrs. Campbell was Professor McGonagall.

But one of the greatest memories I will have with Mrs. Campbell was at Christmas time. Of course there were her world famous lollipops she would make, but the year I was in her class was the first year my school did a school sing-a-long of Christmas carols. HOWEVER, our favorite song White Christmas was NOT on the list of songs to sing and we were insulted. So Mrs. Campbell, another teacher named Mrs. Martin, and myself sang at the top of our lungs in the auditorium White Christmas so everyone could hear! Well, on my own account, EVERY year since then, I would come back on the last day before Christmas vacation and sing White Christmas with Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Martin. We did that for 10 years straight!

Mrs. Campbell retired from teaching, and she will be spending a lot of time enjoying her grandchildren. I want to personally thank Mrs. Campbell for being the wonderful teacher she was, for giving me my love to read, for all the Harry Potter craze in my life, and we will still sing White Christmas but in a newer traditional way! Happy retirement and God Bless!

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO 

Mr. Carl Johnson

Mr. Carl Johnson (1962-2012)

"With great sadness I learned about the passing of Carl Johnson last night. Carl was a master teacher of Math at Saddle Brook H.S. and I say that because he could relate and teach math to the highest level student as well as our special needs students. So cooperative and willing to go out of his way to meet the needs of his students he was an asset to us and I am so proud to have played an intricate part in bringing him to Saddle Brook. He recently took over the Librarian position at the Middle/High School and that says something as well, to be certified in Math and Library Sciences what a unique combination. Carl was a good man and was called much to early, he will be missed by all but mostly by the children of the Saddle Brook School System. Rest in peace Carl and GOD BLESS you!"

-Mr. Jack Impomeni, SBHS teacher of 40 years

Eight years ago, a dear friend of my family's died. He was a teacher from Saddle Brook High School. I remember the deep pit in my stomach and the shock that overcame me. I remember the amount of sadness and grief the entire town had for this teacher. I exaggerate you not, the entire town. It is amazing how one individual, especially a teacher, can have such a profound impact on people's lives when they come in contact with them. When this teacher died, I learned a great lesson, at a very young age, how to appreciate every life you come in contact with. Because not every day is a given.

Last week, that same sadness I had not felt since Chuck Broadhurst died had overcome me once more. I had found out that a teacher from Saddle Brook High School had died unexpectedly. Mr. Carl Johnson was a dedicated math teacher for over 20 years, the eight years which he taught at my Alma mater, Saddle Brook High. Most recently he was working in Library Services as the Media Center Specialist. He also served in our nation's Air Force Reserves for several years, as well as volunteered for many service projects. One of those service projects was Habitat for Humanity.

Carl Johnson in Dallas for Habitat for Humanity in 2010

That unfortunate yet familiar shock overcame me and I called a few teachers whom I am very good friends with at their homes to confirm the news and get the details. He died of a massive heart attack. I felt like I was having one, just hearing about it. I spoke to his closest friends who were understandably devastated and shocked. 

I had Carl Johnson as my Algebra II teacher in my junior year. My junior year was a very difficult year for me in my personal life. A lot of changes on the horizons, the Friars of Old going their separate ways, my martial arts school moves, I had deaths in my family, friends were changing, and I got very sick that year. Managing school was very difficult. Mr. Johnson was a very understanding teacher. My junior year was very much a blur for me, I don't know how I got through any of my classes, including his. There wasn't a whole lot of consistency for me that year. But Mr. Johnson was. 

Air Force Reserves 1985

Carl Johnson had a very quiet, laid back, kind personality. I NEVER saw him upset or lose his temper. He was diligent, sharp, and students related to him. My freshman year was his first year teaching at SBHS. When it came time for my senior prom, I will never forget the little tribute he voluntarily made for us. Because we were his "first class" and started SBHS "with him" he had the D.J lend him the microphone as he made a little speech to us and danced this line dance shuffle as a tribute to us. It was a silly, yet beautiful tribute to us. I remember how we hoo-ed and woo-ed him on and whistled and clapped till our hands were red, just because Mr. Johnson did it for us. Now, to my understanding, many students who he taught line dancing to will be paying tribute in that same manner. 

Another great memory I have of Carl Johnson was how every year he would judge our high school talent show and our drag-comedy show that raised for charity called Mr. Saddle Brook. One year my friend Eric dressed up as Marilyn Monroe, and had asked Mr. Johnson to come up on stage so he could sing happy birthday to him, the same way Marilyn sang to the president. Eric sat on his lap, caressed his hair, Mr. Johnson laughed and was such a good sport. I have the pictures in my picture album. Another year when I hosted the talent show, I did a skit that involved math and made mention of him and would continue to refer to him in my skit. It's these little memories that add up that become such treasures over night.

Mr. Johnson was known for his line dance shuffle!

It is a great loss for not only a school system, but for anyone who ever loses someone so soon.

We never know what the day will bring. We never know what life will be like the next day. Every day we come in contact with people that we never know in what way they will effect us. Appreciate every day you have with the people that matter in your life. And never let a day goes by that you don't tell them you love them. You never know when the last time that will be. Truth be told, everyone loved Mr. Carl Johnson, no one had a bad thing to say about him. SO we all say, the community of Saddle Brook as teachers, students, and alumni, Mr. Johnson, we love you and your essence will live on in our memories and our hearts. 

There will be a memorial for Carl Johnson on Tuesday August 7th at 8PM in the Charles Broadhurst Memorial Auditorium at Saddle Brook High School. All are welcome to attend. The family will take donations for the Good Shepherd Home in Allentown, PA, where Mr. Johnson's handicapped brother has been receiving care for over 30 years, by clicking on the link here. Students and friends can post pictures and memories for the family to see at the memorial Facebook page.

Yours in service,

MASTER TRENTO

Vacation and Disney

When we went to Florida, our reason for going was to compete at the AAU Nationals. But for ME, I was focusing more on vacation after celebrating TMAFC's second anniversary, doing my six day 4th Dan pretest, my actual 4th Degree test, it was a full month (a full year actually) and I was looking forward to relaxing and having fun, something I need to learn to do more of.

Lisa and I flew into Florida on a Saturday and Kristin and a few friends drove up the night before We stayed in my parent's condo in Delray, Florida. The first full day we had we all went to the beach. I don't think I went to the beach AT ALL last year. And years before that I would go maybe once out of the entire summer when I visited my grandparents. I was already starting my summer off in a great way and it was a beach in Florida! It's been so long and I LOVED being in the water. I was in my element. That night I made a big pot of sauce for a Florida Macaroni Sunday!

We went a little all over the place in Florida. I was in Ft. Lauderdale three times during the week. One day to visit my student's hotels and train with them for the tournament, another to compete in sparring while balancing some pool time and fireworks on the beach, and another day when we all competed in forms and had our team dinner. One morning Kristin and I went back to the beach and that night we all went to Miami for drinks and dinner. We enjoyed pool time and nightime on the linai.

I can't remember how much fun I had on a vacation. I've been on many vacations but I would always find a way to train and workout, find time to work or do research, and always making plans for when I get home. It's a bad habit of mine, and I always would do that to myself, no one else. I did to me. But this time, I didn't take out my notebook, never turned on the computer, didn't wake up early to workout, I just simply enjoyed my time, care-free. And I had excellent company.

Cooking Grandma Yo's Italian sauce for Macaroni Sunday, Florida edition!

Florida iteration of Macaroni Sunday

TMAFC's Team dinner after competing at the AAU Nationals All Day

But there was one day that really stood out for me during our vacation. And we did it right at the very beginning. An entire year ago, Lisa had her second knee replacement. I happened to be there in the hospital room when Lisa was going over her list of short term and long term goals for her physical therapist at the hospital. You can read about her mention of it on her blog here. She told the nurse she wanted to do things like bend her knee at 90 degrees and so on. And then for her long term goals she said "I want to be able to walk the entire length of Disney World!" The nurse laughed and nodded as she wrote it down, not in a "yeah right!" kind of way but as a sincere "Good for you" kind of way. But I knew better.

When she continued her physical therapy with Dr. Joe, she told him the same thing. "I want to be able to walk all of Disney World!" And for eight months WE continued to say that we would be going to Disney World. I don't know what she originally thought but MY goal for HER was to go when we went to nationals in Florida. HASHTAG-- WE DID!

The five of us who were together drove to Orlando and we went to the Magic Kingdom. It has the lesser of rides out of the four parks but holds the truest essence of what Disney World is all about.
Now besides Disney being my most favorite place to go in the entire world (been there over 20 times), Lisa has not been to Disney since 1989 and Kristin has never been herself! I planned out the itinerary to avoid being the sun, doing the most we could with our time, and seeing the major attractions in the theme park.

I love everything Disney is all about! Holding onto your dreams, making them come true, believing in the impossible, using your imagination to making wonderful things happening, holding those truest and most loving in your life close, and believing in magic and miracles! The feeling that overcomes me when I am in Disney World, I cannot really express. But it truly is a feel-good place to be and I was thrilled to be with the company I was in. But I had an extra special feeling, proud even, of how well Lisa WALKED THE ENTIRE MAGIC KINGDOM OF DISNEY WORLD, just as she said she would.

Dancing like a fool at Magic Kingdom!

me and Kristin dancing fourth of July

Lisa walked ALL of Magic Kingdom Disney World!

Lisa applied just this!!

All of us on Splash Mountain!

Kristin and I by the "Friar's Nook" #HowAppropriate

Lisa and I in front of Cinderella's Castle after WALKING almost 12 hours!

She does not give herself enough credit at all. She sometimes does not take praise well when she deserves it. And she also (as well all do) sometimes undertalk our accomplishments. Lisa, we are ALL proud of you and your accomplishments, and your biggest fans (US especially) are beyond proud of you! I am also a big fan of people doing things that others say they cannot. Well done Lisa, well done!

The final things we got to see was one of my favorite Disney displays: the Wishes fireworks! I'm such a Disney geek that I have this on my Ipod. LOL! As I stood there watching the fireworks, taking picture after picture, I teared up and got a little weep as the overwhelming sense of gratitude came over me as I always get when I see these fireworks. This place is truly magical. Everythign Disney stands for I do my best to live my life by. And to share that moment of being with friends like Kristin and Lisa, or experiencing a triumphant moment like Lisa walking all of Disney, words cannot express those feelings. As much as we blog, words will always fail to get the essence of how we feel. I knew this walk for Lisa was like my 4th Degree Black Belt test for me.

When that overwhelming sense of gratitude comes over me, I disappear into my own little world. Being older, I understand it's spirit. Spirit gives me the reflections, visions, and feelings I need to understand and to learn from our most joyful moments as it does for our most difficult moments. Coming back home after a week long vacation like this one was tough to get back into reality. And I have NEVER had that problem before. But that's how I knew it was a vacation to remember!

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO