Students Improving!

"Progress is the key to motivation."

I have been teaching martial arts for about a dozen years. I celebrated my 14th training anniversary with a lesson with my new master, Sifu Pedro Cepero Yee. As a teacher by nature, I am proud of my ability to teach what I love so much to any age. As most of us do, we sometimes doubt our abilities when working with other people. Every teacher has those moments of whether or not they are making a difference or if they are getting through.

But one thing is for sure. The joy and excitement a teacher gets when they see their students improving is such a wonderful feeling. The greatest teachers I have ever had are the ones who give it their all, who understand how their students work and could cater to those needs, and are themselves. They are also the ones who teach everything they know to pass down to whomever they teach.

Academically, I had some phenomenal teacher. Mike Sheridan was the most brilliant scholar I have ever known and prepared me like no one else for college. Donna TenHoeve made my grammar in Spanish better than my English grammar. Cindy Verost gave me such joy in learning music and understanding the work behind creating such beauty and her way to coming down to a students level while holding professionalism. Dottie Filipek was always an advocate for the students and would lead by example and go above and beyond which inspired and motivated. My personal mentor, Professor Sargese is a master educator who inspires and is loved by all who come into her class and goes the extra mile to getting her students to fully grasp the lessons and use the skills they possess.

Through martial arts, I have always come across the best of the best. Master DeJesus absolutely loves what he does and it shows not only when he teaches but when he makes contact with people. He is constantly learning to innovating to make his students better all the time. Master Bardatsos has always made champions and isn't afraid to be honest and work someone hard. Master Balon is a brilliant man who knows his material inside and out for any situation, circumstance, and no detail is unimportant. And of course there is my new master, Sifu (Master) Yee, who brings altogether the essence of the lesson in every way you can possibly learn to through understanding, qi, history, application, and feel on physical, mental, and spiritual planes.

And I will always give credit to my old master. A lot of lessons he taught me, the ways he would teach, systems and thought processes pertaining to martial arts training, structuring, all those roots had led me to being sure I would be the most well rounded martial artist I could become and to continue teaching that way. I can never take that away from him.

I have taken something from each of these people. In some way there are a lot of similarities that are important to me. And a lot of ways there are things I still learn from each. And there are also a lot of unique things about each that I take with me and call my own as well. They all have a part in making me the teacher I have become, and am still becoming.

I had a very stressful summer. But there is one thing that has kept my spirits high and brings great joy in my life. When I see the progress my students make. It reminds me why I do what I do every day. I have a little boy named Theodoris who is a little Greek boy. He is as cute as can be at the age of seven. About a month ago we were doing a private lesson and I was blown away by him. I would always correct his stances, trying to make him bend lower, be louder, ask questions. Well in this lesson before he went on vacation, I didn't have to say one thing about his stances, his kicks improved tremendously, and he was so loud in his kias, the effort was amazing. And when I acknowledged it, his smile of how proud he was of himself was priceless!

I have a set of twins Samantha and Danielle. They are so funny together becasue they are the true essence of TWINS. They talk, breath, laugh IN SYNC! They are little joy bubbles. They'll be testing for advance level rank this month. I used to push them a lot in their technique. They put in so much effort this summer, I am astounded by their improvement. A very good friend of theirs named Megan is one belt behind. She used to have a lot of balance issues which affected her technique. I do my best not to overwhelm her with drills, but I work a lot with her in each class. I had a lesson with her recently, and I looked at her and said "Where did THIS come from!?" She just had this big smile on her face. Her kicks had such control, her movement and positioning improved greatly, her stances, her questions (so I know how she is thinking) were impressive, I couldn't have been more proud.

I have a little Polish boy named Tomasz who comes to EVERY CLASS OF EVERY DAY that he can take. And it shows in his performance. He is dedicated, he is focused, and he takes his training VERY seriously at the age of seven! I see myself when I was that age doing the same thing! But it is above all, FUN for him to do. Two of my brown belt twins Bethany and Taylor, who I've been training since they were little girls, have absolutely transformed! I don't know if it's because they're in teen and adult classes now, or they have Black Belt test in their sights, but all I can saw about them is WOW!

I can't forget my adults! Ara is such a supportive, encouraging asset to my school. He doesn't care if he is with other adult students, the teens, or even the little kids. He is a part of the family as much as any one else and his support and energy shows. His enthusiasm is contagious, and it motivates ME as his master. He loves sparring now. And he was lucky enough in his earlier ranks to have a lot of one on one classes with me. I remember how he moved even FIVE months ago to what he is doing today! One word: PROUD. In fact, last night Robert and I taught a sparring class and it was a very nice turnout. We sparred in class for at least a good hour. I was really happy with the effort each one put in. They helped each other, encouraged each other, made all the right mistakes, made all the right learning curves, it was magnificent!

But I can't help but have a special place in my heart for young Alyssa. I remember her coming in two years ago. She always loved her training and I knew it meant something to her. She has had her ups and downs. She had an injured knee for along time, but she kept up and had a great attitude. I would always bust her chops, however, on her technique. I needed more effort in her stances, kick higher, kia louder. I KNEW she had this ball of energy inside of her that just needs to come out! She has so much potential and can do so much, she doesn't even know it! And I know it's my job to get her to see that.

One day in class Alyssa came in and I didn't even recognize her. No no, she looked the same. But her ATTITUDE was completely different. I couldn't believe how high she was kicking, I couldn't believe how strong she was, I couldn't believe how low her stances were, and above all I couldn't believe how loud she was. I looked at her and I said "Who are you!? Who is this person!?" She looked at me and I smiled and said to her "I am so proud! You keep it up, girl. That's true girl power and YOU got it!"

So I guess when you go through really stressful times, people say to you count your blessings. So I guess what I can say is this blog is about counting my blessings. I am blessed to have and had such phenomenal teachers in my life who I have taken something from each one and who played crucial roles in the teacher I have become. But I am even more blessed to have the students that I have, who are wonderful and make me so proud. And it makes me feel so good to see them not only making progress but being so INTO their training as well!

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO

Best Friend Black Belts

I met Ms Gedman last year in December when I went to see Mr. Valentino's midterm test. Ms Gedman is a fourth degree Black Belt in the ATA Taekwondo Association, the same Mr. Valentino and his sister are a part of. We quickly got to know each other and I had even asked Ms Gedman and her partner, Mr. Rivera, to judge Samantha's Volk's 2nd Dan Black Belt test back in May.

What is so wonderful about being a part of the martial arts is that you make the greatest friends, and most of the time friends for life. You share an experience on the physical plane, an emotional and mental plane, and above all whether you believe/understand it or not, a spiritual plane. You have a connection that no one else can comprehend. And when you meet people who have the same passion as you, it intensifies. Ms Gedman became a very important part of my martial arts journey very quickly.

In fact, Ms Gedman was a part of my thirteen judge panel for the last day of my six day Master Pretest. I was so happy that she could be a part of that day and share what was to this point one of the most important experiences of my life.

Last weekend, I had the privilege of being a guest judge for Ms Gedman and Mr. Rivera at their club in Westfield, NJ. One of my own Black Belts came and they were nice enough to have have her on the table to judge as well.

Every Taekwondo school tests differently. The ATA have a very structured and standardized routine to test. I have always said this, but ATA students have great discipline and I believe it comes from the structured systems that the organization has in place. We started with the nine little people testing (under seven years of age I think) where they showed parts of their form and memorized steppings and techniques. Then came the larger group of higher belts, and adults. The candidates had to perform their forms, prearranged step movements, and a few even had to spar and break boards.

Two girls were going for their Black Belt. Their names were Zoe and Shannon. These two girls were best friends. They began their martial arts journey together and you can tell it meant so much to experience this journey together and have this achievement together. These two girls were very different but had the same love for the art and for each other.

We through physical challenges at them, watched them cheer each other on, push through the sparring, push through the boards, and perform the forms together. As I sat there watching them, I began having my own flashbacks of when I was going through the ranks from the age of 9-16. I also tested with my best friend through the ranks, and even a Black Belt test.

Kristin Barrett and I tested together under our old master in Saddle Brook, NJ on August 12, 2004. It was her last test with our old master and our last test together. It was just the two of us. Two people who couldn't be any more different, but had the same love for what they were doing and for each other. Kristin and I really pushed ourselves, and each other on that test. Mental challenges at the beginning, a little conditioning, all our basics, all our forms, self-defenses including a pellet gun which he's never done at the time, and we were the first to break five boards on a test.

That test will always be special to me because it was with my best friend. So I knew exactly how much this test for these two girls were. I wanted, as a guest judge, to bring as much as I could for the two to enjoy together, learn together, share together, and remember together as they were to go through this test. I was so proud of the girls, as if they were my own students.

We get these blasts from the past, to remind us of our history and how to help others make their own. It was an honor judging for Ms Gedman and Mr. Rivera, and I hope they have me back! And I graciously thank them for making my Black Belt welcome as well. Congratulations to all the new belts at ATA Westfield!

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO

Echos of the Future

Bethany Disanno, Taylor Disanno, and Mia Giordano. The "Trento's Angels".

I have three student's that I call "Charlie's Angels", or better known as "Trento's Angels." Mia Giordano began training as a Little Ninja when she was three or four years old many years ago, when Kristin Barrett and I apprenticed under our old master. She made it up to green belt and stopped training when she was six or seven. When I began my own school, within one month, Mia came to the school with her mom and signed right up to pick up where she left off with me.

Bethany and Taylor Disanno are fraternal twins. I began teaching them when I was a senior instructor at my old master's school. I trained them up to high green belts and then when I parted ways with my old master, they left the school and continued training under me privately out of their own home, their backyard, their aunt's basement, and their grandparent's backyard until I opened my own school. Actually, their low blue belt test was the first belt test I did when I opened my own school.

Bethany and Taylor were the first belt test at TMAFC when it opened.

These three girls became such very close friends. As I have always seen in martial arts, they have found friends for life with each other. Not only are they great friends, but they are wonderful training partners. They encourage each other, they motivate each other, they help each other, they communicate with each other, they make goals together, they compete together, and they push each other. The energy between them is fantastic, and may even rival the connection the Friars of Old had.

The three of them made a goal together: to get their Black Belts together. They are all 13 years old, which is the age for the six day adult Black Belt test. Bethany and Taylor actually waited extra time so Mia can catch up in rank so they can take this test together. I have made mention of it many times in the test but to experience a Black Belt test with other people is such an amazing experience and a very special thing to share. Everyone single person I have ever tested with, I have a strong spiritual bond with.

Last Friday was their last color belt test together. I had made this an advance test with just the three of them, to give them a small taste of what their future test would be like together. As their master, I am so proud of their attitude and energy. Bethany always pushes on, and if she is struggling, she will whimper a little bit, but her outward effort always trumps the nerves. Taylor for as long as I have known her "freaks out" but this particular test I feel she really had her game face on like she never had before. She took control, and out of no where was showing skill and effort like never before. Mia is a powerhouse and the cheerleader of the group, who's energy is not only helpful but contagious. The three are a perfect balance together.

The "Angels" at their last color belt test.

They started with 500 jumping jacks, counting loud on each one. Then 15 minutes of speed and agility drills. They encouraged each other, woo-hoo-ed and ha-ed, they cheered each other, they pushed each other. When the 15 minutes were up, they had to do another 500, jumping jacks. They had to count loud, and before I knew it the audience began to count with them, they clapped on each jack, they got into it just as much as the Angels. I took a step back to take it all in. I was witnessing echos of the future. This was a sample of the awesome energy I would be witnessing at their Black Belt test in May of 2013.

I had a flashback on my 2nd Degree Black Belt test when me and my two fellow candidates had to hop on one leg for five minutes. We began to hop together, synchronized our energy, and clapped on each hop, and before we knew it, the audience was participating as well. The synergy was amazing! I knew these three girls will have what it takes to do the same on their test. It's going to be an amazing experience.

We followed the guidelines of the AAU Taekwondo and did all their forms first. They have 10-11 forms to perform full speed full power, and in great detail. I was on them like a hawk. I didn't care how tired they were, they were to still push themselves, be loud, and show proper technique. Next came the general knowledge where they recited Korean history and then performed all their basic blocks, kicks, and kicking combinations. Their bodies were beginning to fail them, but this was the crucial point to see how they'd push on and take control of their bodies.

Bethany, Mia, and Taylor at the AAU NJ State Championships.

They next had to put their full gear on and do several rounds of 2 minutes sparring matches. They all learned Olympic Taekwondo, and both Mia and Bethany have competed in Olympic style sparring. They had to show endurance, strategy, speed and agility, footwork, and skill. After about four or five matches each, they took their gear off and we moved onto self-defense. They showed all their low level escapes, and their high level self-defenses. Then they finished off with their current level breaking techniques.

The test was two hours long. The three did phenomenally. I was proud of their persistence. I was proud of their attitude. I am proud of how far they have come and how much they have grown. Not physically but emotionally and spiritually as young women. May 2013 will be a Black Belt test to remember. I can feel it. Congratulations to the "Angels" and keep up the determination.

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO

Judging for the Mentor

Recently, my mentor Master Samuel DeJesus held a Black Belt test at his school in Rockaway, NJ. He had asked me to guest judge on the panel for the test. I was honored. He told me that there were six candidates testing, one of them being his mother! I knew it would be a very special test for him, although every test is, this one would hold a little more importance to him. I was more than happy, and quite excited to participate.

I told my Black Belts in class one day I was going to be judging the night before and they all looked at me and exclaimed "We want to go!" I was like "Oh! Um..ok!" And before I knew it we were a van full of Black Belts off to Master DeJesus's school for a Black Belt test! My other mentor, Professor Lisa Sargese, also came to take pictures and support the test. She goes every Thursday to do Qigong with Qi master, and Kung Fu as well, Sal Canzonieri who did a demonstration during the test.

I was on the panel with three other judges, apart from Master DeJesus. One was Sensei Cara Parmigiani who trains in I believe Juijitsu with Master DeJesus. She did an awesome demonstration during the test as well and I learned is in law school! Master Joe Nilon is Master DeJesus's Hapkido instructor who also brought a great element to the table. You can feel great strength and power from Master Nilon but was as friendly as ever when you interact with him. And there was also Sifu Dave Ferreira who I got along with excellently. We were very much on the same page on a lot of things and had similar views on the things we wanted to bring to the test for our candidates. 

From Left to right: Master Joe Nilon, Sensei Cara Parmigiani, Sifu Dave Ferreira (standing), Master Samuel DeJesus, and me.

My Black Belt crew got along wonderfully with the other students from Master DeJesus's school, and everyone worked excellently with each other throughout the test. The students had to show all their basic strikes and blocks, their kicks and combinations, they did required self-defenses, they performed their own self-defense routines, they did all of their Taeguek forms, they had to do several rounds of sparring, and had to do breaking at the end as well.  The test began at 11:00AM and did not end until 7:00PM. It was a long, tough test. But each one of the candidates really showed great strength and perseverance. Not to mention great endurance to do all they did in that allotted amount of time! OH! And in between everything, they did several rounds of conditioning where they did 50 push ups, 75 sit ups, 100 jumping jacks, and 50 squat jumps. 

Jenna was an eleven year old girl who was just so happy to be taking her test. She smiled and pushed on despite the struggle. She struggled on one of her board breaks but she never gave up. She overcame her fear of breaking that board and when she did it she had a great big smile on her face. Jenna showed great attitude. Sabrina is a young lady who has a great deal of potential. She pushed on through each task but as I kept watching her, after so many years of doing this you can see when a student is doing well and there are some underlying capabilities. I wish I could be there for the "OH!" moment she will have one day when she realizes what she can do. It's going to be fun for Master DeJesus.

Young Samuel was the youngest boy testing for his 1st Degree Black Belt. Sam showed in his face the pain he was enduring, the struggle he was going through, it looked like he was going to break down and say he wanted to give up. But you know what? He didn't! Sam brought me to tears as I watched him, because he really pushed himself beyond his limits. I knew he wanted to stop but never did he complain once, never did he stop, and never did he lose his determination. And that's what makes a Black Belt a Black Belt! I was so proud of him! Susi by far blew all of us away on the panel. I was looking at a miniature Nina Harkhani. This girl counted every count, answered loud every time, nothing stopped her. She was a runaway train with elite determination. And she had a dynamite attitude. It's always a treat to see a student bring that focus and energy to a test!

Mike Lair was the student I had to observe for his marks. He was an older gentlemen with a very placid countenance. He trains with Master DeJesus in Taekwondo but trains in a lieu of other disciplines with Sifu Dave. Sifu Dave is a very tough instructor in a lo of combative disciplines, so I was told Mike would be able to take a lot. However, Mike would be able to beat anything with his indomitable spirit. I discovered he was also, in fact, a cancer survivor. Immediately my heart was touched, having an experience of my own of overcoming physical illness. Mike knew he had this test down, after beating cancer, what could ever beat him? So Sifu Dave and I really did our best to push and beat down on Mike, to show he really can outlive any challenge that thwarts itself in Mike's way. he can tear it down.

And Sarah DeJesus, the MOTHER of my mentor! The honor it was to be judging her test. She was the oldest candidate at the age of 57. She is the perfect example of how it is NEVER too late to start martial arts, nor is it impossible. Sarah is a dedicated mother, helping Master DeJesus to every extreme when he started his own school. She refused to take any pay, spent extra hours to help that were not needed, just to be sure she was there for her son. She expressed she always wanted to do martial arts and was scared to start because of her age. I give any adult a lot of credit to put it in the time and effort to learn martial arts. I trained with many adult students who began training later in life. I belt tested with Mr. Ward when he was 45, or Peter Dunphy at 47, Mike Duke was in his fifties, John Vanderhee was in his thirties! Ms Gedman was an adult as well! 

I give Sarah credit because she does not only represent the adults. She does not only represent the "older" generation. She represents the women who train as well! I know so many awesome women warriors. For Sarah to do all those conditioning drills, sparring, self-defense, kicks, she went through it all with everyone else.And her son made it clear "Expect no special treatment!" I was silently crack up when he would yell "MOM!" and she's answer in an almost singing way "Yes siiir!" I was so proud of her.

Master DeJesus did a wonderful job, and I was honored to be there for my mentor. I was happy to have met new martial artists who have a great energy about them! I was privileged to got the know the candidates over their eight hours of testing. I was happy my own students came to show support, meet new students, and be apart of this good energy, and to continue to spread the good family nature and feel martial arts has to offer.

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO

Anger Into Laughter

"We love to laugh, loud and long and clear
We love to laugh, so everybody can hear
The more you laugh, the more you fill with glee
And the more the glee, the more we're a merrier we"

-"We Love To Laugh", Mary Poppins (August 27, 1964) 

"Holding onto anger is like grasping onto a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."

-Buddha

Andrew Kranich has been my student for almost seven years. And in those seven years, a very strong friendship had been formed. We have had phenomenal bond but the friendship's process had a lot of struggle and challenges in between. Needless to say, the friendship prevailed stronger than the challenges and only made the friendship ten times stronger. We cannot look back at the nonsense of the past with any regret or shame.

But Andrew had built up and held onto a lot of anger from the past. I was taught years ago by a teacher that anger keeps us connected to the things we don't want. It's the most perverse thing in the world. But in reality, it's the anger that hurts us more. Andrew was mad at how people and circumstances had made such chaos in his life at one time and hurt many people. After recently letting go of a lot of anger myself, I tried to share with him the grand relief that comes with letting go of such anger. He asked me if I'd be able to spiritually purify him.

I have done anointings before, but I haven't had much practice in purifying spiritually. And the ones who I knew did so would use their own Qi and energy and it actually would be more damaging for the person healing than the one being healed. But I have been taught by great Qi Masters to use not only the energy of yourself but from the "eternal source of the universe" (God) that is abundant. I thought it would be appropriate to use the Purification Oil, since he was seeking purifying himself.

As I used the Purification Oil, I allowed spirit to guide me in moving the negative Qi throughout his body and mind to one central spot. I allowed my spirit to speak to his and asked God to bless his spirit and allow him to receive the blessings and good Qi that were to come his way. As I worked on him, he began to get emotional. Spirit told me that he felt as I did, that all his energy went into this anger that without it, he won't know what to do. He'll feel empty without a purpose. I told him he would not be empty and allow for Love and Faith to fill him up. Go to the positive reference points and memories and fill yourself up with them and allow for new love to fill him up.

Andrew began to get emotional. He was going through a process. Every person is different in their responses and reactions to a spiritual process like this. I could actually feel the anger and negativity being drawn from all over different meridians of the body coming into the center. It was from there that I asked God to help me pull it all out of him. It was a lot. As I spiritually pulled out the negativity from within him, I tried to keep myself shielded from it as well. I didn't want any of it to latch onto me.

In the meanwhile, I reassured him that the past is in the past, it's no more. Past is an illusion. Leave it there. The future is an illusion. Let it be. Be in the present moment and feel gratitude for the present love in his life. You can physically see the relief beginning to descend upon him and the calming affect take over. Then I had prayed over Andrew with the Prayer Against Evil that was used when I needed protection from negativity. I prayed to God to purify him and give him peace.

Then the most amazing thing happened. Andrew began to laugh uncontrollably. I smiled, I was not nervous at all. Because I understood exactly what was happening. I have been taught that every emotion has an "other side." For example, the opposite emotion of betrayal is trust. The opposite emotion of anxiety is confidence.

Some people will think they know the opposite emotion of anger. But I'll tell you that 95% of you will get it wrong. You see, anger is a negative expression of an emotion. A negative outburst, if you will. SO what is a positive expression of an emotion, like an outburst of positivity? LAUGHTER! The opposite emotion of anger is laughter! Andrew began laughing so hard, his stomach hurt and he was crying. All that anger just transformed into laughter. COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED as I was praying to God to purify him.

ALSO, and I totally forgot this, but the oil to use for anger is Purification! I was using the right oil for the right emotion. The affirmation "My direction is clear." And for Andrew, his direction looked bright. I kept thinking of Mary Poppins when they laughed so hard they were lifted high into the sky. They were "high" on laughter. That kind of abundance we should all have in our lives.

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO

 

Determination

Purpose plus determination equals success.

-My old master, Sahbumnim

Years ago at the end of August of 2002, I was training for my Black Belt test under my old master as an advance brown belt. The test was a little over a month away. My master had this away-training camp out in Washington, NJ at a place called Camp Bernie. We slept in cabins, did archery, obstacle courses in the woods, jogging on the mountain, it was a very cool weekend. One of the things there was mountain climbing. I used to always be afraid of mountain climbing. But I was taking my martial arts training very seriously and knowing how close I was to Black Belt, I had to apply what I knew because I was taught Knowledge is not power, applied knowledge is power. 

Other students were afraid, some began but didn't finish. While other students were around and we were talking, I quoted a lot of things I was taught by my master of the time. Where's there is focus, there is no room for fear to enter; Progress is the key to motivation; Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Purpose plus determination equals success; Knowledge is not power, applied knowledge is power; etc. I said this because I felt it as a duty as an "almost Black Belt" to share with other students, and then do it myself. I went on the mountain climbing, my legs shaking a little bit with fear, but I climbed for the first time ever to the top and rang the bell. I demonstrated determination. I'll never forget how my old master silently smiling and making that face to himself, acknowledging that he was hearing me and liked what he was seeing. It made me feel proud. I think it would make him proud to know I still teach his lessons.

That's the back story. I went to Six Flags Great Adventure with some new friends, my brother, and a couple of my Black Belts. I used to LOVE going there. I remember going once with the Friars of Old when Kingdaka first opened! The last time I went to Six Flags was probably around six years ago in my junior year. Well I was invited to go and I took the chance to go and I didn't regret it at all! I had such a fantastic time!

We went on just about every roller coaster you could find, took a lot of pictures, and ate like pigs. I also had some break out dancing moments I couldn't help at the expense of embarrassing my brother >=) . Earlier in the day, I was denied a ride because I was wearing sandals and you're not allowed open toe shoes to go on this ride. I didn't care how stupid the ride was, I was upset and felt rejected, like a five year old being told he can't do something but everyone else can! My friends kid around and said they'd get me a stuffed animal #NeverGotIt. Toward the end of the night, we were winding down and there was this game where you had to test your balance and climb to the top and ring a bell to win a GINARMOUS stuffed animanl prize.

Well my friends jumped to the chance. But while watching my Black Belt, Erin, climb the ladder, I had a flashback of Camp Bernie. She really wanted to win the giant stuffed Pikachu stuffed animal for me. She was soooooo determined to do it. And she kept quoting the lessons I have taught her over the years. I have only seen this determination from her on Black Belt tests. Erin will be testing for 2nd Degree next month in September. She even commented that this ladder climb was like her Black Belt test. She claimed I WILL get it. I WILL win that Pikachu! I WILL! You get three chances to try for five bucks. 

Every time she fell, you saw more and more of that determination to achieve what she was after. The more I watched, the prouder I was. Not that she was trying to win me a stuffed animal, but to see that level of a 2nd Degree Black Belt determination. As a Black Belt, you use the lessons of martial arts in your life, even the smallest things. When her three tries were up "GIVE ME MY WALLET!!" She would continue on. "FIVE DOLLARS!" If she had $1,000 and still was having trouble, she'd blow the whole grand. Each time she got closer and closer, she honed her focus. Erin said to the staff member in charge of the game, Ryan, she is "going to win this." He responded "I'll believe it when I see it." Erin's response was beautiful! She said "Don't put your faith in what you see!" Now THAT is a Black Belt answer!

I was so proud of her. It's that kind of determination I always hoped to see in her. It's that level of determination I can't wait to see and test next month when she is challenged for her 2nd Degree. I have known Erin for seven years, since she was nine years old. I have been there for a lot of good times of her life, and a lot of struggles. I have had the privilege of watching her grow into a beautiful, bright young woman, full of DETERMINATION. Her 2nd Degree Black Belt test is going to be one of the most challenging things she will have to go through. But she can do it. It's the same determination she had to win that stuffed animal she will be demonstrating. The same way I demonstrated to my old master at Camp Bernie while mountain climbing. I am already proud of her. It was great as the master to see out in "the real world" a student applying the lessons you teach. I can remember the look and smile my old master had, hearing me quote him at Camp Bernie. The theme of Erin's test has been set. Carpe Diem! 

 Yours in service,

MASTER TRENTO

Land of Lucy

 “It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy. ”
― Lucille Ball

 “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. Your really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”
― Lucille Ball

 “One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”
― Lucille Ball

For as long as I could remember, I have always been a fan of Lucille Ball. Lucille Ball is, to this day, the greatest comedienne of all time. She earned this title by being a pioneer in her own way of bringing laughter to the world. In a day in age where television was brand new and nothing to too exciting, she had the entire world buying televisions JUST to watch her show, I Love Lucy.

She was the first woman to be pregnant on television. She was the first "real" person we ended up investing our emotions into. She was the first woman head of a studio. She was a perfectionist. She was hilarious. She was silly. She was clean. She was no-nonsense. She knew every aspect of the business, inside and out. She was tough. She was a hard worker.

She would have been 101 years old on August 6th. It's the same birthday as Lisa's. So we both decided to go to Jamestown, NY, the hometown of Lucille Ball for her birthday weekend. Every year there is the LUCY FEST and we wanted in! It was a six hour drive to Jamestown and we half expected the theme song to I Love Lucy to start playing the minute we saw "Welcome to Jamestown!" Our hotel was full of I Love Lucy memorabilia and pictures everywhere of Lucy playing her zany character that she played on television for 25 years.

The first night we went to see "Lucy under the Stars" where in a little courtyard they had a big projector playing I Love Lucy episodes with a whole bunch of people in lawn chairs, laughing and enjoying all the old classics. There were so many we can all think of. Bill Holden. The chocolates. Vitameatavegamin. Harpo. The ballet one. The grapes. It's amazing how millions of people can relate and know EXACTLY what episodes we were talking about.

The next day we took a bus tour of Jamestown. We had a fantastic tour guide who was very knowledgeable and very friendly. We saw murals of Lucy everywhere, saw the house Lucy was born in, went to the house she grew up in (which was also having a garage sale!), and the tour ended with a visit to the Lakeside Cemetery. We went to visit Lucy's grave.

This was big for me. I was going to be standing in the presence of this comedic legend's final resting place. The tombstone had a big heart that said "Ball" on it. I stood there in front of her grave and I began to quietly weep. I couldn't help but feel her spirit right there with me. The honor and excitement of being in that presence, but also the tremendous gratitude of being there and just for what Lucy has done for me in my life. Lucy brought me so much joy and happiness growing up. Lucy always made me laugh and is in my life someway, somehow. Everyone who knows me knows this about me. I even heard Lucy's spirit speak to me, words I will hold close to my own heart. They were for me to hear and no one else. As we left the cemetery, I put my hand on the tombstone and said a silent prayer of thanks to Lucy before we left. It was a big deal for me.

Lisa and I participated in something called the "Lucy Games" where I actually stomped on grapes like Lucy did in one her funniest classic episodes, and Lisa competed in the chocolate wrapping contest and won second place! We watched more "Lucy under the Stars", and at night we went to a replica of Ricky Ricardo's Tropicana to a comedy show with five or six Comedy Central comedians. But the before we went to that, we had Dinner with the Mertzes and Ricardos.

At the Crowne Theatre, we had a beautiful dinner and there was a three act play of these impersonators doing Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, and Fred and Ethel Mertz. The play did a montage of different things they did on different episodes. But these characters were absolutely MARVELOUS! The Lucy impersonator was the best one I have EVER seen in my life, and I have seen many! The mannerisms, the expressions, the voice, I felt like I was right there with the real Lucy! What a treat! I would pay big bucks to follow her and travel to see any other Lucy show she does!

The next day we explored two museums. One of Lucy and Desi's professional life with I Love Lucy and the second museum was on their personal life. There was so many different clothing Lucy would wear, and information on the brilliance of Desi Arnaz that is STILL used in television today. It was because of I Love Lucy that we have re-runs today, and the reason television shows use three cameras at once to film, and I Love Lucy is the only TV show that plays every hour of every day somewhere in the world. No other show can say that! The history is amazing!

I am glad I got to share Lisa's birthday weekend at the Lucy Fest. Lucy was so important to both of us, and Lisa is so very important to me. We had a fantastic time and I highly recommend to anyone to visit the Lucy Fest next year. It's such a wonderful tribute to enjoy and celebrate a woman whose face has been seen more around the world than any face ever, and to show the gratitude for the happiness and joy she brought into so many lives. To quote her ex-husband, Desi Arnaz: "I Love Lucy was never just a title."

Yours in service,
MASTER TRENTO