Bling

We went to Phoenix and came back with a little bling!

Kung Fu karate Trip

For the last three days I have been on a karate trip in Phoenix, AZ. Fun stuff. on Wednesday last week we started our drive to Phoenix. It was a six hour drive to St. George where we stayed at Rob and Pam's house. The house was awesome, we stayed the night there and had a BBQ. played some pool, hung out, socialized with the other boys and girls on the trip. It was nice to just get to relax for the day. The next morning we packed up and left for another six or seven hour drive to Phoenix. On the way we passed through Las Vegas and went over the Hoover Dam. They are building a new bridge across the canyon so people aren't driving across the dam and it was about half way finished. That was an amazing sight to see. We also stopped outside of Phoenix and got to hike around which was pretty cool. We found a lot of quartz crystals just lying around.
On Friday we hiked up Squaw Peak. That's the biggest peak in the area I think, but that was a sweet hike and a few of us wore ourselves out trying to run up the last steepest leg of the trail. After that we went to One's house for another BBQ.
Saturday was the tournament. I did alright personally, didn't place or anything but most of the other students all took home a sweet medal for their division. We were there most of the day and we watched the black belt divisions compete, which was awesome to watch. Those guys were crazy good. After the tournament we just kicked back the rest of the day and went swimming at the hotel.
The whole trip overall was awesome. I think it was the best Cedar Ridge trip I have been on so far and I have been on quite a few. The part that I think I liked the best was just time out in the "Real World" I guess you could say and getting to know some of the girls that I see on a daily basis here but never really get to talk to to find out who they really are.
i'm really anticipating the next karate trip and planning to do better in the next competition but I'm really glad I got to go on this one.
-

Yes, The training pays off.

So, today was the day of the tournament, both excitment and anxiety were in the air...but mostly anxiety. It started off slow. We got there and waited forever for our groups to get called, but when they where, boy did time fly. It was amazing.
I went to this same tournament last October, and this time it felt completely different, I was much more aware, and everything seemed so much more important, especially representing our Dojo and our senseis.

The Western Karate Championships

Hey Everybody,
Today we went and did the tournament. We all did well. The girls were all against each other except for one other girl who was from Phoenix, she only did Kata. Then in Kumite all five of the girls sparred against one another. I know that for myself I was so nervous for the Kata and ended up not doing as well as I'd hope for. In sparring though I did well I got third place. Which meant that I got a medal!!! YAY! Then after we got to watch the adult black belt finals. The Katas that they did were beautiful. There aren't many words I use to describe what I saw today. After we got to eat some grub at the World Buffet. Man I definitely ate too much. Swimming for the last time was awesome but hard. Knowing the fact that this is my last night in Phoenix is definitely a hard concept for me to grasp. The relationships that I made with each one of the people whom I went with is something that I don't want to lose. This trip was a once in the lifetime opportunity with Cedar Ridge. I hope that people who get this opportunity next year will take this in a positive direction and follow on the tradition of Cedar Ridge Shotokan.
-Blick

Cedar Ridge Shotokan--Phoenix Trip--DAY 3

Oi!
Today started out bombdiggity. Some of us,(Madlove, Contrary and Moi) slept in, cleaned up, and began the embarkment on hiking Squat (Squaw) Peak. All of us BMWs, or BMMs (burly mountain women or men) made haste to this seemingly impossible hike. Unfortunately my legs weren't long enough and the steps were taller than I am, so I had some help from the gentlemen. :)
As us beasts hiked the peak, Princess Madlove and Page walked up the first little leg, and then went back to the Yukon and the Denali to sun bathe. What precious water nymphs. Speaking of water nymphs, we headed to the crib of One and family. Of course, Drama Queen and I were the first ones in! Unforunately no one told me that I might have to know the warning signs of hypothermia.
After One's house, we packed in the car and went back to the hotel, in which my baby sister and daddy were there waiting for me. My dad is the cutest little thing, and my sister.... well let's just say she grew up.


more in the a.m!


%%^^&W@$@#$^$@^%@$@#lettuce#$%^&&(()*&)_+(*&^%$

Cedar Ridge Shotokan--Phoenix Trip--DAY 2

Hello again, all!

So today we made our travels through Las Vegas, on to Phoenix, Arizona! We eat, we drink, and get back to some good conversation. On our way through Arizona, we stop to do some sight-seeing through the cacti-filled desert. We take pictures and find ourselves making way to step on some new turf. After a few more hours of Fleetwood Mac and a 20oz. Diet Pepsi, WE FINALLY ARRIVE! All us kids' get some scrumptious free-hotel food and jump straight on into the pool where we did our katas and water-ballet in front of other foriegners. I can safely say that today was one of the best days I've had in a long time.

DON'T MISS TOMORROW'S BLOG--THE GANG CLIMBS THE EPIC SQUAW PEAK!

Love,

MadLove

Phoenix Tournament Trip

Well, we've geared up and the Western States Karate Championships are just around the corner in Phoenix, Arizona. The group has been trimmed to a lucky thirteen students who have put in hours of additional training to be ready for the ring.
Today we practiced kata on the carpet in the big dome so that everybody would be used to it. Rob worked with the group on kata, sharing with them some of the 'secrets' of Shotokan. He has an amazing wealth of knowledge that he is beginning to focus on sharing with the Cedar Ridge karateka.
Of course, gearing up for the trip means much more than just the few minutes of fame that each student will have in the ring. They are all extremely excited to hang out with each other and barbecue and swim in the warm Arizona weather.
Stay posted for details from them during the trip (including pictures). And I pinky swear in blood that I will have a post every day from one of the students starting on Wednesday.