Posts Tagged ‘funny stories’
“Sidekick” to My Big Brother
March 6, 2010
Big brother and little sister!
We grew up watching Bruce Lee movies — Enter the Dragon, etc. — and since I liked whatever Mike liked, we watched karate movies over and over again on beta and VHS. I can remember tagging along to Mike’s karate classes. My dad would pack a chicken leg wrapped in tin foil for me. When I got hungry, he’d wrap the bottom of the drumstick up with the foil so I could eat without making a mess.
At family parties, I showed our cousins that I could do a straddle too. We were the Recinto kids — Mike with his junior black belt and Bruce Lee hair cut — and me, just doing whatever he was doing.
So, it’s no surprise that Mike has a karate studio of his own now … and I work there. Actually, I really started getting into it in 1996 — because of Mike, of course! Billy Blanks came out with Tae Bo and changed the karate/kickboxing scene in a big way — just like Karate Kid did in 1984. Mike was in college and working at a karate studio; he and another “Sensei” began the kickboxing program at the studio. They encouraged me to come do the classes, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I’ll never forget the day that Mike was like — go teach abs. I had NO IDEA what I was doing … but I just did it. Afterwards, he told me that I should have counted the sets, etc. I laugh about it now — that’s such a simple thing — but I had no idea.
Now, here I am. I’ve been teaching kickboxing and other classes for ten years! I love it. It’s a way for me to be creative, energized … and a leader. As you know, Mike has his studio, and we’re a team. More about this later — all the community work and fundraising we do through the studio — but I’ll just say, I love my life, I love teaching and I love my big brother!
To take one of our karate or kickboxing classes, call Amerikick Medford at 609.714.2212.
Photo by David Michael Howarth Photography.
Inspiration from The Eclectic Society
February 9, 2010
Last week, I saw “The Eclectic Society” with my future mother-in-law (I call her “Annaree” ) and my future sister-in-law. The play was part of our season ticket package at the Walnut Street Theatre. (Isn’t my Annaree awesome? This is the second set of season tickets she got for us.)
Anyway, I thought the play was amazing. I was on the edge of my seat! I’d say it took a good twenty minutes to really start getting into it … but as I was watching, I was “wow-ed” by the concepts and teachings. This play seemed like something I’d study in high school. It was that much of a learning experience. The play was so “AllThingsGwen” I had to write about it!
So here’s a quick summary of the ideas covered in this play:
Give people a chance. Not everything you hear is true. If you don’t know, then don’t make assumptions.
Embrace change. The world becomes a bigger and better place once we learn from mistakes and open our minds to new things.
Know yourself. What are you really good at? What are you really in to? “Own” who you are and share it with the world.
Have faith in others. If you have faith in others, they’ll have faith in you.
Rise from adversity. Your past doesn’t define you. Commit to being your best self.
Grow from your challenges. You can be strong in areas you’d never thought you would be.
Be strong in your convictions. Stand up for what you really believe is right. Take action.
Do the right thing. If someone needs you, be there for them. If something is wrong, fix it. Sometimes you need to sacrifice something to do the right thing.
Click here for more information about “The Eclectic Society” including ticket information. If you get to see it, let me know what you think!
Photo from the Walnut Street Theatre website.
Wedding Expo Crashers
January 25, 2010
After yesterday, I now know that it would be super awesome to be a professional bridal expo attendant. Kinda like Wedding Crashers, but not. Why? At expos, there’s free food, awesome raffles, good music and dancing … and more.
The “and more” I’m talking about? Yeah, so apparently I met men from Club Risque. It was pretty hilarious. At first I was scared and started sweating! But they were totally cool. We danced and fist-pumped, and I’m totally going there for my bachelorette. (Scrap the paint pottery idea!)
Oh, and I got this bag full of free magazines, and Danielle (my maid of honor) and I got to goof around and take pictures in the photo booths.
The best part of the day was when Danielle made me volunteer to get up on stage and dance. Let me back up a bit. So they had a stage set up for a fashion show and different vendors shared tips, etc. Like, apparently, now I know how to pose so I look good in my wedding pictures!
So anyway, there was an entertainment/music company there. They were awesome. They picked me to come up on stage and dance! Yup, I fist pumped and beat the beat — but I did the twist, meringue and all that too. It was pretty hilarious. Danielle said everyone was going crazy laughing and loving it. I was all into it and living it up!
Now I’m just waiting for some emails to come in saying that I won some free stuff!!
AllThingsGwen.com is my unofficial guide to health and happiness. It's a chronical of me finding my way.
I encourage you to think about “AllThings[YOUR NAME HERE]” and what’s really, truly important to you. Hope you enjoy my recipes, fitness tips, motivational posts and aha moments.
- RT @motivationlive: People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it. - Anonymous
- Oh man. Gotta teach 7 am and 9 am kbox after crazy Meise wedding.
- I was part of Facebook's IPO! Bought many a share. Hope it makes some bacon. I will tell my grandkids about this historical moment.
- Planning our First Annual Meise Summer Jam. There will be a big roasted pig.
- Best part of tonight was when Cha Cha Slide came on and Aunt Mary Jane asked, "Is this the Dougie?"
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