Day 2764: After class.

"Demura Sensei off duty": old photo, collage & digital.

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Click here for Aretha Franklin, You Are All I Need to Get By.

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69 degree, Sunny, Santa Ana, CA

day class

After class 13 of us went to Uoko Japanese Restaurant.

Demura Sensei had a doctor's appointment, and couldn't make it.

Canada, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas & SoCal, at lunch.

FB - Throwback Thursday ...

 Greg Collier, me, Byron Fennema. Interdojo Tournament, Costa Mesa, CA, 2014

A smile for Thursday ...
 

Day 2763: They're coming!

"Demura Sensei":  photo, Photoshop filters.

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Click here for Roberta Flack, The Impossible Dream.

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They're coming!

They are & some are already here.

Competitors & Referees are on their way from 
Japan, Germany, England, Chile, 

Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama,

 Europe, Canada, Mexico & more.

Airports, rental cars, hotels, training,

eating, shopping & more.

And the tournament!
Welcome family.

"The purpose of Karate-Do is to train for your whole lifto become the most perfect person you can be. When you reach for that goal, you feel the true value of Karate-Do. I am here to study Karate-Do, for it brings great meaning to my life."                                                  Fumio Demura

Just because ...

A smile for Wednesday ...

Day 2683: Together.

Curtis: ballpoint pen quick drawing on a journal page.

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Click here for Smokey Robinson, Just to See Her Again.

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Genbu Kai's Annual Awards Banquet 2019

always a special night.

Angelo & Vinci's, Fullerton, CA

This year after Thanksgiving & that holiday rush,

but in keeping with our thanks for Demura Sensei,

our Genbu-Kai organization, families & friends gather.

We have a glue that binds us, even when we are apart.

Denura Sensei and Dan McGeough, our MC for thr event.

I didn't catch everyone, but I did try.

Twins, Families, Couples, Singles, Kids with Parents.

 

     

     Time for reuniting and sharing. 

        A happy dressed-up family

Thank you Demura Sensei ...

for your inspiration, guidance, knowledge & patience.

We treasure & celebrate you.

Happy Birthday to my Mom.

Dad, Mom & me @4 on her 30th birthday. 

Sky Room, Long Beach, CA 1945

A smile for Sunday ...

Day 2659: Another short story.

my kanji: brush work in sidekick, layers, digital.

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Click here for Stephen Bishop, On and On.

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A short story:

I taught at Costa Mesa Dojo for over thirty years. 

During that time I had a very special jr. student.

Very polite, quiet, kind, good manners. 

I often used advanced belts to help lower belts.

I soon noticed that whoever Chris helped, got better.

He was so quiet, I never figured out his technique, 

but the results were beyond expectations.

I told classes, I don't know what he does,

but if Chris helps you, you will improve greatly.

He left karate when he started high school. 

but I would still say "I used to have a student, 
Chris Sakai, and whoever he helped got better - big time. 

So I'm hoping for another Chris." He was an inspiration for us all.

A little over two years ago, a new adult white belt 

started at Honbu Dojo day class, introduced as Chris. 

I asked his last name, and he said Sakai!

I said, "I know you!"

He said "Yes, you taught me about 30 years ago."

Fast forward: I was lucky to be in class today when Chris 

received his san-kyu, brown belt. We are often in the same class. 

I hope I will be there when he receives his black belt.

For FB Throwback Thursday ...

Demura Sensei, 1970

       76 degrees, Sunny, Santa Ana, CA.

A smile for Thursday ...