The tooth fairy’s evil sister, the puke fairy
In over a year of taekwondo, if I’m famous for anything, it’s probably for having to throw up during any and every…
is this what will make me quit?
Maybe this is it. I’ve only ever looked at my next belt, and tried not to worry about how far I’d eventually…
A book is coming! Beginner’s Guide to Chinese Herbal Medicine
Sometimes things are moving at a snail’s pace when suddenly, something happens, a catalyst is added, and that snail’s pace is pedal-to-the-metal…
astronauts and cottonballs
Last night, I sat with family and friends and listened to Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space. She’s awesome (MD,…
The view from the front
There are two kinds of people who look back at Mr. Ninja in class after 620 jumping jacks. Yep, that’s right, one…
Hints of autumn, and my one-year taekwondo anniversary
My health journey has been a marathon. I’d call it an ultra-marathon. And often add a colorful, quite possibly four-letter word before…
is this sparring gear sauna appropriate?
Browsing an herbal book I’ve consulted through the years. My eyes stopped on an herb used by Native Americans after sweat lodge…
the yin and yang of competition
Competition is tricky. A balancing act. Being 100% non-competing or always competing can be difficult. For me, competition lures me in. In…
A historical component of martial arts: herbal medicine
After trying for a third time to be a runner (do your joints talk to you? ‘Cause my knees just piped up…
When the Army asks you to army crawl, they let you wear shoes
It’s been a while since I regaled you with tales of my flops and foibles and mess-ups in class. I’ve been in…