I'm Ms. O'Donnell, Nice to Meet You.

[Holly ODonnell]

 

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." 
-Lao-Tzu

 

"A blackbelt is just a white belt that never gave up."

-Unknown

 

Hey everyone, my name is Holly O'Donnell and I'm a nineteen year old blackbelt training at Zen Martial Arts. I'm from and currently live in Citrus Heights, a suburb of Sacramento. I was introduced to the martial arts when I came accross a "Joslins East West Karate" booth at the fairgrounds in Roseville. They were offering a drawing to win a supply of lessons and I was intrigued. I didn't think I had a fair chance but my father entered my name anyway. I few days later my mother got a call and told me that I'd won a month of lessons.

 

I was so excited! I'd wanted to get into the martial arts since I was a young child. I always thought of blackbelts as sacred individuals, like Shaolin Monks. At that time Blackbelt didn't seem like an attainable goal. I thought only the fastest and strongest could get that title. The first time I stepped into the dojo on Orlando avenue in Roseville, It was shocking. I heard people shouting strange words. I was twelve or thirteen at the time, and I didn't have a lot of self-confidence. To tell the truth, It was a little scary. A moment or so later I was confronted by a smiling blackbelt. They talked to me, made me feel more comfortable. I was measured for my karate uniform and was asked to put one on in the locker room. I came out feeling that I looked more like a chef than a karate student because I didn't have a belt yet, but I was still excited to learn anything about the martial arts. That class was probably one of my most important.

 

A few years later, I was up to test for blackbelt. It was only a few days away, and I was ready! I was a church event and we were playing tug-o-war. Unfortunately I got injured. I had to go the hospital. They told me I had ripped some muscles and fractured my pinky in my right hand. It was hard to have to call my Sensei and tell him I couldn't test. The next test came soon and I tested for my belt and passed. At the award ceremony the belt was laid at my feet just like every other blackbelt in the school.

 

Soon after I had to leave the martial arts. I missed it so much. I met Mr. Oliver and we both discovered we had the same master. Master Ron Joslin. He told me he was opening up a school. I thought it would be wonderful If I could come and train. I'm now training at Zen Martial arts with friends and great martial artists. One of the best schools by far. Comfortable, enthusiastic, and awesome training for every aspect of the mind, body, soul.

 

Your blackbelt,

     Ms. O'Donnell

[Mike Oliver]

Welcome to the team Ms. O'Donnell. You fit right in. It's nice having someone else on board that has trained with Master Joslin. Everyone else can see that I'm not just making this stuff up. We have good teachers.

I miss that particular Roseville location. I have some fond memories of that dojo as well. The dojos were normally closed on Sundays, but every so often there would be rumors of "Sunday workouts." These were about as mystical as a unicorn to me at the time--until Sensei Debord invited me to train with him a few times on Sunday. He really put us through the ringer. I recall one day doing wall-kicks until my legs cramped so hard I couldn't move them. My training partner almost puked on the way out to the car afterward. We say that pain is just weakness leaving the body. What's it mean when you puke? ;)

What did you miss the most when you had to take some time off? I had a large gap in my training once that set me back quite a ways. It's amazing how much you loose with just a little time off. For everyone reading, that means don't quit. Even if you can't train because of illness or injury, it's best to come in and watch class at the least.

[Holly ODonnell]

The thing I probably missed the most about my training was knowing that I had goals. I was motivated. I knew that If I worked hard I would get somewhere with my martial arts. When I got older and moved out It was difficult. I graduated from High School early and didn't have any hobbies. There was a time when I couldn't really do anything and I was on my own in a new housing development pretty much in the middle of nowhere. It wasn't good for any aspect of my life. I had to get back into the swing of life. I finally got my license, signed up for college at Sierra. And Now I'm doing karate.

Yeah, I remember those top secret classes with Bedwell and Ashbee, Debord... I remember them hitting the makiwara ;) I miss the Roseville because It felt like family. I mean, I liked Granite bay dojo, but I missed the family appeal to it. Like we were all one chord. When I was in Granite bay I felt like we weren't connected, and I found it hard to conform to that.

[Mike Oliver]

It sounds like things are falling right into place for you these days. That's great! How is your little sister doing at home? He basics are looking sharp in class.

Ah yes, our friend the makiwara. Have you done any makiwara training before? Now that you are older, we can start you on that. It's a good companion to sanchin kata.

[Holly ODonnell]

Didn't think that was coming. Lol. If you think It's good for me, I trust you. But I don't know how It's going to benefit me. I don't like smashed knuckles =P

She's doing well, I make her show me at home and quiz her about the target areas. But somehow "solar system" is coming out of her mouth instead of "Solar plexus." She's excited. She loves it in class.

How is your Easter going?

[Mike Oliver]

The idea isn't to smash your knuckles into a pulp, but to simply fix errors in your strike and take away any doubts you might have of striking something hard. I've been using it for years, and my knuckles are neither in pain nor mashed or ugly. Some people do strike it until they bleed, but that really defeats the purpose, as it was taught to me.

My Easter was great! Played some disk golf with a good friend (thankfully before the storm hit) and then spent some quality time with my family. My mom made a delicious dinner. Thankfully there is class tomorrow to work it off.