So the other day, a name popped into my head. It was someone I knew when I was working as a reporter at a tiny news bureau in DC almost fifteen years ago. She was a black belt at the karate school I attended, and she taught the self-defense class called IMPACT. I took the class and would go on to become an IMPACT assistant, which consisted of demonstrating techniques and giving participants feedback and emotional support.
Laura also taught the little ones karate on Saturday mornings and I loved volunteering to help her. She talks a lot with her eyes and I learned that a well placed raised eyebrow could be just as effective (and less embarrassing for the student), as a stern command.
One time, during karate class, she stopped my forward punch and said, "I cannot in good conscience allow you to hold your wrist like that." It was funny, to the point, but not mean or condescending. I never forgot it and I never let my form slip that way again. At least not on that move!
Laura moved to Australia to begin her next chapter. Soon I would leave DC too.
But the other day, through a series of events, I thought of her. So I googled her. And guess what? She writes! She blogs! She even e-mails back!
God, I love the Internet!
If you're a "wordie" (check me out, I just made that up...like a foodie, get it?) go to her blog and play this game. It's fun. And you'll feed the hungry with every click.
I could not in good conscience not tell you about her!
Ki-up!
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14 comments:
Cool! 210 grains of rice. Vocab = 42. My Dad used to make us do the "Enrich your Word Power" in Reader's Digest every month as kids. Vocab's my bag, fershizzle!
Level 44, 310 grains of rice. Wow, this is addictive. Thanks for her site. Isn't Mr. Google wonderful?
I love the power of the internet for re-connecting people, too. What a terrific story, Michelle!
Kathryn, I'm coming to get you! LOL! Come on 45! :)
Not too bad- 280 grains of rice.
LOVE THIS GAME.
thanks Michelle.
Suzy
Great story!
That site is too much fun. Must not do at work. Too consuming!
What did we do before the internet!!
OK, thanks! I spent an HOUR playing that game - but earned a helluva lota rice! My GOD I have an impressive vocabulary!
love.
Wow, Michelle, you don't look old enough to have been working anywhere 15 years ago. Sounds like we might have missed crossing paths in D.C. by only a year to two. I lived there from '82-'86, and worked for a magazine two doors from the White House. Lived in upper Northwest, just below Chevy Chase Circle. Anyway, here's hoping that I haven't broken up the all-female admiration society too much with this male perspective. You do have a lot of fans, it would appear.
Welcome John, don't be shy, we like the boys here too.
I was in DC in the early 90's.
That's good. I rather like girls myself.
Wow, I had no idea you'd remembered me quite so clearly! Of course, we did work together very closely (IMPACT and teaching five-year-olds both being quite demanding situations!). You just never know when something you say is going to intrigue or inspire someone, I guess is the moral. It's comforting, in its way -- maybe we all do more good than we know. (Of course, the converse is probably also true -- we do careless harm that we did not intend and will never know about.)
I'm glad you tracked me down!
Very addictive. Thanks. 750 grains, 42 vocab.
Yeah, the internet is amazing that way, for finding people. Love that.
That is SO cool! The fact that you remembered her words and then found her, writing, after all these years, and halfway across the world. I am going to marry the internet.
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