My goodness! My last
blog was in June 2012. Well where to
begin? From the beginning. The summer of 2012 was a step into new
adventures and fun.
The summer was filled with joys and busy fun.
• February: Reetika’s Engagement
• April: Christine W.’s wedding
• April: Monisha’s wedding (Parent’s friend’s
daughter)
• April-May: Swati’s bridal/bachelorette parties
• May: Swati’s wedding: I was a bride’s maid!
• May: Christine A.’s bridal party.
• June: Christine A.’s Wedding: I was maid of honor!
• June: Reetika’s bridal shower
• July
4-7th: Reetika’s bachelorette party!
• July
8: Masi and Gagan Didi come
• July
15: Nimmi Mami and Simmi Didi come
• August
2-4: Reetika’s Wedding Functions (4th
was the wedding)
While participating/coordinating wedding
parties/festivities, Dante and I were planning on opening up Evolution Martial
Arts. The importance of a calendar was epitomized
in the summer of 2012. Between driving
around the county for my social work career, ensuring that our legal and
logistical documents were being processed with EMA, and planning weddings, sleep
was never an issue at the end of the day.
One week after my sister’s wedding (4th of August), was
the day Dante and I signed the lease for EMA (11th of August). The school was cleaned, painted, walls were
taken down. The mats that were so much
fun to take to Dante’s house were even more fun to clean. The cleaning soap/bleach we used leaked the
color from my shoes to my feet-I had black feet for some time! It was enjoyable going to our school and
staying there till late hours to make sure it was perfect for our grand opening.
The 16th of September, EMA opens up. We had 4 students sign up!!! And, Prof. Royce
Gracie came for a seminar. Each month
showcased more students, growth, and an evolving school with a great
student-base. An equal amount of male
and female students and nothing but learning in a fun atmosphere. We have created our own self-defense art and
enjoy every moment at EMA. EMA focuses
on family, positive energy, practical self-defense, and life-skills. The growth we see in our students is
profound! What more can one ask for; I
am so grateful that my dream has and continues to come true and that I have an
AWESOME business partner and supportive family and friends.
We celebrated our one year anniversary as well! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Was it
AWESOME. Lots of fun special classes and
a potluck after. Prof. Royce Gracie has
come multiple times to our school to honor us with his presence and
instruction. Each day is special and a
learning experience but seeing my students grow and see their potential is
especially enjoyable for me.
Now to the traveling adventures. 2012 through 2013 was filled with excitement and for most of it there was no room for vacation. The plan was to go to India October of 2013. However, I went to get my knee re-checked by a doctor that a student referred. I was informed that my injury from 2009 was misdiagnosed. I didn’t partially tear my pcl in 2009 I ruptured it in addition to injuring a capsule in the front. I got a second opinion who made my knee hurt more. Anyways, I had surgery 3rd of Oct 2013. It was hard not being at my school. I was supposed to stay overnight at the hospital but I guess I convinced them to send me home, or maybe I was annoying enough for them to send me home, and I refused to take my medications. All I recall is repeating that I want to go home and that I was hungry. I was given graham crackers put it didn’t register that I had to chew. I returned home to my parents calling my doctor to request for a prescription for pain. I slept on the living room couch for two months. 2.5 weeks couldn’t have gone slower. I spent most of it sleeping-those who visited I don’t remember the conversations with. If I wasn’t sleeping I was watching movies or reading. The first month (oct) was crutches, brace (straight leg) and non-weight bearing. Second month I was allowed to put 25% weight and I started to do a little more in terms of gaining strength with my Hapkido Instructor. December I got rid of the crutches and brace and was told to put 100% weight. It has taken a lot of will power and discipline to do the bare minimum in training. I also started PT. MY PT told me that I also had a partially torn Meniscus. No wonder I was in pain! He finally gave me the Okay to swim without using my legs and doing PT in a Jacuzzi. So I have been doing bike riding since that is allowed in PT in addition to leg presses with no weight. All other PT exercises are in the Jacuzzi! And, I weight lift upper body. Before I know it I’ll be on the mats again. Doctor says 9-12 months. I hope to be drilling end of February and back to 100% training in June!!!!! So obviously the India Trip was cancelled.
However, Swati would like to do a weekend Miami Trip with the girls! So April that is the plan. I am also planning to visit my college soon for a weekend :). And my international trips- possibly three!
Trinidad and Tobago with a 4 day lay over in Panama City
And then my backpacking buddies and I have to decide between India, Thailand, or Iceland!
Till the next update :D
