My twenties brought anxiety and at one time some panic attacks from feelings and judgments of things I could not control and my lack of centering. The Martial Arts through it’s many aspects (too many to mention here) and one book, the Art of Happiness by the Dali Lama, enlightened me to my own inner strength and grounded me by providing focus and a calm that I had never known. So, for one to feel anxious once more brought back not only present uprooting but memories of unstable times.
For a few weeks recently Rick had noted my lack of urgency preparing for “the Big One”, our adventure into the world in which we received an extended visa through Sweden to travel in Europe for 5 months. This momentous escapade did not come together over night, there was plenty time to prepare. It was our goal since 2011 and we originally were seeking to attain it by the sale of PAMA, a sabbatical of epic proportions. Not a vacation, freedom that was once not provided to us and one we were now courageous enough and blessed enough to make a reality. Then bang, I was blindsided … pressure, exacerbating it even more was the actuality that I knew and know that internal calm and centering is all within one’s own grasp. Still I could not shake being edgy and nerved out.
One might speculate many concerns and issues. What to pack? Yes, this time our clothing and items were now to cover both a brisk spring in Sweden and a warm Mediterranean summer. Of course also a few comfort items for an almost 4 year-old’s and important favorites. That did not cause a rattle; the details would fall into place even for an Greenie like me who dislikes purchasing unnecessary items to duplicate something we may forget. Proudly, only 2 medium suitcases and 1 duffle stuffed and including a new scooter for quick transportation and to facilitate loads of walking. The absence itself? We were away earlier this year for 7 weeks with no regrets. We all love travel and are naturals tackling new experiences and places. We love our friends and family but we will be back soon enough. Our home and personal items? We have a very reliable and trustworthy person in house guarding. Also material items do not define us so no troubles leaving them behind.
Bon Voyage!
I am writing to ensure all that we have started our retreat reaching our destination intact. So why then the anxiety? The question is one that I have still not been able to pinpoint myself. Maybe it a premonition? Wait till my next blog to hear about a near catastrophic event that occurred on our train ride from the Copenhagen Airport to Malmo Sweden. A near miss beyond our control with almost unimaginable results…………….
In the past for me visions of Florida conjure images of strip malls, slow drivers, and of course, as mentioned in my previous blog, gators and crocs. My new list consists of natural beauty, wildlife, and culture in the Sunshine State, filled with nothing for us to do.
Landing in Miami we started our quest via auto through Key Largo (see last blog for the almost gory details) and spend a few lovely weeks in Key West. “Key” is derived from the Spanish Cayo, meaning Small Island. After doing my research I learned that amazingly there are 1700 islands in the archipelago of the Florida Keys! Only 43 of the islands are connected via bridges and even after having driven this route from Miami I had no idea.
When we found ourselves in Key West it took but a breath and a sigh to let go and feel a part of the space surrounding us. We have been in Costa Rica for a few weeks every year for the past 3 years, 4 including this one so it was not until we landed ourselves on the Atlantic shoreline very close to the Gulf Coast that it became “real” for us. We were on an extended break. I refrained posting the beautiful pictures to Facebook during the most frigid of temperatures for fear of converting friends to frenemies.
Our favorite sculpture Seward Johnson II
I think she is cheating as the forth hand!
Just for fun!
When we spent 2 ½ weeks in the Keys, we loved it and found the rhythm melodious for our liking. Yes, we were blessed to stay in a lovely guesthouse overlooking the ocean but more we felt more then that. The local people were very friendly and welcoming. Not just in restaurants and shops but parks and beaches as well as a lovely woman and her son that we were lucky to get connected with and hung out with our daughter a few times. When we have visited places such as Key West and Sedona for examples there is a certain energy that the people exude. One thought is that these places are filled with natural beauty and nature, tourism is THE industry. For the average person to live there they have to make a conscious effort to transplant themselves, for the most part a career is not going to implant them in these locals. They are drawn there by their hearts and desires.
A real wild Manatee
Feeding the Tarpons on the dock
Right now it is a bit difficult to grasp that we don’t have to DO something. At this point we can consider ourselves frequency holders for a time. But, inherent to our nature as self-motivated, fervent people and society instilled beliefs, at times can difficult to grasp the concept of not doing anything specific but be in the moment. Yes, raising a child is the most important job one can do and that is sheer joy daily but not really to much of anything else unless of course if we are inspired to do so. After conversations regarding this issue and hearing about yet more snow in the Northeast we decided to extend our stay another week. (Yes, this blog is later then it should be hence the title of the blog.)
We took ourselves past Coconut Grove in Miami and headed to the Gulf coast to see Sanibel Island and visit with Rick’s Sister-In-Law in Fort Myers. The island is a throw back surrounded my nature and all local independent stores; there are no traffic lights and lots of people bike around the many bike paths. Love, love, loved it. Walking on the beach as the sunrises is my idea of doing nothing.
We had made it clear to ourselves and our readers that we were searching for adventure and uncertainty but, we had no idea where our trip to the Florida Keys would first lead us and how close we could come to an old foe.
As a child I had the joy of connecting with nature on a fantastic outing to Okefenokee Swamp, one of North America’s most unspoiled, fascinating, and precious natural areas. The website touts it as the largest, intact, un-fragmented, freshwater and black water wilderness swamp in North America. What a beautiful wildlife encounter… that has haunted my nightmares ever since, perpetrating my nights every few months. Who takes a small child who is susceptible to known alligator infested waters? My sadistic family! During that fantastic journey we took a voyage on a tour boat in which we saw gators on either side – eyes sticking out of the water peering at us with devious intentions, on land slithering back into the water retiring to a discrete observation point, and of course taunting on a shore near the visitors center but a small island away. In defense, my mother was petrified adding to my angst but I do believe that my Aunt thought it was immense family fun. Truly a momentous trip not to be forgotten, literally. Please keep in mind that normally these reptiles retreat from adults as they feel threatened but, have been known to attack small children and small dogs. I was 4.
Empathetic to Captain Hook from Peter Pan, looking for his adversary and being haunted by the ever present tick- tock of the Crocodile biding it’s time awaiting another opportunity for an encounter. None the less, together Rick and I have seen and swam near Cayman in jungles of Peru and Mexico and while on a solo jungle adventure in the rainy season of Costa Rica 5 years ago heard a large splash into the river that could have only been a substantial Crocodile sliding into the banks. After spending many adult years putting the trauma of my childhood behind me and convincing myself that my terrors were unrealistic due to the reality that I am a full-grown adult capable of fending off the beast, my adversary has once again made it known to us and our wee one, perfect size for bait.
We decided to stay overnight in Key Largo, meandering our way down the Florida Keys to Key West. The night before the events described below was ominous. As we turned to walk from our hotel beach area at dusk, I snatched our daughter mid-step from trampling on a brightly colored snake making its way through the path. Devout on remaining unruffled and not inflicting emotional scars by our over reaction at a possibly poisonous snake, we casually headed inside reminding her how all animals are our friends and part of nature and the earth. We all live together, we live in right relationship with them and all is well. That is of course as long as you stay out of their path and habitat.
The next morning I mentioned to Rick the only thing I really wanted to do is Canoe at the John Pennekamp State Park, famed for its coral reefs, but also know for its mangroves. Something interesting for all of us to experience, as well as enjoying the outdoors. Touristy trap excursions that are commercial and fixed are not really our thing. We could create our own adventure and that we did. At the registration stand they mentioned that canoes were unavailable because of winds so we would have to take a tandem kayak and the child could sit on a make shift seat in between. Given that we made the mistake of telling a 3-year-old of our intentions in advance we were committed, kayak it was to be. Have you been on a kayak before? Yes, lots of fun for the maneuverability and very close to the water. Have you been on a tandem kayak with a third AKA a squirmy child? Not quite the same throw caution to the wind, freedom. I chose to be the rear seat wanting the extra work out and Rick took the makeshift map and set himself in front. All I remember was the man getting us together and tracing the route with his finger and “there are places where it is a tight squeeze, you’ll need to move branches”.
From the moment we got into the kayak our unity was mislaid, our synchronism was not there. We got moving through the main thoroughfare into the mangroves. An insistent little voice, “mommy I want to paddle”. What harm could that be? I attempted to lift my paddle over her head for fun and the kayak violently shift almost launching us all overboard. An awkward movement, a laugh, and ha-ha we could have all gotten wet. We now have a good little swimmer and all have life vests, no biggie. A few more feet away there was a wooden pier into the mangroves for pedestrians to view into untainted Mother Nature. All occurring in a matter of seconds I said to Rick, “I can see the shore and it is getting too narrow, turn around.” As these words slipped from my lips, I notice a few feet away a hand full of people gathered on the boards staring in the water, and only one woman mentions, barely over a whisper, I am assuming not to frighten the animal, “Oh, you might not want to go near that large crocodile we are looking at.” Might? Might?
Obvious stock photo
I, concerned for the safety of my bait-sized, bite-sized child, centered myself like never before, calling on every power of courage as only a true warrior can. A great Tibetan teacher once said that being fearless is not about the absence of fear but moving beyond it. Rick, to assess the situation or as a natural reaction from the woman’s comments, turns to look at our scaled friend and then so does my daughter. In an effort not to cause the boat to rock, single point of focus and strategically, I calmly tell Rick not to look forward and to plow ahead. Keep in mind that throughout this whole process a plastic kayak, which we are much less familiar with, is not like or by any means as sturdy as a metal canoe. I start to power through the strokes and the kayak rocks from the sudden shift of energy. Deep breath, steady, calm and we glide through the water in unison this time, lockstep – every stride glancing questionably at branches and coral sticking out of the water as we head back to the launch point.
Believe it or not – this is the after shot!
My daughter will not be tortured from the occurrence as I was as a child and now calmly as an adult. Her parents remained centered and cool the entire time just like the Crocodilian. Some might ask, “What did you expect in the Everglades?” Yes, we were in their habitat but, really in this time of litigation, there were no mentions on the state park’s websites about crocs, which used to be an endangered species. Nothing in the paperwork at the registration and hey, no one coached us prior to launch “oh just in case you get in a pickle that flimsy kayak paddle which is not high quality (thank you national parks) will not be of any use because it feels as if it might break from a hard push in the water let alone a jaw clamping it or shoeing away a large reptile”. Yes, the woman who warned us said large. I can still hear her words ringing in my ears along with a faint tick-tock.
Our compassion goes out to our friends and family in the Northeast. As I write this they have been hit with two snowstorms since our departure and foresee another ramming this coming weekend. We, fortunately, got out while the getting was good.
Some may be waiting in anticipation of where we disembarked. We copped a squat in our favorite Central American country and town Nosara, Costa Rica. We wanted to choose a place that would reflect complete relaxation and retreat from the rush and hurry energy of which we came, a place that would require minimal exertion on our part to undergo decompression. The comfort of this local provides us with a safe haven and respite due to our familiarity. We have been here 5 times now, 4 years in a row, bringing the wee one here first when she was a mere 6 months. Here we have close friends, make new friends, and meet friends of friends.
Nosara is a surf and yoga mecca, ironically CNN and National Geographic voted it one of the “11 places to go in 2014”. Our hotel the Harmony, is the pinnacle of serenity and nature’s elegance. Time floats and becomes transparent – time evaporates. No really, the hotel has no clocks in the rooms or common areas and there is no Television. No clocks or watches seem to allow the body to naturally reset its rhythms. Wake with the sun to the sounds of the howler moneys and exotic birds collaborating in the distance or maybe a 3-year-old eager to explore the beach. Sleep when the urge comes to slip into a siesta. Lights out literally in the common areas of the hotel at 10 PM and physically when the body draws you to retire synchronizing to the natural, rhythmic body clock.
Now we are boundless, nomads. Several days in and it has yet to completely bore into our consciousness. Comparable to when a lover leaves, the familiarity is so fresh one expects the silhouette to surrey in and settle back into the comfortable nook. Last year on this same trip Rick and I began to discuss the strong possibility of taking this conduit and here we find ourselves with an open pallet to add the strokes deliberately and thoughtfully. The same we that stands here now in the universe of our creation. Since fate agrees, then who are we to disagree?
The past few weeks have been moving slowly at first and now faster than one can imagine. We love Mike Lee the new owner of our precious Academy (PAMA) and have spent lots of time and energy assisting him in getting the new place spiffy and ready for the official public Open House celebration and Rick has continued to instruct through January. Yes, the business was sold in December but days have been filled with settling up the business and tax matters, organizing our personal matters to take place in our absence, and finally packing for a jaunt starting out in a foreign country. The new PAMA is settling in and my family and myself are getting ready to set out.
We are setting off this Sunday (to parts disclosed on my next blog – bye-bye snow!). With all of the lead-time before our outward journey began we have graciously received an outpouring of love and well wishes for our future endeavors. Truly – the Love You Make is Equal to the Love You Take. We have had a few, very few people say Well Must Be Nice guised in a statement of “Lucky You” – no well wishes added.
This journey has very little to do with Luck but lots to do about the choices that we make in life and the courage to follow through on those choices. Now this is where the peaceful warrior and the hero come into play as the great Joseph Campbell would say. A hero is not just someone who saves someone’s life nor is a warrior a person that runs around fighting all the time. A hero is someone who goes beyond where others may go to bring something back for the good of others as well as for themselves, but the hero needs the warrior to keep up this tough journey whatever it may be. Now, people may say so what is so tough about taking time off and traveling. If it wasn’t in one sense tough and different from what most people as a family would do, then many more people would do it.
There is a commercial on HGTV it says… “You don’t have to be rich to move to Hawaii you just have to want it”. And that’s what it is really about, if you want it badly enough you will find a way. Rick began his hero’s journey way back when he was 18 and determined against all odds to learn the art of Bruce Lee, a story to be shared at a later date. Overcoming many, many obstacles and ups and downs he persevered. Because of that determination thousands of students have benefited over the years. That is the mindset of the peaceful warrior, and a hero’s journey. Another quote that we love is “This is your world shape it or someone else will” by Gary Lew. Lucky? Well, we very well may hit the lottery but no such luck yet. Blessed? Hell yes! Rick, 20 years my senior began working at the age of 13, I began at the age of 15 and we both have been completely self-sufficient our whole adult lives. Our strong will served and will continue to serve us well.
As those who are business owners know, in a service-based industry and something you are passionate about, your heart and soul are poured into every crevasse. These adventures we are about to partake in are not only about “fun” but to allow us the freedom that owning a business did not provide. The freedom from everyday life, to open our minds and explore ourselves on a deeper level and truly understand what shifts we need and want to make in ourselves and how to contribute to the world in a larger way. There are even parts of our journey that will allow us to assist and work with others along the way.
So to all those reading, thank you for the well wishes and love. Wishing you all your own internal and external explorations and the courage to live and dream on a grand scale. Also, for the “Lucky You(s)” I wish you love and even more valor because feelings of jealousy are no more than a mask for fear.
It is fitting that the Open House for PAMA at the new location will be this Saturday, February 1st, and we leave early in the AM on Sunday. Both are setting out on their paths.
Bags Packed!
“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” – Buddha
Honestly, it is not effortless for me to watch as the crayon unabashedly entwines and encircles the page, using the word strays would be a huge understatement. It has been a genuine conscious effort on my part, as a Type A personality, to fight the urge to correct, interject, direct, or even model what society considers a flawless coloring sheet. You know – seamless completion, limited white space, and of course appropriate colors for each space, although in this age pink hair is applicable. My daughter is almost 3 ½ and her pages have looked the same for years now and she loves it and with great fervor and zest she creates her masterpiece. Now, we are not these types of coddling parents that say how you should not hurt the child’s feelings or make them feel un-special. Simply put, we refuse to narrow her possibilities.
This blog will not be taken up to alternatively boast about our daughter’s heighted intellect and other benchmarked accomplishments, all of which quantitatively mean a minuet amount in the long run. The connection between this topic and our current life premise is distinct. One motive of why we have chosen our path is to be an exemplar on living beyond the lines and how, by doing so, our child is learning skills infinitely more valuable than staying inside the black ink creating secondhand art.
Opening her horizons and ours this week we went on another brief jaunt to NYC. Our application is awaiting the creation of the Amazing Race +1, which not only includes a couple but also a child. (Although, by the looks of some families in airports that might be considered child abuse.) Nonetheless, we are golden and ready to collect our $1 Million. Train, taxi, subway, and bus plus riding on mom’s back as we hoof it through the streets all within the first 6 hours. All smiles and belting out her own original songs about New York. Ah, unique art in its purest form – a child’s voice!
As I was about to pull out of 14 Farber Road to attend the first PAMA classes at the new location, I started to tear up. Those tears were quickly replaced with a chuckle as our daughter, also a Beatles fan, began humming the oh so fitting tune… What goes on in your heart, what goes on in your mind.
The Green Room
The After
To provide some perspective, I left my parents house when I was 17, this week I departed 14 Farber Road for the last time just short of 16 of my adult years. Comparable to when I moved out of my parents’ house I don’t have reservations that it was the proper decision but a piece of my heart, rightfully so, is subject to be tugged by those memories.
The Gold Room
Looking back, the events and emotions that took place within those walls will far greater exceed the physical necessity for the building but, after all, I literally grew up in that martial arts haven. Like many who have joined Princeton Academy of Martial Arts (PAMA) over the years, I entered naïvely having never explored the deeper depths of my soul. Martial Arts, if practiced in a mindful, spiritual practice will chew up your ego and spit you out. That is why many people could not handle the intensity of Sifu Rick and the training. I am a strong-willed person and back in the day he made me cry several times (not in public mind you). Although I came back, many times I saw others leave and not return because the training can mirror back to you deep fears and shatter images one has and cannot bear to scrutinize. But for me, after going through some personal life trials, it was time to be real with myself.
The Weight Room
The importance of Martial Arts, on the deeper level as it is trained at PAMA, is about truly examining and knowing yourself, not your enemies or perceived enemies. Martial arts took on a significant role my life, being drawn closer to it while many internal transformations took place that prompted me to change my world. PAMA was my sanctuary and many times I found refuge within those walls, especially when I felt that the outside world could not comprehend what revolutions were going on within.
The Art Gallery
Through the years, I have been blessed with many close friendships and lots of love from my fellow training partners, instructors, and my students. Many memorable people, to many to mention, have stood with me as I experienced blood and sweat, broken bones and lifted spirits. I thank each of them for their support, camaraderie, and laughs. Of course fate and our love for Martial Arts brought Rick and I together many years ago and ironically, together made the choice to sell the business and take the next step of our journey elsewhere.
The Pro-Shop
If someone had asked me 16 years ago, where I thought martial arts could lead me I would have never been able to imagine my place in the world today as a Martial Artist and a Warrior. I am enthralled that I found martial arts and ecstatic that I found myself. As our new journey now truly begins, we welcome it with arms wide open and with the Warriors’ approach saying “YES!” to life and the path ahead.
Quickly and uneventfully the turn style clicked me thru. In an instant the little one and I were on one side and Rick now trapped back on the other. An empty subway card, hoards of people, and massive recharge lines for Metro Cards. Normally a battle plan could be put into place, not on this day or time, forget it no time. Grand Central Station, the night before the night before Christmas, the beginning of rush hour. Holding a three-year old incommunicado in the bowels of NYC waiting for the site of Rick come shooting through the turn style. Good thing we are strategist, keen and attentive trackers………
Rick and I made a decision many years ago to forgo the material torment of Christmas for the experiential. Each festive holiday season we transplant ourselves on a jaunt to enjoy each other’s company somewhat removed. When we became parents we kept our pledge to remain devoted to preserving our love for holiday travel. Our cherished tradition continued these past three years traveling to Cali, NYC, and Asheville, NC as a threesome. The difference these most current years has been that, to avoid traffic and crowds, we actually traveled home ON Christmas Day. Sounds crazy but the airports are desolate and the roads are stark, in addition, those who are coerced into representing the commercial sector are actually warm and the holiday spirit exudes, maybe from drinking eggnog on the job or the double time pay
Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours!
.
Our decision thisyear was to go away, yet again, to New York City but the difference this year, that we decided to return home on Christmas Eve. Ironically and contradictory to this coming year where we will spend time everywhere but. So New York City for the holidays? The masses, the chaos! Well, yes, at some of the touristy stops but the city itself is a living entity that can absorb you immediately. You can get lost in the feeling of its magnitude while at the same time feel the intimacy of it.
Overall, as we have encountered for past frequent trips, New Yorkers are very friendly and there is always such a grander sense of community. People are very aware of each other physically as well as energetically. Maybe it is because people live in such a close proximity to each other and must interact so often? Whatever the reason the culture, the diversity, and the people make NY such a memorable place, one that cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the world. Everywhere we went this trip people spoke directly to and even more often smiled and commented to us as well as our little one. This does not happen nearly as much in the greater Princeton Area.
Some sights and stops were planned – a trip to the Parker Meridian to see the City Harvest Gingerbread Competition. A fundraiser for the city’s hungry men, women, and children. Unexpected moments of the 70 degree and sunny weather our first day included, the Green Market on the Upper West side equipped with a pop up Opera company that stopped playing some refined classical holiday favorites to share Rudolf with us so we could sing along and an organic baker that gifted a gingerbread girl to our girl. The hit of the jaunt? An excursion to the Swedish Cottage in Central Park for a marionette show – the Three Bears Holiday Bash. Such an intimate event where we sat on benches and the crowd sang along and interacted to this unique event. In the dark, one row ahead, and I don’t think our child turned around once unprompted to see if we were still there. Transfixed by the magic and mystery!
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
One day was took a short subway to the MTA museum to see the miniature train that they have set up for the season, something so simple and quaint in an unexpected place, great for a rainy afternoon. And well, yes, we did lose each other on the subway that crowded day at Grand Central and have to rendezvous at our hotel. No worries, when I got onto the overflowing subway carrying an almost 40 lbs body on my hip immediately a gentleman rose to let me sit. The city always seems to welcome us back – Lost but not alone.
I wish I could say that now that the business has been sold we are relaxing with nothing to do and nowhere to be. That day will come soon enough. In the meantime, still purging and organizing some final things for storage and the very time consuming task of transitioning various accounts to the new owner as well as changing contact info on others. Have you ever had your wallet stolen or lost better yet, gotten divorced? Then you have a small idea of what work goes into setting your accounts in order. Most like to think that the online age has allowed us the freedom to supersede human interaction but, in reality, with numerous passwords and accounts it is exponentially more tiresome.
Fond farewell!
We did take time to have an intimate gathering of our closest people to bid a farewell to 14 Faber Road. You can tell by the picture Rick and I are torn up. Actually, it was a night of laughs and shared memories. Rick took time late in the evening to explain some of the history of the rooms and artwork that has adorned the walls for so many years. Both of us have such fond memories, with Rick spending almost ½ his life there and myself starting when I was a nieve 23 year old. We have grown and transformed into the people that we have become both individually and as a couple. It has not only been a location but an anchor for our spirits to reside and feel safe to express ourselves through movement, meditation, training, and teaching.
PAMA has been the first and only place in NJ to host a long list of incredible instructors, Guro Dan Inosanto, Ajarn Chai Sirisute, Diony Canete, all the Machado brothers, and a list of now deceased masters – Pak Herman Suwanda, Punon Guro Edgar Sulite, Sifu Larry Hartsell, Pendekar Paul DeThouars, to name just a few. These were not just typical seminars but, in every case, involved long hours of private lessons with Rick including lots of sweat, bloody hands from Kali stroking, injured backs & body parts, and so much more. PAMA has not just been about the base level of martial arts but, also, the spiritual philosophical path with several wonderfulguides and mentors such as our close friend Khempo Tenzin Darje Rinpoche, and Shamans of Peru as well as Chi Gung instructors.
Ilaria has literally grown up with PAMA as her home, her first trip being when she was a mere 2 weeks old. She knows Uncle Mikey bought PAMA and she has visited the new PAMA but, we are awaiting the visceral response and protests when we lock the doors one last time. Although, maybe, that is just projection of our own fears leaving the building behind. Interesting though, she has grown up understanding non-attachment more then anyone I know. Especially, as a child, she freely gives up clothes and toys that are no longer suited for her age or size. Once when I lost a piece of jewelry I was very attached to she said, “It is OK mommy, things come and things go”. At that point I had to stop grinding my teeth and let it go. NOTE: If you are a parent you must get the book Pete the Cat and his Groovy Buttons.
Big girl bikes – helmets required!
Doe a Deer a female Deer!
Winter PAMA Wonderland!
In the interim, as always, we make a conscious choice to spend quality, unfiltered time with Ilaria. We had a bit of snow the other day but, at Club PAMA, it makes no matter. On the day of the storm, Ilaria and I spent an hour riding our bikes in the 2000 sq. ft. “green room” for fun and fitness. Of course, then she needed to ride on the children’s bike seat on the back of mine to reenact the Sound of Music. In typical snow day fashion, the quintessential activity consisted of Rick making an authentic hand rolled snowman. Too bad Max is no longer an employee, Rick could have had him prep the pieces like in a cooking show and Rick could have been just the finisher for the glory! I joke of course. Rick would never deny Ilaria the experience or have a handy craft with his name/stamp on it that was not his own work. Rick forever the artist and craftsman!
When Rick and I first spoke of selling Princeton Academy of Martial Arts (PAMA) there were many thoughts about how do you really sell your baby. The one that Rick birthed and raised for almost 27 years and I have known and loved for almost 16 years and have adopted. These many years Rick has crafted EVERY detail of the Academy just so. The attention to detail, care, and love he has poured into creating this Martial Arts Mecca, growing it from a mere seed to a World Renowned Institution. All this was done purely for love of the Martial Arts and a passion for how the Martial Arts process can transform an individual. As other personal business owners know, we eat, sleep, and breathe PAMA. Just like a child it was given lots of love and care. If we sold it to someone just for a big payout, I can imagine us waking to nightmares just as one would if your daughter marries a deviant. Whhooo, glad that has not been the case.
I still remember the look on Mike Lee’s face when I approached him about his interest in taking over PAMA. First it took him quite a few days to process that Rick and I would be moving on, after all, for years he has been my Chinese brother/training partner and Rick’s dedicated student for 20 years. When I say that the three of us are close – He has traveled with us all over the world – Peru, Switzerland (2x), Sweden (5x), Paris (2x), Belgium (2x), not to mention all of the US trips, the thousand upon thousand hours of training, meals, drinks, and many, many laughs. Mike had a picture of us in his wedding slideshow as his Italian family. We even spent Thanksgiving together this year!
The Signing
The closing went smoothly because leading up to it there was no infighting or no harsh negotiations between Rick, Mike, and their lawyers. During the past few weeks before the transition Rick and I keep giving Mike additional things to help him and Rick has even decided to loan some of his more exclusive artwork to the new Princeton Academy. Mike wants to become a successful entrepreneur and professional Martial Artist and we want nothing but success for him and for the future of PAMA. Most closing, I imagine, are harsh, clear chop, and hand over the keys. We are and will always be willing advisors for Mike, his extended family here for support and encouragement.
Obligatory handshake picture
Mike is moving the Academy to the new location in a few weeks and we are co-habitating 14 Farber Road but we are more then used to hanging together in close quarters. That’s what family is about, someone who will treat your baby with the same care and intention.
Living Wherever We Are 