SSSP Taekwondo Addition

Event two for Shimmer Sparkle Shine Project (SSSP) is for May 26th at my teakwondo, and I have mentioned already. Some changes to the activity scheduled is the craft time for the "About Me Brochures" I was thinking, and I really like the aspect of the boost books on how they can add things to them later to keep on using in and with the brochure they can't do that. When doing research on other activities I found out that Girl Scouts has a self esteem campaign too filled with resources. They suggested that each girl do a book about them where they do five pages, each page being different, about what makes me unique or special. I loved that idea, because I could put extra pages in it for the boost book part of it too. I want them to be able to put the quotes and resources we give to them somewhere. In the program there is also going to be a point where the younger girls are divided from the older girls. The younger girls are going to do an activity where a story is read, and each time something mean is done to "samantha" then they rip a piece of paper off (the paper is a picture of "sam"). Then if something good is said they tape a piece back on. The idea is that you can fix the things you do to people, but the damage will be forever there. The older girls will be focused on the media's impact to what we consider beautiful. We will go over facts, and how the media photoshops images. Then they will be put to the test to use propaganda to sell a clothing line to women, while making sure it doesn't negatively shape the girls who want to "buy" the product. They day is quickly approaching and I can't wait. Ciara

SSS Project

I am so happy to finally uncover the official logo for shimmer sparkle shine! It was made by an amazing CU Boulder student! Here it is..Drum roll...

The event for Teakwondo is fast approaching on May 26! I am getting excited for it of course! It is going to be different, which has helped me to come up with multiple activity ideas for the future, so that it is different at every event. The girl scouts have a new self esteem program with ideas on things to do, which is a great resource. I just wanted to give you a quick update, but more to come! Ciara

July 2nd is the Date for Nationals!

Nationals is approaching fast! It is getting scary, especially with my foot hurt again. I twisted my foot the wrong way a few weeks ago, and ever since then I can't run on it again, or do any huge movements with my toes. That has put a damper into my warm up routine. This reoccurring pain did lead me to work on my first learning outcome; collaborating with others. I talked to my master and his wife, who is also a black belt, on alternatives because I was highly frustrated. They are going to work with me to come up with a new warm up routine as everyone else is running and such so I can still condition. That makes me feel so much better, and I learned that I don't need to be afraid to ask for help or something different to accommodate my injury better. I have also been working on learning outcome number 2 of being aware of my strengths and weaknesses. My balance was really well there for a while when I was doing yoga routines on my wii fit. Sounds crazy, but it does work. For the last few weeks I haven't been practicing Yoga, which I have notices that my balance is off again. Therefore in order to get ready for nationals I need to work outside of the dojo to maintain good balance. I was also told that strengthening my abominable muscles will help with that as well. Now I am just brainstorming board breaking routines. One inch thick boards are no problem for me. Im thinking of putting two one inch thick boards together to break something two inches thick. It is all still in the works. For the poomse (form) part of competing, I will be doing a different form then I did at state. I am very thankful for this. At state I did Taegeuk Oh Jang, which many say is the hardest form. I defiantly agree because your body motions need balance, which is soo hard for me. At Nationals I will be doing Taegeuk Yuk Jang. I like this form so far. It has a lot of hand techniques which are a strong point for me. Here is a youtube video of it! I will keep you posted! Ciara

SSS Project Update

For right now Shimmer, Sparkle, Shine project is kind of a waiting game. I am currently having the logo made by a CU graphic design student, and the logo is going to say SSS Project and have keys with it. The keys will be the symbol of Shimmer Sparkle Shine because it is a big part of the program. I explain to the girls that people are like keys. Every key is different, and has its own unique shape, and each key also has its unique purpose. Each key unlocks a different door to lead you down a different path. Same thing applies to people, each of us has our own purpose and road to experience in life.
I am also drafting the By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation right now. It is definitly a hard process, a big learning experience. I might make a draft, then have my mom's attourney look over it, and help me along the process. I think having help from someone who knows what they are doing will be a big help.
Part of becoming non-profit, is spending LOTS of money to the IRS to have tax exemption to be a 501(3)c. I don't have the money out of pocket for that, so I started to research fundraising options. There is this place my mom and I like to go to called Canvas and Cocktails. Each day is a different painting, and you sign up a head of time and learn how to paint that painting in a fun atmosphere, and it doesn't matter your skill level. Everyone's paintings come out like the one you signed up for. Well they do fundraiser nights where most of the profits made that night go to the orginazation. I am lucky enough to have them host me a funraising night on June 25. It does cost $40 a person, but it for a good cause. Besides, all supplies are incluided. Here is the link, and a picture of the painting.
https://www.canvasandcocktails.com/quick-signup.php?eventid=2349

I am hoping to raise alot of money that way.

In May I am doing my next Shimmer, Sparkle, Shine event with girls at my Taekwondo. It is going to be a little different this time. I am trying to put together a booklet full of activities, so that each event isn't always the same.

It is still going to start out the same, but instead of presenting the "Things We Find Beautiful" in a powerpoint, it will in photos, since a projector will not be an option.

Since this is for the girls in Taekwondo, we are adding a Taekwondo aspect of discussing the tenants of Taekwondo, which are like values to live by; Courtesy, Intergrity, Perserverance, Self-Control, and Indomiable Spirit. I have volunters assigned to each tenant, and they are going to present it to the girls in the fun way, and a way that they actually understand what it means.

Instead of doing Boost Books they will be doing About Me Broochures. It is kind of like a boost book, like they still get to decorate it, but they answers the questions in it, and it makes them have to think posativly about themselves to answer them. Then we will take the Broochurs and read information from some of them and have the girls guess who brochure it is, based off of the posative things. The goal is also for all the girls to relize each others talents, and grow closer together. (I still need to make this)

Then my master will play some games with them, because that is always a hit when he does it in class. They will enjoy "playing" with him, and that will be fun in an all girls zone.

Then some volunteers will lead them in games, and I take each girl one by one to take pictures of her for her photoshoot. Instead of them being glamour shots, I am having them in their uniform doing Taekwondo moves, to make them feel powerful.

Then for the ending, I will have my master give a speech to the girls, then I will do my normal closing stuff.

I am excited for the progress it is making! Stay Tuned! For info to come shortly hopefully.



Action; TKD Nationals in Dallas

This chapter of Action for CAS starts today, with my journey to Dallas, Texas for Nationals in Taekwondo. It is going to require lots of work, and I am ready to better myself in the process. I will be competing in Forms, along with Board Breaking, and possible blaster sparring. My goals for the journey to nationals are: 1) Collaborating Well with Others 2) Increase awareness of strengths and places for growth. I need to learn to collaborate well with others to rely for help on my teammates, who are also going to Nationals. I also need to work with others on fundraising to benefit everyone to have the chance to go to Nationals, and working with others to come up with a board breaking routine, and trusting them to hold my boards. I chose the second aim again because their is always room for improvement. I did place silver at state for forms, so I know I have many areas for growth to earn a gold at nationals. I want to constantly make myself better for the way to path to earn my black belt. Part of being a good student is always improving, you can never be perfect. The last day of nationals in July 4, so I plan on writing my final reflection for this experience then, and throughout the process. Lets have CTA bring home GOLD and became a NATIONAL CHAMPION SCHOOL!

Final Reflection for TKD State

State for Taekwondo went amazing! I received a silver for my forms, and a silver for blaster sparring. And I was lucky enough to walk away with a gold in Board Breaking. My goals for this process in Taekwondo was to show perseverance and commitment, along with being aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I want to end this chapter of Action for CAS and reflect on my year long journey in Taekwondo, and how everything led me to victory at state. When I joined Taekwondo, I had a hard time going my goal of 3 times a week. I would use homework as an excuse, and when I didn't have homework I used the excuse that I wanted to rest. I got motivated, then shortly after I suffered from my foot injury, and had to take a 6 month break. I started going again, but still had a hard time getting back into the game because my foot was still having pain. It made me not want to go, but with the news of State at the end of March I felt a motivation to start going. I had a goal to start going, and a time frame better yet, the goal for doing Taekwondo was broad, only wanting to receive my black belt, but this helped me get a specific goal of getting ready for state. This meant I had to put the two aims of this in mind, and a incorporate it into my life. I started going 3 times a week at the least, and I would also go on Saturday mornings to improve my forms one on one. I liked this one on one lessons because I really helped me to identify my strengths and weakness within my blue belt form for state. I learned that I am great at showing power and force, along with remembering the whole form. My problem came when I had to do a kick with my arm and leg parallel to each other. I had a hard time doing this, and keeping my balance while doing it as well. Another problem, was at the very end of the form, I have to kick, stop my foot when it touches the ground, do a back face fist, and balance on my toes. It wasn't only the whole action of doing that at the end, to make a strong ending, but the pressure I had to put on my injured foot. I practiced holding on to the wall and kicking and punching with my arm parallel over and over again. I also practiced the last move, creating a smaller amount of pain throughout my foot. I also learned that I have a strength in board breaking, and I am bold and willing to try many things, which thankfully led me to the gold at state. I broke one of the one inch thick boards with my head, along with many other techniques. This also helped me learn that I am stronger in my punches and hand movements then I am in kicking. I have less control of my body when I kick. I am very grateful that I was able to make a habit of going, and able to analyze the strengths and weaknesses. Winning the medals was such an amazing feeling because I felt like I worked hard for it and I deserved it. When other teammates would congratulate me, I felt like I worked for it. This was great for me, and helped my body physically. I close this chapter in CAS for Taekwondo; Mission: State. Nationals in Dallas here I come. Here are some pictures of my eventful day at state.

This is myself walking into the event, in my warm-up uniform.

Competing in Forms

My first round in Blaster Sparring, where I won against a first degree black belt male.

Waiting for the results after board breaking.

Myself with my master.

Afterwards by the mascot of the host school with my two silvers and one gold.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is going great! I am attending more practices, and my techniques are getting better. State is in two weeks and I am so excited and nervous. I haven't done a competition since I was a kid, so its like memories floating in my head. Having a metal around my neck for something that awesome will be such a great reward. I am doing blue belt form for forms for state. I am pretty good at it, minus the fact that my balance is shaking when making turns. I really need to work on that, and most importantly my ending foot jump stomp. It still hurts my foot injury, so I have to find a good balance of technique and lack of pain.
For state I am also doing board break where I come up with a routine, and do break about 5 boards. I decided to do hammer head attack to break my first board. (couldn't find picture) Then for my second board I plan to to an elbow strike.

Then I will reverse my body and do a normal punch to the third board.

Then I will break the fourth board with my favorite kick; an axe kick. It it where you kick your leg straight up, but when you bring it down, it is even faster.

Biggest one of all, I want to break the fifth one with my head, which I have never done before. EVER! It sounds like such an adrenalin rush, and I want to do it, but I need to practice it first of course. http://youtu.be/GI5y53y0NoI

It looks painful, but im excited. I decided that before I perform in front of people for the first time in years, I should perform it in a small crowd. Last Friday I did my church talent show, and I did my blue belt form, and my friend helped me with 3 step sparring. It was good to perform in front of people again, before the big scary STATE!



Keep You Posted!
Ciara