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August 1992 - 1st Degree, 11.5 years old
December 1994 - 2nd Degree, 14 years old
September 2008 - 3rd Degree, 27 years old (IN PROCESS)

My memory about TKC and my training:

I have so many great memories about TKC. The first earliest memory I still remember to this day was how the studio looked back in 1988. There were no mats like we have today, but instead, industrial carpeting with padding under it. I remember testing for my Orange belt one afternoon after school. It wasn"t a big class of kids. It was just me! After going through all the basic kicks and punches, I had to do 50 knuckle pushups!

The next memories were taking Mr. John"s and Mr. Paul"s classes from White belt to Red belt. Mr. Paul"s classes on Fridays would be called "Fun Day Friday", and we would basically get to do fun things that us kids loved to do back then like Jump Front Kick contests, off-the-wall kicks, some gymnastics, etc.

I remember FAILING my first 1st degree black belt exam! Why is this a good memory? Because it served as a humbling experience in which I learned the true meaning of earning something. Back then, you were only allowed a total of 5 negative points to pass, and I had 6 negative points. I returned two months later, re-tested, and passed!

My latest memories were during my high school and summers back from college, I remember teaching classes in the afternoons/evenings. I have seen some kids that once in my classes grow up to become awesome martial artists as well (Mr. Jonathan, Mr. Josh are two of them). Also, doing demos for graduations with Mr. Omid and Mr. Glenn

My message to you:

I can"t believe that it has been 20 years that I have been training at Team Karate Centers. The studio is my second home, and I know that I am always welcome. I have a second family when I walk in through the door.

I love being able to train with Mr. Fariborz, and all the recent guest instructors (Sensei Richard Norton, Sensei Peter Cunningham, Sensei Peoples, Sensei Ron Balicki). Each and every workout session is demanding, and sometimes painful, but I just can"t get enough of it. I will come home limping or go to work all sore, and people ask me why I do it. I tell them because the feeling of being on that mat is something that could never be replaced, and that I feel unfulfilled when I can"t train. It is more than the physical aspect, but also the psychological and spiritual aspects that are involved once martial arts becomes an integral part of you and your everyday life.

Thank you Mr. Fariborz for your contribution to my development into the person I am today.

What I am up to now

I currently work for Northrop Grumman Space Technology in Redondo Beach, CA. I work in Project Control and Schedule Management for Advanced Mission Programs. I have been with the company since January 2007, after completing my MBA at Pepperdine. Before going to work for Northrop, I worked as a Spacecraft Systems Engineer for General Dynamics for almost three years after graduating from UCLA, where I studied Aerospace Engineering.

After work, you can find me training at TKC or training Capoeira in Culver City at Capoeira Brasil (Mestre Boneco). I have cumulatively trained Capoeira for 5 years with Mestre Boneco, and currently have my blue/red cord (6th rank). I am also testing for my 3rd degree black belt at the September spectacular.

Age when I got my black belt -- 16
Age I am now -- 17
Good memory about TKC -- Mr. Fariborz and the teachers of TKC always pushed me to be the best I could be. Because of their strength and determination, I became a strong, confident young woman, who has managed to go through a variety of personal struggles while keeping a level head. I was the Editor in Chief of El Camino"s newspaper, and I would not have been able to manage any staff if it weren"t for all that martial arts has taught me. My life would be virtually incomplete without it.
Overall message -- Be all you can be; do all you can do; live all you can live. You never know what will happen in the future, so make it great. By the time you are old and grey, you will want to have smile lines to reveal the happiness you have lived to know.
What I"m up to now -- I start at Brooks institute of Photography on July 9, and I will be majoring in Professional Photography with a concentration in Digital Media. I will be working as a layout artist at Montecito Journal, as well.

I was about 12 or 13 years old when i received my black belt.
I am now 19 years old
TKC helped me grow up. the training was absolutely phenomenal. and it really matured me.
Although I don"t practice anymore, i will always have and be a part of TKC"s family
Now, I"m working at Washington Mutual as a Senior Teller. and I am going to school at Pierce college (transferring soon - hopefully USC), and I am studying to become a pharmacist...

I don"t remember exactly how old I was, but I believe I was around 10 years old when I received my black belt. One of the last classes I attended was the summer after my first year of college, around the age of 19. I started just before I turned 7. Maybe I was closer 11 or 12 when I received my black belt.

I am 25 years old now.

My memory about TKC and my training
Just one?!? There are so many! The first is of one of my first classes with Mr. John. That was an awesome day. I remember the struggle and stress of training for my black belt, and wanting to quit. My parents convinced me stay and that lead to the wonderful memory after earning my black belt. I even remember, after the test, of being asked to give a speech, but I was speechless!
Another memory I"m very found of is the birthday I had at the studio. I also remember the sleepovers and tournaments.
Most of all, I remember the friendships I"ve made with some of the greatest people I"ve met.

My message to you:
Studying martial arts was the greatest thing I ever did. It taught me discipline and the ability to set small goals in order to reach the big goal. Although I"ve fallen out of shape, what I learned in those 13 or so years has stuck with me mentally. I am incredibly happy to have continued my training, even that one time I felt like quitting, because otherwise, I don"t know if I would be where I am now. College and Grad school would have been much harder if I didn"t learn to focus on the task at hand, be it a target to kick, or a class project.


What I am up to now:
I am a Software Engineer at Apple. I went to UCSD known that I wanted to study computer science. After receiving my BS degree, in 4 years, I stayed to get my Master degree. One summer I interned at Apple, and they decided to hire me!

Age when I got my Black Belt: 12
Current Age: 24

My training taught me self control and improved upon my self esteem. My fondest memory would probably be me breaking the board at the Black Belt test (haha).

Life is a journey and everything happens for a reason; don"t panic or worry if things don"t always go to plan, because in the end, things have a funny way of working out for the best.

I just graduated with a Masters in Public Health and am waiting to start medical school soon, hopefully.

I was 7 almost 8 years old when I got my Black Belt:
Now I am 19
My memory about TKC and my  training:
I still remember performing at the Hilton Hotel and think of it as the place where I got my black belt every time I drive by. One of my fondest memories was also going rock climbing with other black belts.

My message:
Keep up with your training and go after your dreams. I was only 7 years old when I got my black belt, but I believe that karate gave me the strength to excel in other sports throughout my life. Exercise also leads to a healthy mind.

What I am up to now:
I"m currently studying creative writing and communication at Stanford University. I"m studying to become a writer/filmmaker.

I got my black belt at age 14.
Now I am 16 years old.

I remember at my 2nd pre-test i was grappling for the first time in my life against Ms. Linda, and i had no idea what to do. Ms. Erin was coaching me and tried supporting me saying whatever she can but i was struggling helplessly underneath Ms. Linda. Then Ms. Erin said fight as if you are fighting for your life, and at that moment my eyes lit up (says Ms. Linda LOL) and i flipped her over and tapped her out. that moment made me realize that i can do whatever i intend to. and that gave me the nickname Tasmanian devil.

I received my Black Belt when I was 38 years old

My memory about TKC and my training:
My best memory is strangely enough when I had to stop training for a period of time. I received an email from Mr. Robert and he told me that even if it is the right thing, maybe it was not the right time. I kept that email for almost 2 years and cried every time I read it because I knew I had something very special with TKC

My message to you:
There is a place on the mat for everyone at every level here.
What I am up to now - I am still training at TKC and have just recently finished SWAT. I am now assisting in some of the teens classes and having a lot of fun. I am still as excited, scared and honored to be on the mat now as I was almost 6 years ago when I started.

My first black belt, in tang soo do, came at age 34. My black belt in Hapkido was at age 40 something...
Now, I am 50+
My memory about TKC and my training:
They are all great memories - having my eyes opened to a versatile style; having the benefit and privilege of training with the most amazing instructor I"ve ever encountered
My message to you:
I miss those days at TKC
What I am up to now
I am training in Doce Pares Fighting Arts System (Eskrima) with GM Anthony Kleeman and still training in TSD. My Hapkido training surfaces daily. On the non-martial arts front, I am working for the City of Malibu but preparing to move, in two months, to the State of Washington to be near family. I"ll continue to train by returning to SoCal as frequently as possible and hope to stay in touch with everyone I"ve met through martial arts over the past 22 years.

I received my 1st degree at the age of 9. I then received my 2nd degree at the age of 12.
I am currently 23 years old.

My memory about TKC and your training:
The feeling of being challenged. Waking up at 4am for my black belt pre-tests. Coming to the studio half awake not knowing what will be expected of me. In addition, the feeling of being on top of your game. The elated emotions I got when practicing the kicking line (diagonally across the mat) in preparation for my black belt test at the Marriot Hotel. Having the whole testing group cheer for you as you kick, do forms, and perform gymnastics. Words cannot describe this feeling.

My message to you:
Never give up. If it is something meaningful to you, never accept anything but your best efforts to achieve that goal. There is a quote by Lance Armstrong that describes this well: PAIN IS TEMPORARY. IT MAY LAST A MINUTE, OR AN HOUR, OR A DAY, OR A YEAR, BUT EVENTUALLY IT WILL SUBSIDE AND SOMETHING ELSE WILL TAKE ITS PLACE. IF I QUIT, HOWEVER, IT LASTS FOREVER. Personal success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. So stay focused, work hard, and love the journey.

What I am up to now
I just completed by Bachelor"s of Science degree from UCLA, in Psychobiology. I am pre-med and I hope to apply next year to medical school. My goal is to go to Stanford Medical School and specialize in Sports Medicine, Orthopaedics. I would love to do Orthopaedic Surgery and keep people on their feet and doing what they love. In addition, I want to get more involved in The Special Olympics. Sports are my life. I know how important it is to stay active and feel those natural endorphins once you have physically and emotionally challenge yourself. It is a part of my life and who I am.
I am staying active in my community by volunteering at a convalescent home, spending weekends at a camp for kids with diseases or disorders, receiving my sports medicine trainer degree, doing biomechanical research, tutoring junior high and high school students in academics, and running competitively. I am focused on running the 1500m at track meets and 5k"s for road races. ALthough it may seem easy, there is much strategy that goes into running effectively and competitively. One of my favorite expressions is "I run to live and I live to run." My life would be incomplete without it!