My 1st Degree Black Belt:

That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly. It is dearness only which gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price on its goods. Thomas Paine
It is imperative to me that I do things with my whole heart and soul. Doing something significant with only half the effort is a waste of my time and exertion. As it is with many aspects in my life, this is how I feel about going through my Black Belt journey.
Obtaining my Black Belt, however, has not always been a dream of mine. I did not set out to take Martial Arts classes with the goal of Black Belt in mind. As my Martial Arts training progressed though, so too did my focus. I not only wrapped my brain around the idea of becoming a Black Belt artist, I have engulfed my whole body and soul into the concept of becoming one of the sharpest black belt teammates: one with no whining and no excuses.
My three and a half year Black Belt journey took focus, dedication and perseverance. But like labor pains that a mother has before giving birth, all of my aches and stress will be forgotten. Only what came from the pain will remain. So when I receive recognition for this tremendous journey, I hope to be thought of as someone who truly earned it. I will humbly accept my Black Belt with honor, dignity, self-respect and gratitude to those who led me through my journey. I will have the peace of mind that I received it because of the climb to the top, and knowing that it was the climb that is important, not the symbol of the black belt itself.
It has been a challenging, yet fantastic climb to the top: one I will miss, one I will cherish, one I will always remember. And this climb is only one of many other climbs. Just as I have made it to the summit of this mountain, I will see another higher mountain behind it. And when the time comes to climb that mountain, I will prepare myself in the fullest way possible, as I did for this, my one and only 1st Degree Black Belt.

My Red and Black (Qualification) Belt:

My Red Belt:

My Brown Belt:

My Blue Belt:

My Green Belt:

My Yellow Belt:

My Orange Belt:

My Mission Statement

My aim is to be a strong, confident and inspiring individual. I will be a dedicated family member on whom my loved ones can rely. I will make thoughtful decisions based on my principles and follow my heart, never compromising with honesty. I will be proactive, acting on situations and opportunities, rather than be acted upon. I will use the power of synergy to reach interdependence, working on figuring things out for myself, yet kindly accepting the support and knowledge being offered from God, family, friends and instructors.

My Essays

A Black Belt is symbolic of a person who is a strong Martial Artist. It represents a person who has changed his or her life for the better.
If you are to obtain this symbol, what, then, you must ask yourself, will lead you to become a strong martial artist? What are things that will send you down the path of becoming the person you want to be?
Speaking for myself, I am happy with the person I am now. In fact, I believe in myself for many reasons. I am happy with way I live my life as an active family member. I am fortunate to be in a loving marriage for the past 17 years due to trust, faithfulness and dedication. I am rewarded with wonderful children partially because of the way I have raised my children. I am fulfilled by my religion, and I am extremely proud of myself for achieving a degree in Child Development. I am delighted to go to work every day, and I am truly enjoying my martial arts experience.
But there is always more to strive for. The status of a Black Belt is more than being happy with the life you currently live or just becoming a good Martial Artist. It stands for how a person conducts him or herself in life continually. It signifies how you treat others and how you are perceived. It embodies how you do things and how you look at things. Being a sharp Martial Artist is beyond the harsh physical and mental demands. It takes being strong inside as well as out. It relates to being a better person. It concerns showing the world the positive side of life by setting a good example. It is about being a leader and being respectful and honorable.
A Black Belt symbol represents a true test of character and it is more about the climb towards earning the degree of black belt than the belt itself. It characterizes a sense of pride, not only after wearing the new belt, but during that climb to the top; the climb that entails blood, sweat, tears and effort. A climb well worth that effort.

When I do things, I do things whole heartedly. A good example of this is when I returned to college after 18 years. I gave my best effort and as a result I received As on every one of my classes until I obtained my degree.
When I walked through the doors of TKC, however, it was a different story. I came in with the intension of signing my children up for karate class. It was right after they received their orange belt in June 2006 when I joined them in taking classes at TKC. At that time I only considered it a good way to keep fit. I just took classes with the notion that I would move up a belt only because that was the next step in staying in the game of keeping fit.
It was not until my Green Belt when it finally hit me that I should consider striving towards my Black Belt. The thought alone was terrifying at that time, but it seemed so far off that I figured I would have plenty of time to wrap my brain around the idea of accepting this humungous challenge.
Since then, I have not only wrapped my brain around the idea, I have engulfed my whole body and soul into the concept of becoming one of the sharpest black belt candidates: one with no whining and no excuses.
My strengths are never taken for granted. I try to use them to my advantage. Through my Martial Arts experience I find myself becoming stronger mentally, emotionally and physically. My weak points I strive to perfect. When I feel frustrated, angered, or upset, I allow myself the emotion, but then look for the positive way out. With an optimistic outlook in life, it is less difficult to overcome my weaknesses.
I have dedicated three years of my life towards preparing for this Black Belt candidacy. I will dedicate another four demanding months of training which is yet to come before I earn my Black Belt. But when I do receive it, it will be because I earned it, not because it was handed to me on a silver platter. I will receive my Black Belt with honor, dignity and self-respect. I will have the satisfaction that I received it because of the climb to the top, and knowing that it was the climb that is important, not the symbol of the black belt itself.
I am prepared to put out my best effort and I will take the grueling hard work in stride knowing that I will become stronger for it. I look forward to the climb to the top.

My Letters of Recommendations

Dear Sirs:
My sister-in-law, Janet, and her family have been involved in martial arts for the past few years. Last year I had the opportunity to see my brother Joe test for his black belt. It was an emotionally moving experience. I realized that to ascend to this level of expertise one must possess perseverance, patience and a sense of excellence. Janet exemplifies of all of these qualities.
Janet will rise to a challenge and meet it head on. She does not back down easily and works hard to accomplish whatever she sets her mind to. Setbacks are met with patience and bumps in the road of life are just part of the journey. She strives for excellence in herself and assists others to achieve their best. Her sense of calm and centeredness, along with a deep sense of spirituality is evident to all who know her. I consider her an excellent candidate and recommend her with the highest regard. I look forward to the day when Janet tests for her black belt. I will be there once again, this time cheering her on!
Sincerely,
Jan McKibbin
Mary Cruz

To Whom It May Concern:
Please use this letter as consideration for Janet Eisenreich as a black belt candidate. I have known Janet my entire life; she is my older sister. We have been extremely close our whole lives, and have shared many, many memorable times together.
Janet has always been one to maintain harmony wherever she is, whether it is in the home, at work, at school, at church, or even in a public place among strangers. She has led a rich life and has surrounded herself with positive influences. Janet and I purchased our first home together, which we lived at for 5 years. We have worked at three places of employment together. Our children now play together. We speak with each other every few days, and I am very proud of her commitment level in striving for her black belt.
I would highly recommend Janet for any endeavor that she goes after because she completes projects that she starts, and does it in the only way she knows how: PERFECT.
With my Warmest Regards,
Mary

My wife and I met the Eisenreich family through mutual friends at least seven years ago. Since then they have become very close friends. It is this friendship that I feel qualifies me to offer this letter of recommendation for Janet as a Black Belt candidate.
I have always been impressed with her full life. She is a fulltime school teacher and also works with her children endlessly; with their homework, after school activities, Play-dates and other daily home & family responsibilities. She is an extremely strong and unselfish woman. She will host a Party at her home with her husband while being a rock for her siblings during their Fathers passing; she seems to handle it all. Now she is making time to help take care of her Mother as well and supporting her during these tough times.
But finally it is her Self respect and constant discipline. For the last two years during all of this she was also completing her college education and graduated this last year. Yet Karate never took a back seat, maybe its even what helped her. She supported her husband and recently watched him receive his black belt with pride and self fulfillment. It is only obvious to all of us this is something that is very important to Janet as well, I wish her all the best, thank you.
Andy Albert
Chatsworth CA