Other Interests
Martial Arts
Haganah: 2006 - current; All Star Karate and Kickboxing in Hagerstown, MD. For more information about the FIGHT style, visit www.fight2survive.com
Pa Kua Zhang: 2003 - 2005; Sifu Greg Hatza in Catonsville, MD at the Chinese Boxing Academy.
Karate: Shotokan - 1 year Seido - 5 1/2 years (1st degree black belt)
Empower Self Defense: Founded in 2004 by Sheryl Gallagher and myself, our goal is to empower and teach the teens and women of the community how to stay safe and learn how to protect themselves. For more information, you can visit our website at www.empowerselfdefense.com
I also want to take the opportunity to mention the organization known as AWSDA - The American Women's Self-Defense Organization. They provide up-to-date safety information and training for women who want to know how to defend themselves. I highly recommend their annual seminars as well. Not only do you have a great time, but you come out of the experience with a lot of knowledge from top people in the field. To find out more about this wonderful organization go to www.awsda.org.
Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites
I began formation to enter into the secular order of discalced Carmelites on October 16th, 2005. Many people wonder just what a secular order is. Secular Orders are defined in Cannon Law (Cn. 702) as “associations whose members, while living a secular life, strive after Christian perfection by observing papally approved rule, under the direction and in the spirit of a religious order.”
The Order of Discalced Carmelites was established in 1562 by a Spanish Carmelite nun known as St. Teresa of Avila. She was assisted by another great Carmelite, St. John of the Cross. The Discalced Carmelites became a completely new branch of the Carmelite Order. The Discalced Carmelites, both nuns and friars, aimed at a more retired and contemplative form of life,in keeping with the spirit of the original thirteenth century rule. The Secular Order of the Discalced Carmelites, as its' Rule states, "welcomes those of the faithful, who by special vocation undertake to live, in the world, an evengelical life of fraternal communion imbued with the spirit of contemplative prayer and apostolic zeal, according to the example and teaching of the Carmelite saints." (Adapted from the text by Father Bede Edwards, OCD Carmelite Historical Institute, Rome.)
For more information you can contact the monastary at 410-823-7415. The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites Mary Queen of Carmel Community is located just north of Towson MD and their address is: 1318 Dulaney Valley Rd, Baltimore, MD 21286-1399.
Knitting and Crocheting
I started knitting seriously nearly seven years ago. When looking for a great selection of high quality yarns, I go to The Celtic Knot Yarn Shop located in Ellicott City, MD in the Normandy Shopping Center. One of my favorite things to make are stuffed animals. They are so much fun to create and are even more fun to give. I usually customize the pattern a little bit, and will create a stuffed animal to a person's liking. You want a blue bear, you got it! A one eyed, 1 1/2 ear rabbit with a patch and a missing tail - no problemo!
When I'm feeling impatient and just want something to whip up quickly, I turn to crocheting and the super fast 'Q' hook. Hold 3 strands worsted weight together or get some super chunky, and you've got one quick Afghan!
Besides knitting, I love to spin and am looking forward to getting a wheel in the future.