Why I joined FEMA

The shortest answer possible is that I got fed up. I've been pawed, and I've been groped, and I've been stalked, and simply got fed up with being afraid.

After a particularly bad encounter with a creepy man on a bus late at night, I was standing at a dark bus stop talking on my cell phone with my girlfriend trying to find the courage to make it the rest of the way home. It was at this point, when she kept suggesting that I carry a gun and I kept telling her no; I decided I had to take a self-defense class.

The next day I started doing research on the web. I found a lot of martial arts classes that I didn't think I wanted to take. Then I found an article on Women's Self-defense by Laura Kamienski that sounded true to my way of thinking. And this article lead me to Chimera. From Chimera I followed the search engine to NWMAF (National Women's Martial Arts Federation) and from there to FEMA.

I emailed Shifu Kore' to find out if I would be welcome. I came and observed a class; and here I am in the beginners' class. And now I am developing the confidence to believe that I don't have to be afraid anymore.

-Lisbeth

Shifu/Sensei

In my red cowboy skirt, boots and hat complete with two six shooters. Age 3 or so

Singing "VOLARE" was my favorite thing to do at that time. Age 5 or so

-Shifu Kore

Tenacity

Age in pic: 1

Age now: 26

Belt level: red

This is a pic of me doing what appears to be push-ups in the grass a month after my third or fourth hip surgery. I think it represents tenacity, especially when faced with challenges related to my hips. I've always been one to push myself and go beyond what some people believed I was capable of. Or perhaps that's just a Taurus thing. ;)

- Rose

Woo! Theme!

On Monday, Shifu asked the advanced class to submit childhood photos that demonstrated qualities that students still have today. They will be updated on the blog as I receive them. Stay tuned for more!

-Megan