Saturday, January 16, 2010

okay, we'll take a stab at it

First of all, yes, I know, I need to change my background.  I'm busy.  I will do it.  But not right now.
Its been a whirlwind of a week! A very happy whirlwind, but a whirlwind nonetheless.

Occasionally life presents you with opportunity you never even knew you wanted.  Sometimes you try something new and it goes well, so you keep up with it a bit because you like it, but you don't really expect much out of it other than your own enjoyment.  Then an opportunity shows itself, and you really start to wonder, "how did I get here?" (Anybody else singing a Talking Head's song now?)

I am currently experiencing one of those moments in life when I ask myself "how did I get here?"
And the answer goes something like this:
I walked into the neighborhood public school to enroll Gabriel in Kindergarten, something didn't sit right with me.  I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew he was not going to attend that school.  We went to my inlaw's home, a postcard was on their kitchen counter for a charter school.  I looked at it, thought it might be worth checking into.  We visited the school and decided it would be a better option than the public school, and enrolled him.  The second week of school Gabe brought home a flyer for a TaeKwonDo class after school.  We decided to enroll him.  He liked it well enough.  We began taking him to the evening classes occasionally, and then to a fight-class.  JP and I watched the classes through the window.  I really wanted to be inside learning what Gabe was learning.  We hated the gym we had joined.  It was glitzy, shiny, unfriendly.  It wasn't us.  We wanted to quit, but didn't want to sit on our butts with no exercise options.  We did the math and figured out we could quit the gym and join karate.  I took a class and LOVED it.  Then JP decided he wanted to join too.  A new school year begins, 20+ new kids enroll in the afterschool class, the instructor's need help, I've quit my job in the meantime and there is no reason why I cannot help once a week after school.  A semester passes and I'm asked if I would consider taking on teaching another class at another location.
Now JP and I are opening a part time taekwondo school this coming Tuesday.  With that we begin an internship that leads to instructor certifications which are desirable for future opportunities.

So although the path is quite clear to me now, if you would have told me a year ago that I would be opening a Taekwondo school I would have laughed at you! But I feel totally at home with this.  It actually feels like the natural progression.  I guess its just the opportunity I never knew I was looking for.

8 comments:

Marylois said...

Wonderful! I think Someone is looking out for you.

Kristina P. said...

Lisa, this is so exciting! Good for you! I wish you all the best of luck in your new venture.

Vanessa said...

Congrats! What a great opportunity! And I commend you for stepping out of your "comfort zone" and try something new!

Chef Tess said...

Well, let me be the first to say that you are a natural teacher and the kids (and I) love you! Thanks for asking us to take part as I know we have found a good fit for our family as well. Lisa...you rock!!

Unknown said...

Very exciting! You have such a passion for it, you guys will be great teachers. Best of luck!

Hartson family said...

What a great story! I think it sounds very promising and I only wish we lived near you so Billy could partake of your genius! Best of luck!

JJuracan and family said...

Fantastic!!! I think you are nuts, but that's only because I have never done anything so cool in my life! You're my hero...good luck with the new business and GOOD FOR YOU!! :-)

rachel said...

AWESOME!! I'm so happy for you and what an unexpected journey.