directly from Okinawa, said there is so much more to

karate than kicks and punches.

“The ultimate aim in karate is the perfection of

one’s character,” he said.

Students in his school are required to wear tradi-

tional karate gis or uniforms, follow certain rules of

etiquette and are

not able to buy

their belts. Shihan

sa id s tud ent s

should receive

rank only when it

is earned.

Kyoshi Shihan Robert Kristensen breaks through a stack of bricks to celebrate Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai’s 15 years in north Texas at the summer shiai Aug. 26 at the Lewisville VFW.

By LAURA MURRAY Ni Kyu

Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai Perfecting Character Since 1991

TIKK NEWS Fall 2006

Inside Shihan’s Corner……………….2

State Champs………………….4

Assumptions…………………...8

Know Your Black Belts…...…10

Senseis’ Corner………………12

TIKK breaks through 15 years, celebrates milestone

(See SHIAI, page 6)

T exas Isshinryu Karate Kai celebrated its 15th anni-

versary Aug. 26 – a major feat in today’s society,

where traditional martial arts schools have become

more of a dinosaur.

TIKK founder Kyoshi Shihan Robert Kristensen

has never wavered from the principles with which he

first set up his school in 1991. He still emphasizes to

his students the importance of honor, respect, courage

and loyalty.

Shihan, who is one of the few legitimate seventh

degree black belts in the world to hold a Kyoshi title

Page 2 TIKK NEWS Fall 2006

Shihan’s corner

TIKK NEWS

Denton Brickhouse Gym (940)390-0192

Flower Mound

Flower Mound Community Church (972)315-1358

Plano/Richardson

University of Gymnastics (972)315-1358

Southlake/Roanoke

Southlake Fitness Center (972)315-1358 (940)390-0864

TIKK NEWS is published periodically by karate-ka of Texas Is-shinryu Karate Kai, established in 1991, and is distributed to students at all the school’s dojos and to others interested in

TIKK activities.

Publisher Kyoshi Shihan Robert Kristensen

Editor Ni Dan Matt Evans Assistant Editor

Ni Kyu Laura Murray

Coppell Dojo (Main) 1203 Crestside, Suite 230, Coppell, TX 75019

(972)315-1358 Visit us on the web: www.txikk.com

Bushido...

NEW STUDENTS

September 1 ............................. Jennifer Mize, Denton

September 1 .................. Logan Chavez-Mize, Denton

September 10 ....................... James Robinson, Denton

September 10 ................. Kimberly Robinson, Denton

September 12 ......................... Sam Kiely, Richardson

September 19 ...... Nicole Van Winkle, Flower Mound

September 23 ......... Samantha Atkins, Flower Mound

September 23 ...................... Taylor Sloan, Richardson

September 23 ................... Julia Garza, Flower Mound

September 23 ...................... Benjamin Brayn, Coppell

September 23 .......................... Mason Brayn, Coppell

September 25 ................... Bryce Vanderford, Coppell

September 28 ...................... Dillon Watts, Richardson

October 17 ................................ Kayli Daniel, Coppell

November 6 ............ Caroline Budnick, Flower Mound

May 23 ................................... James Gravier, Denton

June 15 ................................. Melissa Korang, Coppell

June 17 ................... Jakorey Ray Thomas, Richardson

June 24 .....................................Alyssa Swain, Coppell

July 15 .............................. Michael Cavanna, Coppell

July 17 .......................... Charles Blommaert, Roanoke

July 18 ..................... Katelynn Joyce Randall, Denton

July 24 ...................................... Grant Dennis, Denton

July 24 .................................... Ruthie Dennis, Denton

August 7...................................... John Baker, Coppell

August 21..................................... Sam Wood, Denton

August 21.................................. Rory Allison, Coppell

August 28.................................... Bailey Cage, Denton

August 30............................... Tabitha Myers, Coppell

September 1 ............ Margaret Butterfield, Richardson

W hat does this word mean? You may say

“way of the warrior”…What does it mean

to you? It could be called an “attitude!” He or she

has a Bushido attitude.

How one trains or how one lives life deter-

mines the outcome. To be a true modern day war-

rior, you need to work on every part of your life,

ultimately perfecting your character.

True character building as a martial artist

takes dedication, honor, respect and loyalty. To

me, as a Kyoshi who has been around martial art-

ists (so they may call themselves) for many years,

there are very few who truly have dedication,

honor and respect and are loyal.

To me, it is not how hard you punch or how

well you block or if you have the best kata, etc.,

etc. Most important to me as a sensei of senseis are

dedication, honor, respect and loyalty.

SAY WELL IS GOOD, DO WELL IS BEST !

--Kyoshi Shihan Kristensen

December 2 ................. Winter Shiai, Lewisville VFW

December 10 .... TIKK Christmas Party, Myers House

March 8 ............................ Mr. Don Bizzell’s Birthday

April 3 ............................. Mr. Mike Cohen’s Birthday

April 13-15 ... 10th Annual Gasshuku, Copper Canyon

April 15 ......................... Spring Shiai, Copper Canyon

FALL 2006 TIKK NEWS Page 3

Calendar

T wo Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai ik kyus have

earned some outstanding honors outside the dojo.

Kyle Murray, a junior at Coppell High School,

won the sole bass trombone spot in the high school all

-region orchestra Nov. 9. Winning this spot allows

him to skip pre-area and go directly to area competi-

tion Jan. 6 where he will compete for a seat in the

coveted Texas All-State Band.

He also did well with his CHS marching band on

Nov. 7 when it was named one of the top 10 bands in

Texas by being a finalist at the state 5A marching

competition in San Antonio. Yellow belt and clarinet

player Austin Gillham also is in the CHS band.

Tyler Murray, an eighth grader at Coppell Mid-

dle School North, also has earned some musical hon-

ors with him being named third chair in the middle

school all-region band. He competed against more

than 70 percussionists from the region.

In addition, Tyler’s Honor Winds Band at

CMSN was named the State Honor Band for 2006-

2007 and will perform a special concert for the Texas

Music Educators Association in San Antonio Feb. 16.

The percussion section will be featured with a special

ensemble performance.

TIKK dojos move to Southlake, Plano

Kyoshi Shihan led the first class at TIKK’s new Southlake dojo.

Future karateka?

C ongradulations to the Asel

family who gained another

member on Sept. 14. Joshua Dale

Asel was born at 7:41 a.m. weigh-

ing 8 pounds, 1 ounce and was 20

inches long.

Proud parents are San Dan

Crystal Asel and Sho Dan Trey

Asel and one and a half year old

Jack is now a big brother.

Joshua shares his birthday

with both his mom and grand-

mother.

T exas Isshinryu Karate Kai

held its first class at its new

Southlake dojo in the Southlake

Fitness Center Oct. 4. The dojo

was formerly located in Roanoke.

Classes in Southlake are

held 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mon-

days and Wednesdays and 10 a.m.

to 11 a.m. Saturdays.

The Richardson dojo also

has been on the move and is now

located in Plano at the University

of Gymnastics, 1400 Summit.

Classes at the new Plano dojo

started Sept. 2 are held 6:45 p.m.

to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and 8:30 a.m.

to 10 a.m. Saturdays.

TIKK students earn all-region honor band positions

E leven Texas Isshinryu Karate

Kai students became state

champions at the United States

Karate Alliance 2006 Texas State

Karate Championships in The

Colony Sept. 30.

The 11 TIKK students

placed first in their divisions and

were part of a team of 25 students

competing in the tournament,

organized by Master Juan’s Ka-

rate Academy.

In all, TIKK brought home

44 trophies.

TIKK black belt Ni Dan

Matt Evans took top honors at the

tournament with his Grand Cham-

pion win in forms/weapons.

Kyoshi Shihan Robert Kris-

tensen said he is very proud of the

accomplishments of his students.

He attributes their success to their

hard work in class.

Page 4 TIKK NEWS FALL 2006

By LAURA MURRAY Ni Kyu

TIKK students win 44 trophies at state tournament

“According to the effort is

the reward,” he said

Competitors placing in the

top four in their division are eligi-

ble to compete in the U.S. Karate

Alliance Nationals in 2007.

TIKK won 15 first place

trophies, 11 second place tro-

phies, seven third place trophies

and 11 fourth place trophies.

Ni Dan Tina Palos placed

first in weapons while Mr. Evans

earned second place in weapons

and Ni Dan Tony Palos got fourth

place.

Other tournament results

include:

Black Belt Divisions

Forms Sparring

Matt Evans 1st 3rd

Tony Palos 1st 4th

Tina Palos 2nd 1st

Advanced Divisions

Forms Sparring

Kyle Murray 2nd 2nd

Mike Harper --- 1st

Laura Murray 1st 2nd

Glenn Gibbs 2nd 3rd

Jennifer

Wiederkehr 4th 1st

Daniel Midkiff 3rd 4th

Andrew Black 3rd 2nd

Intermediate Divisions

Forms Sparring

Shane Murray 2nd 4th

Johannes Kroll 4th 4th

Carson Dickey 2nd —

Andy

Henderson 1st 3rd

Beginner Divisions

Forms Sparring

Dianne

Van Winkle 1st 1st

Austin Gillham 1st 1st

David

Van Winkle 1st 4th

Andrew Fisher 4th 3rd

Colter

Henderson 2nd 4th

Robert

Kleppinger 1st —

Amy

Delaughter 2nd —

Mike

Wiederkehr 3rd 4th

Mrs. Palos scores on her opponent before taking the kumite title.

Grand Champion Matt Evans

FALL 2006 TIKK NEWS Page 5

Austin Gillham wins a first place trophy in forms.

Amy Delaughter places second in forms.

Caleb Stanley performs Seiuchin kata at the United States Karate Alliance 2006 Texas State Karate Championships in the intermediate divi-sion on Sept. 30 in The Colony. TIKK brought home 44 trophies while 11 students became state champions with first place finishes.

Mrs. Palos does Chinto kata. Andrew Fisher kicks for a point in his kumite match to take third.

The Aug. 26 celebration was actually

TIKK’s summer shiai with 113 students partici-

pating from all of the dojos.

The shiai was held where the school got its

start in 1991 at the Lewisville Veterans of For-

eign Wars Post 9168. Shihan is a Vietnam veteran

and a lifetime member of the VFW. The VFW

provided him with space until he could get his

“It is not so

much where we stand

in life, but the direc-

tion we are moving,”

he said. “Obstacles are

what you see on the

way to your goals.”

A notion not

always popular with

parents and some chil-

dren is that children

do not have the matur-

ity to be black belts,

Shihan said. Students

at TIKK must be at

least 16 to test for

black belt.

S h i h a n h a s

awarded only one jun-

ior black belt in the school’s 15

years and that rank is only open to

students who are at least 13. Jun-

ior black belts must retest at 16 to

become a full-fledged black belt

at TIKK.

Page 6 TIKK NEWS fall 2006

Many people today want the

quick fix — to learn the fancy

techniques without putting in the

hard work to actually make those

techniques effective, he said.

Shihan tests students in class

every day, but has only three

shiais a year when students can

make rank and demonstrate what

they have learned to family and

friends.

Another aspect of TIKK that

makes it different from other mar-

tial arts schools is how special the

black belt rank is, Shihan said.

One cannot expect to achieve it

overnight, nor even in two years.

Most TIKK black belts take

at least four to six years to

achieve that rank and some

longer, depending on personal

circumstances.

Shiai...

(From Page 1)

White belts Jack Myers and Ishan Vengurlekar perform at the shiai. The yellow belts get into the spirit of the day at the shiai celebrating TIKK’s 15 years.

karate school off the ground after he had moved

to north Texas from New Jersey.

Shihan’s tour of duty in Vietnam and his

involvement in the military has had a great impact

on his life. His strong sense of duty and honor to

his country is reflected in his karate teaching. His

goal is that every student gains more than just

getting a belt.

“ T h e

person makes

the belt. The

belt doesn’t

make the

person,” he

said.

T h e

school moved

to Coppell in

D e c e m b e r

1991 and has

been head-

q u a r t e r e d

there since.

Students

promoted at

the summer

shiai include:

Brown Belt Ik Kyu

Kartik Venkateswaran

Purple Belt

Andy Henderson

Blue Belt

Morgan Hulsey

Green Belt

Garrett Marcella

Joey Marcella

Yellow Belt

Cheryl Shaffer

Patrick Grigg

Ishan Vengurlekar

Robert Kleppinger

Fall 2006 TIKK NEWS PAGE 7

Sho Dan Trey Asel holds the boards for Kartik Venkateswaran who was promoted to Ik Kyu, the last rank at TIKK before black belt.

Amy Delaughter

Michael Wiederkehr

McKenzie Henderson

The yellow belts get into the spirit of the day at the shiai celebrating TIKK’s 15 years.

Shihan cuts the cake with the raffled Samurai sword.

Sempai Kristensen holds nothing back.

PAGE 8 TIKK NEWS FALL 2006

EDITOR’S NOTE: Tobey Threadgill has been

training in the martial arts for more than 25 years

and is a menkyo kaiden in Shindo Yoshin-ryu.

R ecently, I was introduced to a gentleman inter-

ested in martial arts training. He was not aware

of what I teach or of what constitutes Nihon Koryu

Jujutsu. He just assumed that because I taught it, that I

must believe it to be “the best.”

When I told him I did not believe the art I taught

to be “the best,” an uncomfortable silence ensued. I

finally broke this taciturn moment by explaining that

there is actually no such thing as a “best” martial art.

Despite a noble effort to grasp what I was talking

about, the gentleman eventually regressed, unable to

shake the impression that if I was not convinced that

what I taught was superior to all other forms of mar-

tial arts, that I was somehow unworthy of teaching

him.

I politely encouraged him to look around, con-

sider what I had said and contact me again if he had

any further questions. A few days later I received an e

-mail from him in which he said that he had found

someone convinced that they taught the ultimate style

of martial arts. It was called “mixed martial arts” be-

cause it embodied only the best of all the styles. I just

smiled to myself as I politely responded, congratulat-

ing him on his fortuitous discovery.

An ultimate martial art, huh? Now there’s an

oxymoron for you. Every martial art is ultimately

based on assumptions. In fact, any training program

formulated to address conflict is based on assump-

tions. It’s kind of like the old joke about bringing a

knife to a gun fight. No matter how good you are,

your assumptions define your training paradigm.

Narrow your assumptions and you specialize,

gaining the opportunity to excel at one task. Broaden

your assumptions and you might be able address many

different situations but at what level of expertise?

It’s an intriguing dilemma, isn’t it? Specialize,

and be defeated by someone outside your strengths.

Be a generalist and some specialist will hand you your

head on a platter. What’s a martial artist to do?

Years ago, my teacher Yukio Takamura taught a

seminar which touched upon this topic. The seminar

subject was a comparison between sport budo and

classical budo. During the lunch break, a young

karateka and wrestler, I’ll call Donny, loudly dis-

missed Takamura Sensei’s teachings as antiquated

nonsense.

In response, Takamura shook his head and

chuckled while fiddling with his shoes. Donny, rather

brash and full of bravado, turned to Takamura Sensei

and said, “Now don’t get me wrong old man, your

stuff is fun to watch and all, but your jujutsu is no

match for my karate and wrestling.”

Takamura flashed a devilish smile at Donny and

said, “Okay, show me.”

Donny backed off a bit at this unexpected chal-

lenge and said, “Well, I’m not going to fight you,

you’re too old. How about him?” pointing at Dave

Maynard.

Takamura responded, “No, you were talking

about my jujutsu, not his. I want you to show me.”

Rather pensively Donny strolled out onto the

dojo mat with Takamura Sensei as a hushed silence

overtook the room. At first, Donny appeared reluctant

to do anything, but when he noticed that all eyes were

on him, he revved up his courage and executed a dou-

ble leg takedown, climbing up on what at first ap-

peared to be a rather startled Takamura Sensei.

As Donny attempted to continue his seemingly

successful offense, we noticed something flick around

Donny’s neck. Suddenly, Donny tried to pull away,

his head turning as red as a ripe tomato.

In a few seconds he fell over wheezing. At that

point we realized that a shoelace was resting tightly

around Donny’s neck. Where had it come from?

Takamura had secreted the shoelace in his sleeve

and then executed a simple choke with it. As he re-

vived Donny from his impromptu slumber, he ex-

plained to the stunned witnesses that Donny had

missed the point of the seminar and made a dangerous

assumption.

He assumed that this was a contest with rules

and that Takamura Sensei was unarmed. The most

interesting thing to me about this whole incident was

that Takamura had deliberately pulled the shoelace

from his shoe, placed it in his sleeve in plain sight and

not one of us noticed. What a lesson rich incident this

was…

Now I’m sure that people will say this proves

nothing. They will say you must do everything in

budo well and that Takamura Sensei with a shoelace

couldn’t defeat the likes of Matt Hughes or Sakuraba.

Assumptions in life, martial arts are not always correct

By TOBEY THREADGILL Guest Columnist

(See ASSUMPTIONS, next page)

FALL 2006 TIKK NEWS Page 9

That’s probably true and sounds convincing

enough, but such a dismissal misses the point. The

truth is that to be successful in a venue like the Ulti-

mate Fighting Championship, your time is best spent

training to confront the challenges you ASSUME you

will meet in the ring.

Training outside such an assumption is a waste

of time. However, drop a Portuguese knife fighter into

the UFC ring and the mixed martial arts guy will real-

ize he’s really not a mixed martial artist after all, but

instead a specialist in unarmed sport conflict who has

not “mixed” expertise in knife fighting into his sup-

posedly mixed martial art...

Those nasty old assumptions…

Now don’t get me wrong, I greatly admire the

technical efficacy and extreme level of physical train-

ing the serious Mixed Martial Arts practitioners like

those in Pride or UFC display, but outside the para-

digm they train for they can be just as vulnerable as

anyone else.

Creativity and training one’s self to an extreme

Assumptions...

level within one’s own venue are key to success.

That’s the real secret to the best style of

budo...training intensity!

So don’t get hung up in training in the ultimate

martial art. You will be chasing assumptions forever.

Instead pick an art that makes assumptions in line with

what you value or desire and then train with a level of

dedication equal to what you expect to get from your

martial art.

If you’re a police officer, this will probably be

very different from a college professor.

In the case of the gentleman who contacted me

in search of the ultimate martial art, I guess it is hu-

man nature to seek out someone else’s version of

what’s best when one has scant experience to base an

opinion on.

It is amusing to note how many people studying

martial arts beyond a beginners level fail to progress

beyond the myopic view that there could be any such

thing as an ultimate martial art.

Remember, the only accurate assumption in

budo is that your assumptions are never 100 percent

correct.

(From Page 8)

Who ya gonna call?...

These TIKK students look like they can handle just about any spooks or goblins that come their way. They put on a demo at Hackberry Creek’s annual Halloween celebration in Las Colinas on October 31.

Spirit of TIKK

These TIKK students show their spirit during the city of

Coppell’s 4th of July parade. Patriotic tunes, famous Ameri-

can characters, candy and some snappy katas added to

the excitement of the day.

and the gang of the black belts

certainly made my Sho Dan test-

ing the most memorable for me –

thanks guys!

My goal in karate this year is: to be better than last year—to be

faster, in better shape, and have

better technique.

PERSONAL

Nickname: Chris (or dude will

work too).

Birth date and place: July 18,

1973 in Shakopee, Minnesota.

Occupation (outside of karate):

pharmaceutical sales.

Family: wife Amy and son

Daniel (2.5 years old).

I live in: Argyle.

My favorite pastime or hobby

besides karate is: woodworking.

Page 10 TIKK NEWS FALL 2006

KNOW YOUR BLACK BELTS

(See MR. PALOS, next page)

KARATE

Rank: Ni-Dan.

I first started doing karate on:

my little brother.

I first started doing karate be-

cause: I’ve been fascinated by the

martial arts since I was a kid. It

took me a long time to gather the

courage to actually start.

The thing that has kept me do-

ing karate has been: the realiza-

tion that I’m in way better shape

than I was as a teenager.

I achieved my Sho Dan on: Au-

gust 10, 2002.

My favorite kata is: whichever

one I’m working on at the mo-

ment.

My favorite karate drill is: Ba-

sics—without them your karate

will stink.

The one thing Shihan has

taught me that has had the most

impact on my life is: I can do

what I used to think was impossi-

ble.

To me, karate is: a habit. It’s the

best exercise/therapy there is—

KARATE

Rank: Ni-Dan.

I first started doing karate on:

June 15, 1993.

I first started doing karate be-

cause: I found martial arts inter-

esting and I figured it would be a

good activity to stay in shape.

The thing that has kept me do-

ing karate has been: see previ-

ous answer.

I achieved my Sho Dan on: De-

cember 2, 2000.

My favorite kata is: Sunsu.

My favorite karate drill is:

stretching (and kumite, of course).

My least favorite karate drill/

exercise is: sticky hands

The one thing Shihan has

taught me that has had the most

impact on my life is: I can al-

ways do more and I can always do

better.

To me, karate is: a personal chal-

lenge for improvement.

My most memorable karate

experience is: Well, gee...Shihan

The three words people use to

describe me are: Hmmm…you

tell me!

The two people I’d most like to

meet are: Rush Limbaugh and

Bille Holiday.

I wish I knew how to: read

minds and fly.

I’m most proud of: my family.

My favorite restaurant is: Kobe

Steakhouse in Addison.

I’m happiest when: I spend time

with my family.

The best vacation I’ve ever had

was when: hmm…..probably one

of my spring break trips to Can-

cun.

My goal in life this year is to:

be a better person, husband and

father.

Mr. Tony Palos

Mr. Chris Miller

FALL 2006 TIKK NEWS Page 11

KNOW YOUR BLACK BELTS

Mr. Matt Evans

Mr. Palos... (From Page 10)

KARATE

Rank: Ni Dan.

I first started doing karate: at

age eight and started karate again

in February 1997.

I first started doing karate be-

cause: it was self defense and

then I couldn't keep away from

martial arts after retiring from

track. I tried a couple of different

arts in college, studied Jujitsu

when I got to Texas and then met

Shihan at Fitness World in Lewis-

ville.

The thing that has kept me do-

ing karate has been: there is so

much to learn from Shihan. Every

time I think I have things figured

out, he changes things a little and

it forces me to rethink everything.

I achieved my Sho Dan on: De-

cember 2, 2000.

My favorite kata is: Sunsu for

fun, Ku San Ku for tournaments.

My favorite karate drill is: Ron-

duri, Shiho and Ipon kumite.

My least favorite karate drill/

exercise is: spinning.

The one thing Shihan has

taught me that has had the most

impact on my life is: that I am

capable of just about anything

when I decide upon something.

To me, karate is: fighting. Your

opponent can vary from yourself,

to a situation, to family, any-

thing. It is up to you how to find

the right way to approach the fight

and how much effort will help you

“win,” and whether your

“ w i n n i n g ” c r e a t e s t h e

best outcome.

My most memorable karate ex-

perience is: my Sho Dan testing.

My goal in karate this year is: be able to compete effectively in

both point and full contact kumite

and having strategy in both.

PERSONAL

Nickname: Rooster, Beast,

Matty, MATTHEW!!!!! (when I

am in trouble).

Birth date and place: June 26,

1973 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Occupation (outside of karate): supervisory transportation secu-

rity officer.

Family: wife and two daughters.

I live in: Lewisville.

My favorite pastime or hobby

besides karate is: weightlifting/

conditioning and I still get hypno-

tized by video games.

The three words people use to

describe me are: passionate,

goofy, patient.

The two people I'd most like to

meet are: Abraham Lincoln, Tito

Ortiz.

I wish I knew how to: make

money out of nothing.

I'm most proud of: my wife in

her adapting to RA and my stick-

ing it out through all the highs and

mind, body and spirit. It should be

mandatory in public school PE!

My most memorable karate

experience is: making Sho-Dan.

My goal in karate this year is:

To actually be able to say that I’m

a better karateka than I was on

January 1, and to say I made a

difference in a student’s training.

PERSONAL

Nickname: Hey, you.

Birth date and place: September

4, 1958 — last century!

Occupation (outside of karate):

musician, hired assassin for pest

control company.

Family: wife (Mrs. Palos), three

cats, one dog.

I live in: Denton in a van down

by the river.

My favorite pastime or hobby

besides karate is: watching com-

edy or action movies with my

wife.

The three words people use to

describe me are: long-haired,

short, odd (oops—that’s four

words).

The two people I’d most like to

meet are: Keith Emerson. Tatsuo

Shimabuku (but I’m in no hurry

for that one).

I wish I knew how to: make

sushi.

I’m most proud of: my marriage.

My favorite restaurant is: Is-

shin.

I’m happiest when: I’m at Is-

shin.

The best vacation I’ve ever had

was when: I went on my honey-

moon in Cozumel.

(See MR. EVANS, next page)

(From Page 11)

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Direct: (972)839-8243

jennifer@thedfwhomesource.com

www.thedfwhomesource.com

Page 12 TIKK NEWS FALL 2006

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REALTY

T he holiday season is a great time to practice your

karate. What do I mean you may ask? Well, this

is the time the young and old go out to the stores fre-

quently and are focused on the toys or checking up a

specific item, or just so concentrated on the task at

hand that one forgets the basic principle of self de-

fense…AWARENESS.

So please be aware of your surroundings when

you are shopping, scan your car when approaching it

and before you get into it, be aware of the people

around you and follow your instincts. Juniors, stay

close to your parents AT ALL times. Have a great

holiday and prepare for an energetic 2007 karate

year!! —Sensei Maria Kristensen, a.k.a. Sempai

lows in karate.

My favorite restaurant is: Melting Pot.

I'm happiest when: I just worked out.

The best vacation I've ever had was when: my wife

and I went to Playa del Carmen.

My goal in life this year is to: get promoted at work,

get finances (more) fixed and fix several things in the

house.

B lessings…We all have so many blessings in our

lives. We are able to get up each morning and

make our own decisions, decide what we want to do

for the day. We have the opportunity to make it a

good day or a bad one by how we think. We have the

opportunity to take care of our health and train in an

art that gives us physical, mental and spiritual well

being. Life is a blessing and let us never forget those

who have sacrificed their lives for us so that we can

have these blessings. Thank you to all who are serving

or have served our country so that we may continue

to have a blessed life. —Sensei Susan Harris

Mr. Evans...