Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Nov 25, 2009, 12:39 pm
I cancelled my gym membership at L.A. Fitness in September. My membership expired on 11/14. Yet today and last month, L.A. Fitness charged me for the Kid Klub. Someone explain to me why I would still ...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Nov 22, 2009, 9:17 am
"I know what I did is wrong and it will never happen again," he said. "I messed around with a little girl and I shouldn't have done it. I only did it once a week on Thursdays when I was baby-sitti...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Nov 19, 2009, 1:38 pm
Last week, I had a student miss both of my classes. Out with the swine flu, she kept in almost constant contact with me, updating me as to when she thought she'd be able to come back, asking quest...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Nov 18, 2009, 6:55 pm
I'm not quite sure what it is about me, but my entire life, I have attracted crazies and "haters." Some weird girl tried to get me to join her religious cult on a Pittsburgh PAT bus one day, and f...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Nov 17, 2009, 9:09 pm
I knew it was going to be one of those days when Mr. BBM sprayed Big I's hair with detangler right onto my arm and in the direction of my bagel. The smell of that detangler in all its fruity-non-g...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Nov 16, 2009, 3:00 pm
When Mr. BBM got me a small bonsai tree for Mother's Day a couple years ago, I had mixed feelings about it. Although a thoughtful gift for a martial artist and Karate Kid fan, I couldn't help...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Nov 13, 2009, 9:52 am
On Sunday, while enjoying the wedding reception and hanging out with my karate people, I noticed I had a voice mail. I went outside for a minute and heard my neighbor's message. This particular ne...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Nov 12, 2009, 1:14 pm
It happens every semester so I should expect it, but it doesn't bother me any less when it does happen. Today, one of my student's sealed his fate. He skipped his speech after I had already gi...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Nov 9, 2009, 9:51 am
Yesterday was the election for the board of directors at my country club, which is actually more like a swimming club that happens to have a clubhouse. There were five available positions and nine can...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Nov 5, 2009, 12:52 pm
I usually turn my cell phone off when I'm on campus. Either that, or if I forget and it rings, I hit ignore and continue teaching. This morning, my phone rang between my classes and my gut told me...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Nov 4, 2009, 8:26 am
Last night, I took Big I to see Yamato, the drummers of Japan. I went two years ago and it was awesome. Last night was no different. Big I was mesmerized by the show. She absolutely loved it, and it w...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Nov 2, 2009, 11:26 am
For Halloween, the girls were both Ariel, the little mermaid. We had some definite issues with them both being the same thing. Lil C kept telling Big I, "My dress is prettier. I look more like a merma...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 29, 2009, 3:24 pm
A couple weeks ago, I bought adorable Halloween pajamas for Lil C. They are pink and when worn in the dark, you can see a glow in the dark skeleton, complete with a sparkly pink heart. They're ado...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 26, 2009, 9:46 am
Last week, we had a play date at our house. One of the Mom's saw a fleece blanket that was passed down to Lil C from Big I and she held it up and started telling me about the story the blanket is ...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 23, 2009, 7:48 am
On Wednesday night, Big I was promoted to 9th kyu in Danzan Ryu Ju-jutsu. The week before, she tested and it was so awesome. It was a very serious event and she did quite well. At one point she had to...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 21, 2009, 8:45 am
I could easily give my students an article or something to read as a class to teach them the skill of outlining. But I don't. Finding an article they would all find interesting, something they cou...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 17, 2009, 5:38 pm
It's 6:05 p.m. on my 11th wedding anniversary. Eleven years ago, I was just arriving at my reception. The weather had been in the 70's all day long and it had been an amazing day.   ...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 16, 2009, 10:23 am
Last night, Lil C came into our room four times. That's in addition to the five times she came out of her room before she fell asleep. I know she's stuffed up and is having trouble breathing b...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 15, 2009, 1:31 pm
Big I has been home sick all week with suspected H1N1. It can't be confirmed though because her doctor won't even see her. Lil C seemed to be fine, but this afternoon she broke out in a f...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 14, 2009, 10:37 am
After the day I had yesterday, I knew I had to go to karate last night. I needed to punch and kick and get my frustrations at the world out. I tried to tell myself I should stay home and take care of ...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 13, 2009, 12:01 pm
As I was driving home from campus today, I witnessed a hit and run at a busy intersection. A woman and her young daughter were crossing a busy street, when a woman came screaming around the corner, ma...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 12, 2009, 5:14 pm
After spending some time around some very large horses this weekend at a Family Fall festival, Lil C told me she might like to switch her Halloween costume from a mermaid to a horse or maybe a camel....
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 9, 2009, 5:18 pm
Tonight I'm taking my Mom out for dinner and a movie, but I didn't want another post to go by without sharing Lil C's birthday with you. I imagine it must be difficult to visualize ai...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 8, 2009, 11:48 am
Last week, I had a student skip his scheduled speech date. In order to pass the class, students must give all speeches. I also don't allow late assignments. So when he came in my class and asked w...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 7, 2009, 10:02 am
Before I tested for my black belt, I already made up my mind. I wasn't going to be the black belt that gets the belt and then drops off the face of the Earth. Coming up through the ranks, I had se...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 2, 2009, 8:42 pm
When you can make the result of an airplane cookie cutter look like a mermaid for Lil C's "Under the Sea" party this weekend. . . you're pretty awesome. When you're in solid second pla...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Oct 1, 2009, 7:04 pm
Yesterday Lil C and I made about eight dozen cookies for her birthday party this weekend. Today, I got home from campus and got to work. I made about 80 chicken rolls, chopped up all my vegetables, ma...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Sep 27, 2009, 3:23 pm
When you have a plan in your head of what your life is going to be like, it's sometimes difficult when things don't turn out quite like you had planned. At one point in my life, I wanted to b...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Sep 25, 2009, 7:33 am
Because I definitely need another thing to do in my life, I am running for election at our country club to be on the Board of Directors. Over the course of a couple months, my realtor and I had severa...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Sep 23, 2009, 10:38 am
I can't seem to get my life organized these days. We just have entirely too much going on around here. With after school activities four days a week, Saturday swim classes and enough grading to li...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Sep 21, 2009, 10:33 am
The University of Pittsburgh is not what it used to be. It has changed so very much since I was there and it made me wish I could hit "rewind" and go back in time a bit. Gone is the old Pitt stadium. ...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Sep 18, 2009, 9:58 am
I don't talk about it often, because it's a huge embarrassment to me. When I was a Junior in high school, I hoped for a permanent spot on the Varsity field hockey team, but I didn't get it...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Sep 14, 2009, 8:36 pm
On Saturday night, I hosted a party to finally celebrate my black belt. My graphic designer made me incredible invitations that matched my blog design. My good friend and chef extraordinaire helped me...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Sep 11, 2009, 7:00 am
I received an email a few weeks ago from the person who heads up the 2996 Project. It asked if I still cared, and I certainly do. The 2996 Project seeks to remember those who lost their lives on Septe...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Sep 10, 2009, 10:49 pm
To say that going back to teaching a class at 8 a.m. is an adjustment would be a huge understatement. I am not a morning person, never have been. The good thing is that I have really great students th...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Sep 4, 2009, 9:00 am
Yesterday I did my crazy listening quiz in my Speech class. Last semester I did it out of frustration. The first assignments they turn in always push the limits and not in a good way. You tell them to...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Sep 1, 2009, 9:32 pm
Today the world was conspiring against me. I woke up with a headache that made me want to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep. But I couldn't. Eager students were waiting for me on c...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Aug 31, 2009, 7:03 pm
My first fantasy football column just went up over at Bulls n Balls. I wasn't able to hang out at ju-jutsu class tonight and learn some cool new techniques because Mr. BBM was extremely late getti...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Aug 31, 2009, 7:56 am
When our playroom/office/extra guest room got a make-over last weekend, I told Mr. BBM I did not want to paint. When we bought the house, we got the creamy colored walls and white trim. I like that c...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Aug 28, 2009, 12:26 pm
Today I'm guest posting over at Karl's place. It's the Super Summer of Love again and I am second to last. No pressure or anything. Because my writing creativity has been a bit lackin...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Aug 28, 2009, 7:37 am
Later today, I'll be guest posting over at Karl's place. Mr. BBM, Big I, and I practically pulled an all-nighter to get it done on time. So later today you'll want to check back for a li...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Aug 25, 2009, 4:07 pm
Today was my first day back on campus. I started bright and early at 8 a.m. and like last fall, most of my students were already in their seats when I arrived at 7:55 a.m. My first class is all freshm...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Aug 24, 2009, 9:05 pm
Today I visited campus to make copies galore and hunt for my new classroom location. I start teaching tomorrow at 8 a.m. and didn't want to have to find it while exhausted. I found my room and was...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Aug 24, 2009, 10:46 am
With a winning tally of 17-8, Karl of Secondhand Tryptophan is the Summer Serenade winner! I'll be in touch regarding your prize soon! Thanks to both Karl and Adam for entering the contest an...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Aug 23, 2009, 7:42 pm
Mr. BBM flew home Thursday night on the red-eye from California and I got a sitter for Friday afternoon and evening. Big dinner out? Romantic night at home? Not quite. We went to IKEA. We...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Aug 20, 2009, 9:20 am
I consider myself a compassionate person. I take it to heart when good people are going through bad things. I try to help people whenever I can whether it's inviting new Mom's to dinner when t...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Aug 18, 2009, 7:23 pm
Dude, bra's are expensive. Really expensive, even for those of us who are a-hem less endowed in that department. In fact, especially for those of us who are less endowed in that respect. That'...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Aug 17, 2009, 8:14 pm
You know it's time to go off the Prednisone that has been making you beyond cranky when. . . -You step on the scale and the only thing that comes to your mind is "Woah" followed by regret tha...
Comment - Like

Black Belt M. posted an article on Black Belt Mama - Aug 16, 2009, 7:53 pm
You've been waiting all summer long and now it's time. We have two wonderful guys who entered the contest and one of them is going to win a gift certificate for $65 to spend how they choose. ...
Comment - Like