My martial arts journey started when I was five. Two weeks after I turned five, I went to an open house at a martial arts school in Potomac, Maryland. I liked it and joined the little ninjas program. I went twice a week. I was a good student and progressed easily.  Sometimes I faced challenges. For example, I was sparring once and my partner chipped my tooth.  I did not quit and got the tooth repaired. When I was brown belt, “The belt before black belt in my old school,” I moved to Ohio and resumed my martial arts journey at the Asian Arts Center.  This was very hard, but fortunately they gave me credit for my karate belts. This meant I had to learn all the forms sharp enough to test for black belt. Mr. Matt started me off at a navy blue belt.  I took many private lessons, and I worked very hard and advanced to first gup.  All my instructors were great!  Who knew, that when my journey started out about five years ago that I’d be testing for black belt?  I learned from my journey how to reach my dreams and control anger, and become more focused at home, school and in daily life.  My journey has also helped me physically too.  The journey has made me MUCH stronger and taught me how to defend myself.  It feels great to reach my goal.