A morning spent going up and down this monstrosity of sand and then some Gracie Jiu Jitsu @gracieuniversityhq And here I was thinking we were cool here 😳
Somewhere between "Summer Bliss" & "Fro-Yo Coma"
3 WHITE BELTS LATER: 2 years ago I recieved my Blue Belt at the Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy on Artesia (before it became a University on Carson). It had taken me 16 years to get it. My first class ever was with @conansilveira and his brother Marcelo down in Miami probably in 1998? My Marine bro found us a class near us in Ft. Laurerdale. So then I originally trained with Georges and Pablo Popovitch in Florida (1999/2000). These were my formative Jiu Jitsu years and where I was lucky enough to train with both my bros, @jkillaonefresh and @losdiaz2531. We also were fortunate enough to have been exposed to Jiu Jitsu legends during that time (Minitauro & @liboriobjj). I trained for a solid year with the Popovitches before moving to California. This would be the first time my Blue Belt would allude me. Life in Cali happened 2000-2006 but then in 2007, I needed Jiu Jitsu in my life again. I would spend another solid year with @reydiogobjj. There was no shortage of guys to get better with (*@kg_instagambuilt). The year at Rey's was where I built upon my mental toughness and durability. Life moved fast in 2008 and my priorities had to change. My Blue belt would get away from me again. Fast forward to 2015...I signed up with @gracieuniversityhq to learn from both @ryrongracie and @renergracie. I would have to start over again. So after I got through Gracie Combatives (while also taking Master Cycle classes), I was finally able to get that belt tied around my waist. What made it great was that both @losdiaz2531 and @jkillaonefresh were there to mark the occasion. These last 2/3 years haven't been easy either. We lost a number of family members, I had to have Chemo again in November, learned what a Kidney Stone was (the hard way), had a blod clot, and as of last month, I am only just recently getting back to normal. Thanks for the reminder @losdiaz2531 of how long of a road its been and how far I've come. 👊
"...this little girl came over, pulled me down towards her, then whispered, 'Happy Father's Day'. " Thanks kid. ❤️
This sand dune gave me flashbacks of the one we had at Recon School in Little Creek, VA. To say the least, it is very challenging. I've done it before, but the hill and I never really talked until today. This hill will literally push you. You'll climb and the sand beneath your feet will sluff and send you back down. You will take two/three steps forward and it makes you take one back. After a while, you'll want to quit. Your toes, feet, shins, knees, thighs, hips, heart, and lungs will burn. It isn't an easy workout...and you should try it.
"What a trip, huh?"
"Awesome. Glad your back. Now go stand in line. No one cares."
Hey. Yeah. Thanks. Happy to be back."
Oh LA, you Spitfire you.
Charlotte's Airport was an unmitigated disaster. Yuck.
And then, just like that, it was time to go. Laters.
So I googled Mediterranean Food and was on my way, until I saw the Puerto Rican 🇵🇷 flag. I pulled a quick u-Turn and had the best Rican meal in years. This rice was EXACTLY like my Mom's (she passed away years ago). It was delicious. I had two sepearate meals here and the staff thought I was either joking or thought I couldn't do it. I washed down the rice, beans, fried chicken, empenadas, and tostones with two Maltas.If you are within the area, hands down, best Latino food.
Where are my bags?
Welcome to Norfolk.
Welcome to Norfolk.
Welcome to Norfolk.
Welcome to Norfolk.
A car full of cousins - Where I ended up being the Chaffuer for the cool kids.
Marine Corps Coffee tastes better than other services. It's has more than just a "kick". It's more like a throat-punch, eye-gouge, and heel-stomp. YUTT YUTT. MARINE CORPS
So I googled Mediterranean Food and was on my way, until I saw the Puerto Rican 🇵🇷 flag. I pulled a quick u-Turn and had the best Rican meal in years. This rice was EXACTLY like my Mom's (she passed away years ago). It was delicious. I had two sepearate meals here and the staff thought I was either joking or thought I couldn't do it. I washed down the rice, beans, fried chicken, empenadas, and tostones with two Maltas.If you are within the area, hands down, best Latino food.