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Level 4
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About Me
I am 24 years old, married. We have a 7 month old son named Raikkonen.
I have studied law and medicine. I was the Editor-in-Chief of a literary journal. I love a good debate.
When not on the net I am into martial arts. My husband is a 3rd degree black belt and instructor. I also love art, writing and reading.
My Philosophy
I am in control of my destiny.
Leave a Comment
JD Ross at 2:54pm on Mar. 11, 2008
5 months ago
congrats on your caption win! Reply...
SquarePants at 9:45pm on Feb. 24, 2008
5 months ago
Did I read somewhere that your husband and you study ninjutsu? Then I thought you son's name sounded kind of Japanese, but then I realized I was thinking of the classic samurai movie Rashomon (not even close, aging does this). Then it hit me, is there also a love for Formula One? Reply...
stinsonamanda at 10:54pm on Feb. 24, 2008
I am a HUGE fan of Formula One! Wow -- you are the first person to make this connection! I also have two dogs named Kimi and Mika (after Kimi Raikkonen and his predecesor, Mika). Yes, my husband and I study ninjutsu - he is a 3rd degree black belt and I am just beginning in this martial art. He also has a black hakama (probably incorrect spelling but it is late and I am too tired to look up the correct spelling) in Aikido and also a black belt in a couple of other martial arts. I have studied karate but never tested for belts.
If we have a second son we plan to name him Ronin - which is japanese and means something to the effect of "masterless samurai."
I think that Raikkonen does have a Japanese meaning because several people have mentioned this to me, but I am not sure. I should ask our Master if he knows for sure.
My husband and I dream of going to Japan for a 2nd honeymoon. Have you ever been? Reply...
SquarePants at 9:51am on Feb. 25, 2008
I've been to Japan for business or pleasure too many times to count. Same with another guy in this forum. Airfare & lodging prices depend on time of year (in Japan) so you should begin figuring out a timeframe based on that. On lodging, you can vary from "vagabondish" to "affordable" to many other price points. Given your husband's interest, you could fly into Kansai (near Osaka/Kyoto, and visit Iga!) and out of Narita (Tokyo), or visa versa. There's loads of travel info on the web. A few folks on this forum could probably give you tips as well. Reply...
stinsonamanda at 11:54am on Feb. 25, 2008
We definitely are interested in the areas of Japan that aren't huge tourist sites. Iga is one area my husband really wants to know - our Master is involved with the Shadows of Iga (?). My husband has also been invited to visit the temples and other Masters.
We want to wait just a little longer to go to Japan because we want our son to be old enough to semi-remember Japan. Reply...
SquarePants at 1:22pm on Feb. 25, 2008
Did you know that the Iga clan was led by Hattori Hanzo (more lately of "Kill Bill" fame, but two more possible names for you ;-)? I think there is a historical museum in Iga, but don't think there is one in the other city where the other famous Koga clan was once based.
I once studied Shotokan Karate (judo too). I quit because I thought my instructors were more street fighters than teachers of the art & discipline. As martial arts became commercialized in the US, they added so many colors to the kyu/belts, focused more on sparring than technique and kata, and I think it became more about simply advancing quickly through the belts than truly understanding the way and spirit. A shodan black belt became a symbol of status, rather than what it really is - proficiency at the basics.
It's good to wait for your son. We took my kids all over Asia. My daughters were in elementary school and remember everything to this date. My son was months hold then -- he doesn't remember a thing (but we have pictures!). Reply...
stinsonamanda at 3:13pm on Feb. 25, 2008
Commercialization of martial arts is one thing that my husband abhors.
The Master that trains my husband (I am beginning to train under him as well) trained in ninjutsu by Randolph Milner who was trained by Ashida Kim (he's a Korean guy and an author on the subject). Stephen K. Hayes was one of 3 who brought this martial art to the US. He trained directly under the 34th Grand Master Masaki Hatsumi.
My husband's master tries to keep things relativly old-school. Discipline and honor is very important to the school. This is refreshing, especially if you've every been to a commercialized school.
The karate dojo I attended was very much like your experience - in fact, they train UFC fighters...this is their claim to fame. There wasn't any real instruction on the way of the martial artist - the lifestyle...it bothered me so I never tested and eventually left.
My husband had heard about Hattori. I had not, I confess. I am still learning about the history of the art and the more that I learn, the more I want to learn.
This is off the subject, but do you watch Formula One? Reply...
SquarePants at 6:52pm on Feb. 25, 2008
Nope, sorry, I don't follow F1 in particular. I scan most news headlines, esp. sports, and things stay rumbling in my brain (esp. if related to Japan or things Japanese, like the driver's name). I did happen to meet a Japanese F1 driver (in his day job) in Tokyo. The Japanese GP runs I think in the Fall, alternating annually between a track near Kyoto/Nagoya and another track near Tokyo. Add that to your trip's wish list! ;-) Reply...
ousili at 4:20pm on Feb. 21, 2008
6 months ago
thanks for the advice! btw, did you leave a comment on my 'keys to a girl's heart' piece? because it seems to have disappeared! Reply...
stinsonamanda at 4:41pm on Feb. 21, 2008
It is still there, a few posts down from the top. Nice to meet you! Reply...
Michael Neril at 11:24am on Feb. 20, 2008
6 months ago
Welcome to SpongeFish! Thanks for sharing all your advice and wisdom so far. Reply...
stinsonamanda at 12:06pm on Feb. 20, 2008
Thank you for the welcome! I LOVE this site -- it is the best site that I have been to! Reply...
Michael Neril at 6:19pm on Feb. 20, 2008
Awesome! Would be great to get your feedback (good and bad) as we are continuing to improve SpongeFish to make it even better! Feel free to message me. Reply...
Beaverfish89 at 1:19pm on Feb. 20, 2008
6 months ago
Cheers for the Comment :-) Glad You Like My Content Reply...
Beaverfish89 at 1:18pm on Feb. 20, 2008
6 months ago
Cheers for the Comment :-) Glad You Like My Content Reply...
David at 12:54pm on Feb. 20, 2008
6 months ago
What a remarkable range of interests! We're glad you're swimming with us
Which literary journal did you edit?
Do your many interests inform each other?
And it's amazing that someone with so complex a range deduced that KISS is the best principle. Reply...