be a good parent, daughter, sister, friend, teacher, worker, community member;

be thankful for all that I have and the wonderful people in my life;

lend a helping hand;

be kind to the earth;

embrace new challenges;

live life intentionally without regret;

keep an open mind and open heart;

see the miracle in every moment of every day;

be at peace.

Going forward, I'd like to integrate yoga classes with the martial arts classes to help increase balance, core strength, and flexibility. I'd like to continue refining the forms and techniques I have already learned and continue to work on building stamina.

In October 2009, the NPR program "This American Life" hosted by Ira Glass ran a two part series on the complexities, absurdities, and intricacies of our health care system. A truly remarkable eye-opening journalistic piece. The reporters, writers, and producers of this show are heroes in my book for having tackled such a huge topic with finesse and thoroughness and communicated it in an engaging and understandable way.

If you care about health care, check it out:

Mercer Island Youth and Family Services

Cindy Goodwin Exec. Dir.

Kathy Gildea, School Counselor

Betsy Zuber

Communities That Care

MI Safety

Office Franklin

EMTs

Mercer Island School District

Kathy Morrison

Mary Jo Budzius

Tom Cox

Mercer Island Martial Arts

Master Strongheart

Master Wells

Josu Jackson

All of the CKNs

Mercer Island Youth Soccer Program

Coaches-- Jenny Guttman, Mark Froio

My Mom taught me, by example, the most important rules of parenting: unconditional love; listen without judging; let your children be who they are, not who you expect or want them to be; let your children live life and learn their own lessons.

Beyond parenting, my Mom taught not to judge others by anything other than their character--not their skin, not their religion, not who they love.

Thanks Mom, for all this, and so much more...

Bruce and I had many opportunities to work together. During these years, I would ask so many questions and sometimes asked the same question multiple times. Bruce always patiently answered. He became a true mentor. Bruce not only helped me with the specific question at hand, but he had a gracious way of helping me to see beyond the details to the broader picture. Bruce imparted more than just information and mechanics related to the contracts, he also taught me how to approach problems from multiple perspectives and how to weigh the pros and cons of the various approaches.

A kind and wonderful man to whom I will always be indebted.

The details of his early life have always been obscure to me. I do know, he was born and raised in China (now mainland China). As a young adult he was a member of Chiang Kai-Shek's Nationalist army which was engaged in the long-standing civil war with the Chinese Communist Party. In those days, Dr. Chai was a horse veterinarian and it was his job to care for the army horses.

At some point, Dr. Chai came to the United States. He went to a major university MIchigan (I believe it was Univ. of Michigan) and got his doctorate in biology which led him to his position at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine.

Dr. Chai is a multifacted man. He was a consummate scientist (now long retired). But he is also a consummate artist having spent a lifetime with inks and watercolors immersed in traditional chinese calligraphy and landscapes. Music was integral to his life and many times when visiting, he would be listening intently to one of his many Chinese opera albums. This was a man who kept his culture and traditions alive even when he was so far from the land where he was born.

In the 1960s, Dr. Chai bought a small lakeside property. In the decades following, he carefully designed and meticulously built a home on that property. Everything about the home was intentional, just like his paintings. Every stone, every proportion, every cabinet & closet carefully considered and placed for function and beauty. The house and the property have some amazing stonework. All built and constructed with his hands.

Growing up, he was to me mostly just Jean's Dad. Thoughtful, engaged and interested in what we were doing, and often a joke and smile to be shared. As the years have gone by and I have time to reflect on how he built his life for himself and his family, I see Jean's Dad, the hero.

Randy was a gifted speaker. His sermons would speak to your intellect, your emotions, and your soul. They were invariably thought-provoking, insightful, often humorous and always refreshing. Church was a truly renewing experience when Randy spoke. He didn't shy away from hard subjects. He could take a stand without belittling anyone else's opinions. He had a unique way of waking up and exercising your brain.

Randy was a untiring advocate, supporter, and leader for Northwest Harvest. He was on their board of directors. He spoke often at our church and other community venues about the important role Northwest Harvest fills in helping those in need in our region.

Randy was broad minded about his faith. He saw and helped others to see that the world's religions have much in common. He was inclusive in his approach to people.

He has since moved on to a parish in LaJolla, CA where I'm sure he's waking up and exercising the brains in his new community.

Disciplined physical work: control of your body (strength & flexibility)

Disciplined mental work: control of your mind (focus)

Disciplined community work: act responsibly and rightly (compassion, kindness & leadership)

Disciplined self-awareness: know and nurture yourself (balance and mindfulness)

And breathe. Don't forget to breathe.

Working towards black belt has been enlightening, liberating, and empowering. So far, it's been learning forms, finding that extra ounce of energy to finish the sparring round, and taking a deep breath before diving into those things that I didn't think would be physically possible for me anymore.

I wasn't sure what this next step would bring: "chart 5 (10 is better) living heroes."

Ok, I was skeptical. I can see how this might be good for the teenagers, but I'm over 50. What am I going to get out of this? Only one way to find out. Take a deep breath and dive in.

Hmmm. Heroes. Ok, I can think of some. No, wait,... they have to be *living* heroes. Oh.

Living heroes. Someone in government? maaaybeee. (Or maybe not.) Someone in the corporate sector? no. Someone in humanitarian efforts? Oh, yes, there is...

Once the first name came to me, and the reason why I felt that person was a hero, this exercise took on a whole new perspective. wow. My life has been full of heroes--all unique and dedicated people who had a positive influence on my life and of those around me. This was going to be a very personal, and meaningful exercise after all.

Over the next few days, I'll be writing about several very-alive-and-kicking heroes. And for those heroes to whom I never said 'thank you', with deep gratitude, "Thank you."

Another idea percolating... need to do some checking to see if it's going to be viable.

Same at UW: waiting to hear back about Combined Fund Drive volunteer work.

In the meantime, am making my own contributions to the Combined Fund Drive (there are over 2000 organizations that you can donate to through this university fund drive). It's easy: comes out of your paycheck directly, and before taxes. Really a great program. From their web pages: "Last year, University of Washington employees made a difference by contributing more than

Also donated blood last week. They require you wait 8 weeks between donations. I will be more diligent in scheduling at the 8 week mark in the future rather than letting it go a few months as I did this past year.

Here's where I am in my community service quest: I opted to reach out to an organization that I think does wonderful work for the community: MIYFS. They were an instrumental resource for me when I was looking for resources for my elderly father. That email was sent over a week ago and there's been no response yet.

I've since sent email to another group at work that I wanted to help out: the United Combined Fund. Through this UW-sponsored program, employees can make donations via payroll deduction to any of hundreds of non-profit organizations in the region. They are gearing up for a new year and I'd hoped I might be able to help them get the word out. Still no word yet.

[The delays in getting responses to my offers to volunteer are reminders that accepting, vetting, and organizing volunteers is a job unto itself. I'll be patient in waiting to hear from these groups and when they are ready, I'll offer my time.]

In the meantime, I've thought a lot more about community service--giving to others-- and how it's currently built into my life and our home life.

1) I donate blood at least twice a year.

2) We make food and money contributions to Northwest Harvest several times a year and whenever there is a food drive through work, schools, or church.

3) I make a donation to the "Small Change" lady in front of Bartells in the UDistrict a couple of times each month.

4) We make contributions to the Mercer Island School PTA.

5) We donate to other groups as well including Paralyzed Veteran's of America and Susan G. Komen fund.

6) 75-90% of the time I take the bus to work because I think it's critically important to conserve our natural resources.

7) I shop at the MI Farmers Market every week not only because the local in-season produce is great but also because it supports sustainable, small farming practices and doesn't require that the food be transported thousands of miles.

8) We always do our best to be there to help out neighbors, friends, and family in times of crisis and need.

All in all, I feel pretty good about our contributions. But there's more to give, room for improvement, and I'll keep working towards finding that next right opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

--Jan

I am excited to now be working towards my black belt. Time to structure and execute on a project that gives back to the community as part of that training. I have some ideas, but I am sure there are many great ideas that I haven't considered. Anyone like to share your ideas of great projects? I'd love to hear them! --Jan