The Art of Wushu

Yesterday, I discovered a Chinese martial art called wushu. After finding out that the National Wushu Training Center was less than a mile from my house, I decided to explore it and take my first class this evening. Before class, I had told one of the assistants that the bigger the challenge and higher the pain, the more likely I would be to return.

In the middle of class…I almost blacked out. Literally. I actually had to take 5 min to let my head get itself back in order. What a wonderfully intense workout and such a beautiful artform! Yes, I will definitely return as soon as I can. Wushu will not defeat me.

Wushu is a term that refers to general Chinese martial art activities. The term is also commonly used in regards to the modern Chinese sport which encompasses gymnastic-like movements while performing bare-handed and weapons forms (think Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).

The basic forms consist of stances, kicks, punches, balances, jumps, sweeps, and throws. The more advanced forms can include 540 and 720 degree jumps which are absolutely amazing to see.

Click to see Wushu in action at the Wushu Masters in China. (It’s worth the click!)

U.S. Open of Surfing 2008

I just returned from the 2008 U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, CA. It was AWESOME!

I met my family and their two Japanese exchange students, Akira and Mako, down at the beach to see what was shakin’ at the annual surfing competitions. As a habitually early family, we arrived at the empty beach to stake claim on our viewing territory.

It didn’t take long before the empty beach became a furry of activity, with thousands of competitors and excited onlookers. There were not only surfing competitions, but also volleyball tournaments, skateboarding competitions and motocross. Hundreds of tents created a little city on the beach and offered shopping and varied sponsored activities.

The gorgeous day offered perfect waves and inspired many to play in the water and lounge on the beach. With so much to do and see, I am thoroughly exhausted and can’t wait to go back to the beach again. I will most definitely be making the U.S. Open of Surfing 2009!

Click to see photos from the U.S. Open of Surfing 2008!

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Camping at the Kelso Dunes

I recently made a trip with a couple of my friends to go camping in the Kelso Dunes, located in the Mojave National Preserve. It was a spur of the moment trip with the intention of some relaxation…even if it was only for a day!

This isolated dune system, rising 600 feet from the dessert floor, is very unique. Not only is it a beautiful sight at dawn and dusk, the sand makes a curious booming sound when there is a flow of movement. There are very few dunes in the world where this can be heard. If you get a chance to visit one of these dunes, climb to the very top and run down. You’ll hear a very low rumble rise from the sand.

Click below to listen to the “booming dunes” (turn your volume up!):

BOOMING DUNES

Aside from the dunes themselves, this was a fantastic location for a getaway. We set up camp at the base of the dunes, with no one around for MILES. That night, the three of us literally spent hours lying on our backs just staring at the thousands of stars that loomed above us. There is no substitute for moments like that.

Click to see a photo gallery of the Kelso Dunes!

Body Worlds 3

Yesterday, my mom and sister came down to spend the day with me. We had always been curious to check out Body Worlds, so we decided that this was the perfect time to do it. I had no idea what to expect or how I would react to was about to see.

Body Worlds 3 is one of the largest exhibits that the California Science Center has ever displayed. Bodies have been preserved using Plastination and have been dissected and arranged in ways that allow us to observe things about the human body that we may not have been able to imagine before.

I’ve aways been a little unsure about how to handle dead bodies. I’m never sure what is or isn’t disrespectful in graveyards…so I really didn’t know how to approach this situation. However, it turned out to be extremely interesting. The bodies didn’t look like they had just come out of a horror film or anything. They had a plastic look that made them easy to look at. There were many children at the exhibit and they were all interested in what they were seeing and asking questions so that they could learn more about it.

I feel like I learned a lot more about the different systems that were covered: locomotive system, nervous system, reproductive system, digestive system and cardiovascular system.  I think the best way to learn something is to get close and involved.  This exhibit allows you to do just that.

Click to see photos from Body Worlds 3 at the California Science Center.