After 9 months of daily hard training, study, writing, eating, sleeping, laughing, fighting, crying, thinking and many other things, the first year is done. Today was the last training day. Congratulations! We made it. Not only had we at the center, but all that supported the center and each one of us individually. Against all odds, we’re still here.

I feel good to finish this first year and I’m very glad to have decided to stay. There will still be many storms ahead, but as long as we know why and where we want to sail, the ship sails forward. I look forward to go to Canada for vacation and enjoy nature. I need to charge my batteries so I can come back stronger and willing fully to train hard.

The semester officially ends at June 30^th, but on the next few days before that we have to prepare everything for the upcoming seminars at the center. It’s going to be three days for cleaning, planning and organizing everything. Tomorrow everyone is going to San Francisco except Zach and me. Zach is going to stay for work and I’m going to visit a friend.

As I said before the improvements after this first year are significant. On the next semester, new things will come. We will start heavy punch bag training. Some stuff is going to be dumped to give room to new ones. Now after only the first year, I believe more than ever that we can preserve the arts and that it is possible to attain higher levels. We only need to provide the right conditions for that and make it happen.

Definition of this year in one word (or expression): Self-Recognition.

But good news not always comes alone. Today it brought a friend, bad news. A few hours ago I received an email from my brother saying that my uncle (brother of my grandfather) just past away yesterday afternoon (Portuguese time, GMT) with cancer. I lived with him since I was five until I was about nineteen. I liked him very much because he had a very good morale. He was an example to follow. Even older, he always kept very active and with a positive mind. He always tried is best to make is life better. He was not a victim of fate. He always worked hard to make is own the best way he could. Thank you for being an example to me for many years. And forgive me for all the times that I didn’t do what I said I would.

I dedicate this year to my uncle, who against many odds still kept strong, fighting for what he believe to be right.

To my uncle Joaquim, Rest in Peace.
May the Universe bless your soul. We will meet again one day on the other side.