When I was a kid, on the first day of school (usually in the fall), I would wander the playground and find a leaf. It had to be a nice looking leaf, one that spoke to me, somehow. I would then turn it over (I’m not sure where I picked this habit up, presumably from the saying) and, in its turned-over positioning, tape it to the inside of my binder. It would be a reminder throughout the year that this was a new year—a time of beginnings and a time to do something worthwhile.

Yesterday, I went looking through the parking lot and, (for the first time in years) picked up an oleander leaf (which I thought was appropriate) and turned it over.

I say this at the start of every semester, before classes consume my life, but I’d like to do more judo this year. I’d like to head into LA early and help teach the kids (I’d like to be visible as a female judoka for the girls in the class—and also just learn to teach). I’d like to keep my gi in the car and head into LA after classes on MWF, which means less time in the library to study but more time to exercise, which should help me study better. I’d like to devote some of my study time to studying judo—the words, the throws, the stuff I can study in the library.

One of the things I’d like to do is read more about the history of judo; specifically of joshi judo. To that end, I’d like to share the Bad Ass of the Week: Rena “Rusty” Kanokogi (). Here is some more about her awesomeness.