I'm So Proud!!!

WOW!

I'm LOVING School!!!

I’m Super PROUD!!!

Just found out I was awarded 3 UD UNITS for the paper I wrote on American Subcultures!!!

From the fantastic director of the LEAP program

Hooray! More great news for Melissa! Congrats to you and Miri.

Also, Melissa, this essay will meet one of your Area C requirements!

Great work!

Best,

~mb

From the Evaluator

3 UD UNITS - American Subcultures

I was impressed with your well-written and respectful critical analysis of the foot fetish subculture…You discussed numerous variations in the expression of foot fetishes, beginning with the centuries-old tradition of foot-binding in China, and extending to aggressive, physically intense activities such as trampling and kicking. As to foot-binding in particular, you drew parallels between this now discontinued Chinese practice and the contemporary custom of wearing stiletto heels and pointe shoes in their comparable appeal within the foot fetish subculture. You wrote at length about the diverse range of men and women who make up the foot fetish subculture in contemporary American society, many of whom are bright, well-educated, and occupy positions of respect and influence in the work world and society at large. You also noted that the frequently submissive behaviors individuals elicit within the foot fetish subculture are often not emblematic of the sense of self they hold and present more authentically in other life domains. You added that because these individuals are predominantly reluctant to disclose their foot fetish preferences and interests in their public and personal lives, they especially enjoy and value the ability to realize their intimate fantasies in the accepting climate accorded to them in private, well-organized, and largely non-sexual events… Moreover, you remarked that many of the male and female participants in attendance at such gatherings find intrinsic enjoyment and satisfaction in sharing various foot fetish activities, and do so with mutual regard. You qualified that a segment of the foot fetish subculture, however, is comprised of professionals from the adult entertainment world who, by contrast, have little respect for the unique desires of the individuals they encounter, and for whom there is little personal meaning in fulfilling others' foot-related fantasies beyond the purely extrinsic rewards these activities provide. I was privileged to share in your fascinating and insightful personal story.

You have earned three upper division units for the learning documented by your exemplary essay.

Respectfully,

Thomas O. Hodgson, Ph.D.

I cannot thank my professor, Miri Hunter, enough!!!

The guidance I received from Miri, while writing the papers for the LEAP 100-Personal and Professional Assessment Course (PPA) last semester, was unbelievable.

She is an amazing educator who has the patience and the wisdom to help facilitate clear thinking, and knows how to deliver the tools needed for us to navigate the process of writing about such challenging topics.

Miri’s guidance was my greatest assets as I tackled these papers!

J

So far:

2 out of 4 papers have been evaluated.

Kinesiology: The Care and Prevention of Injuries

3 Upper Division Units on the 1^st try!!!

Sociology-American Subcultures: Foot Fetish Subcultures

3 Upper Division Units on the 1^st try!!!

Sweet!

I’m LOVING the LEAP Program

OC Chili Winter Trail Run Series 2012



The Last of Three 5-Mile Trail Runs

in the

Book That Events

OC Chili Winter Trail Run Series

2012

My Super-Cool medal

for completing all Three

5-Mile Runs in the Book That Event OC Chili Winter Trail Run Series.

J



There had been a lot of rain the day prior to the run so the trails were closed. Instead of hitting the trails, the course was altered and was run along the interior roads of the park. Even though I prefer trails, the scenery was fantastic, the air was crisp and fresh, and the dusting of snow on the surrounding mountains was an extra-special treat.

Perfect day for a 5 mile hilly run!


Crisp clean air!
Low temps.
Views of the snow-dusted mountains.
Loved it!



  

Got a chance to see Amy Smith before the run!



It was her first 5 mile trail run!

Too bad it wasn’t on the trails, but she at least got a taste of some pretty good hills.

She looked great out there!

J



With Amy Smith & Christopher Lenihan before the run

Chris did all 3 runs in the series too!

J

With Chris L. after the run

We got the super-cool medal for completing all 3 runs in the series.

I chose the medal as a necklace; Chris chose a super-neat magnet.

J

Enjoying some post-run chili



We came prepared!

I’m all snuggled up in my sleeping bag and bivy

Christopher Lenihan lounges on his comfy blanket while enjoying his 2nd helping of chili!
It was a great way to start the day.



Can't wait to do this series again next year!

J

Wishing y'all a Happy and Healthy Day!

-Melissa Adylia Calasanz

of

Controlled Burn Fitness





Her Last Breath Happened to Me

Her Last Breath



L: Gloria C Lastra
R: Melissa Adylia Gutierrez

The last warm breath to leave her body left me cold. In all its sadness, and grizzly frailty, the last warm breath to leave her body was powerful. Her last warm breath changed me.

Her name was Gloria C. Lastra. The year she was born still escapes me. I don’t want to do the math. I refuse to do the math. It was hard enough, last year, when I finally forced myself to do the math. I’ve deliberately chosen to forget again. So, if I need to tell you, I’ll have to look it up, but I prefer not to. However, I can tell you, she was born on January 9^th, just after 5am.  

She was born 45 years prior to the day, the date, and the hour when the last warm breath left her body. Unlike the day she was born, when she took her last breath, her mother was not there. Her brother chose to spare their mother from the event, or perhaps he was trying to spare himself.  I can’t blame him. Who would want to deal with waking their mother, in the middle of the night, only to explain that her youngest child was about to die? It was bad enough he had to pick up his niece, and take her to watch his sister die.

The day before Gloria’s birthday, I had gone to dinner with my uncle. We had just visited her in the hospital. I told him “she’s not gonna wanna be in the hospital on her birthday.” He assured me “I know. We’ll take her for a walk when we see her tomorrow.” What he didn’t understand is that I knew she was going to die.

I had known Gloria all my life. As much as I knew how weak and unpredictable she could be, I also knew how much she loved me and my brother. I had a feeling she would choose to leave us on her birthday to spare us from having to remember her life and death on two separate days each year.

At 4am on January 9^th, my uncle finally called to tell me he was on his way. I was right. My mother was about to die.

No one is really prepared to watch someone they love die. Once I hung up, it was as if everything in me unraveled. I exploded into convulsive whaling, and then, just as quickly, I collapsed. By the time my uncle arrived, I was so still, so quiet, and so frightened. I was not as scared of witnessing her death, as I was frightened of how I was going to react, so I didn’t. I become numb for the entire ride to the hospital. I have no memory of what went through my mind while we drove to watch my Mom die.

Though her last warm breath belonged to her, it happened to me. I vividly remember everything that happened once we arrived at the hospital. The attending physician pulled me and my brother aside. He informed us how my mother had changed her mind that morning about the DNR, but wanted to leave the final decision up to us.

Our mother had raised us to respect the process of life and death, and had always said she would never want to be put on life support. We chose to let her go. I remember when we were children, her saying “A parent never leaves their child until the child can handle it.”

I was holding one of her hands and my brother was holding the other one. My uncle had his arms around me. Everything was so quiet and still, until the breathing started. Sporadic, gasping, and unforgiving breathes, with very long pauses between each inhale and exhalation.  She had always told us about the “death rattle.”

There is nothing graceful or beautiful about death when I call upon my memories of this moment, until I really step back. As she got closer to her final breaths, my Mom began contorting her body into strange positions while she slowly and laboriously gasped for air. Near the end, she had gotten into a position similar to a birthing position. Halfway reclined, knees high, pulled in close to the chest with her feet resting on the bed and fists clutching the sheets.

It was at this time, during each long moment of silence I had the most vivid memories of my mom telling me about the day I was born. She used to tell me how different it was on the day she was born, compared to what it was like on the day I was born. I looked at the clock. It was almost 5am. I knew when she was born. I knew she would leave soon. It was storming out. It was storming when she was born. She used to tell me how sunny and hot it was when I was born. I knew I would never hear her tell me these stories again.

She looked as if she was about to give birth. She took her last breath.

It has taken over 15 year for me to begin to thaw from that moment and begin to embrace that memory. I have kept it frozen within me for so long. Now I am finally able to see the beauty and the grace of her death. I am so fortunate to have been able to witness such in intensely intimate moment. It was as if I witnessed my Mother give birth to herself.

When the last warm breath left my Mother’s body, she became the powerful, influential, and respected woman she had always wanted to be. I was not able to see that until the day I began to warm to her memory. Her life, as much as her death, has made me the woman I am today.

Gloria C. Lastra
Melissa Adylia Gutierrez
1972



Gloria C Lastra
Melissa Adylia Gutierez
December 1972



Gloria C Lastra
Melissa Adylia Gutierrez
Glendale, CA
1980s

Gloria Lastra
Melissa Adylia Gutierez
1980s

Melissa Adylia Gutierrez
NaPali Coast
8 mile Plateau

Melissa Adylia Gutierrez
Newport Bay
Newport Beach, CA
2010

Melissa Adylia Gutierrez
Glendale, CA
NYE 2011

Melissa Adylia Gutierrez and Andrew Calasanz
NYE 2011

Mr. & Mrs. Calasanz



L: Gloria C Lastra
R: Melissa Adylia Gutierrez



Written for LEAP WFLA
LPP4: Personal and Public
Prompt:
Read Seilsopour essay. His life was affected by the revolution in Iran, but not in the expected way. What historical event affected you in some way: a social movement, civil unrest or economic conditions, a natural disaster, politics, etc. Choose something that affected your family, way of life, or way of thinking, even if in some oblique way. What was the historical event and how did you experience it? What followed? How has your life been affected by that event? What meaning do you make of it?

In Search of: The Best Meat, Fish, and Poultry in Orange County

Amazing Meals Begin with the Best Ingredients



My Regular Weekly Catch from
McCall's Meat and Fish Company
before I moved to Orange County 

When I have the opportunity to cook with the freshest ingredients, I do not have to work hard to make the meal amazing. All I usually have to do is add a little heat, maybe a little salt, pepper, and some fresh herbs; assemble on a plate with a nice assortment of fresh veggies, and a delicious complex carb; breakfast/lunch/dinner is served!  

Sadly, since I moved to Anaheim, CA aka “The OC” I no longer have instant access to my favorite butcher, McCall’s Meat and Fish Co.

From McCall's Meat and Fish Company's Website

 I am finding it impossible to get a good cut of meat, a super-fresh piece of fish, or poultry here in Orange County.

If anyone has a suggestion of a place that can compare to McCalls, please let me know.

Thanks!

-Melissa Adylia Calasanz
J



Simple Soup

Simple Soup with Poached Egg

Yellow Onions, Garlic, Celery, Parsley, Kale, Purple and Gold Fingerling Potatoes, Salt, and Pepper...Throw it all in a pot with water...cook...it's that simple.

Delicious and nutritious food is easy.

Use fresh ingredients, a little time, some imagination... heat, sniff, touch, and taste till satisfied.

Eat.

Enjoy!

:)

-Melissa Adylia Calasanz

My USA Track and Field Level 1 Coach Certification Experience

I'm Officially a USA Track and Field Certified Level 1 Coach!

Here is my USA Track and Field (USATF) Level 1 Coach Certification Experience

Short Story

It was an excellent course! Great information!

The Long Story

Who What When and Where
USA Track & Field

Coaching Education

Level 1 School

18-19 February, 2012

Hosted by

Orange Coast College

And

Tachyon Training Center/Track Club

 Why Would a Personal Trainer who has no desire to be a Track and Field Coach take such a course?

As a fitness professional, I believe it’s my duty to continually educate myself in order to serve the needs of the clients that seek my service. Plus, I just love learning!

I registered for the USA Track and Field (USATF) Level 1 Track and Field Coach Certification Course in order to get a better understanding of the runners that have come to me with injuries due to over-training, lack of knowledge or respect for recovery time, and improper cross-training practices in relation to their training goals, personal demands, and physical limitations.

I am now certain, the "coaches" who have been “coaching” the injured athletes who have sought my services, do not hold a USAFT Coaching Certification.

USATF is focused on considerate and appropriate periodization and progression, and recovery practices that I completely support.

When I've asked to see the training plans of the injured runners' who have come to me for post-rehab personal training, I have always been shocked. The training plans the athletes were following, prior to their injuries, gave little to no consideration to realistic scheduling of workouts for the average person who may have a family, a career, social obligations, and other interests.

Rarely did I see even one day scheduled for rest and recovery practices, and very little focus on cross training; and if cross training was suggested, it was usually inappropriate/uncomplimentary to the goal the training was hoping to achieve.

It’s been interesting when a “coach” has said to me “well, of course these guys will get injured, it’s not like they’re athletes.”

Excuse me!?! Then why would you give an over 35 year old man, who works 60+ hours a week, 3 kids, a wife, a dog, and other obligations, an unrealistic training plan that looks as if it was designed for an under 25 year old elite athlete on the fast track to an injury?!

I have no desire to be a Track and Field Coach, even though I am an excellent motivator. However, I gained a new perspective and a renewed respect for my style of Personal Training thanks to this course.

I am a coach! A fitness coach!

A personal trainer of my caliber has to be a coach! 

I am passionate about helping my clients achieve their goals and I will do whatever it takes to motivate my clients to be as dedicated, passionate, and committed to their progress as I am.

Along with motivating my clients, it is my responsibility to help each client attain and maintain a healthy, balanced, and functional body that will remain injury free.

Completing the course provided helpful information which supports my training philosophy and program design. The course contained plenty of information that was beneficial in helping me to better understand and communicate with coaches, along with providing added confidence and credibility when contesting athlete’s training programs in order to help prevent future injury.

Course Structure and Information

The information provided in the course was delivered over two, 12 hour days.

Yes, very long days.

Luckily, I had the pleasure of attending a course which included some outstanding coaches/presenters:

Dr. Dave Shrock

Bill Godina

Jeremy Fisher

Eric Dixon

These gentlemen are some of the most highly experienced track and field coaches who not only have a ton of knowledge and experience, they have the passion to share their love of coaching with others.

Each coach managed to keep the class interested and engaged while they delivered the information professionally without being stuffy…at times, they were quite entertaining.

The course information, while focusing on youth/jr high/high school track and field events, is appropriate for any coach regardless of the age of the athletes with whom they work.

Basic physiology, sports science, biomechanics, and nutrition are also included along with coaching protocol, techniques, training, rules and regulations of individual track and field events.

The highlight for me came on the 2^nd day when we got to hit the track and participate in some basic drills and work on techniques for different events such as sprinting, shot put, high jump, and racewalking.

I must confess, I am now super-excited about racewalking! I can’t help it, I rock the fast walk! I also realized I have a secret obsession with the shot put and discus! There is so much technique and rhythm that I was not aware of until I took the course. Who knew such finesse was required for a sport that looks like huge people chuking things through the air. This former professional dancer bows down to the athletes who dance the crazy dances of shot put and discus!

J

The Online Exam

Though the test contains 200 questions, one should not be intimidated.  The exam is open book, done online, and can be completed at your leisure over the course of 3 months. The course workbook, and hand outs that are provided with the course will help you answer all the questions.

I am thrilled to report that I scored 96% on the test, which I took on the first day it became available and completed in one sitting. I am certain I would have gotten 100% had I not had to use the restroom for the last 85 questions…I was at a public library and didn’t want to leave my computer unattended. : )

Overall

I’m happy to say the 2 day time commitment, and the $125-$150 financial investment in the course was worth it. I came away from the course with plenty of helpful information and a renewed respect for what I provide as a personal trainer who specializes in helping runners avoid injury.

Whether you’re a seasoned track and field coach who has yet to take a USATF Coaching Certification, or you’re a fitness professional working with any level of walkers and runners, I would encourage you to invest your time in obtaining all the useful information provided within the Level 1 Course.

I now know I can confidently refer clients to coaches who hold at least a Level 1 USATF Coaching Certification. Completing the course gives me peace of mind to know that if I referred a USATF Certified Coach to one of my clients, the coach would be more likely to be on the same page as I am in respect to recovery and cross-training practices.

-Melissa Adylia Calasanz
Controlled Burn Fitness Personal Training Blog
Controlled Burn Fitness on Facbook 

 

Adventures in Math

Week 1 Recap of Math 10

Saint Mary’s of California

LEAP Program

First of all, ya gotta love a class with a text book named

Succeed with Math: Every Student's Guide to Conquering Math Anxiety

Just like a good trail run, I may not get things done as fast as everyone else, but I will embrace my weakness, celebrate my strengths, learn things along the way, and enjoy the journey as I tackle my

First Math class since 1988!

Over the years, I have come to love the thrill of embracing a challenge. Physical challenges have become something I seek, and thrive off of. I have experienced, survived, and have learned from many emotional experiences. However, academic challenges have always proven to be the most intimidating to me...especially Math.

I was really NOT looking forward to spending 4 hours each week for 10 weeks being reminded what it feels like to NOT be very good at something.

With the way I was dreading having to attempt Math at a collegiate level, no one would believe I was once considered an AP (Advanced Placement) Math Student.

I’m not entirely sure if an AP Math Class is where I was supposed to be, but I had placed in the 90-95 percentile for Math on my CAP tests (California Aptitude Test) before entering junior high.  I am not sure if they still do these tests, but back-in-the-day we all had to take the tests and the tests determined the type of classes/levels we would take. So, as I entered 7^th Grade, I was officially and AP Student in Math, English, and Science.

I had started out doing very well in the AP Math Classes, but by the time we got to Algebra I was a very sick kid. I had missed 84 school days that year due to bronchitis, pneumonia, strep, scarlet fever, and sinus infections.

Hmm, amazing I didn’t get scurvy, rickets, or the plague!

Missing so much of the in-class instruction made it impossible for me to keep up with the class. Interestingly, I was able to ace all my AP English and Science classes during that time. Sadly, I failed my first attempt at AP Algebra in the 7th grade so I had to take AP Algebra again in 8^th grade...and on the second attempt, I got a D+.

L

So I had to take Algebra again in 9^th grade.

Algebra for the 3^rd time! I was humiliated.

L

 All my “smart” friends were now taking Trig in 9^th grade. I not only had to re-do math, I was going to be placed in the “stupid kids” Algebra class. Ya know, a non-AP class.

I’m not entirely sure why math just didn’t translate from a book to my brain back in those days, but after last night’s class, I realized that if I am guided through the process and DO the process while attending to continuity, I can almost feel comfortable with basic problems.

I liken it to following a baking recipe or executing proper ballet technique before progressing to other forms of dance...if you do not have the absolute basics, things fall apart when you try to progress faster or father than poor/inadequate training will support.

This class is covering pretty much everything I never learned or don’t remember

Week 1:          Exponents and Order of operations.

Week 2:          Fractions.

Week 3:          Ratios, Proportions, and Percent.

Week 4:          Algebra.

Week 5:          More Algebra.

Week 6:          More Algebra and Graphing Lines.

Week 7:          More Graphing Lines and Trigonometry.

Week 8:          Statistics.

Week 9:          More Statistics.

Week 10:       Our Final Exam!

Each class is a little over 4 hours long on Monday nights.

We meet in Little Tokyo in DTLA from 6:30-10:30pm.
The professor totally understands us freaked-out dancers.
Most of us have not done math in at least 20 years!

He is really patient, and it’s totally obvious that he really does want us to "get it."

The 4 hours actually went by really fast.

Looking forward to next week!

J