I KNOW KA-RAZY

Sinsei Samir Abboud instructs his students how to block

"The ultimate aim of the art of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its participants."-Gichin Funakoshi

Every Monday and Wednesday at 12-2 pm, the Shotokan Karate club meets in the PE building in room PE-60 to practice and participate in 3 different categories: Kihon (basic blocks, punches, etc.), Kata (combat simulation) and Kumite (sparring). Don't fret if you are inexperienced, instructions are given at the most basic level.

The club was created in 1961 by Caylor Adkins, a disciple of Tsutomu Oshima who was a master in the Shotokan and is responsible for bringing this particular martial art to America. Current instructor Samir Abboud took over in 1992 and has enjoyed "teaching honor through self defense and discipline."

Aside from learning a worldwide international sport, the advantages are numerous according to Ben Feldman. "It helps you become more coordinated and sound. My stamina has increased over the last few weeks and I've made alot of new friends."

If your interested in joining the Shotkan Karate Club, you can e mail shotokan@csulb.edu or check out their website at http://www.csulb.edu/org/shotokan/

I SHALL FAST

Hamza, PR officer of the Muslim Society Club sings the "Call to Prayer"

Last Tuesday the Muslim Society Club invited CSULB students to break fast with them during the holy month of Ramadan.

About 100 people attended the event and speakers educated the students about what Ramadan is and the discipline to fast for a full month from sun-up to sun-down. Hamza, the public relations officer for the Muslim Society was the host of the night and provided ample information from everything to the rigors of going through a fast to the "Testimony of Faith" that takes place 5 times a day in the Muslim religion.

I participated in the prayer and only the men were allowed to attend the secluded room adjacent to the USU ballroom. After taking off my shoes and kneeling northeast, the direction of the holy site that pilgrimages are made to annually, we kneeled and prayed to Allah.

Magic Lamp, a Lebanese restaurant on 2nd Street in Long Beach catered the event and provided more than enough food for the public. As we ate, several volunteers, non-muslims that participated in the fast, some for the entire month, some just for a day expressed their experience and how it affected them. Students described being a little tired, at times forgetful of the fast (which includes not drinking water) but overall overcoming personal challenges and disciplining one's self.

http://www.sunnah.org/ibadaat/fasting/fast.html

Follow the Leader!!!!

Everyone wants to be the leader at some point in their lives. Not everyone possesses these qualities though. It takes a certain kind to be able to utilize this prowess when it is attained. It comes from within, that innate destiny which benefits this person to take a trip to the Lois J. Swanson Leadership Resource Center.
As stated by Carmen Long, a contributing writer to the Daily Forty-Niner, "A lot goes on in the center, but it is home to an extracurricular student organization on campus called Leadership Academy." The center's goal according to Long is to "empower those with leadership potential", and with great resources such as The O'Dell Family Leadership Resource Library, it would be difficult to be led astray from that mantra. Topics such as event planning to leadership strategies can be researched and help you to be well on your way to a bright future.
Make sure to stop by the Student Union in room 313-A and inquire about the program to become enrolled in the academy. There is no cost or GPA requirement and a handly little letter of recommendation can be used at your disposal when you are applying to be the next CEO at IBM.