Achieving my Yellow Stripe in Taekwondo

On April 21st I passed my Taekwondo testing and moved up from a White Belt to a Yellow Stripe! :D I tested April 21st but I didn't find out if I'd passed until the following Monday(and I was worried that I hadn't passed). Luckily I did as did my younger sister and we are both excited to be learning new things in our higher rank(now white belts have to bow to us and call us ma'am >:) hehe). Testing was sort of like class; we all stood up at the front in a small line(my sister and I were testing with three little boys; one was testing for his yellow belt and the others were testing with their stripes alongside us. The higher ranks tested after us). The three black belts tested us; the youngest one demonstrated everything and the two older ones watched us with our scoring papers and they took notes and graded us. We had to know certain things like certain kicks, punches, stances, combinations, three forms(the first two are really easy and are mirrors of each other), and our terminology. Even though I was nervous, it was a good experience and I'm glad my sister and I passed our first testing. Now, onto my Yellow Belt :) Sorry for not posting until now, I've been kind of busy this last week. Hope you have a good day and May the Force be with you...Always Jedi Shena Tokala out

From the holo-diary of Aran Liander: Jedi Apprentice

981 ARR I arrived this morning at Natalia and Ben's home at all day, I have felt like a stranger. These people, they seem nice enough, but would they take me in if they knew who I was? They had fashioned a room for me; covered in posters from holofilms that I guess are popular for boys my age; I wouldn't know since I don't usually watch holofilms. As a Jedi, I pretty much never had the time, but I can't exactly tell Natalia and Ben that. Maybe I'll give the films a watch later tonight; then I won't have to lie if they ask me about which film I liked the best. I probably won't like the films though; they seem all about war and killing and I've seen enough of that. Anyway, besides the films, my room as a desk, a tall, thick bed instead of a sleep couch, and a shelf filled with holonovels. Natalia and Ben told me to make myself at home when after giving me a tour of the small flat, before coming down for lunch. Lunch was an extremely strange affair. Natalia and Ben told me that they hadn't been able to have children and that they hoped I would become their song; they also said they wanted me to called them 'Mom' and 'Dad'. How can I do that? I don't even remember my birth parents and my Master was the only parent I actually want to have. I'm just glad they didn't ask about my parents; If I'd had to talk about the man who was Roan Shyn, I know I would crack. I hid the last of my old life underneath my bed, hoping that Natalia or Ben won't find it while cleaning in my room, which I won't allow since I'll keep my room nice and straight. I nearly wept when I'd pushed my bag as far as it would go beneath the bed, only a segment of the strap peeking out from among the large boxes. No one would know it was there except for me. As I'd stood, I'd felt as if I had closed the lid of of my life, encasing it forevermore in its tomb. I don't want to stop being a Jedi. I had touched the still singed edges of my hair where my Padawan braid had once resided and recited the Jedi Code until the swelling pain in my breast abated enough for me to bear. I will uphold the Jedi Code, Master. I promise. I promise you and all of my sisters and brothers that have perished. There is one more thing I'm worried about. Later in the day, just as we were preparing for dinner, Natalia and Ben started talking about school. I don't know what I'm going to do. I've lived and studied at the Temple my whole life but I would hardly call it a school. It was home and everyone who lived their loved it with all their hearts. But school, from what I've heard and witnessed during my missions before the Clone Wars, isn't like the Temple. I don't know what I'll do or how I'll be able to fit in. I guess the only thing for me to do is pretend I'm a Jedi on a mission. I won't make any friends and I won't make any enemies. I'll stay under the radar and I can hope that I can survive this new, bizarre life while working towards fixing, or at least bringing closure, to my beautiful old one. I guess this is goodbye. Goodbye hallowed walls, goodbye sparkling fountains, goodbye to you wise Masters, powerful Knights, dedicated Padawans, and hopeful Initiates. Goodbye Temple, I've lost my way home forever now. I'm a wanderer in the stars. Goodbye Kyla, Rune, and Lint. Goodbye Master. I love you all and I will make you proud of me. Because I am not saying goodbye to the Force, I am not saying goodbye to my vows or my Code. I was Knighted as a Jedi of the Republic and I will uphold that honor, even as my shoulders tremble beneath its heavy weight. I am a Jedi Knight and I will go through my new life, in this nightmarish new galaxy, like one. I swear to you, I promise you, the Jedi will return. And even if I don't live to see it happen, I know in my heart that someday my dream will come true. Goodbye. Aran Liander Sorry for any misspellings or grammar mistakes and sorry it is so short.

Star Wars Geekiness Test

Star Wars Geekiness Test I saw The Musical Dancer at "The Life of a Musician and a Dancer" do this and I though I'd give it a try :) [X] You own more Star Wars books than textbooks [X] You own at least one Star Wars shirt(I own several. mwhahahahahahaha >:) ) [X] You have "used" a Jedi Mind Trick (more than a million times) [X] You can name all 7 movies in order without hesitating [X] You have pretended to use the Force on moving objects [X] You own at least one lightsaber [X] You watch the Clone Wars [X] Your favorite video games are those with Star Wars in the title [X] You’ve had at least one Star Wars-themed birthday party [X] You can breathe like Darth Vader Current Total: 10/10 [X] You hum the Star Wars theme song in the shower [X] You’ve seen the films so many times that the cases are worn down [X] You surf the Internet looking for funny Star Wars videos and pictures [X] You listen to any of the Star Wars soundtracks in your free time [X] You desperately wish that the Star Wars galaxy actually existed [X] You freak out whenever there’s a sale on Star Wars merchandise [X] Your favorite LEGO sets are the Star Wars ones [X] You would totally dress up in full Darth Vader rig just for the fun of it [] You want to join the 501st Legion (I don't like the clones that much since they committed genocide against the Jedi in Order 66) [X] Wookieepedia is your friend Current Total: 9/10 [X] Your avatar on at least one social site is Star Wars-themed(they are all Star Wars themed) [X] The wallpaper on your desktop has something to do with Star Wars [X] You tie a lot of conversations back to something that happened in Star Wars [X] You write Star Wars fan fiction just for the fun of it [] You have gone to a Star Wars Weekend and/or a Star Wars Celebration (I'm going to CVI this summer!!!) [X] Most of the stuff on your Christmas list pertains to Star Wars [X] Your hero is a Star Wars character (Obi-Wan Kenobi!!!!) [X] If you could spend the day with anybody, it would be George Lucas [X] You know the difference between astromech and protocol droids [X] You think of time in years in relation to the 1977 theatrical release of A New Hope Current Total: 9/10 [X] You can think of ten good reasons why you should have your own Death Star [X] You can’t spell “rectify” but you can spell “Kashyyyk” [X] You know more Star Wars planets than earth countries [X] You argue with your friends and/or siblings over who would win: Boba Fett or Darth Vader [] You are completely open to all Star Wars characters coming back to life – even Darth Maul (no, no, and NO! I'm a huge canon stickler). [X] You dress up as Star Wars characters for Halloween [] You dress your pet up as a Star Wars character for Halloween (I don't have a pet) [X] You sometimes say “May the Force Be With You” instead of “good-bye” [X] You have seen the movies so many times that you can say the characters’ lines [X] You debate with your friends and/or siblings about Star Wars characters Current Total: 8/10 [X] You would put a Star Wars bumper sticker on your car [X] You’ve been belittled or even bullied because of how much you love Star Wars [X] The best gift you could ever get would be a set of storm trooper armor that had been worn in the movies [] The only books you really check out at the library are Star Wars ones [X] You would laugh out loud if somebody was talking about how the Death Star blew up Naboo [X] You know which Skywalker twin is older [X] You know what “lekku” are [X] Your favorite authors write Star Wars books [X] Star Wars is still your favorite movie even after seeing it 10 times [X] You were one of the only people who noticed that puppet Yoda was made CG in the 3D version of TPM Current Total: 9/10 [X] You study Star Wars books and websites in your free time [X] Your YouTube or e-mail account name has something Star Wars-y in it [X] You get an adrenalin rush and/or a tingly sensation up your spine whenever you hear the Star Wars theme song or see The Crawl [X] You know what “The Crawl” is, and you refer to it as such [X] You have a hard time imagining life without Star Wars [X] You feel sorry for people who have never heard of and/or never watched Star Wars [] You can name and identify fifty or more different clone troopers [X] You get kinda ticked when “uneducated” people mix up clone troopers and storm trooper [X] You can speak and/or understand Mando’a and/or Huttese [X] If someone says the word “star” the first thing that comes to mind is an epic battle between a Jedi Master and a Sith Lord Current Total: 9/10 [X] You would likely have a heart attack if somebody said, “Who’s George Lucas?” [X] You think John Williams is the best composer. Ever. Period. Exclamation point. [] You have made at least one Star Wars-inspired video (I will do this at some point.) [X] You want everyone to ditch the webcams and invent holographic-enabled comlinks already! [] You know what “THX-1138” means and you look for it in all of the Star Wars films [X] You know exactly what alien species you would be and what kind of job you would have if you lived in the Star Wars galaxy (I'd be a human Jedi :) ) [X] Your favorite phrase is, “A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away….” [X] The only comic books you read are Star Wars [X] You can’t listen to Liam Neeson’s voice without thinking, “Qui-Gon Jinn!” [X] You know more about the actors who were in Star Wars than you do about any others Current Total: 8/10 It Has Been Assumed That You… [] Wait outside of the movie theater for two days to see the latest Star Wars film [X] Exercise by staging lightsaber battles with your friends and/or siblings [X] Know all of the movies by heart [X] Don’t have a life beyond Star Wars [] Are mortal enemies with Trekkies/Trekkers [X] Can’t go a single day without thinking about Star Wars [X] Have all of the answers to Star Wars-related questions [X] Are obsessed with Star Wars [X] Would buy anything with the words “Star Wars” on it [X] Only play Star Wars music [X] Only play Star Wars video games [X] Only read Star Wars books and/or blogs (not exactly, I do have other interests. But Star Wars is a very prominent thing in my life). [X] Would only marry someone who was just as crazy about Star Wars as you are [] Don’t discuss current world issues, only current Star Wars issues (I have to discuss world issues; they are very important) [] Only watch Star Wars [] Wouldn’t ever speak if Star Wars had never existed (I couldn't do that. I'm too much of a talker) Current Total: 11/16 You Have Been Asked At Least Five Times… [X] What the difference is between Jedi and Sith [X] Why you like Star Wars so much [] What’s wrong with Star Trek? [X] Why you talk so much about Star Wars [X] Why you still like Star Wars, since it’s a “kid’s” show (this is a very annoying this to be asked :p) [X] What’s so great about Star Wars? [X] If you went to see The Phantom Menace when it came out in 3D [X] If you’re going to see the other Star Wars films in 3D [X] Which is worse: Ewoks or Gungans? [X] Why you fire up when someone disses Star Wars [X] Why George Lucas made the movies in the wrong order [X] Why you get all excited whenever you hear the words Star Wars and Special Edition in the same sentence [] If you named your new pet something Star Wars-y [X] If your family gets fed up with your love of Star Wars [X] If you play SWTOR or KOTOR [X] Who shot first: Greedo or Han? [X] If you can speak Huttese Final Total: 15/16 SCORING: 0-5….Do you even know what Star Wars is???? 6-25….You’re an average casual fan, but not a nerd. 26-50….You’re pretty knowledgeable, and therefore a Star Wars nerd. You probably also appreciate Wookie Cookies. 51-75….You’re a Star Wars nut and not afraid to let people know it. 76-95….You’re a Star Wars geek, and you want the whole world to know it. Don’t tone it down! 96-102....You are a total, die-hard, super, ultra, unsurpassable, mega-humungous Star Wars geek! 103….It don’t get no bigger than you. You, my friend, are the ULTIMATE Star Wars die-hard! Wear your Yoda ears proudly ‘cause you are the ULTIMATE! I got a ninety :D Sounds pretty good to me :D May the Force be with you...Always Jedi Shena Tokala out

Favorite Song Monday

Today's song choice is my favorite song by Owl City which is "Cave In." It's a really good song and I especially love the last line. :) Here is a Star Wars video that goes to the song; it's basically about AOTC. It's a really good video and I hope you enjoy :) Have a good rest of your day and May the Force be with you! :D Jedi Shena Tokala out

From the holo-diary of Aran Liander: Jedi Apprentice

981 ARR

This facility has found me a home; Linna Tribur's sister Natalia and her family have accepted me into their homes. I leave tomorrow morning. I am surprised at how fast they found me a home; I've only been here a month. Most of the kids are younger than I am; the oldest besides me is roughly ten years old but most of them are gone now. But then there weren't that many to begin with.
Before I go to live with Natalia and her husband Ben I decided I need to visit the burned shell of my home one more time. I needed to walk those halls once again, and give a proper thank you to all those that perished. I want them to know that the teachings of the Order are not lost and that I, unlike everyone else, does not hate them.
And that is what I did last night.
I had waited in bed for many hours to make sure that everyone had fallen asleep before sneaking out into the chilly Coruscant night. The lights shimmered and spun; glinting off the speeding silver slashes that zoom all around. Wind slices through the hair on my scalp that has grown longer and thicker since Flame Night; I'll definitely cut it once I leave.
I ran as fast I could without drawing attention to myself along the high-riding ramps that surround the mega-sky-scraper where the 'orphanage' is located. I hail an air taxi and use some of the credits I had found on the road a few days ago during the our break period at the 'orphanage' to pay for my trip. I looked over the side at the seemingly-bottomless drop into the dregs or the Coruscanti underworld. I'd been there a few times with my Master and with the cannibalistic human mutants, thug-filled gangs, and seedy bars clogged with criminals, I definitely have no urge to return. I wonder what will happen to the few Jedi who might have survived; will they turn into criminals? Will our Code hold out through all these trials and tribulations that have been thrown our way. I sighed and rested my cheek against the cold metal of the speeder's wall, watching the space traffic as it speeds by, the pinpricks of lights blurring into one long stream of luminescence. A river of light.
The air taxi dropped me off at a local theater that I knew was near the Jedi Temple. I waited until the man had drove off before slipping as fast as a wraith through the crowds entering and exiting the building, all chatting about the show they had just witnessed. I didn't envy them though; I was glad that at least someone was happy with their life. As I ran among the shadows, I kept my eyes out for Imperial troopers. I don't know for sure if they have me on record or not but I couldn't risk a confrontation with those stiff-necked, stuck-up monkey lizards.
The burned out shell of the Jedi Temple stands before me; the headlights of the oncoming space traffic showing off the glaring blackened walls of the spires. I leap onto an oncoming ship and hand on; grasping the metal tightly and not daring to look down; icy strains of wind slap at me and I shut my eyes, waiting until we are above the roof. Then I left go and plummet to the ground, using the Force to slow my descent of the last few meters. I landed hand anyway on the stone roof of the Temple and for a moment I had laid there gasping, the stars and headlights of space traffic mingling into one above me. Then I stood and looked around. A few dead bodies were still there, crumpled and seemingly-caven-in. I look up at the Tranquility Spire and see that it is listing as if it was about to fall. It's sides are ravaged; the worst of the fire at been exacted on this place. My stomach constricted at the thought of the dead in those halls, struck down while they were in that sacred space, their murders a violation.
I ducked inside through a hole in the roof and quickly found some old wax which I molded into seven slim candles. I sat on the roof, holding the lighter in my left hand over one of the newly made candle, the warmth of the flame sending flickers of heat over my face. Once I light it, I set it down and continue on with the next. I set the seven candles in a circle around the entire roof; guarding the dead and our dying home from the night. I at the base of the Tranquility Spire, the last candle a comforting presence in my hand. The flame from the candle washing the smooth stone of the tower seems to hide the ugly mars which pockmark the beautiful surface instead of heightening it like all the rest of the light I see in this dark, cold night.
I bend down and place the candle at the base, it's lonely flame reaching towards the dying ancient with small, but open, arms. I stood and placed my hand to the stone, the light from the flame bathing my hand in golden shimmers.
“I'm sorry I couldn't save you,” I whispered to the stone and to the dead held in the Temple's tender arms. Suddenly I heard footsteps cracking loudly on the stone. I froze and before I could turn and run, I heard a creaky, whiny voice speak.
“Stupid child. What are you doing here on this Devil's mound? Especially at night; do you want the dead Jedi spirits to drag you away to slave away in their prison?”
“The Jedi Temple is NOT a prison!” I snapped before I can stop myself, fury rising into my throat and choking me just as painfully as a Force-Choke. The speaker, who I see is a cruel-faced woman, doesn't appear to hear me as she glances around at the dead still on the roof and I see that her eyes rest on the burned corpse of a young human Padawan.
“You don't know how kriffing thankful I was to see them go. Never trusted them; always knew there was something funny about them with all of their 'No Attachment' crap and their kidnapping of children for their brainwashing teachings about some mystical poodoo. But thanks to our good soldiers, they are all dead. Good boys, those clones are. Maybe not the brightest, but they're brave and at least have a good head on their shoulders.” My blood boiled, thrumming so loudly in my ears that is hurt. I tried to calm myself down but the fury just kept building, the darkside pressing down on me like a nightmare. It wasn't any of her business what we personally did and we most certainly did not kidnap children. Nor did we brainwash them; the Temple was a place of quiet and learning, and if you didn't like the rules, then you were free to leave. And how dare she say-
“Those 'brave soldiers' massacred over a million people! Including children! How the hell do you see that as right!” I screamed, advancing towards the giant who just smirked at me.
“They weren't children. They were nothing but beasts and they deserved to die.” She pulled a blaster from behind her bulk and leveled it at me.
“And YOU deserve to die, you piece of Jedi filth.” I nearly jumped out of my skin in terror.
How had she known? I wanted to kick myself for being such an IDIOT. How could I have let her sneak up on me like that? How could I have let my anger get out of hand?
Her mouth curved into a cruel smile.
“Yes, you little whelp, I know what you are. I saw the little lights you were putting up and knew that a Jedi must have come back to their rotting tomb. You and your lot are what caused this galaxy to come to ruin. I can see passed all of your 'We fight for justice and peace' shit.” the gun's nozzle comes closer to my face. Her face looms down at me, her lank black hair striking my face.
“So tell me, thing. How many mothers have you slaughtered?”
My hand shot up and knocked the blaster from the woman's wet hands. She started to move towards it but with a quick slam of my hand into a pressure point, I rendered her legs unmovable. She began to sway and I roughly lowered her to the ground.
“You damn Jedi! You think your so wonderful don't you?! You-”
“The only slaughter I can see is this one!” I shouted, shutting her up mid-sentence.
“I wish you had never been born. I wish I could have slowly watched all of you die...one by one.” I crouched before her, fighting back the monstrous head of rage with all of my training.
“You are just as bad as the Sith,” I growled.
“You hate us for no reason. I can see inside you and you have no heart, no soul. You are a wicked, wicked person and you don't deserve to walk this galaxy.” Her eyes grew large as I stood.
“But I am a Jedi and I will not kill a civilian.” I reached out my hand and touched her head and she collapsed at my feet, having fallen into a dead sleep. I hoped that maybe my words would give her a change of heart but now, in this new evil galaxy, I doubted I would. She hated me and hated what I represented and there was nothing I could do to remove the lies in her mind.
I moved her as quickly as I was able from the Tranquility spire before returning. I lay down on the ice-cold stone, feeling the fluttery warmth of a single candle against my face. I stared at the flames and imagined the others that encircled the Temple's roof. I ran my hand over the stone beneath me.
“You will rest in peace soon. I promise you.” I turned onto my side and looked out at the
stretch of stone. And I saw the other six candles winking back at me, my only friends left in the world.
I shut my eyes and fell asleep in the cradle in which I had been raised; me and my weary watchmen each giving our own silent goodbyes.

Aran Liander

Favorite Song Monday..err..Tuesday

Sorry for the late post.
Today's song is "Hot Air Balloon" by Owl City. I't a very catchy song and even though I prefer metal, rock, and pop, I love Owl City's techno sound XD. This is definitely one of my favorites by the singer.



Hope you enjoy the rest of your day and May the Force be with you..Always
Jedi Shena Tokala out

Misconceptions about "a Christian Perspective" and how it isn't that simple

Just so you know, this post will reflect my opinions and beliefs on certain matters and since I'm a Liberal Democrat, what I say will reflect what we from the Left think. I will, however, not use any name calling or bashing in this post since I am against those types of behaviors. And please no flaming or name calling in the comments; I'll be happy to discuss or talk about the post but I don't appreciate insults or being called stupid. Thank you :)

"Now from a Christian perspective"- I hear this a lot online, especially on reviews for books/movies/music, on Amazon, on blogs, on Facebook; name a place and most likely it has been said there.
And why am I bringing this up? Well, the reason is, most of the time, when someone says this, I disagree with them and I'm a Christian as well. This has been something I've wanted to write about for a long time since it has kind of gotten on my nerves; how can there be a 'Christian perspective' when all Christians think and see things in different ways. Plus saying a Christian perspective implies that all Christians think that way which is untrue.
So really, it isn't a 'Christian Perspective", it's just you holding your interpretation of the Bible up to something whether it be a political matter, book, movie, or music genre. For example, back in the 16th century the Church split, with the Protestants breaking away from the Roman Catholic church and eventually the Protestants began to splinter even more and created other denominations like the Baptists, the Methodists, the Presbyterians, etc.
And ever since the 1970s/1980s there have been the two distinct factions of the Christian Left and the Christian Right which have VERY opposing views on Christianity(I'm on the Christian Left). Then, inside both of these sides, there are even smaller groups with different views and in those groups there are individuals who have different take on what the Bible means and what Jesus's teachings means.
Now, I know that all Christians believe certain principles such as that Jesus is the Son of God and that God created the world(though even the latter can be debated depending on whether or not you think the world is billions of years old).



Another thing about the whole 'Christian perspective' thing, besides the exclusiveness the statement appears to entail, is what the person is referring to when they say that. A lot of people who say this will say that things like secular music, cursing/magic/witch craft/inappropriate content in fiction(whether it be film, t.v, or book), or spirituality that isn't Christian in fiction is bad. Now if any of these things make you personally uncomfortable, then that is perfectly fine. Everyone has a limit to what they will watch/listen to/read and you have every right to not read/watch/listen to something that makes you feel bad.
But what gets to me about this is when people say that because they are Christian that these things are evil and shouldn't be read, watched, or listened to.
For example, a lot of people don't like the episodes with the Nightsisters in the TCW t.v series or Harry Potter because of the witch craft/magic used. I, personally, didn't like the Nighsisters episodes because I found that the t.v shows take was different than the EU's take on them and I though Massacre was pretty boring; it didn't offend me as a Christian in any way shape or form. Regarding Harry Potter, I really love the series and the magic isn't what you would consider 'Satanic' or anything; their are three spells that only the bad guys use but the characters don't draw on 'evil powers' with their magic. Plus the story has good morals and meaning as well as a good plot and awesome characters and for me, that's the most important thing in a story.
Magic or witch craft doesn't bother me in fiction because It's just that- a story and it can't hurt me or make me want to actually try doing magic. I've heard several people say on Amazon reviews that reading about witch craft or inappropriate things will make people want to do those things. How impressionable to people think we teens are? I mean, I could maybe understand wanting to protect a little kid from things that might scare them or give them the wrong idea(I never was that way, but some kids are).
If I read a Star Wars book by Karen Traviss does that mean I'll become a Jedi hater?
Will watching a Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode with Satine in it make me an Obitine supporter?
Absolutely not. I love the Jedi and I am definitely not an Obitine supporter.
So if you don't like witch craft/magic in fiction, just don't watch or read it. You can complain about it all you like since you have that right but don't make it appear that all Christians think the same way you do. The same goes for cursing in fiction or music; if you don't want to hear it, then don't listen to it. I understand that cursing bothers some people and it is perfectly fine if you don't want to listen to it; you have a right to like or dislike whatever you want as long as your civil about it(cursing doesn't bother me). And not all secular music is bad, inappropriate, or filled with curse words. In fact, most secular music is very good and I enjoy listening to songs by those bands.
The last thing I want to talk about is the presence of other spirituality in fiction. What is wrong with other beliefs being brought up? Remember the right to religious freedom in this country? It means that you can express your religion, no matter what it is, and no one should hate you or condemn you for it. Plus, fiction has to appeal to all people, not just Christians. Besides, when were other beliefs(religious or other wise) bad? All religions have good things to say that we should pay attention to and if you look closely, a lot of the beliefs align. I've seen good people who were Atheists, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, etc, as well as Christians. Plus, God said not to judge, so focus on the person's heart to decide what you think of them instead of what they say they believe. We are all human after all and we are one on this Earth and whether or not we always agree, we will stand together for all eternity. :)

If you have any questions or want something clarified, please feel free to comment and ask me. But please be kind and civil :)
In the future, I will be writing a post about what I think on certain key subjects in the world and in the U.S.

May the Force be with you..Always :)

Taekwondo

I started Taekwondo a few months ago and I thought I'd post a few pictures.



Me in my Dobok(Korean for uniform). I really like it, it's flexible, easy to maneuver in, and it looks really cool :)


Me working on my form



Here we are in a line practicing



My sister and I in a back stance, with my little brother running in the background XD (yes, I know, my hands aren't in the right position here :p)



Here I am practicing my form

Happy Birthday Savanna! :D

Happy Birthday to my friend Savanna/Cad Bane's Chick :D :D Hope you have had a wonderful day so far!
Have loads of fun being sixteen :D
May the Force be with you....Always
SiriKenobi-ShenaTokala :D

Favorite Song Monday

Sorry I'm late!
Today's song is "Hero" by the band Skillet. It's a really cool song and I love the way it sounds. It's my favorite by this group and I actually got to seem them perform it live.



Here is an AWESOME Star Wars video that goes to the song! It's so awesome and it's about my favorite character :)



Hope you all had a good Easter(post about that below) and hope you have all had a good day. May the Force be with you....Always :)
Jedi Shena Tokala out

Happy Easter and/or Passover! :D

Happy Easter everybody! :) :D Christ is Risen. Christ is Risen Indeed, Allelujah.
Happy Passover everybody! :) :D
If you don't celebrate Easter, than I hope you had a very good day :) :D.



Flower cross we(the other teens and I) made at Church on Saturday.


Here's a song we sing each year at Easter in my church. This isn't my congregation(I go to a E.L.C.A Lutheran Church) but I thought it sounded a lot like mine so I decided to post this one.

From the holo-diary of Aran Liander: Jedi Apprentice

981 ARR

The stormtroopers found me last night and I barely escaped with my life; I managed escape by leaping into space traffic and letting the flashing lights and stinging wind carry me away.
Because of that, I decided that I would follow through with my idea turn myself in as a war orphan. I shall go under the name of Rune Shyn. I hope that this way I will be able to hide in plain sight. I should be able to do it. At least, I hope I can.
I'm going in now. May the Force be with me.

I'm being kept in a large, board house until they can match me up with a family to live with for the time being . Family. The word sounds so strange to me; I don't remember anything of my birth family but for my whole life the Jedi were my family and my Master my father. That will never change, I can assure you.
The bed is hard and the food is mediocre; you can tell that these people are low on funds from the war and the new, evil regime. The children here are hopeless and dead-eyes; all their hopes gone, just like mine. Their lives were ripped apart by the cursed war that I have realized was just a ploy so that the Sith could dominate the galaxy. Damn the Sith! Damn them to the nine hells where they will never harm anyone ever again. I wish the darkside didn't exist, I wish the Sith didn't exist, I wish non of this hand happened. But wishing is futile. I've wished on a million stars to let this all be a dream, and for the war to end back all those eons ago, but my wish never came true.
I'll tell you how I got here, I have nothing better to do. I need to get my mind off everything otherwise I worry I will go crazy..maybe I already have.
When the guards brought me in, I worried they would search my bag, with all of my revealing possessions, but luckily I was able to use the Force to divert their attention. They had me fill out many forms and asked me many questions which I answered as well as I could, having created a fake history on my way here.
The guards then lead me to a small room where a twenty-or-so aged woman with sat at a desk. Her medium-brown hair was pulled severely behind her head in a pony-tail which reminded me of the small one I used to wear my hair in. Her face, however, was kind and I immediately felt at ease with her; I sensed no malice in her aura.
“Hello, dear. My name is Linna Tribur and I'm the Counselor here. I'm here to help you and talk to you until we are able to place you in a new home. What is your name?” I nearly replied with my actual name and status as a Jedi, but bit that back just in time.
“Rune Shyn.” I had chosen the name based off my friend Rune and my Master's surname; it was the best memorial I could give them.
She smiled sadly at me and I tried to return it but instead I realized she reminded me of my friend, Kyla, and tears fill my eyes; Kyla is most likely lost, just like everyone else.
“Poor child. You've lost so much, haven't you?” I nod; she has no idea how much I've lost. She could never understand. Never. She reached across the desk and took my hand. I had jumped, nerves prickling. No one but my Master had ever done that. The thought of my Master, mercilessly, cruelly slaughtered by Anakin caused more tears to fall, streaking down my cheek like rain drops on glass.
She squeezed my hand.
“It's all right. I understand how you feel. We've all lost people in this horrible war.”
Fury built up in me; so raw and red hot that it frightened me.
She doesn't understand, even is she knew, she wouldn't; she didn't see the only father she'd ever known struck down my one you had once so admired, she didn't see her whole live explode in her face and be burned so badly that every morning you wake up, you wish you hadn't.
I had lifted my face to her, swallowed my rage as much as I could and whispered.
“No, you don't.”
“You may think that, but it isn't true. I lost my mother during the attack on Coruscant.”
My cheeks burned with shame. I had been selfish and that was something a Jedi should never be.
“I'm sorry.” She'd smiled at me again and that time I hadn't been able to stop the sobs that came.
I had cried into the table; the first sobbing fit I'd let myself have since Flame Night.
The woman had come around the desk and put her arm around me, stroking my head like my Master had done so long ago.
“Don't worry, Rune, your safe. Nothing can hurt you here. I know it's hard but your a strong boy and you'll be able to make it. You'll soon be living in a new home with a new family who will love and raise you.”
'But I don't WANT a new family! I want my Master back. I want my Order, my life, back. I want to be a Padawan again. I'm not ready to be a Knight. I'm NOT!' I had wanted to scream but I knew I couldn't say that. The woman had remained silent after that, letting me weep until I cried no more. She had stood again and went back around to the other side of the desk; the wood separating us again. I might not have seen correctly, but I had thought I'd seen tears in her eyes.
“Rune, I know this may be hard for you, but I need your parents' names.” I swallowed, rubbing the chaffing sleeve against my eyes, wishing I had on my Jedi Tunic instead of this wretched, oversized shirt.
“My father-my father was named Lint Shyn.”
“And your mother?”
“I don't remember her. She died when I was born.”
“Yes, but what was her name?” I hadn't thought about that and for a moment, I had floundered, panic gripping me so hard I nearly bolted from the room. Then I said the first name that came to me.
“Kyla. Her name was Kyla.”
“Thank you, Rune. The guards will take you to your room and show you around the facility. If you need anything you can come to me and we'll talk; does that sound good?” I had nodded and left the room.

I think I'll meditate now. I haven't had time to do this in forever so I hope that maybe I can release this crushing grief but I doubt it will work. Nothing seems to be able to work.
I only have the Force and my life is all I have to give.

Aran Liander

Sorry this is so late! I got passed my writers block and I have been working for many hours on my book the last few days. With that, school, my activities, and it being Holy Week, I haven't had much time to write this until today.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I really can't wait to post next weeks segment; Aran is going to go back to the Temple and something will happen! I also am looking forward to writing about him having to adjust to living with a family and all that.
May the Force be with you...Always
Jedi Shena Tokala out

Favorite Song Monday

Today's song of choice is "Shattered" by Trading Yesterday. It's a very sad song with hope in it and one that is good to listen to when you are really sad/upset about something. It's also a very beautiful song and I love to listen to it :)



Here are two Star Wars related videos that go with the song very well. Enjoy :)





Hope you have a good rest of your evening and May the Force be with you..Always :)
Jedi Shena Tokala out