Minor, Ami - Life Check, Life is full on countless opportunities.

It's crazy that we just had the 4th of July and that I've been about of school for almost a month now. I guess I've just been a 'little' busy lately... Okay, 'a little busy' is quite an understatement, I know! For me, however, I'm not one to just lay around on the couch all day, I like to be up and active. For example, this past weekend I got to attend Firefighter Camp, how cool is that? Not only was it physically challenging but mentally and emotionally challenging for everyone. What made this camp different from any other I've attended was the fact that it was for young females looking to explore firefighting as a possible career. Not only was it for girls, but it was also lead and organized by females firefighters from all around the NW. And that's just the beginning, I am also working for my school district, as a Website Designer. I've worked with a lot of different technology completing various tasks. Website is not one of those tasks that I've dealt with however, it is something I have come to love doing and working with. I'm always looking for new ways to expand my knowledge and skills in the various fields that pique my interest. As if having a 9-5 job, participating in Firefighter camp and testing for my 3rd Dan Black Belt isn't enough on my plate already; this coming week I leave FBI camp. The Portland FBI holds a Teen Academy each year, to offer high school students an inside look at the workings of the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation). This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to engage with FBI agents, law enforcement officers, forensic experts, and community leaders to foster academic excellence, leadership skills, team building, and career exploration. After attending the camp back in 2017 and being a peer counselor last year, I was asked to return not only as the peer counselor organizer but as the activities coordinator as well. Being a part of such an amazing program that provides today teens with a once in a lifetime is mindblowing to me. If there is one lesson that keeps reappearing in my life it's 'life is full of amazing opportunities, and in the end, we only regret the chances we never took'. I have been so very blessed with the many opportunities I've been given, and as Lewis Carroll said, "IN THE END… We only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make." I suffered from a condition called, 'yes man syndrome', this conditions has its goods and bads, but in the end, it gets me out of my comfort zone and allows me to experience new opportunities daily. All in all, life has been super busy and it's crazy to think that summer is almost halfway over; but I wouldn't change any of the experiences I've had or any am still going to have this summer.

 - Ami Minor
3rd Degree Black Belt Candidate 2019 

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