I've been living and training at Qufu Shaolin Kung Fu School now for 9 months with my 2 children Divine & Jasmine and it has been the best experience of our lives. Ever since I was young I've dreamed of training in China at Shaolin with Shaolin monks like in the movies I saw growing up and to be able to do this with my children is a dream come true. The training isn't easy but I didn't expect it to be and adjusting to the life here wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be because I got to meet some really great people and form a bond that has made us all one big family. 

The help that I got from not only the masters and the staff but the other students has been one of the most beautiful human experiences I've ever had. This is the first year my children have spent Christmas away from home and their birthdays so everyone here made it like home for them. They brought them gifts, they help my children train, they run with them during our morning and afternoon run, they helped tutor them, they watch movies with my kids. We have all become one family here and everyone adopted Divine and Jasmine like their nephew and niece.. That has made it home to me because I was worried how they would respond to living 8000 miles away from home in a foreign land but they have adapted great because of how much of a home this place has become for us. 

The masters are incredible and not only are they great at martial arts but they are great teachers who push you past your limits. It hurts but that's the point, to push us to be our greatest self. I signed up for 2 years because I want to become a martial arts teacher and the masters help me sharpen my skills, refine my art, and push me to practice harder to achieve my goals. We are vegetarian and the food here is great. Shandong is famous for their cuisine and our school does a great job taking care of us. There are mountains all around us so I am always climbing something. There are small stores nearby for basic necessities. Weekends we always have some time to ourselves, rest or explore. 

It has been one of the greatest decisions of my life.