Wow!  What a fantastic blog Peter has been writing!  He has made a great effort and used a good chunk of his limited free time to share his experiences and new found bonsai knowledge with us in the U.S.  I feel very fortunate to be involved in Bonsai during a time when it’s so easy to follow along with a bonsai apprentice living in Japan.  Facebook, Blogs and You tube did not exist or where not as big when the first Americans were apprenticing.

I’d like to suggest that if you’ve got it, then kick a few bucks over Peter’s way and consider yourself investing in helping bonsai progress in the U.S.

http://peterteabonsai.wordpress.com/donations/

I know I’d really like to see more American’s learning from professionals and the quality of bonsai always increasing in our country.  I believe that if an intelligent hardworking individual like Peter wanted to make a serious commitment in an apprenticeship, we should support that person if we can.  These people will be the next teachers in the U.S. and the Bonsai community should make things just a bit easier on them while they do it.  Hopefully this will encourage that person to kick back more knowledge to us.  It’s a Win Win in my opinion.

I know Peter’s a great teach and I believe you can tell from his posts.  Here’s a picture of Peter giving me some info on branch structure on his California Juniper before he went to Japan.  Congrats to Peter for what he has accomplished so far and best of luck to him in the future!

This blog is helping to document my Bonsai Journey.  I feel that with any journey you first need to decide where you are going and because of this I have decided to list some of my goals relating to Bonsai.  I don't hear about goals being discussed too often in regards to Bonsai, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be discussed or that they don't apply.

How Do Goals Help Us?

1. Give us Direction
2. Force us to focus on what’s important
3. Hold us accountable
4. Push our limits

I have listed my long term goals below in order of importance.  I also have more short and medium term goals which revolve around practicing more, graduating Boon's intensives and spending more time collecting.  I think short and medium term goals should be updated and altered on a as needed basis, but for the most part your long term goals should stay the same once you know what you really want.

My Long Term Goals

1. Have a collection considered among the best in the world
2. Become a confident Bonsai expert
3. Do my part to improve Bonsai in the U.S.
4. Run a successful small bonsai business
5. Place at least a few times and win the Portland Cup at least once(New)

I'm beyond ecstatic to see Bonsai develop in the U.S. over the next several decades.  I know we will see some of the most amazing trees being developed here in our own backyard and the level of skill and knowledge will be increasing dramatically.   if you haven't already, I hope you set some goals and push yourself to achieve them so we can continue to raise the bar in the U.S.