Vera’s Blog
A 5-year (and counting!) collection of posts from “Vera Koo” – the column penned by Vera, and published by Women’s Outdoor News. A collection of these blogs appears in Vera’s second book Wisdom and Things.
Book Review of Vera Koo’s ‘The Most Unlikely Champion: A Memoir’
I met Vera Koo several years ago at a Bianchi Cup match in Columbia, Missouri. I’m thinking it might have been about 15 years ago, when she was at the height of her shooting career. Indeed, Vera is the only woman to capture the prestigious Bianchi Cup championship in...
Bonding by Geoduck Clams
Vera Koo describes her summer vacation with family in tow, to search for the elusive geoduck clam on the shore of Washington state.
Vera Koo: On Hiking the Lanikai Pillbox in Hawaii
Vera Koo and some of her family members recently hiked to the top of Lanikai Pillbox in Hawaii. She discovered a few things about the hike and about her life in the process.
Sharing a Love of Rock Climbing with My Daughter
Shane Koo tells us how her daughter, Mia, has become interested in her mother’s passion: rock climbing. Shane believes it is a parent’s goal to be surpassed by her children, in all aspects of life.
Vera Koo Writes About Faith
This post features excerpts from two of Vera Koo’s blog posts on the topics of God and faith, and the role they play in her life.
Vera Koo: Teaching Her Granddaughter, Mia, How to Shoot
Find out how Vera Koo taught her granddaughter to shoot, and why.
Kayaking Excursion Unravels Into Chaos
While on a kayaking excursion, Carlos was struggling in the waters of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii when my daughter, Shane, arrived at a harrowing thought: This might be it. I’m thankful to report that it wasn’t “it” for Carlos. My husband is alive and...
Huntsman World Senior Games
Jim O’Young was my mentor when I entered the competitive pistol shooting sports more than 25 years ago, and I trust his wisdom. This time, though, I was skeptical. “Vera, you’re going to compete again,” he told me. My competition days are finished, I told Jim. I...
Shark Adventure: A Dive Into a Shark Arena
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published September 5, 2017 This shark adventure is a guest column written by Vera Koo’s husband, Carlos … Vera and I have different avenues toward pursuing our hobbies. Vera is drawn to activities that she can try to conquer. She’s...
Adventures with Vera Koo in India
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published March 25, 2015 While much of the Western world was celebrating the holidays with festivity, light, family and gifts, I fulfilled a life-long dream of visiting uncharted regions of the Eastern world last fall. My passport...
Vera Koo: From Dolls to Guns — My Journey to the Competition Shooting Sports
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published January 6, 2015 I did not grow up playing with toy guns. I grew up playing with dolls. In fact, as a child, I never had any interest in guns. I was raised in a very traditional Chinese family that valued women as nurturers...
Shooting Sports USA: Retiring from Shooting Sports
In this article, posted at the NRA's "Shooting Sports USA," Vera Koo explains why it became time to retire from shooting sports. In fact, she pinpoints the exact moment she decided that her days of running race guns needed to end. I was precise in everything I did...
The Quest to Dig Up the Elusive Geoduck Clam
This is a guest post written by Vera Koo’s daughter, Shane, and describes her quest to find the elusive geoduck clam while on a camping trip.
Vera Koo: When Your Friend Won’t Listen to Good Advice
We all have encountered a friend or loved one going down a path we wish we could correct. Our responsibility is to try to steer that person in the right direction with good advice. But what should you do if your friend will not listen to you? I experienced this during...
Coronavirus Pandemic: How it Changed My Lifestyle
Vera Koo shares how the Coronavirus Pandemic changed her and her family’s lifestyles by slowing things down and exploring new interests.
Thankful for Those Who Helped Along the Way
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published March 16, 2020 When I consider my life and how fortunate I have been, it is almost as if I am in a play with a perfectly written script. My story has had countless hurdles and challenging times, but just when it seems as if...
A Peek Into the Life of Vera Koo and the Book She is Writing
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published September 20, 2016 I met Vera Koo a few years ago and have been intrigued with her ever since. It’s no secret that I think she is an absolutely amazing person. As I read her recent column, my respect for her grew all the...
Peace, Harmony and Forgiveness: ‘Shing Ping’ Matters
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published June 7, 2017 When I compete in sport shooting, I try to achieve complete peace in my mind. I work hard to remain focused and keep stray thoughts from creeping in. Some shooters like to socialize at the range, but that is...
Vera Koo and the Importance of a Random Act of Kindness
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published October 19, 2016 One of my daughters once asked me what I thought the most important virtue was that she should try to instill in her children. I answered: kindness. Certainly, kindness is not the only virtue for which to...
Vera Koo: Why the Bianchi Cup Shooting Tournament is My Favorite
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published February 22, 2016 I have been told that I am the type of person who will take a bite of something and hold onto it and not let go until I have it mastered. I gravitate toward activities and tasks that take a long time to...
Vera Koo Prepares for an Adventure in India
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published February 10, 2015 I have a philosophy about opportunities. Opportunities are fleeting. When one arises, you should be careful not to miss it. You might never feel like the time is perfect to act on an opportunity....
What I Learned from Glenda Jackson and ‘King Lear’
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published August 15, 2019 In this story about a recent trip to see plays in New York City, columnist Vera Koo describes a life-changing event that occurred because she saw Glenda Jackson in “King Lear.” CliffNotes saved me on book...
Vera Koo: How the Shooting Sports Saved My Life
More than 20 years ago, I found myself at the lowest point of my life. I had experienced a terrible personal crisis. Suffice it to say that this crisis was an external force that shattered my core values. I had built my beliefs based on certain principles, and this...
Sightseeing in Alaska: Some Rules are Meant to be Broken
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published July 10, 2019 I do not usually like to mix business with pleasure. I traveled across the globe for competitions during my 15-year professional shooting career, and I almost never went sightseeing or exploring during my...
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