thats all folks

I don't know where to begin this week, I have a millions thoughts in my head, all going in different directions.
One thing I would like to do this week is make some concrete decisions about my training. I need to have a more solid plan. I think sitting down and coming up with some goals will coincide nicely with planning for UBBT 8.
I can't seem to gather my thoughts today, so thats it for this week, Cheers.

My brain is sweating

There is a lot going on, as always. Mid terms this week, lots of mental exertion! Sometimes makes you feel more tired than physical exhaustion can. I had a couple of extra days off school last week so I filled in at the barn, my replacement quit. Turns out it's hard work. I don't think I fully appreciated how much I ruined my body working there for 2+ years. After 3 days of work the injuries flared up with a vengeance. My feet are going to be a work in progress for years I think. My neck is so sore because of the tension and mis-alignment of my shoulders. My elbow joints have been aching all week. I guess I realized that when we don't take care of ourselves all along, the road to recovery can be a lot longer.
On a good note, a group of us got to help out with a Habitat for Humanity project in Stony Plain. It was a ton of fun. I may quit school and start putting up vapor barrier in the ceilings of closets for a living. It seems I may have missed my calling in life. It was a great group with a really positive vibe all day. The guys running the show were a great bunch and very patient with all of the volunteers. Thanks to Sihing Kichko for organizing the opportunity for everyone.
Have a good week everyone!

when are you going to use that anyway?

My older daughter started middle school this year, which means she is in grade five. The school is grade 5 to 9 which is a pretty big change for a small person. In my opinion this is when school can get tough. It's not all circle time and hand holding anymore.
Yesterday my daughter used kung fu to defend her cousin and herself.I don't know the details of the situation before it started. An older boy had her cousin in a bear hug and wouldn't let her go, Chantal told the boy to put her down and he wouldn't. Another boy grabbed her from behind. She took him down using the bear hug technique the kids learn at Silent River. The other boy still hadn't let go so she used a front kick to convince him. When he dropped her, Chantal said run, lets get out of here. Unfortunately, her cousin wanted to stay and finish fighting, but in the end, Chantal got her to leave. I was so thrilled to hear that she used a minimum of physical force, and that she actually knew what to do in the situation. Whenever we talk at home about defending yourself she has always worried about hurting someone,but she came through it very well. I am most proud of the fact that she tried to diffuse the confrontation with words first, and that she didn't try to stay and be hero afterwards. I think the most important things she has learned at kung fu are the ones that give her the confidence to stick up for someone and knowing she can defend herself if she needs to.

update

I did an overall numbers check yesterday and I feel pretty good about my requirements. I was telling someone the other day that I need to be accountable to someone other than myself to be consistent, well, not all the time but it helps. The UBBT has really done that for me.
I've been seeing a lot of the techniques and forms in a different way since going to the white belt class. Being taught the basics again is so much more useful than I thought it would be. There are so many nuances that I have been missing that are make or break to a defense. So next month will be the vegetarian challenge, I'm looking forward to that. See you all next week.