The honeymoons over

So it's back to business as usual after having a week off of kung fu and 2 weeks off work. What a vacation! The time off was good, now that the old aches and pains are coming back I can see where they are originating. Good in a weird kind of way I guess. I had my first physio appointment today. I'm pretty stoked I actually made the appointment and got there after thinking of doing it for so long. I may have overwhelmed her with everything I want fixed though, it was kind of funny, at one point she ran out of paper. Maybe I just talk too much.
So I've noticed the "honeymoon" is over for a lot of people in regards to the UBBT. We are past the point where the excitement of starting isn't a big motivator anymore. Now we are starting the uphill climb. I'm feeling it myself, especially after taking a week off. At the beginning you couldn't read the blogs fast enough, there were so many. This is the part where I tell myself how happy I'll be when I look back and see how far I've come. I don't think anyone who puts that much time and effort into training and being a better person for a whole year can look back and think, huh maybe I should have just stayed where I was.

Warm places

So I'm headed to Mexico tomorrow morning and I'm trying to cram in as many requirements as I can tonight. I think because so often I am going for numbers I have let some of my technique slip a little. Someone brought it to my attention and I've been thinking about it ever since. If I get 5 reps of kempo in and they suck then what was the point? Because I know I will be practicing this doesn't fall under the "practicing wrong is better than no practice at all" category. So I'm back to the basics once again, I seem to be ending up there a lot My mantra right now is mindful practice! I'll be blogging late next week, see you all then!

I can't think of a catchy title

Silent Rivers Chinese New Year banquet was amazing as always. There always seems to be a resurgence of energy in the students after seeing the new black belts show us what they're made of. It's definitely something to aspire to. It was different to be backstage with the kids this year, I didn't sit and watch my kids perform as I usually do. I have so much respect for the kids instructors, anyone who can organize and wrangle that many kids with any semblance of order and without losing their cool is amazing in my books. It was fun to be in one of the lions to pick up the red packets, well, except when kids want to touch the lion and your sitting there bent over in the back of the lion... well, you can imagine. All in all an awesome night.

This has nothing to do with what I've been writing about but these are my random thoughts from the week. For a few different reasons death has been on my mind, not in a morbid way, just in the how it's a part of life kind of way. One thing is clear,the little things do make a difference a life well lived can leave a legacy that will be passed on long after we're gone.

ROAR!

We've had some really nice weather the past week and it seems like everyone is in a good mood because of it. There is just something about feeling the sun on your face... without freezing winds accompanying, that makes you feel good. I had the opportunity to help out today at a family day winter carnival of sorts. It was more fun than I thought it would be, there were lots of cute kids and happy families. My own kids came and helped out with a few games of snowball toss, it was fun.

On another note, we rang in the Chinese New Year with another 1000 push ups and sit ups. My muscles don't feel it very much the next day like they used to. This was the hardest 1000 I've ever done in regards to my wrist joints though. I am uncertain what to do with the ever worsening wrist/hand situation that I have going on. Right now there is a lot of waiting and I feel like I'm chomping at the bit for a solution. Of course if I'd have gone to the doctor sooner, my six week wait would already be over. Lesson learned I guess. Take care of yourself and your injuries! Happy Year of the Tiger everyone!

The title is the worst part

After blogging weekly for over a year, it is still one of the hardest things for me to do. I always sit here and stare at the screen and end up catalogueing my injuries as a blog entry. Exciting!
So just an update then I guess. Just about everything is on track right now and what I'm behind on is going to be caught up by the end of the week. It feels good. Some of the students are planning on doing another 1000 push ups and sit ups day on Chinese New Year so it will be nice to beef up those totals before I head to Mexico next month. I have someone new to work on jui jitsu with thats my size. It's pretty great, my ribs and sternum are happy about it. I suppose practicing with someone almost twice your size is like running with ankle and wrist weights on, when they're off your light as a feather! So here's to another productive week. Cheers.

One down, 11 to go

Not much to say this week, I caught up a few of my numbers to finish January strong. The physout program that Adrien put out there for everyone has made all the difference.
There have been a few times this month where I've seen things happen that left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Just strangers at the grocery store or where ever. It still blows me away that someone can knock down a stack of something and just walk away from it even though there are people behind that can't get around it. Or people that litter... I just think, really? really? you honestly don't care? There are a lot of indifferent people out there, sometimes I forget, being around so many people that are actively trying to make a difference in the world. I know most people that see you fixing or picking up something that someone else made a mess of are surprised. Most of them stare for a minute and say in a kind of disbelieving voice, that was really nice. I hope all those people that are out there doing their acts of kindness everyday influence at least one or two people over the course of the year to do the same. You never know who's watching you or that you may have inspired them to be a better person. I think this is one of the most important things we do in the UBBT and life.

Normal? I forgot what that feels like

So I thought that this being my second UBBT that I would miss out on the wonderful seasoning process of burning muscles long unused and the accompanying aches and pains. This year seems to be starting out as the culmination to many small injuries compounding and turning into bigger injuries. This week I really realized how "out" I am. My upper back and shoulders haven't been right since I don't know when. There is a spot on my back that feels like there is a knife in it, in the sense that there is no relief or stretch that makes it feel better. My hands fall asleep before I shovel down the length of my walk, before I even get to the actual sidewalk. Last Tuesday seemed to be the last straw for my big toe. We grappled in San Shou class, which is the worst possible thing it seems for my sad little toe. The joint is so painful that I'm having trouble doing kicks and being in proper stances. I'm doing my push ups on one foot. Tape is no longer the answer. I know that one can expect to have aches and pains, bruises and whatnot being in martial arts, but there are some things that can be fixed. So, I am making next week the week to make appointments and figure out what the heck I can do to fix myself up, because as I have realized, although this has become normal for me, it shouldn't be. Despite my complaining it has been another great week, I find having my numbers on the computer and knowing others can see them really keeps me motivated at the end of a long day.