I've been guilty of not blogging last week, my computer is disconnected because of renos in my house and I hate using my phone and the tiny keyboard. Still not connected so I'm going to keep this short. Thought a lot about the candidates running in all that snow this weekend, it's amazing how much snow we can get in one night. I got to say hi to our adopt a driveway person, Mrs. Chalifoux, what lovely lady. She always bakes us something and is so grateful for what we do. Makes those sore shovelling muscles feel worth it. All this snow is a great chance for acts of kindness, shovelling, pushing people's cars out of snowbanks and icy intersections.
Adrien was in Halifax all week so life was hectic and Fridays bad driving conditions from westlock kept me from classes, I hope that doesn't happen too often this winter.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Nov. 3
During the meeting this Saturday I thought of all kinds of things I'd blog about but now that I'm writing I can't think of any of them. I am guilty of blogging a lot about things unrelated to kung fu, so I will try to be more on track from now on.
I have been thinking of black belt grading lately, mostly because it's coming up quick for those grading, but also because it makes me think of my I Ho Chuan experience. I think that the most challenging thing for me preparing for my own grading was coming up with 5 original techniques. I have always felt that I lacked creativity in this area, and honestly my techniques were terrible. I felt the same dread thinking of making up my own form, especially with a weapon. Finally coming up with something that got approved by Sifu Brinker was really awesome. I think that has been the high point of this year for me. Dragon dance has also been something I didn't think I would be that into but has turned out to be great. I thought that our Tiger challenge performance went really well and a special thanks to Sifu Wetter for holding me up for so long, and also kick him in the legs a million times while we practiced. I'm looking forward to seeing where we go from here.
I have been thinking of black belt grading lately, mostly because it's coming up quick for those grading, but also because it makes me think of my I Ho Chuan experience. I think that the most challenging thing for me preparing for my own grading was coming up with 5 original techniques. I have always felt that I lacked creativity in this area, and honestly my techniques were terrible. I felt the same dread thinking of making up my own form, especially with a weapon. Finally coming up with something that got approved by Sifu Brinker was really awesome. I think that has been the high point of this year for me. Dragon dance has also been something I didn't think I would be that into but has turned out to be great. I thought that our Tiger challenge performance went really well and a special thanks to Sifu Wetter for holding me up for so long, and also kick him in the legs a million times while we practiced. I'm looking forward to seeing where we go from here.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
An Act of Kindness
This weekend I was out with my younger daughter getting a few things for her to make Halloween crafts. I was at the check out and tried to pay with my credit card but they didn't accept credit so I went for my debit card. I couldn't find it anywhere... I realized I had put it in my jacket pocket and left it there at home. A very nice lady behind me insisted on paying for our items even though they were completely frivolous (well not to Teagan I guess). I felt so embarrassed, but she insisted. She told me to just pass it on, and I will. It was so nice I felt great for the rest of the day. It was a nice reminder of what it's like being on the receiving end of an act of kindness, and how good it can make someone feel. It's a great feeling to be part of a team that is doing stuff like this everyday.
Monday, October 7, 2013
This week
I feel like I don't have much to say this week. I am really enjoying dragon dance practices and the camaraderie we all have there. I think it would be amazing to do the double dragon dance for Chinese New Year, the more we challenge ourselves the better it is when we pull it off.
We got a new dog last week, some of you have seen him at the kwoon already. His name is Dexter and he's a SCARS dog, one of SRKF Benevolent Foundation charities. He was surrendered at a spay and neuter task force in Hobbema. There are a lot of SCARS dogs that come through the Westlock Vet clinic and it's so great to see these scared, malnourished and sometimes beaten and even shot animals come back through when they have gotten good medical care and a few weeks of good meals. Hey, you all had a part in that, very cool, and they may never know your faces but you changed a life. See you all on the mats.
We got a new dog last week, some of you have seen him at the kwoon already. His name is Dexter and he's a SCARS dog, one of SRKF Benevolent Foundation charities. He was surrendered at a spay and neuter task force in Hobbema. There are a lot of SCARS dogs that come through the Westlock Vet clinic and it's so great to see these scared, malnourished and sometimes beaten and even shot animals come back through when they have gotten good medical care and a few weeks of good meals. Hey, you all had a part in that, very cool, and they may never know your faces but you changed a life. See you all on the mats.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Fall
It's really feeling like fall these last few weeks. I'm not a winter lover so this time of year makes me dread winter but I still can't help but love fall for itself. I like my autumn garden- harvesting and doing all the canning and pickling, although sometimes the overabundance of vegetables needing something done with them can be overwhelming- I have over a hundred pounds of tomatoes in my house right now! Really can't complain about that though when there are food shortages around the world.
I feel like a broke through a wall with my cane these last couple of months. I am not a creative person and I have struggled to come up with a form to showcase this weapon. I think what finally happened was I just started playing with it, twirling it around, hitting stuff- I don't know, it just worked. I really like the cane as it is practical so I'm glad this is finally coming together. Dragon dance is fun as always. I like working on the new stuff, even if it's a little scary sometimes, but I do feel bad for Sifu Wetter having to carry me around on his shoulders PLUS the dragon head!
Fun week at work so far also- an injured hawk was brought in and we did radiographs for the wildlife rescue group, really cool.
I feel like a broke through a wall with my cane these last couple of months. I am not a creative person and I have struggled to come up with a form to showcase this weapon. I think what finally happened was I just started playing with it, twirling it around, hitting stuff- I don't know, it just worked. I really like the cane as it is practical so I'm glad this is finally coming together. Dragon dance is fun as always. I like working on the new stuff, even if it's a little scary sometimes, but I do feel bad for Sifu Wetter having to carry me around on his shoulders PLUS the dragon head!
Fun week at work so far also- an injured hawk was brought in and we did radiographs for the wildlife rescue group, really cool.
Monday, September 16, 2013
4th draft
I've been thinking a lot about the I Ho Chuan year and some of the conversations we've been having after class- and of course Sihing Lowry leaving kung fu, (hopefully just temporarily). I wrote at least 3 different blog posts and deleted them all, they ended up just being my opinion on the subject of sacrifices, what it takes etc, basically a lot of blah blah blah. We are all different in our own ways and we will each have our own unique highs and lows through this year. I hope though, that we can utilize the fact that in some ways we are all the same, we are all struggling at times no matter how it may seem on the outside. It is easy to feel alone and frustrated, I know we all want to keep things positive but sometimes just being able to talk to someone about having a crap day makes all the difference. So if you ever want to talk about your crap day (or your awesome day) I'd love to listen.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Heart
Someone I know posted a video with this commentary on it, It is geared towards a competitor, but I felt like it has relevance for a lot of us in what we do, or anything your trying to accomplish in life. I can't think of anyone who hasn't felt beaten and knocked around by life a few times. The best accomplishments in life are the ones that we struggled to finish or the ones we thought there was no way we could do and then doing it. Anyway, it spoke to me.
"Here's the thing that makes life so interesting. The theory of evolution claims only the strong shall survive. Maybe so, maybe so. But the Theory of Competition says just because they're the strong doesn't mean they can't get their butts kicked. That's right. See, what every long shot, come- from- behind underdog will tell you is this: The other guy may, in fact,be the favorite, the odds may be stacked against you. Fair enough. But what the odds don't know is this isn't a math test. This is a completely different kind of test. One where passion has a funny way of trumping logic. So, before you step up to the starting line, before the whistle blows, and the clock starts ticking, just remember out here, the results don't always add up. No matter what the stats may say, and the experts may think, and the commentators may have predicted, when the race is on, all bets are off. Don't be surprised if somebody decides to flip the script and take a pass on yelling "uncle!" And then suddenly as the old saying goes, "We got ourselves a game.""
"Here's the thing that makes life so interesting. The theory of evolution claims only the strong shall survive. Maybe so, maybe so. But the Theory of Competition says just because they're the strong doesn't mean they can't get their butts kicked. That's right. See, what every long shot, come- from- behind underdog will tell you is this: The other guy may, in fact,be the favorite, the odds may be stacked against you. Fair enough. But what the odds don't know is this isn't a math test. This is a completely different kind of test. One where passion has a funny way of trumping logic. So, before you step up to the starting line, before the whistle blows, and the clock starts ticking, just remember out here, the results don't always add up. No matter what the stats may say, and the experts may think, and the commentators may have predicted, when the race is on, all bets are off. Don't be surprised if somebody decides to flip the script and take a pass on yelling "uncle!" And then suddenly as the old saying goes, "We got ourselves a game.""
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