GOALS

I think that it is time for me to write out my goals, so here they are:

• I will create a seminar on communication and anger management
• I will learn to play the guitar, this will involve taking lessons and practicing everyday
• I will create a pattern and make a blanket with the lotus flower on it, hopefully it will be finished in time to auction off at the banquet next year
• I will do 1000 reps of Tai Chi Broad Sword and Mu Long Koon(sp)
• I will meditate each day
• I will complete 50,000 kicks
• I will improve my teaching skills by reading, attending workshops and asking lots and lots of questions
• I will learn the spear form and the cane form
• I will blog every day
• I will set up two demos at each of the seniors complexes in Stony Plain
• I will do something for my family each day 

These are my personal goals that are in addition to the goals that we will all be working towards as a group. I am hoping to create a sustainable manner of conducting my life that I can carry forward for a long time.

Team goals:

• I want everyone on the team to know that what they have to contribute is important and worthy of sharing. 
• I want everyone to feel welcome to attend any extra practices, events and initiatives that we are involved in.

• I want everyone to feel supported, not only when they are trying their best but when they can't find what they need to try at all.
• I want everyone to know that we are in this together, we will all face different obstacles but we will all face obstacles.

Teaching

Living the dream! I love teaching the young students, they are eager, energetic and fun to hang out with. They will try anything and do try anything that we ask them to, it is fantastic. I think that it is because they haven't experienced very many failures yet, so they just go for it. I am a very lucky girl:)

ps
I just noticed that my hair is very brown in my profile picture, I will need to change that soon!

Sunday blogging

One of the things that I have been missing this month is my Sunday blogs. I have been blogging on Sunday morning for more than 5 years. This morning I decided that I am going to continue with my Sunday blog theme, I will summarize my week, talk about what I have been thinking about all week and stuff like that. The every day blog will be about my training progress and the obstacles and successes that I experience.
What have been thinking about this week? Oh my, oh my! It is time to step it up big time and begin the Year of the Horse at a gallop. I will be posting my goals this week and reporting daily about my progress and obstacles throughout the year. I have set goals that will challenge me and push me outside my comfort zone, I am looking forward to how this year unfolds.

Training

Another great Kung Fu day has occurred. Children's class, Tai Chi, Fitness and Open Training. I was challenged in the children's class, it seems that each student had their own agenda that wasn't any where near the instructor's, after some adjusting, we made it work  :) Tai Chi was great as always, I continue to learn more and more each week about how to move my body as one, being aware of my six harmonies and sometimes not. I am learning to feel when I'm not moving the right way, so I think that I am moving forward. :) I attended the fitness class today for the first time in a long time, it was fantastic to feel that push again, I missed it! I have been creating excuses to not attend the class because I knew that it would be hard to get back into the groove, today I stopped making excuses and began keeping promises to me, again (thank you Sifu B Beckett!). I also spent some time at open training working on my forms, I wasn't needed in the Dragon today so I spent some time trying to feel more familiar with two forms that I learned a short time ago. I like that kind of training, just repeating a form and feeling it, trying to make the moves authentic, feel the purpose behind each move. I totally felt like I was in the moment.

Too tired to talk

Yes, Mr.Repay it can happen!!! A full day and then a full day of work is tiring, the first day of the week can sometimes be the hardest. Tomorrow will be a better day :)

More Dancing!

I am the luckiest girl in the world! I have been hanging around the dragon dance team just in case they need me, this week it has worked out awesome for me. I stumbled into a spot on Tuesday and today I got to sub for someone and stay in the dance the whole time. As soon as the drums starts, my heart feels lighter and I don't have a care in the world. I also love being with like-minded people, people who are willing to push themselves and do what it takes. It is awesome!!!!!

Athletes.....just like me!

I often admire athletes that dedicate their lives to being amazing at their chosen sport. I think, isn't that amazing that they focus on getting better at what they do everyday. In what they eat (or not) to the training they do, what they read and the amount of sleep that they get and the people they surround themselves with. Today, I'm like, wait a minute, that's what we do when we dedicate our lives to mastery. I guess that is partly why I believe so strongly in the program. I have spent my life admiring all kinds of athletes, from many different sports, doing whatever it takes to be the best that they can be. Now I am one of them, I am not where I want to be but I know how to get there and I plan on working everyday to get there. Cool revelation.

Dragon dancing

My work schedule has kept me away from the kwoon for 7 days, it was not fun. Today I returned with a spring in my step and a song in my heart. I went to practice, even though I am a spare and wasn't subbing for anyone. As luck would have it, I got to practice as we were short one person, Yeah Me! I love, love, love, dancing with that dragon!!! I can't explain it very well, sometimes it's really hard (when we are working on timing things) but I always feel fantastic when I am part of the dance. It speaks to my heart and my soul; I am excited, settled, comfortable and energetic when I am dancing. I also totally love the camaraderie that I experience each and every time, the bonding is almost instantaneous and forever.  The jokes, the caring and the sharing is like none other. What a great time! It was definitely the best hour of my day.

Check Please!

This morning I was brain storming (can you call it that when you are alone) about how to remember to do all the things that I want to do every day. I have good intentions everyday but sometimes other things get in the way, like being so tired at 9:00 that I can`t see straight. So what I think that I am going to try is making a list while my brain is functioning and then just check it off when things have been accomplished. That way, I won`t forget stuff, like writing my blog that I did not think about until I woke up this morning. And meditating! I know that it will be great for me once I get to doing it every day, it is just the getting to it  every day that is getting in the way!
I am so glad that I am using this month before the Year Of the Horse to work out all the kinks in my daily plans :)

Holiday time!

Yesterday and today, I had opportunities to be outside and active and I really enjoyed it. Every winter, I forget how much I like to be outside and every spring I rejoice in the fact that I can be outside again. I have chronic bronchitis that prevents me from hanging outside when it is cold so I am really enjoying this little break from the usual weather. It is not like I think spring is here, I am far too realistic for that, but it is nice to enjoy the spring-like conditions. It definitely elevates my mood and makes me thing of spring flowers and fresh garden lettuce. I know that it will snow again,but really, this weather is just like having a little vacation.

Food

I know what to eat in order to feel amazing (energetic, happy, and satisfied) but.....
My reaction to emotional stress is to eat, I am not really sure how to break this, change it, adjust it. I seem to go along quite nicely, eating food that I love and then Boom! I want chocolate and salt, right now. I can handle the everyday stress that I seemed to have grown used to (work especially) but when worried or scared, I go straight to the junk after. I am not sure if having to publicly write everything down is the answer. You know, shame myself into not giving in. Or work harder at my self control, stay strong and not give in. I only have questions at this point and no real plan but if I start talking openly about it that is a good start.

Not as easy as it looks!!!

I am really having to work hard to develop a routine, I don't remember it being this hard. Or I figured that since I did it before, I can easily do it again. I have added some different things like kicking bag every day and playing my guitar so it is a little bit of a challenge but....
If I don't stay on myself, I forget things! I know it will get better and I need to be patient with myself but....
Today was better than yesterday and tomorrow will be better than today.

Monday, Monday!

I accomplished a lot of things today, most of them had to do with looking after my family and preparing for the week. Not very many things that had to do with my kung fu, although if my house isn't in order it is harder to go and do kung fu. I still don't have the everyday habits down yet so each different day and their circumstances affects my outcome. I am hoping that by the end of the next two weeks, I will have the beginning of some amazing habits. I am pretty sure that each time I make a change there is some struggling that goes on and then (like all unpleasant things) I forget all about it. My brain is magical like that :). I did make some strides with my guitar today, I had a lesson and received the cords for my first song. It actually doesn't sound like a song right now as the transition between cords isn't great but I am definitely making progress and I like it (actually I love my guitar!)

rest day rocks!

I did it all! I slept in, I sat around and visited, I read my book, worked on my knitting projects, watched a good movie with my husband and hung out with my pet family. I feel re-charged and ready for what the next week will bring.

Ahhh.....Saturday!

I love Saturday's at the kwoon! For several years, I have spent the whole day at the kwoon whenever possible and I love it. Sometimes my schedule or a commitment may pull me away for all or part of the day but each week I plan to be there. The day provides so much balance for me; I run around and play with the little students in the morning (it's usually pretty sweaty), then there is Tai Chi ( the reason I'm grounded), fitness class (that I will not miss anymore except for meetings!) and then open training ( I love it when it is full). I usually have lunch afterwards ( when I get home) and if at all possible a little nap. Today was especially awesome, there is an excitement in the air that only getting ready for Chinese New Years can produce. Everyone is working hard and having a great time. There are lots of laughs and sometimes a few tears but it is the time of year that brings us closer together every year. Today I looked around and there were many different things going on; the lion/dragon dance practice, people working on their forms (together and individually), some with weapons, fight choreography, and in amongst all that were young people playing and laughing - I thought to myself, it doesn't get any better than that! There is no place I would rather be on a Saturday :)

WOW

I had a completely wonderful kung fu day! I spent time with quite a few of my favorite people, ran a little with the dragon and was reminded of why I do what I do everyday:) more tomorrow when I'm more awake.

Acceptance :)

I continue to struggle with finding a balance between tough times at work and doing kung fu which helps me to relax and continue to do my job. When I have a rough day at work, one of the things that happens is that I work extra long hours in stressful conditions. The first thing that I have to do is sleep and re-charge and then I can do kung fu and tai chi, hang with my family and play my new guitar. The problem arises when resting between shifts and shift work don't leave enough time for all the other stuff that helps me hold onto my sanity. This week: Day 1 rough day, followed by bad sleep, followed by extra early hours to deal with paperwork, meetings and dealing with more client issues. Day 2 more challenges 10 hour day, can't sleep including short change ( work 3-11pm then return the next morning for 7-3pm). After work on Day 3, I went straight to the kwoon and worked on my kicks and forms for about an hour before the kid's classes. I feel like I haven't done kung fu in days when in reality, I haven't done kung fu since Day 1 in the morning. I need to accept that sometimes this is going to happen and I needed to write this out because in doing so in helped me realize that it wasn't three days without kung fu, it was more like 36 hours. I can handle that!

Opportunity to learn

Today was my first day of work since Dec.15th, it was good to be back but..... I totally failed to complete my to do list. I practiced my guitar and the rest of the time I was busy getting ready for work, making dinner, doing laundry, looking after my pets and so on. I don't like to go to work without my house being in order first, so all those things need to be a part of my day. In order to feel better about being a shift worker, I work hard to make things easier for my family while I am away. Consequentially, I need to figure out how to do all these things and increase the kung fu that I do each day. I know that I need to be smart about my time and use each minute that I have. I will need to stay in the moment all day long, I think this may take some practice! Good thing that tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity to make my routine work. :)

Creating a routine!

I woke up early and half my brain was ready to get going, the other half wanted more sleep. I split the difference, laid there for a bit and then got busy. I had a busy but productive day and even managed a small nap (which I love!). My kicks are looking like I've been working on them, I have really been concentrating on perfect technique and making it repeatable. I have also been working on my Tai Chi demo, which I changed on the weekend, I'm trying to make it my own...all I can say so far is...hmmmm.
I had a guitar lesson today and I am more and more excited about my progress. I learned some more cords and will practice everyday this week!

Forgot!

I totally forgot to blog yesterday! I had rest day of sorts, I wasn't feeling good in my guts so I had to take it easy ( and whine a bit). I checked the blogs in the morning and thought weird not to blog on a Sunday morning, then went oh well I'll do it later! We all know how that turned out. Perhaps, I'll stick to the Sunday morning blog as that is my habit.

Dragon dancing

Today was a great day for kung fu! I did some Tai Chi with my friends at the beginning of the day and received some feedback so that I can make some improvements. I worked on my front thrust kicks and did some sit ups. I had another opportunity to be in the dragon dance again today, that's like, three days in a row for me. I love being able to help out and fill in for folks who have scheduling dilemmas, and I'm getting to know the dance well enough that it doesn't freak me out to be in different positions.
I got really cold and tired afterwards and I hope that I'm not coming down with something (Sihing Donohue?). I have to go back to work in a few days so it will be interesting to figure out how to fit my knew routine in with my work schedule.

Day Three :)

I'm not really sure how to write a blog everyday. What do I write about? How do I document my journey? What would be interesting? What does the layout need to look like? Should I put my numbers down everyday, the way that I do in my journal?
I don't really know the answers to all the questions but I have decided what to do, I'm just gong to tell you about my day, every day and see what happens.
When I woke up this morning, there was a moment when I wasn't really sure if I wanted to get up and then I thought, you're a black belt - you have to get moving. Getting my black belt was one of my greatest achievements in my life and everyday when I get up, I have to respect that and not let it down. That is what gets me up on time to do the things that I told myself that I would do. I took care of my household this morning, dogs, cat, husband (teen did not see that side of noon). I spent some time with one of my friends actually talking about goals and requirements and starting to make a plan together. In the afternoon, I prepared for spending the evening away from my family and then spent the evening with my kung fu family. I love being in the dragon dance and I love being there when they practice, the whole thing is such a rush for me. I am grateful that I got to run in the dragon today. I also managed to work on my Tai Chi, one of my forms a little, completed my sit ups for the day (very painful to start, not sure if a day off was a good idea) and finished my kicks when I got home (my legs did not hurt at all!!!!) I also practiced my guitar! What? I haven't mentioned that yet? One of my personal goals is to learn how to play the guitar this year. So far, I have purchased a guitar (thank you Santa), met my instructor and started lessons (two so far!) and have been practicing most days. My goal is to practice everyday and so far I am working on fitting it into my day, not sure what part of the day is the best. That was my day :)

I may be a rock star one day!

What a buzz!

I can't believe how great I felt today! I got such a buzz off of yesterday's activities that I flew threw most of my things to do today with ease. I walked the dogs in the rain this afternoon, took care of some business for my family and completed my errands and none of it seems like a big deal. Also of note, things seemed to be going my way today. I seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
Kung fu things that I did today was recording my acts of kindness, tai chi, and dragon dance. I probably should have worn my pedometer when I had the dogs out so that I could record it. I will do that next time. I decided that my legs and my abs could use a little break, moving was little uncomfortable as everything felt stiff and sore. At first I thought that I needed to work those same muscles again and then I remembered that it is smart to take a day off and rest those really sore muscles so that is what I decided to do.

Happy New Year!

Here is the first step in the next part of my blogging journey. I am going to blog everyday for the next 396 days. I started blogging in March 2008 and have blogged consistently every week since then. I looked at the blogging requirement for the I Ho Chuan team and noticed that I have been doing the minimum about of blogging for more than five years, I can do better than that!  Since I want to challenge myself over the next year, the next logical step for me is to blog more. I could have made a lofty goal to blog more than I have been but that wouldn't work for me, I need to go hard or go home. So here it begins, me....documenting my journey everyday....
Today, I did 1000 sit ups and 1000 kicks! There was no rhyme or reason to how I got it done, I just kept at it until I was done. I had a plan to do 100 of each every hour for 10 hours and then I would be done. I didn't take into consideration that I had other things to do, life things, hanging with Katie, doing the dishes, making supper, etc. I do that sometimes, make a plan and forget that my other responsibilities can alter that. So one of my goals inside of all my goals this year is to make realistic plans each day and not forget about my other stuff. Until tomorrow.....