Running and Friends

A couple of weeks ago, I had an opportunity to go for a run with a really good friend of mine. We have trained together before so it was a lot like putting on your favorite sweatshirt that makes you feel warm and cozy. We accept each other for where we are at, push each other when needed and take a little break when we have to. I wish everyone could have a training partner like that, someone that ever, ever judges you, just gives you a little push when you need it and celebrates the victories with you and picks you up when you fall down. I carried that warm in me for a week afterwards, thank you partner :)
So my team, if you ever want to go bike riding or running (inside of course) and would like someone to just be with you, I'm your man (well not literally but it seemed weird to say woman!). I also go swimming but that is less likely to be something that you can do with a partner. I go to the TriLeisure most mornings, sometimes at five or six and sometimes a bit later like seven or eight (if I am not on day shift) and I invite all of you to speak up and say Hey, can I come? It doesn't matter what your fitness level or skills are, I don't care, if you only have 1/2 an hour that's okay too!  Of course, there is always time for a few forms afterwards :)
I am looking forward to hearing from you all :)

Living the Life

I started this knitting project in January to help Katie raise money for a trip to Africa, that trip is a no go but I have continued with the project to raise money for the Silent River Benevolent Foundation. I have been making and selling the same thing for all of this calendar year, dish clothes and oven mitts. I have taken a few side trips to make a baby blanket or two but I have continued on with this project through thick and thin for nearly 11 months now. Last night, it occurred to me that it is very much like the I Ho Chuan, always working towards the end goal with a few side trips here and there. Those side trips may include injuries, lack of motivation, or just lack of participation but they are the same and we always come back to working on the goals again. I have learned much more than I have given myself credit for by being a part of so many I Ho Chuan teams, I am living the life and I wasn't even trying that hard!
So much like the I Ho Chuan year, the end of my project is in sight and I don't intend to ever quit knitting (or kung fu) but I will do something slightly different in the coming year.

Where am I? What am I doing?

Well, I am not at kung fu! I am working out, doing a bit of Tai Chi, trying to spend a bit of time with my friends and working my butt off trying to look after everything in my world. Right now I don't know how to fit everything in, so I am doing the best I can with the tools that I have. I am making sure that I have time for a work out each day and sometimes it includes my forms ( I would be lying if I said that I was practicing daily), I know that I need that in order to survive. It is one of the most important things that I do for myself to stay focused, calm and relaxed. Another thing that I do for myself is hang out at the kwoon with like-minded people, I am not able to do that as much as I want to right now. It will come back, I know it.
In the meantime, my little babies are growing like bad weeds, running into every situation that presents itself and loving everyone in their path. One of them has to go to their new forever home on Tuesday and I am not really looking forward to that but one of them gets to stay with us for an extra two weeks so that is really cool.
I think that I always remember how much work is involved in having a litter of puppies grace my home, and then it happens and I am overwhelmed by the work. I am sure in a few weeks I will forget the work and be ready to take on more puppies next time as I will recall only the kisses and the cuddles :)