Mantis Mantle

Year of the Dragon!

2012-01-22T22:20:00.006-07:00

Did you know that....

-It is considered lucky to be born in the year of the dragon
-People born in the Year of the Dragon are said to be smart, energetic, ambitious and passionate, extroverted
-Martin Luther King Jr was born in the Year of the Dragon
-Dragons are creative people, often bursting with ideas and intention
-John Lennon was born in the Year of the Dragon
-The dragon is the most auspicious and powerful of the 12 signs of the zodiac, one associated with high energy and prosperity. It's also the only mythical creature in the Chinese astrological stable that includes horses, rats and pigs. This year is considered especially auspicious because it is the year of the water dragon, something that happens once every 60 years

Water Dragons – Years 1952 and 2012

Water calms the Dragon’s fire. Water Dragons are able to see things from other points of view. They don’t have the need to always be right. Their decisions, if well-researched, are usually better since they allow other’s to become involved.

I have been completely fascinated by the dragon since the first time that I saw it. I remember that Sifu Brinker told us that in the year of the dragon we would have a Dragon Dance Team and unveil the dragon at that time, at the time I wondered if I would have the opportunity to be a part of such a team. I am happy to say that that dream has come true. This new year will present so many opportunities for me and I am looking forward to each and every one of them.

Life doesn't get any better than this! I love the dragon and I'm on the dragon dance team to celebrate the year of the dragon!!

Rascal

2012-01-15T13:18:00.006-07:00

I would like to introduce the newest member of my family, Rascal. In the third week of October, one of my work mates mentioned that she knew someone who knew someone who found 5 small kittens in a trash bag. The young person heard the babies crying and investigated. I volunteered to take one home. He was adorable (well, we did think that he was a girl for the first few days and were calling him Molly!) and he fit in my hand, he weighed half a pound. We had to do everything for him that his mom would have and then some. We bought milk replacer, my friend lent us a kitten baby bottle, we filled bottles with hot water for warmth, put our ticking alarm clock by his bed so he wouldn't feel lonely, changed his bed twice or three times a day, washed him (only cat that I have ever met that doesn't mind a nice warm bath), cuddled him, held him and loved him.
Rascal is currently about 4 and a half pounds and in his fourth month of life. I think that he is going to make it.
I have been reminded in the last few weeks, how much I love having a cat in my life. He loves to cuddle (even if you are trying to type, it doesn't bother him), he will play with anything that moves (pencils and knitting needles included) and most recently has taken to stealing shining objects (such as hair clips). He makes me laugh at least once a day, especially when he is trying to wrap his little paws around a decidedly bigger boxer head. Ahhhh....cats are good.

Questions, Answers

2012-01-09T08:23:00.006-07:00

Have you ever worked so hard for something that you have put your everything into it? And then along that same journey, you often wonder, 'Am I ever going to get there?' I have. I am living it. Now my goal is very close and it feels kind of surreal, is this really happening? How am I supposed to feel? Where do I go from here? What is my everyday going to look like?
It seems like all I have is questions, this is good right? I don't ever want to feel like, 'ahhh, I made it!' and stop working towards mastery. I always want to have questions, not the same questions, just questions. How does this work? How can I make it better? What do I need to pay attention to today to make this the best day ever? If I saw me on the street, is that someone who I would want to be friends with? If I saw me practicing kung fu, is that someone that I would aspire to be? If I saw me fund-raising and increasing awareness, would that encourage me to do that as well?
These are the questions that run through my head on a regular basis, so that I can be a better me. My ultimate goal is to be a great martial artist, regardless of the belt that I am wearing.
So here I am, working hard everyday to improve me and doing the hardest thing for me, being patient!

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T21:35:00.003-07:00

I am very excited to start the new year. I am expecting many changes this year and I hope that I handle them with grace and dignity.
I was hoping to add some wisdom here but none is coming to me. So stay true to yourself and stay strong..
Sihing Kichko

What a Fantastic Year!

2011-12-25T10:11:00.003-07:00

When am I going to start reflecting on my goals? It seems like all that I have been thinking about lately is how I got here and what does it feel like. What has changed? What has stayed the same? What else do I want to change? What do I want to stay the same?
I have definitely been thinking a lot about my journey and what defines it and where it is going. I have also been working very hard at practice, dragon dance and training. That is where I am the most happiest person ever, when I am working on my kung fu, in any form. Each day is structured around maximizing my kung fu time; take something out for dinner that can be cooked by my family (thank you tons and tons), so that I can eat when I am finished my practice and then go and practice some more. Some days it means getting up extra early so that I have time to practice before family time or errands that contribute to the running of my household. Whatever it takes, I make time for practice, I love it.
One of the things that I noticed that has changed the most for me is making time for everything. I don't waste as many minutes as I used to, each portion of the day has a purpose and I try not to let it go to waste. I like to get things done. The more things that I can check off my list each the day the happier I am. I have always been this way but before I didn't exactly know how to get it done. I plan my days better now so that I can fit more stuff in and I spend way less time sitting around wondering how I am going to get it all done. I can not pin point when in the last year that the transformation took place, I just noticed that I am different. Here is an example; each year at Christmas time, I make elaborate plans to make items for people as gifts, I usually accomplish about half of what I set out to do and experience disappointment in myself. This year, I made a plan and I set it in motion and completed it in time. Two key things have changed, I am more realistic about what I can get accomplished so I didn't plan as many things and I stayed committed to what I was doing and got it done within my deadline.
I did not have a goal that stated that I should make better use of my time, etc. I just got super busy with all the things that I love to do and had to figure out a way to make it all happen. This is the true benefit of striving for mastery everyday, all kinds of cool things start to happen and before you know it, you are the person that you have been earning to be. I will always set goals for myself that include a daily commitment towards improvement, so that I can enjoy the fringe benefits of changing and growing each year.
That is the biggest impact that UBBT has had on my life this year. I have completed push ups, sit ups, kicks, forms, acts of kindness and many of the goals that I had set out to do. I also am continuing to work on many aspect of those same goals, as I don't think that I will ever be finished with them. I am a different person than I was went I started on this journey, actually I am different than when I got up yesterday morning and I will be different again tomorrow morning. As long as I strive towards mastery in all that I do, I will continue to grow.

It's Christmas!!!!!!

2011-12-22T09:06:00.004-07:00

Don't forget as you run around doing your last minute shopping and errands, and try to fit one more thing in before the holidays, etc. It's Christmas!
I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to train, laugh, sweat, chat, take risks, shovel, encourage and inspire an amazing group of people. I wish you and your families a Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!
I look forward to encountering all of you in the new year as we all strive to be better tomorrow than we are today.

Sihing Kichko

Happy to be where I am.

2011-12-18T13:48:00.003-07:00

Do I write about........
Christmas?
How I think that last year has gone?
The thrill and excitement of the Dragon Dance?
Being on holidays and feeling like I can breath for a second or two before moving on to the next thing to do?
Fundraising, how to share the passion?
My new kitten and the highs and lows of finding the right food for him?

Each and every week, I pack as many things as possible into every day. This is mostly due to the UBBT team and learning that each moment has a purpose. I started out trying to fit all my requirements into each day and discovered that I love to be busy and I love to accomplish things every day. I no longer think that I don't have time for something new, I think, how am I going to make this work?
I am on holidays until Jan. 08, I am hoping that I can manage to stay busy until then.

Why do you volunteer?

2011-12-11T07:56:00.007-07:00

Why I volunteer........
I started the adopt-a-driveway program because I thought that it would be a fun thing to do with my kung fu friends. And it is. The first year, I don't think that I ever went out by myself to shovel, it was always with a group. In recent years, I often go in the morning after class with some of my training mates and it is always a great time. Throughout this time, I had heard that other members of the team had talk to our home owners, I did not meet any of them until last year. Then I got to meet Mrs. Chaulifoux and Mrs. Englehardt and they are very, very nice ladies. I am not just saying that because they give the most amazing baked goods. They are nice people and they truly appreciate what we are doing. One day, when we arrived, Mrs. Chaulifoux was out in the driveway getting started as she didn't want "you girls" to have to do it all. I feel truly blessed to have met this lady, she is a sweat heart and she is the reason that I strap on my snow boots each and every time that it snows, so she doesn't have to worry about the walk way.
A few years ago, we were all invited to listen to a lady talk about the project in Malawi. I went because I thought that is what was expected of me. What I heard was amazing! I don't remember all the words that were spoken, but I remember the passion. When Memory spoke about the girls at the school, I remember the depth of emotion that she shared with us. As I raise money for pandemonium this year, I don't think that I have to do this, I am thinking of her face and her voice and the passion that she shared with us that night.
I recently rescued a kitten. He was found in a garbage bag with his brothers and sisters at the dump (insert politically correct word here) and a kind soul found homes for all of them. I don't know the gentleman that started the whole thing but I think of him often and his kindness and selflessness. I am sure that it wasn't easy lining up five homes in one afternoon but he did it. He even gave each of us a little milk replacer for kittens to get us through the night. When I met my kitten, he was very frightened, he had had quite an adventure, I settled him by zipping him into my hoodie where he promptly went to sleep listening to my heart. I think of that moment when I am speaking to people about donating money to SCARS.
I believe that everyone needs to know that someone in the world cares about them. Just one person, that is all it takes. When someone is feeling alone, they need a place to turn, to talk, to feel grounded, to know that there is someone who understands. When we give money to the Simon Poultney Foundation, we are providing that opportunity, that moment (it's a precious one) that could change a person's life.
These are the things that I think about all the time. I don't drag my butt around complaining about all the things that I have to do to be a better person or because someone else wants me to. I drag my butt around because I want to help people, I want them to know that I care, I will help, listen, shovel and even eat a brownie once in a while so that they feel better.
So now you know, what drives me when I am volunteering. What drives you?

Interim blog

2011-12-05T10:38:00.002-07:00

On the weekend, Sifu Brinker asked us to reflect on what we have learned in the past year. I started writing that blog and realized that it is going to take me longer than the time that I had set aside to do it. This is my interim blog while the other percolates some more.
My training this week has been very interesting. I am learning some very cool stuff and having a great time doing it. I am also trying to fix some things that continue to haunt me, probably because I didn't really fix them the first time. I know that I will find the real truth when I look at the root of the problem, I just have to find the nerve to take a peek. I will continue to work on my courage to do so.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.
Sihing Kichko

Working Hard and Having Fun! Really!!!

2011-11-27T19:14:00.002-07:00

What an incredible week it has been! I am working harder than ever before in my life and I am loving it. Everything that I do, all day long, is orchestrated so that I can have more time to practice. It was hard at first but I am getting used to the pace and I am enjoying pushing myself as hard as I can.
I made a major break through with my eye for detail this week and it is a giant relief. I have been trying to figure something out about how I move for a long time and I finally get it. I knew that if I kept trying that I would get it, and it was hard to be patient with the process sometimes, but I think I have succeeded.
I am fully enjoying teaching all the different levels and ages that I have an opportunity to. The young people on Saturday mornings are nearly as enthusiastic as I am and they are a great deal of fun. They will try anything once and that makes the class very entertaining. The teen/adult classes that I attend and am lucky to be a part of are very educational. I am learning about how different people learn and how to help them by letting them figure some stuff out for themselves.
I also very blessed to have a great partner to train with, it is always fun and challenging when we get together. We work hard to improve ourselves and to give each other positive feedback.
When I review the week, I can't believe how busy it was and when I look the coming week, I can't wait to get started.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Snow Days!

2011-11-20T16:58:00.004-07:00

I think that I discovered one of the great mystery's of my little world. Why do we stay in this crazy cold climate, with long winters and short summers (with lots of rain)?
I had the pleasure of having to run some errands on Thurs. afternoon in the middle of the snow storm. The people that I encountered were friendly and helpful and full of good cheer. The general attitude seemed to be 'No point complaining about, might as well make the best of it.' I observed people helping others with their hard to manage carts in the snow, sharing jokes about snow days and how come grown ups don't get them, and being patient and over all friendly with one another. I think that the snow brought them together, gave them a common ground. Hopefully this good cheer will see us through the holiday season and into the long months while we wait for spring to arrive.
Meanwhile, I am thrilled and exhausted this week as I attempt to push my training to the next level.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Goals

2011-11-13T10:27:00.005-07:00

Goal setting is important in all areas of our lives. Whether you are setting fitness goals, weight loss goals, how to get a promotion goals or how to be a better person goals, it is important that you write them down, recite them often and remind yourself throughout the day. When I set a major, long term goal, the steps that I take to get there are many and keep me involved throughout each day. Every part of my being needs to be involved in working towards that goal. When I set getting a black belt as a major goal several years ago, I don't think that I understood the process that it would take to get anywhere near there. I could imagine (sort of) dedicating myself daily to working towards a goal but I didn't understand the transformation and how it would impact all aspects of my life. I have changed how I eat, always keeping in mind the energy that I will get from the food I eat and how long I can train before I have to eat again. I don't always make the right choices but I always consider the impact of what I am doing. I have changed how I treat people, I try to hold myself to higher standard than before, I want to be that person that it always kind and considerate. I will always strive to be that person. I have changed who I spend my time with, my free time has decreased quite a bit, so it is important that I spend time with people that I care about and that have the same goal-oriented principles that I have. A few years ago, I met someone and we started to be friends, when the opportunity to do 1000 push ups in a day came up, I was very excited at the prospect of learning something about myself. This new person in my life suggested that I lie and tell everyone that I had done the push ups when I had not. That person is no longer part of my life. It wasn't a hard choice to make, we were just so fundamentally different, it wouldn't have made sense for us to remain friends. I made that choice because my goal is always in front of me and I can't allow for any part of my life to not be affected by it.
So all day long, about a thousand times, I am thinking about my goal and choosing to do things that put me closer to that goal. I no longer think that it is just about the goal, I now know that it is about the process, it is all about the process. I am fully enjoying the process and I know that I have learned some life-long lessons throughout it.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Just Checking In.

2011-11-06T10:58:00.002-07:00

Highlights of the week:
- spending tons of time with Sifu during class on Monday night thanks to Halloween.
- dragon dancing, it just doesn't get any cooler than that.
- planning our next renovation project, it always seems bigger at the beginning!
- bought new shovels in preparation for the snow shoveling team. One of the great things about winter is being involved with shoveling for seniors, it's not just about the amazing baked goods.
- brainstorming ways to raise money for pandemonium, I am not an idea person but give me an idea and I will run with it full force. I am hoping that we will have a successful year and more students will understand the reason for creating awareness and helping others.
That is my week in a nutshell. I am feeling good about my training and it feels like I might be making some progress in the way I move. I had a major break through at Tai Chi yesterday, I think that I can apply it to my other forms. I am definitely going to spend this week trying.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Tai Chi

2011-10-30T05:41:00.003-06:00

I started Tai Chi four years ago so that I could improve my flow and therefore improve my Kung Fu. I did not count on completely falling in love with it. I love everything about it. I like the moves and how I feel when I do them properly. More specifically when I have been trying to figure out a move and finally do and then do it properly, it feels amazing. I like activating my chi and how that feels flowing through my body. It has a calming affect on me while also giving me a feeling of power waiting to be unleashed. It sounds like a contradiction but it isn't. It just feels right. I try to practice Tai Chi everyday (it is one of my goals this year), I don't always make it but having Tai Chi in the forefront of my training has helped me achieve more focus in all that I do. When I do my form, I feel calm and in control after and I also feel revved up and ready to go. So I do my form at the beginning of a work out to gain focus and to get ready to do kung fu and sometimes I do it at the end of the workout to settle myself and get ready to take on the next item on my agenda. I am not sure that I fully understand the dual role that it plays for me but right now it is working well so I am not going to try too hard to figure it our for fear that it will alter the benefits.
I wish that everyone could take Tai Chi and have such a positive experience with it.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Tired but happy!

2011-10-24T21:32:00.004-06:00

What a long week! I am exhausted!!!! I changed my work schedule a bit so that I could attend some extra kung fu stuff and it really changed how my week turned out. I also ran a couple of workshops for new employees and was involved in a fairly major critical incident. Whew.... am I glad that it has come to an end. I have three whole days to catch up on my sleep and enjoy my training. Speaking of training, things are going well. I am working hard at improving my eye for detail and stay in touch with how it feels when I move. I think that I am moving in the right direction but only time and more practice will tell the tale.
The high light of my week was rescuing a 4 week old kitten. The cutest thing ever! As soon as I get a decent picture, I will share it.
Have a great week, work hard and have fun.

2011-10-17T12:42:00.003-06:00

I have to honor my commitment to journalling and I am not sure what to write about. A lot has happened for me this weekend and I am not ready to talk about it. It is mostly stuff going on in my head and it will need some sorting before I let it out.
This is one of my favorite times of year, I enjoy walking in the woods and listening to the quiet as the trees all get ready for winter. There seems to be a quiet business going on and it feels good. I also like the smell, there is a clean freshness in the air and it feels like new beginnings. I never used to admit that I liked fall because it lead to winter and we are all supposed to hate winter, but I like both, it is a time to regroup, recharge and get ready for major growth in the spring.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Dragon Dancing

2011-10-09T10:38:00.003-06:00

I am so excited to be on the dragon team. It is not just about looking super cool and being a part of amazing fetes, although those are great selling features. The team work is already fa-nominal, it will be out of this world when we unveil our dance to the rest of the family. I can already feel the strength of the dragon, it has patiently waited for us to be ready for it and now it can let it's strength shine. I am not sure that strength is the right word, maybe power would better suit it. I love being part of making it move and I am excited to watch it's personality emerge.
When we first got the dragon, I remember thinking,' I wonder if I will ever have an opportunity to be in the dragon dance?' And now I am, it is too exciting to describe. I am honored to be on the team and working with a great group of people, how about matching outfits team?????
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Wacky Emotions

2011-10-02T12:54:00.003-06:00

I feel a little cheap for not writing what is happening in my world last week. I was having a difficult time putting it into words, I am not sure that I am any more prepared this week but I am willing to give it a try.
I am riding an emotional roller coaster. I am not usually changing on a minute by minute basis but definitely by the hour (it does occasionally feel like it is changing by the minute). Here are those nasty emotions in no particular order:
Nervous -
Anxious -
Excited -
Confidence -
Satisfied -
Calm -
I was going to write a little bit about why each emotion is wreaking havoc in me but the answer is the same for each one, the test. I have worked very hard on my kung fu in the last couple of years and it is going to be put to the test very soon. I am looking forward to it and dreading it, all at the same time. The result of all these wacky emotions is that I seem distracted, even to me. I have to really concentrate in order to focus on one thing, and this is going okay so far. Occasionally, I get accused of not listening but that is pretty normal.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Don't know what to say

2011-09-25T21:50:00.002-06:00

I have no idea what to write about this week. My week has been low and high and in between. I am glad that it ended on a positive note with an amazing Dragon Dance practice.
Until next week, work hard and have fun

Support

2011-09-18T19:42:00.003-06:00

My journey has not been without the help and support of most of the people in my life. My immediate circle has been patient and understanding and willing to take up the slack while I am busy with kempo. My extended circle has supported me unconditionally and without my asking. I have one such amazing story to share.
I used to work with this guy named Richard (the psychologist in the program) and he would always ask me about my kung fu journey. He listened attentively over the years as I shared my triumphs and obstacles and seemed to enjoy most of my stories. He always had ideas on how to over come what I was struggling with and cheered when I shared my successes, I enjoyed our chats together. One day I mentioned to him that I had to read this book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and I needed to do so with enough attention to answer some questions about it after. I shared with Richard my frustration with my reading as I didn't always understand what the author was talking about and therefore felt stupid, creating more road blocks, etc. Richard suggested that we read it together, having reading assignments and then checking in with each other. This worked great until I put the book aside in frustration once again. His response to this was to buy me that audio version of the book to listen to in my vehicle. What a great idea! I listened to the book and got enough out of it that I could sit down with the book, finish reading it and answer the necessary questions. When I finally finished, I excitedly went to Richard and shared the ah-ha moment that occurred when I completed the assignment and understood the purpose of it. I don't think that anyone else could have been prouder of me. He may also have been relieved that we were finally done with the assignment after three years and ready to move on to something else.
Today I attended a celebration of Richard's life and discovered that I wasn't the only one that he supported and encouraged. I will miss you my friend and I will always cherish the impact that you had on me.

A day of reflection

2011-09-11T17:40:00.002-06:00

Last year on this day, I thought about turning 45 and how my year was going to look. It was going to be the year that I received my black belt. Today, I reflect on my 45th year and how much I have learned about becoming a black belt. It is way bigger than I imagined it to be, it encompassed mind, body and spirit and no stone can be left unturned. I have grown more this year than I thought was possible. I have examined myself, figured out what to change and what to modify and what to improve upon. I don't know what this new year is going to bring but I am ready for all the challenges that come my way. Tomorrow I begin my 46th year and I am ready.
I am also thinking about our world today and what it takes to have a peaceful one. I know what it takes to keep peace in my family, in my work world and with my friends, can we take those concepts that we use to create a peaceful existence out into the world? I think we can. It starts with acts of kindness, being kind to our community and encouraging our community to go to other communities and spread the kindness. Imagine the impact if we can convince everyone that we come in contact with to spread peace and kindness!
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

My week.

2011-09-04T09:18:00.002-06:00

It wouldn't be sunday morning if I wasn't staring at a blank screen trying to choose what to write about. Here is what is going on in my world:
- my bullying project is starting to take some shape, I have done lot's of research this year but I wasn't exactly sure how to put it out there until recently. I am strongly considering making a video.
- I am sick again, so all the regular feelings of frustration and helplessness that go with that are here. I have been working on improving my health for a long time and the progress is slow, I know the only way to deal with it is with patience but this week my patience seemed to have left me.
- at work I have a student from Ireland, it is pretty cool to meet someone from one of the top three places that I always wanted to go. She is as excited to be here as I am to have her, so I am sure that we will enjoy our time together.
-training.... what training? I have not done much physical stuff this week, I have been working on staying mentally strong. It has been challenging as I usually work out really hard and long when I don't feel strong in my head and that works for me. Without the physical, I am relying on self talk and encouragement, reviewing my successes and not allowing myself to feel discouraged.
- Katie started grade 8 this week, it always strikes me at this time of year how fast she is growing and how amazing she is. It was a long hard walk from the school to my truck on Wed. morning, I really miss her when she is at school.
That is how my week went, I am hoping to get busy this week (but still taking it easy) so I can soothe my troubled mind. I am also looking forward to returning to classes and surrounding myself with the good people at kung fu.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Mastery

2011-08-28T09:21:00.002-06:00

Do you ever wonder why people go through life in an unhappy state? Why do they accept mediocrity? I have been working towards improving me and how I live my life for enough time that I am not really sure how not to be. I have a hard time imagining being dissatisfied for a long time and not doing anything about it. I know that when negative thoughts start creeping into my head that I need to figure out how they are getting in and rectify the problem. I can't begin to imagine what my life would be like if I accepted mediocrity and didn't strive to improve myself and the world around me. I am not saying that my life is perfect and that I don't make mistakes, I am saying that I am not going to accept everything as it presents itself in my world. I am going to question, explore, investigate, and change all that needs to be in order to achieve mastery.

"Correction is essential to power and mastery. You see, we are all ordinary. But a master, rather than condemning himself for his ordinariness, he embraces his ordinariness and uses it as a foundation for building the extraordinary. Instead of giving up, like ordinary people do, a master will use his ordinariness to correct his errors, which is essential in the process of attaining mastery. You must be able to correct yourself without condemning or invalidating yourself, accept results and improve upon them."

This quote is from Mastery by Stuwart Emery and these words have been helping me create the direction in my life for a while now. It has not been easy, especially the accepting part, well, and not condemning has been a bit challenging, and maybe the embracing part. Okay, so it has been challenging and sometimes down right hard. I am determined to achieve my mastery in every corner of my life, I will succeed.

Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Bullies! Who needs them?

2011-08-22T05:38:00.003-06:00

Each time I sit down to write (possible make a video) about bullies and how to guard against them, I find that yet another one has wound it's way into my space. I am confronted with the many emotions that come along with an attack and I am challenged to separate myself from those emotions so that I can do what I set out to do. I realize as I write this that I am in exactly the right place to be writing about bullies. I can't wait until the storm has passed and then analyze the situation and gain some perspective, I need to write now while I am in the throws of it and can identify first hand what is happening.
I don't think that I am quite ready to explore my emotions on this, I have been trying to put them into to words for the last half of an hour and have not been successful. I have learned from writing this that I need to put some serious time into identifying my emotions and explaining them and dealing with them.
Until next week, work hard and have fun

Attack

2011-08-14T09:14:00.004-06:00

I don't understand when people treat others with less respect than they deserve. I believe that all people deserve respect 100% of the time. I don't think that just because you don't agree with someone, you should talk down to them. If you have more knowledge, it is your job to teach not degrade. I also don't understand why when someone gets in trouble (caught doing something that they are not supposed to) and they try to shift the focus to everyone else, pointing out their errors and mistakes.
I am sitting here in a cloud of confusion. I returned to work, refreshed, relaxed and ready to commit to my work and I have been confronted with criticism, judgment and accusations. I am not really sure how to handle it. I know that I have done nothing wrong, save a few errors that are my normal, and I am feeling attacked from most fronts. What is one to do, hide until it blows over, confront the issues with confidence, quietly go about my business until the storm passes. I prefer to do anything but confront, I also know that what doesn't kill me will make me stronger. So confront it is.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

New and Old

2011-08-07T22:19:00.004-06:00

All day I have wondered what I am going to write about this week. I feel like every topic is a re-run of something that I have already written about. That is exactly what this journey is about, doing something over and over again until you get it right. I once heard a pastor speak about lessons being presented to you over and over again until you understood the message and acted upon it. Well, that is what my journey is about, learning, trying, testing, practicing, exploring over and over again, until I figure out the answer.
This week has been challenging because I have bronchitis once again. It is not as bad as it has been other times, but still requires me to modify my activities. Instead of two to three hours of hard core fitness and forms, I went slowly. I didn't complete as many reps, and I didn't perform any cardiovascular fetes, but I did mindfully practice for the same amount of time that I usually do. This is a step in the right direction.
I returned to work this week, after a month of being away from there. I did not enjoy the change in schedule and not seeing my family as much. I did enjoy seeing my clients and my team mates. I feel much calmer at work than I have before, I am sure that it has happened gradually but due to my absence, I am really noticing it. I am finding that I am not getting excited about things that I can't do anything about. This is a definite improvement.
I work really hard in my group of training mates to ensure that everyone feels supported and has everything they need to train hard core. I continue to be amazed that I am lucky enough to be a part of this group. I encourage everyone to reach out to a training mate and see if they want to work together, want to be your partner, want to practice together. The risk is well worth it.
That is what is new and old with me, until next week,
Work hard and have fun!

Many blessings

2011-08-01T09:34:00.003-06:00

I was reading about Mr.Kreb's personal victory this weekend and it got me thinking about the amazing people that we surround ourselves with each day at kung fu.
The next time that you are lined up and waiting for class to begin, look at the people standing beside you. These are the people that will eventually inspire, encourage and challenge you in ways that you never imagined. I am constantly surrounded by people who encourage me and expect more of me that I do. These are my kung fu people. They come in all different belt levels and they all come from Silent River Kung Fu. Be open to the people that you train with and allow them to influence your sphere.
I feel blessed to be surrounded by so many like-minded people. I have been encouraged to change what I have always done to make it better. I have been challenged to question how things are put together so that I can take them apart and study them. I have been supported so that I can grow in trusting my judgment and in learning to accept my ordinariness in pursuit of mastery. I am inspired by each person that I encounter that learns the value of setting goals (some of them outrageous! seriously? the DEATH RACE????) and pushing themselves to take the steps to accomplish them.
Take a moment to appreciate the many benefits that you receive as part of our kung fu family.
Until next week, you know what to do, just go do it!

I can't wait 'til.....

2011-07-24T11:07:00.004-06:00

How many times have I said that? Probably too many!!!!
I understand the concept of living in the moment but I have a really hard time applying it to the bigger picture. I can narrow my focus and attend to what I doing (be in the moment) but a part of me is planning or thinking about the rest of the day or the rest of the week. I love to plan, schedule and set goals, it is part of what makes me tick. If asked to attend something, I would automatically begin to arrange that day to make it fit.
Here is how it has gotten in my way lately; I was all excited to start my holidays and not have to minutely plan everyday in order to meet my daily goals. When I am at work, I need to plan each day so that I can maximize my workout and at home times. I couldn't wait to start my holidays so that I wouldn't have to do that. Unfortunately that tight schedule is what I thrive on, so all month I have been trying to figure out how come I am not motivated to get stuff done, it has merely been that I have too much time on my hands and not enough of a tight schedule.
I sometimes find myself wishing and waiting for the next thing instead of enjoying what is happening right now. I am not really sure how to stop this or re-focus myself but I do know that being aware of it is half the battle. I am sure that meditation will help me figure out how to stay in the moment. That seems to be a theme lately, it must mean something.........

So many lessons, so little time

2011-07-17T21:45:00.002-06:00

I broke my toe, twice. Last week, I think, I broke it while helping to teach a class. I didn't really notice it at first, well, a few days. My foot was sore but I have been dealing with some foot pain on and off for the last little while so I didn't pay attention. I figured that it was more of the same. I have broken toes before and didn't think that it would interfere much with my training. I taped them up and went on my merry way, practicing forms, etc. So this week, at the beginning of the week, I attended class and was participating and having a great time. I paid no attention to my sore toe at all until afterwards when it started to hurt more. I iced and elevated it and thought it was okay. Then it continued to hurt more and more, I showed it to my husband(he has fixed many broken toes) and he announced that I had re-broken the toe and it felt like the bones were over-lapping. It was not very comfortable getting it re-set but I learned a valuable lesson.....let the bones heal. I took two days off from everything, not an easy task!!! (there have been reports of crankiness from my family members). It worked and it is beginning to heal.
I have learned a couple of valuable lessons through this. I attended my class on Friday and did not participate and I was able to listen objectively(?) and really hear the message that Sifu was giving us. Instead of going through the motions when doing a form, I need to experience it. I have been trying to put this into my practice(for two days) and it is not as easy as I thought it would be. It makes sense to me and I look forward to fully experiencing all of my forms. I know that I can get there with more mindful practice.
I need to pay attention to the messages that my body is sending me, slow down when I need to, change my practice to accommodate injuries, and be patient with myself.
I don't like not working on my kung fu, I need to figure out better ways to take it easy. I think that if i can find ways to work on my kung fu when I can't fully do it then I won't get so restless (read:cranky).
All in all, an interesting week.
Until next week, work hard and have fun

Friends

2011-07-10T19:47:00.002-06:00

The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had. ~Author Unknown
I have spent the last couple of weeks trying to figure out how to be a good friend, I think that the above quote sums it up. I often struggle with what to say and what to do when a friend is in need, I think that I just need to be....a friend.
Until next week,
Work hard and have fun!

Blogging... best tool ever!

2011-07-05T08:50:00.002-06:00

I forgot to blog!!! I am not sure that has happened to me in quite a while. I have been so wrapped up in trying to figure out what is going on in my head that I forgot to use one of the best tools that I have, blogging! I feel like my get up and go, got up and went. I want to go and work out, it is fun when I do. I miss that feeling I get when I am running, I always feel like there is nothing that I can't accomplish. I love that feeling when the workout is over, I feel proud that I did what I said that I would do (even if it is only to myself, it is important to me). So what is the problem? I am not really sure. I had planned to work harder than ever this month as I have a bit more free time on my hands and I keep coming up with cheap excuses not to do what I love the most. Some insight would be good right about now.......
So nothing is jumping up and biting me so here is the plan; I will get up and do my workout and stop trying to figure out how come I don't feel like it. Either the feeling will go away or I will figure it out as soon as I stop worrying about it so much.
Until next week, work hard and have fun!

Reality

2011-06-26T10:08:00.002-06:00

I am really struggling to meet my physical requirements this week. I feel strong and capable but I am having a hard time getting going. I know that the success that I felt so far has been because of my hard work and committment but even that is not pushing me out the door. I have tons of excuses running through my head right but that is all they are, excuses. I am searching for a solution and the only one that is obvious to me right now is to put my shoes on and go for a run. (insert whiny voice...I just don't feel like it!) Well, too bad! This is where the rubber meets the road, literally and figuratively. I am off to run this weirdness out of my head.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

I'm doing it!

2011-06-19T20:26:00.003-06:00

I am beginning to see the results of my hard work and it is a pretty amazing feeling. I keep whispering to myself,"I did this!" and "I'm doing it!". I am completely in awe of the obstacles that I have over come lately. It is one thing to have someone tell you how you need to change in order to take it to the next level, but it is quite another to understand that change and how to make it happen. It is an amazing thing when it happens. I am enjoying figuring these things out and enjoying the results when I do.
Each time that I have a break through, I get so excited and then I go back to working hard and trying to figure something else out. I am totally loving the process right now. It seems to happen the same each time; I chose something to improve, I try to work it out on my own, ask for advice from my mentors, get frustrated because I feel like I am never going to figure it out, ask more questions, and then I get it. I know that as long as I work hard, the results will come. I am looking forward to the next obstacle and all it's challenges.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Shift Work and Me

2011-06-12T20:10:00.004-06:00

I have worked shift work for my entire career, 22 years, and I think that I have recently begun to figure out how to make it work for me. I have spent most of the time trying to fit into the monday to friday crowd. I have been trying to structure my life to make it as "normal" as everyone else's, or what I thought was normal. Then I tried listening to what my body needed to feel rested and looked after, well, that consisted of sleeping way too much and eating at odd times of the day and night. I have recently (the last couple of years) put myself on a schedule and stuck to it and it is working for me. I work 3 evenings, 3 days and then 3 days off, in a 9 day rotation. I have been getting up at 7:15 am for 6 of those days and then 5:15 am on the 3 day shifts and this has provided the consistency that I had been craving. Of course, I have Kung Fu to thank for this as well. I have been training at the same times consistently for the past couple of years because of my schedule and the desire to have enough time in the day to train. Through this I have discovered a schedule that works best for me and my body. I feel more rested and more looked after than I ever have and I am getting a lot of things accomplished everyday. Not just training but errands and house hold chores as well.
I don't always want to get out of bed at 7:15 am (and sometimes I whine to my friends) when I don't settle until nearly 1:00 am but I feel great when I do. I also am very tired on my third evening shift and actually look forward to getting up at 5:15 am and feeling more normal ( never thought that I would say that!). It is not a perfect system but it is perfect for me. It works for me to start my day around the same time each day and end it as close to the same time as I can each day. I think that I have grown used to the level of tiredness that I tolerate each day and if I stop and think about it too much then I don't get anything done.
I put this out there because I know that there are a lot more people these days that work shift work and I just wanted to say that it is doable, you just have to keep trying stuff.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Time to turn it up!

2011-06-05T15:28:00.002-06:00

Fitness, fitness and more fitness! I love to work out, I enjoy pushing myself and it is time that I did exactly that. It is time to crank it up. There are four months until the black belt grading and I need to be in the best shape of my life, I am ready for that. I think that I am in pretty good shape right now as I have been working hard for the past two years, I know that I can do better. I am going to increase my running in improve my endurance and recovery time, I am going to increase the time I spend on forms to improve the details that I need to pay attention to and I am going to spend more time on techniques with my training partners in order to increase the flow and accuracy. That is my big plan for the next four months.....Crank it up!!

The Tournament

2011-05-30T00:12:00.003-06:00

Yesterday began with some positive self chatter. I was not really sure how the day would go but I decided when I got up that I would face the day with calmness and confidence. Throughout the day, I had to remind myself of this little talk but I did manage to meet my goal to stay calm. I performed everything that I set out to do with more confidence than I ever have before and it was a pretty good feeling.
We had our annual tournament yesterday and it was an amazing day. Right from the very beginning, it felt like we were all going to give 110% of ourselves to make this a great day. We did it! Everyone dug in and helped each other with different tasks and events. I didn't feel like I was competing with anyone but myself and that really contributed to the family like atmosphere that we created.
I have been working with a group of people since October to master a group form presented in an unusual way. Some of the group members had to learn some of the form, some had to remember it and we all had to figure out how to present it in the coolest manner possible. With a lot of guidance from our Sifu, we managed to sift through our self doubts and persevere when we weren't sure that we could pull it off and we did it. While we were performing, it felt like we were moving as one unit, I felt totally connected to each person in the group at the same time. It was the coolest feeling ever! I was so excited that we had accomplished what we came to do that I nearly forgot about the medal presentation. We won the gold. I guess it looked as good as it felt. What an amazing group of people. Sihing Gamble, Mr. Gamble, Miss Donahue, Miss Rice, Miss Topley, Miss VanBokel - my hat is off to you all, you are a shining example of what one can achieve when they set a goal and work towards it through thick and thin.
Congratulations to all who participated in all parts of making this a great day.
Sihing Kichko

Nothing to say

2011-05-23T16:34:00.002-06:00

I don't have any profound words to write. I have worked hard this week and I can see that I am making progress. I am enjoying myself and pushing myself all at the same time. Kung Fu is fabulous.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Training really does make you stronger!

2011-05-15T20:26:00.005-06:00

Where am I? What am i doing?
My work has pushed me into areas of growth that I would have left alone if I had a choice. I have not only stood up to a bully, I have grown into the supervisor that I have always dreamed of being. It started out as a self protection type of response to the bully and turned into a stronger more confident way of presenting myself. How is this related to my training? Without my training, I think that I would have given up before I started. Throughout my challenges and personal growth, I continually reminded myself where I was and what I was doing. My self talk contained phrases that included, what doesn't kill you, will make you stronger! I really had to dig deep and face some of my biggest fears. A few peps talks from my favorite Sifu to face these things head on and I was good to go.
I now face all challenges head on, instead of avoiding and waiting until I had to. I used my training sessions to draw strengths from. Each time I practiced, participated or taught, I felt stronger and more capable than the day before. I used that strength to face the things that I would rather have avoided.
I am currently preparing for our annual tournament, The Tiger Challenge. It is something that I used to face with a bundle of nerves and a dread that is not easy to admit. I was worried about what people would think of my performance and would I measure up. This year I am focusing on my practice and improving each time that I perform. I am looking forward to challenging myself and seeing what everyone else is going to contribute. I am sure there will be some nerves on the morning of the tournament but I am confident that once we get going, I will learn more about myself and how I perform under pressure. That's the whole point of challenges, right?

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T14:43:00.001-06:00

My daughter wrote me a poem and apologized for the lack of rhyme, I let her know (with a tear in my eye) that rhyming didn't really matter.
Here it is:
I've known your love since
I was hours old. Now I
bear myself the awesome duty,
or returning your love, not just today
but everyday. The love you
feel for me is always here in
My heart.
by Katie Kichko

Life doesn't get any better that this.
Until next week, work hard and have fun
Robyn Kichko

Bits and Pieces

2011-05-01T10:38:00.003-06:00

I continue to be on a training high, it seems like each time that I do a form or technique, I discover something new to try, to improve, to fix. I Love It. In all the classes that I attended this week, I learned a little something that I could take away to my training. We had our annual forms seminar yesterday and now I have a whole arsenal of things that I need to pay attention to. They all have to do with the six harmonies and getting my hips and shoulders to work together. I am looking forward to spending some time alone to process all that I learned yesterday and figure out how to put it into practice. I am not sure yet how to listen to my whole body at the same time but I am sure that I can figure it out.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Sullivan and Kiddog

2011-04-24T11:29:00.003-06:00

These are my boys in the first year of their lives. They are much bigger now and each time that I look at them, I see these two little faces. They are capable of giving so much love and understanding that it is incredible. It doesn't matter if I work late, sleep in or spend all day training, they still great me with all of their enthusiasm and love. They will turn eight this year and their little faces have more grey hair than black, they take a few more naps than they used to but they jump around like puppies when the leashes come out. They like to cuddle, watch movies and eat grapes. They make me laugh, cry and fill my heart with love. These are my boys.

What I am thinking about!

2011-04-17T21:00:00.004-06:00

I have so many things going on in my brain right now that I am not really sure what to write about. Here is a list in no particular order:
- I am lucky that my family is patient with me
- I love my pet family, especially the cuddling part (yes!boxers do cuddle, you just have to get used to breathing with nearly 100 lbs. on your lap)
- I love my job, especially seeing the personal growth before my very eyes.
- I love kung fu, practicing, learning and teaching
- I am so glad that spring is nearly here (I am not in denial, spring will be here soon)
- I feel stronger and stronger everyday
- I keep running in to people in public places that used to train and are thinking of starting again. I have had opportunities to share my passion.
- I don't understand mean people, do they know that they are mean?
- I worry about where are leaders are leading us, who's agenda is most important to them? The best interest of the people or their own best interest?
- I have the greatest daughter on earth
That's my list, so many thoughts, so little time.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Fitness Test - Before and After

2011-04-10T09:41:00.005-06:00

Before
Today we are going to have a practice fitness test. I am not really sure if I want to do this, I am a little bit nervous about my numbers (what if they are not good enough?), I am a little worried about injury (what if I hurt myself and can't practice for a long time?) and I a little bit chicken to do the whole thing. I was considering canceling the whole thing when I got up this morning, visions of reading my book and drinking my tea were dancing around in my head. I am going and I am going to give it my all.
After
So I did it and I am very glad. My numbers were better than they have been, I didn't hurt myself and I managed to swallow my chickenness. When I got there, I felt like turning around and leaving. I was totally scared to face me and find out where I was at. I am really good at practicing stuff and doing fitness everyday but I am a big baby when it comes to testing myself. I did it!!! I took a big breath at the beginning of each test and I went as hard as I could. The result is that I feel fantastic.
I am also glad that I started this blog this morning because I am not too sure I could have described my fears as well after they had passed.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Take the public path, I dare you!

2011-04-03T15:48:00.003-06:00

It is easy to say that you will travel your journey publicly, it is quite another to do it. It means sharing all your trial as well as your triumphs. It is not as easy as it sounds.
I struggle with my nerves, when I get nervous, I say things that are uncharacteristic and I do things that I am unaware of. I am not even sure if I can explain this very well. My main goal this year is to get a handle on my nerves. This means that I will be able to perform in situations where I am really nervous (such as the black belt test). My plan is to put myself in situations where I am uncomfortable and nervous and try to perform. This week there was some action to my plan and it was pretty scarey. I decided that I needed to break some boards in front of a whole bunch of people. Sounds like a great idea, not so easy to put into practice. The busiest time at the kwoon is between classes, so that was the time that I chose. Two very cool things happened that night; one - I managed to focus on only the task at hand and not on all the people watching and two - I learned that I am not performing as well as I could be and narrowed down what I should be working on. The next thing that I did was volunteer to be in a demonstration for our school. This, I figure, was another good way to test the nerves, be able to perform my form in public. This turned out not too bad as well, I am pretty sure that I got through the whole form, it wasn't my best performance but I learned more about how I move when I am nervous.
All in all a good but hard week. I will continue to share my journey, even the hardest parts to the best of my ability.

What is a black belt?

2011-03-27T10:31:00.003-06:00

What is a black belt?
What black belt qualities do I possess? Strengths
What black belt qualities do I lack? Weaknesses
A black belt is someone who is true to themselves, they set a high standard for themselves and they do not compromise it. They work hard and expect nothing less than mastery from themselves and those that they surround themselves with. They accept their weaknesses and work towards improving on them and they build on their strengths. They set an example for others to follow by their constant drive towards mastery in all that they take on.
I set very high standards for myself and I will not compromise them. I work very hard and I am constantly striving for mastery in all that I endeavor. I believe that I set an example for others by not giving up on any of my goals.
I have a difficult time accepting my weaknesses and working towards improving them. I prefer to work on things that I know that will improve and ignore the others (the ones that I think will never get better no matter what I do). What I do to counter this is I work on things that I don’t like as much first during a workout and I force myself to work on the things that I am not sure will ever improve.
Being a martial artist is a journey with no real end, earning a black belt is just part of that journey.
Robyn Kichko
March 2011

The fear factor

2011-03-20T20:31:00.004-06:00

I have been working really hard for the last couple of weeks. There is something about going into the last stretch of six months (before grading) that scares the pants off of me. What has changed for me is that instead of freezing with fear, I have put my fear into high gear and I am working harder than ever. I have added weights to my usual work out which is giving me pleasantly sore muscles, I am pushing myself a little bit more when doing cardio and I feel stronger and I am able to focus on the minute details of my form without isolating myself and concentrating for hours. I am feeling the benefits of all the hard work that I have been doing over the past couple of years and using it to push my kung fu to the next level. I know that I have lots of stuff to do in the next six months but I am confident that I have the tools to complete my list. And every once in a while, I get the butterflies in my stomach that remind me that I also need to deal with my emotional reaction to stressful situations. I got some good advice on the weekend about placing myself in stressful situations, so I can get used to the feelings and learn how to manage them. It looks like I will be seeking opportunities to stress myself out, demonstration anyone?
I have been having an absolutely fabulous time in the last couple of weeks and I feel kinda guilty. There is so much unrest and tragedy throughout our world and I feel helpless to affect much change, all I can change is myself.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Not about me

2011-03-13T21:53:00.001-06:00

Everything about my journey pales in comparison to the devastation experienced in Japan this past week. My thoughts and prayers are with them this week.

What do you really mean?

2011-03-06T20:05:00.002-07:00

How can you tell the phony from the sincere? I am not sure that I can. I think that I need to take what people say to me at face value and move on. If I begin to worry about their motives and what reaction that they are looking for, I will end up being totally twisted up.
When I communicate with people it is because I want them to know something. I am either sharing something about myself or sharing an observation that I have had about them. If I am at work, I am usually teaching them something. I think that my communication is fairly cut and dried. I don't have ulterior motives and I don't expect others to have them either. I sometimes struggle with clarity in my messages but I am upfront with that as well. I believe that I am a very honest person.
I get confused when people wonder what I meant by what I said, I get frustrated when people tell me that they told me something that they didn't mean, that I should know what they mean. I know that it is sometimes hard and uncomfortable but I don't understand why people can't say what they mean and do what they say. Does that make me naive? I think that it makes me an optimist. I think that people should speak plainly and not say one thing in hopes that others know what they mean.
That is my rant for today, talk to you next week, really... I mean it!

It's about the journey?

2011-02-26T16:24:00.004-07:00

I am very goal-orientated, I enjoy setting goals and giving everything I have to reach them. I always keep the goal in front of me, certain that it is the motivation that I need to keep going. This last little while I have spent quite a bit of time reflecting on how I have changed over the past year or two and where I am going in the next little while. The way that I am thinking is changing, for the better. I have learned to live in the moment and appreciate where I am and what I am doing. My mentor always used to say to me, "It's about the journey, Robyn" and I would think 'what about my next belt?'. I figured that I would get IT when I got to my next color of belt, I didn't. I am not even sure when I started to change or when I stopped looking forward and started looking in the here and now. I am different though, I feel different, I am more aware of what is happening around me, I approach life in a completely different way. I try to learn from each and every encounter that I have everyday and I try to take in new information and figure out a way to use it (instead of dismissing it as something I don't know about).
Being part of the UBBT and embracing the journey that I am on has changed/enhanced every part of me. It is not any one thing, it is all the things (challenges, assignments, goals, support). I knew this would be one of the greatest things that I ever took part in, but I just didn't realize how big it would be until now.

Slogging along

2011-02-20T09:25:00.004-07:00

I have had an amazing training year. In the past 12 months, I have experienced many highs in my training and in my life experiences. I am currently in a lull, I feel like I am just slogging along. There are no major breakthroughs, no exciting move to figure out, just putting one foot in front of the other. I guess this is where the rubber meets the road, the true journey to mastery is the one where you just keep going. I am practicing everyday, I am meeting my daily goals, and I will keep on doing so.
I will keep on working hard and having fun and I look forward to the next high.

blank

2011-02-13T20:08:00.005-07:00

I have nothing to write about right now, I have been staring at this blank screen for an hour, erased six different topics and still have come up blank.
My week consisted of trying to training around my shift work and not attending my regular classes.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

It's team work, really!

2011-02-06T19:56:00.004-07:00

Kung Fu is not a team sport, it is very individual and very personal. You progress as much as you work at it. Each person moves and interprets in their own way, learns at their own speed and teaches from a different perspective. Very individual. BUT....I happen to belong to a group of people that approach the art with the same degree of passion and intent that I do. That makes us a team, capable of accomplishing things together, helping one another and encouraging each other. When we are working together, we all work and contribute what we can to accomplish a common goal. It is an absolutely amazing feeling at the end of the day.
Yesterday, we celebrated Chinese New Years with banquet. We do this annually and it has changes as much as it has stayed the same over the years. I have been involved in it for approx. 8 years and it keeps getting better each year. Each year, a great deal of thought and planning goes into the program and a great deal of organizing goes into making it happen. And each year, it just gets better and better. Last night was absolutely amazing in many respects. The program was slightly different but more awe inspiring then ever before. Each new performance gave me ideas on how to improve my art and things that I can work towards. The awards and promotions were equally inspiring, giving me goals to set my sights on. The "work" to set up and take down all the stuff was fun and entertaining. Everyone brought their best to the project and no one felt the burden of too much work or not enough volunteers. It was a fantastic evening and I am blessed to be a part of such an amazing team.

Back in the physical game

2011-01-30T17:56:00.002-07:00

What a fantastic week!!!

I began the week by taking it easy and testing what I could do, it felt a bit like dipping my toe in the water to test the temperature. Each day, I felt like I could do more and more, by the end of the week, I felt like there were no limits. Friday and Saturday consisted of hours on end concentrating on Kung Fu, forms and techniques. The coolest part is that I don't feel like I missed anything. I stayed engaged in my kung fu throughout my illness by focusing on Tai Chi and keeping up on my reading and writing. Another thing that I did different was to attend class and dress for it. Usually, I go to the kwoon and sit on the bench but instead, I put on my uniform, even though I couldn't participate 100%. I am still immersed in my training and moving forward.

I am looking forward to the Chinese New Years Banquet that we are having next weekend. It will be a bit different this year as we usually celebrate the promotion of some people to black belt. This year there will not be any new black belts, so we can focus on the celebration of the new year. I have gotten a peek at some of the performances that will happen and they look pretty cool. It should prove to be a great time. As a sihing, part of my responsibilities next weekend will be to make sure the whole thing runs smoothly, luckily I am part of an amazing team. This begins with greeting the guests and continues throughout the banquet as we clear the tables and get the kids ready for their demonstrations. I love doing this as it gives me an opportunity to visit with people that I don't usually see and hang out in a different setting with my training partners.

I will do 1000 push ups and sit ups on the first day of the New Year, to start the year off with a bang.

2011-01-23T20:42:00.002-07:00

I continue to work within the limitations of my illness. I finished the meds the doctor gave me and the infection came back, so I am on a different med. It seems to be helping so I am trying hard to keep my end of the bargain by resting and not over doing it. I am really challenged to take it easy when I am at the kwoon because I feel fabulous when I am there and rarely feel like I have any limits.
I have had three major ah-ha moments this weekend while working on my Tai Chi. I am really enjoying working on it everyday and I am really grateful for this goal. I am feeling more and more aware of how I move and how to move from one move to the other. It feels like it is really coming along.
I have also made some head way with my form, while slowing it down, it became glaringly apparent that I was not sure of some of the moves. I did it wrong throughout my workout the other day, and it felt wrong but I wasn't sure what exactly was going on. Once I got straightened out, it felt much better and I am pretty sure that I will not forget that sequence.
I have not done as much work as I would have liked on my meditation and I am not totally sure what is going on there. I got my book off the shelf to read and haven't read it yet. I keep promising myself that I will make time later for some meditation but I don't. I clearly need to explore why I am avoiding this goal so I can move forward. I usually avoid things that I am afraid that I won't be good at, so I think that is a starting place for exploration.
That was my week in a nut shell,
Robyn Kichko

Good for your soul

2011-01-16T16:16:00.004-07:00

I love music in many shapes and sizes, it has a very positive affect on my mood. I love to listen to it loudly and feel totally immersed in it. I think that I could express myself musically if that was my chosen venue of expression. I admire people who can play musical instruments and who can sing, I possess none of those skills but I admire them greatly. I like old music,new music, fast or slow music and any way that I can get it music. I love it. I like serious, send a message songs, I like silly, fun to sing along songs and I like songs that tell a story, inspire, brighten and encourage everyone. I rarely go anywhere without music, I have an ipod that I put as much music on as I can. I believe that music is good for the soul and good for what ails you.
I use music in my work outs to help me push harder, some songs make me run faster! I also enjoy quieter, softer music to cool down to. I attend a fitness class that uses music to help get us pumped up and it works, I can feel the beat with my whole body. I always have music on in my house, it is not always loud but it always there. I could not imagine my life without background music.
My training this week was pretty slim, I am still recovering from bronchitis so I don't have a lot of wind. I am working on my form very slowly and this is helping me pay close attention to each and every detail. It is helping me realize that I don't fully understand all the moves which is exactly what I was looking for, now I have something to hang onto and sink my teeth into. I look forward to figuring this form out.
I did have an opportunity to train at the kwoon with a whole bunch of people. What a rush! There was lion dance practice, small groups practicing forms, stretching, chatting, there was so much energy in there that it was incredible. I totally thrived in that environment, I stayed focused, working on my techniques, I stayed totally in the moment. It was a fabulous training session.
I just completed my 1000 push ups and sit ups and I feel fantastic.
Have a great week everyone!

Using opportunity that arise

2011-01-08T21:00:00.004-07:00

I was so excited last week to start a new year of goals,and now I am sick with bronchitis. I am still excited but I can't do many physical things this week. I did start working on my loa gar form and received some excellent feedback from some of my training partners. I like to let stuff like that soak into my brain, so I guess that it is blessing that I am not able to do anything physical, I can just let my brain soak it in. I also have some research and written assignments that I can work on while I am convalescing (is that a word?). I will not let this opportunity to work on my written assignments pass. I am not sleeping all the time now so I don't have any excuse to not get it done.

Live in the present

2011-01-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

New me?

2011-01-02T11:46:00.007-07:00

New year, new me? Probably not but I can improve on what I am. I think that is why I pour so much into being a martial artist, to be better. I am often asked why I do some of the things that I do, 1000 push ups, boot camp, forms marathon. I usual answer because I can. I think the real answers is because I love the feeling of accomplishment, the feeling of being part of something bigger than me, and I love doing it. It doesn't matter what part of kung fu it is; sparring, forms, fitness, tai chi, kicks, techniques, combinations, I love it all. I know that I always say this, only because it is true. I am blessed to have found a home for my passion and a cool group of people to share that passion with.
Some of the things that I am going to focus on this year are; improving my forms (sounds suspiciously like last year's goal, it is, I now think that I actually know how to do it.), improving my kicks (accuracy, speed, timing - sound familiar?), I will continue to work on me (does that sound vague? - it seems like a lot to explain in a list of goals - the short version - I will be more assertive and stand up for myself and face adversity), I will continue to focus on acts of kindness with a twist ( I will spread the word, helping others is cool!). I am very excited about starting a new year with refined goals, I grew so much last year that I can hardly believe it, I can't wait to meet the challenges of this year.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

2010-12-26T17:32:00.003-07:00

We often talk about making our world a better place one bit at a time, what do we do about it? We do acts of kindness, we volunteer, we donate and we become those people who do nice things for others. How do we encourage others to do the same? We ask them to pay it forward. Every time someone does something nice for you, do something nice for someone else. I think this is the answer to spreading the word.
Until next week, work hard and have fun

2010-12-23T09:25:00.004-07:00

I woke up this morning and realized that it was Thursday and I hadn't written my blog yet. So here I am.
The bully at work seems to have had the wind taken out of his sails by other people confronting him about his behavior. I am also being assertive and not allowing him to push me around (not literally). I am still kind of nervous when dealing with the situation but it is getting better.
I am not usually at work at this time of year, I am usually on holidays. I find it heart wrenching to be around my clients at this time of year. They are so sad about their station in life and there is not much that can be done about it. We ( the staffing group) try really hard to share traditions and do extra special things so that they don't feel so bad. We know that we can't replace the love of a family but we do try quite hard. I think that they appreciate our efforts.
I am very blessed to have a loving family of my own to come home to at the end of the day. If it wasn't for their love and support, I am not sure that I would be able to do the work that I love. I hope that I can give a little bit back to them this holiday season and show them how much I appreciate them.
I have been thinking and working on my UBBT 8 goals for most of this month and I think that I am nearly done. I still have a couple of goals that I am not sure how to write but I am confident that I will complete them by the end of next week (some of you may have heard they would be done this week but that was a typo).
I have a challenge for my teammates, I will do the black belt fitness test 30 times in 2011, anyone interested in joining me?
Until next week, work hard and have fun (and don't eat too much!)

Opportunities for growth, they are everywhere!

2010-12-12T18:48:00.009-07:00

Someone I know is trying to bully me. This is not an easy thing to handle. It doesn't matter how well trained you are, how many workshops that you attend or how strong you think you are, they will still try. They take small amounts of information about you and use it to cast doubt, inflict pain, and prove that they are better than you are. I know all the reasons why he is doing it, but it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. It has been a month of continual conflict with this person and it is getting old. I know that when you stand up to a bully, they try harder to win and it is difficult at first, but if you persevere they will eventually stop. I think that I am at the part where they are trying harder and have been for the last month, at each level they just keep pushing and pushing. It is difficult to stand strong but that is what I am doing, that is what I have been trained to do.
I was going to wait to write about this when it was over but that is what I always do. Then I write a nice blog about how it turned out great and I grew tons and tons. Well, I am growing and it hurts and it is not very much fun. I have to concentrate really hard when I am training so that it doesn't interfere, and once I get going I totally forget about everything except what I am doing (Too cool!). I have to measure all my words so that nothing can be used against me. This is also good for me because I have a tendency to speak now and think later, it is very challenging but I am getting there. I know that good will come from this, I am on a steep growing curve. Since Oct.23rd, everything has meaning and every moment is an opportunity to grow, learn and succeed.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

The Christmas Present

2010-12-05T22:12:00.000-07:00

by Billy M. Smallwood

I heard a knock on my door one Christmas Eve,
As I looked out my window a man I could see,
he was cold and seemed so lonely and upon a bended knee
he asked can you spare anything for me to eat...
I opened up the door and as I helped him in,
he looked up at me with such a peaceful grin,
As he drank down some coffee and had a bite to eat,
I put more wood on the fire so he could warm his feet...
Over there by the fireplace he warmed his tired hands,
I wonder where did he come from, this quiet white haired man,
but I wasn't at all afraid of his peaceful ways you see,
this man dressed in poor, almost as poor as me...
As he left he turned and thanked me for all I had done,
but he forgot to take his gloves, so out the door I run,
He was gone in the blizzard and I couldn't hardly see,
so I took his ole glove's back to the house with me...
Just a little after midnight I awoke in the dark,
there wasn't a bit of fire just glowing cinders in the dark,
and where I'd placed his gloves by my little christmas tree,
there laid a brand new pair, and a Christmas Card for me...
and it read....
You gave me shelter and food to keep me warm,
you even tried to bring me my gloves in the storm,
so here's you a new pair,... the finest ever seen...
as an angel of the Lord
I'll be sure to tell the King....Merry Christmas
.......

What UBBT has done for me...........

2010-11-20T20:01:00.007-07:00

Being part of the UBBT 7 team has changed how I approach my training, my training has brought me to a place that has changed me and how I approach life. Do I need to say more than that? Well, perhaps a little.
At the beginning of the year, I was very sick and could not do anything physical. I wanted to withdraw from the team but Sifu Brinker assured me that we would work it out. At the time, not being able to do anything for three months seemed like a lot of lost time and I questioned how I would reach any of my goals. I wasn't even sure that I could complete the acts of kindness requirement unless being nice to my dogs all day long counted. Sifu Brinker said, Do what you can. So I started slow, real slow, painfully slow, so slow that the seniors at the track were lapping me. I kept on blogging, although it felt like complaining with a little whining mixed in. And I kept up with my written assignments for class. All these things kept me engaged in my training and feeling like I was a part of the team. Being a part of the team was definitely what kept me going when I didn't think that I had it in me to do so. I gradually increased my training until I was doing between two and three hours a day. I am not sure if I would have accomplished as much if I wouldn't have increased slowly, I think that I would have gone charging out of the gates and run out of steam early. I have learned to listen to my body and push hard when I can and take it easy when I have to. I am still amazed at how much training I manage to fit in every day, and I do it because I want to not because I think that I should or that someone else wants me to do it. I like how I feel when I have put in concentrated effort every day to improve my kung fu.
I am learning to control parts of me that I thought were just parts of me that I can't do anything about. Like my feelings, my thought process and changing how you think so that you can have more confidence and try more things. Meditation and learning to consistently give positive messages to myself have made a huge difference in my life. I have learned to release my inner ninja.
I did not reach all of my goals and that is okay. I learned so much from each and everyone of them that I think that they are each a success. The real value in each goal is the journey trying to reach it, not necessarily reaching it. I learned to improve my eye for detail by paying attention to how I was feeling when I did a move or a form. I learned to break down my forms into small pieces so that I could figure how I wanted to move. I learned about working towards mastery when I decided to improve just one of my forms. I learned that I need my training to be a balance between class time, alone time and partner time. This could go on and on but I will stop here. As promised, UBBT 7 has changed me and how I approach my training for the rest of my life.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Turning Point

2010-11-17T16:40:00.006-07:00

A life changing decision. How does one know when they are making such a decision? I am not really sure, I can say that it is not easy. You have to dig down deep and ask yourself, 'What do I really want?' without considering anyone else. The answer will probably come easy and quick, if you are really listening, and then comes the hard part.....acting on that decision. Even though the turning point was making the decision, the strength came in the telling. The more I explain myself the stronger I fell about the decision that I made.
I have wanted something so bad that I have changed my lifestyle, put pressure on all my relationships and worked harder than I ever have before. I came to realize that what I thought that I wanted wasn't the case at all. What I was striving for was the journey not the end result. Now I am embracing the journey.
I am not sure how to teach that to anyone else, I have heard that it is about the journey many times but I didn't really understand until I lived it. I guess I just answered my own question, the best way to teach it is to live.
Until next week, work hard and have fun!

Our (My) Troops

2010-11-14T19:55:00.005-07:00

Support is an interesting concept.

When my brother returned from Afghanistan (in one piece), he explained to me what it is really like to be in a modern war. One of his comments was, it is not like those WWW II movies I always made you watch. It is like nothing I had imagined or could be fully trained for. It is nearly impossible to fight an enemy you can't see or protect a country when a bomb could go off in your face at any minute, but they keep going and continue to try to figure it out.

My oldest brother joined the Army more than twenty-five years ago and trained his whole life to protect us. He has spent years and years learning and sometimes teaching the best way to protect his country. When I expressed my concerns about him going to Afghanistan, he consoled me by explaining that he has been training his whole life for this opportunity. He feels privileged to serve his country, he calls it an opportunity!!! Imagine that?

My youngest brother is in the Army Reserves, he spent most of his summer training to protect us. He talks about his summer with pride and passion, he says that he missed his family but they understood what he had to do. He is not just saying that, his kids are very proud of their dad and the fact that he spends so much time training. They were excited that they had a short five day holiday to hang out with their dad.

So how do we support these people? I used to think that just being nice would work, but you also need to show some understanding that they have been through life-changing events and acceptance that they would do it again and again, regardless of the personal sacrifice. I have met many people that support our soldiers and they all do so in their own unique, successful way. Let's keep telling them that we appreciate that they fight so that we can live the way that we do.

These people are my living heroes.

Diet vs Kung Fu

2010-11-07T17:13:00.003-07:00

My doctor and I have had a few discussions about my weight and thought we had come up with a strategy to decrease it. There is a program that was created by a doctor for athletes (sounds great so far) and it is high in protein and low in carbs ( I can live with that) and you have to do virtually no exercise in order for your body to burn fat (that's just not my reality). Let me explain; the diet provides you with enough energy to survive and burn fat instead of just carbs all the time. If you do any exercise (kung fu) then your body uses the energy it was going to use for fat burning, for the energy that you are expending. So I have been faced with a choice, do I go on this diet and not do any kung fu until I have reached my weight goal or do I scrap the diet and continue on with the life style that I love? It was a no-brainer, I couldn't even say take a break from kung fu without the words getting stuck in my throat. I didn't realize until I had decided to stop the diet that I had done it again. I said that I wasn't going to go on any more diets because I had my obsession over food under control. I had myself convinced that because my doctor recommended it and it was healthy that it wasn't really a diet. I was wrong, I quickly fell into old habits of punishing and rewarding myself with food. I need to re-group and make a better plan so that I don't get off track again. Clearly, my work in this area is not over, but I continue to move forward. I am sure that it looks like the same thing over and over again on the outside but on the inside I learn a little bit more about me and how I work each time I try something new.
Until next time, work hard and have fun.

Where do we go from here? Forward, of course!

2010-11-04T12:11:00.005-06:00

I have no idea what to write about. Hmmmm.... I wonder how many times that has been the first line in one of my lengthy blogs? I am feeling like I should write something but I am not sure what it is, so I decided to start writing and see what comes up.
I am not where I thought I would be today, I thought that I would be past the test and working towards a similar but slightly different goal. Instead, I find myself refocusing, re-planning the next 300 days and trying to figure out what needs to change in my training regiment, if anything. For now, I am continuing on in my training, practicing my techniques, my forms and my kicks. I am paying attention to how I am feeling and what I am doing. I am staying in the moment as much as possible and I feel like I am at the beginning of something fabulous. Have you ever had the feeling? I have been so excited about where my Kung Fu is and where it is taking me for the past two months that I can hardly contain myself some days. I want everyone to experience this amazing feeling. I believe the prescription is hard work, dedication and keeping promises to yourself. As I look back over the past year or two and try to describe how I got to this point, I think of working on specific parts of a form over and over again, staying engaged in my training when I was too sick to participate, and getting going when I could and sometimes didn't feel like it. There were a few times when I trudged off to my workout, not really in the spirit of accomplishing anything other than the promise to myself that I would go. Those were some of my most amazing workouts, I usually discovered something ground breaking about how I moved, or ran an extra mile with energy and vigor. I am happy with what I have accomplished over the past little while and I look forward to learning more about improving myself and my world as I continue on with my journey.
Okay, so it wasn't that long!
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Dreams

2010-10-31T15:21:00.000-06:00

Beliefs

2010-10-24T14:45:00.004-06:00

I had the opportunity to be a part of something amazing this weekend. My friend invited me to a baptism, I have been to many before and I thought that I knew what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to find nine young people standing in front of the congregation, willing to declare their convictions. They each spoke about their journey, the support that they have received, and the path that they have chosen to follow. There was not a dry eye in the place! The passion and conviction was so strong that I am sure that many in the audience wanted to stand up and share theirs as well, I know that I did.
As an adult, it is sometimes hard to say what we believe and to stand by our principles. I drew strength from these young people and their beliefs and hope that I can continue to stand tall for what I believe in.
Thank you my friends for inviting me into your world.
Til next week, work hard and have fun.

Habitat for Humanity Gang

2010-10-17T12:50:00.002-06:00

It's feels good to be surrounded by awesome people. Thank you for spending the day contributing to our community.

Til next, work hard and have fun.

More about me

2010-10-10T07:57:00.002-06:00

For the past few weeks, I have felt like I am in exactly the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. It is an amazing feeling. I am loving it. My training is going well, work is going fantastic (with some interesting opportunities opening up in the next couple of months), and the way that I process information is changing daily. I am looking at everything through different eyes and I like what I see. I used to question my every action, thought and spoken word (worried about saying the wrong thing, doing something stupid, etc), now I accept who I am and what I do. I am no longer constantly worried about what anyone else thinks. That doesn't mean that I have ripped the filter off and I say whatever I want, it means that I am not walking on egg shells around myself. What has changed, mindful meditation everyday. I have been learning about meditation throughout this year and I have been focusing on quieting (pretty sure that it is a word) my brain and slowing down the thought process so that I can figure things out. Well, it seems that I am figuring things out. I have more purpose to my meditation and self reflection, it has a path now. I feel so good, I have so much more physical energy, I feel smarter and able to handle anything that comes my way.
Til next week, work hard and have fun!

A litte about me....

2010-10-03T19:48:00.009-06:00

I have spent the last 12 years in a battle with myself that was affecting how I live my life. I am obsessive and compulsive in regards to food. When I am happy, I eat. When I am sad, I eat. And any other emotion in between, I eat. I have been on countless diets, fad and otherwise. I have spent thousands (not a misprint) of dollars trying to control my weight, be smaller, not fat, etc. I was actually punishing myself with each diet. I would always think that everything would be better when I lost weight,finished my diet plan, etc. I didn't understand why I kept coming back to the same issue.
I now feel like I have been set free from something that was holding me back from reaching my potential. I discovered that I was using food to stuff my emotions and not really let them be. What can happen to people(me), is that when they experience an emotion (positive or negative) it evokes a memory that they would not like to rehash, so they do something to stop that emotion from happening. Eventually, eating becomes what they do, driven not by hunger, but by their emotions. Once that I realized that, through tons of work on my self and some meditation, I have managed to change the messages going on in my head. I do two things now that I didn't know that I could, I eat when I am hungry and I stop when I am satisfied. I feel fantastic, I am satisfied with less food and I have no desire to eat junk food (chocolate, candy, chips). It is worth mentioning that I had a little help from a fantastic book; "Women, Food and God" by Geneen Roth. I think that anyone that struggles with their weight, can't figure out how come diets don't work for them, is frustrated with how they are feeling, should read this book. It is about the food you eat, the love you have for yourself and your spiritual journey. It is definitely worth your time.
I know that I talked about this last week, but I wasn't sure that I did the topic justice my just talking about the book. I wanted to share my story and show the impact that changing your mindset can have.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Got Food?

2010-09-26T20:00:00.004-06:00

I am reading a really good book, it is called Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth. I had heard about the book from one of my friends earlier this year and recently got it from the library. The book talks about our relationship with food and how you can be in charge of that relationship. When I first started reading the book, I wasn't sure if I could relate to what the author was talking about. Then she started talking about being in the moment, being aware of where you and what you are doing. These are words to live by at kung fu, so I kept reading and discovered that there is a different way for me to look at food. I feel like I am in charge now, and I can make the right choices, healthy choices for my mind and my body. I feel like I am free of something that I didn't think that I would ever have any control over. I can make choices that are good for me without feeling like I am making some sort of sacrifice or depriving myself. I used to think that food was a means to punish or reward myself and that is not a healthy way to approach something that you need in order to thrive. I am very excited at this new approach to food and how it will impact my life. I don't think that it will be all roses and sunshine but I am liking the change so far and I am willing to work hard to make it a part of how I live my life.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Working Hard and Loving It!

2010-09-19T22:51:00.002-06:00

Last weekend, I had an absolutely great time. I attended our annual forms seminar and it was the type of day that I dream about. I had the privilege of focusing on Kung Fu from 9 am to 5:30 pm. It was fantastic! The day started with Tai Chi and then a fitness class and then on to the seminar. I love spending time with my forms, I like trying to figure out how I move and how to move differently. I like when people give me feed back so that I can make changes. I even liked performing at the end, even though I was nervous and didn't do my best performance. I learned so much that day that I think that it will take me some time to properly process it all.
The next day, full of cool aches and pains from all day at Kung Fu, I participated in the Rotary Run with one of my friends. Each year, I raise money to increase awareness of suicide prevention and provide more programs for people seeking help. I love this event because I really feel like I am making a contribution to my community and I enjoy participating as well. This year we did 10 km, I am thinking about doing the half marathon next year (just for fun!)
So, this week my training has all been tied into things that I learned last weekend. I would not have thought to put some of them together but there they were.
I am working hard and having fun, are you?

It's my birthday and I'll blog if I want to!

2010-09-12T17:27:00.002-06:00

It is my birthday today and I am going to partly use that as an excuse not to write much today. The other side of the excuse is that I had an amazing weekend and I learned a ton of stuff and I am not ready to write about it yet.
Until next week,
Work hard and have fun.

When we share

2010-09-05T20:34:00.000-06:00

Poet: Unknown

When we share laughter, there's twice the fun;
When we share success, we surpass what we've done.

When we share problems, there's half the pain;
When we share tears, a rainbow follows rain.

When we share dreams, they become more real;
When we share secrets, it's our hearts we reveal.

If we share a smile, then our love shows;
If we share a hug, then our love grows.

If we share with someone on whom we depend,
That person becomes family or friend.

And what draws us closer and makes us all care,
Is not what we have, but the things that we share

Ahhhhh.....assignments

2010-08-29T11:01:00.004-06:00

I handed in two assignments yesterday that have each taken me a long time to complete. It was a pretty cool feeling to complete them.
One has been on my radar for approx. two years. I could have completed it at any time but I didn't quite understand it, so instead of trying to figure it out, I left it. This month I forced myself to take the time, sit down and get it done. Well,now I get it, I understand the assignment and the purpose behind it and I am glad that I completed it.
The second assignment was a physical requirement and a mental one. The assignment was to complete 26,000 push ups in six months. The first year that I attempted this, I didn't quite understand the concept of completing push ups EVERYDAY, and only completed approx 1/2 of them. Last year, I had my goal in sight and hurt my back towards the end and needed to take a mini-break from kung fu and push ups. This year, I learned that the battle is not physical alone, it is mental as well. If you tell yourself that you can't do it, or that you have no time for it, it will come true. If you work hard and figure out where to fit the push ups in, it becomes easier. It does not matter what changes in my life occur, I will always fit in my push ups. I still have 20,000 to complete this year for my UBBT challenge and I am confident that I will complete them.
It feels good to complete something that you have have been working towards for a long time, there is deep satisfaction in it.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Ouch!!!!

2010-08-22T21:24:00.004-06:00

I hurt my back this afternoon, I was bending over to put the basket for cutlery back in the dishwasher and something changed (it also lends to my 'it's never anything cool' theory). I can't put my finger on exactly what but there was a definite shift and it hurt like crazy to straighten up. So now I am sitting on my couch with an ice pack on my back. This is an immense improvement from my usual response to injury. I usually deny that it really hurts and keep moving until I can't move anymore. I am learning.
The irony of the whole thing is that I had a really intense workout this morning and I feel like I am on the verge of a break through with my form. It feels like it is starting to change, or ready to change, it feels like I have nearly got it. I am not sure what it is yet but it feels pretty cool. I am sure that I won't lose that feeling as I wait for my back to rest, because the whole change started with me thinking differently about the form and approaching it differently and now I think that I can begin to put those thoughts into action.
This is a very exciting time for me and my martial arts, I am beginning to figure things out and learn from myself. I get how I learn and I am taking the time to allow myself to do it.
Woohoo!!!!!

Back to the grind or not

2010-08-15T09:53:00.003-06:00

I returned from my camping trip on Wed. night and had left myself only one day to do all the chores required from such a trip. This means that Thurs. was crazy busy with laundry and errands and getting organized to start the work week. I think I like being busy like that, it seems like if I have too much time on my hands then I relax too much and I am not as productive.
I love getting back to work after a holiday or break. I have renewed energy and passion for my work that I didn't realize was waning until I got some rest. This is the beginning of my year, I take a big break in the summer and then come back ready to charge into a new year with vigor. I am excitedly planning my next suicide prevention workshop, checking in with the new staff members that I am training, supervising a new treatment program and re-establishing my team. I love it. I have always loved the beginning of the school year, what with the new faces, new books, etc. So it seems fitting that my work year begins each September with new ideas and enthusiasm.
So that has been my week in a nut shell, I am very happy to be back training with my kung fu friends. It is so energizing to be around people who are working hard and having fun.
My goal for this week is to fit in more time to practice yoga, it feels fabulous when I do it, I just need to find a spot for it.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Different training

2010-08-11T23:12:00.003-06:00

So training while camping certainly took on a different look then I imagined that it would. I imagined (romanticized) practicing my forms in the fresh air of an isolated camping ground, doing tai chi in the peace and quiet that required little effort to stay focused. The reality was that I found different things to do everyday that challenged my physical being. I carried 5 gallon containers of water from the water pump back to our camp (I used to drive), I walked my dogs three times a day because there was no safe place to let them run and get their exercise, and I did my forms in my head. This took on a different turn than ever before because now I can imagine actually executing the moves on someone. It was a very good experience.
I think that one of the things that I like the most about camping that there is always something to do or take care of, from preparing meals to ensuring that our living space is looked after, to playing cribbage with my daughter. There is never a dull moment and instead of trying to fit kung fu into my life, it quite naturally was a part of my life. It is in how I breath, how I organize my day and how I treat myself and those around me. It is part of me.

Progress

2010-08-01T11:21:00.003-06:00

This week has been a struggle as I attempted to implement the things that I learned last week into more of my movements. Each workout consisted of concentration, focus and using my eye for detail. It was exhausting mentally and I am not sure that I took very many steps forward. By the end of the week, I was sure that a demonstration of my form would show that I was actually taking steps backward instead of forward. My teacher assured me that it was progress to get stuck and have to try and figure things out. In comparison, last week was easy, I worked hard and the results were that I figured something out and rode on that high for the rest of the week. This week, I worked just as hard trying to implement the changes but I didn't figure anything out, I just worked hard. This week is more like a normal week than the other, making progress by practicing is what it is all about, just a little hard to swallow after a big break through.
Til next week, work hard and have fun.

2010-07-25T10:08:00.005-06:00

I had a fantastic training week. I think that I finally understand the concept of the six harmonies. I was cognitive of the concept before but now I can feel it. I started out trying to figure out what was wrong with my punch, well, I knew what was wrong, I was trying to figure out how to fix it. I very patiently threw punch after punch, trying to be aware of my body and how it was moving together. I noticed through this scrutiny that my hips were not insinc with the rest of my movements. It seemed like they were moving separately, with their own agenda. When I moved my hips, shoulders, knees, elbows, feet and hands, together as a unit, everything began to fall into place. I am still getting used to using all the six harmonies together and it will need a lot of work but I am confident that I am making progress in the right direction. My forms feel different and better (right) and I am really excited about the changes that I am making.
I find this whole process absolutely amazing. There I am practicing and practicing and trying to be mindful and feeling like I was making progress, and then someone makes a comment and changes my focus just a smidgeon, and I am flying off (soaring really), in a direction that I was never really sure that I could take. I know that all my practice has not been wasted because I needed to have attained the level of awareness that I had in order to be ready for the next revelation. I am so excited about the possibilities that this opens up for me and how I move, I feel like I can do anything that I set my mind to.
Well, that is all for this week, til next week, work hard and have fun.

2010-07-18T10:43:00.003-06:00

The highlights of my week was most definitely training. Several days this week, I had the opportunity to train with many different people on several different aspects of our art. One day, after a seemingly innocent question about Loa Gar, a group of us spent about 20 minutes, practicing and giving each other feedback. That kind of experience gives me such a rush of adrenaline and excitement about kung fu that I want to whoop and holler like a little kid. My week continued on with practicing techniques with my partner. We were trying to invoke reality into the techniques and after much laughter and many mistakes, they are beginning to look like something. Then I stumbled upon another group at the training hall practicing forms and spent some time with them, picking things apart and putting them back together again.
The thing that stands out for me is the camaraderie that I feel when I am working at the kwoon. While I am there, I am focused on what I am doing and where I am but I can feel the others around me working just as hard at what they are doing. I am not too sure if I can explain this very well but it is as if we are all working together and separately at the same time. I think that it is the common goal that bonds us, the strive to be better martial artists, the working towards perfecting our craft. I am so privileged to be part of such an excellent group of people, I can't wait to go back and practice some more on Monday.

Thanks

2010-07-11T11:25:00.002-06:00

I think that it is really important to remember and respect the people that support us in our passions. The people that give up weekends away so that we can attend classes and train, the people that nod in understanding as we dash out the door instead of clearing the table after supper and the people that encourage to try our hardest and go for the gold every day. My family and friends have been amazingly supportive and understanding over the years since I have discovered my passion for Kung Fu. I am very grateful for them.

A funny thing happened on the way to the demo.....

2010-07-04T16:58:00.004-06:00

I volunteered to be a part of the Canada Day demo for two reasons, I love to celebrate the birth of our country any way that I can and I figured the more exposure I get to situation where I am not comfortable the better. During the first practice, I was so nervous that I had a difficult time getting a grip on myself. I think that I was anxious because I have been working on my form and haven't showed anyone in a while. At least that is the only reason that I can see. I managed to complete it and only looked like an amateur a couple of times. The second ( and final ) practice was much better, I had had a chance to practice a bit with my partner and work out some logistics ( where to stand and all that). I was quite comfortable afterwards, hoping that I would not be too nervous on the performance day.
The day started bright and shiney, I think there were even some birds singing. My partner for one of the forms was my daughter and she has been performing at various demos since she was four (she's 12). We started the day together with breakfast and some visiting and then got ready to leave for the celebration. She wasn't nervous at all. We arrived early and wandered around a bit, talking with friends from Silent River and waiting to begin.
And then we started, the lion dance was very cool, I am beginning to tell the difference between different dancers and their styles. I thoroughly enjoyed the show. We were up next, we walked out onto center "stage" (it was outside) , looked into each others eyes and began. It felt absolutely fantastic, we were in-sinc and our intensity was out of this world. We finished strong and then waited for our next form. Then we performed with a larger group, we had only practiced together a few times but we managed to stay together and look good.
So here is the cool part, after we were done, someone said, that wasn't too bad, I was nervous this morning but it went okay anyways. I started to respond with yeah, me too and at that moment realized that I hadn't been nervous, before, after or during. I felt cool, calm and collected and it was an amazing feeling. I have been doing many different things to decrease my nervousness, like meditating and putting myself in situation where I need to remain calm at all costs. That day was the first day that my work has begun to pay off and it felt great.

2010-06-27T09:00:00.002-06:00

I had a really good kung fu week and a really good week at work. In my training I have been spending more time than usual talking to other students about different techniques and each person's interpretation of those techniques. I have really enjoyed trying out ideas with people that I don't usually practice with, different body types and sizes also play a pretty big role in how you are going to execute a move. It has been educational and given me lots to think about.
My work week has been challenging and rewarding all at the same time. I am learning more about how I communicate as a supervisor and how to improve it. I am learning how to calmly and succinctly express myself when challenged by another staff member. I have discovered that when commenting on someone's performance it is best to just say it instead of trying to be nice about it (that just seemed to get me in more trouble). It is sort of like ripping the bandaid off, it's best to just do it and not hesitate.
I have also been preparing for and teaching my suicide prevention refresher workshop. I have changed how I present it this year and so far I have received positive feedback. I still have a couple more workshops to do this week but I am not nearly as anxious about how they will go. Talking about suicide prevention always gives me a boost of energy about my work and pushes me to try new things and encourage others to do so as well. I also get quite a thrill from the teaching aspect, it is fun to organize something and then present it.
I also have the pleasure of teaching some new people all about how great it is to do the job that I do. I look forward to meeting the new people and sharing my excitement with them.
Until next week, work hard and have fun.

Reflection

2010-06-18T12:36:00.002-06:00

I was recently looking back through my blogs, wondering where I was last year at this time, seeing what other triumphs and tribulations had occurred. There is definitely a theme to my ups and downs but the results are different, there is a distinct difference in how I react and how I deal with similar situations. So many changes have happened in the past year, that I had forgotten some of them, it was interesting to reminisce with myself.
While I was searching, I noticed that I have blogged nearly as many entries so far this year as I had all of last year. I am pretty proud of that. I am no longer struggling each week to figure out what to write, I just write about what I have been thinking about the most. Blogging has been a really great experience for me, I enjoy looking back at what was happening for me and I enjoy writing about where I am today. It is sometimes hard to sit down and admit that things aren't great or I am not where I want to be, but afterwards, it always serves to help put things into perspective.
It was a great reflective week.
Til next time, work hard and have fun.

Time Flies

2010-06-13T10:34:00.005-06:00

I can't believe how fast time is going. Each day, I try to pack in everything that I can, training and domestic stuff. I am performing at a much higher level than ever before and time is just whizzing by. It doesn't seem that long ago that I would be totally gassed after spending the day training, now I come home and keep going. I think that I can also tell the difference between being really tired and my mind trying to convince my body to throw in the towel. I feel like I am in charge of my training and the direction that my life is going and I like it. I have often felt that I should do this and I have to do that, and right now I am doing exactly what it is that I want and need to do. I think this may be the living definition of being in the moment.
My training is going well. I have been working on my kicks for some time and I think that I may have had a break through this week. They feel different when I am powering up and when I am hitting the bag, I can feel the energy start to move through my leg until it releases at the bag. I can't do this each and every time but I think that I know what I am working towards now.
My forms continue to change daily, sometimes I feel good and I think that my forms look good too, on other days if I am not feeling it, I think that my forms look awful. I have yet to figure out if it is my head or my body that is leading the charge on this one. I am suspicious of the head on this one. My cardio is improving slowly, I did not realize how long and how much work it would take to get some strength and endurance back in this area. I know that I have come a long way from the very slow walks that I was taking at Christmas time, I sometimes lose sight of that and expect to be able to do what I could at this time last year. On the days that I can accept my limitations, I think that I perform better than on the days where I fight it. Hmmm...could be a pattern here.
I am continuing to read as much as I can about improving myself, I am reading some stuff about other people's journeys and finding that pretty interesting. I think that I can relate to some of the struggles that others have experienced. This helps me stay focused on my bigger picture.
I am struggling to write my progress down in more than one place. I write in my journal everyday to keep track of my training, but I am not as consistent in entering the data on the PhysOut site. I will work to improve this as it is more time consuming to add up a week's worth of numbers to put in than it is to do it daily.
So that is where I am at, working hard, enjoying the improvements that I am seeing and still working hard at what I think are my deficits. Until next time, work hard and have fun.

Cool thing

2010-06-08T09:09:00.001-06:00

A cool thing happened last week, a client that moved away called me. He was very excited to let me know that he had started studying a martial art. He is totally loving it and I can totally imagine him embracing the discipline and respect that he will be learning. I can picture him adapting his lifestyle and excelling at everything that he tries. I am very proud of him for going outside his comfort zone and kind of thrilled that he shared it with me.

What motivates you?

2010-05-30T11:40:00.002-06:00

So you have had your breakfast, you are enjoying a nice cup of tea and you are planning your day. At what moment, in what thought pattern, do you get up and begin your day? You have many things to do and sitting around means some of them won't get done. What gets you up and moving?
I used to be one of those people that would sit and think of all the things that I had to get done and not move. The longer I sat the more disappointed I would get in myself for not getting up and moving it. As you can imagine, this was not a very successful life pattern. When I first started setting goals for myself, that is Kung Fu goals, I would go through a similar experience daily. Sometimes, I would get a little training in, but most days, I would not. This would set me up for a day, sometimes a week, of doing nothing. I had no faith in my ability to stick to a schedule, practice, do the things that I needed/wanted to do. It was like, I had so many things to do, that I was overwhelmed by it and did nothing.
So, what did I do? Well, I set my daily expectations to something small that I could accomplish no matter what was happening in my life. At that point, I couldn't look at the big goals, I could only focus on what I needed to do every day. Each day I contributed towards my big goal in some way and my confidence in my ability to follow my plan grew. I slowly added more things to my daily expectations until I was participating in the plan that I had set for myself. Some that is super smart,once told me that it is all about keeping promises to yourself. That is so true. When I get up and I do my push ups and sit ups each day before I do anything else, I am keeping a promise to myself and I carry that feeling around all day long. It also makes accomplishing many other things, a walk in the park because I have that trust in me already so I just get 'er done.

Searching.......

2010-05-21T21:54:00.006-06:00

What am I looking for? What is the purpose of my journey?
At first, I wasn't sure, I engulfed myself with the physical, making sure that I was so busy I wouldn't have time for much reflection. I did add in some goals that would require reflection but sort of hoped that I could fake my way through those without any serious work. (I am trying to be as honest with myself as possible). I had thought about the end of the journey and what it would look like many times, it always involved dreaming about my physical accomplishments, nothing more. The reality is, I am looking for me. The last couple of weeks have revolved around figuring out which direction to go and receiving lots of advise and not knowing what to follow. This lead to the question, which way do I want to go and what would be best for me? I have no idea! I feel so out of touch with who I am that I don't think that I have the ability to make a decision based on what is best for me.
What do I think? What do I know? I feel lost in a sea of doubt. I am overwhelmed by the tasks that I have taken on. I am not sure that I have what it takes to complete my goals, right now it seems like too much. How do I find me in all of this? When I look too closely, I don't always like what I see, that scares me and I stop looking. I return to the physical because that is something that I am comfortable with. Should I keep pushing the physical and hope that the rest works itself out? Should I expand my journey so that I reflect more on me and what I really need to do to feed my soul?
The answer is yes. Don't stop, keep searching, striving, working, growing. One day, there will be more answers than questions.

Conflicted

2010-05-16T10:05:00.003-06:00

So here I sit staring at the blinking cursor again. I am not sure what to write about because I have some conflict going on in my life and I am not sure how to deal with it. This then seeps into everything, creating a feeling of unsureness about everything. It is not catastrophic, just a shadow of doubt. I am not letting it control my world but I can definitely feel the effects of it. My training week was difficult, I seemed to have to really fight to find time to train and then when I got down to it, the energy, focus and intensity was not that great. When everything is going well in my world, I think that I am in control and nothing can stop me now. When I run into little glitches, I think that there is no control and I don't know where to turn to re-establish it. I am only now beginning to realize how black and white I am, in regards to how I react to the world around me. It's like I have two setting good or bad, no in between. So the eternal question is, how to I create internal harmony, regardless of the world around me? I know that I can not create harmony for anyone else. The struggle begins and ends with how do I limit my reaction to what is happening around me. Do I face adversity and gain experience on how to handle it? Do I protect myself from conflict until I feel strong enough to deal with it? How will I get stronger if I don't test and push myself? How do I get stronger if I am constantly testing that strength by welcoming adversity? I don't have any answers, just more questions.
These are the things that have been plaguing my mind for nearly two weeks. I think/hope that if I set aside the dilemma for now, the answers will come to me.

What to write.....

2010-05-10T22:59:00.000-06:00

So I have no idea what to write this week. It seems like it has been a long time since I face this struggle. I wasn't sure at first how to deal with it, but I have decided to start writing and see what comes out.
My training was great.
Thirty minutes later....
Okay I don't have anything to say, til next week.
Work hard and have fun.

It's about what you don't see

2010-05-03T07:38:00.001-06:00

It sort of felt like cheating the other day when I posted my May assignment as a blog posting. So here are some thoughts on that.
I have been thinking a lot about mastery in the last couple of weeks. Partly due to the assignment to memorize Stewart Emery's thoughts on mastery and partly because I really thought about the words that I was committing to memory. It is about a bit more than expecting more of yourself than others do, it is about doing it. I thought it would be about others noticing a difference but it's not, it is about affecting that difference. It is about countless hours of practice anywhere and anytime. It is about breaking down techniques and forms and putting them back together. It is about not only having an eye for detail but knowing exactly what that means and how it feels.
I had a rather romantic idea of what it would be like on the journey to black belt, I thought about the thank you speech, the sense of accomplishment and the sense of relief. I did not realize that it would be about what you don't see, the dedication and determination that I need to rely on each day to accomplish my daily goals.
So on the road to mastery, it is important to surround yourself with people who expect more of you than you do and to rid your environment of mediocrity. It is also important to work hard every day, regardless of how you feel and what is going on in your head or your life.

Mastery by Stewart Emery

2010-05-01T18:23:00.000-06:00

Mastery in our career and consciousness simply requires that we constantly produce results beyond the ordinary. Mastery is the result of consistently going beyond our limits. For most people, it starts with technical excellence in a chosen field and a commitment to that excellence. If you are willing to make a commitment to excellence and surround yourself with things that represent excellence and pursue events and experiences that become miracles, your life will change. ( When we speak of miracles, we speak of events and experiences in the real world that are beyond the ordinary).

It is remarkable how much mediocrity we live with, surrounding ourselves with daily reminders that the average is acceptable. Our world suffers from terminal mediocrity. Take a moment to assess all the things around you that encourage you to remain average. These things keep you powerless, unable to go beyond the limits that you have arbitrarily set for yourself. Take you first steps towards mastery by removing everything in your environment the represents mediocrity, removing your arbitrary limits. Try surrounding yourself with friends that expect more of you than you do. Didn't some of your best teachers, your coaches, your parents expect more of you?

On the path to mastery, erase any resentment towards masters. Develop compassion for yourself so that you can be in the presence of masters and grow from the experience .Rather than comparing yourself and resenting people who are masters, remain open and receptive; a let the experience be like planting a seed within you - with nourishment, it will grow into your own individual mastery.

Correction is essential in power and mastery. You see, we are all ordinary. But a master, rather in condemning himself for his ordinariness, he embraces his ordinariness and uses it as a foundation to build the extraordinary. Instead of giving up, like ordinary people do, a master uses his ordinariness to correct his errors, which is essential in the process towards attaining mastery. You must be able to correct yourself without condemning or invalidating yourself, accept the results and improve upon them.

Correct, don't protect.

Focus

2010-04-24T21:56:00.001-06:00

This week was a real struggle to stay focused. My work threatened to steal my attention on more than one occasion between troubled children and yearly performance reviews it was hard not to get sucked into that world. By that I mean allowing it to dominate my thoughts and actions when I am not there. As I fought to stay focused, I found it hard to participate in routines that I have been following for months. It was okay once I got started but I really had to push myself to start. I also combated this by arranging to train with others and talking to my support people about how I was feeling. I must admit that it was not the most successful week as far as numbers go, I spent a lot of time talking and planning and I did have one day that I didn't actually do anything physical. It was a successful week in that I worked through a tough time without fully stopping my training and I learned a little about myself. I love being surrounded by people who are also working towards mastery, I feel like I am in the right place. I finished the week off with participation in our annual Pitch-In with family and friends and an amazing 2 & 1/2 hour workout that required focus and attention. I am tired but pleased with how the week turned out.

Highlights

2010-04-18T10:21:00.001-06:00

I feel like I have many things to write about and I am not sure how to put them all down succinctly. So I am going to go with a highlights list.
1. I figured out how to make my long hours of practice pay off. I usually get very nervous when I have to display my form to anyone. I discovered this week that when I get nervous, I display the exact same form every time. This means unfinished techniques, rushing to finish and not flowing or relaxing. When I practice by myself (even in a public place), I slow down and focus on techniques and it feels really good. So I was talking to my friends this week while we were practicing and I started expressing all the things that I usually just keep to myself. We talked about being nervous in front of fellow students, sifus and in public. We talked about how that was manifesting itself in my forms and we figured out how to combat it somewhat. Somewhere in my head, I had decided that when showing anyone my form, I had to be intense and fast. My friends and I decided that I should slow down when showing someone the form, just like in practice. It was like a light bulb went off in my head and I think that I get in now. By trying to do it just like in practice, I am calmer and therefore have slowed down and my technique is improving each time that I do the form. I participated in a demonstration yesterday and I was definitely calmer than I can ever remember being after a performance. The moral of this little story is that practice does make a difference because you can draw on the experience when you need it.
2. The annual tournament is coming up and I have to work. It totally sucks but that is just the way it is. Aside from not being able to be there, it has opened up a tremendous opportunity for me. I don't have to worry about what to do about performance anxiety so I am open to what is happening around me. I am getting to help so many people with their forms and sparring strategies and it feels great. I would not have had this experience otherwise. It was so exciting to be at the kwoon during open practice yesterday and see so many people excited about their kung fu journeys. I actually feel like I am more a part of the tournament than I have ever been and I hope that someone takes lots of pictures to see how it turns out.
3. I am still experimenting with my food energy. I am really enjoying some homemade energy bars which are great for days when I am at the kwoon all day. I have also been experimenting with smoothies, the book I am using (actually borrowing), has different smoothies for different needs. For example, there is one to reduce swelling and works really good for my aching knees at the end of the day. There is others that give you energy, help you recover from an intense training session and also to keep you full for longer. One of favorite things is the cereal bar, it takes a bit of time to prepare and one hour to bake but in makes 8 bars to keep in the fridge which is great to have if you are on the run. I am still eating one meal a day that is not raw as I didn't want to shock my body with a drastic change. I have done that before and didn't like the results.
So those are the highlights of my week, I have to stop now or I won't have time for my training before work.

Robyn Kichko
Silent River Kung Fu

To blog or not to blog......

2010-04-11T11:05:00.002-06:00

I have been thinking about blogging this week and how much my attitude towards it has changed over the last few years. At first, when the ideas was presented to me, I was mortified. Journalling has always been such a private thing for me, it is where I write all my thoughts and feelings that I don't feel comfortable sharing with anyone else. The idea of sharing even some of those thoughts and feelings was scarey. So I started writing about things that I thought others would be interested in or learn from. I also thought that they had to be long and thought provoking. My entries were not exactly what I wanted to say but they were entries and that was what I had promised to produce. Lately, I have been focusing on sharing just a bit of what my week has been like, a thought that stands out or an experience that has an impact on my training. I am focusing on what I want to write/share and not what I think others want to read. It is working for me, I am not sure that I appreciated the benefits of blogging until recently. I feel like I get it now, by sharing my experiences, I might reach someone who is struggling with a similar thing, but I can't write like I have to reach someone else. It just comes out cheesy and not authentic.
Those are my thoughts for this week.
Robyn Kichko
Silent River Kung Fu
Stony Plain, AB, Canada

you are what you eat

2010-04-03T22:30:00.001-06:00

I have been plagued with bronchitis and other chest and lung infections for years. I usually get sick about twice a year and it stops my training for up to a month sometimes (right before Christmas, I was sick and had to stop training for 2 months and then it took two more months of modified training to get back at it). Well, with the pace that I have set for myself this year, I don't really have time to get sick. I have been researching food intake for the past couple of years, trying to figure out what my bodies needs so that I can push it to the limit on a regular basis. I have discovered a very healthy eating plan, I think that I know when I need protein and when I need carbs and when I don't really 'need' anything at all. I have recently been reading The Thrive Diet by Brendan Brazier, he is a professional ironman triathlete. I have had the book for quite some time and I keep picking it up and reading it and putting it down again. This week I decided that it was time to try some of it. The diet is based on whole foods and the energy that you can get from them. I have been trying some of the recipes and enjoying the results of my efforts. I have more energy and I feel great. The food is tasty and not that difficult to make, I am not great in the kitchen. I am not quite ready to dive in with both feet and eat nothing but raw foods ( I have done this with other diet plans and lived to regret it) but I am willing to keep trying new recipes and slowly transition over to a more beneficial diet plan. I tried one of the smoothies last week that is for reducing swelling and it really took the swelling out of my knees. I have made the energy bars and have had no trouble attending my fitness class and then practicing forms for 90 minutes. I am excited about this new way of eating but I have learned that moderation is that best way for me to proceed.

Forms Marathon

2010-03-29T22:57:00.000-06:00

So I'm talking to Sifu Brinker a couple of weeks ago and I say, 'Hey, are we going to do that forms marathon, again?'. A couple minutes later, we are talking about something else and I am organizing the marathon. I honestly don't know how he does that, not only was I organizing it, I was totally excited about the challenge. Armed with a list of things to take care of, I was off and running. I thoroughly enjoyed the project, everyone I talked to was willing to help and do anything that was necessary. I must admit that I had a few moments of panic when I wasn't sure that we would be able to accomplish our mission but my fellow students came through in the end. Somewhere along the way, it didn't make a difference whether we completed the mission ( 24 hours of non-stop forms), it mattered that we worked together and had a great time doing it.
I had an amazing training experience to boot. I decided that I would concentrate only on Kempo 3 while I was at the marathon. I couldn't believe the level of focus I was able to achieve, my eye for detail improved and I was able to make some fundamental changes in how I do the form. I also had the privilege of watching my daughter reclaim a form that she had forgotten that she knew. She not only remembered all the moves, she was able to add her own style to it. During our evening shift, we were exposed to many different forms, from tai chi to the long spear form. It was really neat to see fellow students doing their favorite forms. All in all, it was a great experience.