Figuring it Out

 I have always had to figure stuff out a little different due to my height. I’m not that short, but short enough that sometimes it can make a difference in what I’m trying to do. A step stool is always handy in the kitchen for example lol. And in Kung Fu. Even a couple of inches can make a big difference when it comes to practicing technique’s with others. 

On Tuesday we were doing just that, and not a technique that we usually would practice. First of all is was left handed. I know for a few this may have come easier, but I am right hand dominant. We do not have a lot of left handed prominences in most of our forms that are practiced consistently, and those we do have feel normal due to that practice. When something different is presented, left handed, and something that my height difference factors in, it was a struggle. After several reps it was starting to come along and not feel so weird lol. 

When a new technique is presented to learn and practice I do my best to figure it out with the challenges it may also present, while keeping true to the technique being taught. How can we grow if we don’t learn new things, and challenge ourselves? I learn through fail, and working through something that doesn’t necessarily come easy. Great class, once again. 

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and hope everyone is able to enjoy some wonderful family time. 

Push ups- 24,425

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 24,840

Form reps - Hand 614 Weapon 316

AOK’s - 721

Sparring - 425

KM’s - 1331

Blogs - 38

Different Week

 It was a bit of a different week as there was no class on Tuesday, and I attended online for the meeting. I made a trip to Jasper on Tuesday to help volunteer with the branch in Jasper as they hosted and prepared the lunch for the Truth and Reconciliation gathering. It was great to be a part of it, and listen to the guest speakers tell their stories. A lot of it was heartbreaking, but also uplifting to hear of the healing, and progress being made. 

We also spent the weekend in Jasper with the family for Kody’s birthday, and we enjoyed some wonderful family time. 

Lots of driving this week, but also lots of Kung Fu, maybe not so much in the physical sense, but it was cherished time spent, and wonderful memories made.

Push ups- 23,805

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 24,220

Form reps - Hand 601 Weapon 316

AOK’s - 704

Sparring - 425

KM’s - 1294

Blogs - 37

Almost

 The past few weeks I have been in conversation to take another role at work. I would have been leaving the branch and going into a position in a different area, and new to me. This is a position that has been offered to me before several times, and the timing felt right this time. There were certain things I was willing to take a decrease on, income being one of them. I was getting excited to start a new journey, with new courses and training needed, and a big shift in what I currently do. 

The position was mine for the taking, but I have turned it down once again unfortunately. There were factors I could not concede to at this point of my life. The working hours would have been great, and a positive in many areas of life for myself and my family. So now I must refocus on how I am going to change my mindset in how I do my current job. I’ve not been very successful changing this in the past, but for my own well being it is a must at this point. I do love my job, and the people I am able to connect with, but it can no longer be at the expense of myself and my well being. Although the situation is disappointing, it is also a good opportunity for me to make some serious changes in what I currently do, and how I work. 

As many others are, I have been focusing on parts of forms and techniques to help me in positioning correctly and feeling good. It feels like a struggle at times, but growth usually does. I am starting to feel some positives, so that feels good. 

Push ups- 23,155

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 23,705

Form reps - Hand 584 Weapon 316

AOK’s - 680

Sparring - 425

KM’s - 1259

Blogs - 36

Family

 This weekend was packed with family time. It started off with Kung Fu family time. I had initially declined this as our nephew’s wedding was also on this day. I didn’t believe the timing would work to be fully involved in one and not be late for the other. My husband of course disagreed, and I’m glad he did. It was a great time, and congrats to all three teams on another fantastic performance. It was heartwarming to do this performance at the care facility. I have lived firsthand with the disease these people are living with, and I know how much something like this positively affects them all, and the caregivers taking care of them. Close to my heart, and grateful to be a part of it. We also made it to the wedding with time to spare, and it was a beautiful rest of the day. 

Today was spent with an uncle I haven’t seen in 30 years, and precious to that visit it had been more than 10 years. So needless to say, this is a family member I had only spent any time with before I was age 10. My extended family has a storied history, much of which I learned a lot about today. I was fortunate enough to be sheltered by almost all of it from my parents, but there is always a lot of wonder about bits and pieces I have heard. It was so refreshing to connect, learn about family, and have some things explained. He, like my parents separated himself from the family, and has lived a full, successful life. We ended up connected again by a picture a second cousin posted on her Facebook page, and he for some reason came across the picture on his wife’s fb. The wonder of the internet…. Anyway, it was definitely a full, heartwarming weekend, and the start of a reconnection that I definitely look forward to watching grow. 

Push ups- 22,605

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 23,135

Form reps - Hand 571 Weapon 316

AOK’s - 667

Sparring - 415

KM’s - 1229

Blogs - 35

Carrots and Crumbs

 Both classes this week were filled with many bits of aha moments for me. Some bigger ‘carrot’ moments, and some smaller crumbs of wows. Even if the bigger moments of understanding come, the crumbs can be huge moments, and make big impacts, sometimes bigger than the obvious ones. 

Moving my foot ever so slightly brought immediate alignment, and balance. Maybe a crumb to some, but I believe it will make a world of difference for me in all of my forms. Technique tweaks also brought balance and a new understanding. I’ve been  practicing keeping these lessons at the forefront, and slowing down to concentrate more, as I found even practicing further in class I was going back to what I was previously doing if not specifically paying attention. Practice brings muscle memory so I need to be mindful. 

I was in a mindset of this is how it is supposed to be, and closing myself off to an eye for detail. The takeaways from this week showed me that small changes can be made to help transitions immensely, as of course I am not the same person as I was yesterday. Another reminder for me.

Push ups- 22,170

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 22,610

Form reps - Hand 562 Weapon 316

AOK’s - 651

Sparring - 415

KM’s - 1198

Blogs - 34

Reminders When Busy

 Don’s blog this morning said a lot of what was also on my mind. We had a great day yesterday on many levels. Not only was it a great day for our football team, but I also was grateful for some new experiences, and  new connections. Being around so much positive energy is infectious. 

This week has also been a good reminder for me to keep everything in perspective, and remind myself to keep what is impotant in front of me. When everything gets so busy it’s easy to let things slip and get forgotten about. Although the summer months are usually busy with our short seasons, the next several weeks are going to be just as busy. With long work days, and classes during the week it does not leave a bunch of time for much else during the week. So when the weekend rolls around the list is long, and when there are events in the weekend it can sometimes feel like there is not enough time to get it all in. 

This leads to frustration for me, and sometimes exhaustion as I don’t want to have anything forgotten or misinterpret one importance over the other. It is much the same with my training, as I consistently need to remind myself of the ebb and flow of priorities, while at the same time keep my priorities at the forefront. Not always easy, not always done right, but there is always an effort to do my best. 

Push ups- 21,740

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 22,270

Form reps - Hand 551 Weapon 290

AOK’s - 638

Sparring - 405

KM’s - 1163

Blogs - 33

BTSW 2025

 My thoughts for my blog this week align very closely to Todai Ferris’, so I apologize. This years back to school maintenance week was a bit different for me. Normally I would work all day, and then spend a couple/few hours at the Kwoon after. This year I had planned to take the full week off of work, which worked out great. My role was also a bit different this year, as I volunteered to be the organizer. 

There were no big projects in the Kwoon this year, with the major project being the end bay, but there was still a hefty list to get everything cleaned as usual. As Melinda had mentioned it seems daunting at first with a mile long list. But bit by bit we checked off items on the list. Smaller projects were completed, and everything cleaned and done by noon on Thursday. The week went very well in my opinion, and it was great to see everyone that provided helping hands. Thank you to all that volunteered their time this week!

This week is always special to me, not only helping in maintaining the school that is like a second home, but also feeling pride to have a hand in it with everything we do. It is much like our training where some things can feel very daunting, and bit by bit improvement can be seen and felt by working at it. I didn’t get as many requirement numbers in as hoped this week, but I certainly feel I practiced my Kung Fu in other ways. 

Push ups- 21,270

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 21,710

Form reps - Hand 540 Weapon 290

AOK’s - 617

Sparring - 405

KM’s - 1125

Blogs - 32