What A Week!

It has definitely been quite the week. 

    School is here in two days... TWO DAYS!? Where has all of the time gone?  I cannot believe that we are in September already; it seems to me like I just wrote my final exams of grade 10, and now I'm going into grade 11.   I'm full of mixed emotions; I'm happy to be going back and seeing everyone that I haven't over the summer, but I know that I really have to step up my game as far as academics goes this year.  I'll be able to apply for university next year in November, which means that they won't just use my midterm marks from grade 12, but they will also use my grade 11 marks.

    I only got the chance to make it to Reno's two days this week, but I loved every minute of it.  To me, the annual renovations are my way to make a connection with everyone that comes into the studio at the same time as me to help.  But, I also feel a whole connection with the entire school.  It's one thing walking into the studio after a 'week off' and saying, "Oh wow! The studio looks awesome! Everyone did a really good job." But to actually go in, and put the time and the effort to make your studio look good; there's not a more satisfying feeling. 

Renovation week complete?

The past few days have seen very few people turning out to help with the renos at the kwoon. I understand that its the final long weekend before school starts, but the renos are important and we can't resume classes if they aren't complete. I saw so much excitement and energy at the beginning of the renos. The tiling went so quickly and smoothly. It was very inspiring and was awesome connecting with so many people on a more personal level. Then for some reason the excitement and energy really fell off. I want to thank Sifu Lindstrom so much for again leading the renos. He truly has great vision and boundless paitence and energy to see the renos through. Thank you for allowing this wannabe carpenter the chance to grow in my skills and commitment. I don't look at renos as a chore or a duty. I look at them as an oppurtunity to invest myself in the kwoon. I'm proud of my second home and want it to look as awesome as it can. Yes that is a bit of ego, but ego that is good in my mind. How we finish something is as important as how we start, possibly even more so. It's like the I Ho Chuan, starting great full of energy and good intentions is great, finishing great is even more important. Half done means not complete. I would prefer to complete a project as best as I can, then to only complete 50% of a project amazingly then stop and do nothing. I am finally understanding the true definition of commitment and responsibility. Now to take that understanding and apply it, thats the next step.

life as a rollercoaster

Another chapter starts this week--my daughter has officially started her life with her dad, back in BC. They came out friday to drop off my other daughter, and so I could spend some time with Ariel(both girls were vacationing with their dad for the month of August.) It was really hard to let her go! Not because of any specific problem--she's discussed this for a long time, done her pros and cons, and taken her time with this decision. I'm proud of her for how she went about making this change. I can only hope she'll do well, and make good friends. I just wasnt quite ready at 12--18 was more my expectation! And another change--my eldest (Miriam) starts high school this week. Yikes! Am I really that old? And it'll be in the city , so more changes for her too. I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster, just hanging on to see if I like the ride or not! Should be interesting at any rate.

Working on Mixed Emotions

Stay calm.....and try not to react with emotion. I find myself resorting to these words continually. I find it truly amazing how I can calm myself down in a conversation or tense situation by focusing on my breathing and resorting back to those words.

I resort back to those words also when dealing with personal struggles and when trying to determine right from wrong, or for better or for worse and in sickness and in health, well...........maybe no the later, it just seemed like the thing to write at that point.

Well, to continue with some personal issues that I've presented in previous postings. I asked for a work transfer, it was accepted and I'm now posted north of my family and about an hours travel closer than before. The bonus is a scheduled life, I know I wrote on this promise before and it never happened, but it is written on the calendar this time. Looks pretty positive and concrete to me! This transfer has allowed for me to sit back and begin reassessing my life. It sounds simple, but I'm going to take my time on this....

The results of my path will be dictated by my heart, my wife and my boys. The time when I'm at peace with myself, will present the way for my continued journey.

As for now, I will continue to be myself and who I've always been. Everyday, since I've started in my new area or work, I've been going to the onsite workout facility. My workouts have varied from 20 to 70 minutes, but I've made it a point of fitting them in. After night shift, when I have laundry to do or I need to be on site early, my work out time is lessoned, but I've made it a point of getting there and doing what I can. This in itself has given me an emotional lift.

I feel like I've set myself on a path, as narrow as it may seem right now, but one that I won't fall off of. This will be a tool that I use to reconnect with the I Ho Chuan, stay engaged and complete this test.

Darcy Regier

http://darcyregier.blogspot.ca

Another step on the road to mastery

What a great week! I am completely out of my element when it comes to this type of work. As usual, I make up in enthusiasm what I lack in skill.
I have enjoyed spending time with the students and leaving a little part of me in the kwoon. It is very difficult to put into words the impact that this has had on me and my training. I have worked very hard on my kung fu over the years and seen the benefits in my art and in my confidence. This week, I have worked very hard at our training hall and I feel like I deserve to train there now. I have had to make it a priority and make some adjustments in my schedule in to order to get the job done. The experience reminded me of when I first started working towards mastery, I had to adjust my life a little bit and make mastery a priority.
I get it! I embraced the opportunity and I am better for it.

 http://mantismantle.blogspot.ca/

Back to Core Requirements

This week has been stressed more than ever for time.  I am not sure why but lately we are always facing weather that is threatening a shutdown, so it is a period of time when we are making hay while the sun shines.  A lack of time has really affected me.  I have not had the opportunity to follow the journals of the other students as well as all that is going on with the team and kwoon through the various emails over the last renovation week.

I have been struggling for the first time on the most basic of my requirements, including the pushups and situps which were previously never a real problem for me.  I seem to be falling a bit behind on a few fronts and furthermore can’t seem to keep up with the additional challenges and other goals that are floating in from the team members.

While I appreciate the enthusiasm of additional challenges I am really going to focus on what I can tackle from my original goals.  Getting those back in order is most important for me right now.  Placing my time on what remains unfinished will be my task for the upcoming days.

Healthy Meal #8

Hey everyone i hope you enjoy this breakfast!


2 eggs

Mrs. Dash
1/2 avocado, peeled
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or lime
some hot pepper sauce ( add as little as possible because most hot sauce have a high sodium, or use a diced and crushed chili pepper
1 small tomato
1/2 cup of onions 



Sihing Langner