Glow-In-The-Dark Vikings

So I'm sitting here, watching an episode of Corner Gas, all about blogs. And strange, I felt like blogging. Although, I still don't know what to write about. It seems easy on the show, all about Stretch Armstrong and how impressive glow-in-the-dark objects would be to Vikings. But as amusing as it is on the show, I somehow doubt that posting about Vikings would be very beneficial to anyone.

I had a good time at class tonight. It felt like we accomplished a lot, and one of my white belts earned a stripe. We've been working on push-ups quite a bit, and its really showing. I'm not sure if the students realize how far they have come since September, but I'm telling you, you have all come a long way, and you make me proud. Its extremely humbling to see people grow, and doubly so when young kids become the leaders in the class. I love it when someone asks me a question and I can say that I had never thought about it, good question. It goes to show that there are always questions to be asked, no matter how long you've been training, how well you know a technique, or how hard you practice. You can always learn more.

Several weeks ago I sat out and just watched the black belt class. I always knew that you can learn from watching, but that night I was able to absorb so much I was amazed. It was invaluable to be able to watch how each of the black belts move differently, and how each interpreted the lesson and technique. I felt that even though I didn't do the technique once that night, that I was able to take more from the class, and as a result was able to grasp the technique better when I did finally perform it. Everyone learns differently, and the more ways you can train yourself to learn, the more beneficial each lesson can be.

Sweet Dreams (Sarcasm Intended)

I'm really starting to feel the pressure again. Its to the point where I dream of push-ups and blog posts. I've been stressing out because I've missed the last two weeks of journal entries, and last night I had a dream that I finally got a post up. I felt relief when I woke up, up to the point where I realized it was a dream and not reality. Odd how a dream can work as a reality check.

Writing these posts is a bit of a stress relief for me in so many ways. Number one, I have completed a weekly goal, which always feels good and I feel relief for the rest of the week. Number two, it makes me think about everything going on in my life, and although I may not write about most of it it still brings everything into awareness. It really is a valuable tool, albeit not necessarily my favorite one.

So hopefully I don't dream about posting tonight. I'll probably dream of push-ups though, since I have some serious catch-up to do at the moment...

I Now Know the Title to my Blog is Inaccurate... Oops.

This post is really just a muffled jumble of words- just a heads up.


I've always though infinity and finite measurements to be perceptions. Case in point- you paint yourself into a corner. You shrink, you paint yourself back into the corner, you shrink, you paint yourself back into the corner. To you, it will never end because when you shrink, you and your paintbrush shrink while the unpainted surface does not. But to an observer, you and the unpainted surface disappear, therefore its finite to an outsider and infinite to you.

You can sell anything if you put it on a stick.

Right now, I'm eating pickles off a stick.

Have you ever noticed that your handwriting reflects your mood? Another reason computers and texting are so impersonal.

I can have a full conversation with my cat.

I still think the timer on the coffee maker is a nuisance.

There are two types of people in the world. Those who think I'm named after a bike and those who think I'm named after coffee. :)

According to my friends t-shirt, there are three types of people in the world. Those who can do math and those who can't.

Even with all the windex and vinegar in the world, I can't get my dog's nose smudge marks off the patio door.

Oatmeal Packet Wisdom-
Don't be afraid to ask your inner child to come out and play.
When you start the day with a smile, it'll most likely end that way too.

Kona Makes for a Good Coffee Too...

I've posted before about the stray dogs I see on the side of the road, and I finally get to share a good story about one of them. The following is an e-mail that I received last week. Its pretty well self explanatory...

"Hi Khona,

You and I met about two years ago when you delivered a dog into SCARS' care. I met you in the parking lot of the St. Albert mall and picked up a very malnourished dog that looked like she had just had pups, but was now on her last legs. Thank goodness you and your mom had fed her for a few days prior to our picking her up.

That dog is the SCARS calendar dog for March in the 2010 calendar. If you have not received a copy of the calendar please let me know. I would hate to think that you didn't have a calendar with a copy of the picture of the dog you saved. We intended to foster her for a short time until she could find a permanent home. The problem was that she became a very fast member of our canine family, and we adopted her. Her name (although spelled differently) is no accident. We wanted to honour you, another family dog with the same name, and my late mother's association with her Hawaiian birthplace. So Kona is the March calendar page on the SCARS calendar.

Please let me know if you don't have a copy and I'll be pleased to mail you as many as you'd like.

Thanks again so much for rescuing Kona. You made a huge difference in the lives of Kona and her human, canine, and feline family."

I'm excited to see her again (if only in a calendar). The only picture I have of Kona is from the first night I had her, and I have to admit she didn't look her best. Its just an example of the effect your actions can have on the lives of others, even if the other is a dog...

Sequins and Fur

Despite my last post, I always love this time of year when we get a fresh batch of eager black belts. The ceremony on Saturday was absolutely amazing, honestly one of the best ones yet. Praise to everyone involved, it goes to show what we can do when we work as a team. And to the new black belts, kudos on the performances. I'm looking forward to Friday when you join the black belt class for the first time. Honestly, I love watching the new guy go from shy and nervous to confident and one of the family. You guys have always been a part of the SRKF family, but now you're also one of our peers and a new face to look forward to Fridays.

By the way, the credit for this post's title goes to Sifu Young, whilst discussing the fashion merits of the lion dance pants.

Winter Blues

Now that the weather is turning, I'm realizing more and more that I am soooo ready for spring. Normally, I don't feel like winter affects me, I rather like it, but for some reason this year I'm getting the winter blues. Considering that its February, supposedly one of the coldest months, and we're hitting plus 6, you'd think that I'd be skipping in joy and enjoying the break in the weather. Instead, I'm dragging my feet, feeling overly tired, getting grumpy and wishing for a change in pace or something. I have brief moments when I walk outside, take a deep breath and really enjoy the fresh air and the sound of the nothing. But they're not lasting like they usually do. Bugger.

So, I'm waiting for the day that I don't have to put on a jacket when I leave. Mind you, today I actually had the sun in my eyes on the way to work today. That hasn't happened for months. Maybe its a turning point.

I've Never Seen Such a Playful Buddha...

I've been spending all my free time today staring at this blank page, wondering what I could write that would be of interest and of use to others. Several topics have breezed through my head- the family feeling or SRKF and how its been obvious as of late, updating the status of my beloved car (now named Heika- she's a tough German girl) and her recovery, praising my lion dancers for their effort and creativity, applauding my boss for the lunch he just bought me (thanks Dean!), describing my utter discust with some contractors, or mentioning the heartfelt words at a memorial service I attended this last Sunday.

So with all that in mind, I guess I'll just do a few brief mentions.

My car is still in shambles, although you'd never know looking at her. Again, she's a tough girl. The damage is estimated at over $1100.00, with more to come once they open her up. The lady that hit me has not contacted anybody, police, insurance or otherwise, so the police said if they have to they will report it as a hit & run. Come on lady! You don't need criminal charges on top of everything! Please, just do your part!!

Its a great feeling to know that if I need them, SRKF is there for me. Last Wednesday I was in Calgary, and wasn't sure if I was going to make it back in time for my first class. Ended up that the meeting we had scheduled 3 hrs for took twenty minutes. I had lots of time. Regardless, SRKF members in Stony had already stepped up to find someone and to cover for me if I needed it. Thanks you guys.

Last thing- why can't people show up when they say they will, and do what they say they'll do? Geez...