Ruffled Feathers

There have been some ruffled feathers lately, although I can't understand why. All the time spent towards the demos and the dragon dance have been for the benefit of everyone, not just those who have taken on the leader title. Every hour you spend at the kwoon is an hour towards your own training, your own goals, your own development. We are trying to create the most and best opportunities for people to develop personally, sometimes to the point of sacrificing our own goals. These practices are not prison sentences, not military strikes. They are an investment on your part. And they are what it means to be a part of the I Ho Chuan, which is defined as the elite of the school. Do you feel you're up to that title? I sure don't, hence the reason I'm pushing myself to earn that title.

'66 Coupe To Be Exact

This is the last week of Onoway classes, and I feel bad saying this but I'm relieved. Nick and I are trying to find a weekend where the two of us can tear out the transmission in the Mustang, but so far I haven't been around. Seems to be the same story with everyone, eh?

Still, I enjoy the time I spend at the kwoon and I enjoy my classes. I wouldn't be putting in this much time if I didn't. I'm comfortable at the kwoon, its my home when I can't be home. I can curl up on the couch and read a book and not feel strange doing it. I can fling around the spade before class and not be worried about which neighbor will see me. All I need is my dog and some dirty laundry and I'm home. Oh wait- there's always dirty laundry in my bag (it eats socks) and Chloe's been there a few times now.

We have to remember these things when where in a crunch like this. I feel the pressure, but at the same time its nice to have a goal. Don't let the stress of the situation ruin a good thing, remember why you decided to start this roller coaster in the first place. Take pride in what you're accomplishing, and make the kwoon your home. Fresh cut flowers do wonders for a home, do they not?

Two Weeks

It feels like we're hitting that half-way-through wall, which isn't unexpected but is still frustrating. It's time we all think about what we are a part of, why we joined the I Ho Chuan, what we want out of it and what was expected when we joined up. A big, team wide breath in, breath out. Refocus. Find that groove we need and get out of that rut. As Sifu Brinker mentioned, July 1st was always a date we were aware of. Its too bad we're not further ahead than we are, but that doesn't mean we can't be where we need to be by then. We have two weeks. Two weeks where the team as a whole has to push hard. Two weeks where we all need to be 100% committed.

The ultimate plan is to reduce the number of practices we need- ideally, dragon dance practice on Thursdays and demo practices Fridays during class. Thats it. But this is utterly dependent on each member training wholeheartedly on their own, and having this dragon dance together and great by July 1. If we pull this off, then we can reduce practices to once a week- maintain the dance thats been developed and work on new moves to incorporate in the future. Regarding the demo, if everyone is practicing and progressing on their own, then Fridays should be more than enough to put a demo together.

I know we're all getting tired, and missing our families and homes. I'm not immune to this, as some people think. I'm away from my home from seven in the morning to usually nine, ten, eleven at night, five days a week. Saturdays have been busy as well, as many of you know. My husband made a comment about maybe we can get together for Christmas- as I mentioned, I'm not immune to this schedule either. And thats why we have to push so hard these next two weeks. Two weeks, and we'll have it made. Two weeks, and maybe I can spend an evening with my husband. But, it depends on the team being committed these next two weeks.

I made this commitment knowing it could be like this, and planning on seeing it through to the end.

Sometimes Life Sucks

I'm not in a happy place right now. Over the last week I've been mentally and emotionally destroyed, and it just continued when I woke up this morning. Nothing too big this morning, I already have an appointment booked at the vet, but its draining. Last Tuesday- was rough. My saving grace was going to practice, immersing myself in the dragon dance for an hour and forgetting everything. Too bad reality hits you when you leave.

When I'm like this I need to have something constructive to do. Thankfully, we have lots of work to do in the I Ho Chuan, and being at the studio always lifts my spirits. Thanks everyone, for that.