Call Me Crazy

There are some days that I feel like an outright lunatic. Most of my friends think I am. Sometimes my family thinks I am. Why would I ever choose to spend my weekdays and weekends in Stony Plain at the kwoon when I had a job that paid well, didn't require all my Saturdays and evenings and let me see my husband for more than an hour at night? Why don't I get another day job, one that will pay for my car and bills?

I've chosen not to because it wouldn't allow me to be at the kwoon as much as I am now. Because I believe all those silly sayings on Pintrest and Facebook about happiness being more important than money, being honest is more important than being successful, a happy home is more than pretty things and fancy cars. I've heard people say these things, but never live by them. People who chase careers not because it's their passion but because it's a good paycheque.

I want to live by what I believe. I may not see Nick as much but when I do it's more fulfilling. We used to sit and vent about what happened earlier in the day, who did what and the stress of it all. That was our life- stress, worry and repeat. Why would anyone want to live like that?

I'll admit, I'm not as financially secure. But I'm alive. I'm happy. I see my family more. I enjoy life more. And I hope I'm more useful to those around me. If I have to sell my car, so be it. I'll gladly give it up. I recognize that not everyone can make this decision. I'm lucky enough to have that option so I'm not going to waste it.

Cats Meow

A Cats Tale

I come home and what do I see
Cat puke just waiting for me
I start to clean and what do I hear
My cat ralphing somewhere near
On the dogs bed
On the living room floor
In the back entry
What a chore
Think I'm done, where else can it be?
How about the back of the washing machine!

Sorry, this has nothing to do with kung fu (well, patience with the cat can be tied in somehow). Just had to vent. Strange way to vent, I know.

And people wonder why I'm a dog person.

Personal Goals

Well, I suppose now is as good a time as any to post my personal goals...

Personal Goals

Learn a second language (ASL)

Train my dog Chuck using the German system of Schutzhund training

Reduce the amount of coffee I drink and restrict it to 1 cup a day (tea doesn’t count!) Additionally, increase the amount of water to a minimum of 2L a day.

Define the goal of each technique in the curriculum. I want to make this my masters project.

1000 reps of Lao Guar
1000 reps with the chain whip
Learn Sifu Wetters pole form

These may not seem all that difficult to the average person, but some are going to be uber hard for very specific personal reasons. And, I'll admit, I'm leaving something off for personal reasons. So far, failing at the coffee/water goal, failing with the Lao Guar goal. Have some plans in place, such as the deal I've made with some of you over bringing in our journal every Friday so we can nag each other over the sit ups and push ups. Also have a deal with Ms. Gibbons, she'll help me with my chain whip if I'll teach her Lao Guar. Win win for me, as I'll get my reps in either way.

Now, I just have to learn ASL, learn German so I can train my dog, and STOP DRINKING SO MUCH COFFEE! Yeah, that last one is going to be tough.

There are Some Amazing People Out There, Hiding in Plain Sight

Today has proved an interesting day. Back when I had a day job I was in the habit of going out for breakfast before work and picking someone at random, whos breakfast I would pay for before I left. It always made me feel good knowing that some of what I earned was making someone's day a bit brighter. I have since fallen out of the habit, seeing that I no longer have said day job. Today, my mother, my Oma and I decided to go for supper in St. Albert. My Oma, being a tiny 90 year old woman was, shall I say, moving a bit slower than the man who was stuck behind us on the way to the restaurants front door. When I turned to apologize to him he just smiled at me and said it wasn't a problem, he was just going to meet his kids and wasn't in a rush. He was also in uniform, the familiar green camo of the military. I smiled and thanked him for his patience. When I tried to hold the door for him he wouldn't budge, insisting that I go ahead and stay with my family. It was then that I decided I was buying dinner for this man and his children.

I've always thought of myself as being a bit sneaky when required. The man turned right and sat in the lounge while we moved deep into the restaurant, around the corner and out of sight. I then got our waitress to keep an eye on the mans table and to bring me the bill once they've ordered. Our meal arrives, we eat, our bill and his arrives. My mom and Oma go put ahead of me as I pay the bills. As I'm punching in my pin the fellow walks around the corner and sits down beside me. He says, hi, how are you? I see you're doing a random act of kindness? At this point, I look up at my waitress with one eyebrow up and she replies I didn't say a word to him! I look at him and ask how did you know? I'm in the military and worked in intelligence, I have my ways. I'm stunned, I've been caught! He thanks me, and I thank him (he's in the military after all). He continues to tell me a bit about himself. He's the commanding officer of the 4th Canadian Rangers and about to leave town to train a group of recruits up north. He'd like to give me something in return, if I don't mind. Again, I'm stunned. I follow him into the parking lot and he gives me a calendar. In it I learn his name. He never asks for mine.

Now I truly know the value of the acts of kindness requirement. I always thought I did- it spreads a little happiness and love throughout the world. I never understood what it would do for me though. It is just a calendar, but when the man gave it to me I felt thrilled, I felt honored and I felt a little more connected to the big world we all share. I was hoping to make his day a bit better, but he ended up making mine bright.

Take It Into the Next Round

I'm still working off the buzz from the banquet on Saturday. And I think there were a few lessons in there somewhere too. It was everyone's attention to detail that made the night such a success. Not only in the setup and the placement of the tables, but in our performances.you can see the difference between a form just being done and a form someone has poured their heart into. It's in the details. Kudos to everyone, you all did extremely well.

The other lesson, one we can all take with us into the year of the horse, is to push on even when things are going rough or going horribly wrong. We would not have had such a great dance if we hadn't made mistakes. Although we didn't have two dragons, we did have one amazing dragon. If Sifu Playter and myself hadn't messed up the drumming more than once we wouldn't have had the jungle drumming that sounded awesome. If a couple of others hadn't played the tango for fun, we wouldn't have had the idea for the rose.

Let's take these lessons into the year of the horse. Boo yeah.