A Mish Mash

There have been so many good things happening!  So many that I need to jot these all down so I don't forget.  Hopefully this will be enough to come back to another time and expand.  And apologies if these little tidbits don't make much sense for the reader, but they are just snippets for myself to return to.

Here we go...

1. I love teachers that are able to just sit back and let you come to all the wrong conclusions.  To some, this might seem like an uncaring teacher...but I see this as someone who really wants you to work through it and figure it out on your own...knowing that this will then stay with you, rather than jumping in to make every little correction, and ending up with a student that really doesn't understand why they are doing what they're doing.  I want to try and do this more in my own teaching.

2.  The biggest thing that I took from the kindness project is awareness of how connected (or not) I am to the individual members of the IHC team..and vice versa.  It made me wonder how I can get to know some of my team-mates better and how they can better connect with me.  And that's through my blogs.  We don't otherwise see each other in the same social circles, nor work circles.  This was an eye opener for how important my blogging is for both my team mates and my instructors.

3. Working on progressing with my 6 Harmonies has been difficult.  I think I've gone from one extreme to another, both, oddly enough, resulting in the same chunky effect.  But working on a particular part of DMH (step into open X with snap punch) I suddenly found myself expanding my "vocabulary".  I was doing a "1. 2. 3."  But then I started doing a "1 aaaand 2".  The "aaaaand" was my transition.  Why this verbalization helped, I don't know.  But it suddenly felt like I was doing the techniques, flowing through to the next, feeling harmony, etc.  Finally, a blue belt, and I think I maybe figured out 1 single 3 step section.  At least for now.  I'm pretty sure it will break again at some point.  Hahahahaha.

4.  I want to stop saying "I've been doing it all wrong".  I haven't been.  I've been doing it just fine for my level, ability, understanding, brain capacity, etc, etc.  It's just that now, for whatever reason, I can see how to do it different.  This is progression.

5.  Demo Prep.  I'm calling our fan form attempt on Thursday a "delightful disaster".  🤣  Working as a team with a partner has really brought with it many challenges that have been really beneficial.  Thursday brought some new ones.  Walking onto the "stage" on your own can be difficult enough...trying to find a spot to start where you have enough room to finish...not running into anyone or having them run into you.  Add a partner and you suddenly can't enter how you normally would want to.  I can't speak for my partner, but I felt like what I thought was good, wasn't, because I hadn't really considered my partner and where they would end up moving.  At times I recall feeling like everyone was right on top of us for some reason.  Lol.  I also didn't consider the fact that all these people moving around, with weapons swinging, would cause all kinds of breezes and winds....that we've learned are not conducive to a successful fan toss.  Even while at the Kwoon, as soon as the furnace kicks in, we need to be mindful of where we are because any little current will sweep our fans away when we are tossing them.  Hahahaha....well...lesson learned.  We can only improve from here.

6. Lion dance in the cold.  This was today.  The stick did not slip out of my mittened hand, to Sifu Rybak's great disappointment.  But I did learn that mittens are actually kind of heavy when thunder drumming and they got in the way of my clicks at times.  And don't ask me why, but drumming causes your touque to slowly slide off your head.  Just food for thought to all the drummers.  But a fun dance as always!

It's Been Good

So I was having a hard time maintaining consistency.  So I reached out to a team-mate to see if they wanted to have some scheduled morning training times together. And the last few weeks have been awesome.

We've been making alot of headway with our weapons form and I'm really starting to feel like we'll be ready come the banquet.  We are connecting dots and finding things in other forms and techniques as well.  And having this huge accomplishment under our belts right at the start of the day has made me feel like I've already conquered the day and everything else is icing on the cake.

And having some set days and times pre-planned is definitely holding me accountable.

So yeah, things have been good.

Nov 16, 2024

This past week flew by on me.  Even though we didn’t have any formal classes, my dad was here visiting and suddenly it was today. We spent the day driving to Saskatoon to bring him home and now I’m finally settling in for the night at my Aunts.   This is just a quick checkin, but I am actually feeling really good this week. 😁

Strides

So the inevitable happened. I’ve been using an app called Persistence ever since I joined the I Ho Chuan as a yellow belt. It's been a great tracking tool where I can set my goals with rep numbers and what not, and I can easily add numbers throughout the day as I do them. It tracks them how I want them tracked...meaning a daily total that was also added to a yearly total. It would also indicate whether I was behind on numbers or ahead. All in all, it's been a really advantageous tracking tool.

But disaster struck when I recently upgraded my phone. At the kiosk, I told the rep that I would set up all my apps and transfer my data later on. Turns out that some apps do not get backed up in that matter. And once you "skip" that in the setup, you can't easily go back. So I found myself having to manually add certain apps. Not a big deal really. Except for when it came to Persistence. It turns out that somewhere along the line the app discontinued it's availability in Canada. I was only able to continue using it as long as I had because it was already on my phone and I was sort of “grandfathered in “. But now that I was starting as a new download, I couldn’t access it. My numbers were gone. And not just from this year, but from the previous three years as well. Damn.

Good news is that I had a recent record in a blog.
Bad news is that it wasn't 100% current.
Bad news again was that I would still have to figure out how to track moving forward.
Bad news again, again...once my app was gone, I was randomly recording, or not recording, numbers all over the place. A real muck mess. But I've accepted the fact that I was less than diligent during my search for a new method, and those numbers are gonzo.

I won't dwell on it....and will instead, continue with my story.

In terms of tracking, I knew I wanted to continue using an app. Although I do love a good spreadsheet...it isn't my ideal platform. I became accustomed to a certain lifestyle with an app, and I wanted to find something that would give me the same benefits I had previously.

My research had me reviewing many, many different tracking apps. The list that I reviewed and tried is as follows,

Clickup
TickTick
Google Tasks
Todoist
Habitica
Habit
Trello
Way of Life
ATracker
Coachme
GoalsonTrack
Hive

None of these made the cut for various reasons. Some were far too pricey. Some didn't offer any flexibility. Some were more akin to a To-Do list. Some wouldn't allow exporting. Some could only be accessed on a phone and wouldn't sync between devices. Etc, etc.

I finally settled on an app called Strides. So far it is giving me all the features that I am looking for. And a few that are icing on the cake...one being that it syncs with my watch and I can quickly add reps on there as well. Another being that it predicts my end number based on my current pace.  Kinda cool.  The only downfall I can see right now is that it isn't free. But it's still on the lower end than the other paid ones.  And I do like that it offers a one-time lifetime payment as well...rather than paying monthly/yearly forever and ever. So for now, I've paid for a month (roughly $6) and will give it a good test. If I like it, I will likely do the lifetime purchase, which works out to 2 years of the annual anyways.

Anyhow...I thought I'd share all this as I know it's a struggle to find a good tracking system and we all seem to want something a little different.

I'll let you know how it's going at the end of the month.

Also, my numbers below are just a screenshot from the app.  Easy peasy.

Big Changes

Not many of you know this, but I'm going through a pretty big life change at the moment.  My current employer is entering retirement, and the business, as it stands, will not continue in its current capacity.  

As of Monday I have transitioned to working from home, as the offices are downsized.  My final day as an official employee will be November 29.

I am so grateful for the time I've spent at Interlab.  The owners have been the probably the best employers I've known and have become close to me like family.  Their philosophy has always been "family first".  I recall them, at one point, telling Suncor that they'd "just have to wait" when Nathan was sick as a baby.  The opportunity to work for them came at the exact moment I needed them.  And they allowed me to pursue a fulfilling career, without having to sacrifice being a mom.  And I wish them all the best.

Having said that, I've decided not to pursue future employment in this same capacity.  I intend to spend more time on teaching, Kung Fu, my home and my family.  It's a bit scary, but also very exciting.

I'm looking forward to spending more of my time on the things that really matter.  And I'm so grateful that I'm fortunate enough to be able to do so.

Meet Margaret

I'd like you to meet Margaret.

She came to be during the Break-a-thon on Monday.  From one of the wooden boards broken by Todai Raw.

It may sound funny, but I think I might just take as much pride in holding a board for a successful break as I do when breaking the board myself.  Holding a board is a big responsibility and the holder can make or break (haha...get it?) the attempt.  It requires proper technique just like the strike would.  Proper stance, locked arms, strong grip, perfectly still....a checklist of things that I go through while getting set up and placed.  When that board breaks, I feel that excitement.  And when it doesn't, I accept some of that responsibility and feel that disappointment.

So when someone asks me to hold their board, it's not only a big responsibility, but also a huge compliment that they trust me enough to do so.

Break-a-thon 2024

I was quite pleased with how my board breaks went last night.  In fact, the Break-a-thon is turning out to be a real indicator of progress over the previous year.  I recall just last year having some difficulties with the orange board.  And I don't even recall attempting the green...maybe once.  But this year, I found the orange to be a non-issue...and even the green with the majority of techniques.  And I recall thinking to myself that I could feel major improvement from last year.  So yay!

Leading up to last night my main focus with board break practice has been acquiring my target.  I realized in class a few weeks ago that we spend way too much time and attention setting up our boards (or shields).  We tend to move our holders a fraction of an inch this way or that.  And it's really irrelevant because once you actually get into the sequence, things change.  Perhaps you don't recover quite how you intended.  Maybe you step a bit off.  Turn a bit wide.  Whatever.  And I was finding that I was just rolling into the next technique with the expectation that my board was where it should be.  I wasn't really looking and verifying before I started to move....which meant I was often moving incorrectly.  So as I worked on this, my strategy was to pretend, somewhat, that the second break was somewhere "unexpected".  As soon as I recovered, I would specifically have to look for that second target, and then move and step as needed to get there.  I changed my thinking from "set up the target for how I want to move" to "move as needed for where the target is set up".

Last night was a perfect test for this.  As I set up my 4 boards, I did so quickly and with a general approximation.  I was about to "tweak" everyone a bit further and then thought, "nah...close enough, let's just go for it".  At the forefront of my mind I just told myself to do what I've been practicing...after each break, just look for the next one and do what needs to be done.  And I did it!  I'll be honest with you...it wasn't perfect by any means.  There were a couple little hippity-hops I had to make, but the breaks themselves were successful.  And there are a few things I know I want to work on moving forward....the biggest one being that I need to take my time a bit more to ensure my recovery is solid before setting out for the next one (this relates to expansion and contraction as well!).  I think this, in itself, will rectify the stutter steps when I need to adjust and will make the flow between breaks more fluid and even more intentional.  I have to remember that the recovery is still part of the technique...and we need to finish the first one, before we move on to the next.  

Anyhow, errors aside, this will mark my first successful 4-board break.  And I love firsts.  Lol.

October 19, 2024

 IHC Numbers To Date

Pushups = 21104
Situps = 20418
Fan = 473
Long = 322
Sparring = 279
Km's = 785
AOKs = 637

1-on-1 AI Recap - October 19, 2024

*Remember - AI recaps are not perfect or exact representation of the conversation

Next Steps

• Malinda to work on adjustments to her opening bow technique as discussed with Jeff.

• Malinda to continue developing relationships with parents and monitoring student progress, especially for students with special needs.

Summary

Dividing Operations and Real Estate

Jeff and Malinda discussed the complexities of dividing operations and real estate within their company, with a focus on minimizing capital gains taxes. Jeff mentioned that he is in a temporary step-back role due to his daughter's health issues, but plans to return to a more active role. He also expressed his intention to pass the business to Khona, but the real estate ownership is proving to be a challenge. Jeff and Malinda also shared their experiences and frustrations with shopping at Costco, particularly the South Side location.

Balancing Standards and Student Needs

Malinda expressed concerns about her ability to handle the responsibilities of her new role, particularly in relation to students with varying abilities. Jeff reassured her, emphasizing the importance of maintaining standards while adjusting them individually for each student's needs. He also highlighted the need for empathy and compassion in dealing with students who may have limitations. Jeff advised Malinda to keep the parents involved and to communicate with them about her plans for the students. Malinda acknowledged the responsibility and the importance of developing relationships with the parents.

Improving Project Approach and Collaboration

The team discussed the need for a more comprehensive and detailed approach to their project, with a focus on the importance of understanding the customer's perspective. They agreed on the necessity of a more structured and organized approach to their work, with a clear plan and timeline. The team also emphasized the importance of collaboration and communication, with everyone involved in the project needing to be on the same page. The conversation ended with the team agreeing to work on a more detailed plan and timeline for their project.

Organizing Spaces for Relaxation

Malinda and Jeff discussed their respective organizational challenges at home. Malinda shared her efforts to set up a dedicated space for her Lego collection, which had previously been scattered throughout the house. She mentioned the acquisition of large steel shelving units to display her extensive Lego sets, including the Millennium Falcon and Hogwarts Castle. Jeff acknowledged the importance of organization and cleanliness for relaxation. The conversation also touched on the differences in their approaches to organization, with Malinda needing a clean and organized environment to relax, while Dan could relax regardless of the state of the house.

Clarifying Opening Bow Technique

In the meeting, Malinda expressed confusion about her opening bow technique, feeling like she had lost her way with it. Jeff provided feedback on her technique, suggesting adjustments to her hand movements and body positioning. They also discussed a potential misunderstanding about the correct movement for the opening bow, with Jeff clarifying that the movement should be straight back and then out, not up and down. Malinda agreed to work on these adjustments and was encouraged to continue practicing without the up and down movement. They also discussed a successful application of the opening bow technique in a different context, during a sticky hands exercise.

Plant Care Based on Intuition

Malinda discussed her observations about her plants, noting that she could sense their happiness or unhappiness based on their appearance and behavior. She shared two examples where she adjusted her care methods based on her intuition, such as untangling a wild plant and removing it from a bird cage. Malinda expressed her belief that some plants prefer more freedom and space to thrive. She also mentioned her upcoming role in more plant care responsibilities for the kids, which she found nerve-wracking. 

Partners

Working with a partner for my IHC weapon form has been both challenging (in a good way!) and very rewarding.

In addition to all the normal things that we encounter while developing a form....incorporating a variety of techniques...trying to find flow and harmony...maximizing speed and power...looking super cool...showing off your skills...incorporating things you need to work on......

...well...in a double form, you now have another person and a complete second form to consider along with all of these same things.

When working alone, the tweeks, the adjustments, the additions, the deletions....are all fairly straight forward (the process that is).  You find something that needs fixing...you figure out the problem...you come up with a solution...and voila!!! (kidding....I know it's not quite THAT simple...lol).

But it DEFINITELY isn't that simple when your form is intertwined with someone else's.  There are occasions where I might want to make a "simple" tweek here or there....or maybe I want to just delete a particular step that isn't really working for me....but doing that might actually cause a waterfall of problems for my partner.  One little "fix" for me might mean that, as a pair, we are no longer aligned properly...or our timing is off....or, or, or....so not so straightforward. 

We are also noticing that we seem to have different "stubborn" spots.  The things I am finding difficult are things my partner doesn't seem to have any issues with...and vice versa.  This is important because it is challenging us to not give up so easily on different techniques or transitions.  We know it's possible...because our partner has figured it out...and we just have to figure out the way for ourselves.

Working with a partner has added a completely new level of "eye of detail" for me.  And to be honest, it's really kind of exciting.

Old Friend

I was doing some training and I was suddenly inspired to pick up my Kwan Dao. Of all the weapons I’ve used, my Kwan Dao is my favourite.  It was one that I really felt challenged by, but that I also felt a real connection with.  My understanding and knowledge of using a weapon to its fullest advantage came with my Kwan Dao. It taught me how to turn a weapons “weaknesses” into strengths. I’m pretty sure I will return to the Kwan Dao someday, but for now, it’s a friend I can turn to when I need to ground myself. Both literally and figuratively. Lol

I Promise

As we were working on our forms on Thursday, I found myself thinking about the complexity of the "simplest" movements.  

With the first challenge, I happened to find an exact example of what Sifu had been talking about with pivoting while in a crane stance.  How you need to lift your weight without lifting your body, or center.  I have been struggling with a particular transition for quite a while.  I go from a super deep pushed in horse (more or less) to a cat stance 180 degrees the other way.  I've been trying relentlessly to figure out how to make this work for quite some time now.  I might have chalked it up as being impossible and changed my form....but with a partner, who isn't struggling with it like I am, I know that it's possible.  I ended up applying some of the things Sifu had said earlier (lifting my weight, but not lifting my whole body...which I think I've been doing and it's been leaving me struggling with my balance) and, although it's not fixed, I think I know the problem and finally have a plan of attack.

For the second challenge, I found myself at exactly the same spot. *sigh* When we discussed expansion and contraction, I realized that this was also a contributing factor to my trouble in this particular spot.  In the preceding pose I am fully expanded.  As I transition, I don't think I've been contracting before following through to the next move.  I'm pulling in, but not fully, and so again, I think this has also contributed to the imbalance I've been experiencing.  I'm not consolidating and so my harmonies are sort of still "hanging out there"...if that makes any sense.  When I actively contracted, fully, during the transition, there was definitely some positive results.  So again, I'll continue working with that strategy as well.

Anyways, back to my main point.  As I was working on this.....basically one single transition...for the entire class....I thought to myself...

"Nobody* is ever going to realize how much work and effort I put into this tiny little single move."

I thought of being up on stage at the banquet, the audience watching, and not truly recognizing that these tiny little "insignificant" moves are sometimes even more difficult to master than the big flashy ones that the audience will likely appreciate more.

And so I have made a vow that when I am watching my fellow classmates do their forms, I am going to really pay attention to the tiniest of details and I promise to give them the recognition and credit they deserve.  

I will see them and I will appreciate all the hard work.

*When I say "nobody" I don't really mean "nobody".  I realize that those that have truly developed their eye for detail, or those that struggled with similar things, would recognize and appreciate the process.

Oh Sleep...How I Have Missed You So

 

Well.  So far so good with the changes to my diet.

I took some advice given, and decided to just focus on one thing to start.  And because my sleep was also being affected, I decided to work on my suppers/evening eating first.  

So far what I'm doing is the following,

Monday/Wednesday - on these nights I do actually have time to eat before class.  However, I was either eating too much or the wrong stuff, and it was sitting heavily in my stomach during class.  So this past week I've kept my portions on the lighter side.  This seems to be working as I have felt that I have energy, but without feeling sluggish during class.  

Tuesday/Thursday - I truly don't have any time to eat a meal prior to classes on these days.  I've made sure to have a bigger lunch in anticipation of this.  After classes, I've made sure I also have decent options in the fridge ready to go.  Dan has assisted here in having it ready when I get home.  

The biggest change is what I'm eating late at night right before bed.  Any snacks, if needed, have consisted of an apple and tea.  I've been very consistent with no indulgences before bed.  I also find I don't crave these things typically during the day, so although I'm not tracking, I am fairly sure that my overall sugar/fat intake is down.

I'm letting myself have Saturdays as my day to indulge.  I don't worry about what I eat too much and I'll enjoy whatever treats I might have declined throughout the week.  Being that it's Saturday, I also don't have to worry about getting up early in the event the food messes with my sleep.

I'm also happy to say that I've slept better this week than I have in a very long time.  At first I was still waking up, but I wasn't "awake-awake" and still felt cozy and comfy and was able to go back to sleep.  And the last couple of nights I even slept right through to my alarm.  That is very rare.

I don't have any other changes I'm going to implement quite yet.  I'm happy with what I'm doing so far and what to solidify this into my "norm".

But so far so good!

....Dan tells me this is what I look like when I sleep well....