Sundays and Training

I am really enjoying our Sunday morning coffee talks as I am learning things about the team that I probably would not get the chance too. I have not been able to attend the last few due to work but I did on Sunday. There were only 4 of us but the 40 minutes went by so fast. I am hoping to attend this Sunday but it is also the day I fly out for work again so not sure yet.

Speaking of work, I will be gone form the 14th to August 3rd and then there is a chance I will be gone for six weeks starting in August. I am torn on this because it is a great opportunity for me but it is also a long time to be away. I can say I am at 50% for wanting and not wanting to go.

I am doing fairly well with my requirements but still need to work on my forms of course. I am planning to take a sword with me this time. It will be a practice one and I will put it in my checked bag so hopefully it will make it through security. I have been focussing a lot of my time lately on the grappling syllabus along with the Sanda syllabus. This has taken some time form my other Kung Fu practice but I feel this is almost to a place I am happy with it and this will allow me to shift my focus a bit.

The Heat

Again just a quick update from me. I am getting closer to being back even if it will only be for a week and a half. I am looking forward to being back at the Kwoon as it is a place that somehow just makes me feel like I belong.

This has been a tough work trip due to the heat being in the high 20’s for most of it and the fact the sun doesn’t go down. This means the heat never really goes away until about 3 in the morning. My training was non existent physically but I did mentally go through my forms and some techniques I am working on. I did train physically but that was due to the nature of my work but I think it still counts for something

Here, Just Not There

I must apologize for being so out of touch these past few days but that is my current situation. Our work days are very long so I am unable to even attend class via zoom and this will continue until the end of next week. This is not an ideal situation but one I am used to after so many years of travelling for work.

I am really looking forward to being back but that won’t be until after the long weekend. I don’t have much else to report so I will end this here.

My Struggles

At the meeting on Thursday, we talked a lot about struggling and being honest with yourself. This got me thinking about where I am at this year and my own struggles. Overall, I am fairly happy with where I am at but I know I could do better. The thing most troubling about this, is it will be harder to devote more time to my training with my work schedule.

When I am away for work, I usually end up in a hotel or camp or sometimes a house where you end up in a bedroom. There is no place to really train as the rooms are quite small or you end up sharing the space with other people. The work days are also very long and range from 14 to 16 hours depending on travel times. This does not allow for a lot of personal time let alone training time.

I do enjoy what I do for work but it can feel like a burden or even a regret sometimes. This is mostly because of what I end up missing out on because I am not home and not able to do the things I want to do. It also does not allow me to work on some of the things I want to work on and there is always this disconnect.

So my struggle is knowing I should have done more with the time I have had at home and knowing that it will get harder for the next few months.

Back For???

I just got back from a short but very busy trip that did not allow me for a lot of time to do much. They were long days and short nights back at camp before repeating the next day. I am scheduled to leave again on June 15th but there is a chance I may leave earlier hence the title of my blog.

I wish I could have made Farmers Days but it just didn’t work out this year and I know I am gone Canada Day so another event that I will be missing. I am scheduled to cut back starting In October but it could be pretty hectic for me up until then.

I should be at class this week and am hoping to start working on my weapon forms a lot more. I am able to get through the Broadsword form and am just working on smoothing it out. I am going to start focusing on Butterfly Swords now> I also need to start working on my Lion Dance drumming as that is a personal requirement that I really want to see some progress on.

A Good Day

This years Tiger Challenge was a good one in my opinion. We were able to get through our team form and it went pretty well. Was it as good as it could have been? Probably not but my goal was to perform it and get it out there for people to see. Congratulations to not only the winners, but to everyone who participated. It takes a lot to put yourself out there.

As many of you are aware, I left for Yellowknife the day after and am not home until Sunday so I was/will not be able to help with the float or the parade. I am then back until the 15th and do not return until the 27th and immediately leave on the 28th for a short family trip. It also looks like I will also be gone for Canada Day but this is the busy time of year for me at work. I will hopefully be at class from June 2nd to 14th but even that could change.

Team Form Progress

We have been making good progress on our team form for the Tiger Challenge. I am a little nervous about presenting it as it is something I have put a lot of effort in and it is one of my I Ho Chuan goals. There are quite a few moves but the main goal is the fluidity between them. I am optomistic it will go well and I can't wait to perform it.