Hope This Works!

There is a gap in the security up here so I am hoping this makes it out there.

I had plans of writing something awe inspiring but it never seemed to form properly in my mind when I tried writing it. Instead I feel like I am repeating myself but here is what I wrote instead.

I know its been a while since I have been on here so I may ramble a bit. Even though I am on the team this year again, it hasn’t really felt that way to me. Between being away for 15 of 28 days and then doing other projects, my time at the Kwoon is less than 1/3 of what I am used to. This has presented me with some unique challenges this year.

The one part that I am struggling the most with is the forms. I do not get the time or space to practice when away for work and when I get home, I find myself struggling to make the time. There are so many things to catch up on and projects to do that it continues to be a struggle.

Another struggle is finding a way to stay connected with the team. I have very limited access to internet and social sites are blocked so mighty network is a no go. Being able to read everyone’s blog was a great way to keep me motivated and that is something I am missing this year.

This is not meant to be all doom and gloom but just an update on where I am at and some of the challenges I am facing this year.

Lack of Engagement

I have been out of touch for a while now and it has been hard to get back into a groove. There has been a lot more travelling in my life these past few months which means I have spent more time away from home than at it. This also means that I have missed more classes and all the meetings so far this year. I also cannot access any blogs or mighty network when I am away which means I am out of touch with the team and what everyone is doing.

This also leads to a busy home life as there are a lot of things to try and fit in when I am home and taking the time to try and catch up on anyone's blogs is proving to be difficult as well. I find that this also leads to the feelings of disconnection from the team. The thing I have noticed is it doesn't just seem to be me as I have noticed that the comments and people reading other peoples blogs is down from previous years. This is something that I will continue to try and work on and I think as a group it is something that is lacking this year but that is just my feeling on this.

Life in the North

It has been a long stretch this last little while. Over the past 10 weeks I have been home for only 2 of those which is why most of you haven't seen me around. It is one of those things where you feel like you cant keep doing it but you also dont want to miss an opportunity which could lead to better things.

One of the things that is a struggle is being able to read everyone's blogs as Mighty Networks and most other social sites are blocked up here and the internet is capped so you dont get a lot of usage out of it. So far, I have nothing booked for my next 2 weeks off so I am hoping to catch up on blogs so if you get a ton of notifications or comments, that is why.

My wrist injury is still bothering me so training with the spear is still painful so I am limited in what I have been able to do so far. My hand form is coming along okay but I have some questions and have to wait until I am back to answer them.

I have been able to keep up my workout schedule so that is also a positive.

I am scheduled to be back next Tuesday so once again I will miss the meeting but hope to see you all on Thursday.

I have to do some trickery with my phone and computer to post this so I hope it actually works.

Checking In

I am trying to see if I can loophole a way to post my blog as they are very restrictive with the internet up here. I just wanted to let everyone know, I am still around although I haven't been around due to spending a week in Whitehorse on my last days off. This has led to more challenges with training but I am hoping to get some good practice time in when I get back on April 9th (hopefully). I have been able to get to the gym everyday so at least all my physical goals are being met, but the form goals are starting to lag. I hope to bring these numbers up as well when I am back.

Anyway, that is quick update from the (almost) North Pole.

Back For a Short Time

The start to this years I Ho Chuan has been challenging to say the least. I sprained my wrist just before the banquet and aggravated it even more during the performance so training with the spear has been a struggle so far. Also, there is no place on site I can practice my weapon so when I am home I have to work twice as hard as I only have half the time to train with it (actually a little less than half).

I also found out that I will be gone all next week on another project in Whitehorse leaving on Sunday and back on Friday. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given but the chaos of travelling is starting to wear on me a bit.

The one thing I have been able to consistently work on is my conditioning and strength training while I am away and that is something I will continue to work on. I feel pretty good so far as the only thing I am lagging behind on is my form reps with a weapon. The wrist is probably at about 60% so hopefully soon I can start to work on my form.

Plans Change

My work schedule has been shifted by a week which may not seem like a big deal at first but it has consequences further down the line. The immediate one is the seminar that is coming up as I will not be here for the first day it starts. It is extremely frustrating when you plan for something and life throws a wrench in the mix.

Adaptability is something that I have started to appreciate more and more lately. I am hoping we can still make the seminar happen by hopefully just shifting the start date a week later but that will be up to Sifu Brinker and the people enrolled in it. This also has consequences as other people will have to adjust there schedules and it puts it onto the Easter long weekend.

Why We Do It

On Tuesday we went to Brookwood school in Spruce Grove to perform a lion dance for the kindergarten students. As we were waiting to start there were some children in the give that require special attention. They were playing with the drum and petting the lion. We decided to do an impromptu mini lion dance as they do not get to watch the main one we were there to do.

The drum was nice and quiet and we did a slower dance that was nice and mellow to allow them to enjoy it. Their reactions were priceless and this was the most fulfilling experience I have had in a long time. The smiles on their faces and the applause after will not be beat for a long time.

Thank you Dan, Tania and Jeff for sharing this experience with me. This goes to show that the smallest act can have the biggest impact.

Missing Out

This year has been a challenging one for me. Let me correct that as its only been challenging since August when I started working up North. As many of you know my current work schedule has me away for 15 days and home for 13 so I am gone more than I am here. The challenging part is that I only attend half the mandatory I Ho Chuan classes and black belt classes.

This is where it gets challenging for me because I feel like I am missing opportunities that others can take full advantage off. It doesn't bother me that others can take advantage of them but it does bother me that I can't. I know that every class I miss, every meeting I miss and every practice I miss is something that I will never get back.

This sounds like a depressing blog now that I read it but it actually isn't. The time away allows me to work on my fitness and conditioning and every opportunity that I miss allows someone else the opportunity to take advantage of it.


I have learned a lot this year about working around what life gives you and to do what you can when you can, This next year should be an interesting one as part of the I Ho Chuan but I know I will make it better than this year.