My Journey in Kung Fu

How Time Flies.....

2012-02-11T07:45:00.000-08:00

Well I can't believe it has been 4 months since I last wrote in my journal. I have had some ups and downs with my health but, I think I am getting somewhat better. My back and knees have been bothering me lately so, I guess I will have to do more stretching to fix it. It really hurts trying to do a horse stance with my knees. I have always had issues trying to get my knees to turn out over my ankles. It's almost as if I have crooked knees and I look more like a goalie trying to stop a puck then a person trying to do a proper horse stance.

Sifu Brinker gave us a challenge in our last class, he said pick one form that you like and do it a 1000 times from now until Dec 31. He said everytime you do the form you have choosen, make a tick on a piece of paper and keep doing that. I like this challenge especially when you mark it down everytime you complete it. When you see it on paper it gives you more motivation to keep going right to the end. I like doing forms so, for me this should be a great challenge as I really want to get better at them.

I guess that's all I have to write about this time around. I am going to try and write more often then every 4 months. Most times I don't have much to say LOL.

Susan Crawford

Not Much To Say

2011-10-04T12:37:00.000-07:00

Well not much to say. Been feeling sick lately but, I think I am starting to feel better again. My drinking less pop challenge is going really well. It's actually going better than I thought it would.

Just a side note, I think the kwoon looks really good. Kudos to everyone who helped out with the project.

Susan

Seeing Green

2011-08-22T11:31:00.001-07:00

Well I received my green belt about two weeks ago and feel very proud of myself. I have also hired a personal trainer to try and help me with my flexibility issues and my bad posture, my shoulders have rolled forward because of my bad posture and it is sure hard to get them back to where they should be. It's going really well though and it's quite the workout I must say. My trainer's name is Steffan and he has a martial arts background in Tae Kwon Do. Althought it's different than kung fu, he understands what my goals are with respect to being all that I can be and more with my kung fu journey. I have wrote out all the different sets of exercises (for lack of a better word) and I try to work on them at home along with my kung fu training. I wish I had of hired Steffan a long time ago. He is stopping me from becoming the "Hunchback of Notre Dame."

Anyway that's all that's going on for now. Talk to you soon.

Susan Crawford

UPDATE ON MY CHALLENGE

2011-06-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

Well my cutting back on pop challenge is going great. Last week I only had 3 pops for the whole week. I was able to go three days straight without drinking one pop, which for me, is pretty good. I will say thought at the beginning it was hard and I was always craving it and so I had to fight with myself not to drink it and I did okay. I am also trying to be aware of what I am eating.

I guess I don't have much more to say so, see you all at the Kwoon.

Susan Crawford

Get Blogging Again

2011-06-02T09:41:00.000-07:00

Last night it was pointed out to me that I haven't been blogging lately. Thank you to Sihing Kichko and Jacqeline for reminding me to do that. It's nice to know that the students read my blogs.

Anyway not much new just plugging along with my Kung Fu. A co-worker and friend of mine have decided to challenge ourselves, she is not going to drink coffee anymore and I am not going to drink pop through the week just on the weekend. This will be a tough challenge for me as I like my pop and sometimes I will drink three cans a day, which is not good at all. I will come home from kung fu at night and suck back a whole can in seconds, which again is not good late at night. I plan to drink more water, as I really need to do that. In one can of pop alone there is at least 10 to 12 teaspoons of sugar. I measured this out in a glass and it was very shocking to see the visual of this. I keep it by the fridge so, if I get the urge to have a pop, I look at this glass to remind me of all the sugar that is going into my body. If I drink two to three cans a day, I am sure that glass would be almost full of sugar.

I took out that book from the library "A Fighter's Body." I plan on reading it and getting some ideas from that. I may even buy the book. This is the book that Sifu Prince recommended, at least I think it was Sifu Prince who recommended it.

Susan Crawford

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

2011-03-24T06:21:00.000-07:00

Well just when I was starting to figure out how to deal with my struggles and get motivated again with my training, I get sick. I ended up getting some kind of sinus infection with a sore throat and fever. Then it decided to move into my chest so, my energy level was gone and it took everything in me to just function. I missed a few days of work and of course my kung fu classes too. I just feel like someone took me out back and beat me up within an inch of my life. I guess I am feeling about 40% better but still want to sleep all the time. I am back at work but, it's a struggle to get through the day.

Anyway hopefully I will be back to normal soon and back to classes. I especially want to get back to practicing and training.

See you all soon.

Susan Crawford

Struggling

2011-02-28T09:27:00.000-08:00

Well what to say. I can honestly say I am struggling with practicing my kung fu. This is not the first time I have journaled about this problem. I am not sure why this is happening. It's like there is a chain attached to my back and then attached to the couch and I can't seem to break free from it. There always seems like there is something else that needs to be done when I get home from work and there is no chain holding me back from those things. If it isn't animals that need feeding, its' laundry, making lunches for the next day, making supper etc etc etc. By the time I am done, I am so tired I just don't feel like doing anything else.

Then it's time for kung fu classes and I get so embarrassed with myself and I go home disappointed because I feel my skills suck and it's all because I am not practicing. I know I need to do this to progress with my training and to get ahead of the game but, I am struggling. I have a spot in the basement all set up for this sort of thing but, I am sure my kick bag has a lot of dust on it right now. I really think that's why I get nervous when I go to class too because I know I am not practicing and I know the instructors can tell who is and who isn't.

I like kung fu and I don't regret staying in kung fu. I enjoy going to class and talking to the students in my class. I feel really comfortable in class now unlike when I first went to the orange belt class but, I have to break that chain that's attached to my back with respect to my training. Maybe when I get home I should be practicing first and everything else can just wait. It's all still going to be there when I am done so, maybe I have found a solution to break that chain.

Thanks for listening to my rant and rave.

Susan Crawford

Did or Dose Anyone Get Nervous?

2011-01-31T14:59:00.000-08:00

I pose this question to all students of Silent River.

It is really strange that everytime before class like around 4:00 I start to get nervous about going to class. I am thinking it's because I lack self confidence with my skills which have come a long way since I first started so, I am not sure why it happens to me each week. It's not like I am walking into a room full of strangers, these are my classmates and I feel very comfortable around them. Plus I have been in kung fu now for about two years or so.

Once I get to class and start into the warm up, I am fine. Once we start working on what we are doing that night I am also fine, although sometimes I feel frustrated with myself and vow to practice more and other times I amaze myself but, I am sure we all feel that way at times.

So, I just thought I would put that out there to see if anyone else ever felt like this. It's strange but, hopefully its just another faze of life's little tests that I need to work through. I guess what doesn't break us makes us stronger or something like that.

Susan Crawford

The Storm Before the Calm

2011-01-10T11:24:00.000-08:00

Right now all of you are probably thinking isn't it "The Calm before the Storm?"

Well for me right now in my life it is the storm before the calm. Someone very close to me is going through a stressful time right now and he has shut down and worst of all he has shut me out of his pain. Some of you may know who I am talking about and for those who don't, it's my husband Brian. Near the end of October Brian's mom passed away.

I want to help him and make all the guilt, stress and pain go away but, he won't let me help. I feel like I am up against a brick wall and I can't go through it, over it or even break it down. This is affecting our relationship and I am worried he will never get past his sorrow. I know it's going to take time and I appreciate that but, I want to snap my fingers and make it all go away but, it doesn't work like that in life. It takes baby steps every day.

For now I have to let him grieve and give him all the space he needs even if it's hard for me to do that. Don't get me wrong I do want him to take all the time he needs to heal, it's just hard watching it and not being able to do anything about it.

Susan Crawford

Happy 2011

2011-01-05T14:26:00.000-08:00

Well just thought I would say Happy New Year to my Kung Fu Family.

I can't believe we are in a new year already and 2011 to boot. I remember when it was going to be 2000 and the concern as to what was going to happen in the world. That was 11 years ago, my time flies.

I have now completed my fifth massage treatment for my back and have been told that my muscles are still pretty tight but, my lower back is starting to feel a little better now. The muscles that are tight are my glutes, the muscles below my shoulder blades and close to my armpits at the back, and the muscles on top of my shoulders along side my neck and a few other muscles. The most excellent comment was that I have gained muscle and that made me feel good. I owe that to my kung fu classes.

I am looking forward to going back to class but will miss my classmates that were tested for their blue belts before xmas break. Congrats to Mr Donohue, Mrs. Laars, and Mr. Chervanka. Good Luck to you all and have fun in your new class.

Well not much more than that so, see you all at the Kwoon.

Cheers!!!

Susan Crawford

Back & Asthma Issues

2010-11-22T11:07:00.001-08:00

Well the last month has been a difficult one for me. I have had nothing but problems with my Asthma the past month or so. I was having trouble sleeping as I would wake up not being able to breath so, I would have to get up and use my puffer, which disturbs my sleep. Even walking outside in the cold has affected me too. It's scary when you can't breath. Then I hurt my back trying to lift one of our golden retriever's into the wash bay at the SPCA a few weeks back. I shouldn't have tried to lift her in but, she was resisting and so I thought I could lift her but, I was wrong. I haven't been able to participate in Kung Fu and the one night I did try, I was in so much pain after class I decided to sit out the next few. I did come and watch and took lots of notes.

Well I finally went to the walk in clinic and got a new puffer and a referral for massage therapy which, I will be starting on Saturday so hopefully a few treatments and I will feel better. I am going to try and participate in kung fu and just do a non intensive warm up and class. My Asthma is still an issue so we shall see.

Susan Crawford

Life Gets In the Way.....

2010-11-08T12:04:00.000-08:00

Well it's been about a month and a half since I have been back at Kung Fu. This time around it feels different. I feel like I am more focused while I am in class and I am not trying to be as good as everyone else, I am trying to be good for my own learning at my own pace. Althought there are times when I still doubt my skill level but, I am trying to not let those thoughts enter my mind. It also made me feel good when most of my class said they were glad I was back. I also have had a few people in my class tell me my skills have improve.

Now on another note, I am finding it difficult to get into a training routine at home. I have done up a schedule for myself but, everytime I plan on putting it into action, something seems to interfere with it, hence the title of this blog. I have an area in my basement all set up for training and practicing so, it's not like I don't have anywhere to go. I even have music to listen to while I practice and train plus, an audience of a cat and two golden retrievers. I am usually a great multi-tasker at work but, when it comes to my kung fu, I seem to have issues. I guess I just need to get strict with myself and as soon as I get home from work start my training and then let life get in the way afterward.

Susan Crawford

Communication

2010-09-30T11:38:00.000-07:00

Wow two blogs for me in one day, this is amazing! The thoughts are flowing today.

I just wanted to post a shorter blog than my last one. For all of you new members and regular members, I feel I should talk about communication. I for one did not communicate with Sifu Brinker or Sifu Masterson for that matter about my issues earlier. To do this was way out of my comfort zone. This nearly caused me to quit my kung fu.

I strongly recommend and especially for the new students, don't be afraid to talk to the Sifus when you have issues. I found that they won't know what's wrong if you don't tell them. They can't read your mind. It doesn't matter what the issue is whether it is good or bad or even if it doesn't have anything to do with your kung fu.

I know I was causing myself a lot of anxiety about my kung fu and never told anyone about it. That'a a bad habit to have and it is one that I have to work on everyday and not just in kung fu but in life too. I am relying on my kung fu to make me have more self confidence and to come forward and talk to someone when I have a problem or to even tell them when something great happens.

Susan Crawford

Just About Threw the Towel In.....

2010-09-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

So some of you probably have noticed that I haven't been around for I am guessing, it is about two months now. I had holidays from work and that is when I went astray with my Kung Fu. I was going up and down, back and forth trying to decide if I should quit or not. I came to this conclusion because I thought it was nice to be able to not have to go to class while I was on vacation. I thought taking a break and getting somewhat refreshed would give me the answers I needed so, one week led into 3 weeks which led into a month and here I am two months later and haven't been to class.

During this time, I was going over and over in my head and I am not going to lie to you, I don't like going to the orange belt class. I was feeling that my skills were not good enough and why was I even attempting it. I was looking for every excuse not to go to class. I am terrified of the sparring aspect of this class, although Sifu Brinker and Sifu Masterson set it up for me so I could spar with only one black belt during the class so, I could get more comfortable with it and that was working for me. I always had this phase of anxiety knowing that I had to come to class and hope I survived it. I saw all the other orange belts and how well their skills were and wished I could be that way too.

Just to go back a little bit, when Mr. Crawford and I joined, he had a background in karate and I felt his skills were really good. I was always trying to keep up to him and wanted to advance quickly like him and then I would get dissapointed with myself because I couldn't keep up with him or my skills were junior because I was just learning.

He has now decided he wasn't going to continue with Kung Fu and immediately I had decided I wasn't going to continue either because he was my security blanket and I had this fear of coming to class without him. I couldn't survive on my own if he wasn't there too. I know I shouldn't think this way but, I lack some self confidence and that is why.

Anyways, I went and had a meeting with Sifu Brinker last night and spilled my guts to him about how I was feeling and where my head was at that moment. We talked about a lot things and I can honestly say going to him and talking to him about my issues was really stepping out of my comfort zone big time. I should have come and talked to him sooner and Mr. Crawford kept giving me the knudge to do this but, I couldn't bring myself to do it because I don't like conflict even though I have no conflict with Sifu.

After the meeting, I decided I was going to stay and give it another shot. It helped me to be able to express my feelings to Sifu and once I got started, it became easier and easier. I will in the future do this again if I start to feel anxious.

I stayed after to watch the beginner class for a little bit and talked to Mr. Repay and Mr. Tymchuk and I even felt better after talking to them and they were happy I was staying. As Mr. Repay and I were chatting he reminded me of being in this class and how far he thought I had come. Watching them made me feel that at one time I was in their position working my way up. It humbled me for sure.

So I shall see you all on MOnday at 8:30. It feels good to come back.

Susan Crawford

Still Kickin

2010-08-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

Hi All

I haven't blogged in a while so I thought I better write something.

Not too much to say. Brian and I are on holidays so, if anyone has been wondering where we are that's what's happening. We will be back to kung fu on Monday August 9.
The break has been nice although we haven't really left the province to go anywhere.

I can honestly say I am failing at my Kung Fu regime and need to get myself out of the hole I have dug and get motivated again. I know lots of us drive into Edmonton to work but, the drive really exhausts me after work and that's where I lack the motivation. Sifu Brinker says "you should be doing at least 15 minutes every day by practicing" I sometimes don't even have the energy to do that. Lately I haven't been feeling very good either so that doesn't help. My sleeping pattern has been all over the place too. My lower back has been giving me grief. I am a young person in a 80 year old body.

Well not much more to say. I read Mr. Janzen's blog and I can relate to his situation totally. I am the only person who can change my thinking and that's what I need to do right now. I need to devise a schedule maybe.

Susan Crawford

A Lesson in Trust

2010-06-30T08:13:00.001-07:00

At work I have a friend who I would go walking with on our breaks who works in the same office as me. We would talk about work stuff and personal issues with our families and such. Well at least I thought she was my friend, I found out last week I cannot trust her anymore because I found out by accident that she was bad mouthing me to another one of our colleagues last week. When I found out I was so angry I was vibrating and also upset because of what she said to the other person. She was questioning my IQ and my work abilities with respect to knowing how to do my job. Luckily another friend came by at the right time who doesn't work in the office with us and she calmed me down as I was going to confront the two people about what they said about me, which would have been a bad scene as I accidently saw their conversation through a progam we have called communicator, clicked on it by accident saw my name and of course curiosity took over.

After reading it I felt this great sadness as I couldn't believe they said that about me especially when I thought she was my friend. I feel I am a nice person and treat people with respect. I am sure in my life time people have said bad things about me and it probably won't be the last time but, it has been bothering me ever since it happened. When I told Brian about it he couldn't believe it either and told me to just not go walking with her anymore and don't tell her anything.

I feel awkward around both of them now but, I know I must let it go or it's going to eat away at me.

This has happened to me before, I trust people and give them the benefit of the doubt and then it comes back and bites me in the butt. I am having a hard time now with trusting people but, it has been a life lesson I will never forget. BRian has also told me that I trust too many people sometimes and that they take advantage of my trust and then use it against me.

Anyways just wanted to tell my story and hope getting it out will help me feel better. Thanks for reading my blog and listening to my story.

Susan Crawford

Tried It Once Now

2010-06-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

Well about a week ago I tried some sparring for the first time. I was really nervous about it but, my partner was good at sparring to my level. He even asked me if I had ever done it before and I said no and told him I was nervous about it. I definetly have no idea what to do when it comes to sparring. I know as I do it in class I hope I will get better. I feel like a fish flopping around out of water to say the least. I even told my partner that he may have been better off with another partner.

My self confidence is lacking lately with respect to my kung fu skills. I feel it is going to take a long time for me until I feel confident with myself. I know I have worked hard to get where I am and I wouldn't be an orange belt if Sifu Brinker didn't think I deserved it.

Well that's it for this time. Talk to you later.

Susan Crawford

Finally Got The Gear - Yikes!

2010-05-07T10:35:00.000-07:00

Well I finally got the gear the other night at kung fu, I just need to buy a mouth guard and hope I don't gag on it.

I can honestly say I am feeling a little bit nervous about the whole sparring thing. I have seen it done a few times in class and wonder if I will be able to prepare myself for the task. I have spoken to a few classmates and some sifus and sihings and they say they all felt the same way. They also tell me it gets better as you do it in class and by practicing. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right? I know in my mind I have to at least try it. Everyone has to start somewhere right?

Anyways not much more to say just thought I would put my feelings out there. Thank you to everyone who has given me advice about the sparring.

Susan Crawford :)

A New Challenge Has Appeared.........I AM AN ORANGE BELT NOW

2010-04-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

As of the night of March 31, I am now an orange belt. I went to my first class that night not knowing what to expect. I felt out of place because I was so use to going to the white/yellow belt glass and knowing all the students from that class and chating them up as we warmed up together. I know eventually I will get to know more students in the orange belt class as I go to each class but it's strange to be there although, it's a good strange. I am a little nervous about the sparring part of the class but, have talked to a few black belts and they have reassured me it will be okay and that a lot of students felt nervous at first but, once they proceeded with each class they lost the nervousness and fear. I guess this is another lesson for me in stepping out of my comfort zone but each time I do step out, it makes me a stronger person.

I guess sometimes I have self doubt about my skills but, when Sifu Brinker told me the night he graded me that my kung fu has improved a lot since I first started, it made me feel really good because lately I was wondering if I have what it takes to be a great martial artist. I know my skills have come a long way since I started kung fu and I guess I just needed to hear it to reassure myself.

I just want to say thank you to Sifu Shipalesky, Sifu Stoddard, Sifu T. Playter, Sifu M. Playter and all the other Sifu's or Sihings that helped me out in the white/yellow belt classes. I really miss you guys and hope I will see you sometime in the future. Also a huge thank you to Brian who has helped me and encouraged me to practice at home.

That's it for this blog.

Susan Crawford

Aches, Pains, and a Bottle of Advil

2010-01-20T07:45:00.000-08:00

Well lately or for the past two weeks my body has been really sore. My knees are bothering me, my lower back is extremely sore and it seems like every joint right down to my big toe hurts. I have been trying to do the back exercises that were given to me by my physio therapist and even that is not helping very much. I have been using the heating pad on my back and trying to ice my knees for some comfort. When I feel this way especially when my back is sore, I get really cranky. I try to take advil and robaxacet for my back but, I don't always like to take drugs for every little ache and pain but, get to that point where I have to.

Monday's class was great but after class my back and stomach where killing me so, I went home took a hot bath and some robaxacet which helped for the moment but my back is still sore. Today my ribs are sore too, which is unusual. It's really bugging me because I had started a routine of kicking the bag, punching the bag and my forms and some stretching but, now I am losing my motivation because of the aches and pains.

I am running out of Advil and may need to go to Costco to get the giant size as Mr. Crawford is also feeling the aches and pains. I think Brian is ready to ship me off to some foreign country because I am so crabby lately. I guess the reality that old age is starting to slowly set in. It's like Sifu Brinker said "Train Smarter not Harder"

Anyways thanks for listening to my rant and rave and hopefully I will be feeling good again soon.

Susan Crawford

No More Security Blanket

2010-01-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

Well last night Mr. Crawford was tested for his orange belt and passed so now we are going to be in different classes. I knew this was going to happen but now it has and I have to deal with it. I know eventually I will be an orange belt but, it is going to be strange going to the yellow belt class without Brian there. I guess I am feeling a little nervous about the whole thing as this would be stepping out of my comfort zone a little bit. Its not like I need to have Brian there everywhere I go but, it was nice knowing he was there. That's why hence my title, No More Security Blanket.

After our class on Monday I did come back for Brian's orange belt class and it was awesome watching that class. There sure are a lot of orange belts in that 8:30 class. As I sat there watching, I started to have some self doubt set in and was wondering if I have what it takes to get there. I know I have improved since I started as a White belt but, have come to the realization that I will have to step up more to the plate. I do practice at home but realize that it might not be enough and that I will have to practice even more.I have always known I need to practice more but, sometimes I lose the motivation and try to make excuses for myself for not practicing a lot more. Like oh I am too tired tonight or I have something else that needs to be done.

I have decided, New Year, New Challenges for myself. I have to be my own person when it comes to my Kung Fu Journey. Ask for help when I need it. I can't compare myself to anyone else and I have to look out for me and focus on my learning.

Well I guess that's all I have to say for now. Good luck to everyone who has joined up for the next UBBT. I someday would like to also be in that challenge.

Susan Crawford.

And The Panic Set In.........

2009-12-08T11:27:00.000-08:00

Well I haven't blogged in a while so I thought I would put some thoughts down.

Last nights class was great, I received my white stripe for Kempo I although I still need more practice at home. I have been trying to do that weekly. The panic set in when we had to do shoulder rolls but, I said to myself "just do as many as you can," at least you are trying and I made out okay but, I do need to practice them more. I have also been kicking our bag at home and I have been doing Front Thrust Kicks, Side Heal Kicks, Round House Kicks, Spinning Back Kicks, I have been doing 100 per leg about twice a week. I will have to add Combatitive Front Kick as I forgot about that one. I also do the high, low, centre punching too. Need to step it up with the push ups and sit ups though. Mr. Crawford and I have also been practicing sticky hands and some wrist escapes but, not too many because Mr. Crawford hurt his arm recently.

Now I have my white stripe and black stripe and I am looking forward to receiving the other stripes and working my butt off to acheive this. Thank you to all the Sifus and Sihings that have helped me in class.

That's it for now, see you all in class.

Susan Crawford

Up One More Step In My Kung Fu Journey

2009-11-04T12:15:00.000-08:00

Well I am happy to say that I have acheived my yellow belt now. I am so proud of myself in this accomplishment. I remember thinking it's going to take me forever to get there and boom I reached it. Now I have to pick up the pace in my training and practicing at home. I have also gone back to the Tri Leisure to start my weight lifting program again. I can honestly say I am feeling a little sore in my muscles. Our first night of pandamonium was awesome although, I felt like dieing but I made it past that point and kept telling myself it was for a good cause. I was even able to do one chin up although, I tried to persuade Sifu Hayes into letting me use the stool but, he was having none of that LOL. Looking forward to Wednesday night.

Not much more to blog about since I am at a loss for words, which is unusal for me LOL. Bye for now.

I Forgot To Get The License Of The Truck That Ran Me Over

2009-10-20T07:26:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I blogged because I really didn't have anything to say. I thought I should try and write something.

Well for the last little while I have been having trouble sleeping at night. I wake up at 1:00-1:30 am and can't get back to sleep. It is getting to be frustrating because it makes it hard to get up in the morning at 5:30 am, hence the title to my blog. I go to bed around 10:00 pm so maybe that's why I wake up in the night because I am going to bed too early. I usually read before I go to bed but, I guess that's not helping me much either. It has kept me from being motivated.

It has been great coming to Kung Fu and seeing all the new people there working their butts off and their dedication to show up for classes. I know for myself I have to start working harder because as we move up into the other belt levels we will be challenged even more. I still feel challenged every class and love it. I really need to get back to the gym and start up my weight training again. I took a class "Women on Weights" last year and it was great. We had a plan set up for us and so it's just a matter of going and working on it and adding in some of the things I have learnt through my kung fu classes.

I guess that's it in a nutshell and I better get doing some work here or I will be in trouble LOL.

Awesome Class............I have my kung fu spirit back!

2009-09-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

Last night's class was totally awesome. I liked the warm up as it was different.

We practiced shield work last night and that was really fun. I was punching the shields so hard that today my arms and wrists are sore but, a good sore. It felt good to put that much energy into it. I was sweating so much it was running down the side of my face. I have to work on my weave a little bit more to get it right.

After class I spoke with Sifu Shipalesky about my kung fu from the time I started until present to see if she has seen an improvement and she said I have improved greatly. I was starting to doubt myself whether I was cut out for kung fu. I have been feeling down about my performance for a while now. I was also comparing myself to everyone else in the class and I can't do that. Everyone works at their own pace and some students have prior experience too. I compare myself to Brian a lot and I am going to have to refocuse my energy because I have to accept that he has prior experience. I need to put my energy toward my personal kung fu journey. Brian has been helping me lately and critiquing my combinations and the other curriculum items, which is helping me to improve. He's like a drill seargent LOL but, his knowledge and encouragement has been a great inspiration for me to work harder and that if I practice and work hard at home, I will be a great martial artist. It can be done if I put my mind and energy to it.

We stayed to watch the class after the beginners class and I enjoyed the story Sifu Freitag told the students about her friend Kevin (Parachutting Friend) and how loud his sound focus is and that her goal is to be as loud as him in Kung Fu sound focus and that the students should have a goal to be louder than her. It was very inspirational to a fairly new student like myself.

Signing off now because I am starting to ramble on and on and on.

Susan C.

Disappointed............Huge Eye Opener

2009-09-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

Well I had a huge eye opener at Wednesday night's beginner class. We did combination, which I thought I knew. After class Brian and I were sitting on the bench as the next class were waiting to start their warm up when Sifu Stoddard came over with the red tape and was proceeding to give Brian his and I got really excited about getting mine too but, I didn't know the combinations as well as I thought I did so, needless to say, I didn't receive the red stripe.

I was disappointed and very upset with myself because I failed to receive my red stripe. I went home mad but, upon further review of the situation, I have no one to blame but myself because I didn't practice enough. I do practice at home but, I guess not enought due to my performance on combinatons. I swore from that night forward, I was going to be practicing a lot more at home and kicking it up a notch. I am also going to have to realize that I cannot compare myself to anyone else in the class. I have to work at my pace and keep in mind that I am still a beginner but, I have improved since my first day of the beginners class. As Sifu T. Playter said at class on Wednesday, we know who is working their butts off and who isn't.

I am now practicing combinations, da mu shing, stretching and kicking the bag every night. I am going to fight tooth and nail to get my red stripe and my white stripe.

Anyways thanks for listening to me.

Susan C.

First Class Back

2009-09-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

Last nights class was really fun. We had five new students join the school and it brought back memories from the time when Brian and I first joined. It was pretty full in the class too. I liked what Sifu Brinker said at the end of the class that "anyone can be a black belt as long as you are willing to put in the time". That gave me more inspiration to work even harder at home on all the things we have been taught.

As far as my body goes, I am feeling pretty good. My knees are a little sore especially my left knee but, that's from an old basketball injury I got in high school. It has bothered me ever since that. I sure know when the weather is going to change. Other than that all is well.

Wow how the time flies, I can't believe we are in September and that next week is the middle of the month. I wish there was a way we could change around spring/summer to six months and have winter only be two months, that would be awesome. Does anyone know of a special voodoo formula to do that? Before we know it, it will be Christmas and Brian and I will have been married a year already. We got married on Christmas Eve at our house last year.

I guess I should sign off now until the next time. Oh and all of you who volunteered on the renos, should give yourself a pat on the back because the Kwoon looks awesome. Thank you to all the people who did the organizing and bringing in the food.

Susan C.

The Battle Begins Once Again

2009-09-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

Well tonight is the first night back after having two weeks off. I have been doing a little bit at home, like stretching, Da Mu Hsing, some Chi Kung, and doing kicks on the bag at home. I really need to kick myself in the butt and get doing more than just that. I just need to get myself motivated even if I am feeling tired.

I have a feeling I am going to be hurting after class tonight and will be feeling sore on Thursday. I am looking forward to getting back into the routine and seeing all the new students who have joined.

I have decided I am going to setup a "workout plan" for myself and put it on paper and check off all the things that I do and then it will be in writing. I know for sure Brian will make sure that I stick to it and will kick my butt if I don't LOL.

So I will post an update after class tonight and let you know how it went. Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

The Beginning of Something New

2009-08-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a couple of months now since Brian and I started Kung Fu. We decided one weekend to go and check out the tournament at the Tri Leisure and then on the Monday after the tournament, we decided to go and visit the school to see what it was all about. We ended up having a meeting with Sifu Brinker and after that we made the decision to join the school.

I am glad we joined. I wanted to get back into working out because it had been a while but, I never expected to be doing kung fu. I have notice a great change in my physical appearance and have started to eat healthy again. Going to the gym and working out is nothing to the work out we get doing kung fu. I am not saying that the gym is not a great place to go because I do plan on going back there too. I haven't done push ups since high school and never thought I would be doing them again LOL.

Everyone at the school is so positive and encouraging to new students. From the minute I walked into the school, I got a really good feeling and so I knew this was going to be a great place to be. I am on a journey in Kung Fu and look forward to it taking me to a greater place.

Signing off until the next time.

Susan C.