tested for myself to see how i'm progressing with gaining strength back. tried something new just to see if i could fail. was ok the results either way. with a will and taking it a step at a time...and i did it.  there have been a few moments like this over the past month or so.  its coming back, my muscle.  and my mental state is so different now.   i appreciate so much more.  i am proud of reaching my goals. its the little things,  like "closing the gate" in thai pads, or gaining two blue stipes on my green belt in karate.  today we had 8 weights...100 punches each. i did it.

what was so great is that going into it, i was ok with failing i was ready with whatever the results. but i had will, and i paced myself.  i was proud.  i will get there..

in a couple of days, it will be officially 5 more months.  i'm excited to meet the person i will be in September.

Step by Step

Big news for us.  Another location wants us to teach, meaning I am needed to help teach at our after-school location. I'm glad my boss gave the ok, we need the money and its something I want to do.  So, our lives are even busier...but we are doing everything we can to make it all work.

In the last couple of weeks I've been asked what I/we do. At first I don't think its much, but after I say it out I realize we have our plates pretty full. Here is the conversations...

Mom of morning program: "So its ONLY just you two running KICK?"

Me: "Yep, and I work full time as an architect"

Mom: "And you have the after-school program?"

Me: "Yep, and trying to run our own place in Peabody"

Mom: "Wow"

Me: "Well we are doing everything we can to make this work

Man: "So do you do this stuff (Martial Arts)?

Me: "Yeah, a little bit"

Man: "So how often do you train?"

Me: "Oh, Karate 3x a week,  Muay Thai 3 or 4 times, Ju-Jitsu and Tai Chi once a week"

Man: "That is more than just a little bit"

Me: "Yeah, I do what I can"

This week I got compliments during class, and I'm starting to realize I am progressing. FINALLY!!!! That my goal of September, is actually achievable. For one reason or another I've let goals go, this time I don't want to. This feels something bigger than myself.  Feels good.  

Excited to be testing this month in Karate. Excited to be teaching once/week for four classes - my basics are gong to get really GOOD.  Maybe Blue Belt is achievable in June after all.  

Very exciting. Just realizing I can achieve my personal goals WHILE doing all this other stuff. This is HUGE.

The road isn't always easy...

Finally we have started to see an increase at the school and we are happy. The first number of people that came in were looking for something for free, something we couldn't provide at the time.  We just got a grant and could outreach back to them, but Facebook does wonders for research.  Found out these people that 'didn't have money' actually did have money bragging about all their new things...they had a lot of things, more than what we have.

We are still hoping to find someone who is really in need and help them with a scholarship. We are also planning on sponsoring some kids to go to tournament.  We'll find a way to do good by this grant one way or another.

My heath has been pretty good - but hit a speed bump.  I have to admit when things are going wrong, its the first step in making them right.  Anxiety likes to live in my body and it will find a way to make itself known.  Just need to keep my eyes on the horizon and not stress too much.  Take my herbs when I need them and keep striving forward.

This year is going to reveal a lot of things, there are many opportunities to seize.

Better late than never?

Wanted to try and start posting on here again, so here I go.

Updates:

Work - as of Jan we are finally back to 100% salary after almost 3 years of having a pay cut. I competed PH1 of a lab building that had some exterior work. Most of my career has been on the inside/renovation so it's nice to see something from the outside.

School - October first we opened our school/dojo.  It's odd to think that technically this is our third month.  The first two were kinda rough. This month, things seem to be looking better. Hoping it continues. It's quite the feat for me to get to the school. I got a bike, Ava, and she helps me get there with a commuter rail ride in between biking bouts.

Health - its has been pretty good.  I've tried to make more of a commitment to training, and doing simple body weight stuff.  For each 'art' I have a goal.  Karate- its learning a new kata and competing with it. hope i am able to earn a stripe this year. Its been a year at green belt and time to advance.   Tai Chi- get the form down so I don't have to cheat while doing it, using the meditations wisely. Muay Thai, be able to do all the 'bridging' exercises, do a full pull up and push up. get my kicks strong.  Be ready by September.

I'm really proud of myself at my progress on my goals, just last week 5/7 days I was doing something.  I feel some muscle starting to peek and have noticeable progress in a few areas.

I guess this was on my mind and I just wanted to write it. I don't want to do it on Facebook and prefer here.
So...that is a short synopsis and I hope to keep this up a little better.

Suzy Toronto

Its been a LONG time.  A TON has happened and is still in the works..more on that on a later date.
Wanted to share a few pics which has some good words on 'Sisters'.  I was just reminded that I saw this in Grand Rapids when we were visiting and here are a few that I thought were poignant.
Enjoy.

Good Song of the Day

Just added this song to my collection yesterday...good song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZhQOvvV45w

Holy Update Batman

Wow its been awhile.

Things have been busy, but good.
Go the approval to start muscle building, and will probably start doing that next week - horray.
No tingles in a long long time - horray!

Work has been busy, but good. There are some thing that stress me out but all in all its ok.
I've also been able to leave at a decent hour each day.

Yesterday was out KICK-A-THON and we had a good number of kids that turned up. We all did our 1000 kicks and had a lot of fun. Best of all we raised money for our non-profit KICK.

Tomorrow a couple of our kids will be going to a tournament.  It will be early and probably stressful but I'm hoping that at the end of the day they will have fun.

In just a few weeks Jeff and I will be traveling to Michigan. We are SO looking forward to it. First of all we really need a break from Boston. Sometimes the city just really wears on you. It will be great to see my family again and especially hang out with little Stella.

Well that is about it for now...until next time