A little Martial Arts ranting..

Sitting here in a little bit of a somber mood today.  Got to help out with Karate again, and it was by far the biggest test for me. Everyone seemed to be upset, kids were acting bad, and I just didn't know how to handle it.  Thank goodness Jeff is there, he had seen his fair share. Just trying to let it go before I head to bed.

There have been a lot of things bugging at me. In no particular order..just to vent.

I read other blog, posts, etc. I see a lot of people 'proclaiming' they are experts. They write in absolutes. It beyond just ignorance which is forgivable - its blindness. They just haven't been open to things.  I'm referring mostly to a Martial Arts.  I am not an expert, don't think I'll ever be. But I know enough to see when people just spread lies or even worse degrade things they don't understand because they think they are above it all.  I truly think the 'Soul' is gone from Martial Arts.

Yesterday I was getting made fun of while hitting. Now this happens from time to time, and I try to brush it off. Again, souless Martial Artists making fun of something they don't fully understand. I felt bad for my pad holder. He's willing to hold mitts for the only girl and he too got made fun of. I can't thank him enough for giving me some time and taking 'smack' from others and just brushing it off.

Martial Arts called - it wants it soul back.

18 months

So it has now been 18 months since my sinus surgery. After 8 long months of being sick and trying to figure out why. I used that surgery as a spring board to new health and better me. I changed my diet, committed myself back into Martial Arts, and overall tried to be thankful for all the little things.  Its been over a month now since I've had any symptoms at all. I'm feeling great and still slowly gaining muscle back.

Karate testing for was this past week.I earned my Green belt. Its a big jump, in a short amount of time. Over the past number of years I've trainied in Muay Thai, Tai Chi, Ju-Jistu and it was taken into account, along with competition and teaching kids was a big factor. So was 6-10 classes/week and practicing a lot at home.

Just to give you a comparison. Below is then (after surgery) and now (18 months later). 

Big difference!

During work this week, I received word that I'm officially on 40 hours a week. Which means back to 90% of the 2008 salary.  We are getting in new projects as a firm, and as for me I have a fast paced project.  I'm uncertain as to how this will affect my commitment to helping teach karate at the after-school program.  I want to help and do it all - but I made a promise to not over-do it. Jeff won't allow me to either, it was enough to see me so sick before, he doesn't want that to happen again.

Not really sure what my path is, and honestly have been uncertain for some time now. Not knowing about my job has been such a huger factor. Now it seems we are out of the woods and its made things a little more clear.  I know there is a plan and I am open to the possibilities of the future.

First Month

It's been awhile since the last posting, so this might be long. 


Work has been insane lately as I have been working 40+ hrs again, still under the 20% paycut though.  There is word we'll officially get bumped up to 40+, here is hoping to gain some of our 2008 salaries back. This has been with some sacrifice, mainly my Tues/Thurs classes.  It also means getting into work at 7am again and sometimes pulling 10-12 hours so I can leave early on Mon/Wed. Getting a couple of lab projects has helped me fall in love with architecture again, and I am glad to have survived thus far. It looks like its all going to keep me very busy.


Helping out with Karate has been good. I've learned a lot of administrative stuff, but also learning a lot with teaching and helping. My favorite class has to be the Super Kids, which are mostly 4-5 yrs old.  Watching them learn things is quite amazing and they get so excited.  One of our front-runners for most improved is not even 4 yet which is awesome. I try to participate when I can to work on my own things, but sometimes I get caught up in administrative stuff. Its a balance act for sure.  Luckily last week I got to participate with throws which was a lot of fun. We need to take some video of 12 year old girl throwing me.  


My own karate training is improving on many fronts and slowly developing on others. I frequently ask Jeff 'does this look closer to Green Belt quality'. Never ever did I think I would fall in love with this in the way I have. It's helped me become a better Martial Artist, Teacher, and person. Next week is testing and I hope to be ready to try for the official Green Belt. After that is just making all my aspects really good.  There are other students around my level and I want to be good so they have someone to look up to.  Jeff is there but looking at him with his Black Belt is so far beyond comprehension right now, I think its good for them to see someone still learning, messing up, being nervous, improving. Its good for me too.


Muay Thai training has slowed down, even missing weeks now at a time. Its just moved down the priority chain pretty fast.  My goal is to try to take some time over the weekends to work with Jeff so I can keep things sharp or even better improve.  I always have a long list of things I want to do with that time, Karate, Tai Chi, Muay Thai, Ju-Jitsu, etc etc.  


My heath - its been about a month now with NO tingling episodes. Elbow pain came back a little and its reminding me I need to drink my Chinese herbal tea more often. Its been raining a lot here and my sinus did really well and no sickness. Horray. I've been sticking to my diet. Lately this has been really hard. With not much sleep and stress my cravings for soda and sweets have been through the roof. I was almost in tears yesterday, just telling myself just making it through one more day and I did it.  Horray.


Well, all in all that is what has been going on. 
Until next time.

First Chinese Doctor Visit

Last week I had my first visit with a Chinese doctor. I had some pain in my elbow that was also causing more tingling. Jeff suggested I see him as it might help. It'd also give another opinion to this tingling situation.  He agreed with everything I have been doing over the past year and a half. He knew I was sick and lost a large amount of weight very fast. My body just changed when that happened and it was a huge stress on it. He gave me some tea and made some adjustments to the arm. Happy to say that I have been 99% pain free. I did have a small moment on the day of a deadline. Being that my week was stressful, I have to say that is pretty good.

I was able to attend my classes on Tuesday, but had to miss out on Thursday. Hoping to get in some training tomorrow though. I really pushed myself, and did the after-school karate as much as I could. My body is sore but it did really good 

With all the stress going on I've been having massive cravings for coke and cake.   Still have not broken though. Almost a year and half and going strong. 

This week should be another busy week with stuff, and we are getting a visitor that will stay with us for a few days. 

First Week

Made it through the first week with the new schedule.  Fun part is that we've had an intense deadline at the firm which means I worked like a banshee.  

Due to working a 12hr day on Thursday I missed Karate and Muay Thai, needless to say I'm itching to throw a temper tantrum on some mitts or the bag. Next week I should be all set to do at least Muay Thai.  Maybe I'll get in some other training too.  

The after-school karate started this week, and even though we've hit some speed bumps, we are trying to keep a positive attitude and hope we get more students.  I've already learned so many things on the administrative side of things that will prove to be invaluable.  

Next month should be Karate promotions. Though technically I'm an Orange Belt, I still wear my Yellow Belt. I was hoping to go to another tournament, but it just hasn't happened.  In the after-school program I am allowed to wear an honorary green belt. Mostly due to my other Martial Arts training. My goal is that at next promotion to try to test into Green Belt.  This is a pretty hard thing to do, but not impossible. There isn't a whole lot I just don't know, I just need to perform it at a high level. As it is such a big jump, I'll probably be a Green Belt for about a year before I get any promotions.  

In reflection its great to know that even with the headaches I know I am doing what I've supposed to be doing. Not many people have a love - but I have two! How awesome is that? 

First Video

Nearing the end of my first week, and will post thoughts when I've had a decent nights sleep.
Meanwhile, here is the first VIDEO I'm posting.

Jar of Hearts - Official Video

I first heard this song via "So You Think You Can Dance". One of my most favorite shows. The very next episode the artist came on to sing it live. Just before this was played she was a waitress.  The lyrics were amazing, and Christina Perri has quite and interesting voice.

Have to admit I was nervous and excited about her doing the video. Very rarely do I like videos as they don't ever do songs justice. The video was quite good and had elements in it that I had visualized for the video.  I even spotted at least one SYTYCD alumni which was kind of neat.  

Enjoy!

First Day

Today was the first day of doing both my regular job as architect and then heading off to the after-school program for karate. All in all I think it went ok. We didn't have as big of turn out as we anticipated or hoped for. Hopefully it will build up pretty fast. Most kids did well, parents liked it.

Having this cold due to the change in weather. Good news is that I'm not digressing, and it's not too bad. There was this moment today when I felt cold and blowing my nose, when I felt just like I did when I was sick. It kind of freaked me out. Then I told myself, its been almost 2 years, I survived last winter ok, I should be able to do good this winter too. I wanted to be a little more stronger coming into winter, but it just didn't happen.

My tingling hasn't been the greatest now for quite some time. It just slightly pops in and out. I think its mostly anxiety that is building up, and I just need to let go.

Tomorrow I am going on-site to look at our new potential project. Then off to the school for Karate and Muay Thai, hopefully I make it there on time. It's a good way to let loose and vent via hitting things.