Can't Wait!

It's been a while since my last post. I've been super busy with working overtime as well as taking registrations for a yoga class I'll be teaching. I'm really working hard to try and save up for my trip. The bad thing is that all this working means I have less time to train. At this point the only free time I really have is an hour or so before bed and my days off. Wouldn't it be nice if we could do what we love all day long and not have to worry about making money? That's why I'm looking forward to this trip so much. The chance to do Kung Fu all day every day and not have work and other obligations getting in the way. I can't wait! Now that I have this goal it's almost all I think about. Every moment that I'm not working towards it is almost painful.

The push-ups are getting easier. The biggest struggle I've had is on the weekend. My boyfriend Steve and I went snowboarding and the next day I was really sore. Doing push-ups was really tough. I managed to do most of them and make the rest up later but I certainly didn't enjoy it. Most days I can do more in a row than I could before and my arms feel stronger. My advice to anyone else doing this....stretch! Stretch your arms, shoulders and pecs every day. I believe flexibility is as important as strength. Don't gain one just to lose the other.

So Far So Good

This is a pic I found online at www.wudanggongfu.com. It is a photo of Sifu Kris Olsvik training in China. The website is very interesting and has other photos of Kris if you're interested.

As the title of this post would indicate all is going quite well with my push-ups. I have done 150 each day since I last posted towards my goal of reaching 26000 in 6 months.

My wrist is actually holding up quite well considering. I switch between knuckles, fingertips, and regular push ups. A very nice girl from my work heard that my wrist was sore on Monday and gave me an old wrist brace that she hasn't been using so I sometimes put that on if I have to do a bunch in one go. It does help a lot.

My sister Melanie and I have started training for our upcoming trip to China. We figured that to get the most out of it we should be in great shape and completely on top of all our Kung Fu when we get there. We haven't set a date yet so we're not exactly sure when we're leaving but we're aiming for fall/winter. I personally want to be gone by November. For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, My sister and I are going to China to train at the same school where Sifu Olsvik trained. Unlike him we'll only be going for 3 or 4 months not a whole year but I hope that we can learn a great deal and reach our potentials.

I've wanted to do Kung Fu in China ever since i started training all those years ago but it always seemed so far away. When Sifu Olsvik came back from his trip and told us all about it and I saw what an amazing improvement he'd gone through, I just decided I was going to go and asked my sister if she wanted to come. All of a sudden we're doing it!

I've found that in life you can plan and plan for something but there comes a point where you have to decide "Am I going to do this or not". Once you make that decision all the forces of the universe line up and nothing can stop you. This is one of those times for me and it's such a powerful feeling. I'd love to go through life feeling this confident and empowered all the time.

My first time!

I've been putting off this starting a blog thing for a while now. How like me to feel nervous about something and decide to just avoid it all together for a while.

One reason for holding off I think is the fact that I'm a very private person. Although I'm friendly and enjoy most people, it takes a really long time to get to know me. I have friends I've known since high school who've never seen the real me.

Another reason for not blogging before is the belief that I couldn't really have much to say that is going to be that interesting to anyone but me.

After reading all the other blogs though, I realized how wonderful it is to learn more about these people I've known for years but only in one setting. Also, there are some wonderful insights out there on a variety of topics. We're a thoughtful group!

Not sure exactly what to talk about. I'm sure my blog won't resemble Sifu Robertson's. I'm not likely to post anything about Aristotle. I don't spend much time thinking about classical literature and the like. Hopefully I can keep any readers entertained in my own way.

I just finished reading Sihing Prince's blog and his plan for attacking those 26000 pushups. He's got it all figured out and I know how hard of a worker he is and that although this will challenge him, he'll "git 'er done". I'm really inspired by all of the brown belts who've achieved this goal. The push ups are hard but also just being dedicated and writing every single one down is a big challenge.

I've been struggling with my own push-ups lately. An old wrist injury from snowboarding keeps flaring up whenever I go really hard on the push-ups and as a result I've noticed a decrease in the number I can do in one go and my arm strength in general. It's so frustrating to feel yourself sliding backwards, especially when you see your students improving on that very thing. As a result I've decided to do the 26000 too! I might be crazy because I don't actually have to do it but I think it's a good way to discipline myself into taking action.

Yep, here I am being accountable and although I don't have to hand mine in to Master Brinker I'm still going to write them down because I think that's a really important part of the exercise.

So if you guys are having a hard time with your push-ups, let me know. I'll be going through the same thing so maybe I can help.

That's all for now. I've got a dentist appointment and work so I'd better get going.