It's been a while since I've written. There have been several times where I've opened this page with the intention of saying something but then I see my post about Travis Panasiuk and anything else seems so insignificant. I can't explain it but it just felt like I wasn't ready to have a different topic at the top of my page. I tend to hold things like this inside for a while before I can process them.
However, I've been up to a lot these past few weeks. Preparations are under way for our trip to China. We've had our immunizations and we're finishing up all those little details that need to be taken care of before we leave. Every day I get more and more excited and I really can't wait until we embark on our fabulous adventure! I'm also a little sad to be leaving the people that I care about but I know that the time will fly by and I'll be with them again in no time. I really wish that I could take everyone with me, then I'd have the best of both worlds. I think it will be quite simple to keep in touch though and I will be checking email and posting on here at least once a week so I hope to keep you all updated on what fun stuff we're up to.
I agreed with Master Brinker that I would do some kind of project while I am over there to help the Chinese people and/or raise awareness here. I'm struggling with finding a direction for this project. I'd like to have at least a vague idea of a plan before I leave. I tried to get in touch with Sifu Kris Olsvik to see if he had any suggestions but he hasn't replied yet. Our instructor over there Sifu Yuan suggested that perhaps we could donate money to the school in his town to help out the kids. It seems like a nice idea but there's something missing. I also had the thought of taking a video camera and making a movie so everyone could see what it's really like in China. I'm going to arrange a meeting with Master Brinker to discuss it but if anyone has any ideas please let me know. I can use all the help I can get.
It feels good to be posting again. I'll be happy to continue doing so while I'm away.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
In memory of Travis Panasiuk
On Thursday we at Silent River kung fu lost a true friend. Travis Panasiuk was one of the most dedicated students I've ever met. I admired him immensely.
Some of you may remember my posting back in the spring about how Mr. Panasiuk performed a three sectional staff form at our Tiger challenge tournament. I was so impressed by his guts as well as his technique. I never would have dreamed of attempting something like that as a yellow belt. That was the kind of person Travis was, he didn't seem to be afraid of looking foolish, he was just so excited about learning kung fu that he'd try anything. I am trying to be more like that.
I remember seeing him at lion dance practice way back and being surprised to see such a new student pushing himself so much. Travis loved kung fu so much that he took every opportunity to train that was available to him. San sou, open training, lion dance, demos, you name it, he was there. He didn't just train though, he volunteered and gave as much as he could to this school. He was there constantly during renovations and doing anything he could to help. I was fortunate to spend an entire day with him last Friday during the day. We talked and got to know each other better. He was really funny and intelligent. I am so grateful that we had that time alone together, I am a better person from having known him.
A few weeks ago Danielle invited me to see a play with her and Travis. We had a really good time and after the show we walked and talked. It was the only time I ever hung out with him outside of kung fu and it was a lot of fun. I wish now that I'd done more of that. I feel like I was just getting to know him and appreciate him as a person, not just as an awesome student. What I did learn about him though was that he was easy going, passionate, and funny. We shared a nerdy interest in anime and had a good time comparing notes and recommending a few to each other. I'm glad we had that connection, however brief.
Travis was on the fast track to black belt and put the rest of us to shame with his work ethic. The other day I was feeling lazy and unenthusiastic about kung fu. I was wondering how I could re-ignite the spark. After hearing about Travis' accident, I feel ashamed that someone so passionate is now gone and I am feeling mopey and sorry for myself. I will strive to embody as much as I can of his dedication when I approach my kung fu. Anything less would be disrespectful to his memory.
A friend offered me some comforting words last night. He said that when someone so good is taken away from us so young, perhaps they are needed elsewhere to inspire even more people. Though it is painful to say good bye, Travis helped us all a lot and my thoughts are with him wherever he is now.
Some of you may remember my posting back in the spring about how Mr. Panasiuk performed a three sectional staff form at our Tiger challenge tournament. I was so impressed by his guts as well as his technique. I never would have dreamed of attempting something like that as a yellow belt. That was the kind of person Travis was, he didn't seem to be afraid of looking foolish, he was just so excited about learning kung fu that he'd try anything. I am trying to be more like that.
I remember seeing him at lion dance practice way back and being surprised to see such a new student pushing himself so much. Travis loved kung fu so much that he took every opportunity to train that was available to him. San sou, open training, lion dance, demos, you name it, he was there. He didn't just train though, he volunteered and gave as much as he could to this school. He was there constantly during renovations and doing anything he could to help. I was fortunate to spend an entire day with him last Friday during the day. We talked and got to know each other better. He was really funny and intelligent. I am so grateful that we had that time alone together, I am a better person from having known him.
A few weeks ago Danielle invited me to see a play with her and Travis. We had a really good time and after the show we walked and talked. It was the only time I ever hung out with him outside of kung fu and it was a lot of fun. I wish now that I'd done more of that. I feel like I was just getting to know him and appreciate him as a person, not just as an awesome student. What I did learn about him though was that he was easy going, passionate, and funny. We shared a nerdy interest in anime and had a good time comparing notes and recommending a few to each other. I'm glad we had that connection, however brief.
Travis was on the fast track to black belt and put the rest of us to shame with his work ethic. The other day I was feeling lazy and unenthusiastic about kung fu. I was wondering how I could re-ignite the spark. After hearing about Travis' accident, I feel ashamed that someone so passionate is now gone and I am feeling mopey and sorry for myself. I will strive to embody as much as I can of his dedication when I approach my kung fu. Anything less would be disrespectful to his memory.
A friend offered me some comforting words last night. He said that when someone so good is taken away from us so young, perhaps they are needed elsewhere to inspire even more people. Though it is painful to say good bye, Travis helped us all a lot and my thoughts are with him wherever he is now.
Monday, September 1, 2008
26 000!
So the other day I decided to check where I was at with my push-ups to see how many more days I had to go. After adding them all up I realized that I was done! I have completed 26 250 push-ups in under 26 weeks and I feel great about it. It almost seems like it's not such a big deal because I've gotten so used to doing them but when I think about 6 straight months of doing 150 per day, it is pretty cool! When I started back in March I really wanted to not only improve my strength but mostly to improve my discipline. I definitely think that I've done that. I've never been more consistent in my life than I have been lately and I have every intention of continuing to improve.
All in all I'm very happy with myself. I love the feeling of accomplishing a goal and knowing that I did my best and have something to be proud of. There's not much that's better than this.
All in all I'm very happy with myself. I love the feeling of accomplishing a goal and knowing that I did my best and have something to be proud of. There's not much that's better than this.
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