Today I just want to write one thing, an idea I've been kicking around.

Teaching kids is super challenging sometimes and I admit that some kids are more of a challenge than others. I'm sure any teacher or parent has encountered this. Some kids are a pleasure to teach, naturally focused, talented, respectful......and then there are others. I really try to spread my teaching around, so I'm not just 'greasing the squeaky wheel', I want all the kids to feel equally valued and to know that I'm there to help them. Sometimes I'll look around and realize that I haven't even spoken to one of the kids all class long. It really bothers me when I notice this.

One the other hand, the squeaky wheel kids are often the ones who need kung fu the most. They need to learn that focus, respect, etc. all the lessons that kung fu teaches. All of us instructors have seen cases of a student who starts out defiant and difficult and ends up doing a complete 180. It's the most rewarding thing you can see as a teacher. I know the value of kung fu, that's why I love it, and to be able to successfully share that with someone is....absolutely amazing. It's my purpose for being here and my goal with all my students. Which is in the forefront of my mind when trying to reach each kid in class.

It's been 8 months since I've blogged! It started out as a break, just to get readjusted to life in Canada but it turned into a habit. I'd gotten so used to writing about my experience in China and had this feeling that there was nothing to write about that anyone would want to read. It took a reminder that writing is not just something you do for others, but something you do for yourself to get me going again.

So I won't be sharing any crazy stories of training in China but what I will do is share my thoughts on being here and teaching.

I got married. To my boyfriend of six years. We spent our whole China experience together and developed a bond that we hadn't realized until we were apart was something neither of us was willing to give up. He lives in Texas and is enrolled in graduate school so as much as I didn't want to go, I made the decision to move there. We're currently waiting for my immigration to be processed so I'll still be living here for at least another 5 months, maybe more. In the meantime I'm teaching the kids classes, Lil' leopards, Tiny tigers, and Black dragons.

I love teaching! The fact that I get to share my love of kung fu with these kids is so humbling and so exciting. It's just hard for me to express that verbally. That's why I've decided to start blogging again. I need to practice expressing these ideas more often so I can get better at it. Leading by example is great but sometimes you need words too. I'm aware that writing and speaking are completely different though so I'm also going to try talking about this stuff more and more. I need the practice. I may trip over words and fumble (in fact I know I will) but I hope to improve quickly.

I plan to open a school in Houston so these are things I'll need to figure out in order to be successful. This is a great time to watch others, learn from them, and practice.