Refusal

I refuse to write about my failure.  Ever week I could write about this as all I have done this year in my Kung Fu is fail. 

On a very positive note, my personal life is very good.  Busy with work but I'm enjoying what I'm doing.  Personal relationships are better than ever and I am very happy to have found the balance in this aspect of my life.

In regards to my training, it is what it is.  I am done with getting down on my self for not attending classes.  It is what it is and I refuse to mentaly barrage my self anymore.  I will get to as many classes as I can when I can.  I'm in a pretty happy spot right now in my life and I'm going to enjoy the ride.  Kung Fu is a big part of that.  Howevever I won't be sacrificing my happiness for anything.  This may sound like I'm being selfish but I don't care, I need to look after me and what matters most in my life.  This may take me away from the kwoon for extended periods.  I will do my best to be at the kwoon as much as I can.

Mr. Repay
Student of Silent River Kung Fu

Kwoon renovations

Very soon we are going to start the renovations to the kwoon.  I always look forward to this part of the year.  It not only makes the kwoon look neat and tidy but in some years the kwoon looked very different after we were finished!

Some of the best things about renovation week is the time spent with my training mates (sifu's included).  Its an awesome day to have a ton of fun with each other and find out a little bit more about each other.  This past year we had a blast and some grout founds it way on a bunch of us instead of the wall!  Its all part of the fun and its a great way to get things done even if it take a little more scrubbing to get the extra grout off the tiles :)

The other part I really like is the ownership aspect. We all have left sweat and blood on the mats during our training.  By committing like we do during training, leaves a sense of ownership and connection to the kwoon.  By participating in the renovations the same deep connection is built.  I know that when I see the men's shower stall that I had a hand in grouting those tiles with Mr. Smid and Sifu Ryback.  I know when I look up at the ceiling that I put on the 200th coat of paint on it.  Its that sense of ownership that is such a big part of my training and my connection to the kwoon.

I encourage all students to come out and lend a hand. It doesn't have to be days or hours, it can be minutes.  Just come out and make your mark durring renovation week. I assure you that you won't regret it.

Mr. Repay
Student of Silent River Kung Fu
Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
ian.repay@blogspot.com

Canada Day

This past Canada Day I was witness to a very special ceremony.  It was the first time I have ever witnessed a citizenship ceremony.  Being born in Canada I have taken for granted more than once my citizenship.  I have never know war, bigotry, corrupt police etc.  I have grown up in a country that embraces foreign cultures and beliefs.  We welcome people from all walks of life and from all countries around the world.  All we ask is they learn our official languages, obey our laws and swear allegiance to the Queen of England.  By the looks of these new Canadian's faces, this wouldn't be a problem.

I was moved by the ceremony and was so glad that I got to witness it.  It got me thinking who in my family stood up and took the oath to become a Canadian?

Mr. Repay
Student of Silent River Kung Fu.
Stony Plain, Alberta Canada.