Umpteen Monkeys Typing

This ain't working...

2012-02-22T16:36:00.000-08:00

Sihing Jon Robinson

I've been trying to make some changes to my life to help me finally step that last step towards my black belt. I'm eating differently, I'm going to all of the weekday classes (except mornings) and I even moved to the west end of Edmonton from downtown so I'd be closer. Sadly, this isn't gonna cut it. I've tried to avoid taking the final and most drastic step, but it might have to happen.

I'm going to have to start getting up..... EARLY.

I am not a morning person. My resolve is at the lowest and the only thing I am capable of is opening my eyes a bit and stumbling to the shower. I've lately been trying to get my first 100 right as I roll out but instead have been breaking my reps into smaller sets. I can do 60 or so pushups in a row, but morning-me doesn't want to. Starting tomorrow, I must get up and drag my sorry behind down to the stationary bike or treadmill and bang out some km followed by stretching and more pushups and situps. What I need from my teammates (meaning you guys) is some advice on how to make this happen more consistently. Any tips and tricks to get up early are appreciated.

where I'm at...

2012-02-14T23:47:00.000-08:00

Jonathan Robinson

Nothing really groundbreaking is coming to mind that I want to type about, so this post isn't going to change any lives. I figure since I'm stumped I'll just tell you where I'm at with my training.

Most of my physical goals are at or around par, except for the kilometres. Those pesky miles just keep sneaking past me. I need to be more diligent about hopping on those exercise bikes. I still can't get the hang of doing my 100 pushups before anything else in the morning but am working my way towards that. I took Mr. Hamilton's advice and am doing a handful of sets in the morning as I get ready for the day so that before I leave I complete at least 100. This is working nicely.

My personal goals are seeing steps taken to get me closer! I am officially applying to the local school boards as a teacher so that I can get my career started (personal goal #1). I also went to my first drop-in gymnastics session and practiced some flips and kicks on the springy floor so my 5 acrobatic techniques are on the way in (goal #2). I spoke with one of the people working there and found out about a school that is bilingual for English and Mandarin Chinese that i will try and volunteer at to increase my teacher-related skills (#3) as well as to help me become more fluent in Chinese (#4!). Also, definite plans are set for hiking the West Coast Trail (#5) and I even have some of my gear already. NO CANDY HAS BEEN CONSUMED!!! (#7).

Solid start, I think. I have a few more that I need to get started on, but they can wait for tomorrow. I'm not saying that in a procrastinarory kind of way, I'm just tired and hopping into bed.

Learning by teaching

2012-02-05T20:52:00.001-08:00

I was ambushed by Richard Leung on Saturday during open training. He wanted to know how we punch and why. What followed was me throwing punches in fast to slow mode, carefully watching myself the whole time and talking about what I was doing and why. The whole time he asked me questions and got me to repeat motions. We did this with a few different punches so that I could draw some parallels between the different punches with the hip motion involved until I had him throwing hooks with only hip movement and the arm staying totally still which he brought back to the hook. Things were clicking for him and I felt really good about what I was able to teach him.

The thing is, it was a great experience for me because I was forced to really look at my own techniques in closer detail than I ever do on my own and to ask myself why I do things the way I do. This really affirms to me one of the reasons why I enjoy teaching, and that's because of how much I myself learn too.

If anyone reading this wants a good learning experience, go to the beginner adult or black dragon classes. It's crazy what you'll learn.

Sihing Jon Robinson

Last night!

2012-01-29T13:10:00.001-08:00

Wow, was that ever a rush. I don't know if anyone noticed, but I was really hyper last night. How could I not be with all the excitement in the place?? There was a tangible buzz in the air that was like walking into a malfunctioning power plant; hair standing on end and sparks snapping between everyone's fingertips. The energy was unreal!
The performances by our 5 new Sifus were Awesome (notice the capital "a") and, coupled with the metal they blasted over the speakers, I was literally vibrating in my seat while watching. Congrats again, Sifus!
I think my personal favorite part of the night was leading the dragon for our dance. After our months of practice and hard work, I'm really glad that I didn't do anything stupid or forget anything. I don't think that dance could have gone any better. I'm sure everyone on the team could feel me speed up a little bit as I got more and more excited up on the stage. Luckily nobody slipped on those greased up mats. Big fist-bump to the dragon dance team. We rock!
Also congratulations to all the kids in the Little Leopard, Tiny Tiger and Black Dragon classes for an awesome effort on stage! You all put on a great show and your hard work shows. It takes a lot of courage to get up on stage and show hundreds of people your skills so give yourselves a huge pat on the back plus 20 pushups just for fun.
A big thank-you to Sihing Jerky(sp?) for organizing our roles for setup and takedown of the hall on kwoontalk and to everyone else, Sifus, Sihings and other belts, for helping out wherever you could and to those I voluntold to do things as well (especially the kid-wranglers in the basement, all fully capable of herding butterflies).
I can't wait until next year's! But I'm not going to lie, as I watched our old Sihings become new Sifus I was a little envious. But I'll be on that stage next time. I've put it off too long and am working hard to be with the next freshly minted batch of black belts.
Happy Year of the Dragon everyone!

Jon Robinson

START!

2012-01-23T23:51:00.000-08:00

THIS (look below) is how I am spending the next year. I've been Sihing Robinson long enough and I'm getting my blackbelt at the end of this year. This is part of how I'll get to that point in my Kung Fu. Of course, this is only one part of my plan for the year (a major part, but not the most important from my point of view). The other part is moving to the West end of Edmonton. I have figured out that I don't do well when away from the positive influence of the Kwoon and moving to the West from downtown will enable me to be there a lot more. I'm thinking it'll help. See you all Friday!

Jonathan Robinson -- I Ho Chuan requirements 2012

· No Quitting

· Weekly Blog

· Maintain online presence, linked with SRKF I Ho Chuan group and blog

· 0 unexcused absences from I Ho Chuan classes or meetings

· Excel with core curriculum

· Prepare for and Complete grading day

· Log 50,000 push/sit-ups

· Master 2 forms with minimum 1000 repetitions

o Lao Gar and Tonfa

· Log 1000 rounds of sparring

· 1609 Kilometers of running, walking, biking, etc…

· Record 1000 acts of kindness

· Qualify for and perform 3 public performances

· Learn to lion dance

· Compete in Tiger Challenge

· Complete a public 4 board break

· Mend a damaged relationship

· Organize, lead and participate in SRKF projects

· Memorize Mastery by Stuart Emery

· As a team

o Organize and lead SRKF’s Adopt-A-Driveway Program.

o Organize and lead SRKF’s Annual Kwoon Maintenance Project.

o Organize and lead the school to raise $20,000 for SRBF’s Pandamonium fundraiser.

o Be active participants in all school projects and initiatives.

· Personal requirements

o Start teaching professionally, either as a sub or in a class.

o Learn and master 5 aerial acrobatic techniques

o Volunteer with a school or public aid program of some kind

o Become more fluent in Chinese by putting myself in an environment where I will have the opportunity to use it

o Hike the West Coast Trail

o Prepare and cook 12 dishes of another ethnicity

o Eat no candy

o Stretch a total of 7000 minutes

o Spend a few hours each week with family

o Take a course on budgeting and investing of money. Cut current debt to 0$

o Improve on my planning and organization of Black Dragon program

Jon Robinson