My life as a rabbit

So far the month of April I am staying committed to being a vegetarian. The smells of barbecues in the spring air has been challenging though. There has been many a time I almost broke down and raced straight to the store to buy something that was once alive with the intention of putting myself in a meat coma. Actually the transition hasn't been that bad. I did notice a difference in how I feel though. I don't seem so full and can for sure feel a change for the better. I have been experimenting with all kinds of different foods and vegetables. Vegetarian burritos with some kind of beans and sweet potato as filler. Lots of different grains like quinoa, bulgar, and others I am not even going to try to spell. Basically I am eating everything I can get my hands on that's not meat. Smoothies, fruit, vegetables I didn't even know existed. I guess the most important part I have benefited from this challenge is the amplified awareness it has created to what I eat. I have watched what I eat for the most part, but now I watch closer. You can't trust these companies that supply us with food. They are infested with greed and don't seem to care how many people they kill or install diseases. My intention is to somehow get more involved in the agenda to bring this more into the public eye. To help stand beside those that choose to devote some of their time to stop this craziness. The amount of poisons that are put into our food is staggering. Our medical system is already exploding with sick people. Whats that going to be like for our children or future generations that are stuck with the burden of a overpopulated and highly expensive health care system. How can we as people let our government allow owners of food companies to sit on a board that decides what can and what can't be put into or distributed as food. Talk about a major conflict of interest. How can it be okay to genetically modify food or try to patent a vegetable. It's not. So this is one of my long term goals to raise awareness and make a solid commitment to my children and to others.

As far as my training is going, slow but steady. Some requirements are not bad, while others are completely messed. My focus lately has been my weapon form and Long one, and two. Working my way towards a 10 min horse stance. Doing some five animal form reps whenever I have some time. Trying to get in some kicks and stretching. Time is lean right now but I am doing whatever I can. Pretty soon I will starting riding my bike again and that should help alot for mileage and endurance. I want to ride my bike to class in the near future. I just have to ride to the kwoon and see how long it takes. Then pretty much set a time and consistently try to do better. I have to work on my 5 techniques here pretty quick. I am also in the process of learning Lao Gar and it's moving ahead little by little. That's all for now.
Brian Chervenka

Changes

Lots going on this past while. My little one turned 9 yesterday and I can't believe how the time has flew by. It seems like yesterday she was as long as my forearm and peeing on me at just minutes old. The first words, first steps, and the first line she read and the first scraped knee. It was a great feeling to have her need her Dad to help her along and make things better. She took on Independence very early and I was so proud to see her determination to take on everything. Starting with turning on lights, to feeding the cat, to growing her own flowers. Barely able to talk but saying very curtly, "I'll do it, I"ll do it!" As much as I love to see how well she is growing, in some ways I don't want her too. I can't help but feel the sting that all parents feel when their child becomes more and more independent and needs you less and less. I do realize that she will always need her parents at some point and as long as your child is alive you will always be a parent. It doesn't stop at 18 and it doesn't stop when you die. They will need you at every stage of their lives and its very important to balance that fine line between smothering and giving them the freedom to mature. Making sure you give them the life basics and timeless advice so no matter where they are, or you are, your guidance will always be there because all your teachings are ingrained into them and the understanding of love and acceptance is always there no matter what the situation. Its carved in stone. Happy Birthday little one.
As far as training goes I am slowly getting somewhat of a routine going. Its taking a while and its been difficult to get going sometimes. I am basically exhausted and trying to maintain some what of a schedule. My diet is completely out to lunch and metabolism up and down. So in order to get things back on track I am going to start back to square one as a whole. Coffee needs to go, because I drink too much of it and end up not eating till way late in the afternoon. For those that have spent long periods of time away from the kwoon will know what I mean when I say it is very damaging to your training. Yes it is your own personal journey, but the kwoon is where all of our training began. There is an indescribable energy and a house of expectation that keeps you focused both there and at home. But a prolonged absence can weaken that drive and I guess in some ways discipline and respect to the art. Taking on a new type of fuel that I am actually kind of excited about because I have never done it before. More fruits and vegetables and sourcing different types of protein could be fun and will do me some good I'm sure. I officially signed up for san shou tonight and will be ready to get a good schooling from our elite next Tuesday. As far as getting in time to train I will just have to make changes to suit as I have done before. So be it.
Brian Chervenka