Get 'er done!

This week has been a real struggle to get my push-ups, sit-ups and form reps in. Last night was the third night I was up until 1 or 2am pumping them out before I went to bed.

I don't know why, but I always end up leaving them until the last possible minute. To be honest, I don't like doing them, but I make myself everyday (or should I say night). It's really invigorating to fall into bed absolutly exhausted knowing you did it, you got those things done. Like Sifu Brinker was saying this week, you can have a horrible, aweful day but you get down and do your push-ups at the end of it and the world seems right again. No matter what happens, I can always count on those push-ups and sit-ups and form reps to pull me through.

That's a crazy thought.

When I was away doing fieldwork, I didn't do them. I told myself that I was too exhausted from the days hiking and a tent was no place to work out in...

Man do I regret that! Those are days lost that I will never get back. I had the opportunity to push myself beyond my everyday routine and I blew it.

Not doing them didn't help. I didn't get that daily ego boost I need and I noticed the difference. The hiking was that much harder the next day because I had already told myself that it was too much for me. By not doing my workout at the end of the day, I had admitted defeat, awknowledged that it was too difficult. I let myself down big time.

I've come to find, through this whole UBBT experience, that the workout itself isn't the point.The physical improvement is just a bonus.

The real value is in learning to keep promises to yourself, to be able to set goals, unbelievable goals, and get them done.

This week's workouts have been tough, but I wouldn't trade them for anything.

As a wise man once said...

"Don't take no @#$*# from no push-ups!"

Kung-Fu is awesome!

Well I'm back from Jasper finally.

I just spent about five days there conducting fieldwork on the Mount Head Formation by Talbot Lake and Mount Greenock. We took photos, measured the rock and took lots of notes.

Now comes the hard part of putting it all together to make a paper.

I really enjoyed being outside, although the hiking was pretty fierce, but I'm glad to be back.

Lately, I've been getting an itch to go to more Kung-Fu classes. After spending time sitting in front of a computer all day (excluding the field work) I'm finding I'm craving more activity. I'm hoping to make it to the beginer class, it's always super motivating, but I probably won't be home in time.

I can't wait!

Kung-Fu is awesome!

Anti-wasters unite! Better yet, stay home and save the gas...

I've always hated terms like "environmentalist" and "activist." For me, those are loaded terms that carry with them issues of wealth, nationality and education. 

 I have met many "environmentalists" and "activists" during my university career and, although I can't vouch for all of them, many I found were idealistic because it was the new fad and they could afford to be; it isn't difficult to attend a weekend protest when you don't have a job to go to. It's easy to drive an environmentally friendly car when you have the resources (or if your parents have the resources) to do so. It's harder to use less water when no one is watching, hard to pack a lunch or wear a sweater and turn the thermostat down. 

The environmentalist movement, for me, has become one associated with status and wealth. It has now become the "in" thing to go green and you see ads representing this trend (e.g.. car commercials, etc). 

This trend bothers me because, although on the surface environmentalism can be a relatively easy band wagon to join (start recycling for example), I think many people are missing the point. People aren't thinking of why and if they are, it's the wrong why.

Thus, I have decided to label myself as an "anti-waster."

This term for me embodies what environmentalism is meant to encompass, but without the baggage. I'm a firm believer in doing the best you can with what you have. I think true environmentalism takes thought and commitment. It shouldn't be as easy as buying the organic fruit in the supermarket. People should be gardening, taking shorter showers, reusing their sandwich bags, using a travel mug etc.

It's the little activities done in the background that ad up and make a difference, not the big, public things. 

I want people to think about what they're doing and why. Everything you do, how you live, how you define yourself should be because you know it's right and have figured out WHY it's right.

You shouldn't define yourself based on the opinions of others or in search of self gratification.

I guess in short my whole point is that you shouldn't be an environmentalist because you want to feel good about yourself or because you want to be trendy. It shouldn't be about showing off to others or getting pats on the back for recycling.

I think everyone should be an ant-waster because it makes sense. You shouldn't leave the light on because it wastes power and costs someone time, effort and money and uses up resources for no reason.

So be an ant-waster, but be one for the right reasons...

Leadership

As one of my projects for the UBBT, I have been running a leadership seminar this past month. This week is the final evening.
Every week, a different speaker has been giving a lecture on a different aspect of leadership. The first week Sifu Brinker spoke about public speaking. The second week was myself, with a presentation on how to find reliable information and the importance of being knowledgeable. Then, Sifu Playter discussed organization and discipline and how to successfully acheive a goal. Lastly, sifu Frietag spoke about how to effectivly teach.
Throughout this whole four week journey, the participants have had an assignment. They are required to make a presentation to the group about a project they have done or something they believe in. These presentations are due this Thursday. After the seminar, they are required within the next three months to successfully teach one technique in a class and publically promote their cause.

The goal of this entire endeaver has been to give students the tools needed to promote a cause. You can believe in something all you want, but if you don't know how to successfully promote it, you'll be believing it all by yourself.

I don't know how successful this seminar has been but I hope the participants have found it helpful and worthwhile. I myself have learned quite a lot from the presentations and I'm really excited to see what the students produce. My hope is that they carry this forward and pursue what they think is important. Now is the best time to start.

Thanks to everyone who has helped make this happen...it's been a lot of fun!