A Change in the Project - HHP

After careful consideration to the fact that I am not in my 20s anymore, I have decided that learning Wing Chun Kung Fu is probably not the best idea for my Hundred Hours Project.  I had forgotten how hard it is on the arms, and though it is a great workout, I think that I can devote these hundred hours to something a little more challenging and productive. 

So, with that in mind, my new hundred hours project is going to be:

Drawing

I have never really had the patience for creating art in this format.  When I was in junior high school, I nearly failed art because I couldn't draw a cube, and my sculptures were horrible.  Well, that was over two decades ago, and I think I have finally come to a point where it is time to learn the patience needed to learn the art.

I plan on starting this in a week, so that I can do a bit of research, possibly finding some YouTube videos and then buying needed supplies.  I plan on posting drawings when they are finished, so please, feel free to leave constructive criticism.  Remember, I cannot even draw a cube, so this should be interesting!

An Hour of Pain - 100 Hours Project Update

I nearly had to change my project for the Hundred Hours Project.  It really helps to do research before jumping into something.

I traveled to where the Kung Fu studio was.  I pulled in and noticed a realty sign on the door.  Oh crap!  Now, what am I going to do for my project?  Well, I got home and went to their website.  Everything seemed updated.  Class schedules, etc.  Then I looked at the address.  Turns out that they merely moved.  And, not only that, they moved to a building that is very close to my house.  Score!

I pondered whether or not I would show up a half hour late or not.  I don't like disturbing class and such, but these guys are really laid back.  They want students to come to their studio.  I decided that it would not be in my best interest to wait until Saturday to begin the project.  I went.

My car pulled up into the driveway and I found the studio with no issues.  It was located on the bottom floor in the front of the building, so it was nice and easy.  The door was open and I got out of the car and waved.  I don't think he recognized me until I got into the door.  Then the recognition was there and it was almost like I had never left.

They were teaching something that I hadn't been exposed to yet. And if I could spell it, I would write what it is here, but basically it was a block that ended with pulling one's opponent to the ground, or close to.  I started out with a woman who really didn't want to come in very hard with her punches, and with good reason.  But trying to block a fluffy punch is counterproductive.

After a while, I got paired with a guy with very strong arms. His punches and blocks were very strong and very painful for me.  Now, keep in mind that my arms and upper body were already hurting and sore from the two days at the batting cages and the day of archery in between.  But still, my forearms feel like they were slammed with a sledgehammer for a good portion of the time I was there.

After that, I got paired with a very petite female who has been going to classes for quite some time, and she really helped me get my beginning blocks down good.  The thing about this is that it is going to take practice and time.  And isn't that what this project is all about?  Devoting time to something?

So, one hour of class time down.  99 to go!

And Then There Were..... 25!

Greetings faithful Readers!  I am so very excited tonight.  Well, the day in general was awesome.  It was the first day off in nine days, and I really needed it.  I could feel my attitude in general start to lose its integrity last night.  We'll forget the fact that the store I was working at was in a town two hours away, and even though I never have to drive on these longer trips, the trip itself still makes for a rough work day (or night as the case sometimes is). 

I spent most of the day with a very good friend of mine.  She needed to get out, so I took her to the batting cages.  It is something that I enjoy doing when I get angry, frustrated or generally upset.  Not that she was any of these things, of course, but I could tell that the release of some energy would be really good for her as well as myself.  I had already been once earlier in the week, and yesterday I went to the archery range, obliterated one of my arrows, and shot really terrible.  But, even through the sore body, I managed to do quite well, if I say so myself.

After the cages, she took me to lunch, and we had wonderful conversation and I really got a chance to reflect on some of the other things going on in my life. It was a most successful, fun and satisfying afternoon.  I did end up falling asleep in the oversized chair at her apartment.  It's an awesome chair. It's huge and I feel like a Hobbit when I sit in it... hehehe...

She woke me up in time for me to get home for the live chat session for class tonight.  This first class in this program has proven to be interesting so far, even though it is an entry level class.  We all start somewhere, right?  The lecture itself was boring as hell.  It's the first one of the course, so the professor went over class expectations and things like that.  No one really had any questions about that.  Most have been in online classes either for a while, or before (like me). 

The most awesome news of the evening, though, came when I took a look at the academics page I noticed something odd about the class list.  History was supposed to be my next class to take after this one.  I thought that was rather odd as the transfer credits still stood at 22.5, which are the ones from Sac City College.  (I was already happy about that!)  I scrolled down the list of classes and found that 12 more classes had transferred over from Kaplan!  Oh my gosh, so not only do I NOT have to take algebra (happy happy joy joy!) I don't have to take Intro to Computers, History or English Comp 1 or 2.  I also noticed that I don't have to take the Sociology class anymore.  I'm super stoked about that, although I was kind of looking forward to it. I don't recall taking anything remotely like that, but if they say that I don't, then I'm not going to look a gift credit in the mouth!

Soooo... out of 42 classes, I only have 25 to go, which includes the one I am already taking.  I looked at the list, and they have me set up to take two classes at a time after the first six classes.  I was really hoping that they would double up on classes after the first three or so.  Perhaps I can talk them into doing that.  I don't know about you, but I want to get this done and over with as efficiently as possible! 

But the fact that I don't have to take almost half of the classes for this program (core classes) gives me the ultimate choice to do the happy dance.  Instead of a 2015 graduation date, my graduation date will be toward the end of 2014.  1.8 years is a small price to pay considering everything that I have already given up, sacrificed and spent on trying to achieve this goal. 

It's been a long time in coming and when I do finally graduate, there will be one hell of a graduation party!

The Newest Old Journey

Well, it's day two for school.  Officially, class doesn't start until Monday, but I know how difficult this is going to be to get back into the swing of things.  Even though they had a "practice" class the last two weeks, it still doesn't quite prepare one for the real thing.

I am only taking one class for the first term. The term length for this particular university is a mere five weeks.  They go with classes one then two then one, etc, until all the classes are finished.  Speaking of which, I am happy to say that 22.5 of my credits from a previous community college transferred over as electives.  At one class per term, that knocks out about four terms  of school. or three terms on the one on, two on premise. Either way, that's a bit less time for me to be in this program.

To further that, credits from the last online school will also be transferring.  They haven't determined which ones will, but I am hoping beyond hope that college algebra transfers.  I swear, if I have to take that bloody class one more time, I'm going to scream.  I think four times is enough for anyone, don't you?  I think there will be a good amount of core classes that may transfer, but looking at the class schedule, I think that probably only one or two classes will transfer over.  I'll try to stay optimistic, though.  :)

My first class is a Foundations in Criminal Justice.  It's a basic course that is already kicking my ass. Not REALLY, but there is a lot of reading involved on top of discussion board posts and there is a 4-6 page paper due at the end of every week.  On top of that, there is a group project due at the end of week four.  I just hope I don't get elected to be the one to compile all of the information. lol..  I could do it, but I'd rather survive this first class back with all of my hair still in tact.

I cannot imagine taking two classes that are this intense at once.  Even though I managed to do it and sometimes THREE classes all at once when I was going to Kaplan.  Their terms were ten weeks long, though.  Man, no wonder I felt like I was there forever! 

Why am I back in school after all this time?  Well, for a few reasons.  This really is my last chance (yes, I have that stuck in my head and it's my fantasy, I'll tell it, thanks.) to do something with my life to finally begin a respectable career and get my life into some semblance of order.  And, I want to be able to say that I have finally finished something in this life.  So many times I have started things and not finished them.  I received a latch hook project when I was still a small girl.  I got enthused to begin it and I got halfway through it.  I lost interest and put it away.  Several years later, like into my 20s, I still had it, half finished.  I'm not sure what happened to it, but I got rid of it, still only half finished.

Most of my projects aren't THAT bad, but some are.  School, for instance.  I really need to be successful with this degree program.  I am going to do the best that I can.  I had a friend of mine really encourage me to go back.  I'm glad that he'll be there when I need extra encouragement.  I know that I am going to need it.  There was mention of getting onto the Dean's list and another friend of mine is strongly encouraging me to get all As.  As for me, I'll settle for A-s in all my classes... lol!

 I haven't even told my dad that I'm back in school.  I've told my mother.  I don't know why I haven't mentioned it to my dad other than the phone connection between us is really bad.  My phone sucks and often doesn't get very good reception even in the wide open.  I have though about writing him a letter and sending it snail mail.  He like it when I do that.  He isn't very computer literate, and has trouble understanding email sometimes.  Yeah, I think I'll do that as soon as I'm done writing this blog entry.  He deserves to know sooner than the engraved invitation to my graduation party! Projected graduation date, by the way, 2015.

I've gotten a lot of support from my friends whom I have told, and believe me when I say that I hope they keep up that level of encouragement because I know that I will need it!

Okay, not I'm just babbling... again.  Back to the book.  Intro to Criminal Justice.  Woot woot!

::endtransmission::

Mental Stress and Kung Fu

As I write this, it is snowing lightly.  Really??! Umm.. Hey! Momma Nature, it's spring, didn't You know?  Please adjust accordingly, thanks!

Now that that's out of the way, I can continue writing about all the things going on in my life currently.  And boy howdy, there are a lot. 

I started a new job in December.  I work for an inventory service company as an inventory specialist.  That's a glorified way of saying that I count stuff for a living.  It pays crappy, and the hours are part time, but it was either that, or go nuts on the phones at the call center.  Oh yeah, that's right. I never blogged about my job there after I went back onto the phones.. lol..

To make a really long story short, I got promoted to the Senior level for their inaugural launch of the department.  I even got A.C.M.T. certified for this job on the company's dime.  (No, I will not fix your Mac) I struggled with the job for several weeks and finally got my stats where they should be and then some, but the mental strain was horrific.  The breaking point came when I got stuck on a three hour long phone call with a woman who called me every name in the book even after I went above and beyond to help her with her 17 email addresses.  (My job is to make sure that the mail program works, that's it.)  My supervisor had gotten on the phone to listen to this woman berate me time and time again.  I finally hung up on her after ten too many times of swearing at me.  Needless to say, I called off work the next day.  I went back the day after that, but the call just wouldn't go away.  It haunted me for another few weeks and I finally decided that my sanity was more important than the money I was making.  I worked at that company for three years and eight months in four different departments.  I was very proud of what I accomplished there, but it was time to move on.

So, my new job is mindless and I don't have to work with the public in any way, shape, or form unless it is to tell them that I don't work for the store we are counting.  I'm very polite and professional when it comes to that because I've been there before, the one asking where the laundry soap is to a merchandiser who doesn't work for the store.  No big deal.

Raven, my beautiful Raven.  Due to other circumstances, she has gone to live with a friend of mine and her family for a while.  She has been there since last June.  She is thriving and even made student of the month and student of the week in the school she is in.  She is in first grade now and still as smart as ever with the personality to match!  I miss her dearly, but for the time being, I know that she is in the place she needs to be to get the best care that she can get.  I am just grateful to have friends willing to help me out in the difficult time that I was and am still having.

I had to move out of my apartment due to financial reasons (this was before I quit my job at the call center) and I moved into a house with five other roommates.  Five??  Yeah. It's not the best living situation especially when you consider that there are two bathrooms, but only one working shower, so getting in when I need to isn't always easy, but I make due.  I did spend a short bit of time looking for a new place, but decided that I couldn't afford it at the present time, so for now I'm staying here. 

I mentioned in a previous blog that I joined a gym several months ago and I am proud to say that between working out and my new job, which is physically demanding, I have lost about fifteen pounds. I have another 15 or so go go before I reach my first goal and then another 20 after that to reach my target weight.  Honestly, I think I am doing really well, all things considered.

Guess who is back in school!  Yes, yours truly.  Ever since I quit the Business program at Kaplan I have been wanting to go back, but was putting it off and putting it off.  One of my friends encouraged me to go back so I did some research on majors.  I was so tired of seeing the same old crap....business, psychology, human resources, etc. I wanted to be in a field that was semi-different.  Yes, we all know how I like to be "different".  My top two majors have always been forestry and forensic science.  I did my research on forestry, which I could have taken, but I would have had to move to a town five hours away, and I really didn't want to do that.  While I was researching the colleges that provided online education (campus college just wasn't in the cards for me) I came across Criminal Justice with an emphasis on forensic science.  Sweet!  So, that's what I'm studying now.  My first class opened up today, but doesn't officially start until Monday.  I am nervous, excited, scared and enthused all at the same time.  So, in other words, I'm still in chaos..lol.. I don't think that will ever change.

In the words of Styx "I've got too much time on my hands.." was a mantra that was definitely the case before, but certainly not now.  My works hours are sporadic at best and never the same times of day, etc, so I have had to start relying on my not-so-smart smartphone and it's calendar to help me keep track of work times and such.  I've entered in all of my blocks of time that I have set aside for school, which I know will be a lot more than what I have put in, but it's a start.  I have also set aside blocks of personal time.  If I don't get that, I'll go nuts. 

I have also started the Hundred Hours Project to which I encourage everyone to join in on.  Yes, I will always put the link for the project in all of my blogs that pertain specifically to it because I believe that it is a worthy endeavor. My acquaintance that runs it is an awesome person and I appreciate her bring this project to light.  My project is going to be returning to Wing Chun Kung Fu.  Now I have the motivation to get it done, no excuses.  I have had to schedule that in along with school and other personal time, but now I don't have too much time on my hands... My first class back will be next Thursday as the days before are filled with work at the times the studio holds its classes. But, I will be starting!

Wow! I think that's it for now.  Really?  And, look at that!  It quit snowing.  I may actually get into the garden area once or twice again before the end of next week.  That's something I started up again the other day when the weather was really nice.  I love gardening, but those who have been following me for a while already know that.  Pics to come, of course.

So really, that is it for now.  Stay tuned for more updates and chaotic ramblings from the mind of one Onyx of DarkLite....

My Hundred Hours Project

Greetings all of my faithful readers and then some!

I'm back this year after finally getting a computer that won't die in a month (knock on wood) so I bring you this.

 The Hundred Hours Project

Started by an acquaintance of mine and something that I feel is worthwhile in doing.  I encourage all of you to join in this wonderful project!

I have thought long and hard about what it is that I really want to do for my project.  Something that won't cost a lot of money and that I will have the time to invest 100 hours in. It could be anything, I know, but I want this project to have some sort of meaning for me and something that will be fun and last a lifetime and all of that jazz.

Okay, Onyx, so just what are you going to do for your project?  Well, I thought about learning to paint, learning to fence, take clogging lessons (which is on my bucket list and that's a whole other blog in itself!) and even taking piano or voice lessons again, but money is really tight and trying to learn from YouTube videos just doesn't cover it.  So, what I am going to do is something that I have already spent some time doing last year and a little bit the year before, if my memory serves (which it doesn't half the time, hence the reason I blog).

Drum roll please....

Kung Fu

Not just any Kung Fu, but Wing Chun Kung Fu.  This particular form of martial arts is mostly upper body oriented.  Very few kicks involved.  It is a great workout and really helps focus the mind.  I go here because the classes are donation based.  You pay what you think they are worth, or what you can afford.  The instructors are really nice.  The classes are in a laid back setting, but really focused.  The classes are usually smaller, less than ten people last time I went, and I like that because I don't do crowds very well.

Anyone who has seen Ip Man has seen this form of Kung Fu.  It is based on the life of the man who brought Wing Chun Kung Fu to the light, so to speak.

So, there you have it.  I'll be blogging on a more regular basis with updates to my 100 hours of Wing Chun Kung Fu throughout the year.  We'll see how it goes!

Feel free to forward this blog to friends or link it with your blog or whatever it is that they do these days.  I look forward to seeing how many people participate in this.  Also, feel free to comment.


Not mine, but a really good sketch of Wing Chun Kung Fu.

I'm so excited about this project!