The White Is Gone

The sun is shining (or it was a minute ago), the white is gone (for today) and the leaves are ready to burst.  Finally!  I have just come in from cutting lawn, not that there is a lot to cut right now, but I was desperate for a fix.    Every year there is somewhat of a contest with our neighbors as to who gets their lawn mower out first. As of today we win!  It’s kind of goofy, it’s not like there is a prize or anything, just an unspoken neighbourhood quirk.

 Honestly, for me, yard work is therapeutic.  When things seem crazy or I just need some quiet time, the best thing for me is outside in the yard.  The best smell in the world in fresh cut grass.  The best sounds are kids laughing, frogs chirping and birds singing.  That’s the make of a great day!  I think we each need to find those things that we truly enjoy, those things that rejuvenate us and give us peace.   We need to see the value in these things, to realize that we don’t always need to have an end product to show that we actually accomplished something.  When we take the time to do things we enjoy, I think we are happier and do a better job on the things we need to do.  Everyone needs to take that time to draw, go fishing, go for a motorcycle ride or even go mow the lawn, the sky is the limit!

Alana Regier

An Eye Opening Evening

Saturday night my family and I had the opportunity to attend a fundraiser for a project through an organization called Heart for Africa.  It started off with silent auction items and a great meal.  Then our oldest son’s youth group provided entertainment of the newest fashions yet to come.  Lastly was a wonderful presentation from Janine Maxwell who is the co-founder for Heart for Africa.  Wow, what a story!  This lady, at one time, ran a huge advertising firm that had accounts with clients such as Kellogs, Disney and Coke.  Her life changed dramatically after being in New York on September 11 and having to be evacuated from her hotel, at the same time having her husband on an American airline to Chicago as the twin towers went down and planes fell out of the sky.   She got home safely with her entire family; however, she was not the same person.  She talked about how she started to question what was important in life and what her purpose was.  And so her journey began. Through a series of events in her life, which included closing her 20 million dollar a year business, is now moving to Swaziland, Africa with her family in 39 days.

 Why does it sometimes take something drastic to happen in our life before we actually realize what is truly important?  We take so many people and things for granted on a daily basis.  As I listened to Janine tell stories of children who she has met over the years working in Africa, my heart broke.  The thousands of children who are orphans, largely due to the spread of HIV, is absolutely staggering.  The video presentation put faces to children and gave just a glimpse of what some of the conditions are like over there.  It is HORRIBLE!  As I sat there listening, I would glance over at our youngest son who was hearing the exact same words and seeing the same pictures, wondering whether this was appropriate for him.  After only a second, I came to the conclusion that it is good for all of us to be aware of what is going on around the world; you certainly can’t depend on only the news for your information.  We may not always like what we hear but unless we are made aware of exactly what is happening, nothing is ever going to change.

 At the end of the evening, talking to our oldest son, who is 14, the first thing he said to me is “I want to go there!”    He read my mind.  That is exactly what I came out of the evening with.   Never underestimate the power of awareness.  Not everyone in the hall that evening is on their way to Africa, but out of approximately 200 people who attended Saturday night’s function; over $38,000.00 was raised for their current project.  As for our family, well we are seriously talking about what we can do and who knows exactly where that will take us…

As our Pandamonium is coming up, it is a good reminder that awareness can make a difference and move people in a variety of ways to help wonderful causes and make a difference in our world.

For anyone interested in information on Heart for Africa, or for their current project called Project Canaan, you can check out their website at www.heartforafrica.org

Alana Regier

Another Year Older

Well I am about 3 weeks away from turning the big 39.  I received an envelope in the mail today that says in big letters on the outside “FOR YOU ON YOUR BIRTHDAY.”  I was kind of excited.  Imagine my surprise when inside it was an offer for free wrinkle cream; seriously?  This is the second year in a row, and I have to tell you I feel like writing a little note back.  Do they really think I’m going to order anything now?

 For the most part, I don’t feel old.  Minus the issues I have with my shoulders and recently my knee, I feel pretty good.  To be honest I have had moments, like after a class here and there, where I have wondered my own sanity as I hear my body cracking and creaking, but I keep coming back for more.   I still enjoy acting like a kid now and then, and enjoy doing things just because it looks like fun.  Seeing me flying down the slip and slide trying to slow down before the compost pile may not be a pretty sight, but it’s a good laugh.

 Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying bring on the wrinkles.  However,  I like to think that the laugh lines I have are because I have laughed in my life and that the sun spots are because I have spent hours outside enjoying God’s creation.   As far as the sore joints and muscles, well maybe it’s because I’ve used them too.   I would rather feel like I have lived and laughed in my life than sit on a couch covered in anti-wrinkle cream preserving myself. 

Alana Regier

Yesterday's Meeting

 At the beginning of the I Ho Chuan, I seemed focused on getting my numbers every day, to the point where it kind of stressed me out.  In the meeting before yesterdays, I finally understood the idea of the push ups and sit ups; to keep us engaged.  Understanding that totally changed how I approached them and the value I saw in them.  They truly don’t stress me out anymore.  I have my log book on the counter every day all day, and as I walk by I go down for 50.  Being that there is more than one person in our house hold on the team, we push each other.  I see Darcy go down, I go down.  When he is out of town, I’ll send a note “how about joining me for push ups?”  Down we both go, or so I think (just kidding, I know he does). 

So I got that sorted out, now to the never ending list of things I need to work on.  In the meeting I mentioned my list that gets longer after every class as I realize all the things I need to correct and improve.  Well I have taken Sifu Brinker’s advice and picked one thing that I am going to focus on.  When I look at ‘the list’ I can see the connection that this one thing has with many others on ‘the list.’  By focusing on this one thing, I will also be working on a number of others at the same time; therefore, my list gets shorter, yah!

I am still the one that sits quiet in the corner listening to everyone tell their story.  In my mind, thinking I am the only one feeling the way I do or struggling with certain things in my training.   As I sat in yesterday’s meeting listening to where everyone was both physically and mentally, there was something from everyone that I could say “me too”; everything from saying no to the cookie yelling at me, to suffering from fatigue.   Surrounding ourselves with likeminded people, with similar interests and goals also seems to surround ourselves with people with similar challenges.  I found it quite uplifting to see how a group of people, a team, come together to support and encourage each other.  I also saw that there was not one thing mentioned that someone else had not also experienced at one point.  Everyone was so willing to offer suggestions and words of encouragement.  It truly makes a person glad to be a part of something so positive!

A big thanks!

Alana Regier

A Kick Out Of Bed

It’s Easter Monday, the kids have the day off and we have a morning together that nobody needs to be up early and running to get somewhere.  Its 7:00 am and this little form appeared at our bedroom door dressed in his kung fu uniform, tiptoeing into the bedroom.  We were already awake, just hadn’t got my butt out of bed yet.  When our youngest saw my eyes open he asked “Can we go in the garage to practice kung fu?”  Talk about motivation and a kick in the butt.

 I am totally amazed and encouraged by the enthusiasm that our kids can have and how much it can motivate everyone around them.   As I write this he is in the garage with dad practicing kung fu.  A couple of days ago he got the idea that he wanted to learn Kempo 3.  We went in the garage and after about an hour he had it.  If only I could learn that fast!  Now that he has learned something new, he is excited and wanting to practice and perfect it.  He has such a passion for learning when it is something that interests him, whether it is kung fu, guitar or even math.  I love seeing how he attacks a challenge.   He goes out with the intent on learning something, focuses and practices and has the mindset that he can do it.  He does not have the discouraging thoughts that have him defeated before he even starts.  He comes in with a positive attitude and a lot of umph.  I think we can all learn something from people like this and maybe if we took more of an approach like this, we would be more successful with challenges we run into on a daily basis.

Alana Regier

A Challenge Going Well

I have to admit, I am a little behind the times.  Technology amazes and scares me.  I have taken a couple of basic computer classes in college (a while ago), but since then things have changed dramatically.  One of my challenges this year has been to learn how to use my computer.  I know for most people this is a daily part of their life.  Up until recently, my knowledge ended at sending and receiving emails and the basic word document.  My first dive into this started with setting up my flavors page and blog page.  I blew off the dust and went to work.   I thought I might go crazy.  I don’t think I had ever spent so much time on the computer  as I did that first week.  Some things to this day I couldn’t tell you how I did it. 

 I am a picture fanatic.  I have thousands of pictures that I have printed, on USB sticks and discs.  I have always wanted to be able to do more with them.  I wanted to have them organized, be able to edit them, make movies etc.  I am happy to say that I have successfully completed my first 2 movies, music, extras and all.   I have even gone back to close to 1000 slides (for those that can remember what slides are) of family memories from when I was growing up and put them onto my computer.  Luckily, I have had a good teacher; our 14 year old son.  I have a dummy book beside my computer where I write everything down, and I mean everything.  I have had so many “I remember…” moments ,  learned so much and am so enjoying being able to use the technology that has been in front of me for years .  The time spent with my son, that’s a bonus.  I kind of think he enjoys it too (although he will never admit it) and is almost disappointed when I figure things out on my own.  Thanks Brandon!

Alana Regier