So, I haven’t really written just a regular old journal entry in a while.  I think it’s because "new and different" has ultimately made it’s way back to normal, and my need to comment on it all has diminished.

But, if I was actually putting to practice some of the advice I’ve received, or more seriously considering the goals I’ve set for myself, I’d be doing this much more often.

For starters, one of my favorite little quips of wisdom was from The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman.  The whole book was very good, but the part that stands out is the concept that "there are no ordinary moments".  That every breath is something new and different.  Everytime you pass the same spot on your daily commute, it has changed.  It’s our perception that makes it "normal" and mundane.  

Additionally, there is the subject of expectations and happiness…  not something I’m going to get into now, but something I haven’t been paying attention to like I should.

And finally, there are the goals I’d set for myself.  I’m always taking on projects, my own or someone elses, in some kind of attempt to fill the inactive voids in my life.  So, of course I probably set the bar a bit high.  But my main goals were to write more and actually put some of my ideas to paper.  I have multiple stories that are just outlines and one or two line concepts, I have notebooks full of unfinished poems, and I have a few journals that only have my chickenscratch (or heiroglyphics if you ask my friends) on the first few pages.

One of the things I was most proud of in high school was my writing.  In fact, I originally wanted to major in English so I could write, but changed my major out of fear of not getting a job or making enough money.  Which, in retrospect was probably pretty smart, considering the mountain of debt that resulted from college.  The fact that I’ve let that aspect of my self fade has been a cause of anguish for years.  But I told myself I’d be better once I was over here and working from home.  I figured I’d have more time, and more motivation from being in a new place and seeing new things.  But it hasn’t quite happened yet.  I have been better about it, but not good enough.

My other goal was improving and continuing my martial arts study and training.  I’ve hit a bit of a wall here, because I haven’t found a place to train yet, and the language barrier has been intimidating…  though if I was being true to all I’d learned in the martial arts, I wouldn’t let that hold me back.  There was supposed to be some sort of exhibition this weekend, but we forgot about it, and have since missed it. 

In addition to continuing my training, I’d like to try some new styles.  I’d had a taste of a few others in Ithaca, and I’d like to branch out a bit.  Of course, I’d keep my primary focus on taekwondo.  I’ve come too far with that to just stop.  Plus I promised myself I wouldn’t let myself lose it like I did with karate.  So I have been self-training, but it’s not the same…  especially considering I only spend about 1/2 hour each morning.  And that’s usually fairly rushed.

But on the up-side, I might be teaching an informal class once per week, which will help me evaluate and grow myself, also.  And I’ve started adjusting my work schedule to flow around my life much better than I had previously… 

Anyway, this is one attempt at me to make sure I write more.  I’m going to try to make sure to write a little something each day.  Not always a journal entry like this.  Sometimes short stories or poems, or a news-style report on something we’ve seen or done.

With any luck, I’ll finally get around to working on some of my stories…  most of all, I hope to finally start the children’s book Jess and I want to work together on.  It’s based on our rabbit, Smudge, and will be called Smudgie the pudgie bunny (and all the things he ate).  That’s the working title anyways…  So maybe I’ll post some of it here once we finally get our butts in gear.