Monday is appalling, even at Kung Fu school. Nay, especially at Kung Fu school! It froze after the rain— winter, like a frosty sock on the clothesline, refuses to let go. I ran my laps indoors this morning to avoid the treacherous ice cover on the courtyard. Tom and Charlie opted to run right over it, which was plain stupid. Charlie almost paid for it. Maybe he hasn't enough experience slipping to know what he’s messing with. After all, he comes from Africa.
I was so sore this morning, so stiff. Everything still hurts from Friday. That, along with residual fatigue, contributed to a number of slip-ups in the morning drills, which did little to improve my mood. The master was out of sorts as well, probably also due to the cold. He disappeared for a while, right around Chi Gung time, but he was happy to see me conditioning my hands alone when he returned, and that seemed to be the turning point of the day. I acquired a small injury to my right index finger during hand conditioning today. Responding to impact stress, my finger has swollen a bit around the first joint. I assume this serves as sort of natural, inflatable, splint to keep the connection stable. The master was quite happy about this, hopefully only because it shows I’m not slacking.
I’m starting to get the hang of the conditioning. Like most everything in Mantis Fist, it’s all about relaxing. We draw one hand at a time over our heads and bring it falling (more like whipping) down into the bean-bag. What’s important is keeping the shoulder relaxed, because if the shoulder is tense it effectively separates the body’s inertia from the hand— which is the part that delivers the smacking and, so, wants all the force it can get. Relaxing is also the key to our punching power, kicking drills, and, obviously, stretches. I am really making strides in relaxing during tough stretches. The body naturally tenses up in response to pain, and these stretches hurt terribly, but practice makes perfect.
In the afternoon I learned a ton of new movements for my second form, so many I may have trouble remembering them all. Perhaps I’ll practice before dinner, but maybe not . . . probably not. I’m still writing, for one thing, and I’m at a suspenseful part of “Breaking Bad,” a series I started yesterday.
Ending notes— the new cook continues to outperform, the master is showing me how to scrub my shoes later, and its so, so cold. I had to bring my frozen socks in onto the radiator, and my poor, drenched towel into the furnace room. And, to Aunt Sue, you’re very generous, but I fear shipping coffee to China might be a big hassle. I can surely find something here, eventually.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
First Chinese Rain
I planned to write something on the one-month anniversary of my trip, but it slipped my mind and today will have to do. Today, I have been gone one month and three days. It’s a rainy Sunday and the laundry, once so close to being dry, is getting another wash cycle. No dry no socks remain, and no dry towel, so I probably need to bring some in onto the radiator. I don't want to, since it will funk up the room, but no other choice presents itself. For now, however, I’ll stay in bed.
Staying in bed is normal behavior at the camp, at least on weekends, but today it’s just Tom and I. Bernard’s girlfriend is in town, so he’s rented a room someplace to take a break from camp life. I don't know where Lion is. And as for Charlie, he invariably retreats to his Korean girlfriend’s apartment every weekend. The lure of heat and home cooking is strong. All I’ve managed today is to eat, call home, read some articles, and give my shoes a wash. The shoes I received are still bigger than I would like, and I may have to buy another pair. Hopefully, a wash in hot, hot water will do something for them. If not, the world won’t end. They only cost five or six dollars (about a third as much as the same shoe costs online in the states, even excluding shipping).
I’ve discovered the convenience of Internet radio. It’s free, with less advertising than traditional radio, and it relieves the burden of choice on my part. Listening and playing Go passes the time quite well when I need it to. I’ve yet to secure a board for the school, but I definitely will. I also need to get some coffee, even instant will do. It’s hardly the weekend if one can’t have coffee in the morning.
Staying in bed is normal behavior at the camp, at least on weekends, but today it’s just Tom and I. Bernard’s girlfriend is in town, so he’s rented a room someplace to take a break from camp life. I don't know where Lion is. And as for Charlie, he invariably retreats to his Korean girlfriend’s apartment every weekend. The lure of heat and home cooking is strong. All I’ve managed today is to eat, call home, read some articles, and give my shoes a wash. The shoes I received are still bigger than I would like, and I may have to buy another pair. Hopefully, a wash in hot, hot water will do something for them. If not, the world won’t end. They only cost five or six dollars (about a third as much as the same shoe costs online in the states, even excluding shipping).
I’ve discovered the convenience of Internet radio. It’s free, with less advertising than traditional radio, and it relieves the burden of choice on my part. Listening and playing Go passes the time quite well when I need it to. I’ve yet to secure a board for the school, but I definitely will. I also need to get some coffee, even instant will do. It’s hardly the weekend if one can’t have coffee in the morning.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Blue Sky Friday
Mmmm, what a great day it’s been so far. I got to bed nice and early yesterday, woke up about as happy as possible, went to breakfast, watched Starcraft (in the early morning there’s plenty of bandwidth), and went out to train. It was sunny— not exactly warm, but breezy and refreshing for the morning jog. Training went smoothly. The master complimented my punch, we worked on forms, and went to Chi Gung, which was amazingly successful. There was some Korean chicken curry for lunch too, things are peachy in Yantai today.
After lunch the master called a meeting to explain that this afternoon will be power training (lots of exercise, but not much Kung Fu). If we train hard with weights on a normal day, the next day’s training will suffer, so from now on Friday will be our power-training day. I’m not looking forward to it, but it’s only two hours, and nothing holds us to the regimen besides the honor system (easily marginalized by rationalization).
My room is very clean this week, the master told me I needed to keep tidy or I wouldn't be able to rest properly. His room is spotless and practically empty, save for his blankets, which lay folded and stacked during the day. I’ve noticed the master also eats every last grain of rice from his bowl at meals, and so do I now.
P.S. Thanks to the commenters, it’s fun knowing you’re reading, and I appreciate the encouragement.
Edit-- We were not left to the honor system, that training was tough! I got to laugh it up some though, because I got to watch Charlie and Tom try the stretch the master makes me do ^__^.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Business as Usual
I can see the school is preparing to accommodate another student. During the past few days a room near mine has been stocked with bedding, cleaned, and painted. I’m not sure exactly when he will arrive, but I look forward to the day. It’ll be fun having someone to practice with, perhaps even after hours.
I haven’t written in several days. This partly because not much of note has happened, and partly because, after some final throes of unruliness, the Internet in my room is now stable, and so is my VPN. At last I have something to entertain me in the off hours besides dated BBC travelogues. Consequently, I am writing less. This keyboard is a hassle and the Internet is tempting. I really must buy a supplementary keyboard, because writing this way is a total chore.
Training continues at a steady rate. I spend most of the morning working on a particular movement that gives me a lot of trouble. I need to take a step forward, and let my back foot sort of slid up behind me. Doesn't sound so bad, does it? The issue is that it’s difficult to get the stability needed for sliding that foot up without leaning over my front knee. This is one of the relatively few instances where my leg is supposed to extend in this manner— much like a spider’s leg. There are also arm movements accompanying those motions, which add to the difficulty in not leaning forward. Oh well, it will probably come along in time. Chi Gung lasted a long, long time today. Keeping a clear mind is harder when one’s muscles are burning.
Today I stretched as far as I ever have. Master told me to take a rest, so I decided to do a stretch (the sort where you sit on the ground and spread your legs as far as possible), because the normal training doesn’t allocate much time to static stretches like that, but I still want to keeping working on them. However, the master took an interest in my activity and decided I needed help. First he and Andy grabbed a leg each, then they pushed them apart. That was ok, but then then he sat opposite of me doing the same stretch, except for that he was leaning back instead of forward, pulling me into the stretch. I was honestly very worried by the overly stretched sensation I was getting, and because when I would say “enough!” the master would only reply, “relax, relax!” And I knew if I relaxed as requested he would only feel like pulling harder. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if my legs were near 160 degrees.
I also discovered today that the only remaining part of the form I’ve been practicing was the bow! So I finished it, and started in on a new one. The master also mentioned that he wants to take me to a competition in july. Right now that doesn't sound like a great idea, but maybe things will progress faster than I imagine.
Today we were joined by a new cook. In fact, the same one I mentioned a few days ago. I don't know why the old one is leaving. Hopefully he’s not being pushed out of the job, but I am glad to have the other fellow on board.
Uh, I’m tired, don't have much to say after all. Maybe tomorrow will provide some interesting topics.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Last Week of Leisure
After receiving a call from my Dad, Daniel told me to use his room until the Internet is boosted. He’s normally away from the school, since he has an apartment and another business to run, so I can use it practically every evening, hooray! Yesterday was the last day of the Spring Festival, a big party day for the Chinese, so afternoon classes were cancelled. The cook was away celebrating the occasion and somebody else filled in for dinner. Daniel should hire this man. He laid out some delectable dishes for us— thin sliced pork cooked in a garlic-y sauce, some Hoisin and soy-sauce cabbage with beef, steamed buns, thin sliced potatoes (hard to describe), egg fried rice, and some sweet rice dumplings in a dish of thin, opaque sauce. The rice dumplings were chewy on the outside, incredibly sweet and strangely starchy on the inside, and had a flavor I just can’t pin down. Afterwards, I spent the better part of the night happily watching Starcraft for the first time in forever. Normally the others torrent movies, thereby clogging the bandwidth, but they were away. About an hour after their departure my DL speed rose from around 15 kbs, on average, to near 200 kbs.
Last night was a special occasion, so I made an exception, but starting this morning I’m going to watch what I eat more carefully. The food is so good and abundant here that it’s easy to overeat. I have definitely gained weight since my arrival, despite the extensive exercise, and I won’t tolerate it any longer. To be truthful, this has been sneaking up on me since the holiday season began back in the states. It shouldn't prove too difficult to correct things though, not in this environment.
Gah, I’m glad it’s finally Friday, this week has gone on long enough. My body didn't want to loosen up this morning, probably on account of the leg exercises I did yesterday. I couldn't even stand in the relatively easy Chi Gung pose without feeling immediate fatigue in my legs. What will I get up to this weekend? I’m not sure, but I won’t complain if it’s not too intense.
Starting on Monday the master will be here full time, and I haven’t any doubt training will get tougher. It’s a lot easier to slack when he’s not supervising. He’ll also be bringing me a pair of Feiyue Kung Fu shoes which will make practice easier, not to mention more beneficial, just by the wearing of them. The master also intends to secure a conditioning tool— a bag full of small metal bits and Chinese traditional medicine to whack my hands against. He says after a week of that I should be able to break a brick (the bricks here are weak though), and after a hundred days I should break a slab of rock. He has to request that his old master he make one for us, so it will be a time before I start. That's fine by me. The others are also doing a similar conditioning, but their bags are full of beans.
Lastly, good news to top off the week! Andy’s mother didn't like the idea of him working so far (I guess it was going to be far) away. He’s going to stay here at the camp after all. Also, according to Daniel’s mother in law, there should be a new Mantis Fist student coming in about two weeks! This is good news because motivation grows with company, and I’ll have somebody besides the master to practice drills with. He tries to tone it down, but his arm is like a metal bar— not so comfortable to drill with. I just spoke with Bernard at lunch. He confirms that another student is coming. A friend of his, in fact, who “never did any martial arts, never even any sports.” I think his name is julian (I can copy-paste the j, but I can’t find a capital one, sorry julian).
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Our Training Venue
I tried to upload some pictures of the halls where we train the other day. It was a failure, but here goes another shot.
This is the main, empty, hall where we spend most of the time:
Some wooden training dummies:
Indoor punching bags (they are sooo heavy, punch one at your peril) :
Dinner time, I will have to add the others later.
This is the main, empty, hall where we spend most of the time:
Some wooden training dummies:
Indoor punching bags (they are sooo heavy, punch one at your peril) :
Dinner time, I will have to add the others later.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Andy, We Hardly Knew Ye
After my friend Lars spent a year in Australia he returned with a liking for country music and a new appreciation for the ol U.S.A. I’ve been absent less than a month, yet already I’m experiencing similar feelings (sans the country music).
China really is a foreign land. Big discovery, I know. I knew that, I know that, but still the local way of things grates at my sensibilities. For instance, there is the traffic. Anyone who has been here before, or knows a bit about the country, knows that to drive in China is madness. They have a total disregard for traffic laws here, and absolutely will not slow down, no matter what lies ahead— be it pedestrians or a city bus, everything is expected to make way. I’ve been in five cabs since my arrival, and all of them have either driven the wrong way down a one-way street, or deliberately taken roundabouts the wrong direction. I cannot believe I haven’t seen an accident— or should I say crash? I doubt the driving deserves the word “accident.”
I learned today that Andy is leaving us inside the week. He is going to drive a truck in his family business. I asked him why, and he said he likes the life he leads now, but that he can’t say no to his family. His older brother, who drove the vehicle until now, recently married, and apparently his wife cannot abide Yantai. Thus, they are moving away, his brother can no longer pilot the truck, and Andy is obliged to take his position. I asked if they couldn't simply hire someone who isn’t Andy. He said, yes, it was possible, but that it would cost his family a good deal of money. I didn't voice it, but I thought, “this would never happen in America.” It feels unfair that Andy has to give up the work he’s found himself, the work he enjoys, and go drive a truck full time, alone, on his parent’s account— as opposed to practicing English and exercising all day with us. Perhaps this does happen in America and I have been too privileged to experience it, and perhaps Andy’s parents are in dire straights and actually can’t afford somebody else. Perhaps, but it still sucks for Andy and it still sucks for us.
On a totally different topic, training went quite well today. I practiced my form a lot. Also, I’ve decided to try working around those troublesome push-ups with free weight exercises and hindu-push-ups, which are lower impact. The master wasn't here today, so I didn't get a chance to discuss it with him, but I intend to at the first opportunity.
This is a morning post, outside the guard is shouting at the dogs, “zho! zho!”
China really is a foreign land. Big discovery, I know. I knew that, I know that, but still the local way of things grates at my sensibilities. For instance, there is the traffic. Anyone who has been here before, or knows a bit about the country, knows that to drive in China is madness. They have a total disregard for traffic laws here, and absolutely will not slow down, no matter what lies ahead— be it pedestrians or a city bus, everything is expected to make way. I’ve been in five cabs since my arrival, and all of them have either driven the wrong way down a one-way street, or deliberately taken roundabouts the wrong direction. I cannot believe I haven’t seen an accident— or should I say crash? I doubt the driving deserves the word “accident.”
I learned today that Andy is leaving us inside the week. He is going to drive a truck in his family business. I asked him why, and he said he likes the life he leads now, but that he can’t say no to his family. His older brother, who drove the vehicle until now, recently married, and apparently his wife cannot abide Yantai. Thus, they are moving away, his brother can no longer pilot the truck, and Andy is obliged to take his position. I asked if they couldn't simply hire someone who isn’t Andy. He said, yes, it was possible, but that it would cost his family a good deal of money. I didn't voice it, but I thought, “this would never happen in America.” It feels unfair that Andy has to give up the work he’s found himself, the work he enjoys, and go drive a truck full time, alone, on his parent’s account— as opposed to practicing English and exercising all day with us. Perhaps this does happen in America and I have been too privileged to experience it, and perhaps Andy’s parents are in dire straights and actually can’t afford somebody else. Perhaps, but it still sucks for Andy and it still sucks for us.
On a totally different topic, training went quite well today. I practiced my form a lot. Also, I’ve decided to try working around those troublesome push-ups with free weight exercises and hindu-push-ups, which are lower impact. The master wasn't here today, so I didn't get a chance to discuss it with him, but I intend to at the first opportunity.
This is a morning post, outside the guard is shouting at the dogs, “zho! zho!”
Monday February Fourteenth
Man, I’m in a poor mood. My master didn't show up today, so I skipped out on the better part of Chi Gung and retreated to my computer, only to find the power flickering on and off seemingly at random (shortly thereafter, Daniel’s mother in law walked in and bothered me about not practicing. I think she was concerned about me, but it was only fifteen minutes, woman!). I’m writing now with pen and paper, and maybe I’ll retype and blog this when I have a chance. Andy told me the master was approached during the festivities and implored, super earnestly, by a family to teach their two kids (or something like that) so he is spending part of his time with them till the 22nd.
Yantai is cold this morning, far colder than yesterday. Instead of going back to sleep after breakfast I warmed up a bit and practiced my form. The master was considerably unhappy last Thursday when I neglected to practice the latest section of it (because I had forgotten the way it went). So, I thought I should make a good showing today. However, he did not appear, and it was for naught. Well, not true, I still benefited from the extra practice.
After training began in earnest (eight thirty) I practiced kicks all morning. It completely wears me out. Everyone is very stiff on Mondays, and I was no exception. My back didn't feel too good, though thankfully it feels well enough at the moment. I posted on Reddit about my back situation (that I desperately want to train, but worry that it will never get better if I continue, and am wondering what to do). Most said I should try not to irritate it, and that I should go get a massage, or a few massages. I ran the idea past the guys here, and they thought it sounded about right. Massages are quality, and of a low price, around here. Bernard mentioned that Daniel has been considering bringing a masseuse/masseur on to come round on the weekends and give massages in our rooms. That sounds positively ideal, but at the rate things move around here I think I’d better see to my own arrangements.
I admit to feeling pretty worn down right now. The pair drills the others are working on look like a blast. I have learnt one, but no one is available to practice it with. I think I better talk to the master next time I see him. He told me I cold talk to him whenever I have a problem, and the sooner I resolve this situation the better. I feel like an idiot about this whole thing, because I knew, leaving Juneau, that there was a chance this exact situation would develop. I ignored it though, the tickets were purchased, I wanted to leave, and I wasn't doing anything at home. God, I feel stupid. Exactly how long before I learn to stop sweeping dust under the rug? I hope this all turns out alright. Tom just stopped in to say all my laundry’s blown off the line, I think I’ll go gather it.
More Written At Night—
Wow, my day really turned around! The master showed up for dinner and said he wanted to meet up at (damnit, my seven key is broken) seven in the rec room. I assumed this was to review my progress, and I wasn't terribly looking forward to it since I was tired. We did review the form, the last bit of which I had a little wrong, (I sorta thought I did) but it was swiftly corrected and he didn't seem to mind. Then he taught me the next section, and after that we worked on three different drills, which are totally awesome. All three are similar, but differ as the sequences progress. Ah, it would probably bore whoever might read this to hear me describe them, but I will do it anyway. The first is a mainly hand oriented drill, but there is a groin kick (with defense) at the end which marks the reversal of attacker and defender. The second one has a leg sweep, and if they dodge the leg sweep a side kick to their back leg, it rocks. And the last one is an arm lock (or break) with an escape/reversal to it. The moves are so clever, right when your arm is straightened and starting to be twisted, you spear it forward, with the body following, sliding right past the opponent’s side. Then, as you begin to pass him, you check his elbow and twist to face him, drawing your formerly captured hand, which is now grabbing him, back to straighten the enemy arm. It’s very slick.
So I had a lot of fun and success tonight, a very welcome change. But wait, there’s more! The shower got fixed, and we’re no longer obliged to stand in widely fluctuating temperatures!
Yantai is cold this morning, far colder than yesterday. Instead of going back to sleep after breakfast I warmed up a bit and practiced my form. The master was considerably unhappy last Thursday when I neglected to practice the latest section of it (because I had forgotten the way it went). So, I thought I should make a good showing today. However, he did not appear, and it was for naught. Well, not true, I still benefited from the extra practice.
After training began in earnest (eight thirty) I practiced kicks all morning. It completely wears me out. Everyone is very stiff on Mondays, and I was no exception. My back didn't feel too good, though thankfully it feels well enough at the moment. I posted on Reddit about my back situation (that I desperately want to train, but worry that it will never get better if I continue, and am wondering what to do). Most said I should try not to irritate it, and that I should go get a massage, or a few massages. I ran the idea past the guys here, and they thought it sounded about right. Massages are quality, and of a low price, around here. Bernard mentioned that Daniel has been considering bringing a masseuse/masseur on to come round on the weekends and give massages in our rooms. That sounds positively ideal, but at the rate things move around here I think I’d better see to my own arrangements.
I admit to feeling pretty worn down right now. The pair drills the others are working on look like a blast. I have learnt one, but no one is available to practice it with. I think I better talk to the master next time I see him. He told me I cold talk to him whenever I have a problem, and the sooner I resolve this situation the better. I feel like an idiot about this whole thing, because I knew, leaving Juneau, that there was a chance this exact situation would develop. I ignored it though, the tickets were purchased, I wanted to leave, and I wasn't doing anything at home. God, I feel stupid. Exactly how long before I learn to stop sweeping dust under the rug? I hope this all turns out alright. Tom just stopped in to say all my laundry’s blown off the line, I think I’ll go gather it.
More Written At Night—
Wow, my day really turned around! The master showed up for dinner and said he wanted to meet up at (damnit, my seven key is broken) seven in the rec room. I assumed this was to review my progress, and I wasn't terribly looking forward to it since I was tired. We did review the form, the last bit of which I had a little wrong, (I sorta thought I did) but it was swiftly corrected and he didn't seem to mind. Then he taught me the next section, and after that we worked on three different drills, which are totally awesome. All three are similar, but differ as the sequences progress. Ah, it would probably bore whoever might read this to hear me describe them, but I will do it anyway. The first is a mainly hand oriented drill, but there is a groin kick (with defense) at the end which marks the reversal of attacker and defender. The second one has a leg sweep, and if they dodge the leg sweep a side kick to their back leg, it rocks. And the last one is an arm lock (or break) with an escape/reversal to it. The moves are so clever, right when your arm is straightened and starting to be twisted, you spear it forward, with the body following, sliding right past the opponent’s side. Then, as you begin to pass him, you check his elbow and twist to face him, drawing your formerly captured hand, which is now grabbing him, back to straighten the enemy arm. It’s very slick.
So I had a lot of fun and success tonight, a very welcome change. But wait, there’s more! The shower got fixed, and we’re no longer obliged to stand in widely fluctuating temperatures!
Chinese Laundry
Today I wash my first load of laundry since arriving in Yantai. The process is much the same as at home, but here people dry things on a clothesline. I don't think I’ve ever hung wash out to dry before. It remains to be seen how the Chinese “wash powder” will treat my clothes, but I hope it will be ok. Nobody else seems to have an issue with it, and at least I don't have fancy items with me.
Update— The wind blew a few items to the ground overnight, but nothing important— only a few socks and two t-shirts. Everything is drying better than predicted in this frigid breeze, though it all promises to be wrinkly. There has been an unbearable din of fireworks all morning, and the smell of gunpowder in the air. I worried that my clothes would now smell of fireworks, but, on second thought, I doubt it. Where I’ll put the clothes is an unsolved problem. What clean items I have left are strewn across the other bed (my room was intended for two people). I do have a closet, and a sort of cupboard, but it is built for hanging clothes, not stacking them, and I don't have many clothes-hangers.
Update— The wind blew a few items to the ground overnight, but nothing important— only a few socks and two t-shirts. Everything is drying better than predicted in this frigid breeze, though it all promises to be wrinkly. There has been an unbearable din of fireworks all morning, and the smell of gunpowder in the air. I worried that my clothes would now smell of fireworks, but, on second thought, I doubt it. Where I’ll put the clothes is an unsolved problem. What clean items I have left are strewn across the other bed (my room was intended for two people). I do have a closet, and a sort of cupboard, but it is built for hanging clothes, not stacking them, and I don't have many clothes-hangers.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
My Poor Keyboard
It’s been some time since I last wrote, partly because my letter j, ’, u, and semi-colon keys have stopped working. I spilled some water on the macbook, and they quit two days later. You truly don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. Now I’m obliged to copy-paste every instance of those keystrokes, and it takes a ridiculous amount of time. The days keep piling up behind me though, and I had better write something.
Today is the third day I’ve actually trained with the master. He’s a strict but encouraging teacher. So far we’ve gone through several warm up exercises, 8 kicking exercises, a basic stance, the beginnings of the first form, and so, so many stretches— the master could probably move to America and open a business based solely on his stretches. It’s difficult to believe the man has bones. When he stretches, his legs form a crescent, with toes at the points and the butt in the middle. I am far behind him, but I almost touched my head to my knees today with his help (basically he squashed me). We also practice Chi Gung, perhaps most easily explained as a form of standing meditation, although that's not exactly what it is. Today we stood and practiced Chi Gung for what felt like eternity. My legs were dancing an involuntary sort of tap-step by the end. Turns out we were standing there for half an hour, but my eyes were closed so I couldn't tell.
The master is taking me out to find new shoes this Saturday. Both he and Master Sui inform me that my current shoes are all too big, and they’re not practical, or safe, to wear during training. The shoes must fit very snugly so one can bend every which way at the ankles, and spin during kicks, without fear of twisting something that ought not to be. This is a great favor to me since I can’t make solo excursions into the city yet.
Oh, this is awful. Lying here in bed, my legs are tingling so much I can hardly bear to move them. I’ve been going out to warm up about a half hour before the others, because my idea of warming up is considerably more gradual than theirs. Speaking of which, it’s one thirty, which means I ought to be getting on, I’ll be back to finish later.
Today is the third day I’ve actually trained with the master. He’s a strict but encouraging teacher. So far we’ve gone through several warm up exercises, 8 kicking exercises, a basic stance, the beginnings of the first form, and so, so many stretches— the master could probably move to America and open a business based solely on his stretches. It’s difficult to believe the man has bones. When he stretches, his legs form a crescent, with toes at the points and the butt in the middle. I am far behind him, but I almost touched my head to my knees today with his help (basically he squashed me). We also practice Chi Gung, perhaps most easily explained as a form of standing meditation, although that's not exactly what it is. Today we stood and practiced Chi Gung for what felt like eternity. My legs were dancing an involuntary sort of tap-step by the end. Turns out we were standing there for half an hour, but my eyes were closed so I couldn't tell.
The master is taking me out to find new shoes this Saturday. Both he and Master Sui inform me that my current shoes are all too big, and they’re not practical, or safe, to wear during training. The shoes must fit very snugly so one can bend every which way at the ankles, and spin during kicks, without fear of twisting something that ought not to be. This is a great favor to me since I can’t make solo excursions into the city yet.
Oh, this is awful. Lying here in bed, my legs are tingling so much I can hardly bear to move them. I’ve been going out to warm up about a half hour before the others, because my idea of warming up is considerably more gradual than theirs. Speaking of which, it’s one thirty, which means I ought to be getting on, I’ll be back to finish later.
Sunday:
Turns out the master knows his stuff, today my muscles are much, much less sore than the days before. I can’t muster any extra reps, but my body is much happier than previous days. Well, that isn’t completely true, my upper-left back is complaining after Saturday’s push-ups, with any luck it will improve soon
Friday:
It’s Friday. I hit the snooze three times this morning before getting up to train. It’s just been me in the hall for the past few days, the others are taking a rest for the holidays. I’m putting in a solid effort, but not coming close to finishing the exercise quota left me by the Master. I can’t sit up in bed without using my arms, and even one pushup is probably beyond me at the moment. If he asks me, I’ll tell him, but there’s nothing really to be done about it, there’s only so much energy in a muscle. Besides, this is already the third day in a row of using the same groups extensively. It’s no surprise to me that training is getting harder, not easier.
I had just gone out to the hall to start my afternoon exercises when Bernard came a knocking. He and Tom are going out around the town at three, and wondered if I’d like to come. Bernard wants to go out and do something before the weekend starts, he’s getting sick of sitting around the school. Now, I should be listening to my Master, but I can’t go out into the city by myself yet. I should seize the opportunity. If that means I miss some afternoon excruciation, oh well.
I had just gone out to the hall to start my afternoon exercises when Bernard came a knocking. He and Tom are going out around the town at three, and wondered if I’d like to come. Bernard wants to go out and do something before the weekend starts, he’s getting sick of sitting around the school. Now, I should be listening to my Master, but I can’t go out into the city by myself yet. I should seize the opportunity. If that means I miss some afternoon excruciation, oh well.
Chinese New Year’s:
We had a New Year’s party here at the school tonight. It was all of us guys, plus three Russian girls Lion invited over, and another part-time student of the school named Daniel. There was a ridiculous amount of food to eat, delicious, but too much. We had a merry enough time, but conversation was divided since the Russians don’t speak too much English, and none of us speak any Russian. I had to put up with a bit of shit from Charlie, which was really annoying. He thinks it's the biggest joke to call people out on how lazy they’re being in their training. I don’t appreciate it. I’m not being lazy. Maybe that’s just the way he is, but that’s not how I am, and I’m not willing to put up with it (post script— he came and apologized later saying he had had a bit to drink).
Still, good times were had. They’re all headed off to Ali Baba’s to drink, drink, and drink some more. I figure I’ll stay here and watch a movie. It’s not that I don’t enjoy their company, it’s just that there’s a limited selection of activities for me at the bar. I don’t drink, I don’t dance, and I don’t speak Chinese. Besides, I don’t like tobacco smoke and the bar is quite full of it in the later hours. I may not get a great night’s sleep either way, however, because the fireworks are expected to continue all night.
Still, good times were had. They’re all headed off to Ali Baba’s to drink, drink, and drink some more. I figure I’ll stay here and watch a movie. It’s not that I don’t enjoy their company, it’s just that there’s a limited selection of activities for me at the bar. I don’t drink, I don’t dance, and I don’t speak Chinese. Besides, I don’t like tobacco smoke and the bar is quite full of it in the later hours. I may not get a great night’s sleep either way, however, because the fireworks are expected to continue all night.
Wednesday, February 2:
I am really, really frustrated by my Internet situation here. It’s been a week of, “yeah, it should be fixed tomorrow.” I bet they’d be a bit quicker fixing it if their rooms had the same trouble. I can’t watch movies, can’t download, or upload, anything, and, most of all, I can’t use Skype. I’m trying not to let it occupy my mind, but I ought be able to talk to my family when I want to. I don’t think there’s much chance of resolving the issue today, or even in the next few days, though, because it’s Chinese New Year’s (Spring Festival if you’d prefer) and everybody is celebrating. I almost spoke to Daniel just a moment ago, but he’s entertaining visitors and I don’t think it was a good time.
I worked on the Mantis master’s training plan this morning. I got thirty laps (Master said 30 would be alright at first, then 50 later on), all the squats, about one hundred and forty push-ups, and around two hundred and seventy sit-ups done. I say “around” because the last few sets were not proper executions of the exercises. I may try to squeeze in a few more later on today, but it's no use trying at the moment. It just won’t happen. I am not looking forward to repeating this, even more diligently, for the next four days, but I suppose I’ll try. Then it’ll be Monday and I’ll train with the Master, I’m not sure how I’ll like it not having any rest. There’s a different way of thinking about exercise here in China. In the states they’d tell you to do only as many sets as you can with proper form, but here they care more for how “many” you push yourself through. I’m almost positive this isn’t ideal for building muscle, but perhaps that is not the main goal of the conditioning.
Today Daniel’s mother in law fed me a hot pepper without warning me. It was all in good fun, she’s very kind to me. Woah, here she comes now, she just walked in to see what I was doing on the computer, but she can’t read English. I have my door wide open with the cloth propped up on the door (we have these heavy cloths that hang outside our doors. For more insulation I guess?) so it’s not like she barged in. It’s the oddest thing, this morning it was freezing, more so than the last few days, but this afternoon is practically balmy. Birds are fluttering about in the bushes, and the snow is all but melted away.
I worked on the Mantis master’s training plan this morning. I got thirty laps (Master said 30 would be alright at first, then 50 later on), all the squats, about one hundred and forty push-ups, and around two hundred and seventy sit-ups done. I say “around” because the last few sets were not proper executions of the exercises. I may try to squeeze in a few more later on today, but it's no use trying at the moment. It just won’t happen. I am not looking forward to repeating this, even more diligently, for the next four days, but I suppose I’ll try. Then it’ll be Monday and I’ll train with the Master, I’m not sure how I’ll like it not having any rest. There’s a different way of thinking about exercise here in China. In the states they’d tell you to do only as many sets as you can with proper form, but here they care more for how “many” you push yourself through. I’m almost positive this isn’t ideal for building muscle, but perhaps that is not the main goal of the conditioning.
Today Daniel’s mother in law fed me a hot pepper without warning me. It was all in good fun, she’s very kind to me. Woah, here she comes now, she just walked in to see what I was doing on the computer, but she can’t read English. I have my door wide open with the cloth propped up on the door (we have these heavy cloths that hang outside our doors. For more insulation I guess?) so it’s not like she barged in. It’s the oddest thing, this morning it was freezing, more so than the last few days, but this afternoon is practically balmy. Birds are fluttering about in the bushes, and the snow is all but melted away.
The Mantis Master Arrives:
As we were about to break for lunch Master Sui, Daniel’s mother in law, and an unassuming stranger walked into the hall. There they observed us and talked amongst one another. They always do that. Whether it’s the guard, Master Sui, the mother in law, or the cook, they talk and nod knowingly back and forth. It makes Tom and I pretty paranoid: we imagine they must be talking about the poor technique of the weakling westerner’s.
They watched me standing in the Yue Jia pose for a few moments more before Andy beckoned me over. We all exited the hall and walked over to the rec-room. Andy asked then asked me if I wanted to keep studying Yue Jia Chuan, or if I still wanted to learn Mantis Fist. I told him I was definitely impressed by Yue Jia Chuan, but I was still set on Mantis. “Ok,” he said, “this is your Mantis master.” He was stopping by the camp before the holidays began to talk, and set up a training plan for me while he was away.
I was in high spirits. The Mantis master looked like Wu Jing and smiled a lot, he assured me it was a good idea to train in Mantis style. Spirits declined a bit, however, as the master explained that I should mentally prepare myself and not shirk. His training plan is as follows: 50 laps around the camp, 500 sit-ups, 200 push-ups, and 100 squats, per day, until he returns next Monday. He informed me that afterwards my body will feel “really good” and I’ll be ready to train. I didn’t believe him at all, but chose not to argue. Next he asked if I’d ever trained martial arts before, and invited me to describe it to him. I told him about the concepts of the center-line, forward pressure, sensing pressure, and reaction time (or lack thereof) I learned from Master Smith. He seemed familiar with the ideas and asked if my old master was Chinese. I said no, he wasn’t, but that he learned from a Chinese man named Fook Yueng.
I expect training with this man to be grueling, but I have reason to look forwards. Bernard says that, while he never actually trained with my master, his old Mantis Fist master trained together with mine when they were young. Apparently he has ten plus years of experience in the Shaolin Temple, in addition to his other training, and is officially a monk with several styles under his belt. Perhaps best of all, I am his only student for the time being, so it’ll be one hundred percent one on one time, which is awesome.
They watched me standing in the Yue Jia pose for a few moments more before Andy beckoned me over. We all exited the hall and walked over to the rec-room. Andy asked then asked me if I wanted to keep studying Yue Jia Chuan, or if I still wanted to learn Mantis Fist. I told him I was definitely impressed by Yue Jia Chuan, but I was still set on Mantis. “Ok,” he said, “this is your Mantis master.” He was stopping by the camp before the holidays began to talk, and set up a training plan for me while he was away.
I was in high spirits. The Mantis master looked like Wu Jing and smiled a lot, he assured me it was a good idea to train in Mantis style. Spirits declined a bit, however, as the master explained that I should mentally prepare myself and not shirk. His training plan is as follows: 50 laps around the camp, 500 sit-ups, 200 push-ups, and 100 squats, per day, until he returns next Monday. He informed me that afterwards my body will feel “really good” and I’ll be ready to train. I didn’t believe him at all, but chose not to argue. Next he asked if I’d ever trained martial arts before, and invited me to describe it to him. I told him about the concepts of the center-line, forward pressure, sensing pressure, and reaction time (or lack thereof) I learned from Master Smith. He seemed familiar with the ideas and asked if my old master was Chinese. I said no, he wasn’t, but that he learned from a Chinese man named Fook Yueng.
I expect training with this man to be grueling, but I have reason to look forwards. Bernard says that, while he never actually trained with my master, his old Mantis Fist master trained together with mine when they were young. Apparently he has ten plus years of experience in the Shaolin Temple, in addition to his other training, and is officially a monk with several styles under his belt. Perhaps best of all, I am his only student for the time being, so it’ll be one hundred percent one on one time, which is awesome.
The Training:
Our training here at the camp is more similar to a Shaw Brother’s training montage than one would expect. I’ve been learning with the other guys under Master Sui for the past two days. So far he’s taught me three or four stances I rotate through as I become exhausted in one pose. All of the stances draw on the same muscle set for a low crouching motion, so as the day moves along I am forced to assume them for shorter and shorter spans. He also taught me an exercise that practices leg trapping, where we lock our feet like a hook and sidle it around the leading foot of the opponent. It’s quite clever, you can easily twist into the basic stance of the style and unbalance them. That is assuming you can assume the basic stance. It consists of keeping one’s lead knee over one’s lead toe while the foot stays parallel to one’s body. The rear foot extends straight back into the ground, in line with one’s lead toe, perpendicular to one’s body. The body balances between the two feet and stays straight up, hypothetically. It’s a devilish stance, but it offers a lot of utility and protection. Master Sui says that in actual use it’s not required to keep the feet at such queer angles, but it’s best to do it that way in practice.
I have plenty of time to observe the others as I practice stances, and it’s pretty cool. Tom has only been a few weeks longer than I have, so he’s still a beginner too, but I can see he and Lion practices the complete forms and hand drills. Tom has the same trouble, although his legs are stronger, of tired quadriceps. Andy likes to torment him. “Powah!” he’ll yell, “Yes! More Powah!”
Bernard has been studying for much longer with Master Sui, and very extensively beforehand as well. He’s definitely qualified to teach the rest of us, but he doesn’t act stuck up about it. Bernard is a singular guy, he’s lived in seventeen countries and was on an Olympic Tae Kwon Do team. Sadly, he broke his ankle some time back and it really hurts him in the cold weather. He looked ok training when I first showed up, but for the last few days he’s been in his room taking pain killers.
I have plenty of time to observe the others as I practice stances, and it’s pretty cool. Tom has only been a few weeks longer than I have, so he’s still a beginner too, but I can see he and Lion practices the complete forms and hand drills. Tom has the same trouble, although his legs are stronger, of tired quadriceps. Andy likes to torment him. “Powah!” he’ll yell, “Yes! More Powah!”
Bernard has been studying for much longer with Master Sui, and very extensively beforehand as well. He’s definitely qualified to teach the rest of us, but he doesn’t act stuck up about it. Bernard is a singular guy, he’s lived in seventeen countries and was on an Olympic Tae Kwon Do team. Sadly, he broke his ankle some time back and it really hurts him in the cold weather. He looked ok training when I first showed up, but for the last few days he’s been in his room taking pain killers.
The Camp:
It occurs to me that I haven’t described the school yet, so that’s what I’ll write about today. The Kung Fu Camp as it’s called (I really think Daniel ought to rename it) has been operation for a bit longer than a year. It’s a large, rectangular compound that was once a factory. Renovations have converted it to a wing of housing, two large training halls, a dining hall (which we don’t use in the winter because it’s freezing), a rec-room, and a wing of washing facilities. Enclosed is a large open area with punching bags, room for running, and a variety of wooden training apparatuses. We don’t use the outside at all during the winter, but stay inside the training halls instead. They’re still plenty cold, but with constant movement and warm clothes it’s not much of a bother. The halls are spacious warehouse-type buildings with wooden dummies, punching bags, a wall of mirrors, their upper walls adorned with large, high-res photographs of Kung Fu masters, none of whom are known to me. No doubt they’re very venerable.
The whole Yantai experience is rather cold, although it won’t be in the summer, thank goodness. The rooms are heated, but not significantly. The bathrooms and showers, which are separated from our rooms by a short trip outdoors, are likewise very chilly. Though the rooms are unheated they come with electric mattresses and thick comforters, so at least sleeping is a pleasant experience. Unfortunately I’m a bit too tall for the beds here, but there’s not much to be done about that, and it doesn’t bother me too much. I was talking with a guy, I think his name was Kyle, in the bar last night and he was telling me he couldn’t figure out how to describe China to his family without making it sound totally awful, even though he loved being here. I agreed with him wholeheartedly. Put to words the experience sounds tiresome, and of course I’d prefer to be living at home while also training with the masters, but there’s an experiential spice to a bit of hardship.
The food here is awesome, if a bit salty at times. Frigid conditions notwithstanding, I’m not sure how the school affords all the provided services on the meager tuitions of it’s students. Every meal we have rice, sometimes noodles, a variety of vegetable dishes, and a few meat based ones as well. For lunch yesterday we had beer battered eggplant with thin bits of beef inside with the eggplant, and the day I arrived there was a really awesome dinner of dumplings and orange chicken. It was one week to day before Chinese New Year starts, and apparently that counts as a sort of mini celebration in China. The cook summons everyone to eat by clanging pots together raucously.
Day Two:
Last night I went to Ali Baba’s (a bar owned by Daniel, who runs the business end of the school) with the guys for Tom’s twenty-eighth birthday. It was a hectic scene complete with pounding music, lasers, and a rambunctious patronage. I mostly sat at the bar observing, talking with Lion, Tom, Andy, and being introduced to the regular faces, many of whom were former Kung Fu students. I had a good time, but it got too smoky for my taste as the night went on. Cigarettes are common in China, and unfortunately they’re typically fouler than their American relatives.
There were a lot more westerners than I expected at Ali Baba’s, at times outnumbering the Chinese, but only for brief moments. There are also plenty of Russians who, I’m told, come here to study at Chinese universities. Tom got pretty schwasted and we left, under Andy’s supervision, at around two. We endeavored to stuff Tom into his jacket, only to discover that Andy grabbed somebody else’s (a very small somebody else). Then we endeavored to get Tom out of the jacket. He was of little help. On the way out Lion swiped two of my ice cream bites and introduced me to the Russian he was chatting up as “Taylor, he is my Kung Fu brother,” which tickled me pink, to use an outdated phrase. Andy rode back with us in the Cab since I can't speak Chinese and Tom was in no shape to try. All Tom managed was to tease Andy the whole way back, which enraged him to no end. Andy is a quality guy. He goes out of his way to be helpful even when it’s not part of his work.
There were a lot more westerners than I expected at Ali Baba’s, at times outnumbering the Chinese, but only for brief moments. There are also plenty of Russians who, I’m told, come here to study at Chinese universities. Tom got pretty schwasted and we left, under Andy’s supervision, at around two. We endeavored to stuff Tom into his jacket, only to discover that Andy grabbed somebody else’s (a very small somebody else). Then we endeavored to get Tom out of the jacket. He was of little help. On the way out Lion swiped two of my ice cream bites and introduced me to the Russian he was chatting up as “Taylor, he is my Kung Fu brother,” which tickled me pink, to use an outdated phrase. Andy rode back with us in the Cab since I can't speak Chinese and Tom was in no shape to try. All Tom managed was to tease Andy the whole way back, which enraged him to no end. Andy is a quality guy. He goes out of his way to be helpful even when it’s not part of his work.
Day One:
The moon is still high in the sky, and the air is freezing. It’s six thirty five in the morning on my first day in Yantai. Technically, I was here yesterday. After forty-three hours of traveling I arrived in Laishan National Airport to discover that my luggage had been misplaced somewhere along the journey. Fortunately, I was greeted outside the baggage claim by two fellows, Daniel, and Bernard, who had come to pick me up. That much went right at least, and they assured me it would be no problem, we’d just come back a few hours later.
On the drive to the school, which only took about twenty or fifteen minutes, we talked about the school, Chinese New Year, and the other students. I have landed in a truly interesting little place. At present there are five long-term students, and no short term ones who, I’m told, are more common in the summer. There’s Bernard, Tom, Lion (not actually his name, but what people call him), Charlie, and myself. Tom is from Britain, Lion is from Korea, Bernard is from Pakistan, Charlie is from South Africa. There’s also Andy, our Chinese translator who seems like on of the guys, but apparently he mostly translates as opposed to joining in on the training.
The training, the training, it’s promising to be very intense. My master to be, who knows a variety of styles, but specializes in Northern Mantis, is at home celebrating the New Year with family. He’ll be back in a week or two. Until then I’ll be practicing with the other guys and their master, until he goes home for New Year’s too, after which we’ll train on our own until they all return. Training today starts at 8:00, I think I’ll at least give it a shot, although I have an excuse of jet lag if I require it. Apparently the routine here is to wake up, breakfast at 6:00, go back to bed, and train for most of the day with a break for lunch. I’m told that afterwards the guys mostly take a shower, scarf down dinner, and collapse, and that I may be too tired to walk properly for the first couple of weeks. Whatever. I’ll give it my best shot, I only hope an injury doesn’t foul me up.
On the drive to the school, which only took about twenty or fifteen minutes, we talked about the school, Chinese New Year, and the other students. I have landed in a truly interesting little place. At present there are five long-term students, and no short term ones who, I’m told, are more common in the summer. There’s Bernard, Tom, Lion (not actually his name, but what people call him), Charlie, and myself. Tom is from Britain, Lion is from Korea, Bernard is from Pakistan, Charlie is from South Africa. There’s also Andy, our Chinese translator who seems like on of the guys, but apparently he mostly translates as opposed to joining in on the training.
The training, the training, it’s promising to be very intense. My master to be, who knows a variety of styles, but specializes in Northern Mantis, is at home celebrating the New Year with family. He’ll be back in a week or two. Until then I’ll be practicing with the other guys and their master, until he goes home for New Year’s too, after which we’ll train on our own until they all return. Training today starts at 8:00, I think I’ll at least give it a shot, although I have an excuse of jet lag if I require it. Apparently the routine here is to wake up, breakfast at 6:00, go back to bed, and train for most of the day with a break for lunch. I’m told that afterwards the guys mostly take a shower, scarf down dinner, and collapse, and that I may be too tired to walk properly for the first couple of weeks. Whatever. I’ll give it my best shot, I only hope an injury doesn’t foul me up.
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