Go vote!

The election is 8 days ways and  I'm getting very excited to see the results and the new makeup of my Council team.  I mean "new" because regardless if your a veteran or rookie councillor, it's a new term, new focus, and new direction from Council.

I attended the candidates forum on Thursday. It was different sitting in the back and watching everything unfold. I found myself wanting to be in the thick of things. Sitting up front and answering questions posed by the residents.

All the candidates did very well and each one of them would be good representatives of the community. My job after the election is to evaluate the elected Councillors and determine what their best qualities are and how best they will fit into the team. With over 30 committees, boards and commission, it's not going to be an easy task.

October 21 from 9am to 8pm is Election Day. Make sure you go out and VOTE!!!!! This freedom is fought and died for all over the world and the majority of us take it for granted.  During the by-election last May when I won the Mayor seat, the voter turn out was only 20.5%.  Since I am acclaimed and there is no mayoralty race during this election, I'm not sure that the turnout will be any better.

GO VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Planning

Getting ready of another week.  I'm glad I don't have to prepare for the political forum. I've always been nervous about public speaking (kinda funny don't you think).

I've been doing a lot of planning for the next term since I'm not out campaigning. Who's going to be on my team? What are their strengths and weakness? What will their role in the team be? How are we going to functions as a team? What will my role be as the leader of the team? What do I want to accomplish in 4 years?

The lessons I've learnt as part of the I Ho Chaun team over the past 2 years will serve me well into the future.

Whew!

Acclaimed.
What a sense of relief.
The stress and anxiety I've been carry around for last couple of weeks has been lifted.

When I ran for Council, I was never worried. I knew my chances of securing enough votes to be in the top 6 was extremely good and I would have a seat in Council.

Running for the Mayor's seat is a totally different story. It's for all the marbles, if you opponent has one more vote then you, you don't get nothing.  The stress factor is 1000 fold more.

I'm humbled that no one put their name forward to run against me. The residents must feel that I'm doing a good job and want to with my leadership of the Town.

That's one goal taken care of.

Where I'm at

Here's where I'm at. 

It's been a long year and Kung fu has not been a high priority, I think I blogged about that a while ago. 

I thought I'd be able to attend I Ho Chaun classes in the summer. Normally, I could step out for an hour because supper period is longer and not as intense as the other seasons. However that didn't happen, my uncle who has been with me for 18 years left in May to help his son and daughter in law who started a restaurant in Edmonton. So my ability to step out just disappeared. 

Now I'm short two people in the kitchen as my cousin just left for China last Sunday to get married and won't be back for 3 months.  My other uncle will be leaving for China in November for a couple of months. That's not going to be fun for me. 

I'm now juggling multiple shifts at the Restaurant, the Mayorship, and my family. I can not commit to making Kung Fu a higher priority in my life. 

The skills that I've learnt from trying to achieve mastery in Kung fu is serving me well in other areas of my life.  

I'm not a great father or husband but I'm doing my best and one day I'll get closer to mastery in those aspects. 

As well, it translate very well to my role a Mayor. I don't think I would be doing this without the things I've learnt as part of the I Ho Chaun team the past two years. 

I'm sorry to my teammates, I haven't been there to support you guys. Before everything practice, demo or event you guys are already a man short. In spite of my failure to be part of the team you guys excelled.  Thank you for making the school look good. 

I don't foresee my priorities changing anytime soon.  I will stay as connected as I can. 

Run for life

Another Run for Life is over. What a wonderful event that allows the families who have lost loved ones through suicide they ability to grieve opening with others. The more awareness and acceptance we can bring to mental issues the more we'll be able to prevent suicide.

Btw, great performance from the team, you guys do a great job representing the school. I'm proud to call you guys class mates and honored that you guys carry me so often. Thank you

2013 numbers part 2

Posted the numbers for 2013, I haven't done a very good job of accounting and filling it in.  I need to get a better handle of marking everything done.

I'm behind in all my goals, the only good side is the fact that I'm actually moving forward. Not at break neck speed but still progress none the less. 

Moving forward is probably the biggest obstacle for most people. Any time someone receives push back or some kind of road block we tend to give up. It's easier and I would have to say it's part of our nature.

My philosophy, just do it...if you fail....why did you.....and do it again. 

You only fail if you stop trying and ONLY YOU can make that determination.

2013 tracking