So... It's been over a year since my last post

Well, that's terrible! So much for posting regularly.

Although, to be honest not all that much has happened except for Gemma and I promoting to Black Belt in November.

It was an amazing day! We drove ourselves up to Liverpool which was a daunting task for me, but it was absolutely fine. We competed during the day and done okay - I got a Silver in Forms and Techniques. Gemma got a Copper for Staff Spinning, a Bronze for Forms and a Gold for her Techniques which she was delighted with.

In the evening when my nerves had reached the limit and Gemma was still calm as can be, just before we were called up to collect our certificates from the Grand Master - Kuk Sa Nim, our feelings switched. I was fine and Gemma was so panicked that she galloped up to the head table leaving SBNs Jon & Helen Denny and myself in the dust. Hehehe.

Afterwards, we all met up at the Indian for the customary post Liverpool Exhibition curry.

Since then, we've been helping out even more. Gemma and I now run the kid's fun nights and are far more involved in the high grade children's class. We even help with the adult coloured belts.

JDKJN has also accepted us into his Instructor program which is very exciting!

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Work is still going wonderfully and I couldn't be happier. I finally met with the chaps from Betcom. Gemma and I travelled up and I spent a couple of days working in their office. They are awesome and we all got on really well.

Gemma is no longer at the Vets. She was treated terribly there and it showed no signs of getting any better. Finally, enough was enough and I just told her to leave before it made her ill again. She then went on to do some work with Stephen - helping to arrange things for a film he was making. That project has finished now and she is enjoying being a housewife. I love having her home with me while I work.

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Last year we also said goodbye to my other dear old Granddad. I think about him often and it always puts a smile on my face. He suffered for so long that it is comforting to know that he's finally at peace. Even if I do miss him terribly.

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Sadly, I've gotten a tiny little bit flabby again due to too much 'easy' food, so am back on the Herbalife hardcore. I'm also trying out a Jawbone Up24 which is buggy as all hell but quite good when it works correctly :p    The sleep monitor is quite interesting - turns out I sleep better than I thought I did.

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We also had a wonderful experience last year when we took Gemma's dad to fly some owls. One of the other guys there kindly shot some of it on video for me:

I absolutely love the Barn Owl (it would be my patronus ;p ) so this was a wonderful moment for me.

We also went a bit crazy with collecting Lego. Our sitting room is now full of it which is AWESOME!

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Whoops! It's been a while...

Apologies for not updating in AGES!

I suppose the biggest piece of news is that in November I decided to go freelance. I was offered an incredible opportunity to earn more money doing more varied work, while still keeping my hand in fruit machine design, and without having to find my own clients (which I find very daunting); I am still working with my former employer a couple of days a week and with an old friend for the rest of the time.

It was really stressful making the decision. Both wanted me working with them. Finding the best compromise I could was incredibly difficult and I found it exhausting and very upsetting.

But, it's done now and I am enjoying my new set up very much. I'm incredibly busy working six days a week, but it's worth it. Soon, I'll begin drawing a wage which will be great! Might even treat myself a little. Haha!

I've set up a simple website - www.stuartbuskell.com

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Kuk Sool is going great. We had our first National grading in October which was hard work and resulted in me receiving my first ever blood blister, which was pretty nasty and popped a few weeks later in class, all over the mats. Healed up nicely now though.

We didn't travel up to Liverpool for the UK tournament in the end although we did pay for it and booked a room. It was Gemma's best friend's 30th birthday party on the same day and we simply couldn't miss that. This year's European tournament will be held in Norwich so we will definitely be there!

The curriculum was also updated recently meaning that we are learning some sword now. I thought that the staff would be my favourite weapon, but I must admit that the sword seems a little more natural to me and I'm enjoying it a lot!

We've had a few awesome Black Belt Clubs. Especially the most recent one where I was very fortunate to get chucked about by SBN Dave!

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We are still very much into Herbalife and feeling absolutely awesome! I've lost around a stone and a half in total, which certainly wasn't my goal, but more importantly, my body is far more toned now. Even though I don't do any extra exercise. My thirty inch waist Levi's I bought last year are becoming a little 'gapey'!

Gemma is climbing up the promotion ladder steadily and we are both getting a great buzz from helping people to be healthy and happy.

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Gemma celebrated her 30th birthday in December with a 'Harry Potter Yule Ball' themed party which was lots of fun. She finally wore her Hermione dress and I surprised her by having a Viktor Krum costume made for the night. Everyone made a real effort to dress up and it was excellent (even if Gemma did have a bit too much to drink and felt very ill the following day! Haha!).

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Gemma had a tough few months with work. Working at the Florist ended up being incredibly stressful for her and in the end she had to give it in as it was beginning to make her ill. It was very difficult as she thought it was going to be her dream job and worked hard at college and part time in the florist, to make it happen.

She's currently working on reception at a vets. She loves seeing the animals and often comes home telling me stories of puppies and kittens she has cuddled throughout the day.




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Quick July Update

It has been a little while since I posted and a lot has happened, but I will endeavour to keep this short.


In June we entered the 2013 Kuk Sool Won European Tournament. Both Gemma and I received medals for everything we entered which is great.
Gemma was awarded:

• Form - Goh Geup Hyung = Bronze

• Techniques - Joo Muhk Maga Ki Bohn Soo 5, Jeung Geup Sohn Mohk Soo 1 & Jeung Geup Sohn Mohk Soo 6 = Bronze

• Staff Spinning - 1-5 = Bronze

• Sparring = Silver

I won: 

• Form - Goh Geup Hyung = Gold

• Techniques - Joo Muhk Maga Ki Bohn Soo 9, Jeung Geup Sohn Mohk Soo 1 & Jeung Geup Sohn Mohk Soo 6 = Silver

• Staff Spinning - 1-5 = Bronze

• Sparring = Bronze

On Monday 1st July, Gemma and I promoted to Dahn Bo Nim - Black Belt Candidates, and so have begun the final stretch towards gaining our Black Belts.

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Gemma has just been offered a more permanent official position at Violet's Florist which is excellent. She will finally be working in her dream job and I couldn't possibly be more happy for her. My work is still going well.

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We are still doing well with Herbalife. I am at around the weight I want to be now - 10st 3lb, but more importantly I am getting closer to the body I want. I'm even beginning to develop a visible six pack! Haha. I've had to throw out my old pre-Herbalife goal jeans as they are so big that they are uncomfortable.

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Hard year so far

Just like the beginning of last year, this one has been hard as well. It has really tested us.

Gemma was made redundant from her job due to the company closing and has found it extremely difficult to find something else. Because she attends a floristry course two days a week, finding a job which can work around that has been really tough. Then her father was diagnosed with cancer which was devastating.

Last week everything turned around! Her father received the 'all clear' after having the cancer removed and a day later Gemma was offered a part-time job with exactly the hours she needs. The company also want to change her working hours after her college course finishes which makes it even better for her! She starts tomorrow. Then, on Saturday, the Florist where she has been enjoying work experience offered her a Saturday job.

On top of all that, I received a nice lump bonus in my pay packet!

I have had Jury Service for the past two weeks which has been incredibly boring and quite hard going emotionally. Not to mention a little stressful with work due to me being out of the office. Thankfully I lucked out and had very few trials. In the end, I only missed five days of work instead of ten.


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This Tuesday marks our second week of using Herbalife. With all that has been happening lately and finding ourselves very short on time, our diet has really gone downhill; lots of 'convenience' food and processed stuff. Some friends of ours started Herbalife a little before us and had AMAZING results such as losing 10lbs in as many days and a noticeable loss of inches around the mid section. They were also feeling and looking absolutely great!

After a rough start (cursed cow milk! I think I may be a bit intolerant so moved over to soya), we are getting used to it and finding our stride. We're feeling healthier and more energetic. It's also incredibly convenient - A shake for breakfast, then a snack mid morning. Another shake for lunch followed by another snack mid afternoon. Then a healthy dinner with one last snack in the middle of the evening.

We've just bought some new scales as I'm not convinced that our old ones were terribly accurate so I'm not entirely sure of our results so far. The old scales said I had lost 7lbs! In a few more weeks we'll know for sure how well it's going. We also signed up as distributors so that we can share our experience with others and hopefully make a little extra pocket money too :)

If anyone reading this is interested in the products or maybe even becoming a distributor themselves, please do get in contact with us!

Things are really starting to look up now and we are getting stuck in to preparing for this year's European Kuk Sool Tournament. Then we'll be getting ready to grade for Dahn Bo Nim (Black Belt candidate)!

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SNAP!!! part 2

A few weeks after I broke my collar bone we had a Black Belt Club class. I had been healing really well and had a lot more movement back in my arm and shoulder so I participated. I didn't want to miss out as the class was going to be focused on Yoga, meditation and some advanced kicks - all some of my favourite aspects of the martial art!

It was excellent! My collar bone was fine all through the Yoga exercises and the kicks including some quite difficult ones like the jump splits kick and multiple spin kicks... until I attempted a jump double front snap kick. I wrenched my shoulder and had to sit out of the final meditation in agonising pain.

I didn't bother going back to A&E as I had an appointment on the Wednesday any way so decided to wait until then. It was far more painful than the original break, but I soldiered through. On Wednesday, an X-ray showed that I had thankfully not re-broken it and that it was still healing well, albeit at an odd angle. The doctor said the pain was most likely torn tissue or muscle damage and prescribed rest.

Except the following Friday was my grading for brown stripe...

I took part with my arm in the sling, but gave it everything I had. I dropped my stances extra low, focused even more than usual and tried my absolute best - anything to compensate for my lost appendage. I passed and received an extra congratulation from KJN Martin who told me it was "an awesome grading" and that I showed "true fighting spirit". Even if everything was done one-armed, that one arm was spot on!

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It has been a few weeks since then. My collar is getting better gradually, but I am still in quite a bit of pain and it is very sore. I'm still taking part at Kuk Sool, but I am taking it a little easier. We have the Tournament in Liverpool at the end of November, so I need to be ready for that.

Jung shin!





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SNAP!!!

Gemma and I took our first ever Kuk Sool class on Saturday. It coincided with the end of the 2012 London Olympics and since it was to be a 'fun' class, we themed it accordingly. We spent a few weeks putting the plan together with SBN Jon, wrote down the order of events and even bought some toy medals to give out to all who participated.

Classes during the school summer holidays tend to have less people attend as they may have gone away or just want to enjoy the nice weather, so we were shocked and delighted that so many people came.

We started by having everyone jog around, jumping and touching the floor on cue. Then we introduced some 'hurdles' down one length for them to jump over. Next we split the class into four groups and allocated each to a corner with a specific exercise - Sit up 'rowing', push up 'breaststroke swimming', legs in the air 'cycling', and kick pad 'weight lifting'.

After each team had done every exercise, we divided into adults and children to play long jump. Adults don't usually get to play games so it was great to see them have fun with it... until I decided to have a go. I cleared the longest jump to tie with SBN Dave, but when I landed I dropped into a rolling break fall, slipped and heard a very loud crack.

I had to abandon the class and head straight to A&E with my newly broken collar bone where I spent the next few hours waiting to be seen.

So, with my arm in a sling, I'll be unable to train for the next several weeks. I just hope that I'll be mobile enough to at least participate in the upcoming grading in September. I would hate to get left behind. Especially as I know all I need for the grading already.

Gemma continued with the class and done a fantastic job! After the long jump, they returned to their four teams to do a series of relay races, then paired up to tackle a piggyback assault course. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and we had a very positive reaction to the class.

I have learned an important rule of teaching - Do not take part in you own class. I just wish I knew that before hand. Hahaha! Jung shin!





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Cholesterol

I visited my Doctor yesterday to find out what kind of treatment I would be using to manage my high cholesterol.

My HDL (good cholesterol) is around 1, which is about normal. My LDL (bad cholesterol) is about 5, which is not so good.

He has prescribed me Simvastatin, so I have to see how that goes for the next month. If I have no side effects, I'll use it for three months then take another blood test to see if it's working. If it is, then I'll be on that for good.





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Health

I am falling apart! :p

Just one week before the European Kuk Sool Won Championship, I managed to really hurt my right foot. Gemma and I were doing some 'light' sparring... she's vicious! She blocked one of my slow light kicks with a swift elbow to the side of my foot. It swelled up, went very purple and was incredibly painful whenever I put any weight on it.

I struggled through the Master's seminar that week and also the actual tournament itself. It has been over a month now and it still hurts from time to time.

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On the morning of our Yellow Belt grading and our first Kuk Sool Demonstration, I woke up with a strange after image in my right eye and an area of blurred vision just below my focal point. It worried me as it had been only just over a month since I had had laser eye surgery.

After the grading and the demo, we headed straight over to the opticians to get it checked out. They said they couldn't see anything and to use a few drops and let them know how it was in a week. On the Monday, they called me to check how it was, but there had been no change whatsoever. I had to quickly book off the afternoon and head over there for another look.

After three hours or so of various checks and tests they told me that a vein in my retina had haemorrhaged. Nothing to worry about, but they wanted me to head over to Harley Street in London to get it checked out asap. Nothing to worry about? But head over to our head clinic? Holy contradictions, Batman!

We managed to get the Wednesday off work and travelled over. The surgeon was great and reassured me that it should heal by itself in time. I wouldn't need any surgery, but I would have to take it easy. They were more concerned with what had caused it as the likely candidates were high blood pressure or even diabetes. The laser surgery was ruled out as a possibility as that deals only with the front of the eye. My problem was at the back.

With the threat of possible surgery lifted from my mind, we enjoyed the rest of our day in London, visiting Hamley's and Madame Tussauds. The next morning I had a doctor's appointment where my blood pressure was cleared and blood tests were arranged.

I was cleared of diabetes and some of the other possible causes they checked for, so I don't have an answer for what caused the haemorrhage. It just popped. I guess it's just 'one of those things'.

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I did, however, discover that I have high cholesterol. Unusual for my age and given my new healthy fit lifestyle, it's probably unrelated to what I eat and how much exercise I take. It is most likely hereditary as my Dad and my Granddad both have it. I have an appointment this Thursday to have a chat about it and see what medication I will have to try.




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Positive Attitude

Kuk Sool has already done great things for me and is continuing to do so, but along side it I have changed other things too. Primarily my attitude. I've been reading about improving your life, listening to Tony Robbins and Earl Nightingale, having 'White Paint' sessions with friends, and even attended a couple of seminars which were good fun.

I don't know how much of this stuff is really sinking in, but some of it definitely is, and just hearing and being around others so upbeat and excited (particularly Mr Robbins and SBN) about something as simple as 'being happy' certainly has an effect on you.

I'm so much more positive! I am enjoying my life rather than just watching it go by.

Example: My car was really starting to get on my nerves. I originally bought it as a stop gap - something cheap to run for a few months - over five years later I still had it. I hated it. Driving it was an absolute chore, especially on long distances! Whenever we had to go anywhere I would always be the last to volunteer to drive.

In February I decided to get shot of it. I looked around for something new but was adamant that whatever I got, it had to be what I 'wanted'. It had to be perfect. Right make, right model, even right colour! I umm'd and ahh'd over various cars. Liking one one week, then going off it the next.

I'd always really liked Gemma's friend's Honda Civic. Very sleek and space-y. Just my cup o'tea. But I thought it would be too expensive and I also didn't want to appear to be 'copying'. Until I thought "If that's the car I 'want', anything else is not going to be good enough. Is it?" I booked a test drive (in a new one, just for fun ;) ) and fell in love with it. I collected loads of research in to it: how expensive was a second hand one, how much new, what colours are available, what engine size did I want, 3 door or 5, etc.

Since mid-march I have been driving around in my brand new, perfect car. I actually volunteer to drive now. It's not so much having the car that has made me so happy, but having the car I wanted.

My Honda Civic Si

I'm also setting myself goals which I want to achieve... and I am!

In an earlier post I mentioned how I was unhappy with my belly. Well, now it's gone! In March I think it was, I told myself that I wanted to fit in to an old pair of jeans I had, and that I wanted that to happen by the time my birthday came around. I stuck to it. My diet had a total revamp, but I wasn't being stupid with it. I just ate healthier and thought about what I was eating. I didn't completely deny myself the odd treat.

Kuk Sool was providing PLENTY of exercise and now I am a stone and a half lighter. Those jeans are actually slightly too big! :D

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Another big change I made in June was to have laser eye surgery. I'd never have done that last year. I'd have been far too scared and worried about what if it went wrong? What if it doesn't work? But it has changed my life! Although it did keep me from sparring at the European Tournament as my eyes were still in the healing process.

Waking up in the morning and not having to fumble for my glasses to see, being able to really go for jumps and rolls at Kuk Sool without the fear of my specs flying off of my head, and being able to see my beautiful wife clearly as I kiss her goodnight. These things are priceless.

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I feel that I should include some kind of disclaimer here:

I have not joined a cult. I have not 'found Jesus'. I am not spending a fortune on 'self help' books. I am not on drugs. I am not having a break down. I am not crazy.

I am just happy :D

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Kick Start

WOW! I did not know what to expect. The Sports Centre was going through a major rebuild so even the entrance wasn't where I was used to it being. To say that I was nervous would be an understatement.

I can't remember exactly, but I think Helen met us at the front desk and took us round to the area of the sports hall where we would be spending the evening. I felt so out of place in my tracksuit bottoms and T-shirt, surrounded by all these 'Ninjas' in their (very cool looking) black uniforms, but everyone was so welcoming and friendly that I was soon put at ease. It wasn't at all how I imagined a Martial Art school to be. I thought it would be full of egos and big scary blokes ready to pick on the new guy and beat me in to the ground.

Not. At. All.

It was basically circuit training with an Eastern feel. We counted how many we did of each exercise with the aim of beating that target the following week. Most surprisingly... it was fun! I hadn't enjoyed exercise in... well, probably since first school when I was in the Gymnastics club. Everyone was so encouraging. There was no "That's not many." or "You could've done better you slacker.", it was all high fives and "Nice job!".

After the Kick Start class had finished, Gemma and I stayed to watch the adult Black Belt class. Jon and Helen practised right in front of us so we could see some "really cool" stuff.

I'd always fancied learning a Martial Art, but was scared and thought of myself as too old. After that evening, I was ready to sign up there and then, but we still had three more free weeks of Kick Start before Adult Coloured Belt classes resumed.




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Where to begin?

Now that I've decided to do this, I find it difficult to know where to begin.

The whole purpose of this blog is to record the ups and downs of my life so that I can look back and see where I have been and what I have done.

I guess these first few posts should just bring the blog up to speed. I turned 'the corner' at the beginning of this year, but it wouldn't have even presented itself if certain events hadn't transpired before then.

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A short while ago my wonderful wife was going through a bit of a hard time. I won't go in to any details, but she was struggling and needed to make some changes to her life.

She had always wanted to learn Ballet and there was a dance school just around the corner from where I work. She gave them a call, discovered that they did indeed do adult classes, and we went along. I sat in the canteen and watched; offering moral support but there was no way I was going to get involved.

There were only three students there (including Gemma) and the teacher. I watched through the window with a huge grin on my face as she learnt her first few simple steps. I was so very proud of her.

From there, she began other classes too. She signed up for Street Dancing, which eventually also lead to Zumba classes. Her modelling was also really starting to take off. She signed with an agency and everything was great! I watched, full of happiness and immensely proud of her as she took part in fashion catwalks, photo shoots, dance shows, and more. Her confidence was growing and growing...

Gemma Modelling
Photos courtesy of Life in Images

... as was my belly. I was happy enough, though my figure was always niggling at me from the back of my mind. It wasn't really even my figure, just my belly, and it wasn't really even that big! I had tried a few diets - they didn't work or I just couldn't stick to them. I tried exercising but I couldn't motivate myself to get to the gym. Gemma bought me a brand new bike, but it was always just quicker to take the car. Other than that, though, I was happy. My life was absolutely 'fine'.

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By January 2011, Gemma had become very good friends with a girl from dancing - Helen. I had met her once briefly after the dance show in the summer and she seemed very nice. Helen was trying to convince Gemma to go to this 'Kick start' fitness thing at the sports centre, and Gemma, in turn, was trying to convince me. Bleugh. Aerobics? No thanks!

She tried to hook me in by telling me it wasn't aerobics and that it was Martial Art-y, Kuk Sool. Never heard of it! Also, that I should meet Helen's husband (who would be there) as we "would really get on" and that we "have so much in common". I'm terrible at meeting new people. I'm friendly, but I get very shy and uncomfortable.

I wasn't going to go, but changed my mind literally at the last moment if I recall correctly.

That was 'the corner' and Gemma - my inspiration.




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