2010 Year of the Metal Tiger

February 16, 2010

February 14th, 2010 marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year.  2010 is the year of the White Metal Tiger. This year symbolizes toughness, generosity and wealth earned with hard work. The year is characterized by a dutiful, family oriented and dependable year. During the year of the Metal Tiger, one may show his love [...]

Found under: Chinese Culture, Chinese New Year — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 7:53 pm
 

Preparations Are Underway

January 20, 2010

I am still working towards a tentative departure of June 2010 for my upcoming move to China.  I have a lot of things that need to be done prior to June so that I can leave without having to worry about things back home while I am away.  I need to secure some travel insurance, [...]

Found under: Chinese Culture, Travel — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 9:58 am
 

My New Book

December 8, 2009

I have spent the last few months working on a book about my first trip to China in 2008.  I put together a selection of pictures along with my journals, which are featured on this site, into a hard bound coffee table book.  The process was long but rewarding.  I was able to relive my [...]

Found under: Chinese Culture, Martial Arts, Travel — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 9:46 am
 

In Pursuit of Kung Fu Destiny

November 24, 2009

Those that know me will find it no great surprise that I have found my passion in the study of Kung Fu.  To that end I am always studying and researching to further my understanding of kung fu, in particular the unique style of kung fu that is the family of Song Shan Shaolin Temple martial arts.  Along with kung fu there is the study of Chan, or [...]

Found under: Buddhism, Chinese Culture, Gong Fu, Martial Arts, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Training, Travel — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 8:00 pm
 

Day 6 Wudang Shan

September 24, 2009

I woke up after a good night’s sleep and got ready.  I spent time packing my suitcase and gathering my things, since we would not have time after breakfast.  Today was our last day training with Zhang Shifu, and I was not sure how long it would take us to learn the remainder of the [...]

Found under: Chinese Culture, Travel — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 8:00 pm
 

Day 5 Wudang Shan

September 23, 2009

I woke up and got ready pretty early.  I went outside in the morning air, but it was still a little too early for everyone to meet for breakfast.  I walked down to a small patio and sat at a small circular stone table that was there and enjoyed the morning sunshine and cool air.  [...]

Found under: Chinese Culture, Travel — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 10:00 pm
 

Day 4 Wudang Shan

September 22, 2009

Today was a fantastic day! I woke up at 6am feeling refreshed after getting to sleep in a normal sized bed.  I practiced Ba Daun Jin and Yang Sheng Gong Qigong sets before getting ready for the day and heading down to breakfast.  The hotel provided a very hearty breakfast that was very satisfying and [...]

Found under: Chinese Culture, Travel — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 10:00 pm
 

Day 3 Wudang Shan

September 21, 2009

We finally made it to our hotel in Wudang Shan Tian Lu, the nicest hotel on the mountain that is within walking distance from Purple Cloud Temple.  We were on the train from Beijing for 13 hours before arriving in Seng Feng.  Our guide in Beijing got us onto the train, which was surprisingly on [...]

Found under: Chinese Culture, Travel — Da Shi Xiong Matt Talbert @ 9:20 pm