Vince Chan

I’ve been previously involved in traditional and modern martial arts. I enjoy the spiritual aspect and the artistic expression of the traditional arts but enjoy the commaradre and brotherhood of training in modern martial arts. I decided to complement my need for re-engergizing my fitness levels with my search. I don’t want to attend classes, so I need a place that feels more like a gym/workout environment.

I found such a place in Ultimate Martial Arts – the home of Pride Fighter Gary Goodridge. I liked its open concept. I can come in and join a class or just work on my own techniques and conditioning. There’s a skeleton of a weight gym with the bare essentials so that I can do strength training too. I hope they do get the cardio section going. Even UFC fighters need to be in tip top cardio conditioning.

The place teaches Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts. I don’t have illusions of competing, but I know I would enjoy working out striking and submission techniques. The trainers seem knowledgable and friendly. Which is another important factor!

I have pictures of my hands after the first few sessions of re-working my Muay Thai techniques on the heavy bags. I took some skin off my knucles and have some nasty heavy bag burn marks. I will buy some bag gloves and start joining in the classes. So far, I feel very good about having gotten back. The next challenge is to stay focused on the task.

See the pictures at VinceChan.net

Alright, I have to indulge myself with something on the list! Why the Aston Martin? Not because it’s on some rap video or some shallow reason like that. I’ve loved the Aston Martin brand since my favourite Bond film, “The Living Daylights”. When I learnt of the hand-craftsmanship and the limited edition of the cars. The appeal grew even more!

BTW, a more attainable goal would be to own a DeLorean DMC, the “Back To The Future” car, just for novelty reasons. But let’s dream big!

I’ve always seeked a balance in my life. I do not want to be a nerd or a jock, but a warrior who’s balanced in all aspects of his life. My father used to and still to a certain degree teach traditional Hung Gar kung fu. I guess that’s when I really started bonding to him more and gained my self confidence. I learnt from him and also taught others. Those days were invaluable experience to shape who I am.

Father was partners with another Richard whom I respect and regard as a friend. I would learn the evolution of martial arts from him as he has always been more eclectic and open to martial art evolution (ie: mixed martial arts). I’ve trained in hapkido, muay thai, jeet keune doo, and dabbled in a little bit of wrestling.

Since University started in 1997, I have foregone my training. I’m not a young buck anymore but if Randy Couture can do it at 40+, so can I. I have a gym membership that I actually want to get rid of by being able to train in mixed martial arts. No delusion of fighting matches here. I regard it as a way to keep fit while doing something I love. But I need to find a gym that not only focuses on mat training, boxing, kickboxing but also have facilities for me to work out and train my physical body (ie: weights). Tough to find one of those! Let me know if you know of one in the Greater Toronto Area!

I like to do more charity work, but I am quite jaded at how many charities treat the money that is given to them. In some ways, I would like to be able to control how money is used and directed.

There is however another selfish reason. I would like to leave a legazy for my family. I would like to use such a foundation to teach my kids and grandkids the meaning of helping your fellow man.

well.. this is a goal I cannot control… except if you tell me to sow a lot of seeds to increase the odds! LOL

I only had a brother growing up, but the majority of my cousins were all female and treated me well. I don’t know if that explains why I would rather have a daughter than the obligatory chinese son. I have one rationale for that, the chinese character for good is made up of 2 characters, girl and boy. And the character for girl comes before the boy. ;P

I have names picked out already. Of course, until the day comes, I am still open to name suggestions. I have 2 choices for chinese names, and 2 choices for english names. I love my daughter to have a name that sounds like a boy’s name.

I don’t mind sharing with you, but my daughter’s english name will tentatively be either Aaliyah or Owen. I hope to find more interesting names to name her. The chinese names would sound either like Chen Li-Yah (beautiful elegant), or Chen Kai-Nan (triumphant boy) in mandarin (literal translations).

Nas once wrote these lyrics, “thinkin a word best describin my life, to name my daughter”. I may not be that good, or that introspective.. but it’s an important goal of mine!

And no, the wife probably won’t have a say in this, she can name the son whatever she likes.. LOL

When I buy my own house, I’m gonna absolutely wire that place up. Automate everything, have everything digital and accessible from anywhere in the house! To achieve this, I have to digitize not just my music collection, but other things like photos, movies and anything related to multimedia.

Curious!! How big (disk space) does your collection take up?

as far as I know, I’ve been the only one on this site and anywhere else to think of a goal like this. I don’t like collecting stamps, never got into collecting coins. But I do like writing your birthday, annivesaries in my calendar if you’re of significance in my life! If you know me, and you are reading this.. HELP ME OUT, WILL YA??

I absolute love her songs. Tanya is a sentimental favourite of mine since I stuck with her from her unknown days through her various accomlishments in her career! Absolutely gifted, and expresses herself much different with her own style of artistic expresssion through her song writing, compositions and singing. She’s also a Singaporean! I would love to meet her one day and congratulate her on her success

Two failed relationships. One of my own choosing, one while I was still too young. But what has kept me from going forward are the relationships that never happened. I know what I want, and I know what I like. I cannot describe it in words. But what you want, what you like, may not want or like you. Could it be fate? I personally don’t subscribe to that… love is what you make of it. But try telling one side of the brain that, while that side stubbornly refuses to listen.

I’m now reminded of my favourite songwriter, Tanya Chua’s lyrics, translated from mandarin. “Everybody yearns for the next time to be true love, but regretably, one day when we remenisce about each other, then we will understand.”

I bought a guitar during my University days and self taught myself to read tabs and play quite a few songs. But no formal training and definitely cannot play any spontaneous songs that come to mind. (I had to read the tabs). I’ve since lent my guitar to my best friend. But I would like to take up playing and maybe have some formal lessons too!

I would like to do more publishing on the internet. But I want some original material. Part of the quest will be to have more pictures of myself. But sigh, the flash on my digital cam recently blew out. I have to get that fixed first!