Prior to that, I trained at Dartmouth College for 4 years.

Not everyone was meant to be a martial artist. It’s definitely a different path to take that requires discipline and commitment.

When I was 10 years old, I used to watch all those martial art – kung fu – black belt TV movies every Saturday… I watched Jackie Chan in movies before he was Jackie Chan.

For some reason, I was very attracted to the martial arts and desperately wanted to train, but didn’t have any options in my tiny hometown in Tennessee.

PLUS, my mom is one of those die-hard Korean moms who believe that girls shouldn’t do taekwondo because boys wouldn’t like it…this never stopped me from training in college or after.

When I was 10, I wanted to run away to the mountains of Korea and find a master and train.

I had no idea what this meant. I only knew that it was what I wanted to do.

I ended up taking taekwondo for PE Credit at Dartmouth…then joined the club after my first term… then trained for 4 years.  I became the President of our tiny club and we used to go compete at other IVY league schools.

When I went to France for my language study abroad program, I found a small school at a gym and trained with the Taekwondo master there for 10 weeks.

When I was in Boston for my sophomore Spring term, I found an Academy there with a master who was related to the master who came to Dartmouth every week for our PE Class… and I trained there for 10 weeks.

I was hooked.

Back to my original point.  Not everyone was meant to become a martial artist. It takes discipline, commitment and a true understanding of the martial art spirit.

Now, the martial arts is a great activity for kids, especially girls, to learn self-confidence and self-defense…but the majority of kids and adults learn a little and then move on.  That’s okay.  At least they got a taste of what it means to be really disciplined and focused.

And there are those who commit their lives to learning, training and diving into the deeper mysteries of the martial arts.

I’m one of those.

Call it what you want – people put labels on anything they don’t understand.

But for me, the martial arts, traditional martial arts, is a way of life, a way of living in a disciplined, respectful and honorable environment.

Before you judge or point fingers, why don’t you check it out for yourself.

Oh, and Have a Happy New Year!

Pilseung!

She is my role model. I have seen her work with people of all ages, from age 2 through age 72. It is truly amazing to watch.

I “studied” to be a school teacher and got a teaching certification for elementary school grades. But in those classes that I took, I was not taught HOW to talk to the kids. Or HOW to treat them. The classes assume teaching candidates already “know” how to do this.

I definitely didn’t know.

I have watched Great Grandmaster Dr. Tae Yun Kim speak with kids and treat them not as children but as human beings. And they listen.

In a certain situation, one young girl was caught forging her parents’ signatures on school papers. I was SURE she would be disciplined strongly. Instead, Great Grandmaster Dr. Tae Yun Kim smiled and congratulated the girl on her creativity! Then she talked to the girl about not lying or cheating I watched the girl go from complete fear to looking up to GGM with respect as she promised not to do it again.

It’s not that forgery was being condoned. But instead of guiding the girl with fear, GGM used LOVE. So much so that the girl felt good about herself and promised never to do it again.

It was amazing.

We all treat kids like how WE were treated as kids. But it doesn’t work that way!

I learn so much from Great Grandmaster Dr. Tae Yun Kim. She is an amazing teacher!

Her motto is He Can Do, She Can Do, Why Not Me!

Life is great!

Still training at Jung SuWon and loving every minute of it!

So much more to be grateful for in my life.  Not just to be able to walk, talk, see, hear, smile, laugh, eat… but because I have the ability to do more, I can give more, help more, contribute more.

I love my life. I’m in LOVE with my life.  I thank God every day for the blessings He has given to me in my life.

I am training in the art of Jung SuWon and I have the honor of seeing how Great Grandmaster Dr. Tae Yun Kim helps so many young people… 3, 4, 5 year olds…13, 14, 15 year olds… 21, 22, 23 year olds… it is heartwarming and incredibly beautiful.

I wish everyone could see this beauty.

It’s time to stop complaining and being negative.  It’s time to see the beauty, feel the love, and share the excitement about life.

Recently, I came back from a Training Weekend in the mountains… it wasn’t just ANY training weekend.  It was Ultimate Warrior training.  It was up at Kirkwood… LOTS of SNOW.

You wouldn’t believe the awesomeness of the training… forms, advanced hand sparring, kicking techniques, and training in a snowstorm!!!

Have you seen the Korean movie, “Fighter in the Wind”?  There are some very cool training scenes where the main character goes into the mountains, in the snow, and does some intense training.

Well, it was kind of like that

Anyway… I’ve been super busy all year…which is why I haven’t posted much… but, the New Year is here…and it’s time for a Fresh new beginning!

Hope you have a wonderful New Year celebration!

Be thankful for all you have in your life.  I am grateful to God for the blessings that He has given to me in my life.

JUNG SU!

Training with Great Grandmaster Dr. Tae Yun Kim has taught me to appreciate my life, to have gratitude for my breath, and to enjoy every moment of every day.  That doesn’t mean that I don’t have challenges.  Who doesn’t?  Great Grandmaster said something very funny at a lecture many years ago:  If you don’t want to have any pain and suffering in your life, then you’re on the WRONG PLANET!”

So true!

It’s not that I never have any challenging or emotional times.  But through my training, I have learned that it’s how I DEAL with those times that’s the most important thing.

Great Grandmaster said something recently:  Stress is a license for Evil.

Powerful statement.  Recently, a Harvard-graduated professor at the University of Alabama DIDN’T get tenure, was stressed and pissed and shot  and killed 3 professor colleagues at a staff meeting.

When someone uses the term “to go postal” that is a reference to postmen who crack under stress and pressure and shoot people at their postal facility.

So, instead of getting “stressed”, I just “have a lot to do”!!!

I think that this is a great way to approach life.  Don’t get caught up in the negative things that are happening.  Acknowledge them and move on.

Are you?

♥

Check out this link too!

Korean Community Local News

Our recent Testing event with special guests, special demonstrations and all the Jung SuWon Warriors!

This was the first time I have ever done this kind of thing!! It was very awesome!!