Dragon Dance Team practice for Chinese New Years 2013

I am looking forward to this year's Chinese New Year and another Dragon Dance with Dr. Lee and all of our friends.  Last year I was able to enjoy the awesome event and this year is going to be more exciting for me because Heide and I are participating with some of my students.  We had a practice today with the terrific team and Sifu Lee had us practicing basic steps and formations.  I helped keep the mood light although we worked diligently and all want to do our best to put on an excellent dance in February.

Christmas Celebrating

Christmas was a beautiful celebration with family and friends this year.  We started the merriment on Sunday with Tom and Lisa Hybiske's party with their family and friends.  The party was terrific - wonderful people, great food. The children were so excited and especially enjoyed singing and dancing.  There was even some laser sword play later that night in the front yard.

It was followed by Christmas Eve the next day with visiting Heide's mom, dad, brother and sister, niece and nephew, followed by my mom and my son Randy coming to our house for a delicious traditional fish dinner.  Everybody was having a great time, our animal friends included.

At 10 pm we decided to exchange our gifts and enjoyed simply being together.  On Christmas Day we went to see my family as well as visited Heide's 97 year old grandmom in Pennsylvania.  Christmas should last a week instead of only a few days.

December 14th Testing

5:45 pm Elyas and Ethan tested for their yellow belts, going through basics, form and techniques, looking a little nervous but confident. Awesome job guys!  Keep up the great work and congratulations on your advancement.  Keep practicing.

7:00 pm we started on schedule for 1st Kyu testing with Sempei Matt. Testing started with grueling and fast paced basics. Mark and Andie followed all the basics giving their best on the advanced. Great job guys.  Sempei Matt exemplified near perfection going through all the Kenpo Forms requirements and a Black Belt Form as well. Soon after we jumped in to all the basics with a verbal quiz as well as physical delivery, which was impeccable.  Excellent job and I am very proud of you and am glad to be your friend and your instructor.

Congratulations to all.

Toys for Tots Benefit Tournament December 9, 2012

It was a pleasure to take part at the WKU's Toys for Tots Tournament at the Chateau Resort in the Poconos today.  The event was great.  It was awesome to run into all the people I love, admire and respect including Master Bridget, Master Stephanie, Justine Wollman, Pat and Josh, etc.

The Christmas spirit was around us, everybody was in the spirit of giving and Sandokan donated a Japanese sword set to the winner of a raffle drawing.  The Chateau was beautifully decorated with lighted 10 to 12 foot Christmas trees and Santa even visited for the kids.  Once Santa took a break, Heide and I decided to keep his seat warm. (I am sure the jolly old man would appreciate it with his old bones).

The spectators and competitors were wonderful, including members of the Marine Corps who took part in this event. Special thanks of gratitude to the Tasetano family for being dedicated to this charitable event people and for being marines! Congratulations to all the competitors and kudos to moms and dads, family and friends who support them and together have helped this worthy cause, after all that is what it is about.

Yellow Belt Testing

Monday, December 3rd started off with great classes including cardio. At 7 pm, Adult Yellow Belt testing began. Class was fully stocked with Advanced Belts supporting the Yellow Belt Testing students.

I decided to sidestep a little bit after the excruciating stretching and we put the Yellow Belt candidates through rigorous basics such as kicks, punches and combinations.  Andie Soma and Mark Ingrum were motivated and very dedicated as well as driven to ace the belt testing.  Through indomitable spirit they persevered and passed with flying colors.  I would like to thank my advanced belts as well as congratulate the yellow belt students.  I am very proud of everyone, and look forward to next testing.