September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006
February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006
July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006
December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007


March 1st Movement
03/01/07
My Teeth!
03/02/07
Blue Belt Test
03/24/07
Jeju Loveland
03/28/07
       

Tomla Mok Sok Won
03/28/07		      

Blue Belt Test
March 24, 2007

Today was my Hapkido blue belt test at the dojang I've been studying at since the end of December 2006.  I invited some of my friends and students and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.  There is an advancement test every 3 months, so I was lucky enough to take a test before I moved back to USA.  I was also very lucky and honored today to receive a special trophy for my performance during the test.

"Yu nung jae gang"
(smooth - very good - control - rough)

Translation - Smooth movements can
successfully defeat rough ones.

 "Baek yun ja duk"
(hundred - practice - myself - know)

Translation - If I practice one hundred
times, I'll truly know.

These Chinese characters hang on the front wall of the dojang.

The dojang before the test began.

Everyone warming up.

The show begins!

.

Mr. Joo and I bow and prepare for my test.

Mr. Joo and I go through the numerous moves I've been taught.

The crowd and the beginning of the award ceremony.

.

Being awarded our blue belts and my special award.
Mr. Joo honored me greatly by putting my blue belt on me.

After the test.

What I learned today about Korea:  1) I got a little teary eyed when Mr. Joo put my blue belt on me.