United States
News:
Teuk Gong Team Monthly Dinner:
Lights Out!
In keeping with the mood of the month, it was a dark and stormy night.
From the farthest reaches of West Los Angeles and the San Fernando
Valley, the Teuk Gong Team crept and crawled along clogged arteries,
climbing over and driving past obstacles hurled by nature’s
wrath. Destined to break bread at our monthly repast, the Special
Forces refused to let anything stand in the way of the gathering.
Hosted by the Ginsburg/Parga Family in their colorful and lovely home,
we ate, drank and were merry, building bonds over Mr. Santiago’s
well-cooked sausages and Ms. Gache’s homemade chocolate cake
and whipped cream! With the warm glow of candles and fellowship filling
the house, Susuk Kwanjangnim kept the business of the dojang to a
minimum, exhorting us to continue our efforts, and to make sure that
we get the word out about the upcoming events – We must finish
Strong! His remarks were met with a resounding cheer.
Then the lights went out!
For more than an hour, with faces lit only by candles and flashlights,
we sat. Eating and drinking a little more, as a group we journeyed
back in time. With no cell phone reception, no internet connection,
no land lines, no DirecTV, and the rumor of a felled tree blocking
us all into the canyon, we enjoyed a time talking with each other
free of distraction. Miss Ginsburg gave flame to the fireplace, and
there we sat like warriors of old, telling tales around the fire to
ward off the darkness of a windy night.
For just a moment, we existed in the Silla Kingdom of many years ago.
It was quite an experience.
Hwarang Forever!
Reynaldo Macias
Press Secretary/KCC Chief Editor
Annual Haunted Dojang Halloween Party:
Halloween at the dojang always lets our young (and not so young)
students test their understanding of Sa Im Jun Moo Teah – Courage
never to retreat in the face of the enemy. On October 27, 2007, a
group of Disney princesses, assorted superheroes, and monsters arrived
at the dojang for the annual Halloween Party. The first event was
the haunted hall. Filled with the finest rate ghouls and goblins,
Frankenstein’s monster, and with screams issuing forth, the
children squealed in fright and debated whether or not to enter, while
parents were masking their terror.
With a little encouragement, and a quick reminder not to let their
fear control their actions, the princesses and superheroes braved
the hall, screeching and screaming but pushing through nonetheless.
While few children dared to go through the hall more than once, and
some were satisfied with seeing the faces of the escapees, all of
them were having a great time and learning about themselves and Hwarangdo
at the same time.
After the monsters were locked up, the children played a game of
wrap the mummy. Everyone participated in the game, with a few mummies
towering over the others. The most anticipated event was the piñata,
which was as tough as stone and took a while to break. Students could
barely control themselves, fidgeting back and forth and debating what
kind of kick they would use to break the piñata, and what kind
of kick would be most effective. But it was all worth it as the candy
poured out onto the mat.
All in all, the party was successful with the children laughing,
running around in their costumes, and having fun training, too!
Don’t miss next year’s Haunted Dojang Halloween Party,
Hwarang!
International
News
Special
Conference in Fiano Romano
On October 1st, 2007 Kyosanim Marco Mattiucci held a public conference
in Fiano Romano (the small town next to Rome where he lives). Ins.
Mattiucci discussed about how to protect oneself against fraud as
well as self defense tactics. A lot of people attended the event and
they were very enthusiastic about learning some techniques. So, Ins.
Mattiucci conducted a small self defense demo, which received outstanding
positive feedback from the audience. One member of the audience asked
Ins. Mattiucci to hold a special self defense seminar for senior citizens
next spring. That’s how it works – just keep on spreading
the word.
Hwarang forever!
Ins. Marco Mattiucci
Chief of the Italian Branch of the WHRDA
New Tae Soo Do Course in Genoa:
On October 22nd, 2007 a new Tae Soo Do course opened in Genoa. Federica
Valenti, a new TSD black belt, accepted this challenge. Her new students
are all over 50 years old and it's great to see them fight and train
hard, developing the strength to not retreat in the face of the enemy.
Who’s the enemy? The enemies are laziness, age, problems with
family, conflicts at work, etc. They are learning that these are not
excuses to fail, but are challenges to overcome. Many of them have
never practiced any kind of sports before... But, they soon learned
that it’s never too late and that nothing changes if we don't
fight for what we believe!!!
Hwarang forever!
Ins. Marco Mattiucci
Chief of the Italian Branch of the WHRDA
New Tae Soo Do Classes in Rome
On October 23rd, 2007 a new Tae Soo Do club started in Rome. Massimo
Borriello, a new TSD black belt, accepted this challenge. We wish
him the best for the future.
You can see some of his students in the above picture. Some of students
come from other clubs and made the sacrifice to change the location
to support the new club. Way to go Sunbae Borriello.
Hwarang forever!
Ins. Marco Mattiucci
Chief of the Italian Branch of the WHRDA
Outdoor Training – Overcoming
the Mountain
On October 20, 2007 Hwa Rang Do Kyosanim Marco Mattiucci, after some
weeks of recovery from his knee surgery, tried to train outdoor in
the snow. The challenges set by the elements, the cold weather, rough
terrain, was multiplied due to his recovering knee. But, Ins. Mattiucci
is a true Hwarang Warrior as he never allows difficulties, hardships,
challenges, or anything to get in the way of his training, always
striving to better himself in everyway. At times, the mountain was
defeating him and it was more than he bargained for, but he never
gave up, never quit!
"With concentration nothing is impossible."
These Dojoonim's words were constantly echoing in his mind whenever
he contemplated giving in to the mountain. It was a perfect situation
for Ins. Mattiucci to test his level of focus and concentration as
well as coming to understand the true power of unifying the mind,
body, and spirit as taught in Hwa Rang Do. How can we teach something
that we have not experienced ourselves? We can’t and this is
why our Hwa Rang Do instructors never stop training, learning, growing.
Way to keep the Hwarang Spirit alive!
Jokyonim Biancuzzi Demonstrates
in Rome
On October 15&16 2007 Hwa Rang Do Jokyonim Francesco Biancuzzi
arranged a set of open demonstrations and taught basic lessons to
the general public in Rome. Gotoogi – submission fighting/grappling,
full-contact fighting, point-sparring, forms, and Tae Soo Do techniques
were the subjects of the event. It was a definite crowd pleaser as
many of the spectators participated in the open lessons. Keep up the
good work Jokyonim Francesco Biancuzzi!
Hwarang forever!
Ins. Marco Mattiucci
Chief of the Italian Branch of the WHRDA
