United States
News:
West Coast:
Chief Master Lee’s B-day Party
A Happy Birthday For Master Lee!
So much to Celebrate!
It was only the 5th month of the year, but Master Lee had much to
celebrate already! He had the largest Buddy Week ever just for starts
and a wonderfully successful Minneapolis Seminar in early March. In
April, he took his TGT students snowboarding at Mammoth, and then
hosted the best ever annual Kumdo/Gotoogi challenge a few weeks after
that. At the end of this month, he would leave for Rome, Italy for
the 2008 European Seminars and Championships!
But first, there was a special, private celebration in order just
for Master Lee. On May 24th, Master Lee's family, Black Sashes, and
TGT students all joined together at Do Joo Nim's house to celebrate
his birthday!
(note: not to be confused with his June celebration. For Asians, it
is not unusual to have two distinct birthdays -- calendar and lunar).
It was a very special evening filled with happiness and joy for all.
It was a treat to see our Black Sashes arrive -- even Jokyonim Simon
Lee (currently an active duty Naval Officer) was able to make it to
shore! We enjoyed appetizers and conversation as we all caught up
with each other and relaxed. But soon enough, we were dining.
Sa Mo Nim is absolutely amazing. Her feasts (which she prefers to
prepare personally!) are always astonishing; this evening was certainly
no exception. We don't know how she does it all, but we do know that
she is, simply, the best. Even Master Lee, known to have a limited
appetite, can't resist his mother's cooking!
After feasting, the Karaoke machine was fired up. While no one can
sing nearly as well as Do Joo Nim, everyone could, and did, try. We
toasted, laughed, and sang as one big family. Both children and adults
enjoyed playing Pool and Foosball, watching movies, or finding a place
to sit and converse.
We all gathered in the kitchen where Master Lee, surrounded by Do
Joo Nim and Sa Mo Nim on either side of him, blew out the one gigantic
red candle in the center. He joked that he would have been okay if
we had stuck all of the candles in as he's come to accept his years
and laughed loudly.
After cake was shared we moved back to the living room where Master
Lee then presented us with one of the evening's biggest surprises
-- a premier showing of his completed movie project, "HYUNG:
The K-Town Chronicles" -- a treat we didn't expect! This was
a project filmed in 2001 titled, "K-Town Cowboyz." The story
was to span three episodes, the first of which was complete. Master
Lee, not one to leave things unfinished, worked his magic and actually
completed a final version even without the original crew or footage.
He wrapped up unfinished footage with the help of a few students and
friends, some green screen technology, and a lot of creativity and
resourcefulness. He re-edited the film very artistically and finalized
sound and score. Special thanks was given to Preston Rapp, Tony Diaz
for editing; Isaiah Faulkner for the original score; and Olivia Vaatete
who worked as Master Lee’s assistant /production manager and
wore many other hats. Also a special recognition was given to Master
Lee’s friend for over 12 years, Rick Spalla of HIP Films, for
his help with the production of the film.
Hyung (Big Brother) was divided again into 3 parts. At the end/beginning
of each part, we all cheered. Many of us were either a part of the
original project or the more recent work (or both) and found great
excitement and satisfaction in seeing the film for real. It was great!
The ending, without giving anything away, was very dramatic -- it
left most of us momentarily speechless. Wow, thank you for the showing
Master Lee!
It was a wonderful evening. Fortunately, Master Lee was not hounded
the entire time; he did find a moment to escape for a while to spend
quality time alone with his parents. Meanwhile, the Karaoke machine
was restarted, as were the Billiard and Foosball matches. Eventually,
we had to say our goodbyes (or good nights) for the evening. But we
were very pleased to see Master Lee so happy and enjoying such a successful
time for Hwarangdo during his Birthday.
Happy Birthday Master Lee!
And a tremendous, special THANK YOU to Do Joo Nim and Sa Mo Nim for
accepting us into their home and making it all possible.
HWARANG!
Reynaldo Macias
Press Secretary/Kwan Chang Chronicles Editor
Chief Master Lee’s
Trip to Hong Kong and Thailand
Chief Master Taejoon Lee was invited by the daughter
of our Korean Hwa Rang Do Association’s Chairman Ahn, So Yeon
and her husband, Eddy Kim to a small adventure to Thailand. Not having
had a vacation in many years, Chief Master Lee accepted the invitation.
He first left from LAX to Hong Kong where Eddy lives, working in
hedge funds. Master Lee was introduced to one of Eddy’s friends,
Robert who also works in business administration. He stayed with them
for the night and left the next evening to Bangkok. They ended up
in a small hotel, arriving very late, but they could not pass up the
world famous Thai massage. They all got up early the next morning
to catch a flight to Krabi. After a short hour flight to Krabi, they
boarded a bus that drove for another half-hour to a dock on the adjacent
coast. There, they took another hour long boat ride and then after
another hour bus ride, they finally arrived at their destination.
What a trek it was for Master Lee as it took him 2 ½ days to
arrive at his luxury bungalow.
The rest of Master Lee’s stay was relaxing, enjoying the sun,
the warm waters, good food, and good company. With much discussion
on promoting Hwa Rang Do throughout the Far East, many ideas and plans
were shared. After three nights and four days of paradise, Master
Lee and his friends returned back to Hong Kong, where he stayed another
day enjoying the metropolitan city and its vibrant night life before
he finally set off for home. Unfortunately, his flight was cancelled
after being stuck in the plane for 5 hours and had to stay overnight
at the airport hotel. This was no fun and Master Lee had second thoughts
travelling by United Airlines again.
Overall it was a great trip and a well deserved vacation for our
unrelenting, never vacationing, Master Lee. As he always says, “The
root word of vacation is vacate and why would you want to vacate anything.
Your vacation is a state of mind.” Even though he expounds this
idea, we think that it was great for him to get away and we hope he
takes more time for himself and vacate.
International
News
Italy:
The Hwa Rang Do European Events 2008
The Hwa Rang Do European Events2008 was held in Fiano Romano (Rome-Italy)
from the 28th of May to the 1st of June 2008.
We had the following main events:
• The first Hwa Rang Do European Black Sash Conference held
by HRD 7° dan Chief Master Taejoon Lee, eldest son of the Supreme
Grand Master Dr. Joo Bang Lee (Founder of Hwa Rang Do) - from 28th
to 30th of May.
• The Hwa Rang Do Open Summer Seminars 2008 always held by Chief
Master Taejoon Lee - May 31st.
• The European Hwa Rang Do Championships 2008 which includes:
armed/unarmed form competitions, light contact sparring, grappling
and for the first time, full contact matches - June 1st.
• The Official Banquet 2008 with awards.
Instructors attending the Black Sash Conference
(From left to right: Massimo Borriello, Alessandro Angelini, Federica
Valenti, Martin Srnka, Maria Luisa Medelin, Francesco Biancuzzi, Maura
Floris, Giulia Felicetti, Giuseppe Catania, Diego Guardione, Mauro
Capocci, Luca Gelati. In front: Instructor Marco Mattiucci amd Chef
Master Taejoon Lee)
There were so many feelings evoked from these events, it is hard
for me to write them all down. The presence of the Chief Master here
in Italy has been an honor for all of the European HRD/TSD students.
We have made our dream come true this year: we held our first Black
Sash Conference in Italy, teaching all of the Italian instructors
for 3 days with at least 12 hours a day. We have had the open seminars
for several years here in Italy and they are a great opportunity for
students to learn and this year was no different, but the EU Black
Sash Conference has been something truly unbelievable. We studied
HRD techniques and philosophy as in ancient times. We all stayed together
from the morning to the late night eating together, sharing martial
practice,
opinions and, most important, listening the words from the Chief Master
- all this in a beautiful green, lush, natural setting. Sometimes,
at sunset, we took walks all together in the green fields following
Chief Master Lee and asking/discussing about our life, Hwa Rang Do,
our students, our motivations, the qualities leadership, etc. It was
really magical and we all felt like the Hwarang Knights of Old.
Beginning of the Open Summer Seminars
I personally have to thank Chief Master Lee for the opportunity
he gave me to stay next to him. As I have told him several times,
staying next to him for me is an opportunity to learn. Even when he
isn't showing martial techniques, I learn so much about what is to
be a master, a leader, a Hwarang, a good person, etc.
Seminar Sessions on Self-Defense Tactics and Kicking
I carefully collect all that he says and use his quotes in my life.
The main concepts for this year have been:
"We're warriors and warriors must be unafraid of death. Warriors
walk with death side by side!"
Seminar Session on Knife Defense and Sparring Tactics
We spent several hours discussing about this concept and the Chief
Master gave us a lot of examples. That's definitely what makes the
difference between a martial warrior and an average person. That's
what we aspire to be until our death.
The EU Open Summer Seminars and the 1st EU HRD/TSD Championships
have also been great events. Representatives from The Netherlands
and Czech were present (Jo Kyo Nim Srnka, Sa Bum Nim Krijger and Jo
Kyo Nim Huijsmann were the Black Sashes present). A lot of students
(about 150) participated in the competitions and open seminars. We
also had many children this year. All of them were very curious to
see and practice together with the Chief Master (much time was spent
signing autographs after the event).
Participants of the Seminars and Championship
The Competitions in Full Swing!
The Black Sash Competitions
Definitely the highlights of the 1st European HRD/TSD Championship
was the 1st exhibition bout of our Full Contact venue which includes
striking and takedowns. Francesco Biancuzzi (in the red helmet), and
Giuseppe Catania (in the black helmet) fought fiercely for the entire
5 minute round, ending in a draw.
Here are just some of the many comments from the HRD/TSD
students about this year’s events:
"... my words are not enough to describe the experience of this
weekend... to listen to the words of a real Master is so rare today..."
Daniele
_______________
"... I needed an energy boost this year and the open seminars
were perfect for this... good organization, beautiful place, easy
to reach,... and a wonderful set of participants..."
Frank
_______________
"... what can I say? Great experience! I would like to re-do
it again right now..."
Giorgio
_______________
"... it's unbelievable how we can live this experience in so
many different ways every year... I was worried of Master Lee's opinion
about me and this pushed me to the top of my performance, mostly during
the championships... I was very excited... thanks to our Jo Kyo Nim(s),
to Kyo Sa Nim and the most to the Susuk Kwan jang Nim..."
Natascia
_______________
"... with my heart in one hand I can think about the event only
now (two days after)... terrible trip to reach Rome, but it has been
a worthwhile effort. Mainly to see and listen to the Chief Master...
I can listen to his words just now, I can see his eyes, I can see
him, next to us, as a father, as a brother... He smiled with us, he
loved us... that's a great feeling of family..."
Yubraska
_______________
"... great experience! I didn't know Tae Soo Do just one year
ago and now I feel like a part of something huge now... I can't wait
for the new HRD experience..."
Francesco Vitullo
_______________
"... The Chief Master gave me so many challenges..."
Luca Allaria
_______________
"... I liked the grappling and sparring techniques the most!"
Giulia Zappaterreno (child)
_______________
"... we have to think about all the things that the Chief Master
told us. Our duty is to apply all these concepts during this year!..."
Mauro Capocci
_______________
"... energy and enthusiasm: that's what I received from the
event!..."
Alessandro
_______________
"... I felt the lion inside the Chief Master. Courage, determination...
he cut my soul, he scratched inside me..."
Massimo Borriello
_______________
"... I cannot avoid thinking about when we were only a few TSD
students in Italy, during these events... thanks to Kyo Sa Nim for
his devotion to Hwa Rang Do and for his determination and firm hope
to succeed...
...and thanks to the Susuk Kwan Jang Nim to have corrected our mistakes,
to have tolerated them, to have loved us trough the reprimands (who
I love the most I reprimand the most)..."
Maura Floris
_______________
"... the Dutch team would like to thank you (Instructor Mattiucci)
for the great experience last weekend. We had a great time in Rome
and if there's ever another European seminar and the possibility is
there, we will definitely come again! ...We know it is hard to organize
something this big, but we all agree that you've done a great job
...It was even better then the event in 2006 (and that already was
a great event!) Especially the location, the weather and the "outside-dojang"
where we trained this year, motivated our warrior spirit for the rest
of the year!"
Mike Kuyper
And there are many others (unfortunately I have no time to translate
all of them).
I built a website the dedicated to our summer events. Please take
a look. http://www.hwarangdo.it/event2008
Hwarang forever,
Kyo Sa Nim Marco Mattiucci
Italian Branch of the WHRDA
