January, 2003

Hello everyone,

HAPPY 2003. What an amazing year 2002 turned out to be. The growth that this art experienced was pleasantly surprising. The year 2002 saw an unprecedented amount of students testing for their Black Sash. We saw not one, but two women make it to the Black Sash for the very first time in FMS history. There were no less than 15 students in total! 11 received their First Dan, 3 for their Second Dan, and 1 for Third Dan....Wow... That is quite inspirational. Keep up the good work.

Equally as impressive was the amount of activity that took place in all of the FMS schools worldwide. From WHQ in San Francisco, Spokane, Wa, Long Island, NY and Puerto Rico, to Portugal and Germany, we had TONS of training, demos, color belt testing, competing and more. I was honored to travel, and see old faces as well as meet new ones as well. (I live for these things!)

We capped the end of the year with our annual Christmas Party with tasty Korean food and warm conversation.

We were also very fortunate to be invited by Kong Jun Mu Sul - Grand Master Soon Tae Yang, to their Black Belt testing and Demonstration in lovely Marin, Ca. It was just wonderful and the demo team was nothing short of dazzling to watch. Later, we all came back into San Francisco for a very pleasant dinner.

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I am very excited about our plans for the year 2003, and look forward to the surprises that are sure to come. May the best of 2002 be only the begining of things to come in 2003. Let me close by including some food for thought that I had circulated privately before:

"As modern Warriors we on the constant quest of developing Martial skills, spiritual harmony, intellectual insights, and forging our body and spirit into steel. We stay ever vigilant and prepared for life’s challenges and the human ugliness that lurk around every corner. Yet, in order to be True Martial Artists’ we must not forget to seek out the beauty that exists in everyone we meet, and appreciate the wondrous beauty that world shows us with every rising of the sun. Striking the elusive balance between strength and frailty, this we must all strive to achieve.

This is a time of year to reflect, enjoy our loved ones, and affirm our convictions and character as we pass through this journey of life. Let us all count our blessings, appreciate our special gifts and be truly thankful.

Be kind to yourself, take good care of the ones you love and pray for peace and love to rule the hearts of all men and women,"

With brotherhood,

Kuk Sa Nim – Michael De Alba

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