Well, I finally got my pics and videos uploaded. After much looking around and botched work, I discovered that the fastest and easiest way to upload everything was on my myspace profile. To get to my profile, simply go to myspace.com/metaltimtheteke. That's the only way to view the pictures. However I'll go ahead and link the videos right here.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=55149287
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=55148851
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=55148258
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=55148258
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=55148552
Enjoy!!!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Journey Thus Far, Ch. 1:
So, I've just survived my second week here in Korea. As this is my first post, it will be a long one. Things have been a little crazy since I got here, and I barely have a moment's rest. I'd say the trip here was probably the hardest part. Between planes, layovers, and rides to and from the airports, I spent just over 31 hours in transit. During that time, I may have slept 3 hours. after getting picked up from the airport and having a delicious meal of bulgogi, and other things that I cannot pronounce just yet, I finally got to my home around 4 in the morning. I felt terrible that I may have woken my roommates, but they were very accomodating and helped me unpack a little before I decided to wait til the morning. I stayed up a little bit, trying to get to know my roommates, but they do not speak much English. Morning came fast and I was up bright and early, considering that sleeping from 5-8 am here in Korea, meant about 2-5 pm back home in the US. My new employers (yes employers, I work at 2 Taekwondo schools for 2 different Grand Masters on alternating days. Each of my roommates also works at one Dojang) did not waste any time putting me to work.
At 1pm on Thursday the 29th, I was on my way to the first Dojang in Toegyewon city with Grand Master Seo Sung Kyo and my roommate Master Yoon, and I began my training. I never really knew exactly how sloppy my technique was until I came here. For my first week here, I spent a half hour each day reconstructing my roundhouse kicks. I am essentially re-learning how to execute them using muscles I never knew I had. I have also been doing a lot of fine tuning on my poomse (forms). Apparently the poomse have changed a bit over the last 10-15 years, and the way Master Kwon teaches them is not wrong, but there are many subtle differences in stance, direction and speed that are no longer practiced. I still like my old style more, but while I am in Korea, I will practice the way they practice here.
The next day, January 30th, I spent at the second Dojang in Uijeongbu city, with Grand Master Seo Duck Soo and my other roommate Master Yu. Master Yu informs me that there will be a demonstration that day, in 2 hours. I'm glad I had a warning to prepare! He teaches me a very basic series of hand strikes known as Kwon Sul, and tells me that it will be my demonstration. He then shows me his portion of the demo using Ssahn Jael Bang (Nunchaku). After that Master Seo asks me if I can use them and asks to see a little. So I show him some basic moves, and he smiles with approval. So the demo comes, and there are about 30 students at the school. Some of which I had gotten to meet within the time before the demo started. So the demo starts, the parents are in the back of the Dojang, and the students are watching in excitement. Master Seo introduces me and says a bit about me, most of which I could not understand. Then we begin. I perform my Kwon Sul, Master Yu does his Ssahn Jael Bang, and then he hands them to me and nods. This I was not warned about! So I did a freestyle demo. The kids and parents seemed impressed, so all was good.
Then came movie time! All the kids were invited back to the school later on at night for a movie in the Dojang. The movie of choice was Madascar 2. I sat down with the kids and they swarmed me with questions I wish I could understand and answer. I got a break from the kids when my dinner arrived. The masters had ordered pizza for me. Or at least they called it pizza. No pizza I've ever seen has had potato, mustard, or corn on it. I ate what I could, and thanked them for the gesture. Movie time came and we all went home. After a long day and a sleepless night, I finally got some rest.
The next day came and my roommates were taking me out snowboarding! I tried to tell them that I had never gone before, but they didn't quite understand, so I just had to show them, by falling down the hill for a good hour and a half. After bruising myself in places unmentionable on this family friendly blog, I decided to take it easy.
Monday came, and I began teaching my Taekwondo classes in English at the Toegyewon Dojang. The first class was a bit rough, as I did not know exactly what I was supposed to be teaching them. Language was not much of an issue as I already had a good idea how to instruct the classes, while Master Seo S.K. and Master Yoon did their best to translate. After the first class I had a better idea and it was all smooth sailing. Tuesday came and I went to the Uijeongbu dojang with Master Seo D.S. and Master Yu. Again, the same with an awkward first class, followed by several classes that went much smoother. Again I had translators for the kids, which made the job much much easier. That week was spent getting to know my new students, while they made the adjustment to me as their new instructor.
When the weekend came, (and it was much needed) I had my first actual training session. Master Seo and Master Yoon brought me to Dongsang high school to work out with their Varsity Taekwondo team. Now, I know that it may seem a little funny, a 25 year old, working out with 15-18 year olds, but this isn't just any high school. This high school has the #1 ranked Taekwondo team in the country, and possibly the world. Imagine that the NFL recruited players directly from high schools, and your Sunday league got to work out with that school. These kids are Korea's elite youth and olympic class athletes in the making. And they are FAST!!! While I tried to keep up with the pace they set, Master Yoon insisted that I take a break. Though I did not do nearly as much work as the athletes, I probably threw close to 300 roundhouse kicks with a few axe kicks and back kicks mixed in there.
Training ended, and I went out to dinner with Master Yoon, Master Seo, one of his best friends, and his friend's family. When dinner was over, Master Yoon and I returned home and I met some of his friends, with whom I spent a night out in downtown Toegyewon. Let me tell you, a night out in Korea is a VERY different experience.
As another week passed and the weekend came, we returned to the ski resort. Though I dreaded the feeling of tumbling down the hill, I was determined to stay on my feet this time. I had to, considering that the night before it had rained, and much of the snow had turned to ice. Thus, falls would be much more painful than a regular trip down the mountain. I also had to keep my composure and at least look like I was having fun, because I had more people with me. Both Grandmasters and a small group of students from each school came with. Actually, about 8-9 Taekwondo schools put together a ski camp for the weekend. I actually did much better this time around and even managed to make it down the hill a few times without falling at all! For an amateur, especially a second timer, that's actually kind of a big deal!
Well, Sunday came, and this was a much needed day of rest. After 2 weeks straight, I had literally no time to myself. I had perhaps an hour, here and there when my roomates had left the apartment before I was up, but that 1 hour to myself was spent prepping for work. I also had not had any days when I was not involved with some sort of Taekwondo business. I had the entire day to myself, and it was just what I needed to recharge my batteries. When Monday came, I was ready to go again to get into another great week with my students.
Once the week was out, I got to go the World Taekwond Headquarters to see a black belt promotion test! There were probably well over 300 people testing from all over Korea. I had 2 kids from my school testing for their 1st dan, and they did great! With all the excitement of the day, the kids were worn out. They will have to wait a few days, while the Kukkiwon masters review their performance, but I can't wait to see them with their new 1st dan belts!
Finally, I am caught up to the present day. Today I met Master Yu up at Dongdaemun market. While the market itself was fun, the real adventure was getting there! I was traveling solo, which can be quite difficult when you don't speak the language. I had trouble just finding the subway station! First, I took 2 buses to get to the general vicinity, and the stop that bus driver told me was the station was really about 2 miles away! so I found a cab driver who understood a little English to get me to the station. Once I found the station, the next problem was actually finding the train! I went downstairs to where you'd expect a subway to be... instead it was a Ginormous shopping center! After walking from end to end several times for about 20 minutes, I finally found out that the subway was above ground. yeah, the subterranean railway was not subterranean at all... Well, I finally made to Dongdaemun station about a half hour late, and met up with Master Yu and his girlfriend. After doing some shopping, we finally called it a day, and we returned home.
To say the least these past 3 weeks have been very busy. I have taken a few pictures, but do not have a means of posting them as of yet. Next week one of the schools has an event, and I should have some pics and videos up and ready for viewing.
Im still getting warmed up here in Korea, and the adventure has just begun! so keep an eye out, and there will be more to come very soon!
At 1pm on Thursday the 29th, I was on my way to the first Dojang in Toegyewon city with Grand Master Seo Sung Kyo and my roommate Master Yoon, and I began my training. I never really knew exactly how sloppy my technique was until I came here. For my first week here, I spent a half hour each day reconstructing my roundhouse kicks. I am essentially re-learning how to execute them using muscles I never knew I had. I have also been doing a lot of fine tuning on my poomse (forms). Apparently the poomse have changed a bit over the last 10-15 years, and the way Master Kwon teaches them is not wrong, but there are many subtle differences in stance, direction and speed that are no longer practiced. I still like my old style more, but while I am in Korea, I will practice the way they practice here.
The next day, January 30th, I spent at the second Dojang in Uijeongbu city, with Grand Master Seo Duck Soo and my other roommate Master Yu. Master Yu informs me that there will be a demonstration that day, in 2 hours. I'm glad I had a warning to prepare! He teaches me a very basic series of hand strikes known as Kwon Sul, and tells me that it will be my demonstration. He then shows me his portion of the demo using Ssahn Jael Bang (Nunchaku). After that Master Seo asks me if I can use them and asks to see a little. So I show him some basic moves, and he smiles with approval. So the demo comes, and there are about 30 students at the school. Some of which I had gotten to meet within the time before the demo started. So the demo starts, the parents are in the back of the Dojang, and the students are watching in excitement. Master Seo introduces me and says a bit about me, most of which I could not understand. Then we begin. I perform my Kwon Sul, Master Yu does his Ssahn Jael Bang, and then he hands them to me and nods. This I was not warned about! So I did a freestyle demo. The kids and parents seemed impressed, so all was good.
Then came movie time! All the kids were invited back to the school later on at night for a movie in the Dojang. The movie of choice was Madascar 2. I sat down with the kids and they swarmed me with questions I wish I could understand and answer. I got a break from the kids when my dinner arrived. The masters had ordered pizza for me. Or at least they called it pizza. No pizza I've ever seen has had potato, mustard, or corn on it. I ate what I could, and thanked them for the gesture. Movie time came and we all went home. After a long day and a sleepless night, I finally got some rest.
The next day came and my roommates were taking me out snowboarding! I tried to tell them that I had never gone before, but they didn't quite understand, so I just had to show them, by falling down the hill for a good hour and a half. After bruising myself in places unmentionable on this family friendly blog, I decided to take it easy.
Monday came, and I began teaching my Taekwondo classes in English at the Toegyewon Dojang. The first class was a bit rough, as I did not know exactly what I was supposed to be teaching them. Language was not much of an issue as I already had a good idea how to instruct the classes, while Master Seo S.K. and Master Yoon did their best to translate. After the first class I had a better idea and it was all smooth sailing. Tuesday came and I went to the Uijeongbu dojang with Master Seo D.S. and Master Yu. Again, the same with an awkward first class, followed by several classes that went much smoother. Again I had translators for the kids, which made the job much much easier. That week was spent getting to know my new students, while they made the adjustment to me as their new instructor.
When the weekend came, (and it was much needed) I had my first actual training session. Master Seo and Master Yoon brought me to Dongsang high school to work out with their Varsity Taekwondo team. Now, I know that it may seem a little funny, a 25 year old, working out with 15-18 year olds, but this isn't just any high school. This high school has the #1 ranked Taekwondo team in the country, and possibly the world. Imagine that the NFL recruited players directly from high schools, and your Sunday league got to work out with that school. These kids are Korea's elite youth and olympic class athletes in the making. And they are FAST!!! While I tried to keep up with the pace they set, Master Yoon insisted that I take a break. Though I did not do nearly as much work as the athletes, I probably threw close to 300 roundhouse kicks with a few axe kicks and back kicks mixed in there.
Training ended, and I went out to dinner with Master Yoon, Master Seo, one of his best friends, and his friend's family. When dinner was over, Master Yoon and I returned home and I met some of his friends, with whom I spent a night out in downtown Toegyewon. Let me tell you, a night out in Korea is a VERY different experience.
As another week passed and the weekend came, we returned to the ski resort. Though I dreaded the feeling of tumbling down the hill, I was determined to stay on my feet this time. I had to, considering that the night before it had rained, and much of the snow had turned to ice. Thus, falls would be much more painful than a regular trip down the mountain. I also had to keep my composure and at least look like I was having fun, because I had more people with me. Both Grandmasters and a small group of students from each school came with. Actually, about 8-9 Taekwondo schools put together a ski camp for the weekend. I actually did much better this time around and even managed to make it down the hill a few times without falling at all! For an amateur, especially a second timer, that's actually kind of a big deal!
Well, Sunday came, and this was a much needed day of rest. After 2 weeks straight, I had literally no time to myself. I had perhaps an hour, here and there when my roomates had left the apartment before I was up, but that 1 hour to myself was spent prepping for work. I also had not had any days when I was not involved with some sort of Taekwondo business. I had the entire day to myself, and it was just what I needed to recharge my batteries. When Monday came, I was ready to go again to get into another great week with my students.
Once the week was out, I got to go the World Taekwond Headquarters to see a black belt promotion test! There were probably well over 300 people testing from all over Korea. I had 2 kids from my school testing for their 1st dan, and they did great! With all the excitement of the day, the kids were worn out. They will have to wait a few days, while the Kukkiwon masters review their performance, but I can't wait to see them with their new 1st dan belts!
Finally, I am caught up to the present day. Today I met Master Yu up at Dongdaemun market. While the market itself was fun, the real adventure was getting there! I was traveling solo, which can be quite difficult when you don't speak the language. I had trouble just finding the subway station! First, I took 2 buses to get to the general vicinity, and the stop that bus driver told me was the station was really about 2 miles away! so I found a cab driver who understood a little English to get me to the station. Once I found the station, the next problem was actually finding the train! I went downstairs to where you'd expect a subway to be... instead it was a Ginormous shopping center! After walking from end to end several times for about 20 minutes, I finally found out that the subway was above ground. yeah, the subterranean railway was not subterranean at all... Well, I finally made to Dongdaemun station about a half hour late, and met up with Master Yu and his girlfriend. After doing some shopping, we finally called it a day, and we returned home.
To say the least these past 3 weeks have been very busy. I have taken a few pictures, but do not have a means of posting them as of yet. Next week one of the schools has an event, and I should have some pics and videos up and ready for viewing.
Im still getting warmed up here in Korea, and the adventure has just begun! so keep an eye out, and there will be more to come very soon!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Testing... 1..2..3..
Greetings and Salutations! This is my first blog... well... ever. I'm creating this for one reason and one reason only. I'm leaving the country on Jan 20th and moving to Korea for a year of Taekwondo training. I want to be able to keep in contact with all my family, friends, and students back in the states. My plans are to post videos, pictures and various other information about my stay in the east, once i figure out how. This blog will be family friendly, as I plan on keeping my students informed on my trip and educating them a little bit on korean culture. If I find any posts to be inappropriate for younger readers, they will be deleted. If you want to send me something with more mature content, do so in a private message. I will do my best to respond so long as it is not spam or sent just to irritate me. So All that considered, I now declare this blog, open for posting!
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