Today is our six year anniversary!! So much has happened over the years. So many great memories flood to my mind as I sit here and type this entry. If I were to list them all I'd be here typing all night but there are a few that stand out to me.
My meeting with Grandmaster Ferraro to discuss my intention to open a Mi Guk Kwan dojang.
The 2009 National Championships, where I'd be at the school with the contractors in the morning, go and compete then judge all day then meet back with the contractors after the long days.
My first time doing a form on the floor of my finished dojang. (Chil Sung O Rho)
Day 1 classes. Bryce Cotter and Mike Tubiak my very first sudents.
Grand Opening celebration.
The 2010 Greenwich Karate Championships. Team Seven Star's first competition.
2010 Las Vegas Nationals...
Our 1 Year Anniversary picnic.
2011 World Championships at Disney World. With Bryce earning a World Championship Title.
All the various Gup Testings over the years. The good ones and the frustrating ones.
Teaching the women's self-defense seminars.
Taiji application seminar with Sifu Onassis.
Many great birthday sparring nights.
Some excellent visiting instructors: SBN Chiaramonte, SBN Tabone, SBN Ferraro, Mr. Bartolomeo and Mr. Goins.
2012 Nationals with Team Seven Star earning 20 trophies with 13 1st places.
Going through hours of video to make all the Dojang compilation videos.
2014 Nationals in Stamford CT and the 19 medals won by Team Seven Star.
All the various festivals at the Seven Star booth.
Putting on our first full demos at the Ansonia Harvest Festival.
5 Year anniversary party with all of my awesome students.
Having my most of my family and students present when I was promoted to Master.
Sitting on the other side of the testing board for a change at Headquarters while Alysa and Bianca test for their Cho Dan (Black Belt) evaluations. (They'll be testing for Cho Dan in October '15 and will be my first Black Belt students)
2015 Vegas World Championships and Jaden earning his World Championship title.
These are just some of the many awesome memories that I'll always carry with me. Running Seven Star Martial Arts Academy the last six years has been a wonderful challenge. I think I've gone through just about every emotion that a person can go through. I look forward to what the future brings and creating many more memories in the years to come.
Tang Soo!!
Master McManus