1/20/07 -

Last Wednesday, I spent a few hours with Grandmaster Choi, Master Gross, and Master Bleil. Gm Choi went into specifics about the types of things he would like us to perform. He suggested about 10 personal training sessions with him up front so that we could get the requirements down, and then have plenty of time to perfect them. He is really having us do many new things. Although most systems really don't teach many new techniques after 5th dan or require much of a physical test either.

Grandmaster Choi spelled-out a practice plan of 15-30 minutes of practice this week on Mushim-Bong (cane), InNae-In, and Geuk-Gi-In. This will start helping us get into greater condition to do many forms in a row! We will do the set of three several times without a break! We will be adding a new Karate form, a Two person Kung-Fu form, a Taekwondo form, sword, cane, Hapkido self defense, straw and bamboo cutting with sword, a breaking form, Our own invented form, and 5 day fasting and 24 hours of meditation. This is a lot between now and July 22nd!

I am concerned about really learning everything between now and then, and with a plumbing problem at the house, I am concerned about paying for so many personal training sessions, and being gone every Wednesday.

I have also had to make some modifications to my training schedule to make sure I including enough martial art practice each day, and not over training.

1/17/07 -

Tamara and mine's trip to see my step father in Princeton, New Jersey was really nice. I took my cane along and I needed it during our long walks in Manhattan. Walking distances definitely takes the most toll on my hip, so I have to watch how long I go for treks these days! Besides the long walks, I did a work-out on Sunday at the house.

Today I had my first in a series of lessons with Grandmaster Choi. He is working with Master Gross from Columbus and Master Bleil from Dayton at the same time. It was an awesome experience and reminded me on why he is the Senior Grandmaster. Tomorrow I will give you a rundown.