My Brainwashing was better than your brainwashing

Children's Home Rules:

1) Children shall greet their parents when they enter the house and tell them goodbye when they leave.
2) Children will at all times be respectful to parents and grandparents, and strive for a good relationship with brothers and sisters.
3) Children will willingly help with household chores and be responsible for the upkeep and neatness of their rooms.
4) Children shall abide by their parents decisions.
5) Children shall not interrupt adult conversations.
6) Children will study their schoolwork both at school and at home.
7) Children will practice daily cleanliness in the matter of hair, teeth, and body.
8) Children shall possess an active mind, body, and spirit.
9) Children should never lie and should always be truthful.
10) Children should always finish what they already started.


The Tenets of TKD:

Courtesy: Applies to showing respect to the Master, the Instructors, the senior ranks, but also too it applies to treating each other, regardless of rank or age, with respect.

Integrity: Is much like honesty or uprightness. It is having sound moral values in life.

Perseverance: Is to keep trying and not give up until you have reached your goals even though it may be difficult.

Self-Control: Is control of oneself or control of ones emotions or actions.

Indomitable Spirit: Is an unconquerable spirit; no matter how tough the challenges you do not give up.



Student Pledge:

1. I shall observe the tenets of Tae Kwon Do.
2. I shall respect instructors and seniors.
3. I shall never misuse Tae Kwon Do.
4. I will be a champion of Freedom and Justice.
5. I will build a more peaceful world.



Tae Kwon Do is a never ending quest for perfection. An art of developing the mind and the body to defeat your constant opponent.... Yourself!


A good student is one who takes it upon himself/herself to learn the do of Tae Kwon Do. Out of respect for the art, he/she should learn some of the language.

Tae: To Kick
Kwon: Use of a hand or fist to block, punch, or strike.
Do: The art or the way.

Tae Kwon Do: The art of kicking, blocking, punching, or striking.


El Sim means on heart, one mind, one spirit, on love. We must practice El Sim to live from our original heart. All of us have one heart, but unfortunately we are cursed with a sinful nature. When we live with our sinful nature, we live an ever changing life.
We need to develop the positive concepts of El Sim, then we will realize how to live better with happiness and the true way of life. In conclusion, if we do not know ourselves, what we want, or who we are, we are unable to share our lives to help others.


Remember the following list in everyday life, in order to become a great Martial Artist.

Discipline your mind and body, train your body and mind.
Concentrate only on Tae Kwon Do.
Winning in only one Strike.
One must have a clean mind.
The more you know the less you talk or do not talk at all.
Do One Good thing each day.
Respect, love, and honor the elder and younger.


Ultimately then, Taekwondo in the form of education, sport, or human personification (or "do") seeks a practical philosophy based on martial morality which gives man a way to think and act with propriety recofnized as an intrepid, altruistic human being.


Our patch is lined with bamboo for flexibility. Bamboo is strong and bends with the wind but still stands in the storm.
The Tiger is white, rare, and symbolizes purity. The tiger has one yellow eye which sybolizes our logo "eye of the tiger."
The stripes in the patch represent our ranking system and show each belt level up to black belt.
The pyramid is equal on all three sides. The base of the pyramid is "Power" and the two sides are "Unity" and "Growth."
The Korean letters say "Tae Kwon Do"



and lastly Black Belt Commandments:

Truth-As a black belt, I will remain loyal to the art while striving to be the best example I can to those around me.
Perfection-I will seek to continue learning in TaeKwon Do, striving for self-mastery, for my journey into TaeKwon Do is never complete.
Commitment-I will at all times respect my Master, my instructors, all studnets and our dojang.
Courage-I will never misuse the skills I have been taught.
Wisdom-I will not depend upon others to motivate me in my growth in Tae Kown Do for I realize that much learning comes by the path of self motivation.
Guidance-I will seek to understand that each student in Tae Kwon Do is an individual with individual strengths and weaknesses, and will try not to judge others unfairly. I will be responsible for my classes and set a positive learning atomosphere.
Modesty-I will practice humility when speaking of my own abilities.
Simplicity-I will believe in the integrity of the Black Belt and will not dishonor it by yielding to my own weaknesses.
Cleanliness-I will show my respect for our dojang by helping to keep it clean and by helping our students to realize that the dojang is a place of learning and not a recreation center.
Love-My promises are the principles of Tae Kwon Do. Now that they have been learned, it is time to repay Tae Kwon Do, Master Melanie, and our school, and to share the art that has been so freely shared with me.

Notes of interest in my kata book:

The good martial artist maintains proper balance in motion and in stillness.
The martial arts is not about who you can hurt, it is about who you can help. It is about life, friendship and love....
The kata performance of a person advanced in karate is powerful, rhythmical, and consequently, beautiful.
A good form will take a minimum of 6 months to perfect.
As soon as you think you have perfected a form, you have proved you have not.