Schedule Change

The schedule will be changing January 2nd. Click here to see the new schedule, http://www.tienlung.com/edmonton/schedule.htm

Please look over the schedule carefully as there are some changes. Be sure to register for your classes, forms are available at the Front Desk.

Tobogganing

Bring your sled, warm clothes, friends, and family for an afternoon of sledding with out Tien Lung members. This will take place on Sunday, February 3rd in Rundle Park from 12:00 until 3:00 pm. The cost is $6.50 ($6.00 BBC, $5.00MC). We have a room at the Family Center, for hot chocolate and snacks, which is also a great place to warm up. Sign up the Front Desk, we hope to see you there!

Color Belt & Black Bar Graduation

The Graduation will be on January 12th at 3:00 pm. If you are scheduled to graduate this month please ensure that you have completed all of your paperwork and handed into Mr. Laton by January 8th at the latest (if you do not know what is required, please see your instructor or Mr. Laton). Please feel free to being friends, family and your camera!
**You must have your Tien Lung crest sewn on your right chest prior to Graduation Day.
2:00 pm: Check In - Front Desk
3:00 pm: Graduation Commences (Full Dobok Required!!)

All White Belts graduating, please ensure that prior to graduation you have booked your Renewal Meeting at the Front Desk.

New Red Belts

If you have recently earned your Red Belt make sure you review both your Qualification Code and Black Stripe Checklist. The checklist is geared toward getting you ready for your Black Belt Exam. If you follow the instructions on the checklist, you will be off to a good start in preparing for your Black Belt Exam.

As a new Red Belt, you will be assigned a mentor. It's also time for you to start thinking about the R.B.E (Red Belt to Black Stripe Enrichment) Program and the T.L.P.(Tien Lung's Leadership Programs). There is information about the T.L.P. Program beside the blue announcement board on the main floor. You can get information about the R.B.E. Program from Mr. Laton.

Mini Dragons Winter Session
(Parents & Tots)

Once again, Tien Lung is proud to offer its very own program for Parents & Tots (Mini-Dragons!!) for 2 & 3 year olds. There will is a Saturday morning class at 9:45 am beginning on January 19th and a class on Thursday at 5:15 pm starting January 24th, for 10 weeks. Each child will receive a free T-shirt and belt, and at the end of the session be given an achievement star to go on their belt! The Saturday Class is almost full, so register as soon as possible. Your child will receive a different colour shirt and star each time they return! See the Front Desk to register.

Tien Lung Badge Program

The Badge Program is still going strong, even though the Summer Badge Giveaway is over. If you want to know what badges are available in the R.B.E., S.W.A.T.(Special Winning Attitude Team) and Pursuit of Excellence Programs you can pick up a handout from your instructor or ask Mr. Laton.

We are sure we will see more and more badges in the future. Don't be shy-ask your Instructor at anytime which badges you qualify for. Remember: members under the age of eleven who collect all of the badges will earn the right to test for their Black Belt.

Competitive Corner

We would like to thank all our amazing supporters of the Competitive Program that bought chocolates at the invitational tournament and continue to do so. We hope to to raise enough funds to cover the coaches costs at the recent National Tournament, and to give us a good head start on offering a fantastic night at the Silent Auction.

The Tien Lung Competitive Program is hosting a silent auction on Saturday March 8, 2008 at the Baturyn Community Hall, 10505-172 Avenue. Tickets will be available in the New Year at a cost of $10.00 per person, no minors please. Your admission includes dinner, demos, dance and silent auction. Any donations for this event will be accepted at the front desk. If you require a letter from the club to solicit donations, please ask at the Front Desk. Watch for details and ticket purchase dates.

If you are interested in joining the competitive program, please see Mr. Laton for more information.

We will also be accepting new color belt members for the Competitive Program in January!

Gently Used Dobok Sale

We have an overabundance of gently used doboks. So we are having a clear-out sale for $5.00 a piece or 2 pieces for $8.50. Sizes will be sorted in the Pro-Shop, no refunds available.

Yearly Locker

Our feature for January, are yearly locker memberships. For only $120.00, you get the luxury of storing your uniform and sparring gear here everyday. No more dragging that heavy bag to and from the dojang. Locks are not included. Please see the Front Desk for more details.

If you have already participated in Persuader Level II AND Tien Lung's Pressure Point Course, YOU are invited to learn how to COMBINE your skills and knowledge into one seamless Self Defense System, taught by Mr. Gaudet.

In this course you will review
· Persuader I and II
· Tien Lung's Pressure Points

THEN learn how you can most effectively use your persuader to disable and control your attacker regardless of his size and strength.

Who: Anyone 16 years and older who has already attended Persuader II and the Tien Lung Pressure Point Course.
Where: Tien Lung North: 10744-124 Street
When: Saturday, February 16th from 4:00-7:00
Cost: $45.00 ($37.00-BBC, $30.00 MC) $25.00 if you are taking it as a refresher (Level 2 certificate must be
provided at registration).

PS: Remember to bring your Persuader keychain. If you need to purchase a new one, please see the Front Desk

Mr. & Mrs. Wisniewski are conducting a Blue Stripe to Black Stripe, with the help of Mr. Gaudet & the Tien Lung Instructors
When: January 25, 26 & 27, 2008
Where: At the North Dojang
Who: This seminar is open to Blue Stripes and above.
What: This course will prepare members for their Black Belt exam, covering patterns, step sparring, self defense, sparring concepts, etiquette, knowledge and more!
Cost: The seminar fee is $121.90/person (BBC=$97.52 MC=$85.33).

Seminar Itinerary
Friday:
6:00 pm: Check In
6:30-8:30 pm: Seminar
Saturday:
9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Lunch: 12:00-1:30 pm
Group Photo: 1:30 pm
Supper: 4:30-6:00 pm
Sunday:
9:00 am-4:00 pm
Lunch: 12:00-1:30 pm

Teacher's Convention Camp is coming up! It will take place on Thursday, February 28th and Friday, February 29th, from 7:30am - 5:15pm. If you need something to do while you parents are at work, why not spend your time down at the Dojang? For both days, it's only $60.00 ($48.00 BBC $42.00 MC), and you can play games, do crafts, watch movies, and even get some Taekwon-Do training in there, too. Please register at the Front Desk. Spaces always fill up fast, so hurry.

Badges

Congratulations to the following students, who have earned a new badge this past month. Keep up the good work!

Splits Club
Sydney Cardinal
Alex Podolsky
Alexandra St. Germain
Precious Caringal
Kahlia Tajeda
Jonathan Maheda
Academic Achievement
Zach Empson
Pop-Up Master
Andrew Lee
Jack Kasianiuk
Luke Kasianiuk
Rising Star
Gage Rolfe
Excellent Sparring
Gage Rolfe
Excellent Form
Gage Rolfe

• January 12 - Black Belt Class Cancelled
• January 25, 26, & 27 - All Classes Canceled

Competitive Class

All competitive classes will resume on January 8th.

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now. A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl! When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded, 'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..'
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn!