Welcome to Modern Farang Mu Sul

Well it's 2005, and now it's time to dust off those cobwebs, and start moving on with the year. I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year. May this year be full of promises fulfilled, and loads of love, generosity and good health and good will (both ways). We need to begin working on our individual and common goals. United, we will be very, very strong and unstoppable! BUT, we must make our plans clear, and constantly take steps toward them. If you have not made your plans, or if they are vague, or in your head, it's time to get them out, and get on with them. WRITE them down on paper. Have them present in your daily life. They must be tangible in order to accomplish them.

Set your own personal and mutual goals. I suggest you have both the BIG goal(s) and several little goals. Also, categorize them into personal (emotional/spiritual), financial, and martial arts goals. Think about how we can learn the lessons from our past mistakes, as well as successes, and plan on improving ourselves in as many ways possible. On the martial arts side, set dates to learn your new form, self defense set, improve your stamina, flexibility, kicks, etc. Reach that new belt. If you have not gotten your black belt....let's DO IT! If you already have your black belt, good job, now let's do something with it! Let's get the next one. Remember my story about reaching the top of the mountain. Think of ways to help your school, classmates, improve attendance, expand membership, invigorate your workouts, etc. HELP your teacher. HELP our organization. What can we do???? Remember, we have strength in numbers, and every effort counts, in the big picture! If it's been awhile since you've made it to WHQ, then let's make a trip to this years Warrior Quest and Black Belt Camp happen!!!....FARANG!

I have received word from various Insts. on some of the plans for 2005, and they sound very exciting! Master Wachsmann has a very busy schedule as does Inst. Pinto. The East Coast Crew are set for various NHB fights this, year, as are some of the West Coast TVT members. Master Schleeter is ready to conquer the world, so, just count me IN!! Here are some updates:

FMS - WHQ: We have so many projects on our lists, that if we reach half of them, we've accomplished a lot. To start the year off on the right foot, we just finished editing our latest video. It is 1st Dan Vol. 4. It contains several self defense sets, including: Prone Position Self Defense (Hoshin Wa Gi Sul), Middle Stick Choking Tech (Jung Bong Churu Gi Sul), and the much asked for 2 Man Self Defense Set (Hoshin Yang In Cheri Sul). They came out great! We used the written text from the manuals as the subtitles in the video to describe each technique. This way they will match and be totally consistent in your training. So all you 1st Dans out there, here is you chance to get you own copy, fresh off the presses.

FMS Hollister: Master Schleeter has been working very diligently slowly but surely building up his school. He has recently started a new fight night, and has included lots of NHB training. Very good job Sir! He also is coordinating with the East Coast Crew, and is in charge of making the new, custom FMS-TVT t-shirts. They look awesome. You do not want to miss out on one of these, so get them while you can, because they are not going to last.

FMS Portugal: Inst. Nelson Pinto and the FMS Portugal crew recently did an interview on the very popular TV Show: Cabaret da Coxa.....in Sic Radical hosted by Rui Unas. Inst. Pinto did a great demo and enlightened everyone on the various aspects of Modern Farang Mu Sul®. The feedback they have received so far has been incredibly positive. Great work everyone, way to represent.

Also, they just recently completed an intensive First Aide course. It was a six day course, set at 5 hours a day. Very nice. This is very important knowledge. Remember, it's very easy to hurt the human body, the real challenge of the master is to know how to heal it.

FMS Spokane: Inst. Chris Knight has been in serious training. They are preparing for some upcoming tournaments (including WQ6). They have recently done several demos, as well as color belt tests. The school is just growing and growing. Congratulations Sir. I know how hard you and Anne are working, and it is not going un-noticed. They are doing fund raisers in order to be able to bring as many students as possible to our 6th Warrior Quest Championship. This year should be the biggest and the best one yet.

FMS - New York: I received word from the East Coast Crew that their upcoming NHB fight are now set for March 19, 2005. Alright, now we're talking. TVT fighters set to fight are: Inst. Anthony Spataro, Inst. Joseph Spataro, and Inst. Mike Iannone. They have made special FMS-TVT t-shirts, so get them while they're hot. They are not going to last. A few of the West Coast FMS black belts will be there to offer support. Wow, I can't wait! Check out the Ring Of Combat website for pictures, poster and more information: http://www.ringofcombat.com

They also recently conducted a breaking seminar at the Manhattan school where Inst. Gibson teaches. Both children and adults all joined in on the fun. Good work everyone.

FMS Michigan: Head Inst. Robert Hudson has informed me that he conducted one of the biggest women's safety & self defense seminars to date! Actually, it would have been THE biggest if it wasn't for the snow storm they had which forced him to reschedule it. Several people cancelled because of that, but overall it was a great success.

FMS - Oregon: Master Greg Walker has completed his last tour in Iraq and is back home in Bend, Oregon. I just received news that he is formally retiring from the Green Berets. Can you actually do that? It is with great honor and pride that we would like to congratulate and recognize Master Walker for all of his great (and mostly un-thanked) service in all of the theatres he "put boots on the ground" at. He is a true warrior and scholar in every sense of the word. A real life Farang and true Sulsa! We are fortunate to have him back, and now will be focusing on other endeavors, FMS-STK still being one of them. So much to do, so little time.

FMS - Germany: I just received news that Master Wachsmann has made his schedule for the first half of this year. They are kicking off the year with FMS seminars every month, as well as special training sessions to prepare to upcoming competitions in Europe. Great work Sir! You will find more details on the German website. Here is a copy of his schedule:

January - 22nd
City: Fredeburg, Germany
Coordinator: Thomas Schneider

February - 18th
City: Köln, Germany
Coordinator: Michael Klockner

March - 12th
City: Winterberg, Germany
Coordinator: Markus Höhne

April - 16th
City: Cadaval, Portugal
Coordinator: Inst. Nelson Pinto

May - 14th
City: Wroclaw, Polen
Coordinator:: Inst. Katarzyna Klepczyk

June - 18th
City: Essen, Germany
Coordinator: Master Klaus Wachsmann

Birthday News: We are happy to announce the birthdays of our FMS Black Belts from all over the world, so all of you students will know exactly when you can show your gratitude and celebrate with your teachers. FMS Black Belt Birthdays for this month:
Inst. Sebastian Dorobek Jan -16th. Wishing you all the best. Remember, you are an inspiration to so many, and this is your special day!

Next month of February will be: Inst. Anthony Spataro Feb -19th, Joseph Spataro Feb -19th, and Joseph Gumina Feb -24th !