Athbhlian faoi mhaise daoibh

As it says, happy new year gach duine. 2009 is now well and truly behind us and as we enter the very early stages of 2010 we can be glad that the days are starting to stay with us that little bit longer. It won't be long before the spring is here and there's a bit of colour put back into the landscape.

2009 was a good year. There were plenty of surprises and plenty of expected catastrophes. One surprise for us all was the voting in of an African-American to the office the president of the US. He promised change and told the world that America could change, yes we can and all that, is feidir linn? Well time will tell, so far not much has happened internationally, but he is up against an inherantly corrupt politcal system.
The expected catastrophes? The December budget underlined this government as an ally of the super rich and an enemy of the working people of Ireland. Who's responsible for that lot anyway?

In Taekwon-Do terms, 2009 was great. This blog has new years resolutions, I've resolved not to have any, I'm still working on 2009. I'll get there in the end.

Master Choi Jung Hwa once spoke about new year resolutions. He said in all his wisdom that new year resolutions only serve to remind us that we are not perfect. He also said that it is a pity that we only promise to improve ourselves once every year. Everyday one should resolve to improve themselves, not every year. If you haven't trained with Master Choi Jung Hwa, you're missing out. I hope his 2010 will be as successful as his 2009 when he brought Taekwon-Do back to Korea after years of exile. A nice achievement for General Choi's son.

Our performance at the ITF European championships cemented our competitors as a formidable force and proved 2008 wasn't just one of them things. We can compete along side the very best, without doubt.
2009 saw some new arrivals to our club, all good people and capable Taekwon-Doists. 2010 will be good for them. Unfortunately, every year we lose good students for various reasons, it's always sad to hear that a student has decided to pack it in. The door is always a jar, feel free to rejoin us at any time, at your own pace.
2010 will be good for all of us together.

Most of our top competitors are sitting their leaving certs this year, it's typical. The world championships fall this year, and in South Korea at that. The belly of the beast. I'm not putting anyone under pressure to attend these, not on junior or leaving cert year, priorities are priorities.
As for top competitors, I've a feeling this year will be the year that some other younger students will make their mark on the tournament scene. Their time is fast approaching, their effort will pay off, trust me!

2010 will also be a year where we see a whole gansy load of students testing for 1st degree. I think we have seven, maybe eight. The future of Red Star Taekwon-Do is in safe hands that's for sure, and when this blog is old and gathering dust these guys will be alive and kicking.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have become an important part of my life for being the people they are, the kids and parents who grace our dojang every week, it brightens up my day, even if sometimes it doesn't seem that way! I would also like to suggest we all pay some thought to the man who created Taekwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi. He died in 2002. Make it your business this year to learn a little about the man he was - http://www.comdo.com/founder.html
If we continue to strive in our training, if we continue to stop and think about the people around us, if we continue to stand up for what is right well then 2010 can only be one thing.

2010 will be good.