When I first started my Tae Kwon Do training, I was only 6 years old. We had just moved to Lapeer, Michigan a couple months before I joined and everything seemed like I was in another world. My parents really wanted me to join, because they knew what it could do for me. I remember walking into the dojang for the first time. Everything seemed so crowded at the time, because it was when we only had the small dojang to train in. My parents had left me so that I could watch the kids all practicing and training. I got so nervous that I went outside and laid down in the grass. That shows you how shy I was in the beginning.

When I came back in the head of the dojang, Master Anne-Marie J. Curell, comforted me, and I felt a little better. Now, I realize that it couldn't have been that crowded because there was only 5 people training. I have to admit I was scared to death. I was entering a world that I only recognized in the movies. A world in which I thought I could never truly belong. I thought I wasn't going to be doing it for as long as I have been.

When I went to my first class I again felt very nervous because everyone was staring at me. The first student I really connected with was Mr. Kenneth Patrick, and he really helped me out on learning all of my basics even though he was a beginner too. When I was younger I was really shy, so it was hard for me to talk openly with new people and to have a good time with them. I was always scared they weren't going to like me. But, after my first class was over I was really looking forward to my next class.

The instructors introduced me to the class as "Mr. Kim". I had never been address as "Mister Kim". With that new name I started to become a different and more outgoing and friendly person. With that name that was given to me in Tae Kwon Do class, I had found my true identity.

Because of my training I not only improved my physical condition but also mentally and emotionally. I wasn't always nervous anymore, and I became more sure of myself. I can definitely say that it boosted my self-esteem. I have become popular with my friends, and I am not shy or scared anymore. Physically, I have become stronger and quicker. I feel that I could defend myself in case of an emergency. I have learned how to show good techniques in front of an audience, such as at demonstrations I have been in since approximately 4 years ago. I feel that I am in pretty good shape, and I feel good about myself and my body.

I used to be bothered by kids, but now it's like they look up to me. They say things like ''WOW! You're a real black belt, I can't believe it." Even when I go into public places like the grocery store with my uniform on people say "Look Mom, He's a black belt.'' Occasionally there are the people that just don't understand what it's all about and they snicker behind my back and make fun of "Karate", but to these people I don't even give a second thought. Actually in a way I feel sorry for them. They must really think low of themselves to be making fun of others to make themselves feel better, or to have a good laugh. If I wasn't in Tae Kwon Do and people were to make fun of me I would probably have been very upset. I have learned to be responsible, and this I also partially owe to Tae Kwon Do. When my instructors give me something to do for them, you have to do it, therefore you learn that there are important things to do other than just goofing off or talking all the time.

I like to help other people. That part wasn't too big of a problem for me. I trained as hard and as well as I could and finally I tested for my first Dan of my black belt. That was another frightening moment for me, and I'm sure it was and is still a very frightening experience for anyone. I thought to myself... "Finally all the hard work paid off and it's going to be easy from here on out." NO NO NO! That is not how it happened. I also thought... "All right, no more of those grueling summer camps, or having to go to sometimes 4 or 5 classes a week." Now I look back at all those thoughts and laugh at them. How could I have been so stupid?

The Summer Camps now that I go to are the Black Belt camps, and trust me those are definitely much harder than the gup ones. There was also so much more responsibility I had to take on after receiving my black belt. Although there is much more work involved in being a black belt I would never want to become a gup again.

Sun Hee Kim (right)