So... It's been over a year since my last post

Well, that's terrible! So much for posting regularly.

Although, to be honest not all that much has happened except for Gemma and I promoting to Black Belt in November.

It was an amazing day! We drove ourselves up to Liverpool which was a daunting task for me, but it was absolutely fine. We competed during the day and done okay - I got a Silver in Forms and Techniques. Gemma got a Copper for Staff Spinning, a Bronze for Forms and a Gold for her Techniques which she was delighted with.

In the evening when my nerves had reached the limit and Gemma was still calm as can be, just before we were called up to collect our certificates from the Grand Master - Kuk Sa Nim, our feelings switched. I was fine and Gemma was so panicked that she galloped up to the head table leaving SBNs Jon & Helen Denny and myself in the dust. Hehehe.

Afterwards, we all met up at the Indian for the customary post Liverpool Exhibition curry.

Since then, we've been helping out even more. Gemma and I now run the kid's fun nights and are far more involved in the high grade children's class. We even help with the adult coloured belts.

JDKJN has also accepted us into his Instructor program which is very exciting!

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Work is still going wonderfully and I couldn't be happier. I finally met with the chaps from Betcom. Gemma and I travelled up and I spent a couple of days working in their office. They are awesome and we all got on really well.

Gemma is no longer at the Vets. She was treated terribly there and it showed no signs of getting any better. Finally, enough was enough and I just told her to leave before it made her ill again. She then went on to do some work with Stephen - helping to arrange things for a film he was making. That project has finished now and she is enjoying being a housewife. I love having her home with me while I work.

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Last year we also said goodbye to my other dear old Granddad. I think about him often and it always puts a smile on my face. He suffered for so long that it is comforting to know that he's finally at peace. Even if I do miss him terribly.

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Sadly, I've gotten a tiny little bit flabby again due to too much 'easy' food, so am back on the Herbalife hardcore. I'm also trying out a Jawbone Up24 which is buggy as all hell but quite good when it works correctly :p    The sleep monitor is quite interesting - turns out I sleep better than I thought I did.

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We also had a wonderful experience last year when we took Gemma's dad to fly some owls. One of the other guys there kindly shot some of it on video for me:

I absolutely love the Barn Owl (it would be my patronus ;p ) so this was a wonderful moment for me.

We also went a bit crazy with collecting Lego. Our sitting room is now full of it which is AWESOME!

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Whoops! It's been a while...

Apologies for not updating in AGES!

I suppose the biggest piece of news is that in November I decided to go freelance. I was offered an incredible opportunity to earn more money doing more varied work, while still keeping my hand in fruit machine design, and without having to find my own clients (which I find very daunting); I am still working with my former employer a couple of days a week and with an old friend for the rest of the time.

It was really stressful making the decision. Both wanted me working with them. Finding the best compromise I could was incredibly difficult and I found it exhausting and very upsetting.

But, it's done now and I am enjoying my new set up very much. I'm incredibly busy working six days a week, but it's worth it. Soon, I'll begin drawing a wage which will be great! Might even treat myself a little. Haha!

I've set up a simple website - www.stuartbuskell.com

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Kuk Sool is going great. We had our first National grading in October which was hard work and resulted in me receiving my first ever blood blister, which was pretty nasty and popped a few weeks later in class, all over the mats. Healed up nicely now though.

We didn't travel up to Liverpool for the UK tournament in the end although we did pay for it and booked a room. It was Gemma's best friend's 30th birthday party on the same day and we simply couldn't miss that. This year's European tournament will be held in Norwich so we will definitely be there!

The curriculum was also updated recently meaning that we are learning some sword now. I thought that the staff would be my favourite weapon, but I must admit that the sword seems a little more natural to me and I'm enjoying it a lot!

We've had a few awesome Black Belt Clubs. Especially the most recent one where I was very fortunate to get chucked about by SBN Dave!

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We are still very much into Herbalife and feeling absolutely awesome! I've lost around a stone and a half in total, which certainly wasn't my goal, but more importantly, my body is far more toned now. Even though I don't do any extra exercise. My thirty inch waist Levi's I bought last year are becoming a little 'gapey'!

Gemma is climbing up the promotion ladder steadily and we are both getting a great buzz from helping people to be healthy and happy.

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Gemma celebrated her 30th birthday in December with a 'Harry Potter Yule Ball' themed party which was lots of fun. She finally wore her Hermione dress and I surprised her by having a Viktor Krum costume made for the night. Everyone made a real effort to dress up and it was excellent (even if Gemma did have a bit too much to drink and felt very ill the following day! Haha!).

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Gemma had a tough few months with work. Working at the Florist ended up being incredibly stressful for her and in the end she had to give it in as it was beginning to make her ill. It was very difficult as she thought it was going to be her dream job and worked hard at college and part time in the florist, to make it happen.

She's currently working on reception at a vets. She loves seeing the animals and often comes home telling me stories of puppies and kittens she has cuddled throughout the day.




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Quick July Update

It has been a little while since I posted and a lot has happened, but I will endeavour to keep this short.


In June we entered the 2013 Kuk Sool Won European Tournament. Both Gemma and I received medals for everything we entered which is great.
Gemma was awarded:

• Form - Goh Geup Hyung = Bronze

• Techniques - Joo Muhk Maga Ki Bohn Soo 5, Jeung Geup Sohn Mohk Soo 1 & Jeung Geup Sohn Mohk Soo 6 = Bronze

• Staff Spinning - 1-5 = Bronze

• Sparring = Silver

I won: 

• Form - Goh Geup Hyung = Gold

• Techniques - Joo Muhk Maga Ki Bohn Soo 9, Jeung Geup Sohn Mohk Soo 1 & Jeung Geup Sohn Mohk Soo 6 = Silver

• Staff Spinning - 1-5 = Bronze

• Sparring = Bronze

On Monday 1st July, Gemma and I promoted to Dahn Bo Nim - Black Belt Candidates, and so have begun the final stretch towards gaining our Black Belts.

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Gemma has just been offered a more permanent official position at Violet's Florist which is excellent. She will finally be working in her dream job and I couldn't possibly be more happy for her. My work is still going well.

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We are still doing well with Herbalife. I am at around the weight I want to be now - 10st 3lb, but more importantly I am getting closer to the body I want. I'm even beginning to develop a visible six pack! Haha. I've had to throw out my old pre-Herbalife goal jeans as they are so big that they are uncomfortable.

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Hard year so far

Just like the beginning of last year, this one has been hard as well. It has really tested us.

Gemma was made redundant from her job due to the company closing and has found it extremely difficult to find something else. Because she attends a floristry course two days a week, finding a job which can work around that has been really tough. Then her father was diagnosed with cancer which was devastating.

Last week everything turned around! Her father received the 'all clear' after having the cancer removed and a day later Gemma was offered a part-time job with exactly the hours she needs. The company also want to change her working hours after her college course finishes which makes it even better for her! She starts tomorrow. Then, on Saturday, the Florist where she has been enjoying work experience offered her a Saturday job.

On top of all that, I received a nice lump bonus in my pay packet!

I have had Jury Service for the past two weeks which has been incredibly boring and quite hard going emotionally. Not to mention a little stressful with work due to me being out of the office. Thankfully I lucked out and had very few trials. In the end, I only missed five days of work instead of ten.


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This Tuesday marks our second week of using Herbalife. With all that has been happening lately and finding ourselves very short on time, our diet has really gone downhill; lots of 'convenience' food and processed stuff. Some friends of ours started Herbalife a little before us and had AMAZING results such as losing 10lbs in as many days and a noticeable loss of inches around the mid section. They were also feeling and looking absolutely great!

After a rough start (cursed cow milk! I think I may be a bit intolerant so moved over to soya), we are getting used to it and finding our stride. We're feeling healthier and more energetic. It's also incredibly convenient - A shake for breakfast, then a snack mid morning. Another shake for lunch followed by another snack mid afternoon. Then a healthy dinner with one last snack in the middle of the evening.

We've just bought some new scales as I'm not convinced that our old ones were terribly accurate so I'm not entirely sure of our results so far. The old scales said I had lost 7lbs! In a few more weeks we'll know for sure how well it's going. We also signed up as distributors so that we can share our experience with others and hopefully make a little extra pocket money too :)

If anyone reading this is interested in the products or maybe even becoming a distributor themselves, please do get in contact with us!

Things are really starting to look up now and we are getting stuck in to preparing for this year's European Kuk Sool Tournament. Then we'll be getting ready to grade for Dahn Bo Nim (Black Belt candidate)!

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Brown Belts

On Monday, Gemma and I promoted to Brown Belt. We also received our staffs and our wooden swords. Next year is going to be an awesome Kuk Sool year!

I'd like to wish an enormous thank you to our instructors and fellow students for helping us along this journey.





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2012 Kuk Sool Won UK Tournament

Last weekend we competed in the 2012 Kuk Sool Won UK Tournament, held in Liverpool.

A few of us travelled up together by minibus on the Friday and had a great time. Of particular note was JIKJN's soggy squashed cheese and chutney sandwiches which he shared around.

The Friday evening was the tournament for KSNs and higher so we went along to watch. Gemma and I volunteered to be time/score keepers and had a wonderful time helping out and getting to chat with a few Masters and high rank judges. We even shared some sausage rolls! Haha.

We were incredibly nervous on the Saturday, but did very well. Everyone who entered from Halesworth and Lowestoft schools came away with a medal for everything they entered which is a great achievement. The competition was even tougher than it had been at the European tournament earlier this year, but we had trained hard and received the medals to prove it. Gemma won copper for her techniques (Ahn Sohn Mohk Soo 4, Maek Chi Ki 12 and Maek Cha Ki 11), silver for her Joong Geup Hyung and gold for sparring. I got gold for both my techniques (Ahn Sohn Mohk Soo 4, Maek Chi Ki 14 and Maek Cha Ki 6) and for Joong Geup Hyung. I didn't spar because I was nervous of injuring my collar bone. I've already damaged it once since breaking it. I need to let it heal properly.

We had an awesome weekend spending time with the Masters, meeting old friends and making new ones, and taking part in something we love.

Kuk Sool!





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SNAP!!! part 2

A few weeks after I broke my collar bone we had a Black Belt Club class. I had been healing really well and had a lot more movement back in my arm and shoulder so I participated. I didn't want to miss out as the class was going to be focused on Yoga, meditation and some advanced kicks - all some of my favourite aspects of the martial art!

It was excellent! My collar bone was fine all through the Yoga exercises and the kicks including some quite difficult ones like the jump splits kick and multiple spin kicks... until I attempted a jump double front snap kick. I wrenched my shoulder and had to sit out of the final meditation in agonising pain.

I didn't bother going back to A&E as I had an appointment on the Wednesday any way so decided to wait until then. It was far more painful than the original break, but I soldiered through. On Wednesday, an X-ray showed that I had thankfully not re-broken it and that it was still healing well, albeit at an odd angle. The doctor said the pain was most likely torn tissue or muscle damage and prescribed rest.

Except the following Friday was my grading for brown stripe...

I took part with my arm in the sling, but gave it everything I had. I dropped my stances extra low, focused even more than usual and tried my absolute best - anything to compensate for my lost appendage. I passed and received an extra congratulation from KJN Martin who told me it was "an awesome grading" and that I showed "true fighting spirit". Even if everything was done one-armed, that one arm was spot on!

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It has been a few weeks since then. My collar is getting better gradually, but I am still in quite a bit of pain and it is very sore. I'm still taking part at Kuk Sool, but I am taking it a little easier. We have the Tournament in Liverpool at the end of November, so I need to be ready for that.

Jung shin!





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SNAP!!!

Gemma and I took our first ever Kuk Sool class on Saturday. It coincided with the end of the 2012 London Olympics and since it was to be a 'fun' class, we themed it accordingly. We spent a few weeks putting the plan together with SBN Jon, wrote down the order of events and even bought some toy medals to give out to all who participated.

Classes during the school summer holidays tend to have less people attend as they may have gone away or just want to enjoy the nice weather, so we were shocked and delighted that so many people came.

We started by having everyone jog around, jumping and touching the floor on cue. Then we introduced some 'hurdles' down one length for them to jump over. Next we split the class into four groups and allocated each to a corner with a specific exercise - Sit up 'rowing', push up 'breaststroke swimming', legs in the air 'cycling', and kick pad 'weight lifting'.

After each team had done every exercise, we divided into adults and children to play long jump. Adults don't usually get to play games so it was great to see them have fun with it... until I decided to have a go. I cleared the longest jump to tie with SBN Dave, but when I landed I dropped into a rolling break fall, slipped and heard a very loud crack.

I had to abandon the class and head straight to A&E with my newly broken collar bone where I spent the next few hours waiting to be seen.

So, with my arm in a sling, I'll be unable to train for the next several weeks. I just hope that I'll be mobile enough to at least participate in the upcoming grading in September. I would hate to get left behind. Especially as I know all I need for the grading already.

Gemma continued with the class and done a fantastic job! After the long jump, they returned to their four teams to do a series of relay races, then paired up to tackle a piggyback assault course. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and we had a very positive reaction to the class.

I have learned an important rule of teaching - Do not take part in you own class. I just wish I knew that before hand. Hahaha! Jung shin!





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2012 European Tournament Montage

Gem has done one of her 'famous' montages of some of the footage we got from the tournament:

I think she did a great job and really captured how much fun we have on the day with all the silly faces and smiles.





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Half way!

Last night, Gem and I received our red belts and started to learn our next set of techniques - Maek Cha Ki and our next form - Goh Geup Hyung. I love it already!

We are half way along our journey to Black belt now.





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2012 Kuk Sool Won European Tournament

Last Saturday Gem and I competed at the 2012 Kuk Sool Won European Tournament. As White belts last year, we had a fantastic time and came away with loads of medals. This year was MUCH tougher!

I only recognised one chap who I competed against last year, a really nice fella from King's Lynn named Chris. Everyone else was a new face.

Gem's age group started before mine so I was able to watch and partner her and Danny for their techniques before moving off to my own ring.

Gem and I were disappointed when her centre judge kept rushing everyone through their introductions and saying "not to bother". The introductions are an important part of the performance, highlighting the competitor's etiquette for which they seemed to not be marked for at all. Kuk Sool Won is supposed to be a traditional martial art with etiquette and manners being an incredibly important part of that, it felt a little like tradition was not being adhered to that day which was disappointing.

Gemma didn't place for her form or her techniques, although I thought her form was far better than those she was competing against. She made a mistake on her first technique which I'm sure cost her a medal as she still scored high despite it. Danny also didn't place for forms or techniques but got Copper for sparring - a difficult task as some of those guys were even bigger than him!

My form - Cho Geup Hyung, went well, although I felt that I rushed it a little and it could have been better. My techniques went well too - Sohn Mohk Soo 3 & 9, and Eue Bohk Soo 5.

Last year I wasn't able to spar because of my recent eye surgery, but this year I thought I'd give it a try. Sparring is my least favourite aspect of Kuk Sool so I wasn't particularly bothered how well I did, but I took home the bronze medal. I actually think I did better than that and know I landed more hits than I was awarded and lost points when I wasn't touched (we have video evidence! Hahaha), but ultimately the judges can only score what they see. I did land a beautiful crescent kick to my opponent's head and I discovered afterwards that he used to train in Kung Fu for years before starting Kuk Sool, so I am pleased with how I did.

I received a gold medal for my form and my techniques got a bronze which surprised both me and Chris (who took silver) as I thought we were both better than the girl who won gold. I should have chucked a fancy throw in there rather than being technical as the judges seemed to like those. Oh well. Lesson learned.

Finally Gem got her opportunity to spar. Due to low numbers they mixed all three Blue belt adult age groups. She did extremely well and won Gold!

We spent the rest of the day partnering other Kuk Sool friends and treated ourselves to an official Kuk Sool Track suit each. The demo was amazing and getting to see so many Lowestoft and Halesworth Black belts promote was awesome! Then we enjoyed a Pizza Hut for dinner, returned to our hotel and travelled back the following morning.





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Down, then up... and then down

Well, the year started badly with my dear Granddad's funeral, then it started to go really well: Ordered a new TV, Kick Start, back to Kuk Sool and enjoying learning the new Blue Belt form and techniques, finally got my computer to play Star Wars: The Old Republic...

...then today we are told that the company is downsizing. There is a very real possibility that I may lose my job.

I don't feel depressed about it necessarily, but I am quite scared and worried about what I'll do. This is pretty much my dream job. I get to draw and paint all day and I get paid well to do it.

Looking at Job websites, everything close to what I would want to do requires all sorts of programming skills which I simply do not have. Jobs around here also don't pay anywhere near what I earn currently so we may have to move, sell the car, etc, etc...

I don't think I've ever been so worried for my future before. It is not pleasant.





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Blue Belts

On Saturday, Gemma and I graded for and received our Blue Belts!

The grading was quite hard going and I landed badly on my knee, hurting it even more, which was very annoying but I managed to hobble through the rest of it.

After tonight's 'fun' class we have a break of about two weeks so I will do my best to rest my leg and hopefully come back to Kuk Sool in the new year, in the new dojang, fighting fit and ready to go.





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December Update

It's been a while since I last posted, but things have been relatively quiet so there hasn't been much to report.

I have been really struggling with my enthusiasm for Kuk Sool. I think it was just that we learned the form very quickly so we just practised it over and over without learning anything new. With winter coming it also got very cold in the Sport Centre which made the aches and pains seem worse. I've been hobbling around for weeks with a bad knee that just won't seem to heal.

The last few lessons have seen my interest perk up again though. Most likely because we have our Blue Belt grading looming (this Saturday). So it will be nice to have a new colour and some new stuff to learn.

We also had our second Black Belt Club at the weekend when we learned some Acupressure techniques and done some more archery. That was LOADS of fun!

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The release of Star Wars: The Old Republic is right around the corner now as well. I have been waiting for this game for about 3 years now. The beta was great although during the last one my graphics went haywire and I was unable to play properly. I've been having no end of trouble with the login details and stuff too. Problems galore! Hopefully I can get it sorted before launch.

My computer has been misbehaving in general lately and I can't figure out how to fix it, which is also getting me down. Hopefully it'll all turn out okay.





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More Tricking

Just got back from another awesome trick session down the beach with a few Kuk Sool guys. I'm really starting to stick the front somersaults now. Soon be ready for on flat *Gulp*.

Getting close to doing the back somersault unassisted, which is ace! This vid was taken a bit earlier on so I can see where I need work. Lean back more and tuck later. Good height though!

Also added the front flip to my repertoire which I picked up very quickly and am well pleased with ;)  Single handed ones next.

Also started to learn no handed cartwheels but I am struggling a bit with them. Need more practice!





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First Black Belt Club Meeting

The first rule of Black Belt Club is you do not talk about Black Belt Club... Well, what we did in it anyway :)

It was a fantastic couple of hours and we got a major sweat on. It was excellent! I am extremely excited about the things we may get to learn in future club meetings and I am so incredibly proud of Gemma and I for working so hard and having the right attitude to be allowed in to the club.





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Welcome to the Black Belt Club

Last night at Kuk Sool, Gemma and I were officially welcomed into the Black Belt Club. It is a group for those who are not necessarily Black Belts yet, but have the mentality and show the dedication and exhibit the character traits to be an excellent Black Belt. I am extremely honoured to have been recommended and accepted.

Every few months, Master Martin does a special class for those in the club. You do extra curricular Kuk Sool things such as Archery and knife throwing, and learn additional stuff that you wouldn't get to in a regular class.

The session will also be used to train and assess some of the Black Belts in teaching, so it will be interesting to be there for that and hopefully pick up some tips for when I help out with the kids.

Our first Black Belt Club will be this Saturday. I am very excited! :D





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Blue Stripe

I passed my recent Kuk Sool grading and last night, received the blue stripe on my Yellow Belt.

We've already learned all of our Yellow belt form - Cho Geup Hyung, and the first set of techniques - Sohn Mohk Soo. So now we have three months to practice and refine those as well as learning another set - Eue Bohk Soo.

I am really looking forward to being a 'Blue Belt by Christmas'! :D





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Tricks down the beach

Just finished my first trick session down the beach with a couple of guys from Kuk Sool.

It took a while for me to build up the courage to just throw myself, but once I did I was well away. We started with forward somersaults. Which I think I picked up relatively quickly, then moved on to assisted backwards somersaults, which are quite a bit harder.

After tiring myself out, stretching my abdominals more than they have ever been stretched and getting a LOT of sand in my eyes, it was time to head home for a nice hot bath!

I've always wanted to be able to flip and somersault and perform tricks like this and now I am actually well on my way to accomplishing a life long dream! Of course, I am still a way off yet, though.





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Helping out with the kids

Starting last Friday, Gem and I decided to arrive early at Kuk Sool so that we can help out with the children's coloured belt class.

We were each given a small group to work with and essentially just left to get on with it.

I must admit that I floundered a little at first. I wasn't sure what to do with them and KJN had so many other children and groups to see to that I felt like I was pestering him when I asked.

I took my group through their form a few times and then did some techniques. We finished off the class with some blocking using a foam sword which they really enjoyed.

On Monday's class I was much more confident which was then re-enforced by the boy I taught on Friday coming over and asking me if I'd be helping again and wanting me to work with him. Afterwards he told me that I was "cool", bless him.

Even though I feel that working with children doesn't particularly come naturally to me, I want to stick with it. That little fella really boosted my confidence when he paid me that compliment.

It was great being able to help out and give something back. 





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