Damian Mavis
Master Black Belt
I'm posting this here because I figure instructors of any martial art could relate to this story. This is just a really nice thing that happened to me yesterday and I wanted to share it with you all.
Yesterday (Sat. May 11th) was 8 of my students black belt test. After a black belt test we always go out to a chinese buffet and celebrate. So after the test I get ready and go to the buffet with my girlfriend (who was one of the people who received their black belt that day) and when I get there I am shocked and surprised to see a whole ton of my students and their families waiting for me! (they had a room sealed off by a drape and when I pulled the drape aside they all shouted surprise!) It was my birthday the day before and my girlfriend and my assistant instructor had organised the whole event months before! So there I stand with this big dumb grin on my face not knowing what to do or say....it was amazing. I showed up thinking we were there to celebrate my students big day getting thier black belts but instead it turned out to be my big day to celebrate my birthday.
After leading me to my table they gave me a few gifts and then handed me this spiderman piggy bank. The piggy bank was labelled "part of the airfare to Thailand". I couldn't beleive it! They had heard that I was planning a trip to Thailand to train at a thai boxing camp but that I was realising I really couldn't afford it so was putting the plan on the back burner. I was so happy that they would even think of such a thing I was speachless. I shook the bank and felt a bunch of 1 dollar and 2 dollar coins move around and thought "wow there must be like a hundred dollars in here!" They told me to open it and I did only to be even more shocked when I pulled out a wad of cash that equaled almost $1000! I almost started to cry..... I couldn't believe they would be so generous towards me and make this trip happen for me. I thanked everyone profusely and went around shaking everyones hand but was still in shock I can barely remember what I said to each individual.
I'm flabbergasted. I can't remember ever being honoured like this by my students. I've never felt so appreciated and part of their families as I did last night. It was amazing and I'll always remember this.
I buy the ticket to Thailand tomorrow and will present it to my students Monday night. I can't wait.
Damian Mavis
Honour TKD
Yesterday (Sat. May 11th) was 8 of my students black belt test. After a black belt test we always go out to a chinese buffet and celebrate. So after the test I get ready and go to the buffet with my girlfriend (who was one of the people who received their black belt that day) and when I get there I am shocked and surprised to see a whole ton of my students and their families waiting for me! (they had a room sealed off by a drape and when I pulled the drape aside they all shouted surprise!) It was my birthday the day before and my girlfriend and my assistant instructor had organised the whole event months before! So there I stand with this big dumb grin on my face not knowing what to do or say....it was amazing. I showed up thinking we were there to celebrate my students big day getting thier black belts but instead it turned out to be my big day to celebrate my birthday.
After leading me to my table they gave me a few gifts and then handed me this spiderman piggy bank. The piggy bank was labelled "part of the airfare to Thailand". I couldn't beleive it! They had heard that I was planning a trip to Thailand to train at a thai boxing camp but that I was realising I really couldn't afford it so was putting the plan on the back burner. I was so happy that they would even think of such a thing I was speachless. I shook the bank and felt a bunch of 1 dollar and 2 dollar coins move around and thought "wow there must be like a hundred dollars in here!" They told me to open it and I did only to be even more shocked when I pulled out a wad of cash that equaled almost $1000! I almost started to cry..... I couldn't believe they would be so generous towards me and make this trip happen for me. I thanked everyone profusely and went around shaking everyones hand but was still in shock I can barely remember what I said to each individual.
I'm flabbergasted. I can't remember ever being honoured like this by my students. I've never felt so appreciated and part of their families as I did last night. It was amazing and I'll always remember this.
I buy the ticket to Thailand tomorrow and will present it to my students Monday night. I can't wait.
Damian Mavis
Honour TKD
And oh, have a great time 
