Date started Kendo: July 3rd, 2007

Name: Samson Wong

D.O.B: February 12, 1983...yes I am old, my bones are brittle!

Birthplace: New Westminster, BC

Height: Short - 5'7"

Weight: It fluctuates...why do you need to know anyway?

Religion: Follower of Christ

Sports: Tennis, Badminton, Snowboarding, Skiing

Blood Type: AB+ (apparently it's rare in Canada as I've been told by blood donations)

School: Graduated UBC (General Life and Earth Sciences).  Currently at BCIT completing my second degree on Environmental Public Health Inspection

Career goals: Public Health Inspector/Environmental Health Officer - flash my shiny badge and shut all the disgusting restaurants down...muahaha

Kendo goals: To demonstrate Kendo to my full potential.  The only person that I am up against is me...(think Sensei said something like that)

Relationship Status: Committed

Satisfied? Of course...=)

Kendo

Unfortunately school occupies 90% of my time so I couldn't hang out with everyone as much as I want to.  I hope this brief little summary can help you know me better =).

How did I get to Kendo?

As a little child, I was always facinated by martial arts and sword fighting (probably true to most boys).  But of course, my parents refuse to pay for any sort of training in destruction of the house, my interest quickly died down.  It wasn't until more recently, during first year university, that I came across various of clubs and teams and noticed Kendo was available to students.  But because of the overwhelming experience during first year, I decided not to take up any additional activities.  Then for the next few years I always wanted take up Kendo whenever I have time.  However, with my limited knowledge on dojos for Kendo and lack the seriousness in researching about it, I thought most of the dojos only accepted new students in September or in March.  Because those are the typical busy dates for school, that discouraged me from joining and wasted another couple years of practice.  It is not until maybe little over a years ago, I went to Pinetree for open gym Badminton, I noticed a group of Kendo students practicing at the gym next door.  I was quickly captured by their spirit and their movements.  I spend some time watching their practice and notice a viscious female kendoka hitting other students (that was Rei by the way...and no, you're not viscious.  You're a great inspiration to my Kendo!).  At that time, I wanted to go up and ask about joining; however, due to BCIT, which sucks the life out of you...I just didn't have time for other activities.  Finally, summer came along and for the first time I don't have any summer classes.  This time around I extensively researched on what Kendo is and where I can train.  I went through many websites and forums and found some of the local dojos available for training.  I finally took up the courage and visited the first class at Matsukai.  Although sensei wasn't there, I was still very impressed by the students.  Although I was a bit discouraged by the fact that most of the students there are younger than me ><...I think Matsukai is what I am looking for. 

I am very glad I am studying Kendo at Matsukai as I am greatly inspired by Sensei and many students.  I am surprised by the level of wisdom and philosophies that the dojo provides and motivates me a great deal in trying to achieve more and more.  I realized the mental aspect of Kendo is just as important if not even more than the physical aspects of Kendo.  I hope that one day I can reach to my full potential in my aspects in Kendo.  Of course, this could be a never-ending trail...but that's the joy of it.