Hey gang,

I was asked to take part in an interesting event today at Princeton
Univ. Good friend John Lee of the International Traders Group 8
invited me as well as a few others to attend the lecture that he was
giving and agreed to demonstrate our martial arts skills to those in
attendance. Broadsword seemed very popular so I was asked to perform
the Chinese spear (Chiang) for contrast. I don't mind being
the "different guy" so I agreed and put myself through a crash course
having only less than a week's prior notice. I've used the weapon
before and learned a begginner's set with the intention of moving on
to advanced but kept putting it off since I have so many pending
projects on the backburner. What I needed was a REASON to focus and
this was it. The lecture was slated for 4:30pm and the demo about 45
mins later outside in the courtyard area of the Engineering Library.
John Lee also displayed his Golden Millenium Jian. The worlds largest
sword. Which will be presented at the 2008 Olympics. Measuring 2008
cms for obvious reasons, with 56 carved dragons on the blade to
represent the 56 different ethnic groups in China. Also a crarved
popem on the other side of the balde dedicated to the only female
ruler in Chinese history, and finaly the 5 rings of the Olympics.

The were impressive diplay os skills in TaiChi, WingChun, Bagua dao,
SilLum Pai, Straightsword, spear, even some Filipino Arnis by Master
Lledo and blade testing by John Lee himself. Afterwards we were all
treated to a 1st class catered dinner at the Rockefellar Dining
facility. I hope to have pics posted in the very near future so keep
an eye out!

Cheers!

Mel