In 1998 OR 1999 I walked into the Burning Bush Dojo, a white belt, with a little. Kung-fu experience that I learned from my brother. I first I was reluctant to learn anything new. Considering I had heard that Soke S. Papasan Canty had co-started the system. You got to understand that at that time everybody was starting their own system. So I was like "oh boy here we go again". But then I saw him for myself and I was nothing short of amazed. His punches were perfect. I was like "he's got to know what's he doing" So I joined and I practiced  and practiced. And one day Soke came into the dojo with a belt (a Black one of course)

That was awarded to him from the world Kung-fu hall of fame. He said who ever reaches black belt next I am going to give them this belt. Even though I was starving for that belt there were three or four black tips ahead of me. I kept my eyes on the prize. I remember one night we were going to Brooklyn and I was going for either brown tip or brown belt. Soke told me if I failed, Chisai his son (the black belt at the time) and I were going to have to take the train home. Anyway I passed and continued to climb up the ladder.

Then on 27th of April 2000 I became Shodan and Soke

gave me the belt. Think about how sweet that must have been then multiply that by ten. Later on that year just on the word of the Soke I was inducted into Sijo George Crayton's World of Kung-fu Hall of fame. Then came November 2000 I was tested  and moved up to the rank of Sensei  nidan.

Then I was awarded a certificate for outstanding achievement from the Westchester mental

health society for working with some of their youngsters. Time flew by and in September,2003

I was promoted to Sandan, Then came 2004 at the anniversary were I was promoted to fourth

Dan. However three years later I was promoted to fifth degree and that my friends is the

beginning of the story.