We had our disciple ceremony on Friday. It was such a great experience in a way that is so hard to describe. Up until that day I'd kind of been worried that a lot of the tradition and meaning had been lost by including so many people but that turned out not to be the case. Not for me anyway. I really felt like I was making a serious commitment and being accepted into a very special group. We took an oath and did some ceremonial bowing, presented Shifu with an offering, received a booklet with our Taoist name inside as well as a ceremonial sword with our Taoist name inscribed into the blade. Then we bowed to our kung fu uncles and the next group went up. Doesn't sound like much I know, but for me every part of it was infused with weight and magic.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikonfreak/6820741300/in/set-72157629182053122/

This is a link to a classmates photo of me in the ceremony.