Candidate Journals

This is the last posting of this Black Belt Cycle.  How can I summarize everything that we have gone thru it's quite a challenge as this journey is not encompass in 10 weeks or 20 for those of us that are going for higher belt level, but from the first day that you put your uniform on and wrap your white belt around your waist.  It is very true that a black belt is a white belt that does not quit.  At this time with all the sourness, bruises and as tired as I feel my mind is raising with everything that I have learned and going thru all the movements of the poomsaes and self-defenses that I feel I still need to get better at.  The only words of advise that I can pass along for anyone that wants to get on this journey is don't get discourage, don't say...

Last night we had our close doors black belt testing.  A long awaited day.  All the hard work for the last 10+ weeks came to and "end" in one evening.  When I state "end" I don't mean end in finality but in ending of this small portion of the journey, as there is really not an end but a new beginning.  In a few hours we will perform our skills in front of our friends and family.  I'm very proud of all the candidates, they have done a great job.

Tomorrow is the very much awaited testing day.  I'm trying not to over do it, but my mind keeps on spinning around going over and over the different poomsaes and self-defenses.  

Another busy day at work.  Tae Kwon Do class practice poomsae and self-defense.  Feel pretty good.

Count down continues.  Concentrating on self-defense.  

We are on the count down 4 days to testing not counting today.  Keeping my focus on the end point.

Can't wait for Spring to be really here to stay.  The weather yesterday was not Spring like.  The only silver lining was that it was my husbands and I 29th wedding anniversary, 33 years total together.  I'm a lucky lady to have Chris in my life.

One week away from testing, I'm looking forward to it.  I'm just fine tuning little details to make it sharper.  Other than that is practice, practice, practice.  Building muscle memory.   

Trying to keep it all together, but at the same time separate.  I don't want to get a big jumble going on in my head.  Lots of poomsaes and lots of self-defenses to remember. 

Another day at work, beautiful day outside and I was stuck at work.  Oh well got to earn the money in order to enjoy my days off.  

What a beautiful day in the Carolinas!  I took advantage of the outdoors and put miles under my feet.  My legs are sore with this and doing so much poomsaes and self-defense.  

Bolo, sticks, and staff.  Bolo, sticks, and staff.  All day bolo, sticks and staff.  Throw in a solid hour of kick boxing, run and all the other exercises, I'm a tired puppy!

Well another day at work.  Practicing heavily double stick forms 1 & 2.  

Today is my mom's 92nd birthday.  I was not able to be physically there to celebrate, but thank God for face time. I was able to sing to her Happy Birthday with the rest of the family in Puerto Rico, they even face timed my brother in California and my nephew in Idaho.  It's a wondrous time we live in.        

I feel great put a solid 60 sparring rounds doing kick boxing. I haven't done kick boxing for a while and forgot how much I enjoy it.

Had a pretty good day today.  Went to Nothing but Noodles and had a very yummy Sun dried tomatoes salad with grilled chicken.  Highly recommend it.

Getting it done.  I just need to keep at it.  One foot in front of the other.

Another day of getting things done.  Tomorrow some more, and little by little it all will get done.

Sticks and bolos, sticks and bolos, sticks and bolos, I'm gong to dream of sticks and bolos.

Today was poomsae (specifically stick forms) and self-defense day.  My eating was not as clean as it has been, but it was not that bad, I just had to have some pizza for lunch and found this restaurant in Davidson called Mandolino's, highly recommend it.   

Today was the physical and written test.  I feel pretty good about my physical portion.  I improved in all the categories.  I'm most proud of my negative hold on the pull ups, I held it for about 5 seconds, that might not be much by someone else's standards but when I did the pre-test I could barely do a negative hold for 1 second.

I feel pretty good today, I have been shaving a little time of my running for the last few days.  I will never be the fastest, but as long as I'm faster than my old self I'm thrilled.

Today my husband and I went to our land in Willis VA just to experience the first real snow of the year.  It was just beautiful, cold and windy, but beautiful.  Keeping up with routine and trying to keep eating clean.  

Another day in paradise! getting my routine done and eating clean.   Not much more to say.

Pretty busy at work.  Next week is Spring Break at CPCC, so I'm taking off work to share with my husband since he is off.  Not looking forward to Daylight savings time, loosing an hour of sleep takes the wind out of my sails.  

Back home after instructors camp.  Pretty busy and tiring, but in a strange way exhilarating.  Lots of information and changes.  It does not matter what belt level you are in you will always be a white belt learning something new.    

Another day in paradise living the dream! Work, doing my routine and eating clean.  

Mary and I have been working on our creative poomsae this last week and I feel very good about it.  Trying to refine the details so it looks sharp when we test.  Keeping up with routine and eating clean.  

Thank God it's Friday, and to top it off a 3 day weekend!  Helped out by leading the Friday Black Belt class since our instructors are helping out in the Juniors Instructors Camp.

Pretty regular day at work, not much to report other than keeping the routine and eating clean.

Happy Valentine day to all!  Keeping up with my routine and eating clean.  

Today is Mary's 1/2 birthday, 6 months left in teenage land, then say hello to the 20's! 

The start of another work week, keeping the balance of everything is paramount.  Feeling stronger everyday.  Some what tired at times, but seeing results on my physic.  

This has been a pretty full weekend, from the seminar yesterday, to pretty much taking care of all of the household duties since my husband had also a two day seminar for work.  And to top it off kept up with my daily routine.  I made holes on the carpet doing poomsaes today, one after the other over and over again!

Feel good about today.  Got work as caught up as it can be, did my requirements, and I'm working on pull ups using the machine at HFFA I'm building up in reducing the assisted weight.

Last night was something to remember, we are baby sitting a Rottweiler puppy (9 weeks old).  Adorable, but I forgot how much work puppies are.  He whined all night long, so least to say I had very little sleep.  He is just a baby, so I understand that he was feeling the need to be with someone by his side, so I called Mary to come downstairs and take care of the "Leo" as it's her responsibility to watch over him.  After she came down and slept on the kitchen floor with the puppy all went quiet.  Tonight will be another adventure! 

What a Super Bowl! Incredible plays, high scores, that is what I'm talking about!

Today we did our community volunteer project helping out sorting canned food that the Boy Scouts collected from the community for the Loaf and Fishes Pantry that will benefit those members of our community that find themselves in need for a little help to put food on the table for their family.  I have to say it was a very rewarding experience.

Thank goodness is Friday!  Work has been pretty busy.  Keeping up with my routine and eating clean are my goals every day.

Well today I got my bell rang sparing with my daughter, she connected a kick straight to my jaw.  Not a good feeling, got a little wooziness and had to step out to lean against the wall.  Then I got mad and went back to the matt to finish the round.  Other than that I had a pretty decent day.  

Building up my running, this is something that I struggle with.  Keeping up with clean eating, it makes me feel better and lighter which helps me with my cycle routine.

Getting back to the daily routine and adding to my workout.  Keeping clean eating a top priority.

Well this last week gives meaning to two sayings, one of which is "Man proposes and God disposes", and "Life comes at you fast".  My youngest daughter got pretty sick and was hospitalized for two days, starting Tuesday mid day and discharged from the hospital Thursday mid day, bringing everything to a halt but taking care of her for almost 3 days (including work).  Thank God she is out of the hospital and feeling better (still a little depleted of energy, but getting better everyday).  Getting back to the routine is number one priority.  Good thing that we had some pre-cycle days that come in handy when unplanned situations happen.  

Today was the pre-test and the official beginning of the cycle.  Got to work in getting things down and sharp.  

Taking it easy today as tomorrow is the pre-test.  Want to be well rested and ready for tomorrow.

Another day working from home, I guess one benefit is that you can work on your comfy clothes.  Feeling stronger, my shoulders and arms are getting shape.  Tomorrow is another day.

Today we had our first snow of the year, due to this I stayed home and worked on my lap top.  Is kind of funny and frustrating that we get used to the speed of the computer at work and the convenience of having 3 large monitors at your disposition and then you have to work off a laptop with the speed of the internet at home and still perform the same work in the same amount of time.  Oh well the day is over and hopefully we will be able to go to the office and get things back on track. 

Pretty busy day at work, I'm glad that I did my push ups, sit ups, kicks and burpees first thing in the morning.  Keeping a pretty clean eating habit.  I feel pretty good so far.

A pretty good day, off work for MLK.  Worked on my higher belt poomsaes.  Had lunch with our girls, and went to the movies and saw The Post.  Not a bad day at all.

This is my first journal entry for my 4th degree black belt cycle.  I find myself in amazement that I have come this far.  When I started in TKD I joined because my girls were taking the classes and I was "encouraged" to join in by my husband and the Hartle's.  I thought at that time "oh well I will do this for a little while", well a little while has been about 10 years, and I'm still going. 

Well this is the last journal entry, all requirements have been met, and testing is fast approaching. Today went to Philipino Stick testing, there are things that I still need to work on to make it a more smooth, but overall not bad. Testing is the 4th and 5th, I can't wait until the 6th, and te 7th is my 25th wedding anniversary. See you on the other side of the Moon!

Yesterday was a pretty full day. Assisted with two classes at the Lake Norman dojang. After that went to Hickory to watch my daughter Brittney participate in Trampoline Tumbling gymnastic competition, she did pretty good out of three events she got 1st on one and 2nd on another. Got all requirements done. The only thing I have left is one more journal entry that I'll take care of tomorrow.

A few more journal entries and the finish line is in sight. I'm exhausted. I need to take a day off from everything and recharge my batteries.

My brain is fried!! I know that everything will fall in place, but at this time I'm just plain tired.

Hapkido, Hapkido, Hapkido.....Trying to get this rendered to memory. Work was a pain in the rear today. Not much more to say

Not much to report today. Just trying to get all requirements done and over with.

Not much to report today. Just trying to get all requirements done and over with.

Hapkido, wang ho, wang ho, hapkido.... trying to reel it all in, the goal line is in sight and I'm gunning straight to it.

Today was a very rainy day and I had work to do. Was not able to put the miles down that I wanted to.

I'm using this weekend to catch up with my mileage, this pass week with the weather being so nasty I was falling behind. Today was a beautiful day after Saturday Black Belt class Mary Beth and I stopped at Yoshi's and picked up some sushi rolls for the family's lunch, we ate out in the patio as it was just a gorgeous day, enjoy it while you can! Walked 4.2 miles in the late afternoon, nice that it's still light outside at that time.

Today was an OK day. Got out of work early, got my taxes done, got requirements done, and went and enjoyed a night out with my family to the movies. Not much else to share.

I'm so glad that today things settled down at work, I have been puttig over time like it's going out of style and at this point in the black belt cycle I don't need to add more to my plate.

Well these past few day the weather has been a challenge for my walking, I'm going to double for the next few days so I can catch up where I need to be. Yesterday was a great experience going to the Levine Children's Hospital taking all the toys and toiletries. Knowing that it goes for a good cause that it will help the children and their families make it a little easier on such a hard time in their lives, that they don't have to worry about what we take for granted every day. It made me feel very good to be able to help.

Well today was the physical and written test. At the beginning of the cycle when we were doing our base line I run/walked the 2.5 miles in 30 min 54 sec, today I did a power walk and did it in 31 min 9 sec - a lady was running my way and as she passed me she said to me that I'm a pretty fast walker as she was trying for a while to catch up to me, sit ups I did originally 38 today I did 40 , push ups I originally did 14 today I believe I did 22 (I lost it when I started laughing with all the cheering!), burpees I originally did 10, today I did 16, V sit ups I originally did 15, today I only did 10 (I'm disappointed on this one), pull ups I originally did 1/4, today I'm claiming 1/2, and today...

Well today is a pretty full day. Work kept me going all day long. A lot of my co-workers, even my dentist, donated a lot of items for the Levine Children's Hospital. This community service is a true "community" effort. Went to Lowe's and purchased our Spruce trees. Looking forward to the physical and written test. We are a step closer on completing our journey.

Well I have to state that loosing an hour sleep I highly dislike. My sleep is very precious to me, and being deprived an hour is no good. Now I'm done complaining. Today I was waiting at the Park and Ride (for those of you don't know I take the bus to work downtown) for my husband to pick me up, he was running a little late as he was also picking up our daughter Mary from school as she had JROTC drill practice. Well while I was waiting I was mentally and physically practicing my Wong Ho 3 and Wong Ho 4, people were looking at me kind of funny, but it comes down to you don't care because every minute that you have the opportunity to do something and you chose not to do something is time wasted, and I don't have time to waste.

Well, today I found out that one of my neighbors died and was buried leaving his wife and two sons in a tough financial situation as his illness was an extended and costly one. As a neighborhood we are standing up and helping in any way that we can this incredible family. It gives you pause to think how short life is, that you should not waste any time on things of no importance, that family is the most important thing in life. Love one another. Be good to each other. Support each other. Love, laught, live!!

I got quite a bit accomplished today with requirements and such. I'm keeping pretty busy at work also. Overall a pretty good day.

Well I'm getting back to a routine after recuperating from instructiors camp. Getting my sleep back to a more normal amount of hours. Is kind of funny what little sleep can do to you.

We are back from instructors camp in Greenville NC. Wow am I exhausted!!!! Very little sleep, in two nights just over 10 hours all together. I did enjoyed learning different technics that are taught in the other schools. It was a jam packed Friday from 6:30PM to midnight and a full day the next day that started at around 9 AM (when I mean a full day I mean a full day). We started Saturday by eating breakfast and then going to the pool at ECU, then we went to a school gym and had the majority of a sessions there, had lunch in between sessions. We then went out for dinner. After dinner was done went to the Grand Master Lee's dojang and did some more sessions. The day ended at 12:30 AM. Left Greenville on Sunday 9AM, got home around 1:30 PM and I just crashed for a few...

Yesterday did sparring class. Kept on going with anything that I could get caught up with with requirements. I'm getting ready to go to instructors camp. Hopefully I'll have time to update things this weekend. I have a feeling that we will be so busy and tired at the end of the day that the last thing in my mind will be to enter information on the computer. Well I'll keep up with things in writing and then get caught up with the entries. See you on the other side of the Moon!

Getting to learn Wang Ho 5 will be quite interesting as you have to do a 360 degree turn usig left leg as the anchor and this is the leg that my ankle that I strained. I will need to find a way to make it work. Other than that a pretty usual Black Belt cycle day.

Pretty good day overall. Staying busy at work. PMAA class today was challenging.

Pretty common day today. Working on the answers to the test. Sorry not much to say today.

Today was not as good as yesterday. I'm glad that I got a lot of poomsaes done earlier on the day. Not much more that I want to elaborate at this time

I had a great day today. I really enjoyed the Saturday Black Belt class and the Sparring Class. I was so worned out and sweaty when everything was said and done. Went and enjoyed a late lunch with my husband and one of my daughters (the other one is in Disney living it up on a school trip). We went and bought some $5 movies at Target. Came home and went for a 2 mile walk with my husband. Watched one of the $5 movie, after it finished have been practicing over and over again Wang Ho 4, as it's new to me and I want to lock it down in my mental file, I feel pretty good about this one. On the other hand I need to get the staff forms more tightly down, and I need to rub off the rust of my short stick.

Glad this work week is over. My sleep has been shot all week long. The cherry on top of the sundae was the ride home today. I take the Express bus from downtown Charlotte to Huntersville. Today there was some kind of accident around exit 28 on I77, traffic was backed up all the way to exit 18. It took over 1 hour to get to the Park and Ride what normally takes 20 to 30 minutes. The good news is that I finished reading the book that I'm doing one of my essays on, so time did not go to waist.

Today a group from work and I went and volunteered at Second Harvest, sorted food by categories, after working half day on my regular work. I really enjoyed volunteering. Came home and started on my requirements. Did sparring class. Then took Mary Beth to her diving class. While waiting for Mary Beth to finish her diving class at the HFFA I completed my requirements. Came home and headed back out to deliver my other daughter Brittney to school as they have a trip to Disney World, she will be gone for 4 days, the house will be pretty quiet. Just another day in the Jolly residence!

What a night! There was a major thunder storm around 2AM. It felt like it was right over my house. The dogs were all bent out of shape, their hearts were pounding so hard. With all of that said another night that my sleep pattern was out the window. I really need to have a good stretch of good night sleep to recharge my batteries. Overall not a bad day got a lot done. I just don't want to get too low on my reserves and then drag the rest of the way.

I had a better sleep last night, but I could of slept a little longer. We had a make up weekday black belt class today (thank you Master Chelley and Master Conrad), due to al the snow days making us fall behind on this requirement.

I had a better sleep last night, but I could of slept a little longer. We had a make up weekday black belt class today (thank you Master Chelley and Master Conrad), due to al the snow days making us fall behind on this requirement.

Had very little sleep last night I thought that I was going to drag all day today, but after being at the dojang and getting things going I actually got quite a bit done. I'm going to bed earlier today I don't think that I can keep up the rest of the week at the same level if I don't catch up with my sleep.

All the stretching that we did in Black Belt class yesterday left me sore (in a good way), it made my requirements today a little more challenging. It was a very pleasant day today. I got three of my essays done, this is something that if you wait until the last minute it will bite you on the rear. So for those of you that have not gotten started I recommend that you get it done.

Pretty awesome Black Belt class and Sparring class. Got a lot done and I sweated quite a bit. Ms Pat and I are a great team together.

No walking for me today, with the thawing yesterday and the freeze last night it was an ice rink today. We didn't have any snow removal from our secondary home until past 3:30PM. Did my requirements that could be done indoors.

Well another day working from home. Thank goodness I have the ability to do this, as there is no way I was going to venture out up the hill from my house in my car with the amount of ice and slush on the road. We did venture out for a nice walk instead. The neighbors were frolicking out in the snow with kids and pets alike. Cabin fever is settling in a lttle, and it appears that tomorrow I'll be working from home again, as my road is not clear at all and it will freeze tonight making it impasable tomorrow.

Here is a picture of Mary and me half way thru our walk thru the snow today

Snow day, stayed home and worked from home. As a family we went for a 2.75 mile walk prior to the big dump of snow. A little less than half way it started coming down pretty good, on the way over the sidewalks were clear on the way back they were white. Even with the inclement weather we didn't let it stop us, we kept on trudging along even when my cheeks were frozen solid. Right now I can hear the sleet coming down pretty steady. Not sure if I'm going to venture out tomorrow, don't want to put my good ankle at risk, or get my injured one worst.

Went back to work today, and due to the change in weather I completed my work day at home. Wow what a drag when you work from a two screens to a smaill laptop screen. Oh well, just push thru and do the best that you can. Put some extra mles under my feet today, as I do not think tomorrow will be the best conditions for walking.

Not much to share. I have been woking this weekend on my requirements. A little tired. I hurt my back yesterday carrying a little boy (60 pounds) back home after he twisted his ankle. I'll be going to my chiropractor tomorrow to realign by L5 back to it's place. No good deed goes unpunished!

Another full day, had Saturday Black Belt class followed by sparring class, not to count all requirements that I could pack in on one day. Then drove to Greensboro NC for a gymnastic competition for my oldest daughter Brittney. We just got home and it's just past 11PM. I'm tired going to bed!

Took the day off from work, use the time to put some miles under my feet. Pretty productive day overall. Excellent black belt class.

Well folks it has been an interesting pass three days since my last posting. I came from work on Tuesday and was a very sick puppy. The next day I worked from home because I still wasn't feeling that well. Today I felt alive, still worked from home since I had an appointment with the Foot and Ankle doctor to check out my left ankle. Good news is that it's not broken, it's just strained. Doctor pretty much reiterated that I have to adjust and adapt if I want to continue on my black belt cycle. She was amazed to what we have to do to obtain our next belt, and I tihink she was a little shocked that an old chick like me is doing this willinglly. Well until next posting. Have a good evening!

Today was a pretty busy day all around . I'm exhausted going to bed earlier than usual, need to recharge the batteries!

Yesterday we did Saturday Black Belt class and got basic requirements out of the way, did laundry and clean around the house. Today was just fun, I watched Baby Christian for a few hours, I forgot how busy little ones are, but he is a very good baby. It cracked me up, he was fighting taking a nap, so I just sat him on my bed and I laid next to hiim he just folded on himself and fell asleep in a matter of seconds, so we both took a nap together. What a wonderful feeling is to snuggle up with a baby. Afterwards my daughter and I went for a 4 mile walk, I was doing pretty good with my ankle, on the last mile it started to bother me, but nothing that I couldn't handle. I'm still pretty protective of it as I'm concern of further aggravating it.

Glad the work week is over. Took black belt class tonight. Went to a community concert and listened to some wonderful music by a young lady named Liz Longley, that was a nice way to unwind a little.

Today was a much better day overall. I feel like like my routine is somewhat under control. I'm still limited due to my ankle, but i'm trying to adapt what I can as best as I can. I'm feeling stronger with each day that passes. On my way, not looking back!!

Much better day at work, getting things under control. No TKD class today due to hazardazous driving conditions. Got physical requirements done.

Another busy work day then add inclement weather to the mix and it makes for a very interesting date. I got to do my requirements late tonight and can't wait until I lay down and fall asleep.

What a day! Pretty busy at work. I had limited time to do all my requirements, so I was only able to accomplish some. Still looking for my groove!