Candidate Journals

Got up this morning and went to the park. Spent about an hour and change working on bolo poomsae, knife self defense,  and staff forms 1-3. I really enjoy getting together on Sundays at the park. It's very laid back, but we work on and learn a lot.  After that, our group took a walk around the park and found several physical requirement stations.  Some of us attempted, but the metal was very fat and slippery.  My new sneakers are feeling better, and not hurting as much. I'll be able to do a second walk, possible jog, later around my neighborhood.  I managed to do a 2 inch pull up...progress. maybe by spring I'll manage at least one.  

Today I got up and went to my blackbelt class.  We reviewed our poomsaes then did some double stick swalis.  After blackbelt,  I had my juniors / Littles class. Only two little ones today.  Then Master Dege and I had a mentor / mentee session. We reviewed self-defense white through high green.  I wrote then down on index  cards after asking whete to find them on the KT app.  I'm going to be sore tomorrow because I didn't realize that some of our physical requirements went up in minutes, and so I'm trying to play catch up.   Since the Olympics are going on, I may try to get more of my required book completed tomorrow and possibly go without my phone for 12 hours...not hard considering I'm not on it all day long....

Super proud of myself....I assisted in two classes back to back, then stayed for my sparring class.  Anxiously awaiting my pullup bands, thanks to a fellow blackbelt candidate.   Today begins the opening ceremonies for the summer 2024 Olympics,  so at camp today, all games and activities will be centered around that!  Super excited. Javelin toss( pool noodles), jump rope competition,  hula hoop competition,  bowling competition (knock down cones) and lots of crafts!  With the competitions, I'll easily get my physical requirements in!!!  Happy Rainy Friday 🌧 

Tired is an understatement.  Trying to balance camp, home, blackbelt cycle, classes......going to be a real challenge once school begins.  Anxiously waiting my new sneakers and hoping they work. 

I'm up and doing some of my physical requirements.  I'm still struggling with pull ups  / hanging for a few reasons......1. I played soccer, so no upper body strength.  2. Due to health conditions, I've never been permitted to do pull ups...maybe a resister band would help?  I've also ordered a pair of 'Altra' running /walking sneakers.  I hope these help with my knee and having to use the sidewalk.  I really don't want to waste money at a gym.  Few more requirements and off to camp to meet with my mentee. I'm so proud of her! She knows the first 10 steps to her poomsae and can do it on her own! She is also beginning to remember numbers 1-3 in her self defense.  Better yet, she gave me a hug and thanked me for helping her!!! 🤗   

It's another wonderful day if blackbelt cycle. I think in-between lunch and snack at camp, I might be able to get some of my physical requirements in.   I also need to find a pair of running / walking sneakers with support.  All the sneakers I have are not working.  I'm almost done with my required reading. So I will be able to write that essay soon. I will also be done with my nutrition challenge at the end of July, however, I think I may keep adding / trying new foods. Off to feed all the furniture babies then camp.  

Good morning all !!   I purchased a pull up bar that I can all do my situps and push ups with!! I did my hang this morning...no where near a minute (more like 10 seconds). I'm trying to remember how to do situps with the bar, so I'll do them at camp.  I'm going to meet with my mentee today, review the first 10 steps of her poomsae and the first two of her self defense.  I'll also add the 3rd self defense as well.    Keep pushing !! We are already on week 2 !! 

Good morning    Got up and went to the park. Practiced some stick forms, hapkito self defense,  blue self defense..then it started raining.  Going to have something to eat, then start on my daily physical requirements.  

Pretest for blackbelt cycle is completed. I'm going to take a nap. I'll work on my self defense and kicks when I get up!    Side note, I need to buy a pair of running sneakers   

Time for coffee.......showered,  and going to camp. I'm going to attempt to work with my mentee, but it's always a challenge to grab her for just 10 minutes.  I went a Jr. Tigers class last night and assisted...yay! 1 down, 19 to go!  I also heard and saw two candidates run warm ups, they did a great job!  I felt a little more confident at sparring last night, but still do not like getting hit in my head.  I'm also getting signatures in my book which is exciting....now only if I can get my scores correct on the website chart. 

Time to get going....camp, cycle requirements and physical stuff, assisting in class, and sparring this evening. I left my required reading in reach of my Pomchi, he decided to read it too....fortunate for me, he only wanted to read the back cover!  I think I'll challenge my campers into a competition of my physical requirements,  that way I can get mine done before 8pm .  Hope everyone is doing great 

I didn't sleep well last night, all I can think about is tbe pretest on Saturday,  the 26 laps ( 4 miles) I have to try and do, the situps I can not do with out someone /something holding my feet, the pull-ups I've never been able to do, and embarrassing myself infront of a bunch of kids. It's honestly all I can do from tearing up.  I think I'll be okay after the pretest is over.     On top of that, what is being asked online verses our book is different.  The book wants you to spend 'x' time doing your physical requirements, poomsaes, self defense, ect, but online is asking amounts. 

Today I got up and went to camp. I finally have a mentee and we had pur first session today.  'A' enjoyed her session, we worked on tbe first 10 moves in IL Chang and self defense # 1 and 2.  I did not want to overwhelm her, so we stopped there.  Thid afternoon, I have my physical requirements and sticks class.   I'm still struggling with my self defense, which makes me very worried about my pre- test Saturday....the high belt self defense is much different than what I learned at my previous school.   I also can not get onto the King tiger app for do e reason,so I will need to reach put to someone for help. I had it on my phone, my phone updated, and I lost the app. Now the play store will not let me download it

Questions and thoughts......   This morning I woke up, played with my puppies and relaxed. I have summer camp, so I'll get my requirements completed after camp.  Current biggest struggles are:  1.Essays - Where / How do I find my information? ( I've never been on a blackbelt cycle, so this is nrw. - my previous school did not have blackbelt cycles like King Tiger )  2. Sit ups - are a struggle. I can do crunches, but those are not sit ups. I can do a sit up if my feet are under something,  but that will not help while in tbe dojang. Suggestions on how to build stomach muscles so I can do my sut ups, or are crunches ok?  3. I need a mentee-  I don't know any of tbe KT kiddos outside of camp, Saturday, or blackbelt.  This makes getting a genteel a huge challenge for me. 

Today I got up, went to the park and practiced some stick and staff forms and reviewed tbe high belt self defense in the air. It's challenging to do the real self defense on grass.  After that, I came home and did my jump rope requirement. Then did some errands, took a nap, and finished up my requirements. I've found I need to spread my requirements throughout the day, because the amount has dropped, partially from being sore. I do not have any way to do my pull up requirements at home, so I'm behind in those.    

I've never participated in a blackbelt cycle before. Blackbelt exam experiences at my previous school were much different. I have /will be setting a daily alarm to remind me to journal, and add my information that is needed ( once I figure out where it goes - I'll ask my mentor) I figure by the end of my cycles I'll be in the best shape of my life.