Candidate Journals

I got free money this am for my Amazon shift because there were no more routes. This is always a great start to the day. I was back home and in bed by 4am. I had a mentoring session with my mentee tonite, and I'm still taking it a little easy because of my back. Hopefully I will be up to full speed tomorrow.

Today I worked and cleaned. I also put up Halloween decorations. My back is getting better, but still onjured, so I'm still being very careful. 

Not much to report today. Work was okay. My back has been sore since Saturday, so I'm resting it a bit. saw a good movie tonite-Wild Robot. I highly recommend it.

We decided to go do some escape rooms that we have been wanting to do for awhile. They were in Greenville, SC. I made the reservations and paid for them yesterday. I also made a reservation for lunch. When we got there, the restaurant was closed and so were the escape rooms. In fact all of Greenville was basically shut down because of the hurricane. I didn't realize the extent of the damage, and I wasn't notified by either the restaurant or escape room that they weren't open. Good thing I like driving and have good music to listen to. Watching the Ravens game right now. Pretty good day anyway.

I feel like today was a huge hurdle that I was able to get over. Post test and written test are done, and I feel pretty confident about my specials, self-defenses and poomsaes. This week I'm going to focus on the hurricane back kick.

I've spent the day studying, reading, submitting essays, doing requirements, and also working a bit. Tomorrow should be a breeze.

I ran at the gym today because of the rain. Got me requirements done in spurts between work. I had a mentoring session and went to the 6:00 class while Dylan assisted for that class. Then we came home and studied for the test.

Almost forgot to write tonite, but got a lot of practice in today, a class assistance and a mentee session.  Almost finished my book. That's all for now.

Made it through the day, so that felt like an accomplishment. Hightlights were going to class, and helping out, getting in a mentee and mentor session. Running was difficult today because I was having trouble breathing, but I think that's due to stress.

Started the day with free $ for my 3:15am shift. That's always a good start. Came home and slept another 2 hours, then read my Atomic Habits book for awhile. Work started with a meeting from 8-12:30. It will be the same the next two days. I met Dylan at the bus stop so we could make it to the 5:15 class, then have mentoring sessions with out mentees at 5:45. Dylan had a clarinet lesson at 6:15, so he didn't even get to start his homework until 7:30. Busy day, and the rest of the week will be basically the same. 

Today is a good day. currently the Ravens are winning. We went to the brick house to watch some of the game, and are planning on going down to Charlotte in a few to see Bruce Hornsby. I'm almost finished reading my Atomic Habits book, and that's the last essay I need to write. Requirements are getting easier. Dylan and I have been practicing a lot, especially self defense and rolls and falls.

Today we started with black belt class, followed by a mentee session for Dylan, and then we helped out in class. Then Dylan had basketball practice. Then we came home and I made octopus. This was a multi-step process, taking the good part of the day, and we had it for dinner and loved it. I no longer have to wait until I go to a restaurant to eat octopus.

I'm really glad it's Friday. I had a good black belt class tonite and then a mentoring session where we practiced hurricane back kicks. Went out and bought an octopus which I am planning on cooking for dinner tomorrow as my new skill. Hopefully it turns out as good as it does in restaurants.

  Today's Amazon shift took an extra long time and I barely made it home in tome for my 8:00 work meeting, but I did. That's kinda how the whole day went. I did, however manage to finish a bunch of things at work and not have anything hanging until tomorrow, which was good. I had a mentor session tonight with my mentee, Kingston, who is a new green belt. I also helped out in class, then came home and did a bunch of kicks.

I definitely am starting to get excited about testing. Today I skipped doing Amazon in the am because I didn't feel like getting wet. Requirements are getting pretty easy, and I'm practicing my breaking kick. That's about all the news for today.

Started the day like any other day, with a 3:30am Amazon shift. Then I picked up Dylan from his dad's house to bring him to school. Then there was a bomb threat at his school, and I spend the good part of the afternoon waiting for him to be bussed to a location where I could pick him up. I'm glad he's safe, but that was mentally exhausting. A little behind on requirements today, but I plan to make them up tomorrow.

Another free Money day for Amazon. My shift was at 3:45 am, and there were no packages left to deliver, so I was paid and came home and did my requirements. I also completed a few essays today. Now I'm going to go find somewhere to watch the Ravens game.

Pretty chill day today. Got my requirements done early, wrote some essays, studied for my GCP exam, got my nails done. I had another day with some down time. I could get used to this. 

Requirements done, work done, I feel like I can safely have a little down time tonight. See you tomorrow.

Today was a difficult work day that made my brain hurt. Got some requirements done in spurts during the day. We had a mentor session tonite and then helped out during belt testing. looking forward to bed.

Today was pretty uneventtful. My Amazon shift was in Davidson, so I had a very easy commute home. Did some requirements in the am, then more over the course of the day. 4 minutes is definitely better than 5 minutes.

Today I completed my white belt challenge, and also had a mentoring session with my mentee. We came home and did a bike ride and self defense practice before dinner. I'm not used to eating so late, but with Dylan's school schedule it seems to be the only way.

Started off with my normal Amazon shift, came home and did some requirements. I'm feeling a little under the weather today, so everything is a struggle. Hoping to feel better soon.

Today has been all about Tae Kwon Do. I started the day with a blackbelt class, then did the first day of the white belt challenge. I actually learned a few things. Then we did the kick-a-thon, which was fun but exhausting. The rest of the day has been spent doing requirements with Dylan, and reading my Atomic Habits book.  I feel pretty confident that I will pass the test in a couple of weeks.

Today I went to the Amazon warehouse for my 3:15 am shift, and there were no packages to deliver, due to no trucks coming in, so I got paid for doing nothing. Hooray! I came home and wrote an essay, then studied for my GCP (Google Cloud Platform) exam for a couple of hours. When the sun came up, I did my run, then did my requirements. Work was pretty easy today, a couple of meetings and just some small bug fixes. I went to Blackbelt class tonight, but couldn't make it to rolls and falls because Dylan doesn't get home from school until 5:00. It's ok though. We're able to practice at home because we have a room with a padded floor. Looking forward to the kick-a thon tomorrow.

Yesterday I did my requirements over the course of the day, as my morning was extremely busy. I had a mentoring session with my mentee and then helped out in the 6:00 class. Today I have just finished my requirements, and tonight I will go to sparring, then straight to bed.

I took it easy this am and opted not to do an Amazon shift. I want this weekend to actually feel like I had some down time. Went to the pool for a while, and did some requirements. I about to study for my GCP certification exam, and then finish my requirements later. 

Today I did an early Amazon shift followed by a Whole Foods shift. I went to the pool for awhile, then came home and did my requirements and stidied for a certification I want to get for work. Now I'm sitting here enjoying the rain, mostly because I don't have to water the garden.

Today I did a 3:15am Amazon shift, then came home and did some requirements, then at work, I managed to finally complete a component that I've been working on for awhile. Just in time to relax for three days. Went to Black Belt class tonight, and plan on going again in the am.

It's Thursday, and I've been neglecting my journals. This week has been super busy at work, and Dylan and I are getting used to his new school schedule. Hopefully next week will be smoother. Goint to sparring tonight and then finishing up a few requirements. Looking forward to the weekend.

I had a long, very productive mentoring session this am. We made sure we knew everything we have to know for the test. Dylan and I came home and practiced specials, all three kicking defenses, and hopkido. I'm feeling fairly confident about these.  Tomorrow is Dylan's first day of school, so we spent the day relaxing and making sure everything is ready for the big day.

Started the day carrying a bunch of cases of water to 3rd floor apartments during my Amazon shift. I feel like this might have been more challenging than my regular requirements. Did my run and physical requirements done before work. I really feel like my kicks have improved, but not consistently yet. Getting ready for rolls and falls followed by black belt class. Looking forward to the second half of the cycle.

So busy that all of my days are running together. Had a 3:15 Amazon shift this am that I ended up getting free $ for. There were no routes or packages to deliver, but I still got paid. I came home and did some work for my other(real) job until the sun came up. Then I ran my mile, and because it was so cold, I improved my time by 45 seconds. Did the rest of my requirements during the course of the day, and now I'm still working, with no end in sight. Looking forward to bed.

For some reason, I feel like I need another day or two this weekend. Got my requirements done early this am. I've been working on side kicks and trying to make them beautiful, and I feel like I had a little breakthrough today, well, yesterday, actually. I'm also feeling a little more confidant with tornado kicks, but they're still definitely not beautiful. I managed to get to the pool for an hour today between a bunch of Whole Foods delivery shifts. It was nice to just lay on my raft and close my eyes for a little while.

I wnet to the black belt class, and helped out in the next class. Got my requirements done in batches today, between going to the farmer's market, going sparkling water shopping- we were getting dangerously low, starting a ferment of peach reapers, apocalypse peppers and bulgarian carrot peppers. Also put a bunch of cucumbers in vinegar, and roasted beets. Trying not to waste any vegetables from the garden this year. They grow faster than we can eat them. I've probably already said this, but I'm really lucky to have my son, Dylan doing this cycle with me. He's wonderful to practice with, and he's very motivating when I sometimes feel like being lazy.

Made it through a tough week. Work has been busy, and requirements are getting more challenging, but I'm manageing to stay close to caught up. Planning on a mentoring session tonite, folowed by rolls and falls, and then black belt class. 

Started out with my run, like normal, but left the dogs home so I could run without stopping. Busy work day, I'm actually still working because I'm trying to figure something out, but I've been taking work breaks and doing my requirements. Dylan and I laugh so hard sometimes over silly things when we're practicing together. It makes the time fly by. Time for bed because tomorrow is going to be a crazy busy day. 

Today was a great day. Got an early start, as usual, work was productive, went to the gym at lunch, helped out in a class, and had a mentoring session. Came home and had a Korean inspired dinner, with gochugaru seasoned pork chops, and Dylan's famous gochugaru pickles. Finished off the evening with a long bike ride. Heading to bed and I won't be getting up and eating ice cream in the middle of the night, in case you were wondering.

Busy day, as most are these days. Ended up in Salisbury for my early Amazon shift, but was home by 7:30. Got my run in before church, then Dylan and I did our requirements during the course of the day, between going to the lego Brick Fest in Charlotte, and doing an escape room in Davidson. I also got a bunch of work done for my regular job today, so hopefully tomorrow won't be so hectic. 

Made it to week 5, that extra minute of requirements feels like 10 extra minutes. Got home from my Amazon shift at 6:20am, so I was able to fit in my run this am. Had a great black belt class and mentoring session afterwards where we worked on staff form. Went to the pool for awhile and Dylan and I just finished requirements and a bike ride. 

I meant to journal yesterday, but somehow got sidetracked. Yesterday started with a 3:15am Amazon shift in the pouring down hurricane rain. I delivered 36 packages in Matthews to houses with nonexistant or severely inadequate front porches. I had a moment of gratitude for my porch which can keep many packages dry during storms. Got home, did my requirements, got another Whole Foods shift that I was able to fit in before my real job began, also in the pouring down rain. Very treacherous driving conditions yesterday. I witnessed flash flooding, power outages, several downed trees. I had to drive under one which was balanced on the wires above. Made me a little nervous. Anyway, went to the gym at lunch and had a training session. By the time I was finished work, my brain was fried, and my energy was depleted, so I went to bed at an unreasonably early...

I'm getting used to getting my requirements in between my morning Amazon shift and my regular job. It's becoming like clockwork. I'm definitely noticing an improvement in my push-ups and burpees, pull-ups, not so much. I got in a mentoring and mentee-ing session in tonight in addition to a class. Got home and vacuumed and mopped my whole house, and worked in the garden some. All this rain has wreaked some havoc on my tomato plants, so I had to pull off some dead leaves.

Started the day at 3:45am with an Amazon delivery shift that had me stuck in the deep south (Monroe) and I wasn't able to get back in time for the class this am. I completed my requirements early, thouroughly cleaned the garage, did a bunch more Amazon deliveries, and studied for an exam I have to take for my job. It was a productive day.

It's already been a crazy week at work. I'm still keeping up with my requirements. I've been trying to get everything done before work because I seem to be working through all breaks lately. Ice cream is but a distant memory at this point. I wonder if I'll even like it in 10 weeks.

This week has been super busy with work, so it's been a challenge fitting everything in, but still keeping it manageable. My shins are still hurting, but I got some better running shoes, so hopefully that helps.

Made it through week 1, pretty on track. Have to catch up on jumprope, as I just purchased mine a couple of days ago. Pretest went pretty well. My shins are sore from running, and I'm hoping they get better with time. It's getting easier not to eat in the middle of the night. Creating new, better habits.

Today, I did my run first thing, then did my requirements during the course of the day in between work meetings and bug fixes. Dylan and I went to the gym at lunch, and then went to the 6:00 class then the sparring class. After the sparring class, I felt that I definitely deserved ice cream, but I didn't get any. I'm feeling pretty confident about my poomsae's and self defenses. Tomorrow I will study.

Day four of not eating ice cream in the middle of the night. I had a great mentor/mentee session tonight, and was able to help out a little in class. Keeping up with requirements, with a litle extra emphasis on poomsae's so I can ace the pretest this weekend.

I had a great mentoring session this am with Courtney. We worked on poom sae's, and will continue on our next session. I also did 20 minutes of poom sae practice at home tonite, in addition to the other requirements. I'm feeling pretty confident about the pre-test this weekend.

My first day of cycle was great, sunny and beautiful, starting with black belt class and ending with my workout and daily requirements. I tried to get my run in this afternoon, but decided to wait until it cooled down a bit. Started eating healthier today, including no ice cream, or other sweets in the middle of the night, or anytime, really. Let's see how this goes. This is acually harder for me than the physical requirements. Looking forward to tomorrow when I'm planning to meet up with my mentor. This cycle is really special for me because I'm doing it with my son, Dylan. He asked me to join him in class a few years ao, and after much hesitation, I finally agreed to give it a try. Glad we're on this journey together.