Candidate Journals

I had an awesome day today. I enjoyed my morning coffee and watched ESPN with my dad. I then did my morning workout at the lake at the edge of my community. I relaxed for a bit until it was time for me to head into the Dojang for the day. I got to King Tiger and enjoyed my lunch while the kids watched the minions movie and played Mario kart. I got some time to stretch out properly today as I know that my mentor Master Oppy is teaching sparring class this evening and he like any other instructor does not play. I got the privilege of helping out Instructor Garrett with his classes and then got to teach the Junior Tigers class afterwards. It makes it so much easier to transition smoothly to a good class when you have great examples to follow. I really enjoyed teaching the black...

I had an awful day today April Fools it was really an awesome day. I went to get my rental today and then helped my Pops run some errands for a bit before making my way to North Carolina. I stopped in to see Fin the world's best kitty and he was very appreciative for the excessive pets. I got to help Master Randle and Instructor Garrett in their classes today. It's always a positive learning experience to be able to observe and learn from someone with more knowledge and expertise. I'm always humbled by their ability to lead and instruct without breaking a sweat. It makes it much easier to learn and teach when you have someone who sets such an exemplary standard. I got the pleasure of being able to enjoy my class this evening and got to practice my poomsae work on my stances and focus on honing...

I started my week off well and worked out this morning. I then got a peek at the weather and had to cancel a date so boo. I then took care of some errands and walked around in the rain storms. I know I got a lot of stares walking around but it was really fun and it allowed me to get in some extra working out without really having to feel like a chore. I came home got my things gathered for my day tomorrow then my lil sister Aly called. She is really bogged down with her current work schedule and needed to vent a bit so I tried my best to be receptive and listen to her issues. It didn't take long before we were both laughing and enjoying our normal conversation. I told her that she was justified in her feeling and since I was recently in...

Stayed up late last night until the early morning because it's my Maw's Birthday. I always make sure to call her every year and seranade her because she always tries to do the same for me and my siblings Birthdays. She works really hard so I don't always have a lot of time to speak with her. I miss being able to see her often but I understand she is following her passion. She always encourages me to work hard and strive for my dreams. I have her to thank for fantastic looks, taste in music and fashion and overall radical nature. We don't always get along perfectly due to both of us being so similar to one another. Even when the relationship is strained I know the friction comes with love. I'm going to do laundry and run errands tomorrow since it's dark outside and I haven't done it yet. 

I took the day off from working out and worked on finding out some more things regarding my vehicle situation. I walked around to meet with some mechanics. I went thrifting and found some knickknacks and some clothes I needed for my Twiin Sisters' baby shower. I don't have much formal wear so it's important I do my best to look nice for her event. I still need to get my hair done before then and I'm anxious because it will have to be someone new. Wish me luck with my car and my hair. Hope everyone has been enjoying their weekend. I'm going to spend some time with my Pops watching Duke play Bama. Take Care!

I thoroughly enjoyed my Friday evening went to downtown Gaffney as I haven't really had the opportunity to explore much of this area since I've moved in with my Dad. It was fun to listen live music the singer was really talented. I ended up tipping her so that she would play some Heart. I walked back home and played video games until I fell asleep on my laptop.

I tried to work on getting my car situation figured out. Called a lot of auto shops to try to get the lowest price possible. I went and ran some errands for my Father then I headed back to Charlotte for the day. I got into the city a little earlier so I went thrifting and found some useful trinkets and knickknacks that I had to obtain for the low price (its was a bargain). I then went to the Dojang a bit early. I worked on my stretching and poomsae. I got to help out Master Randle in her classes today we had several new students and they all did their best and enjoyed classes this evening. I also got to help out Instructor Garrett in his classes. It was a great evening at the Dojang. I dropped into my Twin's house for a bit so I could give her...

I spent the evening at my twin sisters house. It was very nice to spend time with her play her video games eat her food and pet Fin while she worked hard teaching children at school. I got to the Dojang and enjoyed my lunch before classes got started for the evening. I got to help out Instructor Garrett with classes and then I got to help teach the kids class and help them work on earning their yellow stripe for teamwork. Then I had sparring class and black belt class which both went excellent its always great to learn from a newer different perspective. Master Opey has been my mentor throughout the black belt cycle and it's been great getting to know him. He still surprises me with new ways to learn and improve my taekwondo with stretching and specific techniques designed for TKD sparring. He always make thing enjoyable...

I spent most of my day struggling with the very capable and efficient people over at Enterprise Rentals. I have to consider that I am grateful to be able to afford the ability of this inconvenience. I finally got on my way towards Charlotte. I am so glad to be back in class its absolutely comfort zone/safe space, even a week away seems way too long. I had a great day at King Tiger I enjoyed being able to help assist Master Randle in her class and help to guide several new students in the start of their journey. I then took class this evening with Master Cavasos he is always a great instructor to have lead because he is very strong knowledgeable and is very strict and very kind. He has always looked out for me while I've been here and has always supported me in everyway he could. Now I'm leaving the Dojang for the evening to go see my twin Brian Pancake and Fin. Yall have a great night congrats to everyone who went through the Black Belt cycle this past weekend it was an honor to participate and everyone gave their all. Peace out goodnig

I've been working on trying to turn my lemon into lemon meringue pie. I think I found a place that will be able to make the necescarry repairs on this vehicle. In the meantime I've been resting and relaxing after a strenuous and fun black belt testing. It was a very rewarding experience and I was grateful to be able to participate. I'm feeling much more revitalized after a weekend of watching march madness with my Pops. I'm going to start dedicating the proper focus and time to work on accomplishing my daily logs and other requirements soon so I can keep working towards my goals.

I'm typing up somewhat early this evening at least for me. I'm hoping to get a good nights rest. I spent the morning studying and practicing. Then I went outside to give myself a break and clear my head to make sure that I actually remembered anything at all. I remembered more than I expected and I can tell that the practice has been paying off for sure especially with blocks and stances. Still if anyone knows me they understand I'm just as nervous as everyone else. I think more I have no real problem fighting in a cage but poomsae is terrifying to me. I'm much more comfortable with doing it so much throughout the cycle so I'm hoping to notice improvements. I'm excited to make the journey tomorrow and look forward to working hard with all of my peers to reach our goals for the day. I know everyone...

I spent the majority of my day taking care of my father as he wasn't feeling well. I just took some extra time to take care of him, he has a health history that requires him to get extensive rest. He's been frustrated because he has new things to look forward going to but his health can be a factor in whether or not he can safely participate. I found time to still workout for myself. I also found time to study up on all my curriculum watching videos practicing drawing out steps etc to gain a better grasp of the concepts. In my downtime I've been walking to store daily and re-watching Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. Hope everyone is well. Stay positive and strong y'all. 

Spent most of my day yesterday attempting to figure out the issue with my car. I'm fairly certain that I'm gonna need a new motor. Either get a new used car and hope it doesn't do a similar move or repair this car and hope that nothing else major occurs (decisions decisions). Still honestly just fortunate to be in good health. I spent time working on my blocks stances and working on my balance. I've been watching Are You Being Served? and playing my Gamecube. I will probably attempt to source some motors and or junk my car ASAP so I can get things back on the right track. 

Welp, all things considered I still had a great day. I woke up heading towards Charlotte for the day normal drive abnormal but ordinary carpool karaoke ensues. I make it right up to my exit to 5 mins from the Dojang and wouldn't you know it's the used car sputter, stall, all of the lights on the dashboard emote and then the wheel locks up (yippee). Thankfully I am a okay and that's all that matters I was able to get myself to shoulder of the exit safely and start looking for a tow home. Everything else was actually very smooth the tow ride home was more pleasant than expected and the tow was relatively inexpensive tbh on the lemon. Hope that class went well I certainly missed everyone and all the fun. Once I got home I Uber'd to the store so I could make dinner and then walked back...

Had a great Thursday of classes got to teach and help out with class instruction. I then got enjoy my Muay Thai class. It's a different experience so as always I feel like a complete novice but that part of the fun. I always work up an appetite after doing all of my classes for the evening so after driving straight home and taking a frigidly cold shower I was desperate for something extremely delicious. I made myself an exquisite mushroom risotto and promptly passed out for the evening. I started my Friday morning off with some MMA training, yoga , then meditation. It's my lazy day so back to bed until I wake up naturally. Woke up in the late afternoon and decided I would get my second coffee and try to work on somethings I know I need to practice for repetition after going over it in class previously...

Spent my morning studying for my written test, watching Kitchen Nightmares and consuming an outlandish amount of coffee. I went over to my sisters early to study there and to play with the cats while they were at work. I had to give Finn a salmon pate so he would be shut up he was meowing so loud it disrupting Brian's meeting. I had to be far and give Pancake one but he won't eat it from the plastic tray it comes in because you know class so I put it into his feeding dish. I get back in the living room from washing my hand only to find Finn caught red paw'd greedily consuming Pancake's treat. I promised Pancake I would bring him a special treat later; Finn is a jerk but we love him for it. Finally made it to the Dojang set myself up to be a little...

I worked most of this weekend and Monday studying re-take the written Black Belt test. I found all the answers and wrote them down then recorded myself saying all the q and a's. I've been studying the sheet while listen to the recording and found that a very helpful method. Im looking forward to going into the Dojang today teaching helping and learning with the other students. I'm also looking forward to seeing my twin sister for the first time in awhile since we've both been busy as of late. Typically when I'm working in Charlotte through the weekdays I stay over at her place. However since I have to study and practice all the time and she is pregnant its best if I'm not always cramping her and her husbands style. It going to be awesome to see her Brian, Pancake(Brian's cat) and Finn(Sharis' cat). Plus my Gran Gran made...