Candidate Journals

I feel disappointed in my success with my split. By "success" I mean "still a good 5 inches from the ground".  I just wish I had started stretching earlier in preparation for this goal so I could have had something constructive to show for it on testing day. I didn't even really fully stretch out for the afternoon testing, I felt too tired to do it. I'm going to keep working at it, though, especially since it will only get harder as I get older- it's now or never!

I can't believe that I am still sore from testing!!!! I'm slowly starting to be fully stretched out again, but my shoulder, knee, ankle, and hip continue to bother me. The cut on my hand is healing nicely though and I don't think there will be a scar, so that's good!:)

Okay I've practiced everything I know at least once, hopefully it's enough! The self defense is really extensive, though, I'm getting them mixed up. 

SO TERRIFIED FOR TESTING!!!!! I hope the fear and adrenaline keep me awake! >_<

I'm so excited that I have my creative form done!  I'm very glad I chose to work with a staff because I love it so much.  I worked it out with a short stick at home, though, so it will take some work adapting it to the staff.  

Getting micro-organized for the next two weeks. I have everything planned out for each day and I have a ton of review and a ton of writing. The test feels real and I'm terrified about being too tired on Friday to preform well or being that one person that messes up and makes everyone have to practice a poomsae like 20 times. I don't know, I guess we'll see. Also found out my best friend scheduled something over black belt testing....awesome to have his support when I need it. 

I'm finally done entering all of my stuff!!!!!!! Most of the requirements I'm in pretty good shape for, though I'm not looking forward to doing 321 reps of self defense before testing:P I suppose that will take care of itself, though, in my preparation for the overnight testing.  Also, 2190 kicks seems like a lot, but I'm confident that I can knock that out in a few days if I have to.  

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Walked the full five mile route through my neighborhood today with my dad.  Took ages, but I love the one-on-one time with him.  We talked a lot about the creative form and the breaking routine; I really appreciate his input, especially with the breaking (he has designed my routines for the past two tests).  Hopefully together we can up with something interesting!!!

Today marks the beginning of my spring break. I'm excited for all the time ill have now for tkd, especially for writing essays!

Though it's a lot, I'm glad I have spring break to focus on tkd. I want to finish all the writing and then go over all of the things I've ever learned in preparation for the overnight. I don't want to have any surprises that Friday night! 

Sad that I missed the black belt and sparring classes yesterday, but my last debate tournament of the year was great. Kudos to the people on my team who won in their events!!! Now I'm just waiting for my dad to get home so we can practice poomsae together. 

Slowly, painfully slowly, chugging away at late-night sticks classes!!!

And now to enter it all. No one to blame but myself though. At least it's not sticky notes this time (like two testing cycles ago for me).

So tired from stuff today!!! I found out that there are at least a couple things I don't have to learn for testing anymore, so I'm glad for the minimized stress. Shifting focus to my creative form now, since I only have the first 6 moves or so. 

I am now the proud owner of two plum trees, which will polinate when mature!! I'm happy for the responsibility of caring for them!:)

Wow that test was a doozy!!! The run made my ankle feel like it was going to break, but my time was worth it!!! I probably should have tried to run the  full four miles more than two times before the test but at least it payed off haha. Feelin confident on the written exam and I expect to take the muscle/anatomy test sometime in the next week. 

Instructors camp was fantastic this year!! I'm super sore but it was totally worth it!!     On another note, the community service was awesome. I loved going out to help people were unable to feed themselves. I'd love to do this again!

Unfortunately, no Sunday training with Master Cann; my knee hurts too much for fighting today but ill get some miles in walking and some sit-ups if my knee can bend that far. At least it's not my ankle this time:P

I had so much fun with Master Cann!  I really needed a good hard workout, but it showed me how out of shape I am (in a sparring sense). Hopefully I'll be back to train with her tomorrow, but it'll depend on my knee. On that note, I think the gym is canceled today since it won't bend. 

I'm just getting sicker, but I guess I'll run anyway haha. I hate being held back like this by my own body. 

Getting started filling out my written test so I can study ahead of time, I'm excited to be doing something productive^^

I am so excited for sparring!  It's been so long, and I hate taking such a sobatical. I can't even go all out tomorrow because I have my swim team regionals tomorrow and I can't be worn out for it because my team depends on me

I'm so excited about the staff Master ordered for me! It's beautiful, albeit a little intimidating to wield :P This should be fun!

This cycle starts in one of the busiest months of my life.  Senior year, all of my midterms this week (8), swim team, and three debates this month are stopping me from devoting much needed extra time to tae kwon do.   I think I've figured out which classes to help out in.  That was a mess last cycle, and the PMAA.  Taking a class that begins after a black belt class that has now been backed up even later?? It makes me want to cry.  I guess I'll make it through like last cycle on energy drinks every Wednesday and Friday >_<

I am so sore from yesterday; my legs are KILLING ME, but I'm glad.  No pain, no gain.  At least I'm ahead on situps haha (sorry for the back-up on journals, the website wouldn't let me add them)

I am so excited for this test! It's been a long process to get as far as I am now, almost a master.  I almost don't want to test.  I want to advance, of course, but I still don't feel as though I deserve my third dan, let alone fourth and a new title.   On another note, I was SO CLOSE to my split in class!  My goal was by the end of the cycle to be able to do a split, but I'm hoping to achieve that goal in a few weeks so I won't hurt myself close to testing.