Candidate Journals

We had a very nice Black Belt Retreat at the White Water Center highlighted by the Canyon Spur High Ropes Adventure. Instructor Dege & I conquered the challenge with relative ease. The BB Moment came on our way home when we earned a group Random Act of Kindness assisting a lady when she forgot to replace her gas cap. I am already looking forward to my next official cycle in 2015.

So, after a few days of chilling after a awesome weekend I eased back into things today. I went to the mid-day class @ Master Evins' Dojang and then ran a mile and did light workout after shopping & chores. Overall, I had a great weekend. The overnight was terrific and we finished early. Master Evins released us @ 04:30. I came home and drank a Whey Protein Shake, ate a Roasted Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breast I had cooked the Thursday night, took a shower and slept off and on for 4.5 hours. I then ate a three egg & cheese omelet and went to our afternoon testing. And that went quicker than I thought also. So, I was able to return home and shower before heading to work @ 17:30. The Scholarship Dinner went great and we finished @ 23:30. After a very good night's sleep I went to church Sunday...

I am so jazzed about our night ahead. I am drinking an amazing amount of water to help prevent dehydration and cramps. We are going to have so much fun. See you all tonight!

I had very good afternoon/evening at the LKN Dojang. I am also really jazzed about the overnight this Friday. We get to take a class that allows us to practice & perform everything that we have learned. We get to do every poomsae, self defense, back fall, hopkido, staff, sticks, etc. It is awesome. Well I have to get up at 04:00 tomorrow to teach just like this morning so goodnight people.

After a good mornng that included class at the North Charlotte Dojang the afternoon and evening went well also. I prepared dinner for the St. Mark's Mid-Week Service and Dinner series and then went to sparring and PMAA classes @ the LKN Dojang. Now, if I can just figure out something to do this Friday night and Saturday morning.

Attending the midday class @ the North Charlotte Dojang on Red Stripe Day is always fun. And you are guaranteed to get some requirements knocked out along with an awesome fun workout. Thank you Master Evins!  

I really like our TKD Saturdays. Got to the dojang early, ran, did pooms and requirements, BB Class & Sparring Class. You have to love it.  

The next two weekends are going to be very interesting. Work on Friday the 12th from 08:30 to 19:20; Over-Night Testing from 22:00 to 06:00(4/13); Open Testing from 12:30 to completion; work at Ai until 23:59. Lay Eucharistic Minister Sunday the 14th @ 10:30 service. Then on Friday the 19th I orchestrate a Dinner Reception @ the Art Institute until 17:30; attend Tea Ceremony @ 18:15; Deliver Continental Breakfast to St. Mark's @ 08:00 on the 20th; Black Belt Retreat with some incredibley awesome people.  

There is no doubt that the concept of Black Belt Training is a great standard whether one is "on" cycle or not. I continue to train even though the requirements are complete (except sparring classes) and I will continue even after testing.

A Poomsae is a choreographed demonstration of various kicks, blocks, and hand techniques of Tae Kwon Do which the student utilizes with an imaginary opponent.  A Poomsae is a choreographed demonstration of various kicks, blocks and hand techniques of Tae Kwon Do which the student utilizes with an imaginary opponent.

I could not have asked for a better Easter weekend. For the first time since Jan 1, I had two days off, Friday & Saturday from everything; no work, no studies, no church responsibilities & no TKD. I did work in some push-ups, sit-ups, etc and went for walks/runs with my wife. I got so much done around the house it was awesome. Cleaned my home office, did yard work, cleaned cars, cooked dinner and so much more. I look forward to the next two weeks preparing for our overnight. See you in the dojangs!

We have a lot of possible distractions before our overnight testing and we cannot let them derail us from our goal. We must train as black belt candidates straight through Spring Breaks, Ski Trips, Easter and everything else. We need to be strong for each other throughout the testing which isn't just April 12 & 13. It is now, the cycle that is the true test. Stay strong and continue to train.  

although most of us are finished or very close to being finished with our requirements, we need to keep working for 3 weeks so we are strong for our overnight! proud of all my fellow black belt cycle mates.

Yeah, it it typical to attend a Saturday Black Belt Class, but even more typical for it to be raining when I go for my Saturday morning run. I am not complaining because I have come to enjoy them. I am also proud of all the KT Black Belts that participated in the Spartan Run today.

It has been a great 10 week journey and yet with 3 weeks until testing we really cannot let up. We must stay fit and support each other even more for the overnight testing.

so, today I finally got the credits for the Instructors' Camp. So I am going back to March 2 to enter them and will then hit the LKN Dojang by about 16:30. Should get a good final pump. YES!

lieLike most of my fellow candidates I am jazzed about seeing the completion of this phase of the journey.

...and no one walked in on me doing pushups and situps. Looking forward to tomorrow's run.

While I was disappointed that I had to miss Black Belt Class on Saturday, it was a very good weekend. I was the Kitchen Manager for a very prestigious culinary competition on Saturday which ran perfectly. I managed to do some jump rope, pull ups, pooms, SDs, sit-ups, push-ups et al in the afternoon though. I got out for a nice bike ride with my neighbor today. Our last official week of cycle is before us, but we all must keep trainig right through testing on the 12th & 13th 

I'm in good stanidng on most of my physical requirements. The challenge is the scheduling of classes. Hope to use the few extra weeks between week 10 and testing to catch up.

This is Practical Testing week at work. and it was testing day at PMAA @ the North Charlotte Dojang. Black Belt Class was fun as usual.

Another very good day of production at work and at LKN Dojang. Thanks again to Master Chelley!

While everyday is a day to rejoice, today was especially so. It was truly beautiful outside. I was able to wrap a 25 mile bike ride around going to mid-day class at the North Charlotte Dojang. Add to that the fact that today was Red Stripe Day and I made the most of it. Looking forward to the remainder of the cycle and testing on April 12 & 13th. Blessings to all!

I got between my morning and evening classes and walked my miles again along with doing requirements. I hope to be able to be back runnning by tomorrow. Doing what has to be done to get it done.

Today was a very nice Sunday. Totallly enjoyed another wonderful service and sermon at St Mark's Episcopal Church, then did some yardwork. I then walked to Killington's via the Huntersville Business Park. Spent the later afternoon in the Cul-de-Sac with the neighbors. It is another glorious day that the Lord made and we Rejoiced in it.

I meant to give a huge THANK YOU SHOUT OUT to Masters Evins & Knight and Instructors Auerbach, Schneider, Torres & Tucker for all of their help today.  And a huge Black Belt High Five to Instructor Scott Schneider for running back out after running 2.5 miles with his daughter Jessica, to meet Instructor Abby Auerbach to help her finish a very strong 4 miles.  

Florida State finally got a quality win against a very good team, albeit at home. The 'noles cannot get a good win on the road this year, so I will take this one. Oh, and I had a really fun and long day at TKD; testings, class & sparring class. Came home and made up the difference in push-ups & sit-ups. Although I did the requisite 8 pull-ups inside of a minute, I do not feel good about them. I will continue to work on them and redo them before testing on April 12.

literally chillin' due to the ice pack under my leg trying to get my hamstring ready for tomorrow morning. c u then n there.

Icing the hamstring tonight. Tweeked it last Saturday @ IC. I thought I had stretched enough tonight, but tweeked it again doing kicks during class tonight. I just need it to hang through Saturday morning.

Man, I love my Wednesdays! My schedule allows me to spend the entire late afternoon & evening @ the dojang. Started with my run and finished with Master Chelley adding core work to our kick boxing session adding 125 situps and 25 pushups to the over 300 of each I had already done. Yah Mon!!

I have developed a liking for running in the rain. It is a good thing too since it has rained allot this cycle. And the rain has been cold too. At the start of the first few runs on the rainy days I was not too jazzed but had good runs. Today, I just ran and enjoyed it. I did have to talk my way through the 3rd mile, but I believe that was more because of fatigued legs than the rain. The upside is that I should be ready for Saturday no matter the weather.

On this day I did not do a lot of requirements, I did not get to run, and I have not yet done a single poom. Yet it has been a very Successful Taekwondo Day. According to Grandmaster Lee during our last session @ TKD IC on Saturday night successful Taekwondo comprises much more than the physical. Today we lived into the Spirit of being a Taekwondo Black Belt. We prepared food for and served several hundred homeless mothers & children at the Charlotte Salvation Army Center of Hope. In doing so, we extended a warm TKD Smile per Grandmaster Lee. So I feel AWESOME!

Back from a great weekend at Instructors' Camp. A little sore and tight and NO INJURIES. Believe I will go out for a run to recenter everything.

Getting ready to finish up @ work, stop at the house for my bags & then pick up Rick Luna @ the LKN Dojang to head to IC. I have done some requirements, but need to do some more while grabbing my bags. Looking forward to seeing everyone from the extended King Tiger Family! Wahoo!

Today was a tumultuous day with 13 hours of teaching that included two Open House events; work for the Church, BB Cycle Requirements & American Culinary Federation Business. Whew. I love it. Looking forward to IC Weekend.  

I love Wednesdays. Because I go to work early, I get done early which allows me to get to the Dojang early and get lots of things done. Another big thank you goes out to Masters Chelley & Conrad Hartle & Instructors Scott & Lori Schneider. They are awesome.

Empathy Training 2013 Man Plans & God Laughs; that is what my mother has always said. Boy is she right.   I woke up this morning and pulled the three pieces of tape from my nightstand that I had placed there the night before. I used them to tape my left hand into a fist to start what I thought was a well planned day. I was three days out from a very good Empathy Class with Instructor Auerbach, the lessons fresh in mind. I had spent the day before mentally picturing how I was going to handle each situation. I realized I had to rise early to get a head start and to have my wife assist me with tying my running shoes before she left for work. I had thought about leaving them tied, but thought that wouldn’t be in the spirit of the lesson.   After taping my...

I am having a very good day and did my usual resquirements in the house. I am psyching myself for my empathy day tomorrow. Should be interesting.

What a great weekend! Terrific BB Class yesterday w/Inst Auerbach, Health Fair was fun, good comraderie with fellow black belts, good mentoring session with Masters Conrad & Chelley Hartle today; and 2 miles in very chilly rain yesterday morning to 2 miles in beautiful sunny weather after church today. that would not have happened if I wasn't on cycle. Gotta love it!

On a day that was quite raw for running I took our dog, Sammi for nice long walk to get in my mile. Plan on running 3 miles before BB Class tomorrow if anyone wants to join. Probably start aroung 09:30 @ a 10 minute per mile pace.

Today was very long with teaching and a Vestry meeting in the evening. I worked in some requirements throughout the day, but not much more. Like Ms. Dege, I need to be active this weekend. I am looking forward to the Health Fair.

I was able to accomplish a lot of requirements between the Junior/Senior Tiger Testing Sessions. The testings went pretty well. Sure wish I was a limber as many of the kids. They are so fun to watch, so nervouse yet so full of energy.

I was reviewing my numbers and noticed that my self defense total was six hundred sixty-six. I quickly did one more each of white & high-white SD.

I am always telling my Culinary Students to use time when they have it. I am having to follow my own words these days with a very busy schedule. Today I attended the mid-day class at the North Charlotte Dojang. I stayed after where it is much better to work out than in our family room. I then came home and went for a run which was much better than I thought it was going to be on such a dreary day. I will continue reading Deuteronomy this evening when I get home from teaching Concepts & Theories.

I was able to utilize the time between teaching sessions well to do requirements. Totally miss going to the Dojang on a Monday and knocking off leadership, mentoring and sparring rounds though. I could not pass on the 10 hours of week of additional income however.

started the day in church & had a good run and some requirements today. not a usual Sunday but good none the less. hoping everyone has a great week.

I am in the first stage of being absent for most of the next 8 days. We had our St Mark's Vestry (governing body of an Episcopal Church) Retreat this weekend. The prayerful reflection and discernment was wonderful. We were in a beautiful setting further north and watched the snow approach as we prayerfully ended our weekend and prepared to head home. A few of us had hoped to go for a late afternoon run after the meetings but the snow deterred us. Ergo, I will have to go for a rare Sunday run. I will begin teaching an evening Concepts & Theories Class for the next 6 weeks starting this Monday & Tuesday. There isn't a class on Thursday night so I will not get a weekday BB Class this week. I should be there mid-day Tuesday. I hope everyone has a Blessed Sunday, Take Sabbath, it is one of the Ten Commandments.

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day. I did.

....my ankles are achy, my thighs are rubber, my knees keep me awake at night, my right ulna is bruised, my shoulders are stiff, and I absolutely love it.   dadgum home internet is malfunctioning again. Darn ATT!

It is mid-afternoon Tuesday and I have most of my requirements for the day complete. We have church dinner function @ 18:00 so I will be pushing to be on time for the 19:30 BB Class. Ergo, I got my run in before the 11:30 class and stayed after to do all my requirements and get a mentoring session with Master Conrad Hartle. Next week my work schedule changes and I will not be able to attend Tuesday evenings. I am really glad I am ahead on Weekday BB classes & PMAA classes.  Now I have to figure out how to catch up on Sparring Classes.

had another very good monday. worked with my mentee in addition to a multitude of requirements. finished the day/evening with sparring rounds with the Masters Hartle & Hartle.

Quite the full day today. Started early with household chores & visit to recycling center. Then headed to the Dojang for a 3 mile run, requirements, BB Class & Sparring Class. Then came home to prep and deliver some Cajun/Creole Cuisine for a Mardi Gras Party up on the lake. I imagine I will sleep very well tonight. Unfortunately, I will have to miss next Saturday due to a St Mark's Vestry (Governing Body of an Episcopal Church) Retreat. Serving God does come first. I really enjoyed Master Kahn's seminar last year & was looking forward to this one. On to week 5!  

....through another long full day. run, requirements et al this morning; teaching in afternoon & evening; prep work for function tomorrow night; neading to bed. Good night all! I look forward to seeing eveiryone in the morning.

Light workout this morning, taught classes from 08:30 to 19:00 and then went to classes. Good day. Shoudl get some good numbers tomorrow.

Wednesdays start early (04:00) and end late (21:00) but are really great days. I got to the LKN Dojang by 17:00 and stayed until 21:00 which allowed me time to run, jump rope, do requirements, participate in 3 straight classes for leadership credits and lots of Poomsaes and then 20 rounds of sparring with Masters Conrad & Chelley Hartle. I cannot thank the Hartles enough for all of their support while I am on cycle. The same thanks goes out to Masters Evins, Cavazos, Burkhart, Richie and instructor Torres; all whom have been very helpful and supportive.

...in one day will help you knock out a lot of requirements. I had the day off from teaching and the catering business which allowed me a lot of time to focus on the cycle. the only downside for the day on Tuesday was that our DSL was down in the evening which meant I had to wait to make my entries. the bonus for the day was Michael Snaer hitting the game winning basket as time expired for FSU's win over GT.

Other than going to church, with the parents in town I totally blew off Super Bowl Sunday. The upside is I got right back to it today. Taught Concepts & Theories this morning and spent the afternoon catching up on business & requirements. I then met with my mentee, helped with a late afternoon class, the family class and led warm-ups in our Adult Black Belt Class. Then did 20 rounds with Masters Chelley & Conrad Hartle. I am looking forward to another strong day tomorrow.  

a terrific day; run, requirements, great classes, parents arrived safely, a nice evening ahead. Blessed!

Had another good day. Good full workout this morning; Garde Manger Class this afternoon. Should be a great day at the North Charlotte Dojang tomorrow.

Wow, a terrific day. *Started with pooms & requirements. *Rest day from running *My Fundamentals of Classical Cuisine class did awesome 19/22 passed their entire practical exam. The other 3 only have to redo 1 competency each. That is a terrific result. *Two fun classes @ TKD! Thank  you Master Evins for all the Burpees (35)!!! yeah mon! see you all Saturday!   

....is harder than it would seem. I did my jump rope rounds outside in the parking lot of the LKN Dojang after a nice 2 mile run. I thought it would be a breeze (pun intended). NOT! Got 'em done though. The rest of the evening went well. Worked with my mentee, Colin Smith; earned leadership points, did requirements, worked through 20 more rounds of sparring with Master Chelley Hartle. Loving the cycle!

I had a good day, how could one not on such a glorious day. Time for bed. I  have to rise @ 04:00 to teach class @ 05:30. Good night all!

I had a very good Monday that started with sets of push-ups & sit-ups prior to heading to work; and then running, requirements, classes and sparring rounds with Master Chelley Hartle & Jessica Schnieder. I am looking forward to another good day tomorrow. Let's keep rocking it out everyone!! MY ORIGINAL JOURNAL FOR DID NOT SHOW AS POSTED ORIGINALLY, SO I HAD REWRITTEN IT AS CLOSE TO THE FIRST AS I COULD REMEMBER.

I had a very good day today. Started with a few sets of push-ups & sit-ups before heading to work. Ran, did jump rope, pooms, SDs & all before classes this evening. Did 20 rounds of sparring with Master Chelley Hartle & Jessica Schnieder after classes. I am looking foward to another good day tomorrow. Let's keep on rocking everyone!!

full week of BB Cycle, extra teaching hours at the Art Institute, catering events on Wednesday & Saturday, Soup on Sunday today, and fighting a cold added up to a good tasting beer this afternoon. back to the attack mode tomorrow. need to get more aggressive in few categories, on a good pace with the rest. Let's keep truckin'!

Today was a very good day, albeit not a day of getting a lot of requirements completed. Enjoyed BB Class & PMAA Class after teaching from 07:00 to 19:00.  

I have been working through a cold (mostly sinus) the last week or so. This is making the cycle a little more challening; like I needed that. I had a pretty good day anyway with the exception of not staying for sparring rounds after classes tonight. Heading to bed now.

Started the day substitute teaching for a fellow chef from 7 to 3 and then getting in requirements prior to BB Class. Great BB Class this evening. I need to be up early tomorrow, so Bible time and then goodnight!

I had Quite the busy 3-day weekend and still got a fair amount of requirements. I had to pull in my Saturday Class marker from BB Boot Camp. My wife & I drove to Wilmington and back on Saturday to bring our daughter home. She is transferring to UNCC. We got an early start @ 04:00 which got us home @ 14:30. So I was able to use the afternoon. We had church Sunday morning and a catering Sunday evening. Today I proctored Culinary Practical Exams for 8 candidates trying to qualify for various levels of Certification. That was from 06:45 to 15:30. Spent the late afternoon/early evening at the LKN Dojang. On to the rest of a busy week. PJL  

Thursday & Friday were long and good. Thursday mornings are compact. I teach from 09:00 to 19:30; and added a Church Vestry Meeting to the end of the day. So, I had to get in the attack mode early to get everything done before work. Friday is a little easier since I do not head to the school until noon. Class goes until 19:30 but I have more of the morning. I was afraid that I would get lax so got to it straight-away. Felt good. I am going to have to call in my Saturday Black Belt Class Marker from Boot Camp tomorrow. We are driving to the beach very early (04:00) to pick up our daughter who is transferring to UNCC. I hope to be home in time to get some work done. Keep rockin' everyone, PJL

....I had forgotten about the amount of laundry the cycle generates. Looked in the washing machine last night to see 90% of the clothing was a my Dobaks, t-shirts and gym clothes My Wednesdays start @ 04:00 with classes from 05:30 to 15:00. The good news is it gives me the afternoon to work on requirements and classes.

Tuesdays are going to be one of my two marathon days this cycle. Work on curricullum this morning and then ran two miles before mid-day class @ North Charlotte, then worked on more curricullum after class. Assisted Masters Kim & Moon (sp?) with class, took BB Class and then PMAA Class. Yeah baby. Made a mid-afternoon food delivery as well.  i believe I will sleep quite well tonight.

I have been looking forward to the start of this cycle since our Spring 2012 Black Belt Testing. So far the cycle is living up to my anticipation. We have a great small group with strong energy that I believe will support and encourage each other. The new website while going through some early glitches is much better. Thank you Mr. Uczen. I feel that I am getting a very good start as well. Credits from Boot Camp, Master Chelley Hartle staying for kickboxing-sparring rounds and Master Conrad Hartle as my Mentor, how can I not be.  Thank you Master Evins for setting the bar high making the journey so much better.