Candidate Journals

After a few days of hitting the gym again I think I am back on track. I've hit each of the physical test requirements (but not immediately after one another) except the kicks. I need to find a bag to kick.

I missed a few journal entries lately and my apologies for that. Given recent circumstances I wanted my next entry to be a bit meaningful and entries related to training seemed a bit inconsequential. My father died on March 3.I turn 47 in less than a month, an age where the loss of a parent is common and sometimes expected. Such was the case with my father. He was 82 and had been in declining health for a while. He suffered from several medical issues associated with smoking. Metastatic lung cancer was the formal cause of death. (To those young people who are considering smoking, it takes a terrible toll and can lead to a very unpleasant death.)I want to share a few things about my father.What I remember most about Bill Baker is that he was a quiet and peaceful man. Because he managed a John Deere dealership, he worked...

I just spent 4 days caring for my dad who went into hospice. It blew a whole in my training schedule but it was a great gift. A short journal entry is not enough. Planning on writing something more meaningful later.

Business trip to Vegas for 3 days means taking one day for muscle recovery. Ugh. Now only have one scheduled trip between now and testing. For me, routine is the key to training.

There is a direct correlation between success in training and meditation. The latter improves the former and the former improves the latter. The relationship is most apparent in forms practice.

Two day trip to Phoenix plays havoc on training. Now in catch up mode. Should be able to do that over the weekend.

In today's world we are constantly connected 24/7 to work or other things. I was thinking back to when I was in Charlotte and made it to class almost every evening. The day has not shortened but were it not for early morning workouts it would be next to impossible to train properly. It makes me long for the days before smart phones.Still working on the Palgwae forms.

I just finished writing both of my essays on people that I admire. I am grateful that that requirement gave me a reason to sit and reflect on people that have made a difference in my life. No one goes through life alone. We all need help to succeed. This exercise reminded me of those that have helped me and it reminded me of the obligation I have to help others.Now, back to learning the Palgwe forms.

A Saturday to myself - such a rarity. Just finished one essay and about to tackle several hours of training. So looking forward to this as I was feeling behind. Life is good.

Just dropped my wife off at the airport. Hated to see her go but am looking forward to a weekend of uninterrupted training. Planning on learning my new forms.

7:30 business meetings means 5:00 am wake ups and training. Not the best way to work out because it takes a while for the body to wake up. But, I was in a warm gym so no complaints.

7:30 business meetings means 5:00 am wake ups and training. Not the best way to work out because it takes a while for the body to wake up. But, I was in a warm gym so no complaints.

7:30 business meetings means 5:00 am wake ups and training. Not the best way to work out because it takes a while for the body to wake up. But, I was in a warm gym so no complaints.

7:30 business meetings means 5:00 am wake ups and training. Not the best way to work out because it takes a while for the body to wake up. But, I was in a warm gym so no complaints.

7:30 business meetings means 5:00 am wake ups and training. Not the best way to work out because it takes a while for the body to wake up. But, I was in a warm gym so no complaints.

7:30 business meetings means 5:00 am wake ups and training. Not the best way to work out because it takes a while for the body to wake up. But, I was in a warm gym so no complaints.

7:30 business meetings means 5:00 am wake ups and training. Not the best way to work out because it takes a while for the body to wake up. But, I was in a warm gym so no complaints.

7:30 business meetings means 5:00 am wake ups and training. Not the best way to work out because it takes a while for the body to wake up. But, I was in a warm gym so no complaints.

Travel and training are quite difficult. I find a routine very much helps with staying on task. Travel plays havoc with that. Luckily, I do not have much more travel between now and the test. I am progressing slowly but steadily. Guess I will find out how my self-training is going at Instructor's camp.

I am slowing catching up with my poomsaes. Luckily, most come back fairly readily. Spent the past three days getting married and attending to green card issues but still managed to sneak some decent practice. Been thinking back to my training for 2nd Dan and really miss my comrades. Really looking forward to meeting you all.

Took it easy on training today.  Did my forms.  Worked on a new one.  Got married. 

Today was a pretty good day.  Started it off with my weekly meditation session with my sangha.  Always a great way to start the week.  Finished planning out my training schedule and am still on track.  Going to be early to allow for an early start on forms practice in the AM.  Feels very good to be back training.  I am a little concerned in that I am training on my own and it is difficult to practice some things solo - like self defenses.

Hello all. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Stan Baker and I am a rusty King Tiger student that is training for 3rd Dan. I was a student of Master Harris and Master Evins in the early 2000's before moving away from Charlotte after my 2nd Dan test. I found my way to Kansas City and am now training for 3rd Dan. After a few technical glitches I am now up and running on the website and thankful for this opportunity. Just being part of the training program again brings back many good memories of King Tiger. I look forward to meeting you all.

Hello all. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Stan Baker and I am a rusty King Tiger student that is training for 3rd Dan. I was a student of Master Harris and Master Evins in the early 2000's before moving away from Charlotte after my 2nd Dan test. I found my way to Kansas City and am now training for 3rd Dan. After a few technical glitches I am now up and running on the website and thankful for this opportunity. Just being part of the training program again brings back many good memories of King Tiger. I look forward to meeting you all.