Fall 2024 Black Belt Cycle

Candidate Journals

King Tiger Tae Kwon Do Black Belt candidates blog daily about their journey: their thoughts and feelings, their struggles and successes; their pain and their encouragement. Follow along on their journey; words of encouragement are always welcome!

3/16/24 Journal #54 ALMOST DONE!!

Today was the final for our run and I did it in 10:17, which is almost 2 minutes off my pretest time!!! Today starts the LAST WEEK OF THE CYCLE, YAAAY!!!  Only thing left now is the overnight test, and I'm kinda nervous!!    Got all my essays and letters of recommendation uploaded to Dropbox... Now I'm watching the ACC championship game with my mom... GO HEELS!!!!       

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3/9/24 Journal #53 Physical Test Day

This morning I woke up early and got ready to head to Master Evin's for the physical and written test. I beat all my Pre-test numbers and I got a 100 on the test!!! Yaay 😁 I was 1 of 3 all Lake Norman people!! Then on the way home we stopped at Food Lion and got stuff for 1 more bag for our service project. Then I hung out at home for a little while and watched some YouTube and had some lunch. Then I went to KT to pack the bags of food for spring break.  After I went back home and relaxed and did some of my black belt stuff. In a little bit we are about to head to Dave and Busters with Brien to play some games!! 

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2/29/24 Journal #52 Leap Day...

I woke up and got ready for school.  We walked to school again, it was MUCH colder this morning than yesterday. 🥶 Yesterday I wore shorts and a t-shirt today it was back to long pants long sleeves and a big coat.  At school I did my normal blocks and specials.  Then I went to KT and did my black belt stuff and worked on 2 more essays (my living and non living)!  Tonight was sparring class, Brien told mom he wasn't going to be able to come and then he showed up!! After sparring we went to La Unica for dinner, Anthony ordered  a beef tongue taco...and we all tried it I didn't think it was to bad but mom and Brien hated it! Then we went home and showered and went to bed.

  140 Hits

2/28/24 Journal #51

Today I woke up and got ready for school.  Mom and I walked to school, and it was really warm out this morning.  I got to school and we did blocks and had recess.  Then I went to King Tiger and did class and did my black belt stuff.  I also worked on 2 essays (My Role model and How I can apply Taekwondo to my life).  I also ran mile, it started to drizzle so I ran pretty fast because I didn't know if it would start raining harder and really want to get that wet! I am pretty sure it was my fastest mile so far 9:40, its definitely faster than my pretest time which was 12:15.  Finally we got to go home and I practiced my recorder some its pretty hard mom was trying to help me but I was still having a hard time.  Then we had...

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2/25/24 Journal #50 FINAL JOURNAL!!

This is my LAST required journal!!!  When I woke up I played my switch for a little bit then had breakfast and got ready for church.  I went to Sunday school and then to the service.  I beat mom into the sanctuary, and she said she looked all over for me (haha) 🤣  Mom had to go down to the Boy scout hut to get Anthony's stuff in the car (I stayed in the church with LaLa at the sound board).  When Anthony sat down on the the bench beside mom all I could smell was campfire!  When we got home we had lunch and I did my black belt stuff and relaxed and watched some you tube and played the switch.  Then later on I got a shower and went to bed.

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2/24/24 Journal #49

Today I woke up kinda early and watched some youtube til my mom said it was time for breakfast then I got ready to go to KT for black belt class.  Class was interesting today, Master Evins had use do all our Poomsaes with a stick in our hand.  After class I worked on my black belt stuff at KT and had a menter session with Ms. Jen and Matthew. Then we had to go to Autozone who sent us somewhere else who tried to sell my mom a new battery for her car but she ended up not getting it and going home and talking to LaLa about it. When I got home I relaxed and played video games and had lunch.  Later on I will have dinner and go to bed.

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2/23/24 Journal #48 **2 more to go!!

I had to wake up EARLY this morning because it was raining so we couldn't walk to school.  We went to the rec center and I ran/walked 2 miles.  Mom got my chickfila for breakfast on the way to school!!!  I went to school had a normal day, we had indoor recess because it was raining still during my recess time (9:30).  I went to King Tiger and did my black belt stuff and ran my last mile for the week!  Then we left KT early because Mom had to get Anthony to the church early because he was leaving to go camping with the boy scout troop and I had my pinewood derby race tonight.  My car wasn't very good, next year mom said we are going to work with my friend Clint and his stepdad!  Then we finally came home and I got a quick shower and headed to...

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2/22/24 Journal #47

I woke up, and I was really sleepy still but I had to get ready for school.  Then I was at school and we did blocks.  Then I got to KT and did black belt stuff.  I missed sparring tonight to be at church to help set up for the Pinewood derby race tomorrow (so I will miss black belt class tomorrow also)!!  After we got the track set up and ran some test races we went home and had dinner and got ready for bed.

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2/21/24 Journal #46

Today I woke up and got ready for school.  Like normal we walked to school, next we were at school and I had mom fix my hair before I went in because I wore my beanie (I didn't want hat hair all day!) because I didn't want me ears to be cold like yesterday.  I did blocks like normal.  Then I was at KT and did class and worked on my black belt stuff.  Finally we went home and had dinner and wrote this journal and finished up poomsae then went to bed.

  126 Hits

2/20/24 Journal #45

Today I woke up and got ready for school.  Mom and I walked to school again today. After school I got to KT and did my black belt stuff and played with my friends.  I took the 6:45 class with Grandmaster Lee, it was pretty cool.  My partner was Praneeth and we worked on different kinds of blocks. We went to Jason's Deli for dinner and then headed home and got ready for bed!

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2/18 and 2/19/24 Journal #44

We were all pretty tired yesterday so we didn't my journal typed in so I'm just adding it in todays journal! I am excited that I am almost done with my 50 journals!! Sunday 2/18: Today I woke up at 6:55 and grabbed the switch and started playing it.  Then I had breakfast and got ready for church.  I went to Sunday school and then into the nursery with my mom but there was not kids so we went into the service, I fell asleep during the sermon. 😴  Next we went home and had lunch then I did some black belt stuff and passed out on the floor.  Finally I woke up and did the last thing I had to do for the day.  Then mom made me dinner before she left to pick up Anthony from church.  Then I finally went back to bed! Monday 2/19 NO SCHOOL TODAY!!!...

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2/17/24 Journal #43

This morning I woke up before mom and watched a little tv, then had breakfast.  Then I headed to BB class, we worked on all poomsaes this morning Master Evins was really focusing on stances, preps, and punches to the correct place.  After class I worked on some of my black belt stuff at KT  then we went home I finished a couple more requirements then had leftover pizza for lunch.  I watched Shrek.  After that I wrote 2 essays, my white belt challenge and my book essay.  I also studied my test (mom said I did pretty well but need to study a little more) and ran a mile.  Then I did my study guide for a math test I have Wednesday on multiplying fractions and whole numbers (I only got the last question wrong because I made a silly mistake).  Then I FINALLY got my switch back after 2...

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2/16/24 Journal #42

I woke up and got ready for school. We didn't walk today because Anthony had to be at school early. After school I went to KT I ran 2 miles and did my black belt stuff. Then I did black belt class. Then I went home had pizza and went to bed. 

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2/15/24 Journal #41

Today I woke up and got ready for school.  Next I was at school, it was a normal day  so we did blocks.  Then I got to KT and did my black belt stuff and ran a mile.  I played some with my friends then I had sparring.  After sparring we finally went home and had dinner and got ready for bed.

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2/14/24 Journal #40

Today was Valentine's Day AND an early release day!!!!!  I woke up and got ready for school and I walked to school and ate a poptart on the way.  I got to school and had blocks and lunch (my mom packed me a lunch today!). Then we passed out our Valentines!  After school I got to KT helped out with a couple classes and took class, then I did my black belt stuff.  A little while later I had a mentor session with Inst. Jen.  Brien (my moms fiance) came by to see us.   He came over for a little bit and we had a nerf war and mom and Brien gave each other a present.  Then we had dinner and now I am heading to bed.

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2/13/24 Journal #39

I woke up this morning and got ready for school like normal.  Then we walked to school.  We had blocks like usual, we did this test thing and they gave us little ear bud in a cool case that we got to keep.  At recess we played infection and I got 3rd because there were so many people infected!  Then I got to KT and ate snack and then did my black belt stuff and ran a mile.  Finally we went to a pancake supper at church, I had 3 pancakes and some really good sausage patties.  Then we went home after making sure Anthony got over to Boy Scouts.  Goodnight.

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2/12/24 Journal #38

This morning I got up but I was really tired because we stayed up late watching the Super Bowl that went into OT.  I did some of my black belt stuff before school, then I got ready for school.  Mom drove me today because it was raining.  We had a normal day of blocks at school, but we couldn't go outside for recess.  After school I went to KT and did class and did more black belt stuff.  Finally we went home and had beach pasta for dinner.  After dinner my LaLa opened his birthday presents!  Now I am off to bed...

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2/11/24 Journal #36

Today I woke up and watched TV, then had breakfast. After breakfast we got read for church.  After church we came home and had lunch, I did my black belt stuff. I helped mom make some brownies.  Brien came over and we had a nerf gun war!!! Then we had pizza and wings and watched the super bowl. Mom says it's gonna be a rough morning tomorrow 😬

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2/10/24 Journal #36

Today I woke up and had breakfast.  Then I got ready for Black Belt class.  Next I was at KT  and doing black belt class.  We did lots Bocho and Bocho specials ALOT!! Then I did a mentor session with Instructor Jen, we worked on my test answers, now I have them all to study.  Then I went home and did my black belt stuff and ran a mile, I also read some more of my cycle book.  A little later we will be going to La Unica for my LaLa's birthday.  Then I will be goin to bed after dinner.

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2/9/24 Journal #35

First thing I did this morning was wake up! Then I got ready for school.  Then we walked to school and I ate a poptart.  When I got to school I did blocks and recess.  Finally I went to King Tiger and ran a mile and did my black belt stuff.  Then I did black belt class.  Then we finally went home and had dinner and then I went to bed.

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2/8/24 Journal #34

I woke up and got ready for school.  Then we walked to school.  At school we did blocks.  After school I got to King Tiger and did most of my black belt stuff.  I did sparring and I sparred the same kid twice.  Also Brien came to watch me spar! Finally we went home had dinner, showered and I finished my self defense and wrote this journal!

  124 Hits

2/7/24 Journal #33

I woke up and got ready for school.  We walked to school.  At school I did blocks like normal, today we started learning to play the recorder in music class.  Then I went to KT and had class (as a white belt....and my mom was teasing me and then a few other girls joined in).  Then I did my black belt stuff and a session with my mentee Jensen.  He also helped me with my stuff by timing me.  Finally we went home and had dinner and now I am writing this and finishing up my hw for school and then getting a shower and going to bed.  Thank you Grand Master Evins for the credits from Jr. Instructor camp!!

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2/6/24 Journal #32

I woke up, got ready for school.  And like normal mom and I walked to school.  I got to school and did my normal school stuff.  I went to KT after and played with my friends and did my blackbelt stuff and ran a mile with Instructor Courtney!  After that we had Bojangles for dinner in the car on the way to scouts!  Then I came home took a shower, wrote this journal and read a little  more of the Grit workbook, now I am heading to bed!

  124 Hits

2/5/24 Journal #31

I woke up this morning got ready for school.  Mom and I walked to school.  I had a math test today at school, we did blocks like normal.  Then I got to KT and took class, this week I am doing my white belt challenge! After class I did some black belt stuff, did a session with my mentee and played with my friends.  Finally we went home and had TACOS for dinner.  Now I am going to bed.

  125 Hits

2/4/24 Journal #30

I woke up this morning and had breakfast.  Then we got ready for church.  When we got there I went to Sunday School then I went to the nursery because my mom had to watch the kids today! There was only 1, Fowler the preachers grandson!  After church was over we went home and had Arby's for lunch.  I did my blackbelt stuff and then relaxed and played some video games.  Later on I had dinner and then went to bed!!

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2/3/24 Journal #29 TAR HEELS!

I woke up this morning at Jr. instructor camp! Didn't get much sleep last night but it was fun.  After we got home from camp I played some videogames and watched some you tube.  I did some blackbelt stuff.  Then we went to Bad Daddy's for Anthony's birthday dinner. We finished watching the Tar Heels beat Duke when we got home from dinner.... LET'S GO!!!! Now I am going to bed!

  129 Hits

2/2/24 Journal #28

I woke up and got ready for school. Then mom took me to school. We did blocks.. Then I got to King Tiger and played with my friends. Then we got ready for Jr. Instructor camp.... Yaay!! 

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2/1/24 Journal #27

I woke up, got ready for school.  We walked to school again today and it was pretty cold.  After school I got to King Tiger and did some of my stuff and then helped out in class and also led punches and kicks.  I also did a session with my mentee Jensen.  We had sparring and then we finally went home had dinner and went to bed!

  113 Hits

1/31/24 Journal #26

Today I woke up and did a little black belt stuff.  Then I got ready for school, and Mom drove me to school (she said we drove because she wasn't sure what the weather was going to be like).  At school today we had MAPs testing and then blocks.  After school I got to King Tiger and took class and did some more black belt stuff and ran a mile with Instructor Courtney!  Finally we went home and had dinner, got a shower and went to bed!

  102 Hits

1/30/24 Journal #25 HALF WAY THERE!

Yaay  I am half way done with my journals today!!!!  Anyway, first I woke up or school, got ready and mom and I walked to school.  At school we did blocks like always (we did have MAPs testing today though).  After school I got to King Tiger did some black belt stuff and helped out with class and also led punches and kicks.  Finally we went home (after dropping Anthony off at scouts, we ate bojangle's in the car) and I went to bed.

  134 Hits

1/29/24 Journal #24

This morning I woke up and got ready for school.  We walked to school.  Did my blocks same as normal.  After school I went to King Tiger and did class and then ran with Matthew and Instructor Courtney (I ran my fastest mile so far!!).  Finally when mom got off work we went home, showered had dinner and went to bed!

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1/28/24 Journal #23

Today I woke up and played some video games. Then we had breakfast and got ready for church.  When we got to church I went to my Sunday school class.  After we had lunch and then we dropped Anthony off for a trip with the youth group then mom and I went to target and then we headed back to church to met up with my cub scout pack.  We walked around antiquity and placed door hangers on a lot of houses.  Next weekend we will go back and hopefully pick up a lot of food that people leave out, sort of like what we will be doing for our service project!!  After that we went home and I did some black belt stuff.  And then I relaxed and played some video games and had dinner and went to bed!

  117 Hits

1/27/24 Journal #22

I woke up and had breakfast. Then we went to King Tiger for blackbelt class, Anthony got picked up to do something with his scout troop.  Then I did a mentor session with Ms. Jen.  After that I helped with class and led warm ups.  Finally I went home and played some video games and watched you tube.  After dinner Anthony opened his birthday presents and we had Reese ice cream cake.  We were going to go out for dinner to Bad Daddy's but it was POURING at the time we were going to leave so we are going to do it next weekend (mom and MiMi didn't think we would be able to find a close spot where we wouldn't all be soaking wet sitting in Bad daddy's). Now I am off to bed!

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1/26/24 Journal #21

First I woke up and we walked to school for my last mile of the week.  After school I went to King tiger did my black belt stuff and took black belt class! Then after class we got to beat my brother for his birthday!!!!!! 😃😂😁 Then we went home for dinner and then a little later bed! 

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1/25/24 Journal #20

I got to sleep later this morning because we had NO SCHOOL!!!!! I woke up and we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast because tomorrow is my brother's birthday, and we do it every year on our birthdays.  We went to King Tiger for the day and I played video games and big mat games.  We had lunch and played more games and had class.  I also had a mentor session and worked with my mentee.  I also helped with class and did some of my black belt stuff before sparring class.  Then we went home and had dinner and now bed time!

  110 Hits

1/24/24 Journal #19

Today I woke up early and got ready for school and then we headed to the rec center to run because it was going to be raining ALLL day! I did a mile and a half and then we headed to school.  At school we did the same old blocks as always.  After school I went to King Tiger took a class, and helped in class and got both leadership credits and did a mentee session with my mentee Jensen.  We went back to the rec center after my mom got off work and did another mile and a half! Then we went home had dinner I finished my school homework and now I am going to bed!  NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!! YAAAAAY! 😁😁😁😁😁

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1/23/24 Journal #18

Short one tonight because I am tired and had a long day.  First I went to school.  Then I went to King Tiger, I did my black belt stuff and helped out in class, and I also ran a mile with Instructor Courtney! Then it was off to scouts, where we got to get our Pinewood derby cars cut out!  Now I am off to bed!!

  110 Hits

1/22/24 Journal #17

First I woke up and got ready for school.  Then mom and I walked to school.  Next I got to school went to breakfast and then did my blocks and.  After school was over I went to King Tiger and took a class.  Then I ran a mile with instructor Courtney.  After that I did some more black belt stuff and also helped out with a class.  Then we went home and had dinner. Now I am off to bed!

  127 Hits

1/21/24 Journal #16

First I woke up and played some video games, had breakfast and then went to church.  Next I went to church and went to Sunday school.  Then I went to the nursery after because my mom had to watch Jack!  Then we went to Bad Daddy's for lunch! When we got home I did my black belt stuff and played some more video games.  Finally I went with mom to drop Anthony off at youth group.  Then me and mom went to the rec center I and I ran/walked 2 miles.  Then we went home and I had leftover pizza and watermelon for dinner and now I'm heading to bed!

  116 Hits

1/20/24 Journal #15

This morning I woke up pretty early, my mom asked me why I cant wake up like that during the week for school.  I had breakfast and then we went to black belt class.  I got a mentor session in and helped out with a class and also led punches and kicks!  Then we went to meet Brien and we went to his Aunts house for her birthday party (I ate sooo much food).  Finally we went home and soon we will have some dinner and then go to bed.

  125 Hits

1/19/24 Journal #14

First I went to school.  Next I went to King Tiger.  I helped with class and did some black belt stuff.  Then was black belt class I practiced Hapkido 1-3 with Praneeth.  Then I went home.  Finally I had dinner and went to bed!

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1/18/24 Journal #13

First I woke up and did some blackbelt stuff, then I got ready for school.  At school I had ELA, math and s.s.  Then I went to King Tiger and helped out with a class then I ran a mile (It was my best time so far!).  Finally I had sparring and after sparring we went home and had dinner.  Then I had to do my hw for school real quick.  Then it was shower time before bed!

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1/17/24 Journal #12

Today I woke up REALLY early and went to the rec center and ran 2 miles! Then I went to school.  I went to my classes and then went to King Tiger and took class and helped with a class.  I also did a mentor session. Finally I went back to the rec center and ran another mile.  Then we went home and had dinner, now I am off to bed!

  115 Hits

1/16/24 Journal #11

Today I got up and did a little of my black belt stuff.  Next I got ready for school, we were goin to walk to school but it was raining.  Mom drove me to school since it was raining.  When I got to school I had ELA, Math and Social Studies.  At recess (indoor recess since I have it at 930am) I traded pokemon cards with my friends! Finally, I rode the bus to King Tiger, had snack and played games with my friends.  I took class at 5:15.  At 6 we left for Scouts.  After scouts we stopped by the Rec center and mom got my a pass so I can run there if its really cold or its raining.  We are going to go tomorrow morning before school to get caught up on miles for the week! Goodnight!

  112 Hits

1/15/24 Journal #10

Today I woke up and played some video games.  Then we went down and had breakfast, mom made cinnamon sticks and we also had scrambled eggs! After I did my blackbelt stuff.  After that I relaxed and played some video games and watched You Tube.  Went with mom to target and to the Rec center to see about getting a membership but it was closed...ugh!  When we got home we had lunch and then relaxed a little and played video games.  Then I ran a mile (11:54) under my pretest time!!!!  Then I relaxed some more and then we had dinner.  Now I am heading to bed.

  117 Hits

1/14/24 Journal #9

Today I woke up and started playing videogames till my mom came in and said it was time for breakfast.  After breakfast we got ready for church.  When we got to church I went to my Sunday school class then I met mom in the nursery because she was supposed to watch the kids.  There ended up being no kids today so we went into the service.  When church was over I went home and had lunch.  After lunch I did my blackbelt stuff and I ran 2 miles (yaay finally got caught up on my miles!).  I played more video games and watched some you tube then I had some dinner now its off to bed!

  129 Hits

1/13/24 Journal #8 Pretest run

First I woke up early and got ready to go to the track to run for the pretest and it was cold!! 🥶🥶 We got there early and I started my run early (oops sorry Master Chelley!!)  I finished my first mile in 12 mins and 15 seconds.  I then ran again with all the Bochos because we were all supposed to run together.  Finally we went back to King Tiger and I took blackbelt class and then helped out with the family class..  After I helped out I did some more black belt stuff.  Then we finally went home and Anthony mom and I made eggs for breakfast.  After I ate I relaxed and watched some youtube and played the switch.  Now Im gonna get ready for bed!

  126 Hits

1/11/24 Journal #6

Today I woke up and did most of my blackbelt stuff before school.  I got ready and went to school.  We did all the same blocks as yesterday.  After school I rode the bus to King Tiger and did some more black belt stuff.  Brien (my moms boyfriend) came to watch sparring and to help me work on my pull ups and jump rope.  After sparring we went to Jason's Deli for dinner.

  117 Hits

1/10/24 Journal #5

When I woke up this morning I thought mom overslept bc it was already 730!! But she told me we had a 2 hour delay!  I did my black belt stuff and got ready for school.  We walked to school to get a mile in since I am behind on them because of the rain!  When I got to school I had the same old blocks.  Finally I got to King Tiger and took class.  Then we went home and I played a little video games and we had dinner.  Then mom realized we hadn't made MiMi a birthday card yet!!! 😲   Anthony and I each made one quickly and now I am going to get ready for bed! Goodnight!

  115 Hits

1/9/24 Journal #4

Today I was at King Tiger ALLL day because there was no school.  As soon as I got there I worked on my blackbelt stuff and played some videogames.  We played big mat games and had lunch.  After lunch we played more big mat games and then had classes.  I helped out in class and after I did a mentor and a mentee session.  After that I went to the back and played more videogames and then I took the 515 class.  Then we went home had dinner, showered and went to bed.

  101 Hits

1/8/24 Journal #3 NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!

Today I woke up and did some of my stuff.  After I got ready for school.  At school I did reading, math and social studies.  After school I rode the bus to King Tiger like normal and took class.  I did some more of my black belt stuff and I helped out with a class and also led punches and kicks!  Finally we went home and I did my jump rope.  I took and shower and ate dinner and went to bed.  I wasn't tired so I told my mom I was gonna do more cycle stuff!  Now I am really tired so I'm going to bed! 😴  YAAAAY FOR NO SCHOOL TOMORROW! 

  115 Hits

1/7/24 Journal #2

Today I woke up and started playing some video games.  Then I went downstairs and had some breakfast.  After breakfast we got ready to go to church.  When we got to church I went to Sunday school, after that I went down to the nursery with mom because she had to watch the babies.  Sometimes there are no babies so we go into the service but today we had 1 baby so we stayed in there the whole service.  After church we had lunch and then I went  upstairs and started doing my blackbelt stuff!

  118 Hits

1/6/24 Journal #1

First I woke up and got ready to go to the pretest.  When we got there I started to get ready for the physical part of the pretest.  We started doing our push-ups, plank, jump rope, pull ups, burpees, sit ups and V sit ups.  Next, we changed into our uniforms and then did our written pre-test (I got an 80 yaay).  Then we did a class.  When class was over we headed back to King Tiger Lake Norman and I helped with Little tigers and I did some of my physical stuff. FINALLY, we got some food and went home where I worked on some more blackbelt  stuff.  Then I just relaxed the rest of the afternoon watching you tube shorts.  Now I am off to bed!

  125 Hits