Candidate Journals

Tonight was a very tiring test. I really liked the creative forms that some of you did. I am ready for the rest of the test this afternoon. I wish you all the best. I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

Hey, guys. Aren't you excited about getting our new uniforms?I know that I am. They are so oooooo oooooo cool and I rock the look and style. I know I am speaking for everyone when I say WE WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Twice this week during BB class someone on cycle with me has been giving me wrong advice during my classes. Instructor Weeks has been teaching me right, but this person still tries to tell me to change what I've been taught,. I'm glad Master Cavasos saw it on Thursday and came over and helped. I know Instructor Weeks has taught very well so I am not worried. mI'm a little bit nervous about testing next Friday, but I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!

I have only 0.96 miles away from my goal. Gonna finish it tomorrow. I know that I have said it before, but I WILL NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!

Hey, I reached a whooooole lot of requirements, and they will not be the only things that I have done all cycle. I really appreciate my mom. She has been the best person all cycle and all of my life. WE'LL NEVER EVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!

OMG! Apparently I have met my journal goal. Now, that doesn't mean I won't write these anymore. I'm a happy kid. Hey Louis! I love that song *Happy* by Pharrell Williams. I'LL NEVER GIVE UP!

Only a few more requirement/journals. My mom's phone is about to die, so I will end it quick. I WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER GIVE UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUPPPPP!!!!!!!

I think I overextended my right knee. It happened during hyper pro. We were practicing for the Goodwill Games. I went for a kick and I must have overextended it. It will still hurt, but I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

Hey, guys. I'm getting a new game today. I was just hanging around in my bed, when my mom said she was going to activate my Game Stop cards online. I cheered and cheered. Although I've said it before, I WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!

My Uncle Rob ' s funeral was today. I was crying a little bit. I had never been to a funeral and cried. I felt like my life was ruined forever. I'm not sure if I can get through this cycle without him here. I am glad that God has his back and I pray for him. I knew that he wouldn't live for long, but I didn't know that he would die this quick. I just wish you all will pray for me, and I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

Hey, guys. I am happy that we donated to Levine Children's Hospital yesterday. I can't believe how much had changed since I was in there. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you about that. Well, I was at my Dad's house, and I was sneezing so much. My dad told me to take my pill. It was a big, pink Ibuprofen. But when I was just about to take it, I must not have drank enough water with it and it got stuck near my esophagus. I was having a hard time swallowing stuff for a few hours. When I finally did swallow something, the pill desolved. But before it did, it must have torn a hole in my esophagus. Like my mom said, we were in the hospital for about 31 days. I am glad that I was able to walk out of that hospital alive. So, giving them all...

My burpees are getting better today but my knee still hurts. Since I missed requirements yesterday after my tests, I really tried to catch up some today after church and a nap, but it was hard. As my knee gets better, I'll get better. I start Spring Break this week and my Mom and I are going to the beach on Saturday. I can't wait. I still will have requirements to do but I can have a little fun and swim some. Even though my j nee hurts.....I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

Hey, guys. I'm feeling a little bit better, but my knee is still a bit swollen. I put a lot of ice on it and I have been walking around pretty fine. And I passed the test. But..... we all know that it's really about the physical fitness test. But even if I don't make it, I WILL NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!

Tomorrow is the big day. It's our Physical and Written Test. I will be well rested and ready to go! I'm still not sure about pull ups, but I'll do my best. I wish you all good luck, and I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

My spring pictures are tomorrow, and I can wear whatever I want, as long as I change back into my uniform. I will handsome in my bowtie. I will be having to have spring break earlier than most schools. I will be going to Myrtle Beach, but I will still be doing requirements. I wish all of you good luck for Saturday. I WILL NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!!!

My aunt audrey came over yesterday. I thought she was here just to talk to my mom, but she actually brought a bunch of other stuff for the donations. I was just surprised. I have been doing a really good job at this community service thing, so that made me feel great. I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!!

I am done with all of my essays. Yessir, I am a very good student. I will be home doing requirements for the cycle and I will be tired by the end of the week, but I can do it. The only thing that I can do is get them done by Apr 5th. I WILL NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!!!

Today Was NOT the best day. I woke up tired and didn't seem like I got any rest. I got to KT and was in a really bad mood. It just wasn't a good day but I did get a lot of work done. I didn't feel like I did too well in sparring class but I know it's just one bad day. I got my fingers kicked and jammed and it really hurt. My Mom told me it was OK and I needed to just get some rest and re-group. That's just what I'm going to do because I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

I went to KT Lake Norman today for Sparring class. It was a lot of fun! We did kick boxing in class, which I really liked. It was raining really hard and we left a litle early to try to get to black belt class. I made it just in time. I also finished my volunteer project essay today too. I'm really tired but I'LL NEVER GIVE UP!!

Whoo! I did a lot of stuff today, and I am almost done with my essays. I just need to get my volunteer and my role model essays done. It is a lot of stuff but I don't think I have a choice if I want to be a 1st degree black belt. I am a little bit tired, but I can see it in my future. Me becoming a 1st degree black belt. Wow! I WILL NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!!!

today i finally turned in my voluneer stuff, but there may be more to come. i told people at school and at church, so this is going to be fun. but i have a lot to go with requirements and essays. I'LL NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!

Today was a normal day. I didn't really do much of anything. All I did was take a vocabulary test and do math. Tonight I think I am going to turn in my volunteer stuff so that I can go ahead and type up my essay for it. I am also pretty much done with a few of my requirements. But I have a long way to go, but I'LL NEVER GIVE UP!!!

I had a lot of donations today from my mom's friends. I'm sure that I have a lot of donations to last the hospital a years worth. I am seriously tired of the non stop requirements and they are all almost done. I WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!!!!

Today was a very tired day. I just couldn't do much of anything. I did manage to get some running I'm but nothing else. I know I'm going to have to make up what I didn't do but it felt good to rest. I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

Today was another busy day. I finished my book for the cycle and have to get my essay done for that. I also had to go to King Tiger Lake Norman for a Sparring class tonight. It was a lot of energy and fun. We got to do a lot of sparring and now I think I'm pretty caught up on those classes. I'll work on my essay and requirements this weekend. I'LL NEVER GIVE UP!

Today I'm going to Mint Hill so I can make sure I am on track with my sparring classes. I've never been there before so I'm pretty excited about the experience. I am pretty caught up on my other requirements so I'll be able to spend time catching up on running (eewww). I want to just sit down now and watch TV but I still have work to do so.....I'LL NEVER GIVE UP!

Today was a good, busy day. It was sunny outside and I spent most of the morning working on requirements. I went to Lenoir with my Mom to see my cousin get baptized. It was awesome because I was remembering when I got baptized. He was very happy to see us. I'm tired and it's time for bed but I'LL NEVER GIVE UP! !

I am not feeling well at all. I had to go to TKD. Oh and Instr. Luna, I'll be waiting for Logan. Anyway, jist got to get through today and I'll be all right. I'LL NEVER GIVE UP!!!

I am just tired. A storm came last night and it was very loud. It took me a little bit of time to go back to sleep. I've been doing a lot of requirements so I don't get behind and my body aches. I saw today that I have gotten all of my requirements in some stuff. Woooo hoooo!!! That made me glad. Even though I am tired....I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

I did a report on Charlotte E. Ray today at school. It went great. But when I got home, I ran 2 miles, 80 push ups and sit ups, 150 kicks, studied, jump rope, and meditation. Pretty sure I am getting better on pull ups, not to mention doing 10 today. Even through hard and painful times, I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

The past week has been VERY busy. I somehow got behind on my requirements and had a lot of stuff to make up. While I was snowed in, my Mom had me doing a BUNCH of requirements. I have been doing pull-ups, sit ups, push ups, poomsaes, self-defenses, and on and on and on.....man have I been tired. But, I know it's because she wants me to do well. Today I was really frustrated because I have also been working on a project for school while I've been on cycle and I was just ready to give up. My Mom asked me if I was a quitter and it really made me feel bad. I said "'NOPE" I'm not, and I finished my project. I am kind of not happy because I have to do a presentation on Thursday night for school and will miss Black Belt class but...school comes fIrst....

we are out again. tomorrow. from last tuesday to this monday. wow. I got a project due tuesday........ soooooooo, i am gonna do it. NEVER GIVING UP is my new motto.

THREE DAYS OF SNOW? Snow snow and more snow. I love it all. Hallelujha! I also had to catch up all day. Although tomorrow IJ have all mornig to catch up..............I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!

Today was a very busy day. My Mom let me sleep late because i was so tired from yesterday but I wanted to start doing requiremtnts as soon as I finished eating breakfast. My Mom said I had to wait for a while until my food digested, but I got started soon after that. We had to go to the store right before it started snowing and wanted to stop at my mentees house for a meeting but it started snowing so fast, we almost didn't make it home. It took almost a whole hour just to get like 4 miles back home. It was scary for a while but my Mom did a really good job. I think she was scared too but she just kept telling me to pray. I got a lot of stuff done today but still have more catching up to do on some things. I...

Well, today started out at school. We were supposed to get out at 1:00 pm, instead we got out at 10:30 am! School starts at 9:00 am for middle school, so I was only there for an 1 1/2 hours. When I got home, my Mom reminded me that I had all day to catch up on requirements that I had gotten behind on. She calculated how much I was missing and boy was it a lot! So, I spent all day long catching up on stuff. I did so many push-ups, sit-ups, poomsaes and kicks and if I want to be off of yellow, I have to do the same amount again tomorrow!! Since school is cancelled tomorrow too, I have at least one more day to catch up. I'm going to have everything caught up so I can concentrate on getting my running caught up too. No matter what...

Well, today started out at school. We were supposed to get out at 1:00 pm, instead we got out at 10:30 am! School starts at 9:00 am for middle school, so I was only there for an 1 1/2 hours. When I got home, my Mom reminded me that I had all day to catch up on requirements that I had gotten behind on. She calculated how much I was missing and boy was it a lot! So, I spent all day long catching up on stuff. I did so many push-ups, sit-ups, poomsaes and kicks and if I want to be off of yellow, I have to do the same amount again tomorrow!! Since school is cancelled tomorrow too, I have at least one more day to catch up. I'm going to have everything caught up so I can concentrate on getting my running caught up too. No matter what...

How am I behind? I am apparently behind on almost everything. I know I have been working really hard. I am not behind. I believe that the calculations are a bit off. If not, I just have to keep working. I know that I will NEVER GIVE UP!!!

Jr. Instructor was Camp awesome!! We did nunchucks and staff training and we also learned how to lead to class and we also learned about white belt curriculum and what they needed to know and we all know did great! I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

Yippeeeee...... I'm headed to Jr. Instructor's Camp. I'm going to be tired afterwards but I'm going to learn a lot and have a lot of fun!

Today started out pretty regular.....until I got to school. We had a worksheet that we were supposed to read and answer the questions. It ended up taking much longer than the normal morning work does. By the time it was assembly time, only 3 people were finished, including me. During assembly, our class had 2 people that had a slip of paper and it was for Black History month. After assembly we got back to class and it took about 30 min for everyone else to get done. The rest of the day was pretty normal but when I got home, it was requirements time! I started by reading some of my book "Fat Boy Chronicles", for one of my essays. I ran my 1.5 miles, jumped rope, push-ups, sit-ups, and relaxed just a little bit before it was time to head to classes. I got in a leadership credit 1...

My mom was not feeling well at all today. That is why I didn't come to class today because she was laying around a lot. I wanted to help her feel better. While I was home, I got a lot of requirements in. I am so tired now. I think I will sleep really good tonight. I now am caught up on everything except jump roping and Sparring classes. I will get those caught up too. I hope my Mom feels better soon. I don't like it when she's sick. But, she still sat with me and watched me do my requirements to make sure I was doing them right. I feel good about the work I did today. Even though I'm tired.....I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

Man, am I tired. I had a long day so far. I couldn't sleep at all last night, so I was sleepy during school. When I came home, I thought I could just relax and practice my stuff until I had to leave for class. But then I remembered that I was behind on my requirements. So, for the past hour I have been catching up on my poomsaes and basic kicks, after my homework was finished of course. Now I have to catch up on my self-defense. Although I will NEVER GIVE UP, wish me luck!

Well, today was a learning day. I learned numbers 1, 2, and 3 of my Bo Cho Dan self defense and 1-8 of my Hapkido. I also learned about Madame C.J. Walker at school today. So, I learned a lot today, but I still have a lot to learn, so I say NEVER GIVE UP!

Well, it all started out at Tae Kwon Do. I had gotten 3 requirements done. I got leadership 1, Hyper Pro, and black belt class. I also got 100 push-ups and sit-ups down, not to mention 20 burpees. REMINDER!!! BLACK BELT CLASS WILL BE A LAKE NORMAN SCHOOL AT 11:30 AM! Also NEVER GIVE UP!

Today seemed like laaaaaazy day. Apparently not to my Mother. She had me WORKING! I got a whole lot of requirements done. Now, I am just going to watch some television. But, as I always say, NEVER GIVE UP!

Today started out at school. I had a test today. I am pretty sure I aced it. But it end out being an " Early closing" kind of day. At least it actually snowed. I know I didn't do anything today because I was too tired. But I will NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

Well, today started out at church. Since I'm 12 now, I get to go to youth church with the 6-12th graders and I love it. The sermon was about " How to Inject Jesus in Our Daily Lives". I pray to ask God to help me in my life and to guide me to make the right choices. So then we came home, got my first set in, and went to outside to do my 1 1/2 miles. It was cold out there, but I got it done. I really wanted to just chill out and watch TV today because I have been doing a lot, but my Mom got me pumped up to get moving. I got a lot of requirements in this weekend so I was ready to lay around today. But, I had to make up for some push-ups and sit-ups so I dug in. I got everything...

I am just relieved today. Found a way to walk/run your miles yet? I did. TIP go to a mall or inside gym or inside track. Another TIP always find a way to get your requirements done in a week to about five weeks. I got 1,000 push ups and sit ups. Yeah I'm that good. But I pray for y'all out there in that cold. NEVER GIVE UP!

BEST DAY EVER!! I had one of the best days of my life! It all started out when I went to school. I had a better time with my classmates than normal. Then I got home and got me some CHILIII!!!!!!!!! Ate it all up. I just loved the rest of the day. I had my first mentor session, leadership 1 credits, and my first leadership 2 credits.I got a looooong way to go. Just under nine weeks left, guys! get your stuff done and NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!!

Well, today started out with a morning set of push ups and sit ups. Then I went to school. When school was out, I went to the barber shop and then home. I then did another set and then I went to Hyper Pro class and had my first mentor session with Inst. Weeks. I also went home and my mom added my sets and I finally reached over one thousand push ups and sit ups. I will NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!

Today started out pretty slow. While I was at school I got a balloon for a Gravity and Pressure Project. When I got home, I got my homework done I ran and started my sets. I ran 1.52 miles and got 2 sets done before TKD tonight. I helped Master Knight with the Family Class and my Mom actually took the class. I also took Black Belt Class after that. Tonight I asked Intructor Weeks if he would be my mentor. I think that he felt that I would make a great mentee and I know I can learn a lot from him. I am meeting him tomorrow night at 6 pm. I am still pretty excited about being on the cycle and hope I can keep this up. I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!!

Today I didn't have school and I really wanted to just chill out and play my game. My Mom didn't fuss but she told me how hard it would be if I messed around and got behind in doing my daily stuff. I don't want to have to double up on 140 sit ups and push ups so I got started early in the day. I actually finished a lot earlier and was even able to work on my Pal Chang today and a set of kicks. I'm glad I have the Mommy I have because she always loves me! I will NEVER GIVE UP!!

Today is Sunday and man, was I tired today. My Mom tried to wake me up for church but I didn't want to get up. She decided to let me sleep, which felt really good. When I woke up, she had already cooked breakfast and after we let it digest, we went to the track at Ridge Road Middle School to do my run. I did 2 miles today. My time was a llittle slower than it has been but I did it! I got an email from Master Chelly Hartle that I passed my pre-test! Woo hoooo!!! I am officially on the cycle! I have to re-do Pal Chang this week but I know I can do it. I worked on Pal Change a lot today and my Mom says I just need to slow down and concentrate. I still have a long way to go but I'LL NEVER GIVE...

I hope I did good enough to make the CYCLE. this is my greatest day ever. Mom had to get on me 2 times, but all is okay. Help me LORD. I need my family's prayer. I had a great day!!!!

I just had the best day ever today. It started out at school like any other friday, then I ran my 1.5 mile run in my neighborhood, ran through my study guide and journaled. I just loved it!!!

I had an EARLY start. Woke up this morning just to do some push ups and sit ups. Plus I got some meditation minutes in so that is pretty good. I helped the little kids in their class. This one student had the hardest belt to tie. I would tie it and it would keep untying. His name was CJ too! Again I have a LOOOOONG road ahead. I will NEVER GIVE UP.

Wow! What a day. I ran 1.53 miles today. I also did 150 basic kicks, and a lot of push ups, sit ups, and burpees. I even made my momma walk while I ran. It may seem like a lot, but I know I've got a lot more to go. Wish me lots of luck. I'll never give up.