Candidate Journals

I reviewed hapkido 1-6 today and Sipjin. There so much to learn, evening at this degree. Master Evins showed me the King Tiger app and where I can watch the hopkido forms. I still need to review them with partner. I've been practicing color belt self-defense on my own, but during class today, it was the first time I've done them with someone sense the cycle starts.  Sparring was great, my endurance feels good, and it can only improve if I keep training and recovering right. For, example I probably could have more energy if I brought a snack and not have the last thing be on my stomach ice cream. I remember the first sparring class I took after recovering from hyperthyroidism. After months of being out of breath and fatigue, it felt good to exercise and have the energy to do it. And while i was still out of...

Wonderful weather, considering the storm yesterday.  My crossfit workouts have been strangely in sync with the cycle. Monday we did pull ups and jump rope, today we did pull-ups and push-ups.  Went to king tiger early to help with after school class before work. I got my curriculum sheet and highlighted the requirements I know. There’s a lot to still to learn, even at my belt. I’m going to bed early tonight. I need to rest. Excited for class and sparring tomorrow.  

Stayed home today with my pets. Fun fact about me, my boyfriend and I have a dog, a kitten, 4 rats, and a rat in our hospital cage because we found her outside. Definitely not a wild rat, most likely someone released it outside, she very timid, won't bite, but hides under her bedding. I didn't start doing requirements until later in the day. I slept in, then got some other errands done. I couldn't do jump ropes in my apartment, so I did penguin taps (you jump like a penguin and double tap your legs. I worked on them when I was learning how to do double jumps. It was actually tough to do that for 1 minute no stop. I did burpee with gorilla jumps, because I'm want to work on my jump kicks and explosiveness. Doing gorilla jumps in Master Marcus sparing class really helped with improving my...

Incorporating requirements into what I do currently in my fitness routine. I enjoy the changes to minutes and the checklist in the books, it's makes me feel more accomplished. I'm also studying to take my licensing exam for to become a registered nurse (RN). Most of my days are going to be a mix of black belt req, nursing studying/quizzes, and more black belt requirements. The exam is on January 18th; so, I plan to work hard until then, and on the 19th, I'm staying home and play videogames all day.    I still need to find a mentor and mentee; it will be done before the week is over. Help out with classes today at Lake Norman, I missed so many kids and teaching. I got to work with new students (older kids), we went over kicks and punches. They did great, but I had reassured them that they did,...

This is my fourth cycle, first cycle with the changes to the requirements.  I have confidence in my color belt curriculum, but I know I need to work on my black belt Poomsaes and my weakest practice is my self-defense.  I'm going to have my black belt by the end of the year. I've passed before and I know what I need to do. I set a routine and I do it; I want my black belt, so i have to keep it as one of my priorities. It's going to be longer than I have to do before, but that's the challenge. This whole year, part (a lot of a part) of my life has to be dedicated to Taekwondo.  So it not just about if I pass, It's about how much I can and want to improve.  We just finished the Pre-Test, by the end of this cycle or...

Just testing to see if it my journals post yet. I'm kind of using this week to prepare and organize myself. Doing a few requirements but trying to not overdo it. Wednesday was the first workout of the year (and since and November) and I can feel it.  Closing chapters to things. Preparing for this journey. I'm so excited for the new year! 

Testing today, I am super pump! its getting colder so my tree should be growing better

Took out my locks, I'm going to miss them, but I'm excited to switch up my hair. I also went running and did some push-ups

I got to remember to water my tree, I do not have a green thumb. 17 more days until testing: 15 more miles left = 1 mile/day 1175 more push-ups and sit-ups = 70-100/day 584 more self-defenses = 35/day 372 more poomsaes = 22/day

Tired and I don't really want to do anything, but I did it anyways because that was I'm supposed to do. Doing nothing isn't going to help me reach my goals

Taught some classes today, usually I teach the Wangho, but today I did Junior/Senior Tigers too. Finished Rolls and Falls (1000 tracked under meditation). Only 2000 push-up and sit-ups, 25 miles, and poomsaes and self-defense left! I been working long hours, and I haven't had time to run outside, so Ill been running on the treadmill at the gym. Not my favorite thing, but it works. Tomorrow, I have to take my car to the shop, so hopefully I can go for a run while they check it out.

My core is soooooo sore, it hurts to laugh. So no requirements done today. Went through some old stuff and collected supplies to donate, and got a couple of bookbags to put them in. Trying to decide right now should I join the honor society at college. Is it worth it? does it change anything? Do I even have time for it? So hopefully I can meet with a adviser this week and ask my questions.

I should have study more for the written test. I did great, but I could have done better but I only studied a little this week. Went to see the new It movie, so freaky, so good.  Had a really good conversation with my dad today (he's posted in the midwest right now) I really miss him, but this is good job for him, and seems happier, less stressed. I just hate that I wont see him til Thanksgiving. He won't be able to come see me test for my next belt, which sucks because he had to miss the last one.    

The physical and written test is this weekend you guys!! make sure you get some rest today. You can't do your best if you don't get your rest! 

I love testing day, it so amazing to see everyone progress in Taekwondo. I'm taking it easy for the next to days. I been pushing myself so much for the past couple days, the body can only take so much. Even with all the push-ups Ive done for this cycle. Doing 10 is still super hard. I know I can do more, but I can either physically or mentally. I got to remind myself that I'll been doing push-up, sit-ups, and other things everyday. Even though I spread them out and get them done, my body still feels that exhaustion, and then I still keep going. I got to give myself time to recover, so today I'm going to take it light, some push-ups and sit-ups, probably no running get some poomsaes and self-defense, as well as stretch and yoga.

Had to catch-up and finish some assignments today. I should have done them this weekend, but I wanted to play Sims, so now I'm paying the price. Did not do a lot of requirements today, but I did a ton yesterday and I will do more tomorrow.  Also I think I'm going to ask new people to write my recommendation letter. I asked two teachers from my classes last semester and they haven't wrote one for me (well one offer, but I would have to be there and tell him what to write and I don't feel like doing that). I don't know my teachers that well yet, and they don't know me. And all I do is go to school and work, so I'm going to have think hard on this one.

Was almost late to work this morning, had to rush out the door. Did a lot of poomsaes and self-defenses. Found my BB Book. Still doing homework but I want to sleep

I have misplaced my BB Book, uugggh. I cleaned my room, I checked my car. Where is it!!! I guess it going to have be one of those "I'll find it once I stop looking" moments. Gong to add the Instructor camp, sparring seminar, and 5K bonus in today, so I have a better idea on what I have left. SO close to be done, but yet still so far ... My mom finished a crocheting/knitting a blanket for me it so beautiful and warm. My mother is amazing. When she wants to learn something new, she gets very passionate and very into it, I admired that. She made jewelry, soap, sewing, hair (braids, weaves, and everything else).  Worked on pull-ups today after BB Class. I really want to improve on them, but they are sooooo hard. 

Signed up for the Sparring Seminar this Friday. I really grown to love sparring and I love that were going to get additional training. Cleaned up and prepared for the week. Have to go to sleep early so I can get up at 4am tomorrow. 

Really nice service at church today. After I finish some assignment, I played sims all day. It was nice.

Me and my friend were chatting the other night and she had to write a essay about the life events that shaped her life. And she felt kind bad that 3/4 life events were negative. We kept talking, and I told her that we change and grow from experiences. When we get comfortable for too long, it can led us to stagnated growth. So life is going to throw us things and make us uncomfortable, but a positive spin of it is is you're going to growth and change. I'm not happy that I was diagnosed with Grave's disease, but I appreciate the person I change to because I dealt with Graves. I think I could have been this motivated, independent, hard-working person years ago, but I think because I was so use to being comfortable and not pushing myself more, I wasn't........This journal is very jumbled and a bit confusing,...

Went to 9Rounds today and did worked out, did all my pushups and situps in 30 mins. Had a mentor session with Master Natasya, worked on kicks. Now Im just working on some homework with a friend.

Worked on a biology assignments where I had to classified 50 different organism, which was really nice. Taught class today at King Tiger, was super nervous/excited about it. The class was bigger than what I'm use too. 

Long and busy day. It was first day of after school at King Tiger. Classes were huge, I just played games and kicks with a little review. A lot of kids were new, or were gone over the summer. Also, it nice to have a fun game-like class every once in awhile.

Did not do any requirements today. But i cleaned and decluttered my room. I sold/donated most of my clothes today and I cleaned under my bed. I also meal prep today. My mom gone the whole week, usually I make breakfast and lunch, but she handles dinner since I always come home late. Made homemade pizza! Finish up some homework. I don't like how one of my assignments is coming out, so ill tackle it tomorrow with a more cleared head.

Last day of summer camp, kids were crazy, but I just rolled with it. We played tons of games, ate pizza and ice cream, and had our last award ceremony. Kids award me the "nicest counselor" award. I going to miss some of the summer campers only, but I'm excited to start the school year. I didn't get a a lot of requirements done this week, but that okay. This is was the first week of school and I have a pretty good idea of how to build my schedule. I love building and managing my time. Finishing my night call my dad, who off in another state, to talk about careers, school, and just tell him I miss him. I don't think he'll be back til October. He travels alot more now for his job, which is amazing and so cool, but I miss him. I remember when he came...

I've been helping teach more classes. I've been working at King Tiger for so long now and I really want to help out more, plus I need to step out of my comfort zone every once and while. Me and and another instructor go back and forth teaching on class. It been nice, I was really worried, but I've been managing. Today I made the class work on basic blacks and stances, as well as teach them study guide questions. Then at the end of class, we played a study guide game. Worked with Master Natasya on kicks, hopefully when I;m less sore and tired I can work on them more. Then I took sparring, we did some awesome stretches, I felt great.

Life is funny. When I was younger, my mother would have to drag me out the house to go running, or promise we would eat after. I remember she was better at running and would have to push me to keep up with her. I would sometimes sprint farther ahead then walk the rest of the way or hid in the bushes and say I finish early. Now I actually go running. I was excited to do the King Tiger 5K a couple months ago. My mother and I went running earlier this year, but she been traveling so much that I haven't seen her much. Hopefully once things settle down we can go running/walking more.  Life is funny. There are things that I do now, that my past self would have never thought I could or would do. 

When downtown for my first ASL class. The instructor is deaf. So today we had an interpreter, but after today, she won’t be there. There will be little to no English speaking in the class, only signing and gestures. The instructor said “I live everyday in the hearing world and manage, so you guys can handle 1hr” So this is going to be an interesting class!  

I am super happy with the pretest today. I remember during my first testing as a bo cho, I could only do 12 pushups at the pretest and 25 at the physical test. And when I did the mile, I ran it in 12 mins. But now I did 31 pushups this time and ran a mile and a half in 13 mins. I never though I would get this far physically. I'm so pumped!!  

I've been working with Master Natasya on color belt poomsaes fo the last couple of days. She has helped me alot with technique and how kukkiwon does poomsaes vs how we do poomsaes. It has been really good mentor session, but so many little changes. I worry about more changing my forms later. I cannot change too much right before the Pre-test. Super pump for tomorrow!!! Let's go you guys!!  

One of my co-workers left for college. Really sad, and I'm going to miss him, but I'm happy for him. I started classes today and I am super excited to start the school year.

Cleaned up the house today. I'm start classes tomorrow and having a clean space always makes me feel more prepared. When to adult class and did some rolls and falls. 

Finished all my mentee sessions! My mentee is going to test on Thursday, I can't wait. Finish all my burpees, I'll still do them, but that one less thing to do. Been studying this week to prepare for the pre-test, I am super pump to get it done.

One more week until school starts and I am super excited! Working alot of hours this week, so I got to make sure I rest this week. Hopefully I have time to write some essays this week. I need to finish my book essay and start my Kwan essay.

I meant to journal before midnight, but I got caught up study. When to sparring and black belt class on Saturday. Sparring was great, we did two on one sparring which was fun. We haven't done it in a while. Got kicked in the face, but there are worse things to happen in life, and it was pretty funny. I want/need to start practicing head shots, I just want to make sure I can do them without hurting someone. We practiced kicks in black belt class. I am really happy with my kicks!. But I still need to stretch more. I went running today and I do not know why, but I really pushed myself today. I ran the mile in 9.4 minutes, which is about average. But for me, that one of the fastest miles I ran.  

We practiced nunchucks in black belt class. Master Marcus gave good advice on how to get better at nunchucks. He says nunchucks are a broken weapon and to focus on the broken stick that you can control. I think you can say the same thing in life. You got focus on what you can control and change. Life is going to be unfair sometimes, and your going to face challenges that are out of your control. But the great thing about life is that you have the ability to change.

My mentee has gotten all her stripes and is ready to test! I don't think she knows that she has been an awesome mentee. We prettty much have mentor sessions 3-4 times a week and she may complain here and there, but she always come and does them. Also, she only comes for the summer, but she's a fast learner and knows all the material. We have two more mentee sessions left, I can't wait for her to belt test. Went to Tiger World, I love going.  Went to the gym today and worked with my trainer. We did a weight-in and took measurements. I'm down 12lbs since May, gain muscle, and lose some inches. It's crazy that I started the year weighing 168lbs and now Im down to 141lbs.   

Had a nice easy day. I got my college books, and cleaned up my room. 

It was nice to have a day off. I got to take my dog to the dog park. He is super friendly with people, but he gets a little scared or aggressive with other dogs. He did better today and I was able to let him off his leash. My co-worker asked for my shift tomorrow, so Ill be going back to the park again.

Burpees are getting easier. Progress!! Had a good day, played kickball with the older kids today at camp. Did lots of poomsaes and self-defense.

Comic Con was fun. Being able to cosplay and taking pictures with people was so fun. I’m excited to go back in December. I plan to dress like Storm again and add on to my cosplay. Sad I miss black belt class, I heard it was great!!!

Went to Charlotte ComicCon today, so much fun!!. I went dress-up as Storm from X-men. This was my first time cosplaying. I was super nervous, but I loved it. Can't wait to got back tomorrow. 

Got my pinky kicked in sparring, its really bruised up. I cant really think about much right now because OMG MY PINKY IS SWOLLEN!!!! Done for the night, going to bed.

Got a lot of requirements done at 9Rounds today! I did so many push-ups the day before so my arms/shoulders felt so weak when I was holding the pads. When I got home, I walked my dog and practiced some ASL.  A comic book convention is coming to Charlotte this weekend and I'ms so excited to go.   Also got a free ice cream at chick-fil-a! 

When running this morning. I got a new app called Zombie Run, hopefully it will keep interested in running. Today and yesterday I've been practicing the ASL alphabet by spelling campers names. Its pretty fun, and it been helping me remember all the signs. The campers went to see Sing at the movies today. Most of kids (both king tiger kids and other camps) were singing and clapping along with the movie. I worked on self-defense and hopkito with Master Natasya. After work, I went to the gym with my mom and worked out. We haven't done that in awhile, but I really enjoyed it.   

Meal prepped my lunches this week. This week I need to work on running more and do more poomsaes and self defenses

Had an awesome sparring class and black belt class! Went to see Lion King. Now i'm going to try to clean my room super late tonight.

When you start focusing on yourself and things that really matter, everything else become white noise ...

Had a good day! Went mining with King Tiger kids. I need to stretch more. I been focusing on so much on strength and endurance that I think my kicks are not as high or easy.

I am physically exhausted. But I'm trying to remember that every little thing counts. For example, if I do 20 burpees everyday, then by the 5 day Ive done 100. But if I do 25 burpees everyday (only 5 more), than I would have done 100 burpees in 4 days. A little extra makes a difference. 

Took sparring and black belt class today. Did a lot of self-defenses today. I need to work on Red/High Red self defense, as well as hapkido form 1,2, and 3. Finished all my sparring rounds today! Going to start putting my rolls and falls in the meditation tracking tab so I know how many I've done.

I didn't realized this until today, but I got two nice shiners on both of my legs. I must have got them from sparring class. I bring leg up a lot to defend/attack/to cause a reaction and I think I my leg just collided with somebody else, which is common for me. I just did not know I got hit on both my legs. I think I need to Master Evins or Master Marcus, but I think bring your leg up to block a kick is frowned upon or illegal in sparring matches. I could be wrong thought. Guess I'll ask tomorrow.  I also need to get a new mouth guard, I lost mine. Got to do that this weekend.

Library Day at Summer Camp. Decided to pick up a book to help with a new skill (I believe 1st Dans still have to pick a new skill). I want to learn ASL, I'm taking a college class in asl in the fall and want to get a head start in learning it. My coworker/friend got a book in Japanese so hopefully we can meet up and study our languages together. The library didn't have adult languages books so we choose children language book. No shame, I need to start somewhere. Finish reading The Alchemist, going to start the essay this weekend! Finally able to do 10-15 reps of push-ups without stopping going to try to get 20-25 reps. I think its more of mental challenge then a physically one. Also I need to take a rest day so my arms and back and recover.

Its been a year since I was diagnosed with Graves' Disease (Currently still be treated, but treatment has improve). I was not in a healthy space physically or mentally during that time in my life. I was gaining and losing weight rapidly, and my heart rate and blood pressure was so high that I couldn't take TKD class or be involved in any physical activity. I was stressed out and overly anxious about college and my future. Im not happy that I was diagnosed Graves' but the experience taught me some valuable lessons: 1.) That I should not take my health for granted and should be making choices that improve my health spiritually, physically, and mentally 2.) That I cannot avoid thing that make me anxious or stress me out. I tend to procrastinate important thing not out of laziness, but because I have a fear of failure. Or I feel...

Went to the park today for summer camp. We went to Huntersville's Athletic Park which has ton of athletic fields, 3 parks, and little to no shade. I've gotten lots of requirements done (250 of Push-ups and Sit-ups). Finishing the night with a nice long walk with me dog and some yoga.  Two kids tested for there new belts today, it was so cute/awesome to watch! 

MY legs are killing me!!! I went to the gym before taking Saturday sparring and black belt class. Sparring class was intense, we worked on speed and making actual physical contact. We did kicks and headshots with minimal pads on, its been a minutes since I've been kicked to the head. I still don't like it, but its not as bad. One girl in the class was an awesome sparrer and I hope I get the chance to spar her again. I've been feeling sore all week, but the soreness doesn't go away because I have not taking a rest day. But I decided to chill on Sunday. Rest, meal prep, and hang out with my cousins. I haven't seen my cousins in week because we all been working so hard this summer.

This would not publish yesterday so I'm going to post it now: Had a mentor session today! We focused on Koryo and Specials #2. I have to remember that my right foot is in front for 3 and 6. I also need to make small changes to Koryo (lower my blocks, extended my punch more, rechamber my elbow more when I kick). Walked 2 miles before work. Then did another mile on the stairmaster (Stairmaster= the worst cardio machine >.<)

Knocking out as many physical requirements as I can. I've been working on bettering my push ups since March and Ive improved so much! I can do 10-20 reps. When I do my requirements in front of the summer campers, they will start doing them with me, its so cute.  When to the pool, did some basic kicks while I was there. I worked at 9Rounds (kickboxing studio) today and got 39 sparring rounds done. Phew!

Hi everyone! I am so pumped to be on the cycle again. The last time I tested for my black belt was in 2015. I have grown so much then (physicals, mentally, spiritually) and I am excited to challenge myself again. I asked my dad a couple weeks ago if he thought I would make it this far in Tae Kwon Do. He told me no, not because I couldn't, but when I started TKD I was a kid who gave up or lost interesting in hobbies. Thankfully, my mom pushed me to keep going until I could do it for myself. If my mom didn't keep pushing me, I probably wouldn't have stayed in TKD, and that something I would have regretted.  I am so thankful for my mother who pushed to me to be better at times I didn't want to. Because now, I learned to push myself.