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!

I am a 71yr. old who loves practicing TKD. I accept the challenge and i'm highly motivated in trying to make it to the next level.

Today feeling much better.   I will be glad when I am at my normal.  You know I'm in terrible condition when I am not able to do pushups.

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I began today taking medications and forcing myself to eat some food and of course plenty of liquids. My requirements have come to a screeching halt. I can hardly wait to get going again 

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I go from my body aching to my wife giving me the flu.  Well this is the way things are sometimes.  I will be glad when I can get back 

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I  decided to take off a few days from a whole lot of anything .  My body needed a deserved rest and my mind is listening.  I can focus on ess

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Today I am going to try and get as many requirements in as possible.   It seems like my mind says yes and my body is saying I don't want to but perseverance!  

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I had a difficult time getting on the BB site today.  I'm here now so today began with my favorite breakfast of egg whites, beacon and anice mug of coffee.   I played pickleball and had a great time at King Tiger today.  I was even able to get some requirements done. 

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weather change

What difference a week make.  We go from snow twenties and thirty degree to an enjoyable sixty something.   It helps to begin the day in a happy mood.   I hope to get some requirements in.

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I awaken late this morning thinking how I was going to get a bunch of requirements done.  I began very nicely but after a couple hours working out it seemed as though every muscle in my body started to ache.  So I will look to 

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Another bonding day

My Great grand daughter over again today.  I'm learning new songs and putting puzzles together.   Today seems to be starting a little slower than normal.  Atleast the sun is shinning.  I guess I will work a few requirements in and enjoy the rest of my day.

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Snowy Day

I spent most of my day inside .  About 2:00 this afternoon I decided to go out and shovel the snow from the driveway.   Shoveling snow reminds me of Syracuse.  I pray no one had to drive today if so do it safely.

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Another Day

I began this morning with a great breakfast of egg whites, sausage and coffee.  Early this afternoon I will work on some of my requirements.  I also look forward getting back to class tonight and seeing everyone.

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It's time to get back into working on my requirements.   The few days I took off has helped muscles get ready for the next round.  Between watching commentary of MLK  on TV and workouts that will be my day.

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Fatigued

I had tiresome day or should I say morning.  I rushed to the emergency room about 3 am there until  6:15 am.  Slept  late couldn't make it to church.  My desire was to have another lazy day.  I did manage to get a few pushups in..

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Fatigued

I had tiresome day or should I say morning.  I rushed to the emergency room about 3 am there until  6:15 am.  Slept  late couldn't make it to church.  My desire was to have another lazy day.  I did manage to get a few pushups in..

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I had a good training session tonight at black belt class.  The sequence of how Master Cavazos took us through our color belts self defense was nice.

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never give up

I am finally able to truly work toward getting my miles done. The heat has really made it a tough go.  It is hard but I am determined to make it.

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Flowers

I decided to have a relaxing day working in my flowers.  It is another outlet I use that helps to keep me calm.  When I'm working  with my flowers I have no other thoughts of anything else.  I be in my own little world.  I did a few requirements and call it a day.

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I think I can

I awakened this morning to my delight, a Ham & Cheese omlet.   My day doesn't really begin without coffee.  Next on my agenda to get out and get a few miles done and some other requirements.  I thought my body would make better adjustments to all the exercises I've done, but the way I feel, nah!  

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Trying

Today I was able to do a few requirements including work on my miles.  I had my favorite dinner tonight and just relaxed afterwards.  I think I'll go to bed early tonight with hopes of getting early in the morning to beat the heat and get some more miles in.  

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Slow day

I began my day rather slowly today.  I slept late, got out of bed late, everything seems to be  happening either late or slow.  I'm trying to get energized so I can work on requirements.  Corn on the cobb and chicken on the grill made for a nice dinner .   After dinner back to work outs.  Trying to get them done.

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Won't stop

I had my egg whites ,saugage and coffee for breakfast.  It's time to really work hard on poomsae and self defense requirements.  It' going slow but I'm doing my  best to get the burpees done.  

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Taking it easy

I got late start this morning or at least I was back on my schedule.  Cereal and milk for breakfast and of course my coffee.  I did a five mile hike and few other requirements.  Will be relaxing for rest of the day.

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Given the green light

Today I had to pay a visit to the Cardiologist to check heart because rate was low.  I tried to explain to my Dr everything is fine it's just my exercise routine.  Of course it turned out all good.  I returned home and went for 4.2 miles and felt great.  If I only had my requirements done!!!  The finish line is closer.

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Focus

 BB class was fun and work tonight.   I felt the training we did tonight gave us reason to listen and really focus on the moment.   I was able to do some requirements. 

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Good stop

I had a long day driving to a small town , Yamasee, SC, to attend a funeral.  Of course the drive back seemed more difficult.   It wasn' all bad; I did stop at a Cracker Barrel and had good dinner.  Turnip Greens, Catfish, Cornbread and Glass of Lemonade.  Yum, yum!

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Stop thinking

I was able to do another three miles today .   That was a major accomplishment for me in this heat.  I need to get mind and body working together again.   I guess I should just do my requirements and not think about it.

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sore legs

I awaken this morning with sore legs.   I sometimes forget that I'm not a youngster anymore until reality says hello.  For requirements,  I will do some pull ups and rest.

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wow

I began my day with a very nice breakfast along with a big mug of coffee.   I went to church and when I returned home I went for a 5 mile hike.   I will do a few pull ups then rest.   

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a little closer

Today was a fun day , I got tired but lots of fun.  We realized things were more difficult than they seemed.   The pre test was a great  measuring tool to be ready for the test.  

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A good day

I got out bed this morning and to my surprise the temperature was down .  I was encouraged to work on getting some miles done.  I had my loving breakfast and coffee,  quiet time and work other requirements.

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Day by day

I more or less toook today as a rest day.  Sore arms, sore legs and hurting all over, but I must continue trying reach my daily goals.  

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Surprised

Today, I surprised myself and went shopping with my wife.  Even though I suffered much I was able to make it an OK day.  Got in some requirements. 

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Moving on

I had a good day today.   Began with my normal breakfast.  I finished small jobs around the house which included mowing the lawn.  I was also able to do some requirements done.   .

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Mistake

I awakened late this morning feeling sore and tired.  Our great grand child, who is two years old, slept with us last night.  What a mistake, I was kicked so many times and she topped it off with a hard slap to the face.    I don't plan on getting beat up by someone as young again.  Late breakfast then some requirements.

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10 weeks

I had a very good time training today .  I was a little tired because getting up in the morning is a chore for me.  My breakfast was cereal and milk, of course coffee.   Only have enough energy to do a few requirements 

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Working

The rain was a welcome sght last night thinking it would cool off the temps.   I believe the humity climbed a few degrees though making things feel a bit warmer.  I had a good breakfast this morning and rght after jumped into doing requirements.  No one said it would be easy, but fair.  As a matter of fact Master Evins lets us know BB is earned.          

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grnding

I started my morning with my normal  breakfast.  I got in a few requirements , then off to my daughter's house to mow her lawn.  I love to sweat.  Later tonight I will probably beat myself up a little more.

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ready

I truly believe that I am returning to normalcy after a pretty hectic week.  It is amazing what a good rest does for body and mind.  I'm really fired up to get in  a lot of requirements today.  Hope to see all at BB class tonight.

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blah

My day began with my normal breakfast, egg whites, turkey bacon and coffee.  It seemed to be going fairly well until I looked out and saw lawn.  Changed my attitude for the day.  I only did a few requirements.  I need to refocus, and shape up so I work a little harder.  For now good night all.

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making an effort

I have had a great but busy week in Charleston, SC. The schedule, at our military association reunion , being so hectic made it difficult for me to really work on my requirements.   I realized much rest was needed.  

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Tea

I spent this morning at the Tea Plantation in Charleston, SC tasting tea and finding out that there is one tea leaf that makes many different blends..    It's all about going through a  process .   I thought it took different tea leaves for the diversed tea blends. I guess you live and learn.  Returned to our hotel deengergized from the heat and humidity.   I think maybe to do a few requirements .   Then it will be bedtime.

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rested

Yesterday was a slow day.   My wife drove us to Charleston and I relaxed.   As a matter of fact I primarily did just relax .  Today I must get back to requirements. 

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work and fun

I had a very good BB class today.  We went over poomsaes, hapkido, staff and stick . It was much fun.  I am very appreciative for the instructions given by Masters Chelly and Conrad Hartle.  Instructor Dong also made sparring class fun and work.  To top off my day ,requirements.

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closer

I went out with my wife today for new cell phone; one I really don't need.  There are to many gizmos on it for me.  I got in some requirements and quite a bit of rest .  Preparing for BB class this evening.

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easy day

Today for dinner burgers on the grill.  I had a good time at King Tiger .  Instructor Dong stopped by this evening and it was great to see him.  I was also able to get some requirements done.  Then rest!!

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Home

I am finally back to my egg whites, bacon and coffee for breakfast at home.  My body is also doing much better with Eastern Standard time.  I should be able to get quite a few of my requirements done today provided my body works with my mind.  I'm looking forward to be in BB class tonight.

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another day

I was able to get some good reps in on my requirements today.  It was so nice to be back at the Dojang.  I'm feeling muscles I forgot existed, but I will push through to train another day.

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long ride home

I returned home from Tenn trip approximately 8:00p.m.  this evening.  My friend had a great 80th birthday party and we had lots of fun.   It time for me to go to bed.  Nite-nite.

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Still trying

I had a very long and tiresome ride to Jackson, Tn this weekend.   I believe I migjt know what running on adrenaline means now.  After all of my travels I was able to do some push ups and sit ups.   

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The old guy is back

I had a very long day because of the return flight to Charlotte.  Even though i'm tired I will get some more push ups in, trying  to get them done early so I can focus more on the requirements that are more difficult for me.  Looking forward to seeing everyone at the dojang tomorrow evening.

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time to go

Even good things must come to an that includes leaving beautiful Hawaii.   I wanted to stay but money said go home.   I was able to get a few push ups in.time to go 

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great. day

To begin my day, I had a big breakfast!  Ham,cheese, vegetables and three egg omelet.  Of course my coffee.   I visited Schoefield Barracks, one of the military post, and was educated on some of the highly sophisticated equipment they use this day and age on the battlefield.   I did manage to get some requirements in too.  I had a fantastic day.

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fun

I did some swimming today,  worked on a few requirements and just had a fun day.  It was very relaxing. 

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anniversary

Today my wife and I celebrate our 46th anniversary.  The only thing we will be doing is having fun.  We will finish our day at a luau where we get the opportunity see some Hawaiian dancing and other customs.  Did I mention gain more weight!(lol)

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swimming

I don't believe I actually let my wife talk me into going for a swim this morning; something I haven't done for a long time.  The crazy thing is I enjoyed it.  I am looking forward to a great day of very hard work.   

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Tired

I believe I tried doing to much in the sun today.  I am denergized, nothing left.  All I want is rest.   I did do 6 pull ups.  No other requirements.  Tomorrow I will be off and running.  

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pineapples

The pineapples here in Hawaii are some of the sweetest I have ever tasted.  I wish I could bring some back to share.   We're starting a different direction today to explore the countryside; if and when we get lost we will rely on GPS to return to our hotel.  I plan doing some requirements.

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meditation

I awakened this morning with the thought relaxing and meditating for the most part of the day.  I will get some requirements in early this evening Hi time.  It gets tough doing the physical but I'm determined.

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another beautiful day

Today was a wonderful day.  We ventured out to some new places we had not been before and we had a nice time walking the beach.   I do believe that I am gaining weight , the food taste so good!  Having fun.

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experience

They had to close the airport 20 minutes prior to our departure due to lighting.   But the good thing of it all we were able to leave about 1 1/2 hrs later.   We arrived Hawaii very late and of course our luggage is still in transit; other than that everything is well. For dinner, I had stir fry vegetables with steamed rice and shrimp.  Then off to bed!  

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The first week is banked

I had a late Spaghetti dinner last night, I probably shouldn't have eaten but it was so good.  This morning light breakfast egg white & coffee.  This will most likely be one of my easier days as pertaining to requirements.  It was great seeing miss Pam at BB class.  Thanks Master Cavazos very good BB class , lots of sweat but I had fun.

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Thankful

I feel blessed to have been able to experience Kukkiwon cup.  I really appreciate Master Evins for the credits awarded to us for our participation  and also on the 5k.  Today is good day to work on requirements , especially push ups and sit ups because I was home alone.  

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Very good BB class

Enjoyed BB class  yesterday.  I appreciate the way Master Evins drilled us on our forms, a very good sweat.  So nice to see Master Shin back in PMA.  For breakfast this morning I had my egg whites, a few strips of bacon and of course my coffee.

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A very good day at the yesterday

I had a super time assisting in class yesterday and many thanks to Master Evins for allowing me to lead the 6:45 class.  Thanks to Mr Foster and his son,Conner, for their help in making it fun and meaningful.  Looking forward to BB class tonight.

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A little tired

This morning things are going a bit slower than normal.  I do believe my body is telling me something!  TAKE IT EASY you have time.  My morning meal and  cup of coffee began my day anyway.  Looking forward to being at the dojang today.

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Trying to keep it going.

I awaken this morning doing more push ups, sit ups and trying to do burpees.  I ate a good breakfast and then off to church. I plan on taking myself through a grueling workout this evening which includes kicks and a few miles.

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Nice first day of cycle

I had a great Black belt class today.  The continuous action doing our poomsaes and kicks was great.  I had no problem working up a sweat.  Push ups and sit ups are order for this evening.

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