Candidate Journals

Today is the last day of the cycle! After saturday BB class we have the Fall Festival and everyone is getting excited for it! Im so relieved that I have it all behind me and now its time to buckle down for next Friday/Saturday. 

Right after I got home from school. Donna and I went straight to South Charlotte to work with Master Chin. Master Evins stopped by and it was great to see him after all this time! Tomorrow is the Fall Festival and I am so excited! Every year we have great success and its always good to raise money for such a good cause. Although I will not be able to finish my journals in time (Ill have one extra...) Im extremely proud in how far I have come and how much progress I have made since the beginning of the cycle. 

Getting really excited for the Fall Festival this weekend. Last year was so much fun and we raised a ton of money for such a great cause. Im planning on swinging by South Charlotte to get my mentee to sign a form... hopefully she is there! Im finally done with the majority of my requirements and I was planning on going for a nice long run, but it started raining. Now im thankful that my schools campus is so large because thats what has helped me get in my run/walk! 

Made a lot of progress tonight at South Charlotte. Sparring was a ton of fun and the kids really enjoyed it. It was nice not going to school today and getting that extra time to study. These next two weeks are going to be super busy but really fun. Now im just counting down the days. 

Did nothing today at school. All of the upperclassmen are taking PSATs this week and we have to sit in first block for 3 hours. Its good time to get in some studying for all of my mid-terms next week. I don't have any school tomorrow so Im planning on finishing my running, poomsaes and self-defense. 

Im still loving Mondays even though the weather here is horrible. However on Mondays I get in a ton of classes. Hopefully by Wednesday I will be done with all of my requirements other than journals. 

Just finished working on homework for the past 7 hours. Not the best feeling in the world after spending the entire weekend studying. Knowing that I still have to run/walk 11 more miles is a little scary...But by Friday I know ill be done. The only other main concern that I have are my recommendation letters. I just received one from one of my current teachers, but it could be touch and go for the second! 

Today I had a test in almost every class. After school I came home and immediately went to work studying for the written test that is tomorrow morning. Im feeling confident in the physical test but ill always be a little anxious! I nervous about the pull-ups and the jumprope,.. they have never been my strengths. However Im always crossing my fingers. I hope everyone does great tomorrow and really pushes themselves. 

Just went on a extremely long run/walk and was a little concerned.... For the past few years I have had a dislocated rib that tends to pop out of place every so often. Today on my run I couldn't breathe and felt like something was poking into my right lung. This is not just a problem because of testing but it is very dangerous to my health. Im hoping it wont be an issue come Saturday so meanwhile Im crossing my fingers and holding my breath (literally!). Right after school I started typing my History of the Kwans that I wrote last week. Hopefully it will take up 5 pages! 

I have been so stressed about getting in classes and going over poomsaes and self defense. Meanwhile as I spent all my time reviewing....I managed to get really really behind on my running. So for tonight, Im not going to any classes but instead Im studying for the written test that is on Saturday and taking a long run/walk. 

Mondays are always super busy days. Had a doctors appointment right after school, then headed home to start a load of homework. Im getting really nervous about this written test because I still don't have a few of the answers on the study guide. My plan for tonight is to go to South Charlotte (Master Chin's) and get in as many classes as I can. Hopefully by the end of the week I will have all of my classes nocked out. 

I worked so hard on homework and projects that I forgot to enter in my requirements! Its freaking me out that we have our written and physical test next week. I honestly cant believe that it has been 9 weeks since the start of testing. With everything that I have going on today, Im hoping ill have time to study the test! 

Had an amazing time helping out at testing tonight. The students did a fantastic job and really worked hard to earn their next belt. I am really looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning. It will be the first time that I ever skip a Saturday class, but with all the schoolwork assigned I have to really manage my time well.

Have a big Geometry test today in first period, and I am nowhere close to being prepared. Hopefully I can get some studying time in before school starts. Last night I did a ton of poomsaes at South Charlotte and had a blast at sparring class. I need a few more requirements, but other than that, I'm on a good pace. 

I have loads of homework to do! It won't surprise me if Im up all night... Going to any classes at South Charlotte may be difficult tonight knowing my busy schedule. Im going to track down what needs to happen these next two weeks and then see where I am. 

I can't believe its already October. Summer came and went so quickly that I didn't have a chance to catch up! Im starting to have to do less and less requirements a day which takes off a lot of pressure. Master Chin has really helped me get in Leadership classes this week. The only thing I am worried about is mastering the Staff Poomsae and the Attack and Defend portion of the test. 

Had a great day at school and at South Charlotte. Master Chin really helped me review over what I needed to work on and helped me get in requirements. I really need to work on the staff poomsae. So my plan for this week consists of getting in as many leadership classes as I can, but still be reviewing over what I need to know for testing. 

This morning I finally was able to sleep in late. I ate a healthy brunch, then went straight to homework. I'm behind on a few classes and run/walk. It would be good to get in a run tonight before a bust day tomorrow. The demo at freedom park was fun, although there were more people on the stage than there were watching us! And I think everyone really enjoyed the BB class afterwards. 

Today was a busy, stressful, long day at school. Had to work on a project in almost every class in addition to tests. I have plans to finish up todays requirements tonight after friends and I go to Scarowins. Really excited for tomorrows demo. Also extremely excited that I don't have to drive a hour to get to Saturday BB Class. 

Had project after project today. Teachers are really loading us up with homework and tests as well. Im really looking forward to this weekend with the demo in Freedom Park and this Saturdays class. Hopefully we will help motivate everyone that is doing the run/walk and also raise money for Levine Children's Hospital. 

Had a very successful day at South Charlotte. Had the chance to see Instructor Tucker and go over Knife Self Defense with Master Chin. Its so good to have her back! Im finally catching up with all of my requirements after being sick, having injuries and traveling. Im hoping I can get in another leadership credit tomorrow after finishing all of my schoolwork and completing the many projects that have been assigned. 

Had an extremely long day today. Feeling really congested and I can hardly breathe. Didn't go to class tonight because I knew I wouldn't make it 15 minutes into class! Went to the doctor to see what was the big problem and they said it was just a bad cold. Hopefully it will pass before Saturday. Im getting really excited for what we are going to do, even though its going to be apparently in front of a few hundred of people. Still a little behind in Leadership classes but with my schedule they will be easy to make up. I need to finish learning my knife self-defense and my staff poomsae. Other than that I am prepared for testing and feeling confident in what I know. 

Im extremely excited for class tonight at South Charlotte because Master Chin is finally back! The last time I saw her was weeks before the cycle even started. It will be so cool to hear all about Emerson and how she has been doing. My toe has still been an issue... Ever since I cut it opened in the Dominican Republic, it hasn't seemed to heal. Hopefully it will be fine by testing. 

Had a very low-key day and slept in late for the first time in weeks! This morning I worked on homework for a few hours, and then I did all of my requirements. Its really encouraging to see the numbers getting higher on the tracker and its always nice to do less and less requirements a day. Still have some things to get finished before yet another busy school day. Im really looking forward to tests in every class... 

Today was very relaxing. Did what was only needed for requirements and didn't force myself to go overboard. I had the opportunity to volunteer at a nearby Elementary School for my IB community service. It was amazing to see how much fun the children were having while reading books and playing on the computers. Now all I need is 39 more hours to be done... Tomorrow at Black Belt class I have heard we are getting the details to the demo thats being done at Freedom Park. Super excited to see what were going to be doing. 

It has been a LONG day for me... I had a test in almost every class this afternoon and was up extremely late last night studying. Im planning on just going to a leadership class tonight so I can get some rest. I had to skip class yesterday do to schoolwork, so Im now just trying to get through today! Im still having trouble with my pull ups so now its all about building up strength and working on technique.   

Today is my best friends birthday, so unfortunately I cant attend any classes tonight because of her party. Im hoping to go in early tomorrow to fit in any Leadership credits that I can. It should be a fun class on Saturday because its at South Charlotte! YAY! Im also excited about what were going to be doing at Freedom Park afterwards.  0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}

Im so thankful I went a week without technology! It was quite a challenge last week going without Instagram, Facebook, etc., but I somehow managed to accomplish it! The only major concern I had was the amount of classes I had, so now I think Im in good shape. Today my plan is to go to South Charlotte. I've missed it so much! Im going to get in a ton of leadership credits, a Mentor Session, Mentee Session, Weekday Black Belt class, Sparring Class, PMAA and TKD Plus. So I may be there for a while! 

This morning at North Charlotte Black Belt class we were working on attack and defend. It was really helpful to review over it because we have never done it at South Charlotte. Last year during testing, attack and defend was somewhat challenging for me so I needed the help! Sparring class was also extremely helpful. Master Kim pointed out all of the things we needed to work on and how we can improve our sparring skills. Im planning on starting a few essays today. I have knocked out the majority, but it will be good to have them all behind me. 

Just got up from a long nap after school. By the end of the week with school, classes and requirements, Im beat! It will be good to get in some rest and to start relaxing. Im just now starting to get in the right track with my classes and all the stress is going away!

Going to North Charlotte again tonight for 3 classes; TKD Plus, Black Belt, and PMAA. I need to get in as many classes as I can, so I don't mind staying for 4 hours and driving 45 minutes up there! Class on Tuesday was super helpful so I'm excited to see what we will be doing tonight. Last night I marked all over my calender to decide which classes I would go to and when I would have time to fit in all of my homework. The cycle is always a stressing experience, but it keeps me concentrated at school, and it keeps me busy all the time!

Super pumped tonight to get in a lot of class credits. Still behind on PMAA, Sparring and TKD Plus classes so it will be good to get those in. It will be nice to go back to South Charlotte after moving around so much. Its always good to go to other schools to get a different feel from the way they carry things, but being back on my normal schedule is always comforting. Im also planning on getting in leadership credits tonight before BB class. Last week went by really fast so Im hoping that this week will too. It wont be long before testing is here so I need to work fast and manage my time well. Today is the first day without the use of electronics... although I don't usually have enough free time to watch t.v. or go online, it will be nice to get the extra credit...

Had a great time at North Charlotte today. We reviewed a few things that I had forgotten from last cycle. It was different without Master Evins but Master Hartle did a great job teaching. Im pretty nervous about no electronics black belt challenge for all of next week. Hopefully I can go Monday through Friday without using the computer, watching television, or texting... What I am excited for is the extra credit at the end though. Its good to set a goal to be able to push yourself.  

Im setting a good pace with my physical requirements, now its just planning out which classes I can take that benefit me on the BB cycle. Tonight's plan is to go to South Charlotte and get in 3 classes. Hopefully that will help me boost up my leadership classes and I can get ahead. I still need to attend as many PMAA and TKD Plus classes as I can, in order to stay on track. 

Today I am finally starting to feel a little better! I have been sick for almost a week and it has really made requirements and fitting in classes hard. Im really going to have to push myself once Im feeling better, because being behind is the worst! Right now Im just doing the minimum requirements that I have to do, and then resting. Right now its school, requirements, bed. And then I do it all over again... Tomorrow Im hoping on going to North Charlotte to knock out as many classes that I can.

I can't believe its already September! August went by so quickly and its crazy that its starting to become fall. This has been a rough weekend, I have started to get a really bad cold, so Im just trying to keep myself hydrated. Still need to be 100% confident on my self defense, but other than that its all memorization. 

Today was a long day! Finally got through my first week back at school which made fitting in requirements a huge hassle. Still a little bit behind but catching up slowly! Have a lot of work ahead of me!

Today was the first day of school and I managed not to get lost! Going to a new school with so many people was quite overwhelming! However, right after school I did all of todays requirements, and then went straight to South Charlotte. We had an amazing class that was filled with helpful information needed to know for testing. Hopefully I can remember it by tomorrow morning! 

Extremely happy that I got through today! Not so pleased with my written test but had the same outcome last year... I am very pleased with how the Poomsae and Self Defense portion of the test turned out. This past week thats all I worried about! Everyone did a fantastic job today at North Charlotte and did a great job pushing themselves. So proud of everyone!

Today I took a day off from classes. I needed a "me" day just to relax before the pretest and to get my thoughts together. This morning before Behind The Wheel I woke up with a terrible headache and felt like I hadn't gotten any sleep. Hopefully this day of rest removed any chance of that happening tomorrow. 

School is coming up and I have to do as many requirements as I can in order to have an easy first week. Im planning on going to two leadership classes tonight at South Charlotte. Last night Instructor Gabriel really helped me work on my self defense. I can now say I can go White Belt through Bocho Dan without a hesitation! Self defense is clearly my weakness! I have been studying my many booklets from previous Instructors Camps and old study guides to make sure I ace the written pre-test this upcoming Saturday. Hope everyone does well. 

Just got back from Behind The Wheel and I really need to catch up on all of my requirements. The rain is once again putting me back from taking a run. Yesterday I completed two essays and did a ton of kicks (which I could feel this morning). It will be good to be back at South Charlotte tonight for Mondays Black Belt Class. 

Today is the "comeback" day. Planning on going for a long run, doing at least 350 kicks, and knocking out poomsaes and self defense. Currently trying to establish next weeks classes that I can take where I can get as many credits as possible. Im excited to see all the fresh, new faces that are testing this fall. It will be good to meet new people and to build friendships throughout the cycle. 

Todays Saturday Black Belt class was extremely helpful at North Charlotte. We reviewed a lot of things that I need to know for this upcoming test. Slightly stressed out because I am behind by so much. After taking the first week off the cycle I am feeling a litter overwhelmed, but Im sure I will catch up eventually. Planning on keeping up a healthy diet and trying to squeeze in a run as often as I can... although the weather isn't helping much. Tomorrow I have a long workout ahead and reviewing as much as I can. Mondays class at South Charlotte is always fun so I am really looking forward to that, and always looking forward to getting more update on how Master Chin is doing. 

Today has been very low-key. Slept in late and logged in yesterdays requirements. Last night was a blast at Mint Hill. Everyone was very welcoming and sparring class was a blast. So excited to hear about Master Chins new baby girl, named Emerson, that was born Wednesday night. And I obviously love the name selection... 

Super excited on what I have planned today. Thinking about taking a long run and getting all todays requirements out of the way. Might be heading to North Charlotte for a class tonight but still looking over my options. 

Made plans today to run, finish todays worth of requirements, and then some. Also planning on working on the History of The Kwans this week. Feeling good and confident on what I learned last night and just trying to not get another injury. 

Flew in last night from Texas and immediately started push-ups and poomsaes! A little behind but hoping to catch up by the end of this week. 

I have been out of the country for the first week of the cycle and the worry has set in! Time to catch up on all my requirements and break down on what I need to learn. Coming back from a pulled hip flexor was not what I had in mind when it comes to starting another black belt cycle!!!