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!

3/20 Couple more days..

I know I haven't done these in a while but we only have 3 more days till testing so I though I might as well just do one. First off I don't know if everyone gets this enough but even if I don't know you, I'm proud of you. I didn't make it this far last cycle and I'm proud but I'm also just out of words.. I can't believe myself and a bunch of others have mad it and I just want everyone to get a good night rest for the next couple days before you get too tired. I'm out of words right now but I'm really proud.

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2/13 BAND MPA!!

Today I have band mpa till 7:30pm so I'm doing this journal before school. 7th and 8th grade are going today so were taking the fancy busses. But I won't be able to help todays testing but I am tomorrow! I hope all the people in testing do great! I hope everyone has a great day and stay safe!

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3/11 Band Practice!

Today I went back to school and I'm now sadly off spring break.. But I was finally able to play my oboe again! That can with some bad news about how my reed broke and then I got a new one. (They are expensive reeds...) But other than that I'm super close to MPA and it's on Wednesday From 3-7:30pm I'm pretty sure. I'm still a little sore from the physical test but it's going away one massage at a time. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!!

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3/9 Calm Wright.

Today I woke up at five in the morning to go do my written and physical test. I was all happy with my physical stuff But I was really happy to see I got a 93 on my written test! And I'm happy for everyone from getting this far in the cycle. We went back to Lake Norman and set up Bag Of Hope for the cycle and then I went home and too a long needed four hour nap. Today I also found a good quote, “Don't worry about failure; you only have to be right once.” This quote just stood out to me and it just seems like a quote of encouragement that some of you guys might need to finish these last week of the cycle. With that being said I'm proud of everyone on cycle and myself too, great job everyone. I hope everyone had a great...

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3/7

Today I just stayed home like usual and did review on the written exam. Then I went to class at 4pm and stayed till the end of sparring. I got all my requirements done for today and now I'm just really tired. I don't think I need to do anymore of these but I'll just do it for fun, like a quote or something. Anyways I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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3/6 Unbanned

Today I got unbanned from my game and played a little. Then I went to class and got requirements done. Now I'm going to play a little more till I go to bed. And also I hope everyone who is sick right now if you are to get better, there has been a lot of people getting sick and that's not just in king tiger. I just wanted to make sure everyone was okay. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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3/5 bored :(

Today was okay.. I got banned for my video game for one day till noon, so I really didn't have anything to do.. I got my requirements done and just watch my phone. Sometime being on spring break sucks.. But I'm just sleeping till noon tomorrow and I want to get unbanned...... I'M BORED.

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3/4 tired.......

Today I finally did all my requirements and went running for a little. I want to two classes today and I'm so glad I'm on spring break already because I'm so tired. I also finally did a handstand and I was so happy then I did falls and rolls and went home. I watched tiktok and played games and that was my day basically. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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3/3

Today I did nothing really again.. I was just tired, and I don't think it was a good idea to not sleep. I was just bored, so I wrote an essay and now I'm stuck in though about if a hotdog is a sandwich or its own thing.. hmmm...

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3/2 Really quick.

Today I did nothing so I'm going to have to double everything tomorrow. I hope the people at Instructors Camp had a great day and hopefully you guy all get a lot of sleep. I got to see some of my family today and that was pretty much it. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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3/1 WOMAN'S HISTORY MONTH

Today I did requirements and went to school. I had free seating in lunch and a incentive for the 7th grade. Then I went to bbc (black belt class) and I wish everyone luck tomorrow for Instructors Camp. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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2/29 Ugh, grades..

Today was okay.. I mean I got an award for my propaganda poster project and got an A- on my science test and B- on my reading test at school, but otherwise everything was kind of boring. I went to class right after school and did sparring, then I went home almost got hit by a car and had another long talk with my dad about my grades. Honestly I need at break about my grades, it's always blah blah blah " you're failing two of your core classes. how is that posable?", "You need to bring your grades up.", "why are you crying? there is nothing to cry about right now", "I know what your going though," like no you don't? Is all you care about is my grades? Then do it for me?! I've been through so much just give me a break about it. Anyways I just really...

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2/28 "homework, requirements. It never ends.."

Today I went to school and reviewed for a science CFA we have tomorrow. But I just finished my requirements and went to class, and then I got the worst headache I've ever had. I ate food and went home after class. Then at school I turned in my poster and a lot of people liked it! (I think). I am now going to bed at 10pm.. I'm tired. I should do my last journal about how tired I just am. I think I need to go to bed more early than this but I can't bring myself to do it. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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2/27 1 more week.. (I'M SO TIRED)

Today I finished my school project and it's going to be a good grade! (Hopefully) I did requirements this morning and finished my mile just a few minuets ago so I'm very tired. While running I got one of my best times so that's cool I guess. Anyways I'm just really tired and my hand hurts so goodnight king tiger. I also just realized that there is only a week left before physical testing! YAY! I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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2/26 Busy night..

Today I did my requirements and went to school. When I got back home I realized I had to do a poster for class that I had a three weeks to do but I just started and it's due on Wednesday... And I learned when my mom got home I was officially going to Korea in November! I'm so excited to go! Is anyone else going? Anyways after two hours of working on the poster I finally finished the sketch of it and I'm very proud of it, I also got my mom and dad's approval too! I can't wait to finish it. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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2/25

Today did a bunch of requirements and took a nap. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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2/24

Today I went to class got requirements done and wrote an essay. I'm so tired right now.. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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2/23 quick.

Today I had benchmarks at school and i'm not sure i did very well. I went to black belt class after school and got requirements done. I'm super tired and I'm just going to go to bed because I need to wake up early tomorrow for another black belt class... I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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2/22 Taking a step forward.

Today I'm jumping straight into the point that I was tired all day. I got my requirements done and finally took class! I finished all I needed to help out and stuff today so I'm taking class from now on. I did sparring and now I'm home. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe. UPDATE: I don't think I'll be doing anymore songs while running mostly because I'm doing it at the end of the day and I'm too tired to care. I'm glad I did it for a little though. That's all I had to say! Bye everyone!

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2/21

Today was good, i guess. I mean, it wasnt really a bad day but it wasnt that great either. I was just tired and still recovering from being sick last week. Every day I'm getting better than yesterday. Strength wise (but not wellness wise). I was sad to learn that the tea ceremony was moved back a week and I'll be out of town on a band trip for school that day. Master Chelley is going to try to work something out for me. I really dont want to miss it. I worked out hard after class tonight and finished my requirements. Now I'm headed to sleep. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe. 

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2/20 Special Class!

Today was good! I went to Grand Master Lee's class today and so did a lot of people but I learned a lot! But I'm just really tired after all my requirements and some homework so I'm trying to get some sleep for tomorrow. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!

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1/19

Today I finally got to do stuff today. And I just got requirements done and met with my mentor. I'm really tired. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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2/18 Got worse.

I was sick all of last week and so i have a lot to make up this week. Today I did some stuff today. I finally finished the body of my new skill! I'm learning to crochet but I'm keeping what I'm making a mystery. I still got to make a tail and ears to make but that's besides the point. I did a mile (Finally), and I did my poomsaes and now I'm going to go eat dinner but I'm doing more later! I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!

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02/17 getting better.

Today was better than yesterday, and I'm sad I missed class today, but I did do my skill and start my essay to make up for it. I hope everyone had a good day and that it wasn't too bad like I've been the past week. I'll be back at everything hopefully tomorrow and be able to catch up with everything because now I'm a week behind, and that's not good. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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2/15 back on track.

Today I went to class early, met with my mentee and then did some stuff before that. I still have a stuffed nose and I'm tired. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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02/13 Getting better.

Today I caught up with all my schoolwork and I'm making up all my requirements tomorrow after school band practice till 5pm. But I'm really tired so I'll see you all on Thursday! I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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2/12 - so sick

i'm still really sick and stayed home from school today. My dad and sister are sick too. i feel horrible and barely even stepped out of bed and didnt really eat anything. My mom made me some ramen and made me take a covid test. everyone is negative but we all feel horrible. i dont know how i'm going to make up all my requirements for this week but i guess i'll have to figure it out later. i hope everyone else is staying save and healthy.

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2/11 - not a good day

I started my day by throwing up a lot. i dont know if i ate something bad at the party or just stayed up too late but i feel horrible. i stayed in bed all day and hope to feel better tomorrow. got to watch a little of the super bowl before they nyquil kicked in and now headed to bed again. hope everyone is safe and feeling better than me. stay safe.

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2/10 goodnight. the end.

Today I woke up early and went to black belt class and got an assistant credit and other things. Then I went to a part at 4pm and just got home at 11:30pm. I'm so tired right now I' going to cry. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe. goodnight....

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2/9 YAYYYYY!!

Today I ran went to school (IT WAS A HALF DAY!!!!) get home played with friends and went to class. Then I went to dinner with my grandparents and uncle who is visiting from NJ and I'm now stuffed. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!

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2/8 Cry, cry.. and more cry.

Today I woke up early and put posters in then went to school. I've already raised $206 and I would like to raise more for my band so please support me if you can! After school I went straight to class then did all of my requirements. I went home and did homework then I started crying because I'm so tired. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!

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02/07 Not again..

Today was like normal. I did my mile this morning and went to school. Then at school I popped my neck or something because I did not feel good after that. My head hurt, my arm hurt, I had a shortage of breath and everything. I took medicine when I got home and went to class for a mentee credit and leadership and assistant credit. When I went home I grabbed my posters for my school fundraiser and went and put some in mailboxes before going home and doing everything else. I got more posters to put out in neighbor's mailboxes tomorrow! I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!

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2/6 Are you ok?

Today was good. i started off with a mile run before school and had breakfast then didnt miss my bus today (unlike yesterday). My mom made 100 copies of my Popcorn Fundraiser poster so I can hand out in the neighborhood. After school, I did homework, practiced my oboe, ate dinner and ran another mile before doing all my other requirements. I even did 30 minutes of poomsae... I'm exhausted. I took a little break to write this journal and now back to finish a little bit more before bed.  I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.  S5:E4 - Michael Jackson, Smooth Criminal.  4 out of 5. ("Annie, are you ok? Are you ok, Annie?")  That's all i have to say about this one.

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02/05 Normal day.

And today started with me running one mile right after I woke up. Then missed the bus and had to ran another mile to school! I guess that's one way to get my running done! Other than that, today was really normal. My back is killing me. I did the rest of my requirements after the 6:45 class and I'm so ready for bed. Before bed though, my mom helped me make my poster for my school band fundraiser. I'm giving it to all my neighbors and putting it up at King Tiger to hopefully get some more people to support me. You wanna help? Click the link below between 2/8 - 2/12!  Thanks and stay safe.  Graceyn's Popcorn Fundraiser!

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2/4 SO TIRED

Today was just like normal but I got some extra sleep today! I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!

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02/03 Bye Bye Jr. Camp..

Today was my last day for Jr. Camp.. We got up really early did some stretching with Master Chelley, then had a AMAZING breakfast! Then did did the rest of our activities. I had fun today and we only got 4 hours of sleep... But I got my last and final star, which was purple, and went out to eat for my grandmas birthday, and speaking of which.. I WAS CALLED A GRANDMA AT CAMP TODAY?!?!? OKAY I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 5 YEARS BUT STILL?! I AM NOT A GRANDMA!!!! Anyways, I hope everyone had a GREAT day and stay safe!!!!!

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2/2 Jr Instructor Camp Day!

Got up early and did my physical requirements before school since Jr Instructor Camp starts tonight. I'm really excited for my 5th camp and to get my last uniform star. School was fine but I'm just looking forward to this weekend.  I hope to see a bunch of you there!

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02/01 "oh lord.."

Today was really hard on me. I did a mile in the morning and another in the afternoon. I did all my requirements. And honestly I was just really tired today. I think tomorrow will be a better day. I mean I'm getting my 5th star for Jr. instructors camp this weekend. Tomorrow will be awesome! I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!   S4:E6: We Didn’t Start The Fire (Bonus Track) - Fall Out Boys: Thank you, Caleb, for giving me this great song to run to today. This song was a 4/5, I love the song and it's on my playlist too. I can't believe I didn't do this sooner. That's it, stay smiling!

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1/31 uhh oh...

Today I did all my requirements at class and got leadership and assistance credit. I met with my mentor and went home. Then I started to run, then almost threw up.. I'm not feeling to great. And my stomach hurts. So I'm going to bed. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.   S4:E5:   No song today, because I almost threw up. Stay smiling!

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1/30 Keeping It Short.

Today I'm just jumping into it. I went to the gym got requirements done and went home. Now I'm ready for bed and cry my eyes out because I'm so tired. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!   S4:E4:   No song today! I was really tired. As always stay smiling!

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1/29 this was tragic...

 First off I was really tired from yesterday and I could not bring myself to get up. A bunch of things went wrong today. I couldn't speak, not like yesterday though. My voice was all scratchy and damaged and I did not have a great day at school. I hurt myself while running and I have some pretty bad bruise's now.. I and just really tired and I just want to go to bed. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.   S4:E3:   Roar - Katy Perry Overall I give this song a 4/5 this song was a great song and I used to listen to it all the time. That's it for me! Have a great night!!

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1/28 I went mute. (one essay done, five to go)

Today, I went mute. It was a weird and sad experience. I feel bad for everyone who doesn't have the life the "normal" people do. Some people can't talk, or can't hear, or even walk. I think we should all just be thankful for what we have, and never be mad for what we have in life. Anyways that was it I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!   S4:E2: Today my headphones weren't working and my phone was dead so I just ran without a song today, and I don't really have any songs to run to. That's it have a wonderful night!

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1/27 Last day to talk...

  Today was easy. I got bbc (black belt class) credit and did some requirements. I need to catch up with a mile tomorrow... I have four more hours till I can't talk (I'm going mute for an essay) I'm so exited... not. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!   S4:E1: No song today I didn't run.. HAVE A GREAT 4TH WEEK EVERYONE!

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1/26 END OF WEEK 3!

CONGRADULATIONS FOR EVRYONE ON CYCLE! YOU MADE IT SO FAR ALREADY! CONTINUE DOING YOUR VERY BEST!! As you can maybe tell I'm excited that 3 weeks have already passes on cycle. Today I did a mile in the morning then school, worked my butt off and got a 96% on a science test (I'M BAD AT SCIENCE)! Then went to black belt class and got credit. Went home and ran a mile their then did the rest of my requirements. Just know I'm proud of everyone on cycle and stay safe!   S3:E7:   Killer Queen - Queen:   I give this song a 3/5 I thought I would like this song but honestly it was slow and I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought. Thanks it for me and stay safe!!   I WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST ON CYCLE!!

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1/25 "My Leggies Hurt!"

So everyday at some point I say "My leggies hurt" cause yes, they hurt.. But I used it 3 times today and that was even to much for me.. My sister started Cheer today and she was really nervous and cried because she got hurt but she did really well! I wish her the best of luck and to be really good at it like I al tkd. I got to do sparring today and a mentee credit. Me and my mom both decided to not go to the gym today because we didn't feel like driving .2 miles away from home, and it was almost my bed time, (Yes I have a bedtime, I did stupid things as a child.). I ran my mile and got a new high score for running and finished everything else. I feel like a lot of people got school off today, I wanted school...

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1/24 "Tired."

I woke up today and realized I'm one day behind on running, so I went and did one mile before it started pouring rain. After school I went to two classes today and got leadership, assistance, and mentee credit. After that I went to the gym and did another mile and knocked out all of the other stuff with it. That was it. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe. S3:E5: Today I forgot my headphones and phone at home and this morning I forgot my headphones at school, that was my bad. I'll pick a new song tomorrow. Hopefully. I hope everyone did good today, and always keep smiling! 

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1/23 Great Day!

Today was really good! I'm went to the gym and got everything double done except running. But that was all my day was. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.   S3:E4: Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) - Kelly Clarkson:  I give the song a 5/5 this song rocks! I loved it and it was very encouraging and an overall great song to listen to! That's all from me, stay safe!

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1/22 Lazy day

I had a bunch of homework still to do so I only went to class today helped out and got leadership credit. I was a bit nervous but am happy that I did it. I'll be doing double exercises tomorrow sadly. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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1/21 Easy day

Today was really easy. I ate breakfast, had lunch, called a friend, all that fun stuff. Then I did all my requirements for today. We went to the gym once again today and did some extra workouts there to help me get better. But that was my day. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.   S3:E2:  Don't Stop Me Now - Queen: I give this song a 4/5 mostly because I'm a Queen fan but also it's a encouraging song for running and i really enjoyed it. That's it for me and have a great day!  

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1/20 Busy Morning

Today I woke up at 6:30am and went to class. I took two classes today in hope for leadership credit but someone took it from me. My mom was a little late to pick me up so I did some requirements. When I got home I did the rest of it and got it done for the day. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.   S3:E1 It was really cold out and I didn't feel like getting my headphones out so I just finished my run and got it over with. I am still taking any song ideas if anyone has any! I do hope everyone did have a good run today and to not get hurt too bad. I wish everyone luck on the cycle!

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1/19 VERY GOOD DAY!

I had SUCH a good day today. after getting black belt class and went to the gym for running and everything. I got everything done and caught up with yesterday, so everything twice, in under two hours! I'm really proud of myself! This was the last day of week two of the cycle and congratulations to everyone I bet all of you guys did great! I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!   S2:E6:   Today: I listened to my music on shuffle today mostly because it was already 7:30 pm and I was really trying to be done there. Thanks for everyone who is reading this and I hope you have a great rest of your cycle!   To Master Chelley: Thank you for the email, 80's kid. I hope you'll read more. And I need a little help with songs for next week, I'm open to suggestions!...

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1/18 I want to cry..

I'm just jumping right into this because I'm about to cry because of how tired I am. I went to early class and got an assistance credit then did sparring class and got a mentee (finally). Today was a really successful day.  After all that I did my workout and now I'm really tired and hope everyone gets good rest. I hope everyone had a good day and stay safe.  S2:E5 Kenny Loggins - Footloose: I give this song a 4/5. Its a really good song and was the first song I danced to while running. I really enjoyed the song and hope you might listen to it too.

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1/17 I said, "Brrr it's cold out here" and NEW HEADPHONES!!!

Today was really normal, struggling to get up for school, home alone for a little, homework. But after school I had a bunch of homework but got it done pretty quick in time for tkd class. I got class assistance credit and am caught up for everything. AND I GOT NEW BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES!!! I just got done with my mile, I ran in below freezing weather and breathing in icy air is really not the best for a mile, luckily I was dressed well. I'm doing this now with my lungs still full of cold air and I cough every time I inhale but I'll survive... I think, I pray that I don't get sick tomorrow. That was my day, I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe. REMINDER: I am doing songs for my mile runs and I am running out of songs to listen to. Any song...

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1/15 Last Day In Florida (Very Tired)

Today was our last full day in Florida and boy was it long. I started off with a with poosae in the pool again and kicks. My headphones broke two days ago so I haven't been able to listen to music while doing my mile. We did top golf today and I beat everyone's butt at it but just had fun. That was pretty much it. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!

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1/14 Journaling on vacation

Today is day three of being Florida.. I was really tired and really hot today. I did my poomsae and kicks in the pool and it was pretty funny. Bowing underwater was a fun way to end each poomsae. It's been very hard to concentrate here because we did so much and I'm in mental vacation mode" but I'm still trying. We did go to the fair today and did a haunted house which did not last at all.. In my defense it wasn't recommended for ages 12 and lower. But I had a great time. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe.

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1/13 Happy Birthday Kylie!

Today was my sisters Birthday and we were all still tired from last night. Today I didn't do much. I took a swim in the pool then I ran 2 miles and regret came to me a few minutes later, it was so hot yet cold outside and I was so tired after I just took a nap. After I woke up we celebrated my sisters birthday and all that birthday stuff. It's really late now and I'm practically clawing my eyes out right now because I'm so tired. I hope everyone had a splendid dad and stay safe!

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1/12 Late Journal

Today was so stressful and very chaotic. We were leaving for Florida today and were all very stressed. After school it started pouring rain and I was so thankful I brought an umbrella because I had to walk home today. As soon as I got home I was still not done packing and had to quickly do that. I had no time for anything today and I'm going to regret it later but I had to do what I could. We took off at 8:30pm and got there at around 10pm we tock a shuttle and I thought it would be a good time to try pull ups, on the train, while it was moving. But I did it, I was so tired as soon as i got to the home and I just went straight to bed. I hope everyone had a good day and stay safe!

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1/11 Late Entry

Today was a really long day. But at the end of the day I did sparring class, I'm getting better at it and getting slowly better. I couldn't do much today, I was packing for Florida all day and was super tired. I hope everyone had a great day and stay safe!

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Two Hour Delay For School 1/10

Today was very simple for a school day, I woke up late because my school had a two hour delay for flooding. I had breakfast then went for a one of the two mile runs for today. After that I took a shower and went to school, school was really boring, like really boring.. after school I walked home and did some homework ate dinner and went to tkd class. I got a class assistance credit and went home to do push ups, sit ups, jump rope, burpees, pull ups, and plank. Then taught once again the same poomsae's we've been working on for the past five days again, along with the self defense. After that I did once again another mile run and that was my day, I hope everyone had a good day and stay safe! NEW SERIES!!!: S1:E1: I am going to start a new series on my...

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1/9 Tornado Warning No School

Today I woke up and It was pouring rain outside. I had breakfast and worked on some homework then started cycle requirements. I started with pushups went to jump rope then did the rest of it, I worked double time today since I missed a day of it, then did kicks. During a break I called my best friend and we looked outside of how powerful the wind and rain was outside, then as we were looking outside we saw my neighbor's outside table completely flip over and the chair fall not too long after. We were sitting there not saying anything because we didn't think the wind was that bad and thought everyone was being overdramatic about it. After that, I went back to finishing my homework. Near the end of the day I continued to teach my mom and sister my poomsae and taught my sister self defense. That...

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