Candidate Journals

Today is my birthday. I had an awesome photo shoot for a newborn baptism. Then tonight we went to our friend's house for dinner and we're about to play games. What fun!

Today my parents were in town and we went geocaching and I had two photo sessions which went well. I have a long one tomorrow for a baptism which should be lovely! 👼💦🕍

Today was supposed to be the tea ceremony but it was postponed. Such a bummer! Looking forward to a busy weekend with 5 hours worth of photo shoots!

Today was Henry's birthday! I can't believe he's 12!! We had a fun day geocaching.

Today is Master Marcus and Master Natasya's first anniversary!!  We had a lovely day at home today doing school, baking bread, and working on Handicrafts. 

Today I feel more rested and my wrist is no longer sore. Huzzah. I worked this AM and then Henry and Oliver went to chess club tonight while Theo and I went to the park. I worked on my hand embroidery, which I'm loving! Making Christmas ornament gifts with this skill! 

I'm still in shock. Last night and this morning was overnight testing. Then we had public testing today.i didn't even realize we got to try to break a brick. Even moreso I had no idea I was capable to doing so. But I did. I broke a freaking brick.🤯🤯🤯 So glad we're done now though. Shew. 

Today's the day!!!! I wasn't nervous but then took a nap this afternoon and woke up nervous. Henry and I are getting Chick-fil-A for dinner before picking up snacks and heading to KT.

Today we went to King tiger to practice a bunch of stuff this afternoon which was really helpful! Thank you to Instructor Jen for her great feedback and tips. Tomorrow is the big day!!!!!!!!!!

Today we had co-op and then Henry had Fraternus this evening. Looking forward to lots of practice tomorrow for testing on Friday!!

Today I did my last class assistance. I got to work with the white belts which was lots of fun. I love using Master knights tips to do kwon sool different ways. We did it on slow motion and super fast, which they loved.

I'm feeling very stressed today. I practiced a lot of kicking defenses and survival's trust though want I'm feeling better about those. 

Had a great night tonight at my mother culture night learning how to hand embroider.

The run this AM was painful necessary my back is acting up. Did okay with everything else and I think I got a perfect score on the written test. Sitting out from class so my back and rest. 

I'm working on typing up all of the self defenses which is really helpful!! We had a good day today at co-op. 

Worked on sinuwales yesterday and I think that's what I'm likely to struggle with most in testing... I can do it but just not very well... Feeling so stressed about how close we are getting! 

Less than a week until the physical and written test.... Planning on spending a lot of time studying for the written test this week.

Worked on board breaking tonight after class and that was very helpful. Looking forward to testing coming up.

Today we worked on a bunch of essays and I had my last sparring class. Whoo!!

Really struggling to push through to the end at this point. Life outside of cycle is so crazy and I'm so overwhelmed. It's taking a lot of will power to stay with it.

Today was busy with school and then I had a meeting this afternoon at church. Henry and I worked hard through all of our requirements with evening.

Today Henry wasn't feel well this morning but he perked up later in the day and we were able to go purchase our shrubs. Happy Monday everyone! 

I'm so stressed out right now. I have so much to do just in life in general plus all the black belt requirements.... I'm really doubting why I decided to do this at all. I feel like I'm suffocating from the stress. Prayers appreciated. 

Today we had co-op and then color belt testing, which I photographed, as usual. I also got a raise with the company i work for part time!! woot! woot!

Today I had to work this AM which was tiring but fun. We went to KT this evening so my two younger boys could get their black stripes, which they did. so they are ready for testing now!!

today was the kick-a-thon which was fun -- we finished in record time!  we also went to black belt class and did our white belt challenge!

Today we did some school and we're doing some chores around the house. we are going to start our no screens challenge this weekend! 

I had to work this AM which was exhausting. Helping with class tonight and taking sparring. Only 2 to go! 

Today we had school in the AM. This evening we went to class and helped out and took class. Tomorrow is the first day of co-op. I have so many things to do!!

Yesterday was my husband's best friend's 40th birthday party. We had a nice time and got to see lots of old friends.

Today we did school and had some friends over this afternoon. Then we went to class tonight. Only two more sparring classes for the cycle!!!

Today I spent 3.5 hours at the DMV to get my license renewed. 😭😭😭 Then we went to chat tonight and assisted. 

Today we went to black belt class this morning. I had to take it easy because my back was hurting. I hate having to modify but I know it's what my body needs. 

First day back home. We helped out at class and I did warm-ups. Then we took class... Then we did sparring. So glad to have another of those done.

Today is our last day at the beach. We are going to work on our requirements before hitting the road this evening.

We're at the beach until tomorrow. I'm planning on practicing on the strand today. 

Henry and I went a bike ride on the beach yesterday evening, which was a great workout! 

Today we arrived at the beach and practiced poomsaes on the beach.

My car broke down a couple days ago and we finally were able to buy a new one today which was good but it was a very stressful day. We managed to get to class this evening and I did warm-ups.

Working this AM. It's sprinkling which is no fun shooting outside pictures. Will do my requirements this PM.

Worked this morning. This evening spent several hours at King tiger helping with class, taking class, and doing mentor and mentee sessions.

My back is feeling better today, which is good. Hopefully I can be all in next week. 

My back is a little better today after resting yesterday. Going to try to do black belt class this PM but with possible modifications. 

My back issues have officially reared their ugly head. I'm taking meds and resting as best as I can. I'm working on essays and such that don't require physical work in the meantime. Knocked out 3 essays so far and I'm going to work with Henry on his as well. 

I started learning my new skill today. I am teaching myself how to paper quill!! My first attempt here:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C-HCMcZJlTS/?igsh=MnlpY2loc2w5cTFz

Henry and I are definitely sick which is not cool!! Hoping we can take it easy today and pickup again tomorrow. 🙏🙏🙏

I have a scratchy throat as of late yesterday and I'm worried I might be getting sick. REALLY hoping that's not the case because I don't want to get behind on requirements.  Feeling very overwhelmed at the amount of stuff I still need to learn and hope we get our curriculum sheets very soon!

I've been chugging along with the requirements each day. Black belt class this morning, I thought might kill me. Saturdays seem to be really hard for me. Just trying to take it one day at a time.

Anyone else just stupid sore? 🤣  I was proud of myself with how I did at pretest. Trying to stay focused even though my body hurts a lot. 

Henry and I are getting into a good habit of getting out the door early before it gets too hot and it's been really pleasant to be out before the heat hits. Today it was good because we beat the rain! (it's currently raining steadily)  Came home and showered because I am just constantly gross. (I swear I stunk up the place at sparring last night -- and I don't mean my technique (which isn't great either!)) Worked on some self defense after that so we're ready if Master Natasya decides to pre-test that at Black Belt class tonight. Will be working on poomsaes later to be ready for pretest in the AM.  Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/rupeblackbelts

I was expecting to receive an email when the website login was ready but never did so... sorry for being behind in posting. Doing good so far, I think. Henry and I did 3.2 mile bike ride this AM and then a 1.5 mile power walk (bad back here so I have to modify). My body is sore but it is a "hurts so good feeling"! If anyone is interested, I have created an IG account for Henry and I to post about our cycle journey: instagram.com/rupeblackbelts