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!

Journal - Day 45

Good Morning. I could not write my journal yesterday as I came home and slept after Jr Instructor camp. It was wonderful as always and I finished my 5th year successfully. Love training with all the masters and instructors and the night out with my friends. We trained till 11.15pm and then started watching a movie. I was very tired and think slept half way thru the movie.  I am waiting for the credits from this camp. Loved the Kama training with Master Knight. I also did the worm which i love doing. My dad showed me a WWF wrestler who does the worm. I am very excited to see the Super Bowl tonight with my family. Go Panthers!!! Keep Pounding!!!!!!

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Journal - day 44

We had our Pre-Test on poomsae yesterday and it was good. I am looking forward to my 5th Junior Instructors camp. I am turning 10 this year and hopefully i get to go to Instructors camp from next year to train with Master Lee. Heading out to school now as my bus comes at 7.20am.

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Journal - Day 43

Yesterday it was raining like crazy. We could not do the run. I came back from school and went straight to Kumon. came back home and did all my requirements. Watched a little bit of TV. Today is our Pre-Test for Poomsaes at BB Class. Really excited for that.

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Journal - Day 42

I did my mentor session with Master Randle. Went thru all my stick and staff forms and worked on self defense. Helped out my sisters class before that. We had a good Black Belt class and Master Evins told we have our Poomsae Pre-Test tomorrow (Thursday) and Self Defense Pre-Test (Tuesday) next week.  I am very excited for Jr Instructor camp. This is  my 5th year doing this and I have learn a lot each year and I look forward to the next years camp.  I saw Master Ritchie, Master Hartle, Instructor Foster practice with some one the Philippine combatives forms. It was amazing and I really hope i can start taking Philippine Combative classes soon. 

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Journal - Day 41

Yesterday was a good day. Had great time in school. Came back and did my regular class, leadership and Hyper. We did a lot of rolls and falls. Today I will help out my sisters class and then have my mentor and mentee session before Black Belt Class. Really long day.

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Journal - Day 40

Yesterday was great. The weather was also wonderful. Did all my requirements and then played football with my dad in the yard. Also helped my dad in cleaning the cars. 

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Journal - Day 39

Yesterday we had a great Saturday Black Belt Class. We went through all our staff and stick forms and also our Pal Gwe Forms. I have been practicing all my forms everyday and my self defense too. Came home and finished my assignments and then went out with my parents for some shopping. My dad took us to a vegan restaurant downtown near the bank of america stadium. Its a place where he goes for lunch / dinner with his clients. It was good.

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Journal - Day 38

Good day yesterday with surprise in the evening. My parents took us to see Kung Fu Panda 3 in the evening. It was hilarious. I did the challenge which Master Evins posted and thank you sir for all the bonus credits. Getting ready for Black Belt class this morning and will do my run in the evening today

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Journal - Day 37

Crazy long day yesterday. I came back from school and went straight to Kumon. From there went to swimming class. We worked on our techniques. Primarily worked on breast strokes and back strokes. We did not do any Individual Medley. At school did a lot of running. We played football and I was the wide receiver. It was fun. Did the Cam Newton bow after touchdown. Finished all my requirements for the day in the morning and school and when I came back tired from swimming class my parents showed me the challenge which Master Evins posted. It was tough but I made it

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Journal - Day 36

Yesterday we had school after a long time. It was picture day as well. Came back from school and went to Kumon. From there went straight to Tae Kwon Do. Did my regular class and then Hyper too. We did a lot of footwork in sparring. Another long day today. I am really looking forward to the Super Bowl

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Journal - Day 35

Great day yesterday. No school again yesterday. So did my requirements and revised my study guide. I saw Master Evins post the challenge in FB but my dad was in meetings all day. So i did my challenge after the Black Belt class in the evening. Had a great mentor session and mentee session.

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Journal - Day 34

Yesterday was a great day. Woke up a little late and saw my neighbours calling us to play in the snow before it melts. So my sister and i went to sled in our backyard with our friends. We played till noon and then i came home and did my requirements. I did my pre-test run yesterday at 7:24mins. Went to my regular class and then did leadership and then finally Hyper. It was great working out. No school today as well as CMS is closed. Came home and had dinner and watched a movie with my parents.  Today is going to be a long day as i have to help out my sisters class at 6pm and then all the way upto Black Belt class which finishes at 8.30pm.

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Journal - Day 33

Yesterday was fun day. Finished my assignments in the morning and then went to sled in our backyard with our friends. We had so much fun going down the sled... We were exhausted and had lunch. I finished my requirements while watching the Broncos game so that I could be all set for the Panthers. What an amazing game the Panthers played. The destroyed the Cardinals and are now in the Super Bowl. No school today. This means i will do extra requirements today as well. My dad said that we have regular class at Tae Kwon Do today.

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Journal - Day 32

It was a great day yesterday. I finished my assignments in the morning and then did my requirements by noon. Then went to play in the snow with my sisters and friends. We sled down the hill in our backyard and it was real fun. My friends and we spent probably an hour or so and drank hot chocolate. Then i went to help my dad shovel the drive way. It was really tough. In the afternoon i did my pre-test. My dad and mom recorded all my requirements. Last year when i did my pre-test i rushed through all my requirements. This time my focus was to get the technique right and do it in the right manner. Very excited for the Panthers game this evening!!!!!!!!

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Journal - Day 31

It was fun to see the snow when we woke up yesterday. Played in the snow in the afternoon. I finished all my requirements by noon before i went out in the snow to play with my sister. Then it started snowing again in the evening. I am going to do my pre-test today except running. My dad and mom are going to time me on push-ups, sit- ups, vsitups, plank and pull ups!

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Journal - Day 30

A really long day yesterday. Good day at school. We went to Tae Kwon Do straight from school as my sister had her testing. I led warm ups. It was a good group of kids who tested. From there we went to our swimming class. My master made us do a lot of laps and then we did IM (Individual Medley). We need to Butterfly, Breast, Back and Freestyle. I love doing IM.  I am very good in butterfly stroke. It gives you a lot of upper body strength and also breast stroke. We did the IM race with the other friends in class and it is always fun to compete with one guy who is part of the Junior Swim league. We both finish the race together. I finished all my requirements and went to bed. Just woke up this morning to see our entire backyard and driveway full of...

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Journal - Day 29

Yesterday in regular class Master Evins was really mad at some of the folks who did not focus and practice. He made us do a lot of push ups. I was really focussed on getting my poomsae correct with all the new changes that i did not see who was messing up everytime. I got my push up requirement done in class because of this. In sparring we did punching and kicking drills with the foam pads and gloves. It was fun. I was really tired after the class. I also did my mentee session before Hyper.  It snowed a little and my dad said that it is going to be extremely cold tomorrow and possibly snow on saturday during our pre-test

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Journal - Day 28

Yesterday was another good day. I finished all my requirements by lunch itself. Then played with my sister and watched a little bit of TV. My dad typed my second essay and uploaded to the drop box as well. In the evening we went to Tae Kwon Do. I helped out my sisters class and did my mentor session with Master Randle. Then I did my mentee session as well. Black Belt class was good. Master Evins showed us a few changes specially to the blocks and the way we should kick in one poomsae. Need to practice and get ready for pre-test in 3 days. Going to school now and have a long day ahead of me with Kumon, regular class, leadership and Hyper.

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Journal - Day 27

The last few days have been really cold and I have not been able to go out for run with my dad. Yesterday was another long and cold day. I finished all my requirements by lunch. I went back to go thru all my study guides for the pre-test this week. In the afternoon my sister and i practiced her forms too. She is testing this week too. Then my sister and I played for a couple of hours and watched TV.  No school today as well but its cold outside now. Seems like it is 18 degrees. My dad said we can run later this week.

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Journal - Day 26

I had a great day yesterday. Woke up early to get my requirements done before the Panthers game. Got everything done by noon and my dad and I watched the whole game. What a game by Netwon and the Panthers. Cardinals here we come! Saw the Bronco v Steelers game as well. Helped my dad in the morning when he was vaccuming the home. I dont have school today and tomorrow and my plan is to get most of my requirements done. I also wrote my Mission Statement essay which my dad is going to type in today and upload to dropbox.

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Journal - day 25

Yesterday right after we came home from Black Belt Class my parents said we were leaving to Raleigh. Pretty much the entire day there and we came back home at 10.30pm. Luckily i finished all my requirements before i went to BB class and then in BB class Master Knight made us work out a lot. Especially the kicks where we had to hold our one leg out do different kicks each time rechambering them. I am all set for the Pathers v Seahawks game!! Go Cam and team!!!!

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Journal - Day 24

Finally the long weekend is here. Came back from school early as we had half day. Finished all my assignments so that I can focus on requirements alone this weekend and dont miss the Panthers game tomorrow. Thank you Ms. Evins for the dropbox. My dad typed the essay which i wrote in the December holidays on the "History of Kwans" . He uploaded that to dropbox along with the letters. I am still working on "Mission Statement". My dad asked me to write a few paragraphs which i will do today. Going through my color belt study guide as our Pre-Test is next saturday!!

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Journal - Day 23

Today is half day and school is closed on monday and tuesday. Looong weekened.. Yesterday I had swimming class and i did a lot of laps. My instructor made us to the flip turns and I am now very good in that. After every lap i now flip turn to do the next lap. Kind of mastered it. At one point i was really struggling but i am very happy to have worked on it and learnt it. We had PE in school yesterday and got my requirements done pretty much in school. Bus comes at 7am and i need to get going. Got in a few sets of push ups and situps. Its an Indian festival today and my parents woke me up at 4.45am. 

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Journal - Day 22

Good day at school yesterday. I finished all my homework in school except for 3 questions which I did this morning. Did 35 push ups and situps now. Yesterday we had a great class with Master Knight. I did leadership after that and mostly worked on the sticks with Instructor Weeks. He is a really funny guy but very focused to get the things done. I did sparring in Hyper and it was fun

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Journal - Day 21

Cold and freezing day today. Thank you so much Master Chelley and Master Evins for the credits from the Kukkiwon cup last year. I helped out Junior Tigers yesterday and worked with Master Randle in my mentor session. I worked with Gregg who is my mentee and he is doing a great job. I am super excited for him to test for his Bo Cho Dan. Master Randle asked me to help a new Junior Tiger yesterday and it was fun. I still remember my first day with Master Randle.

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Journal - Day 20

Yesterday was pretty good. Master Evins made us sweat a lot in Hyper. I was really tired and hit bed right after I came home. Did a little requirements in the morning and heading to school now. We have Fit Lab in school today and I will get most of my requirements done in school. I have my mentor and mentee session in the evening and then Black Belt class.

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Journal - Day 19

Yesterday was a good day. I finished all my requirements by lunch. Then my dad and I watched the NFL Wild Card for a while. I went through my study guides in the evening and then we had family time together. We watched The Worst Cooks in America and it was hilarious to see one lady who was scared of turning on the stove to cook. This morning I did a few of my requirements and now heading out to school.

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Journal - Day 18

I missed the stick seminar yesterday. My dad had yesterday's plan booked a month back and I had to go to. My mom showed the pictures in FB and i feel sad to have missed it. I could not do much yesterday given we were out pretty much all day. I am done with my assignments and just finished my push ups and situps. Want to finish most of my requirements before my friends come and we go to D&B

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Journal - Day 17

Finally its weekend today. Got up late from bed as my dad was tired to do the run in the morning. I am finishing my assignments and then need to start working on my requirements for the day. I could not do my full daily requirements for the last 2 days and will try to catchup this weekend. Tomorrow our friends Nate, Jessie and Lexi are coming to visit us and we will be going to D&B. They live in Belmont.

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Journal - Day 16

Yesterday night my dad came back home very late. He came to my room before he went to bed. I woke up all of a sudden and asked him "Who are you and why are you in my room"?? He told I was sleep walking too. Now my dad is thinking if he is really traveling too much :). Heading to school and will have all my requirements done before I hit bed

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Journal - Day 15

I had a great day today. We had a field trip to UNCC to watch the 49ers and they won. We had a lot of popcorn and cotton candy. I loved the game. Did most of my requirements for the day. I had a great swimming class as well. Worked on perfecting my strokes. My teacher made us do a lot of laps in each of the stroke. I helped my mom after coming back from swimming class as she was sick and my dad is coming back from Texas late tonight.

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Journal - Day 14

It has been really cold the last couple of days. I try to do my running during recess. I don't think I get the same number of miles like what I get when running with my dad. Just finished my regular class and we did sparring in Hyper. It is Miss Melissa's birthday today and we wacked her with the noodles. It was fun. Tomorrow we have a field trip and we are going to UNCC and see the 49ers.

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Journal - Day 13

It has been a very long and tiring day today. Could not run in the morning; however managed to run a lot in school during recess. I had a great mentor session with Master Randle and I also did my first mentee session today. I helped Junior Tigers as well to get my leadership credit and i had a great BB class. Did all my requirements for the day and getting ready to crash

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Journal - Day 12

I am writing this journal a little late today. I had a great day in school. I finished all my requirements for the day. I went for my normal class and then did Hyper. It was super sweaty work out today. Master Evins wore us out today and I am ready to hit bed.

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Journal - Day 11

Another cold morning yesterday. My dad and I ran 2 miles only as he got exhausted. I finished all my requirements before lunch yesterday as i had to get my History of Kwan completed. I am almost done with the essay. My dad needs to edit and type it in. Its freezing today as well. My dad said we will go for our run at 10.30am.  I will have to do my run either in school or when i come back from tomorrow for the next few days as my dad is travelling out of town for work.

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Journal - Day 10

Yesterday was cold and my dad and I ran 2.5 miles in the morning. It was freezing out there and my dad was catching up on his breath when i had already finished the run at least a minute ahead of him. I then finished all my requirements for the day. Helped my mom with laundry. In the afternoon me and my dad played football for a little before my friends came. We played football, rode our bikes. Our neighbours got the fire pit going in the afternoon and we did smores.  In the evening we watched a movie together. One more day before school. I need to get ready for my run today!

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Journal - Day 9

Happy New Year to everyone. 2016 is here. I did all my requirements for the day. My dad and I ran 2 miles. I beat him comfortably. He was still trying to catch his breath when i had already finished. I am almost done with the history of the Kwans. I have written close to 3 pages and my dad will type it in the laptop for me. Yesterday evening we made dinner together at home and had a great time with the family. Watched some shows and then our neighbours were bursting fireworks. It was really good. Went to bed at our normal time since i need to sleep the maximum before school starts. Getting ready for my morning run with my dad. 

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Journal - Day 7

The rain has been really making things worse. I was not able to do my run yesterday but I finished all my requirements for yesterday. Working on the pull ups the way Master Evins taught me. To keep my arms wide. It is tough. In the afternoon i played Halo with my friend and then he came over to our house and we played the Wii too!  Wish everyone a very Happy New year and my next journal will be next year!

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Journal - Day 6

It was a good yesterday. Did all my requirements for the day. Played with my friends in the afternoon for a couple of hours. I am finally done with all my assignments. My only focus is to get as many requirements done before school starts. I did my second mentor session with Master Randle. I just started doing my research on the history of Kwans with my dad. Need to get that essay done by the end of this week. Planning to go to the library today to see if there are any books on the history of Kwans. Yesterday i helped out Junior Tigers class. It was fun. Too many little kids running around and it was a difficult job to keep them in one place.

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Journal - Day 6

Yesterday was a good day. I did most of my requirements including my pull ups too. We had a small class yesterday - both regular class and Hyper. In Hyper Master Knight made us do head stands and cart wheels and rolls and falls. I am working on making my poomsae look good. Master Knight was helping me in fixing a few stances which i was doing incorrectly. Managed to do my run before class and the rain. Overall a good day yesterday and looking forward to making it productive today!

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Journal - Day 5

One more week before school starts and I have tons of assignments to get done along with my requirements. I somehow managed to get most of my requirements done yesterday. My dad has given me the plan for the day on how to get through the requirements and my assignments. Will go for a run in the evening once i am done.

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Journal - Day 4

On Friday while having breakfast my parents all of a sudden came up with a plan to do a road trip. We hopped into the car around lunch and drove to Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh). It was a fun trip. We just came back today. I missed to write my journal yesterday but it was a fun day and i guess i can give it a pass. We went to the Carnegie Science center. It was amazing. I did a rock climbing challenge with my dad on the hardest level and we both made it to the top. I did the medium level too and did that with ease. Also i did the amazing climb as an astronaut. I did all my physical requirements yesterday; however I just came now and need to do the requirements for today. Been sitting in the car all day long and tired. Will do everything except my...

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Journal - Day 3

Yesterday was a great day. My dad and I did a lot of requirements together. We ran 2 miles. We did a lot of jump ropes as well. I beat him in the jump rope competition :). He made me do a lot of kicks and sparring round. He wanted to me to keep on going just like a sparring competition. I normally lose my breath in the first few minutes and then my kicks start becoming lower and lower. We were working on keeping the kicks same from start to finish. Really sore after the requirements yesterday. We have another good schedule planned out for today and I am hoping to catchup with most of my requirements before school starts.  Wish you all Merry Christmas!!

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Journal - Day2

Today my dad is going to help me with kicks. We are also going to start pull ups from today. I am going to work really hard on the pull ups. I will try to finish a few assignments which i have and then start my requirements for the day. We just have less than 10 days before school reopens. 

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My First Post!

Hello All. I am super excited to start my Second Poom Black Belt Cycle. This is my first journal entry for this cycle. Just came back home from my Hyper sparring class. Had a few good rounds of sparring done today. Earlier in the day my dad made me do a lot of push ups and sit-ups. The reason is i need to get as many done before school reopens on Jan 4th.  My dad and i have a schedule planned and we try and run during the day. Our goal is to hit a minimum of 1.5 miles - 2miles. Over and above that I also ride my bike and do a lot of chores at home. I also did my first Mentor session with Master Randle yesterday along with Dr Rochelle. I am trying to make sure i have all my poomsae and self defense from the color belts...

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