Candidate Journals

I've been slacking on posting (but not on practicing).  It was a good weekend, with classes in Harrisburg on Friday night and North Charlotte on Saturday morning.  We had some friends over on Saturday night to watch the Charlotte FC game.  It was great to catch up with them, it had been too long, and Charlotte got the win (it's always more fun when they win).  I had a very productive time in the park practicing on Sunday.   Today I'm going to start at White Belt and work my way up through all of the requirements in order.  Just starting at white belt and working my way up.  I don't typically do it this way, primarily because it takes a long time, and I don't typically have that much time in one sitting.  The Labor Day holiday is really going to help with that.   Prediction:  Kick Defense and Hapkido will be my...

Nothing to really report today.  Pretty normal day, went to the office for a few hours, came home, worked some more, mixed in requirements, read to my youngest, did some household chores.  My wife made a delicious butternut squash soup for dinner.  For the rest of the night, I'll do some more chores, watch some jeopardy, and maybe an episode of The Punisher (we're working our way through the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe).

I continue working on my creative form.  It's coming along, I've written a few things down, and changed it up a little, but should be all set soon.  I taught 2 classes last night, and met with my mentee, all went well, and I ended up getting a pretty decent workout during it also.  Today I'll be taking short breaks at work and using my index cards for training.  Then this evening I"m going to study for the written exam.  

My 30 day nutrition challenge is complete,  It was difficult at the start, but by the end, I wasn't even thinking about having a "late night" snack.  Now I can finish that essay and the only one I'll have left is the kick-a-thon.     Today's poomsae time will be devoted to my creative.  I've got a lot of it done, but I haven't tried it from start to finish, so it might not flow as well as I think.     

First day of school!  I spent much of the morning helping my kid get ready for their first day of school, so I didn't get done what I want.  and then the bus was over 20 minutes late, and traffic was rough getting to the office, so even during the day requirements work is out.  But today is a day without organized TKD, so I'll be able to do most of my requirements tonight.

It was a good day partnered with Master Burkart for black belt class.  We worked hard on the hapkidos and self defenses that Master Evins had us doing.  I've been home for a short spell and did my physical requirements.  I'll be spending the evening at a housewarming party for some old friends, so I have to get the rest of everything done before then.  

It was a pretty good day at work today.  I was productive but able to slip away in short spurts to get requirements done.  I'm making good progress but still struggling with Hapkido.  They're very hard to practice in the air by yourself.   On a completely unrelated note, it's my brother's birthday today, and we had a great chat when I called him.  

Went to 2 good classes last night and then got up for my run this morning.  It's been a rough day for my physical requirements.  Doing my updated pushup / situp / etc schedule, and everything is harder than it was 2 days ago.  I'm going slower and not getting as many done.  I hope this is a blip and i'll be back up to strength in a couple of days.  I've ramped up my protein intake today to try to help a little, and had some extra fruit with lunch to help fuel my body.

We had a major failure in our systems overnight, thank goodness I got up early and got requirements done, because I've been heads down most of the day for work.  I was originally going to go on a run this morning, but last minute decided to not run and do poomsae / self-defense / etc instead. THat choice worked out.  I'll run tomorrow.

it's been a good day for requirements.  I woke up on time and got out for a run (still very slow), and knocked out the other physical requirements.  I'll spend lunch working on curriculum, I'm going to focus today on 3rd dan self defense and specials, as well as some weapon forms.   My creative form is close to done.  I'm to the point now where i need to make sure I do it consistently every time.  

Overslept this morning, and I'm in the office, so I'll be doing all my requirements this evening after dinner.  I prefer getting it done before work or in small spurts between meetings, but I don't have that option today.   I've printed out the test and have started looking up answers.  I intend to make flash cards to study with.  

I didn't journal yesterday, but I was at the self defense seminar and really enjoyed it.  Any opportunity to improve my technique is valuable and this went into some great details.  Today I met with some friends and practiced.  We spent a good bit of time on weapons, which I need to continue to hone.  My current weakest points are the double stick forms, hapkidos, and 3rd dan self defense (not that I"m great at the rest, those are just the worst).    

Just a normal day of working and mixing in requirements between meetings.  5-10 minutes when I got a chance.  I've got a bit more to do, so will knock those out after dinner.      

I JUST WANT TO MOW MY LAWN!!!  It's so water logged I can't do it.  It's long, it needs a cut, but this rain won't let me.     As for TKD - I've been working on my book report, and it's been a LONG time since I wrote one of those.  It's not going well, but I'll get it done.  

Rainy Monday again.  As mentioned in my yesterday blog post, I did go out on a lunchtime run yesterday, and my times are still not where they need to be.  It's very frustration.   I got up this morning and did requirements in the driveway.  I referenced Master Evins' newly posted staff and stick videos more than once.  It was a good day for getting through what I need to know.   My new pushup / situp / pullup regimen has resulted in some more soreness than before, but having a day "off" is making my recovery better, so I think it will be better long term.  

I did no requirements yesterday.  We moved my daughter down to UNC-Wilmington.  I spent Friday night loading the u-haul.  Then Saturday drove it down to Wilmington, did the unloading, helped with unpacking, and then drove home, so I didn't have any time to do anything else.  I've already gotten most of my requirements done today, and will probably go for a lunch time run (though it's frustrating as my times are not where they should be).  

I took the day off of work today because we're packing my daughter up and driving her to college tomorrow (I won't be at Saturday's black belt class).  She seems to be a mix of excited and scared.  I am happy for her, but I'm going to miss her too.  I did my requirements and some yoga because I'm feeling very tight.  I'm just about done with the book, and am hoping to finish it this weekend so I can complete that essay.  The nutrition challenge is getting easier, I don't feel the pull to late-night snacking as I did before, but there's still a lot of time before I'm finished with the 30 days.  

I've decided to try something different for my pushup / sit up / pull up / burpee requirements.  I've been doing daily multiple 1 min sets of the work outs.  Which has been working, but I've plateaued.  I"m going to start focusing on numbers of requirements,   with managed sets, and scheduled breaks to try and improve.  It's going to be more in a single setting, so I'll only be doing it every other day.  Then on the "off" days, I'm going to do a 1 minute test.  Across those days, I should still have plenty of time worth of work, just more concentrated, instead of spread out. 

Rain, rain go away.  Alas, all this rain has resulted in a leak in my basement.   I've got foundation company coming out tomorrow to take a look.  As for requirements, I had to put a few miles in today, so I ran in the rain.  I enjoy a light rain when I run, but this was heavier than I like.   I've been working on the other requirements on and off today.  

Woke up to go for a long run this morning........and pouring down rain.  Not going to happen.  I took the time to do requirements in the living room.  Which is fine, but not as good as having driveway space.  I finished my digital detox essay last night.  I've also started reading the book, and should finish it shortly, so I'll be able to write that essay soon enough.   I've been working on my creative form (which is a real struggle for me).  I hope to have it ready for polishing soon as well.  

Busy work day today, but I was able to find small snippets of time as the day went on to do various things.  4 minutes of pull ups, and then back to work for a bit, 5 minutes of push ups, back to work.  etc etc.  It can be a little bit easier than doing it all at once, because I get breaks from the physical aspect, but it's more work for timing and tracking.     

It was a good Sunday.  I had a great time working on self defense and staff forms with a good group of partners.  I always feel better about my stuff after these sunday sessions.   Then I got to visit my son at his new place for a bit, I don't see him near enough since he moved on his own.  I headed home, got the rest of my requirements done, and made some almond biscotti with my youngest.  

Had to be in the office this morning, but I got up and got some requirements done.  I'm going to try to go for a run at lunch if I can get away.  I'm really hoping my run times start to come back down, it feels mentally defeating to be so much slower than I have been.  

It was an easier day yesterday for my nutrition challenge.  But that's because I didn't eat dinner before going to Sparring / BB Class / mentor session.  By the time I actually ate dinner, it was late enough that I felt full and didn't try to snack.  I do need to figure something out for food before those classes though, I ran out of energy before class was over.  I also messed up a lot on a form that I am very familiar with and shouldn't mess up.  

I really hope my nutrition challenge gets easier as the 30 days goes on.  I actually got up and started walking to the pantry for a snack last night out of habit, and then I remembered that i wasn't snacking.  On the plus side - the essay should be easy.  I have a lot to write about already.    As for requirements...my runs have been real slow.  My neighborhood is super hilly, so I don't expect the same pace I got on the track.  But I'm slower than I was.  I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm not happy about it.     

I really struggled with my nutrition challenge last night.  Relaxing at the end of the day, the draw to the pantry for something salty was strong.  I held off, but just barely.  I was up early and got my requirements taken care of.  I'm going to walk on my lunch break today.  

It's been a pretty good start to the day at work, although I forgot to pack my breakfast so I had to buy something (I hate doing that).   I got up early and go my requirements done before heading to the office.   I also started my nutrition challenge last night - Stop night time snacking.  It's not unusual at the end of the day as we watch a little tv before bed for me to have some chips or something of the sort.  I end up eating way too many.  So I'm going to cut that out for my challenge.  It's going to be hard, but I know it's the right thing.  

My wife and I went to the CLTFC game last night and had a good time despite the brutal heat (it's always more fun when Charlotte wins).  We wrapped up a fun night with some cookies from Insomnia cookies (way better than crumble), and then got Amalie's for breakfast before picking up our youngest from Scout Camp.  It was a great night / morning for the weekend after a busy saturday with class / mentor / seminar.  Now I have to knock out my requirements for the day.  

I did so well the first week of journaling and not so well the second.  I really need to focus on getting these in, I've been doing well with my other requirements.  Had a Sat BB class and then a mentor session today, then I went to the poomsae seminar put on at Lake Norman.  I enjoyed the day, but after sparring and BB Class in Harrisburg last night and all the things today, I'm pretty worn out.  

I started so strong with my journals and then quickly fell off.  Need to make sure I focus on this better.   Completely overslept this morning.  I was even late to work so didn't get to practice this morning.  That's the 2nd time this week.  Not sure what's going on.  

After my much needed "rest" day yesterday, I got up this morning and did a bunch of requirements before starting the day.  I still have some to do, but my work day is crazy today, I'm going to struggle to find time to eat lunch, let alone do some TKD.  

Worked hard over the weekend.   Spent a lot of time on requirements.  Still doing some stuff today, but it's definitely a quieter more relaxed day.  

Overslept this morning and didn't get my run in.  So I got that done on my lunch break.  Which means I have to do my other requirements later tonight.   Enjoyed the PMAA class in Harrisburg last night.  

Day off from running (and tomorrow too).  Woke up this morning for jump rope, push ups, sit ups, etc.  And I spent my lunch break doing poomsae and self defense.   So far so good at staying on top of it. 

Struggled to get out the door this morning.  Got ready to go and flopped on the couch for 10 minutes before dragging myself to the door.  But got out and did 4 miles.  Times are not where I want them at the moment.  I'm confident they'll get there though.  Got back, recovered and did some pushups and situps.  more requirements to work on today but a very strong start.  

Solid round of poomsae and self defense during lunch today, I had to look a couple of things up, and have some questions for my mentor, but still good practice.  It's a day off from running.  I do still need to hit the other physical tasks for the day though.

Got a 5 mile run in this morning.  Hilly and challenging but glad to get at it.  Time for some poomsae and self defense practice.  

2nd round of the cycle for me.  I didn't do great with my journals in the spring.  I'm determined to fix that for the fall.  Strong start this morning with a great class led by Master Dege followed up with a needed mentor session.   My weak parts going into this cycle are short sticks and 2nd / 3rd degree self defenses.  I'll be working hard on those to get them up to scratch.  

The Hapkidos are so hard to practice on your own.  I know them a little better but it still doesn't feel good.  

My youngest is home today since school has been closed, I'm going to try and talk her into doing some TKD with me in the living room.

I tried writing out the self defenses today.  It was a challenge, but really made me think about exactly what was happening.  Still struggle with Hapkidos and 2nd dan specials.  

Hapkidos are really hard to practice by yourself.  But I got a good few rounds of it.  I'm still not remembering them completely, but I'm getting there (at least on 1 through 4).

Late night driving home from Greenville last night, but it was worth it to sleep in my own bed.  Instructors camp was great, special thanks to the Masters that led the various breakout sessions, I enjoyed them a lot.    

All packed and ready to leave.  I'll be spending some of the time between now and leaving for Greenville practicing the Hapkidos.  They are by far my weakest part at this point.  

This weather is making my allergies go crazy.  On the plus side, the warmer temps make an early morning practice in the driveway not so bad.  Taught two classes last night.  Took a beating because the adult class was falls and take downs with lots of demonstrating.  

Got a call yesterday for teaching a couple of extra classes last night.  I had already done my regular practice so it pushed my normal monday into another level.

Solid learning and practicing today in both BlackBelt class and my mentee session.  Really happy with how I'm progressing on my curriculum (still not great with 2nd Dan Specials).  Got home, ran some errands did some housework, and then finished up with physical requirements.  Now I'll be spending the evening watching opening weekend of MLS.  

I overslept this morning and couldn't get my daily pre-work practice in.  I'll have to do it during my lunch hour today.  

I'm jumping rope, almost daily, and I don't feel like I'm getting any better.  It's like swimming for me.  I swim laps 3 days a week in the summer, and by the end of summer I'm no faster and it's still just as hard.  I'm doing this jump rope and I still miss jump a lot, I'm not getting faster, etc, etc.  I'll keep going, but it's very frustrating. 

Woke up pretty sore from chopping up the tree yesterday.  Really made the first rounds of pushups and situps hard today.  I'm not sure how much I'll get today.  Poomsae and Self-defense were done really, really slowly.  Worked on my stances and hand placement.

A 50+ foot tree fell in the yard last night while we were out to dinner (no injuries or damages).  I'll get my workout stripping, chopping, and moving it today (thank goodness for a bank holiday) so I don't see myself doing any pushups, situps, etc.  

A great small group practice today.  2ish hours of practicing and helping (and a healthy dose of joking around too).  I feel a lot more confident with 2nd and 3rd 1-steps now as well.        

Really stiff and sore after last night's sparring and black belt classes.  I normally do a few rounds of push ups and sit ups as well as poomsae and self defense practice early in the morning.  Today I just stretched for 30 minutes.  Felt great, but will have to spend time tonight on all of the requirements.  

I've been doing the work, but slacking on journaling and data entry.  I need to focus on that improvement.  

Took a break monday and tuesday from the physical portion of the requirements (pushups, sit ups, etc).  Getting back into it today has been hard, but it was worth it.  I taught two classes last night and did a session with my mentee.  Overall, very successful.  

I made a list of all the requirements that I could think of today.  Then I marked each one with 4 possible values:  Blank, Know, Comfortable, Confident.  Blank means I don't know it and need to learn it. Know means I know it but I'm not good at it (have to go slow, think about the next move, etc) Comfortable means that I know it but I still might turn the wrong way, or use the wrong hand/foot/stance/etc, and have to correct myself. Confident means I am confident I can do it mistake free.  While we all still make mistakes, this is about how I feel in my knowledge.  I went through everything today as I practiced and made my marks.  This has given me a very good base on understanding not just what I need to work on, but how much I might need to work on a particular thing.

I'm behind on my journaling and data entry.  Spent about 2 hours working with another candidate today on poomsae and self defense.  It was a very successful session.