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!

Journal 51: Sick

I know I have hit my requirement for 50 journals. But I am sick. I am trying my best to get done what I need. I was not able to go on my run last night. Which I am thankful my dad has pushed me to run 2 miles majority of my cycle so far. What I do not get done I will make up later. I am also trying to stay up to date on my school assignments even though I don’t feel good. Dizziness, headache, and fever do not go so well with rolls and falls or starting at the computer. Rest and hydrate is what I need!

  11 Hits

Journal 50:

Today was a lazy day and I was just chilling the whole day and did my requirements. Then  worked on my test and then had some lunch and that’s really it.

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Journal 49: rainy day

Today was a good and rainy day because today at school I got my test back and got 100%. Also we did math outside which was so much fun. Also during taekwondo I was so exhausted that when I was done my legs hurt. After that I was supposed to go to the run but couldn’t because of the rain.  

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Journal 48: Tired

I am tired today. I have been coughing some this week. Season changing always gets me allergies. I am still getting up 30 minutes earlier to get some requirements done before school. One thing I have noticed is my knees and wrist are popping. My knees still hurt when I run. But it nice to see some of requirements hitting the zero mark. Since TWD is closed Saturday, I may use this time to work on my history essay.

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Journal 47: almost done

Today is the 47th journal. Also I had a test and got that done and got my homework done too which is due Friday. And I have to wake up at 6:30 in the morning to get some requirements done. Waking up earlier seems to help with the evening rush.

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Journal 46: Early to rise

As I have mentioned before, I am still getting use to getting out later for middle school. I have felt rushed and there was so little time. This morning I woke up at 6:20 with the goal of getting most of my requirements done. My body was not used to exercising so early. It was tiffed than I thought. But this evening I had more time for homework and time to relax before trail life. I may try getting up earlier the rest of the week to see if it makes a difference.

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Journal 45: Late night

Today was a late night. I first woke up and had to listen to my sister saying that she doesn’t want to go to school, but she went anyways. So when I got to school everybody was confused about if it was “A” day or “B” day, but it was a b day. After school I got home went to taekwondo and then went to do my run. Then I got home did some homework till 10:20. It was a group effort in helping me with my homework.

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Journal 44: Rest Day

Rest day for me. I doubled up on my requirement Saturday so I could spend time with my friend for my birthday. After my friends left Sunday, I did have to do some cleaning. I had to get my lunch packed for school and charge my school Chromebook. Did some studying. Overall, this was my rest day. I used the day to rest my muscles, brain, and my knee. Hoping to start fresh tomorrow.

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Journal 43: sunny run

Today was another busy Saturday. First I went to tae Kwon do and then did sparing then did all of my requirements for my cycle. After that I did leader ship and then went to do my run with Flynn. And now I’m going to have a sleepover with flynn, Landon, and even.

  24 Hits

Journal 42: hitting a wall

Today was a trying day emotionally, mentally, and physically. Getting home from school close to 5pm does not leave much time for anything. I came home had about 10 minute break and had to turn around and go to classes tonight. I tried to not get in my head or let the negative thoughts take over. I am hitting a wall. I just want to relax. I took some breaths and pushed through my frustrations and tiredness. I only did 1 mile tonight and I saw a friend that I did my cool down lap with. I am still noticing pain in my left knee when I run. When do I need to be concerned about this pain?

  26 Hits

Journal 41: testing day

Today was an exhausting day. First I woke up and ate breakfast, then went to school and went to my homeroom. Then after school I went to taekwondo to help with testing.

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Journal #40: very busy day

Today was a very busy day. just like normal I woke up and ate breakfast then went to a doctor appointment. Then went to school. And when I got there they where handing out new schedules. and I still haven't got my schedule yet. Then I went to my favorite class Miss Vigles class. Next I went to miss Patterson class and got ready for lunch. After school I went to a football game and when I got home I had to get all my requirements and do homework.

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Journal 39: first day of trail life

Today was an ordinary day until this afternoon. I went to my first trail life meating.when I woke up I had breakfast and then went to school and apparently my schedule was changed again. Then after that I went home did my requirements and then went to trail life and run. The time flies by.

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Journal 38: busy day

Today was a busy day. First, I woke up to my sister's alarm instead of mine so I went back to sleep and then woke up to my alarm and ate breakfast, but Keleigh would no stop whining. After that I got to school and got to my homeroom. Then went to my a day class which is Mandarin class. Then went to my core 1 which is supposed to be Mrs. Patterson class but I went to Mrs. Vigles class because I didn't get a new schedule.

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Journal 37: birthday

Today was a different type of day first I woke up at my friends house to be greated with a delicious breakfast. then we went home and relaxed went to daveand busters and I surprisingly I won 2,163 tickets and bought some wireless headphones. then came home had dinner and had some cake.

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Journal 36: make up day

While at TWD today I did my requirements for today and the ones I missed yesterday because I attended a birthday party. Just the little I had to make up I can see why they stress “Do Not Get Behind.” I also changed the time I ran today so I could have a sleepover with my friend. It was mid-day. I was hot and sweaty. It was a rushed day, but I am excited to hang out with my friend.

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Journal 35: Party

Tonight I attended a friends birthday. I got to see all my classmates from elementary school. I am doing my requirements late tonight. I plan on doubling up the requirements I was not able to get done. I am ahead on my miles, so I will run 2 miles tomorrow for what I was not able to run today. 

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Journal #34: repeat

I feel like I am moving on repeat, something every day. I am not used to getting out of school so late. It is crunch time to get all my requirements in. Cannot image how I will balance when homework starts. I need to work on my 4 page essay some more. Not sure many times you can renew a library book.

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Journal 33: cramp day

Today on my run I got so many cramps. Today when I woke up I started some of my requirements and then went to the hub bus to take me to school. Instead of all my classes I only had 2. I think my class schedule is fixed now.

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Journal 32: first day of school

Today was the first day of school. At first, I was able to sleep in for an extra hour. And then my mom had to drive me to hickory ridge so I could catch a bus to go to roberta road. It was an exhausting day. When I walked in I was greeted with a really big building. When I got home, it was crunch time to get my requirements. I am checking out something new tonight, called trail life.

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Journal 31: last day of summer

Today is the last day of summer and I got middle school tomorrow. And today was a very busy day today because we went clothes shopping then went home picked up a friend of mine and hung out then went to taekwondo. Looks like I missed number my journals, I had to go back and edit the journal numbers. Glad I caught this.

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Journal 30: cleaning day

Today was a day where we had to clean our room and bathroom. It took me a little but it was worth it. I made a few changes in my room like adjusting my tv and a lot more.

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Journal 29: a busy day

Today was a busy day first I woke up to go to taekwondo. And stayed there till 12:15 then came home and relaxed Keleigh went to sofia’s. Then I went to do my run. This run was different as Rockin the Burg was going on. There was a band that was playing music. Then I came home to have dinner. Things to work on: find new recipes, history essay and get organized to study for written test.

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Journal 28: my favorite part of breakfast dinner

Today is another day of favorite breakfast dinner. So yesterday my mom made one of my he most delicious breakfast meals I have ever had it is like bacon rapped around an egg it may sound disgusting but it’s so good.

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Journal 27: rainy day

Today was a rainy day. First we woke up to some rain then ate breakfast. Then did some requirements then watched a movie with some popcorn. Then went to taekwondo for a mentor session. Then did my run and came home for dinner. I only did 1 mile tonight to see how my ankle held up. It started to hurt on my second lap. Will ice and rest it some more.

  34 Hits

Journal 26: feeling the pain

Today was another busy day. First I woke up got my breakfast went to the eye doctor then went shopping. I found few outfits and shoes. I spaced my requirements out throughout the day. Then went to the open house, then went to taekwondo and after that I did my run. The past few runs I have noticed some pain in my ankle. Tonight it was more intense and I had a painful stomach cramp. I can tell I was not 100% because my time reflects it. I will ice my ankle and have my mom ace wrap it to see if that helps. Tomorrow I will try and work on my history essay since it’s suppose be a rainy day.

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Journal 25 productive day

Today was a productive day. I worked on my essays. First, I worked on the technology challenge, then my nutrition challenge, and then the mission statement. I’m working on my fourth essay about the history. I found a book at the library that has been helpful. There is a lot of information. I have written some sentences now I have type and get it organized. I am trying to get as much completed as I can before schools starts back. I have open house tomorrow and curious to meet my teachers.

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Journal 24: my new record

Today was a relaxing day first I woke up had breakfast, played on my phone. Did some requirements then Flynn’s dad came to pick me up and did all I had to do at taekwondo then went to do my 2 miles. And my time was 16:39.27. I saw few friends from school practicing football.

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Journal 23: home sweet home

Today was the day we left to go home. Camping was fun, relaxing, and I am exhausted. When we got home we discovered the water heater leaking in the garage. Plumber came to fix it in the middle of us unpacking all the camping gear. Seating up tent and canopy back up so they could dry out. I vacuumed my mother’s van. It took a lot of energy that I did not have for my run tonight. My time was a longer than it has been. I am still learning how to pace myself for 2 miles.

  28 Hits

Journal 22: day 4 of camping

Today is day 4 of camping. We first woke up had some breakfast which was delicious. Then we went to the town found the best candy place I have ever seen. After that we went to a park which was very fun then played in the stream then it started to rain. Then broke a rock and the inside looks so cool then came back to have dinner which was tacos.

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Journal 21: day 3 of camping

Today is day 3 of camping. We did our stuff in the stream and Flynn’s mom came and bought the dogs. After that we went through 2 storms. Then we went tubing and when we were driving there we went through a big storm. While we were tubing Flynn and I ran and fell a lot. I think we ran and fell in the stream more than we floated.

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Journal 20: day 2 of camping

Today is day 2 of camping and FLynn is with us. We played in the river and found a snake. Then we came back and did our requirements. After that we sat by the fire and hung out.

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Journal 19: camp day

Today is the day we went camping. While we were camping we met some friends. We went in the stream, explored and splashed each other. Then one of them had to leave. Then we came back had dinner then explored more came back then had s'mores.  It’s taking a while for the campfire to get going.

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Journal #18: Vacation

Tomorrow is the day we go camping. We will pack the car in the morning. I will work on my requirements while there. I will keep my book updated in case I have Internet connection issues at the campground. If I miss my online documentation it’s because I cannot connect to the internet. I will update my online requirements when I get back.

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Journal 17: nutrition challenge

My nutrition challenge is coming to an end. To be honest, I have had moments where I ask for ice cream. But I am quickly reminded about the nutrition challenge. During this challenge I found out that fruit is a good substitute for ice cream.

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Journal 16: a different day

Today was a different but relaxing day. As usual I wake up and make breakfast. Then a little bit after lunch my mom’s parent go home and then I start on my requirements. Then I relax keleigh's friend come over for a bit. After that I play on my vr for a bit. Then I went to do my run while my dad did his walk. Then came home to have dinner which was pizza yum. 

  32 Hits

Journal 15 exhausting day

Today was the typical Saturday. Woke up went to sparing. My mood was much better today. It was an exhausting day as I spent half the day at TWD. I was not able to get mentor session in because there are 6 of us, I think in the cycle. I did get a mentor. It will be interesting next doing my requirements as we will camping. After my days cut the grass we set up our tent to spray the seems to it will not leak. I help take it apart so it could finish drying in our garage. I have my good and bad days. My body is tolerating requirements well.

  36 Hits

Journal #14 making a new meal

Today was a new day. At first I went to the doctor then I worked on my requirements, then I made my new meal shrimp and pasta. By the way it was delicious but sadly we were late to taekwondo but after black belt class and advance sparing we did our run. After the run we came home and had dinner then went to bed.

  39 Hits

Journal 13: A hilarious day

Today was a very funny day. Last night Flynn was watching chicken little and then he found one of the most ugliest characters in the movie. Then we just started to die in laughter. It’s been fun with my friend but we get it down when it’s time for requirements.

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Journal 12: soure day

Today was a very sour day. we first woke up then went to visit my Popple in the hospital. then we got ready to go and get our requirements done. Then we head to taekwondo and after we went to do our run.

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Journal # 11 another busy day

Today was another busy day. First woke up at 9:38 and surprisingly flyn slept till 1:00 in the afternoon. Also flyn stayed up waching chaso. Then we worked on our requirements and then we went to taekwondo then went to do our run then came home and have dinner.

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Journal 10: busy day.

Today was a very busy day. First, Keleigh and I went to tutoring, then I got some requirements done with Flynn. Then we went home to get changed for the pool, after that we came home and got ready for taekwondo. After that Flynn and I went to go on our run.

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Journal #9: busy week

This week will be busy and the house will be full. My friend will be staying the week and my grandparents made it in today. I did get my requirements in. However this rain is making challenging. Need to think more on my essays. Since we have a full house this week, I may practice my new skill.

  31 Hits

Journal #8: Pretest complete

Pretest went well. It showed me things that I need to work on. I need to put more time into studying for the final written test. I went back to Harrisburg location to do my pull ups, get leadership credits, and a mentor session in. I thought when I got home I would be able to rest. I maybe get a little rest time before I have to go to grocery store. Grocery shopping, grocery list making, and making meals is my new skill I am working on. Great work today everyone!

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Journal #7: getting it done

Today I had a list of things to do. The normal things. I did some cleaning and relaxed some. I practiced at King Tiger and took 2 classes tonight. I am a little nervous about tomorrow. Excited to see everyone. Best of luck to all.

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Journal #6: lazy morning

This morning was relaxed. Then it was time to start requirements. I spent the afternoon late evening at TWD getting requirements but not taking class. Not much to exciting as I have not had any fun outings. However, my grandparents come this weekend to stay till next week. I may have more to write about then. I think I decided on my new skill. Hope to do this next week. Tomorrow I have to get motivated to create a rough draft for my technology challenge essay.

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Journal #5: challenge complete

Today, I completed my second 12 hours of no technology. Without technology consuming my time I found myself reading more books and taking naps. It was not an easy challenge. I took a trip to the public library and found a book to help with history of Kwon essay. Not sure how I am going to write four pages. That intimidates me. I tried my new shoes tonight, feet are sore. My time on my run increased a bit. I have to remember to go my pace and see my friend when the run is over.

  36 Hits

Journal #4: Busy day

The first part of my day involved shopping for new running shoes. Walked to many different stores in the mall. Come to find out in went up a size and 1/2 in shoe. I went the the same show just bigger size. Then I came home to start my requirements. My arms are beginning to hurt during my push ups. I spent the evening at TWD getting my leadership, class assist, mentor, and mentee. Tonights I ran in the rain. I wore my old shoes for this cause I did not want to mess them up. Tomorrow I will tackle the 2 part of my technology challenge. My nutrition challenge is going pretty well. However, I may forget sometimes asking for something t be reminded of my nutrition challenge. My sister will be at camp tomorrow so I may work on another essay since I will not have technology and brainstorm...

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Journal #3- Tuff day

Today was tuff. I did sleep till 9am, I guess I needed it. It was a struggle to get motivated. Despite this struggle, I was able to get my first essay about the book I read completed. I was in a bit of a rut as it was my first day for my technology challenge. I can relate to the book I read regarding 13 things strong kids do especially the part about think good and blue thoughts. I found myself having negative thoughts, bringing myself down not being able to be on electronics. I can also relate to having time to myself just like the character in the book. Today, I actually took time to myself and read a different book outside twice. Then I found myself sitting still looking through the window outside and that was enough. Then this evening was a long day at TWD as I got...

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  33 Hits

Journal #2

Today was a day of rest. My legs are sore. I used the whole day to slowly get my requirements done. We did not have any errands to run. I did my laundry yesterday. I had to start my nutrition challenge over because I did not realize it was for 30 days. Tomorrow will be day 2 of this challenge. My goal for tomorrow will be to start typing up some of my essays. Maybe even tackle the technology challenge.

  31 Hits

Journal entry 1

Today was a very busy day for me. Last night I stayed up till 3:35 am then I had to head to tae kwon do from 9:00 to 12:20. Then after that I came home and relaxed until I had to do my other requirements.

  36 Hits