Candidate Journals

Getting back in the groove for the new year. I've been spoiled by our small Tuesday/Thursday morning adult class. I realize that I get performance anxiety in the big black belt class. I get really frustrated when I fumble through poomsaes and self defenses that I know I know. I practice them alone at home and I feel good about them and I know them. Put me in a class with a lot of people and I get flustered. Not only that, the frustration shows on my face. This does not happen to me in any other area of life. I guess I've been doing everything else for many years. As adults we are rarely asked to learn new physical skills or a new language or memorize body techniques. Children do it all the time and they take it in stride. But when is the last time most adults have done...

Brrrrrrrr.......  It has been freezing today. These last two days it was freezing actually. If it only it rained so it would be snow. That would be great. Today I had a good. Woke up at 6 did some requirements, not a lot. Then went to school did my jogging on the track during PA. Then came back home did my homework which took an 1 hour. Then went to Tae Kwon Do did my helping and took BB class. Came home and writing this journal right now. About to go study for my Science Quiz I have tommorow. Hope everyone had a great day!!!!!

I finish a set of 25 pushups through pain, then have to wait for about a minute for the burning in my shoulder to subside. Something definitely not right there :-( First sparring class in a while. I'm exhausted.

Work has been really busy lately, so busy that the weekend even included several more hours than I expected. Hopefully this means that next month will be not be as crazy as last year. The next few months will require serious time. management and major multitasking all around success. It would have been nice to come home from work tonight and just go to sleep, but that won't be an option for a while. 

For those who joined some of us at boot camp, you will know who Sally is and why she has very few friends. Sally is especially thought of after day two from boot camp. That's when the real fun begins and you look at your stairs to the upper part of your house as a medieval concentration camp. My normal day usually has me going up and down a ladder, and today I received some interesting stares as undesirable noises (from my mouth) came out every time I went up or down the ladder. And, because Master Evins is a benevolent torturer, it was red strip day in class. What growns you makes you stronger right? It was a really fun class and probably good to get the things I used to call legs, moving again. Hope everyone had a good return to school. I know I did, as the boys...

First day of the 24 day challenge. Good food day and stayed well hydrated.  Good work out this morning at Cross fit.  I like it when there are Burpees in the work out....well, really I hate it...but it forces me to do them!  Then worked at the school, which was freezing, so I had no problem getting my push ups and sit ups in because I was trying to get warm. Also very happy that I got my computer back!   

Good evening people of the cycle. My parents are watching top chef again. I reached my daily goal of 10,000 steps today. I track with my fitbit. Not all of my steps, just the ones where I am running. I will run tomorrow with my friend Jaylen. Well, good night people of the 2016 spring cycle.

Got a nice 4.5 mile run in yesterday. Today's workout was  Work to one rep max of Push Press 200 m Run 5 burpees 58 KBS (54 lbs) 200 m Run 5 burpees 51 wall balls (20 lbs) 200 m Run 5 burpees 41 slam balls (30 lbs) Might have some rotator issues with my shoulder.

Well school started. I actually had a great day except for the fact that I had homework in every class. So because that I didn't get much done. I have to figure out a way to get things done during school. It was also freezing today especially when I was at my school track doing my jogging. I couldn't feel my nose. But felt good when I got back in to the school. After school I finished most of my homework and then went to Hyper Class where we did 560s. Then I came back and did homework. About to have dinner. Hope everyone had a great day!!!!

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.

I did most of the requirements for today. I really need to work more on my push ups and sit ups, I am going over some beginner videos as to how to do them correctly. Every time I do push ups I have severe pain in my wrists, following some tips that I found online and hope these help me to improve my form and repetitions on push ups. would try to do some more push ups and sits ups before going to bed. Good night every one.

Hellooooo, just got done from a shower. I worked on some requirements today and played xbox. Me and my dad went on a run/walk today with my dog. Had lots of fun today. My parents are watching top chef right now. (It's "old show day" today) Well, good night.

Christmas break is over. I am really sad I have to go back to school back to my daily schedule. Today I had a great last day of break. Went to Church and then a restraunt for my cousins birthday. She turned 6. Then after I started doing requirements while trying to entertain myself Ike watching a YouTube video. Then took a break and then went back at it. I am know watching the Panthers game and during commercials I do requirements. Really trying to get a lot requirements before school starts. Hope everyone had a great day!

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.

Fantastic Boot camp!! Almost forgot to add a journal entry for today. take care out there!

Had a really great day today. But I was busy with everything as well. I did a lot of requirements and did some other stuff as well. I went to get a haircut today morning and then went to do running and requirements. Came back and went to guitar lessons and then went to watch the Star Wars movie. Which was really worth it. Pretty sad about one part in the movie though. I couldn't believe they did that. But anyway really sleepy as writing so about to go to sleep. Had a great day. 

It seems my journals are frequently posted to the day after I really post them. I guess that means I am going to bed too late. Boot Camp this morning was a great way to start the year and it was great to see some people I haven't seen for a long time. Hopefully this year has many great things in store. 

Boot Camp was great! Lots of burpees to add to my requirements makes me happy. Starting the 24 day challenge on Monday with my family. 

Went on a 3.2 mile run/walk today. Got some requirements done today. Happy new year!!! My resolution is to have an 8 pack by the end of this year. But I won't be body building though. Well, good night.

Nice to get the bootcamp workout in. It was a pretty light workout, but those are nice every once in a while. Squats (20 lbs) - Bring Sally Up 5 min Farmer's Walk (carrying the heavy bag 60lbs?) 5 min Stair Walk (20 lbs) 10 burpees    1 SU 9  burpees     2 SU 8  Burpees     3 SU 7  Burpees     4 SU 6  Burpees     5 SU 5  Burpees   5 min Self Defense    1 burpee, 2 SU, 3 PU, 4 Lunge (x3 +6)   Not saying Sally didn't hurt though.

Nala, my puppy any I ran a mile yesterday before walking. It felt good. It was such good practice on mental focus. It was good for puppy because she hates being cooped up because of the rain. The mean little internal voice kept saying, "You can't do this. Stop now, you're breathing too hard. Oh no, you are getting a cramp....."  Once I learned to ignore that foolishness, the run was not bad. Most importantly, I felt good afterward. Puppy and my shoes were muddy after the walk. Puppy hated the bath. Boot camp was fun. I'll be sore tomorrow, but at least I'll be able to stand in church. Although I hate it when Sally showed up, I'll thank her when I'm 70 and I'm able to stand up on my own power.  Mama visited Friday and we went to see Kinky Boots. She left this morning before Boot Camp....

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!

It really is possible to get a lot of requirements done while watching television. I did some work today then decided to work on catching up on The Voice. Maybe by the time the weekend is over I'll know who won. Not looking for a spoiler. We have a long way to go, but we can do it if we persevere. 

My New Years resolution is I don't do New Years resolutions. I like playing the short game, minute by minute. My long term goals don't change with the turn of the calendar year, so I try to set my focus on what I want before the mind and body goes out on me. Before the mind and body go out on me. Where am I? It's like going into the pantry. You're hungry and the goal is to cure that hunger with something tasty, so you head into the pantry and totally forget why the heck you are there. You are in there for a long time hoping that thought will come back to you or until your significant other thinks you are a complete idiot, so you emerge out of the pantry with cake mix in your hand. You have no idea how to bake a cake, but you do...

Had a really fun day today. Had friends came over after going to Church we just hung out. Had a really great time. Didn't get much done neither was I able to do any running. Woke up at 9:30 today and had to get ready for church and right after that our friends came over. Just had a fun time. Hope everyone had a happy New Year!    

I did a lot of walk/run today and worked on my forms. I will do some push ups and sit ups in the evening. Over all a good start to the new year as I did a lot of studying, cooking, cleaning, reading and writing with kids and Taekwondo.  Happy new year all and hope we all receive our new black belts in this new year. 

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. 

I finally got my basement set up. I think it would make Tim the toolman Taylor proud, with mucho testosterone toys. Like pucnching/kicking bag, kicking targets, workout mat, push up bras, sorry, bars, got me thinking of something else. And of course the 60 inch screen TV. What more can a guy want. Of course the wife wants to decorate it now, taking some of the guyizms away. We shall see. "What's that honey? Oh, nothing, just thinking about you." Where were we, oh yeah, my ultimate guyville barrio. That's Spanish for neighborhood Master Cavassos. Anyway, it almost time to relax and enjoy a frosty adult beverage (yes, it hasn't started yet) and start watching all the places far, far away celebrate New Years. Enjoy and stay off the roads if you can. Be safe, be good, and shake what your mama gave you. Just don't let her see it, that's...

Almost New Years. 6 more hours for me as I am writing this till this year end. Got a lot done today. Went running in the morning and afternoon which I happy of. Felt good after running. Then went to the store to get some food. Had a good day today and pretty much a good year. About to go to my friends house to celebrate for New Years Eve. Going to be watching the New York ball drop. Hope everyone has a Happy New Year! 

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!

Woke up this morning in lots of pain. Shoulders, traps... All those crazy power cleans and hand stand push ups yesterday. Push ups will be lots of fun today.

Had to lighten up on some requirements for the past 2 days. My knees were aching.....not injured, but they certainly registered a complaint.  I think it is the kicks and Red belt self defense # 2.  Also, work has been busy. It's the end of the year rush since folks have met their deductibles. I have eye strain from so much computer charting. Regardless, I am grateful. December 2013, I was in tears because of another delay in opening the office. I was convinced that my dream would not come true. Now at the beginning of 2016, my office schedule is full and I'm whining about being busy.  I need to note the lesson: When experiencing despair, remember the possibility of joy. When experiencing joy, remember the possibility of despair.

I had a very long day today at work. I am tempted to just go to sleep, but there is still much left to be done and tomorrow will be a busy work day as well. Probably not much of a break on that front until March at least. I did a couple of sparring rounds yesterday with fun partner. I look forward to a rematch soon. 

  Talk about some rain. Isn't it amazing that we went from a drought over the summer to a monsoon season over the winter. The river in our back yard, which is normally a trickle, had mobile homes floating down it. Well, I guess it will make the start of a new year memorable. I guess it's true what they say, What doesn't drown you, keeps your hair looking good. Something like that. So blow up your GI Joe arm floaties and enjoy your wet Wednesday.  

This is my first journal entry. I am just back from Disney vacation in Florida. Though I was on vacation, I was able to do some of my requirements every day. I am happy about that. I am still not able to log my requirements in. Looks like there is a problem and hope that it will be fixed soon.   

Really exited for New Years to come. Had a great day. Got a lot of requirements done today except for the running. It was pouring today so I couldn't get any running done. Have to catch up on running. Did nothing really today though aside from the requirements and watching YouTube.  

Endurance is my current goal. Hopefully, the extra running and exercises will dramatically affect my stamina and breathing. EMOM HSPU Plank Hold (35lbs) WOD 400 m Run 20 Hang Power Clean (135lbs) 30 HSPU 20 Hang Power Clean 400 m Run

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.

Not feeling 100% today. I need to go to sleep. One of these days will need to be super productive. 

Oh, what to be when I grow up. So many choices, so many directions. From the guy who takes your call, to the guy in Hollywood who takes a fall. Will I be rich or will I struggle, when taxes come, what will be, the bug or the windshield, nobody can see. Anyway, I'm not much of a poet, don't I know it, but I was in the flow. But when I do grow up, I want many things: dedication like Mr. Weeks, a cheerful disposition like Master Knight, a lover of life like Dr. Brandon, a hard liner like Master Cavasso, a phenomenal leader like Master Evins, and a great organizer like Mrs. Evins. My word of advise for tonight, don't let age be the precursor of being the person you can become. Dream big, Do big. And when you fall and can get up, give fate the bird and go...

Had a great today kind of I guess. I did a good amount of requirements, I want to do as much as possible before school starts. Had to run in the rain today morning but then went back to run in the afternoon. Then I played some games with my friends watched a movie and did requirements throughout all this. Pretty tired. Now I have to go to Family Class to help hope I can start tracking my stuff when they get my problem fixed.  

Started the day by stepping on the scale and weighing more than I ever remember weighing in my life. Not the kind of bench mark I want to set. Strict Press to 1 rep max WOD 60 Jump Rope       x 5 = 300 15 Thrusters          x 5 = 75 (@ 75 lbs) 10 Pull Up            x 5  = 50 Ran 1 extra mile after class Spent the day making repairs around school, then laying flooring with my son at his rental property.  

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!

Wow! I need to increase my cardio capacity significantly. I also need to figure out some way to increase my wrist strength without damaging them. My wrists hurt the worst from pushups. Thank you to Instructor Weeks for working with me tonight on color belt self-defense and to Master Cavazos for working with me on Wang ho 5. I will get that eventually. Now time to rest up for work tomorrow. 

It is quickly becoming clear to me that gravity is definitely stronger now than when I was in my twenties. 15 push ups come along and I am looking at the ground like it's a nice soft bed to take a nap on. So it must be stronger gravity, it sure as heck know it's not me. There's an old saying about looking ahead to see when we are done. When you see the light at the end of the tunnel, make sure it's not a train. As I have discovered in my more uncomfortable years, it's best to live one minute at a time. Looking ahead can cause discouragement or despair. Live moment by moment, and enjoy the ride.

Wow, I really noticed how dirty my floors are when doing push ups. I guess between the rain, the cat and the dog, my floors get pretty dirty. I've never gotten this up close and personal with my floor. If this rain keeps up, I'll have to run in the house. That always freaks out the pets. Just doing what I got to do to make my requirements

CrossFit this morning. 5 sets of ring rows. Made my sets of push ups and sit ups difficult later in the day. Couldn't force myself to do any burpees.  Was just about to head out for a run when the rain started. I don't mind a little rain....but this was drenching!  Never made it out after that.

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.

Wow! What a great day. Got some workouts done. I have to keep kicking myself to get going on my requirements. I guess it's Connor's turn to keep me on track. Ha. Take care out there. Brian

There is so much to be thankful for and the holidays bring that right to the forefront. The holidays give us opportunities to take a break from work and spend time with family. 

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...

hello, I forgot to write a journal yesterday so I am writing this about yesterday. I got some requirements done yesterday, went on a two mile run. I am very happy that I am already half way done with my burpies. progressing quickly. Well, bye.

Team workout yesterday. Finished 5 rounds of: 100 m Run   = 500m 8 Thrusters   = 40 @ 95lbs 8 Slam Balls  = 40 @ 30lbs 8 Burpees     = 40 Still not eating clean. Getting rid of holiday foods ;-(

Just got back from watching the new Star Wars. Impressive and fun. Didn't have the wow effect the first one had back in 1975, but it was cool. They actually have a story line and a good set of characters. Maybe that's the real sign of getting older, knowing most things were cooler in the past. I finally got out there and went for a run. I'm glad we live out in the country because it was embarrassing. Fortunately, the only ones watching me huffing and puffing like a cheap steam engine were a bunch of cows, and they look very unimpressed.

Eventful day. Visited a friend of here in Charlotte. During the visit, were heard yelling across the street at a neighbor's home. At first, we thought someone was sick and we went outside to offer assistance. But it became obvious that it was an emotional argument and likely an episode of domestic altercation. Inside, we called the police and prayed while we waited. From the screaming, I was terrified that someone would be killed before the police arrived. The firetruck and the ambulance arrived before 4 police cars. They were in the house for a while before bringing out a woman in severe pain with a suspected broken femur. The police said the story was that she fell. How a young woman falls hard enough to break her femur is beyond me. I was sick, nauseous, and tearful on the drive back home. Someone could have very easily been killed in...

Got a few PU and SU in on Christmas morning. Busy morning, then spent the rest of the day in dress clothes. Today will offer a crossfit workout.

Merry Christmas: The presents are unwrapped, the cookies are gone. Life is getting back to normal. Christmas always reminds me of how darn lucky we are here in America. The biggest worry we had today was if one of the many toys the boys got wouldn't work. While at this very moment, there are children looking through a dumpster trying to get enough to eat. I pray my boys grow to know of struggling and discomfort so they can relate to people in different parts of the world whose goal is to survive one day at a time. So, hug your kids, wife, parents and grandparents, and remind them how lucky we are to live in such a great country. Remember the order of priorities: God, Family, Country   God Bless

Hellooooooo, I just got back from watching the new star wars movie. It was awesome!!!!!! Well, I guess i'll rap it up for today. happy holidays!

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!!

Woo Hoo, finally able to post! That quote is an inspiration for me as a beginner. I'm so excited for Master Evins and his team for the new Dojang. I know first hand how hard and frustrating it is getting a space ready for business. Two steps forward and one step back. No requirements tonight, baking for Christmas. I've learned the hard way, I can't multitask and bake....wait, do I smell smoke?? Gotta go! Merry Christmas, everyone ;-)

Happy Christmas Eve folks! It's time to work out so I can stuff myself until I can't walk straight. Eat, drink and be fat and drunk, and don't bring up politics at the family get together. B

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. 

Oops, I did it again... Ate too much Christmas Goodies... Paying the price :-( Need to get a run in this morning, Get in my requirements while watching kids this morning. Think I have through Nebinjin III remembered again.

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...

I haven't gotten into the habit yet of journaling everyday. Something I need to change. On a happy note, I finally finished putting in the new floor in the basement, so the wife is happy again. On the other note, I now need to trim out the doors, add baseboards, and crown molding. The fun never ends. Hope everyone out there built their ark. That was a lot of rain. Did the worms come aboard the ark two by two? Aren't they A sexual? Food for thought. B

Crossfit this morning. Worked on pull ups and double unders (jump rope passing under your feet twice).  I did Ring Rows for the pull ups and tried to really concentrate on using my lats and not my biceps. It was harder, but I really need to strengthen my lats for regular pull ups.  I want to be able to do at least one for my pre-test.

Hellooo, just got home and ate dinner. Got some requirements done today.(leadership 1). almost done with a tenth of pushups and sit ups. More than a tenth done with burpies. Happy Holidays!

No sparring class, but had to hang around the school for the 7:30 class....so was able to pump out some requirements.  That can be hard late in the day for me. Crossfit tomorrow and need to get in a run. Tomorrow is the last full schedule day. Looking forward to a few days off!

W.O.D. 100 m Run                 x 12 2 Power Clean             x 11 = 22 3 HSPU                      x 10 = 30 4 Thrusters                 x  9  = 36 5 Jump Squats            x  8  = 40 6 Slam Balls                x  7  = 42 7 Burpees                   x  6  = 42 8 Jerk Press                x  5  = 40 9 Wall Balls                x  4  = 36 10 Front Rack Lunges  x  3  = 30 11 Toes to Bar            x  2  = 22 12 Back Squat    ...

Being on the Blackbelt cycle for two years, and having to complete 6 full cycles during that time, has allowed me to get way ahead of schedule just with regular workouts and classes. My goal for this next Black Best test is to be in even better condition. Therefore, I plan to increase my workload as if I am on a brand new cycle, still needing 10 weeks worth of requirements (ie., 10,000 more push-ups and sit-ups, etc.). Today is my first day of full new cycle training.

Last day of school before the Winter Break. Only had about 1/3 of our kiddos in after school, but they were wide open!  Had a great Black Belt class...last one of 2015. Won't make it to Black Belt class tomorrow....have a birthday party at the school. 

Life is just a line up of challenges. Some small, some large, some meaningful, some unknowing. With every challenge is a new outcome and a better beginning to the next. Savor every one and walk away knowing you left it better than when you started. To my fellow candidates, let's do this thing! In the words of the great Client Eastwood, "Beat me, kick me, spit on me. Just don't bore me."

Got my shoulder worked on this morning. I am in a ton of pain tonight. Hope it is just from getting massaged so hard. Good workout this morning. Thrusters for strength, 3 Cindys (5 pull, 10 push, 15 squat) and 3 Nancys (400m, 15 OHS/95lbs)

Had a very productive day at work today even though I overslept and got in a little late. Went out Christmas shopping which was not very productive. Feeling tired and looking forward to having my dryer working again. I think it's bedtime. Tomorrow is another day. I hope it's a good one. 

So excited to be starting a new cycle!  We have some wonderful people on this cycle and it will be great!  i am a little behind putting in my requirements and need to work on that this weekend.  I have some friends helping me with my work outs.  I stay sore and stiff all the time......getting old I guess.  But having the 5th stripe on my belt will be worth it!  

This is Jason, I was sleeping, guess not. So this is me writing my first journal entry. Hellooooo! Excited to be on my first black belt cycle! Good night.

Through last weekend, I had hit a high body weight for the year. Had to hit this week and next week with the absolute necessity to drop a few pounds before the Christmas weekend. I refuse to start 2016 over 220 lbs.

Not where I want to be. Last night I spent some time checking out some books I downloaded previously on my Kindle that seemed like they might be interesting for my book essay, but nothing really jumped out at me. I guess I’ll keep looking. I figured out how to do journal entries using my phone without typing it directly into the journal entry place. I have had a few entries not save and had to recreate them. I type them into my memo app and then just copy it into the journal. That way I can save it to read later also. I have also gotten my tracking up to date, so will update that and journal frequently. My legs are starting to feel better now, so time to get back into requirements. I was disappointed that class was cancelled tonight. I am really looking forward to training at the...

12 / 12Journal Today was a good day. Started out helping out with Jr tigers and the kids were really loud. Next I helped with family class and that made me realize how difficult it is for me to watch someone doing a poomsae and know which leg should kick, or which hand should punch. I also easily get confused when I try to pick up in the middle of a poomsae. Black Belt class was next and my legs are sore, but I think my side kicks have improved. After class was the precycle meeting and I have got to get in a routine to get everything done. I am having a hard time with that this cycle for some reason.  Maybe I've hit the wall.  It was so nice outside I thought I'd go for a run. It was a short one, but it was really nice outside. I'll have to...

Nice to have the site back up. Time to start scheduling activities. Start my creative form, read a self help book, start researching essay topics

12/13 Journal Today was not a productive day where requirements are considered, but was a good day. I spent a good chunk of the day at Charlotte Motor Speedway with my husband waiting to do the Nascar Driving Experience. It was a beautiful day and the Panthers had an awesome game too! Finishing off my day with icy hot on my legs. I will do more tomorrow. 

Last time I tried to journal from my phone, it did not work, so I will go back to creating my entry in Word and then pasting it to the journal entry so as not to require entering it in multiple times.  Trying to remember all the recent changes to poomsaes is tricky. I am really looking forward to the new dojang being ready to train in. While the Corvian School has been nice, it’s not like home. I’m also really looking forward to the completion of the conversion at work. So much of the process has been really frustrating at times, I just hope the actual cutover is not as frustrating.

today was pretty good i went to school and then I went to all of my blocks which was pretty good then i went on the van and i was relly tired then i did some homework and took class which was good so that was my day now im about to eat dinner

Good workout yesterday. Didn't modify any techniques, just kept the weight down. The range of motion did not appear to upset my arm.

Finally did a hard RX workout yesterday. First time since rehabing my injured bicep. Followed by a great accupunture treatment.

Easy day today, dance was fun, and i learning my spanish better. Plus I had a good day at work and my granddad came up for the holiday. Such a great day

Had my award banquet tonight, so much fun. I miss tennis season, it was fun.

Been sick the last couple of days. Sore throat mostly. And tired.

We did a Hero WOD today for Veteran's Day. The WOD honored the Wise brothers. All Special Forces soldiers, two of which died in battle. Three separate 4 minute workouts. Hang Snatches, Burpees over the bar, Power Cleans, Pullups, Box jumps over the box, and Wall Balls.

Whoa, I did know the website was still up. I've been writing journals in my notebook. Even thought its my day off, I got work to do. I have make sure i'm caught up with all my school work. I got Psych. homework, and a bunch of drawing to do for visual art. Then I got some spanish to practice.

In a concerted effort to get more consistant with my logging my journals, I have decided to make it a habit while waiting in bus line.

This is my final journal of my second cycle and I will keep training but I still have two years until I get to do this again which I am excited for 

Man I should have did these journals on time, but can't blame anyone but myself though, i should have made time for them. Only 9 more left. Any who, today i'm going to jogging and watch a marathon of once upon a time!!!

Black belt class was goo, i need to work on my hurricane hook kick a lot more, and i learned some of my new poomsae.  After class i pretty much just worked on my senior exit its do Monday, i'm almost done than goodness I can't wait to be done with it

Pre-cycle √, cycle √, physical/written test √, overnight test √, public test √, tea ceremony √ now it's time to start another part of this journey as it's not over yet.  Determination will get you where you want to go but always remember you can not do it alone. 

Tea ceremony today, it was really nice. I'm excited to have my new belt and learn new material 

Today was the black belt tea ceremony which I think is the coolest part because it is very relaxing and calm and of course there is the fact of getting your belt which is very exciting to me.

today is the day i get my black belt i so excited and happy i earned it and now i geting it and i am thankful that my family has supported  me and everbody else

As I near the end of my journals I become more and more excited. I am very excited for the tea ceremony tomorrow I can't wait to get my belt.

my day was pretty good i went to school with my new spar wars shirt on but it was cold so i had a jacket on then i went to tae kwon do and did class and that was pretty good and i didnt have a lot of homework then i went to dudckworths with some of my friends so that was fun and that was my day