Candidate Journals

Tonight was a struggle. I’ve been training a lot this week both for my job and TKD and it was a STRUGGLE getting to class. I did make it to assist, be mentored, and take an adult class so that was good. Now off  to bed ????

Its a very crazy day we are doing games, its a lot of fun getting to know more and more about the kids. we are playing lazer tag with the campers. We watched Detective Pikachu, it was a really good movie and everybody enjoyed it. We did not do class because the computer update took a good part of our day. We played a lot of games today and we are getting ready for the junior tigers testing. I am going to be helping with the junior tigers testing. We got a new game today called spot it. I hope you enjoyed it have a nice day bye!

I have been doing what I can before my Tonsillectomy. I'm so nervous!!!!!

My day was a casual day at work. Today was pay day and my check looked nice then came home and worked out hard. Black belt class was fun because it was a mini Saturday class which I felt on Sunday.

It was nice to look forward to a new female adult in black belt class today. I hope she continues to come train with us. Pushups are doing a number on my shoulders. I keep hoping they feel better after I get used to doing so many, but I am still at sets of ten with much time between and not getting in as many as needed. That will be a challenge for me to complete them. Nothing new there, but I haven't even started on pull ups yet. Tomorrow is another day, and tomorrow will help me get closer to my goal.

My sweet coworkers, in their attempt to help me with requirements, will just randomly shout out “Burpee Break”!! When we hear this, we all have to get up and do five Burpee’s no matter where we are. My nursing team LOVES “Burpee Breaks because we all feel better after we do them, and bonus for me, I’m logging requirements! Having support at the dojang, at home, AND at work is a blessing for sure!  We met a new adult student in class tonight, Ms. Pam!  Such a friendly person!  I’m looking forward to training with her!

Today I went shopping at a store called Lidl. The prices there are very good. I also went to class today and got mentored. We did lots of kicking, but no as much as Saturday's class. I currently am working on side kicks.

Long day . Did a lot of yard work,  wishing I could count  That as part of my requirements.????????‍♂️ Had a awesome black belt class , kicks kicks ,????

It was nice to have a day off. I got to take my dog to the dog park. He is super friendly with people, but he gets a little scared or aggressive with other dogs. He did better today and I was able to let him off his leash. My co-worker asked for my shift tomorrow, so Ill be going back to the park again.

Had a good day at work, had to do some rework on my wife's car again , thing I got a bad part. Will see tomorrow how it runs. Had a good pmaa class tonight,  thank you sir.

Burpees are getting easier. Progress!! Had a good day, played kickball with the older kids today at camp. Did lots of poomsaes and self-defense.

Today I went to summer camp at the Raptor Centre. It wasn't as hype as I thought it would be today because on Mondays everyone is busy. What I thought was cool was that I met a friend from pre-k. What I'm looking forward to is helping out in class and helping the color belts. 

Today has been fairly normal. However, for the first time, I made a to-do list. Of course, I have to do cycle requirements. I also want to spend only 1 hour on social media, unless I am using it for productivity. Because school is coming up, I have been using Duolingo to practice Spanish and Khan Academy to practice math. I also want to read my book for the cycle. Pro Tip: Take notes on your book. Your future self will thank you for not having to read the book again. I will help with class today at 6:45 PM.

I'm at work on a Monday morning and just made my coworkers do Burpees with me.  My colleagues in high heels declined to join.  There is strength in numbers!! 

Today was a pretty quiet day, though in church I got to have a really good apologetics discussion. My hands were itching from the stings badly enough to where ice cubes and cortisone didn’t help at all and so my mom and I went to CVS to pick up some Benadryl and some Benadryl cream. I’m definitely going to sleep well tonight with the aid of the of Benadryl.

I sure slept good last night. Today was a relatively quiet day. It seems I have been packing to leave, or to come home, so often lately that it is good to sleep in my own bed for weeks in a row. It is nice to visit, but it always takes a night or two to adjust. Tomorrow is back to work and getting up with an alarm clock. The weekend goes by so fast.

Comic Con was fun. Being able to cosplay and taking pictures with people was so fun. I’m excited to go back in December. I plan to dress like Storm again and add on to my cosplay. Sad I miss black belt class, I heard it was great!!!

Today was Sunday which means it’s my chill day so that’s what I did. Today, I went to go see the new “Hobbs and Shaw” movie and it was good. So what happened.... just kidding I’m not gonna spoil it but then after that went to my step dads house and chilled their for the rest of the day. Still got some stuff in but not that much. But tomorrow is back to the grind.

Today has been a pretty lazy day. I didn't do that many kicks, as yesterday's Saturday BBC had many kicks. I need to work on my sidekicks. Another topic I want to talk about is the fact that people are calling the cycle a grind. It is not a grind, the cycle was made for us to master all techniques of Tae Kwon Do. 

Good day knee is feeling better.   Back on track on my requirements. Was  hoping  to do some work on my old car , but had to order some more stuff .????

Today went fairly well, though I couldn’t do much art or school work today. So I was helping in the back yard and we must have accidentally disturbed a nest of a stinging insect (we suspect yellow jacket but we’re not sure), and both of my hands ended up getting stung by the same critter.

My day today was very fun. Got up early and went to work and then took black belt class. After black belt class, I went to my friends house for the entire day.

Today I was planning to take a rest day. But still need to do some  Requirements. Got up this morning and the knee was not in a good  way , had to slow my walk down , hope it's better tomorrow. ????‍♂️

Went to Charlotte ComicCon today, so much fun!!. I went dress-up as Storm from X-men. This was my first time cosplaying. I was super nervous, but I loved it. Can't wait to got back tomorrow. 

Today I went to BBC weekend and sparring class. We did a lot of kicks, over 300. I slept a little late yesterday and woke up feeling cranky, but I got through everything. Also today is the cycle start date! This day was a great start to this challenge.

I had a great Saturday black belt class at Grand Master Evans's school today

Master Evins really loved ALL the kicks today in BBC. I’m scared I won’t be able to move tomorrow ????. It was a great class though, since that’s my jam. Sparring was a sweatfest too. Lots of kicks and sweat were had during class. Plus I was 30 years older or more then all the participants in class. Nothing like working out with teens, tweens, and boys to keep you young. Also if I hear one more thing about Fortnight today I may scream ????

Great Black Belt class today.  I’m going be very sore from all the slow kicks, but I really needed those.  Slow kicks make you really pay attention to technique.  Now I’m off to visit my father in the hospital.  This is his 6th week as an inpatient. Next week if all goes well, he’ll transfer to a rehab facility.  

i have fallen behind on my stuff but i'm catching up!!!

Today was a very chill day. Went into work so I can get credit for the white belt challenge, the kids in that class are funny. Then came home and worked out then ate dinner.

Today was a pretty relaxed day; after requirements I got a lot of work done on a painting for my art class and then did some baking before going to summer camp. Other than that not much really happened today.

Today was pretty quiet at work, so very productive. I met two of several new teammates. I also walked/jogged 4 miles with my friend today after work, thanks to the downpour. We both prefer to walk/jog outside when possible. Today, the sky was dark and the radar showed some cells that would likely catch us, so we stayed close to the building. We are fortunate enough to have an option for when we have weather interference. One of the buildings has a good sized loop that is our second choice, but our first choice rather than ugly weather. So feeling the first raindrops, we opted for finishing up inside. We went several times around and GPS seemed to be tracking it pretty well for a change. Her goal was to reach at least 10,000 steps and my goal was 3 miles. Once we had each reached our goal, since it was...

Yesterday and today I was reminded that doing 500 kicks in one day I might not have been the best idea. My back has been sore for the past two days. I’m sure it has to do with other things too, but I think I just trained too hard on Wednesday for too many hours. You live and learn.  We had a great black Belt class tonight and I’m rest for a big TKD day tomorrow. 

Had a very good day for a for a man that is getting older. Even went on line and   Bought a new engine from my old car.????????

Today my day was thrown off by me accidentally waking up very late. This was caused by the fact that last night I couldn’t fall asleep until 2am due to how much my shoulders were hurting and just a lot on my mind. My shoulders were still bothering me quite a bit today and prevented me from doing as many pull-ups as I would have liked.

Today was very tiring but fun at the same time because at the summer camp its science week, so the experiments were fun. The classes after summer camp went by very fast but still very tiring. Learned some new stuff at black belt class so that was fun.

Had a good day at work.  When I got home and got the mail i was not too happy , taxes are due on the house ,they went up again.????????????????????

Got my pinky kicked in sparring, its really bruised up. I cant really think about much right now because OMG MY PINKY IS SWOLLEN!!!! Done for the night, going to bed.

Today my ankle was giving me a lot of trouble as it barely let me stand when I woke up. Because of this I didn’t want to risk another injury to that ankle as I hurt I a while back and it’s still giving me issues, so I decided to go on a long walk instead with my brother and dog as the weather was good.

To think this is only another beginning. There is a long way to go and it will surely go by fast; in some ways, not fast enough, and in others, too fast. I guess the same is with life. Don't wish it away and cherish the moments. I had a pretty good day at work today, but it seems there is always some type of fire to deal with. Today was no exception, and resolving this one took until the end of the day. Thankfully, the outcome was a good one and all things considered, another happy camper. My workday ended with a yoga class. Aah, I needed that. Then home for taking care of other things. Here it is, almost midnight again and still plenty to do. Tomorrow is another day.

My day was good. The summer camp was fun because we did science experiments. The classes after we’re also really cool because of the yellow stripe.

Got a lot of requirements done at 9Rounds today! I did so many push-ups the day before so my arms/shoulders felt so weak when I was holding the pads. When I got home, I walked my dog and practiced some ASL.  A comic book convention is coming to Charlotte this weekend and I'ms so excited to go.   Also got a free ice cream at chick-fil-a! 

Had a good mentor session with master Evans today, Was able to get some extra requirements in. Started to tear down the engine on the card in order some parts for it. Have a good day.

Today we had good friends come with us to the pool.  It was a fun time. Then I went to King Tiger for 3 hours. I help with 3 classes, took a class, and got mentored.  My hips were so open and my kicks felt great by the end of the night.  Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment and have to train a lot of boot camps.

Today was pretty good. I woke up at a decent time and got a lot of requirements done; also, I’m almost done with my portrait for my new skill, which I’ll post to the Facebook group when I’m finished with it. I’m also almost done with writing down the questions and most of the answers for the written test.

Not sure what I did to my shoulder. Maybe my arms are at the wrong angle, or just trying to do too many at once, but my pushups did not feel very good today. On a better note though, I am feeling better with the first four Tae Kwon forms. I reminded one of the ladies I work with, who I worked with when I was on my first black belt cycle, how we used to do pushups in the office. I was recently talking with the other who I worked with then, but I don't work with any more. From then, she did 30 pushups every morning. She told me that now she does 60. 

Was able to get in some extra requirements in today. I know I will be taking Saturday off. Will try to get some more In tomorrow.  Always trying to stay ahead.

When running this morning. I got a new app called Zombie Run, hopefully it will keep interested in running. Today and yesterday I've been practicing the ASL alphabet by spelling campers names. Its pretty fun, and it been helping me remember all the signs. The campers went to see Sing at the movies today. Most of kids (both king tiger kids and other camps) were singing and clapping along with the movie. I worked on self-defense and hopkito with Master Natasya. After work, I went to the gym with my mom and worked out. We haven't done that in awhile, but I really enjoyed it.   

Pull ups have always been a struggle for me. If I am not consistently working on them I lose my strength quickly. With that being said having not been able to use my core and back for over a month, so pull up game is not strong. Today was back and bicep day at Boot Camp. I needed to keep reminding myself that my strength will come back in time and I do you to just be patient.

Today started out a bit rough, but I was able to use my requirements to help clear my mind by almost losing myself in what I was doing. Also, I shifted what I worked on with my art from my self-portrait to a 2-page spread art journal that I had to do for my AP Studio Art class. Thankfully my shoulders decided to cooperate a bit more today than they have been.

I guess I'm back at it again. Kind of... It was easier than expected to get the tracker all caught up. It seems harder to get motivated to get stuff done this time. You would think it would be easier after having done it several times previously. I have had some family issues to deal with over the past few months, but it has been really nice to have the opportunity to spend so much time with my younger brothers and their wives and kids. I do not get that opportunity very often, and appreciate it even more lately. I do not get many requirements done while I am there, but did walk from the Museum of the American Revolution to my brothers house in South Philadelphia in ridiculous heat. That was probably not the brightest idea I've had and I saw some parts of Philly that I would likely have...

My day was a regular day at summer camp.Went to work, then did classes, then came home and worked out. This week, I am on my White Belt challenge.

Today I was extra tired for some reason.  I went to my grandparents house in Davidson for a while before returning home.  I took a short nap and woke up afterwards to do some more cycle requirements.  I'm so excited for my birthday tomorrow! :)

Had a nice day. At work was a light day.  Got home and get my requirements done,  Did the adult class, And the PMAA class. Good day. .

Sunday was an eventful day which was filled with the last sessions of my fitness conference, driving home to pick up our old minivan in SC since we got a new one (which my husband picked up the day before), and got to see my family again. Today was back to the mom grind. School shopping, cooking, doctor's appointments, and lots of TKD.  Summer is flying by :(

Hey Amy, try contacting the admins about it. maybe it will work???

So, I realize I'm older than the typical tech savvy young person, but I just can't figure out how to change my rank on this website.  If anyone can give me a hint about how to do it, I would very much appreciate it!   Today was long.  This is the time when I could easily rationalize not doing any requirements, so with that said, I better start doing pushups.  

I am meeting my requirements by going to camp this week.  I helped out in class where I did 104 push-ups and sit-ups! I had a lot of fun and I hope you do to!!!

Today is July 29 it was a very early morning of summer camp we are doing quite time every body is enjoying them self. Its been really tough with the black belt cycle but fun. The king tiger is doing really well, we got some new summer campers but we are way to chatty. I really like summer camp it just brings me joy, the campers are fun to play with I hope you are doing well.                                  

Today was a chill day. I still did some of my requirements but I wanted to take granted of my chill day so I did.Back on the grind tomorrow.

Today was fairly ordinary, though I needed to make up the pull-up requirements I missed yesterday despite my shoulders and back being in about the same amount of pain. I got a lot of work done on my painting, which I suspect should be done if not close to done within the next couple of days, and helped my mom make food for lunches for the rest of the week.

Today was a great day I enjoyed it because in the morning I went to take care of some dogs in the morning I stayed there for about a good 5 hours then left the dogs to go home and see my family that came to visit me. I enjoyed the time I spent with them; I haven't seen them in forever, so it meant a lot to me seeing them today. After that, I headed to the gym to workout. I did some requirements when I was there overall a pretty lit day not going to lie. 

Meal prepped my lunches this week. This week I need to work on running more and do more poomsaes and self defenses

Did not think I was going to get  My requirements in today. Got home and started to work on my wife car.    Dealerships wanted over $2200 to fix her car, For $250 I believe I got everything done, we will see. I  dislike like dealerships.

I am a bit behind but I am working hard each day and catching up.  I ran on the beach this past week! The sand was challenging because my feet were sinking.  I have enjoyed running each day and I have a path in my neighborhood.  There are hills and it is windy.  

Today was a good day. Woke up early and went on a run then went to sparring class and Black Belt class. Then i got home and cleaned because a special person was coming to house to spend the day with me. Then, when she left i got ready for Yacht party out in Lake Norman and it was really fun.

I noticed that my shoulders were having a bad day since waking up, but I tried to do what I could during sparring and black belt class. Once I got home I had to take ibuprofen though, which is something I don't really like to do. I did the requirements I could but my shoulders decided to not let me do as many negatives or even move my arms behind me or above my head for very long. Tomorrow, I will try to make up what I couldn't do today.

Had an awesome sparring class and black belt class! Went to see Lion King. Now i'm going to try to clean my room super late tonight.

Went a little light on the Requirements , need to rest the body and had some stuff I need to  catch up on. May even have to do go light tomorrow,  will see. 

I'm at the  Mania Fitness Conference in Atlanta from Thursday to Sunday getting my CEU for my Personal Trainer license that renews every 2 years. My OSO (other significant other) Theresa and I started this tradition 2 years ago and it’s so fun! Yesterday we worked out for about 6 hours and burned a full days worth of calories. We learned lots of fun new moves and got lots of fitness credits in!

Today after I got home from King Tiger, I made cookies mostly for my brother as he's mostly been the one transporting me to summer camp. They were chocolate with peanut butter chips, and before I started I checked to see if I had everything I needed. Apparently, I didn't check how much vanilla I had, because partway through using it I ran out, of course with most of the other components already mixed, so I had to go to the store in the middle of baking to get more. While I waited for batches to bake I set up the next pan and then did poomsaes until the timer went off.

I am pretty stressed about requirements. I haven’t been getting them all in and I am scared. Also the pre-test is coming up. I need to learn how to do proper pull-ups too! I’m glad that the cycle hasn’t technically started.

When you start focusing on yourself and things that really matter, everything else become white noise ...

Fun morning at work , ever two years we have to renew are airport ID , 60 days before we get a new one ,  We go through a background check through TSA homeland security, and have to have her finger prints done. Ok 7.20  Appointment  It used to take about 30 minutes. Today almost 2 hours and I had a take a test to drive on the ramp. ????

Today was very chill. I got up at 7, did my run for the day and then got back home and did my daily basic kicks. In the evening, i went to get a hair cut because tomorrow i am going to a party and i need to look FRESH (and it was about time for me to get a haircut).

Yesterday went very smoothly. Summer camp was fun, calm, and collective. Then, Black Belt class, as always, was very exhilarating.

Today was a pretty dope day I went to go take care of some dogs I fell asleep like 5 times and at the moment I just finished working. I had a pretty lit class if you ask me, we worked on orange and black which is balance and coordination. Pretty hype I played red and black with them! they were really happy I believe. I'm going to get going on requirements and workout so success.

Overall today was pretty good. I started off the day with a run, trying to reinstate that into my routine both for the cycle and also for cross country. For some reason though, today it felt as if my body was disagreeing with the run with my bad ankle acting up, my shoulders not helping, and my usual breathing issues, but despite this, it felt good to get out there and run.

Had a good day! Went mining with King Tiger kids. I need to stretch more. I been focusing on so much on strength and endurance that I think my kicks are not as high or easy.

Today Seemed like a long day for me. Thursday's always seem like a long day , it's my Monday at work. At least the weather was nice today.

Today I woke up and went for a run. Then I went with my grandpa to read meters (ANW Training) for irrigation, go to the visitor center, have lunch and see my great grandmother. Then I got home and did things for the cycle before hanging out in my basement. Finally I had dinner and went to three tae kwon do classes in a row!

Yesterday I got back from Ontario after a 14-hour drive, which was surprisingly short for that distance.  I already miss the cooler temperature there, especially when I'm running.  I didn't get the chance to write any journal entries in the past few days, but since I don't have much to do other than cycle requirements, I will be able to do more entries as well as trying to get ahead on the requirements.

Today was a fairly productive day; I woke up at a good time, went for a run, did requirements, and then worked on my self-portrait until it was time to head to King Tiger for summer camp and class. Overall: pretty good day, though not much to talk about.

Today has been a pretty long day that started at 04:30 in the morning as I flew back to Charlotte today at 08:00. My dog was quite pleased and excited to see me home again. When I got inside I just unpacked, did requirements, and got ready to go to class.

Today we were supposed to fly back to Charlotte, but the flight got canceled, so we walked around the city a bit more. I wore my new Dr Martens because we were just supposed to be flying, but I didn't get a chance to change my shoes and since they're not broken in, the heat and almost constant walking caused the edge of them to chafe against my calf/ankle; once we got back to the hotel I did switch my shoes to converse before walking around more.

Today wasn't as hot, and we didn't do as much walking as the subway system has been working in our favor as we went from Central Park all the way to Battery Park and to the Empire State Building. I'm finding it interesting how this city doesn't seem foreign or shocking to me as it tends to for most tourists; it feels like I've been here 1,000 times before. Maybe the fact that almost the entirety of my mom's side of the family is from NY and that'd we'd visit Long Island every few years that makes it seem like a second home despite not spending much time in the city.

Today was the 1st full day in NY, It was filled with walking all over Manhatten; I guess it was a mistake to wear Converse as my feet were definitely complaining by evening, but it's fine. I think the Charlotte heat followed us here as it's been almost constantly in the mid-90s.

Today was really good. With the summer camp went to the movies and saw Captain Underpants. The classes went really smoothly and quick and then when i got home, worked out and ate a healthy dinner.

Nice cool morning  After all that heat last week. Had an awesome Training day with master Evans, Whenever some things that needed to be straightened out ,Thank you sir.

Today is July 24th I did my run this morning and some push ups and sit ups. This morning was a very crazy morning lot's of games we watch toy story 4.           We did more games and right now everybody is doing study guides and we are about to start class. Master knight is helping the kids with their study guides and we are all doing something and having quit time. Everything is improving each day the kids are amazing they follow instructions really well, by hoped you liked it.

In Philly for 2 days of very intense technical training...with labs, tests and lots of homework...ended up spending 14 hours on Monday working and another 15 hours today. But I finished all the work!!! Headed to Boston for client meetings and presentations. Feeling ok, not sleeping well in the hotel, not eating that great and not able to spend too much time on training.

My day was very interesting especially at summer camp but very sore. My finger is still injured but i still do push ups and as much burpees that i can do. When i got home, my mother and I worked out together so that was fun.

Went to the park with the summer camp kids. Ran a lot there and ended up over extending my right leg which hurt my hip in the long run. Had to chase away multiple squirrels, was very fun.

My days have been filled with dropping off and picking up Emma from camp and cheer, going to boot camp to exercise, taking TKD class, training both kids and adult boot camps, and having a going away party for a  friend. They have been jam packed and non-stop. Looking forward to tomorrow hopefully being slightly slower. 

The day started off not happy , but do the right thing and let it go. Started working on rebuilding the engine on a good car,  No rush just taking my time.????‍????????‍????????‍????

I am physically exhausted. But I'm trying to remember that every little thing counts. For example, if I do 20 burpees everyday, then by the 5 day Ive done 100. But if I do 25 burpees everyday (only 5 more), than I would have done 100 burpees in 4 days. A little extra makes a difference. 

Today I went to a Black Belt class. Yesterday I got mentored, helped with class, and mentored someone. When I was helping with class I was helping a White Belt with Kwan Sool. Besides that I've been getting in requirements. Might go on a vacation in a week or 2.

Today I spent my usual morning running and doing things for my cycle. I was very busy today doing stuff for tae kwon do that nothing else really happened. In tae kwon do I had three classes in A Row Today!!! And people are still working on the leak in our basement. I hope I can go down there soon.

I tried to access the site during the trip but my laptop wasn't working so I handwrote my journals to be entered when I got back.   Today we left for NYC; I had to wake up early, but the flight went well. It was my first time on a plane since I was 2, ironically also to NY though that time I went to visit family in Long Island. I tried to get in as many requirements as I could in the morning before leaving for the airports. Even though I went to NY my freshman year for a fine arts trip I nearly forgot how much I liked the atmosphere of the city and what it was really like.