Candidate Journals

I should have study more for the written test. I did great, but I could have done better but I only studied a little this week. Went to see the new It movie, so freaky, so good.  Had a really good conversation with my dad today (he's posted in the midwest right now) I really miss him, but this is good job for him, and seems happier, less stressed. I just hate that I wont see him til Thanksgiving. He won't be able to come see me test for my next belt, which sucks because he had to miss the last one.    

 I think I did very well on my Pre-test, and I enjoyed my black belt class.

Very busy day today! Helped with junior tigers class, worked on requirements with Master Dege in between classes and then had a great black belt class. Today is my mother’s birthday so I’m headed to her house to celebrate with dinner.   My sister Drove over from Wilmington, so it will be a little family reunion.

The post test is tomorrow, as most of you already know. I have been studying the written test questions, and most of them I know off the top of my head.  I have always been good at remembering certain things (with the price of forgetting some other things sometimes.).   This cycle went pretty fast so far.

Today was a very chill day. It was a Friday so I am very excited. I am kind of stressed for tomorrow because it’s the written and physical test. It’s that I’m not ready but I just have a lot of thoughts in my head that is making me kind of anxious and stressed. But, tomorrow is going to go great. 

Today Was a home study day. I've been getting ready for the test tomorrow. I'm tired and sore. Hopefully tomorrow will go well. Looking forward seeing everyone tomorrow. Math was fun and we started on my project for school. I have to learn and do a project about the mid west.

today was interesting. I did well on my tests. and I didn't finish my other test but what I did finish I felt good about. all in all a good day.

today was interesting. I did well on my tests. and I didn't finish my other test but what I did finish I felt good about. all in all a good day.

Today I finally finished my essays and got my letters of recommendations done. I have the written and physical test tomorrow. I am nervous but I know I am ready. Wish me luck.

The physical and written test is this weekend you guys!! make sure you get some rest today. You can't do your best if you don't get your rest! 

Does anyone notice how a day is like a seesaw, or maybe a rollercoaster, but your choices determine the outcome, or how fast the ups and downs are. Here it is late...again...and I'm just now taking to journal. Who guessed the game would still be on this late? I guess I could have worked on requirements in front of the TV, but it might be too tempting to sit down and watch. 

Today was another ordinary day.  Cross country was cancelled again due to the hot weather this week.  I have been running at home in the evenings instead.  I had a normal amount of homework today, and my schedule was like normal.  I can't wait until this weekend!

I finished all my essays and am almost done with mentor sessions. It's crazy how the cycle will be over in a month. All that work coming to an end. This whole cycle has been great and I never thought I could do it. I have improved a lot and the upcoming physical test will tell.

Very busy today. It is almost nine and I am not done. I have to fill in all the answers to written test study guide. Better get to work.

Today was a pretty sweet day! I went to school but I have to do a lot of work when I get home. I'll try and do my best to finish up most of my homework but I need to study for my big test as well tomorrow.

Today, I only have one essay left, so I will finish it. During school I had fun. We are starting to use technology a lot more. I am a bit scared about the written and physical test. I will write again after BBC.

Today after school we we left the school from Carline and went straight to the do Jang. At school it was a slow day. We did a lot of math, and did recess inside because it was so hot outside. I'm finishing up my essays today to get those turned in.

I love testing day, it so amazing to see everyone progress in Taekwondo. I'm taking it easy for the next to days. I been pushing myself so much for the past couple days, the body can only take so much. Even with all the push-ups Ive done for this cycle. Doing 10 is still super hard. I know I can do more, but I can either physically or mentally. I got to remind myself that I'll been doing push-up, sit-ups, and other things everyday. Even though I spread them out and get them done, my body still feels that exhaustion, and then I still keep going. I got to give myself time to recover, so today I'm going to take it light, some push-ups and sit-ups, probably no running get some poomsaes and self-defense, as well as stretch and yoga.

It is so easy to lose track of time, whether it is doing what you should be doing, or it is procrastinating and doing something else. Time just keeps ticking away. I have several things that I look forward to having more time to do, but the things that need to be completed first aren't going to get done without me. It is good to be able to see progress though.

Hello everyone! Today I didn't have classes so I did a lot of homework and wrote an essay. I have been worried for the physical and written test. I have a question for anyone reading this. Do the living hero essays for the Bocho Dans need to be on famous people? Thanks!

Today is my second day of my white belt challenge and I felt pretty strange and watching everyone get in front of me

I was talking to some bo cho dans and their parents about the requirements for the cycle. Just a quick tip to you guys and for whoever does the cycle in the future. Understand that it is impossible to do 150 or 200 of a requirement all in one go unless you are into body building or invested in physical development. Parents and students as me how they can complete their requirements in a day and my two tips to them is simple: planning and commitment. This isn't my first cycle. I knew that in order to show that physical progress despite my hectic schedule, I need to plan accordingly and stick to it. I have school from 8am to 4pm every day and then taekwondo straight after. I break my requirements up into 3 sessions where I do 5 sets of 10 for each physical requirement (burpees, pushups, sit-ups). A...

Had to catch-up and finish some assignments today. I should have done them this weekend, but I wanted to play Sims, so now I'm paying the price. Did not do a lot of requirements today, but I did a ton yesterday and I will do more tomorrow.  Also I think I'm going to ask new people to write my recommendation letter. I asked two teachers from my classes last semester and they haven't wrote one for me (well one offer, but I would have to be there and tell him what to write and I don't feel like doing that). I don't know my teachers that well yet, and they don't know me. And all I do is go to school and work, so I'm going to have think hard on this one.

Lots of kicks, poomsaes and SD in black belt Class tonight.  Unfortunately, my right ankle is starting to pop and make cracking noises and it hurts.  Not good.  This is the  ankle I destroyed during the black belt cycle while I was testing for 4th Dan. I’m going to have to be very careful moving forward.  

Today was a normal school day for me for the most part.  I finished 2 more essays today, so I have done 6 of them.  I wrote my 2nd living hero essay about Elon Musk, and I was researching and writing about him after school today.  

Today I was a white belt for all 3 of my classes. It was an interesting experience because I was being taught stuff that I already know. I finished my 5th essay today. Only 4 more left!

This weekend was great with all of the knowledge obtained from the sparring seminars and classes.  We also had an Adult Laua in our neighborhood, went to the Greekfest (which is one of my favorite activities of the year), and food prepped. Monday after work I went to workout at bootcamp and then I cam home so tired. I went to bed early last night and I'm still tired today. I did make it to sparring and to assist with a class tonight, but I can't wait for bed.

Today was a wonderful day, let me tell you about it! I went to school and had a meeting for my honors society I conducted it and had to present the whole presentation in Spanish,  I felt so cool doing that I just felt like a whole pro talking to my peers in my native language. When I was done I had to go to work! I had a blast at work today such an amazing time with the kids I've taught today. Know I'm on my way home ready to grind on some homework. I'm really lucky that I had time in journaling today. seriously. 

today was infinitely better than yesterday hopefully tomorrow will be similar. I got all my grades checked out did some french and know I am studying for a math test and watching how to craft a viking ulfberht sword.

Was almost late to work this morning, had to rush out the door. Did a lot of poomsaes and self-defenses. Found my BB Book. Still doing homework but I want to sleep

Today was a good day, but tomorrow I wasn't feeling too well, so not much accomplished. I have a few days to log in, but once those are in, I will have completed half of the 10,000 required pushups. That is quite a motivator for me. I just wish they weren't such a struggle. Tonight I went to Master Shin's school for class and was pleasantly surprised with more students in the class than I expected. After class, Leah and I worked on several stick forms and staff forms. It is a good feeling to have the knowledge to be able to work with her, although at times I second guess myself. That sure plays with my confidence.

Its the third week of school and my senior year is going very swell. I come home really early so I am able to do many things like work out and relax before taekwondo. Nothing special happened today but I may see what happens tomorrow.

Today I had to go to a cross country meet, and at 95 degrees outside, it was harder than most 5Ks.  Add a very rough terrain where you could easily sprain your ankle (A kid on my team actually did just that) and you get plain torture.  I had a slower time than normal, but that wasn't the worst of it.  There were a couple ambulances at the meet because people were doing all kinds of things to their ankles while running, and passing out because of the heat.  Normally on any day above 90 degrees cross country as well as all other sports would be cancelled, but this was unfortunately a meet.  After we ran, the girls' race was cancelled because of the high instances of injuries on the race.

Hello everyone again! I have been busy lately and will be for the next week. I just figured out the physical and written test are on Saturday and the essays are due the same day! I did two essays today and I am done with four of them now. A hard week in front of me...

Today was a great Monday!  My patients behaved over the weekend, so no big urgencies to deal with today.  Just made the worst dinner I’ve probably ever made because I used a new recipe.  Now I’m going to start on requirements.  I only did 35 pushups this morning so I have a long way to go tonight to make up for being lazy this morning.

Happy Monday everyone!!! it was a Monday for sure...A/C went out last night...so very little sleep...fans just don't quite cut it...lol. But we survived. Up early, or should I say just stayed up, got a lot of requirements done. Work has been pretty busy as I get ready for travel to corporate HQ in Herndon. Planning on working tonight and doing another round of requirements. Focused on poomsae today...working on stances and preps.

Today at school was very hot, it felt like I was frying slowly.  at school I did not do any requirements except for my run this morning. I had art today with my art teacher mrs. Richardson. I enjoy art very much, it is a lot of fun. Connor has a soccer game at Frank liske Park. He plays for Covenant classic

The weekends pass by so quickly!  I spent today cleaning, doing laundry, and somehow fitting in a good bit of requirements.  Finished a 2 mile walk early this morning when it wasn’t quite so hot.  Now I’m pooped and I’m going to bed early.

Today I was completely zoned out of everything, a result of 2 weeks of tiring school among other things catching up to me.  I didn't get as many things done as I wanted to today, and the day itself just passed me by at an alarmingly quick speed.  I wish there were more time in a day sometimes.

Life is going good. I played with my friend today in my pool and I have finished my burpees for the cycle! I relaxed a lot today and hope to write again soon.

lots of training today...still hurting but taking everything slow. Travel coming up this week so will have to plan accordingly. still feeling stressed, primarily because of travel and not able to get to class as much as needed. Looking at ways to change class schedules.

My legs ache so much Due to the combination of yesterdays class and me being sick and all This may be the last journal from Charles Horstmann.Just kidding but today I have pretty much just rested and tried to recover I hope I will be good enough to go to school tomorrow

The class yesterday has left me sore and tired. But i had lots of fun.

Today was great. Woke up early and went to sparring class. It was so great training with Master Jean and Master Hama. They really know what they are doing. I hope they continue doing what they do and continue to earn more achievements. Black belt class was also a lot of fun. A whole bunch of sweating today which made the experience even more fun.

Tiring day! Junior Tigers class was interesting today, not that it isn't always, but there seemed to be more new white belts today who are not used to being in class. After class, I took a few minutes to try and connect with one of them. We actually were born in the same month. He "did not see the coming". He was quite talkative once he got going. I have a hard time remembering names, but I will do my best to remember his. I hope that will help. Between junior tigers class and black belt class, several of us were working on poomsae and self-defense. We did quite a few, so productive. For a change, I had my pushups done before dinner. I'm usually still doing them before I go to bed. My wrists do not feel stronger than when I started and I still am only doing 10, or...

Class today was tiring but fun at the same time.  Sparring was like the seminar yesterday, while the black belt class was a little different.  I'm glad I got to do a lot of things toward my cycle this weekend, and I am a bit surprised at how fast the cycle has gone.  I am getting very used to it, and I feel like I have improved in a lot of things since I started the cycle in the summer.

Today was an amazing day for me! In the morning I did my cycle and then went to black belt class. In black belt class I had one of the best experiences in my whole life! I got to train with Taekwondo olympians!!! It was an amazing thing to get to train with such masters at Taekwondo and they pushed me my limits in class. See you all next week!

Today we had to get up early for sparring and black belt class. The sparring class and black belt class was a lot of fun. I really Master Hama and Master Jean. Everyone seemed like they had a good time. When we got home, we and my dad were really tired. Earlier that day, my friend Parker came to get me to do some dirt biking. We had a lot of fun.

I have misplaced my BB Book, uugggh. I cleaned my room, I checked my car. Where is it!!! I guess it going to have be one of those "I'll find it once I stop looking" moments. Gong to add the Instructor camp, sparring seminar, and 5K bonus in today, so I have a better idea on what I have left. SO close to be done, but yet still so far ... My mom finished a crocheting/knitting a blanket for me it so beautiful and warm. My mother is amazing. When she wants to learn something new, she gets very passionate and very into it, I admired that. She made jewelry, soap, sewing, hair (braids, weaves, and everything else).  Worked on pull-ups today after BB Class. I really want to improve on them, but they are sooooo hard. 

ps their names were Masters Hama and Jean just thought I should add them after remembering.

today was excruciating as far as excersizing is concerned. So the way it worked out was I walk up with a stuffy nose and soar throat I'm probably catching the cold. Anyway I went to pick up Mathew and go to Master Evens' school for the sparring and blackbelt class. Little did I know we had two guests who are both I believe olimpic sparers. These two men (Whose names escape me at the moment, sorry sirs) did everything in their power to cram as much sparring curriculum into us as they could. It worked everybody agrees with me when In say it was both tireing and helpful. It helped me get a lot of requirements in by the way if any of the masters are wondering why I haven't logged anything in for the past week its because I had my handful with school work but rest assure thats what...

I was really nervous about the sparring classes this weekend but they were awesome and I didn’t break anything or die!!  Fun combinations, lots of kicks and lots of cardio.  The abdominal work at the end of class did almost kill me- not gonna lie! Before class, a group of us were able to do poomsaes and self defense.  Now I need to work on pushups and burpees.  But first I think I’ll rest a bit.  

Today was a sweatfest.  I learned a lot and my confidence has grown a little bit.  Today I didn't overthink my poomsaes and they were good.  I'm hoping that I can translate some of the awesome tips that we learned when I actually need to spar.

I have bean through 4 weeks of school now about. Like always I have to balence Taekwondo and school. I am getting better at managing my time and I am looking forward to seeing you all at black belt class today. Have a good rest of your weekend.

Last night being taught be Master Hama and Master Jean was really amazing.  Their quickness, precision, and ability to teach it to us was awesome.  I felt good while we were practicing, but once I actually had a sparring round it didn't translate. I'm hoping that with some more practice that I'll be able to use all that I've learned. Sparring is really going out of my comfort zone. Excited about more learning today.  I know I'll be really tired later.

Enjoyed the sparring seminar more than I thought I would. And to think that was the first of anything requirements related today. Have a nice bruise on my forearm, but nothing major. That's always a win! Sparring is one of those things that reminds of my age and I don't have the no fear outlook of a kid. Not sure if I ever really had that. On to tomorrow.

Today practice got canceled, though I’m not entirely sure why. I had a great time at the sparring seminar tonight, and hopefully what I learned will stick and the quality of my sparring will improve and after that continue to improve.

Today was a long day. I worked on math, spelling, grammar. Some was difficult and some was easy. I enjoy math a lot. Some problems were hard to understand. I'll be going to the sparring seminar in a little while. I'm getting late doing my requirements but I'm getting them done now. This seminar should be fun. Hope to see you there.

It was a good day yesterday. In school we had a science MAP test, and I passed. During BBC, Master Jean visited and we had a great class. We did lots of kicks and combinations. Master Jean is a great teacher. 

Tiring class with Master Jean today! Excited to train with him tomorrow during the sparring seminar. If this is your first sparring seminar, be sure to be ready and bring lots of water! unlike saturday sparring classes, this one will be a bit more intense. 

Today was a really fun day. Today master Jean came to our school to visit and he today he taught all of the classes except junior tigers but it was really fun seeing what a Olympic person would do. He taught black belt class and was it sweaty and fun.He will be here for the rest of this week and will be teaching all of the Saturday class.

Its been a rough week I've been through so much. My classes started but they are so hard, all these classes leave a ton of assignments that are basically due by the next day. I believe its because they are AP courses shucks!

toaday I went to the science Olympiad info session and it was very exiting. I go to see all I needed for my science Olympiad!

Today I do not feel motivated.  About anything. What I really want to do is get in my pajamas, get under my covers, and do nothing. But I will make the right choice and take myself to class tonight. If I don’t work out in the mornings, requirements suffer because I just run out of time. By the time I get home from work it is after 6:00 pm.  Then I have to leave my house by at least 6:40 pm in order to make it to class by 7:30 pm.  After class ends, I will get back in my car and drive another 45 minutes home. When I have my mentor sessions I don’t get home until 10:00 pm. I take 485 Northbound all the way from Matthews to the Mallard Creek exit. I will go to class and then I will take 485 Southbound home the rest of the...

today I worked with a group in my music appreciation class and somehow the topic of were our ancestors come from and Their ancestry apparently is German and Irish I of coarse shared that Im Scottish and so for our presentation we called our selves the Irish the Scott and the German other than that the day was typical.

Already the 5th of September....work is all consuming right now as project and deliverables are stacked up...having to catch-up work early in the morning and evenings...leaves little time for training and requirements...beginning to wonder if I will have the time over the next month...not a good day for sure. going to class tonight, picture day and hopefully work with Master Weeks. Feeling slightly overwhelmed and stressed right now. Need to adjust attitude for sure.

This is the second journal entry that I have had to do over since I got kicked off after publish was clicked,but before the entry posted. Where does it go if it doesn't post? I finally got to my after work yoga class. I have been unable to make it for the past three weeks. After class I had a few things to work on before home. When I arrived at home, I was pleasantly surprised to see my son there. This is the third year in a row that he has been home due to a hurricane.Tomorrows are slipping by.

As this week is quite assessment-heavy, all I can do is take them on one at a time; today it was a human anatomy test, which I’m glad I overestimated how difficult it’d be. Now I just need to plan out various papers and finish my current art project hopefully by Friday and take the other 3 assessments on Friday.

This has been a very busy week at work, but the weekend is almost here!  I’m home working on requirements now-focusing on pushups and burpees.    I’m working on the high belt curriculum that we don’t often have time to do in class with Master Cavazos in my mentor sessions and it has been a great review!  Now I need to keep practicing.

Hapkido form five looks foreign to me each of the three or four times Master Cavazos has shown it to me. I guess I need to practice that more often so I can remember it. It is not an easy thing to practice the hapkido forms by yourself. I think I will forever be catching up on pushups, but not tonight.

Today was a great day. Went to school, completed my work then cane home and finished all my homework. Decided to take a nap before I went to work and omg was it amazing (yes it was). Work was great and so was class.

Today I was very tired, and that combined with the sunburn I had on my shoulders from going swimming yesterday, it wasn't the best of days.  I had to skip Tae Kwon Do today because I had to catch up on sleep hours.  I kind of wish I had the energy to go to sparring class today.  I also missed out on filming my YouTube video today (Adventures of Yoshi is the name of the channel, be sure to subscribe!), which was another bummer.  I hope I can get enough sleep in the future, even though this transition to a new schedule makes it difficult.

Tonight was a good sparring class. Master Marcus broke down some movements for us, which was helpful. Then I assisted in family class.

For the weekend my family from California came! I didn't get all my requirements in but I still got some of them. I am excited for the end of the cycle and hope to write again soon!

Today, I was still sick and I couldn't go to school. I will lay off on requirements. On the bright side, I can finish my essays. 

Up early doing pushups.  25 pushups then coffee break, 25 pushups then coffee break.  Have a great day everyone!

 Today was another chill day. Went to the lake all day so I did most of my requirements there. It was nice working whole seeing a nice view of the beautiful water. What a great way to start this wonderful week off.

Not exactly the weekend I'd expected, but not complaining. Enjoyed kayaking with my husband and visiting with my nephew at the whitewater center on Saturday, had a great workout with Master Tucker at the park on Sunday, and a visit with my in-laws and Jeremy, his girlfriend and her dog today. Had planned to do more, but not meant to be. Tomorrow, tomorrow.

Signed up for the Sparring Seminar this Friday. I really grown to love sparring and I love that were going to get additional training. Cleaned up and prepared for the week. Have to go to sleep early so I can get up at 4am tomorrow. 

Gladly, I'm feeling much better than I was yesterday, which is good because I was concerned that it would affect my performance in the meet tomorrow. I was also able to get a lot of schoolwork done over the past couple days, which will be useful as this is going to be an assessment heavy week.

Very productive day today- cleaned my house and worked in pushups, sit-ups and burpees.  Back to the grind tomorrow.  

Almost done with all my essays! Going to start memorizing written test! May time my run soon. Sadly I am sick today and I hope I’m not tomorrow so I can go to school.

Today, we had to come back from the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was very fun while it lasted. We got to go on a lot of cool hikes, some of them were mostly flat and one was all uphill. The views were gorgeous. You could see the towns and valleys forever. On the first we hike we saw a very beautiful waterfall. We stayed in our motor home and at the campsite, I caught a lot of fish. We are now back and getting ready for school the next day and I'm not happy about it.

My body is starting to feel the effects of the BBC.  My right hip flexor, left knee, and and right ankle are often feeling dicomfort. I'm trying to listen to my body and when I do something that aggravates them I'm just trying to forge forward.

Today I played Chinese Checkers with my mom. It was very fun! It was very hard but after a while I started winning!

Happy Labor Day!!! have the day off so focusing on requirements and training at the house. Did not sleep very well so will take a short nap later today. Today I am focusing on Poomsae's...1-8 primarily...need to make sure I have them nailed so I can move on to the TaeKwon poomsae's with Master Weeks this week.

I am feeling a lot better today like oh my gosh. When Monday hits it back to the grind. Kind of took like three to four days just to rest up so now I am ready. We are in September now so that means two months away from my birthday.

Really nice service at church today. After I finish some assignment, I played sims all day. It was nice.

Today I had to sort of take it easy (I say sort of because I tend to not do so when I need to) because I wasn’t feeling well. Last night because the linens were getting washed I pulled out my sleeping bag, which hasn’t been cleaned in a good while, and slept on the floor; when I woke up it felt as if there was perpetually water in my ears which both muffled and amplified any and all sound. This forced me and my dad to leave church a bit early, but when I got home I took some Benadryl, did the requirements I could, and worked on some schoolwork.

Today, I did nothing besides my requirements and worked on my Community Service essay. This week I will finish all my essays. 

Yesterday I finished my requirements. I also did some community service at the library. Me and some other people learned how to shelve books, and we tore paper out of magazines for an activity on this Tuesday.

Thank you Master Tucker for the great workout at the park today. We got a lot done and doubt I would ever do 60 burpees without you! ???? What a beautiful day! I just got my tracking caught up. Didn't realize I was that far behind on logging in. I'm sure I will do more stuff today, so will log that later. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Master Dege and I trained for almost 3 hours today at the park.  Beautiful day!!!  Now I need a shower and a nap!

Today when I woke up I realized that I had nothing to do I decided to do some requirements and I also found out that I might go to my friends house to

Master Dege and I are headed to the Mint Hill park again today.  It’s beautiful outside but I’m sure it’s going to be really hot so we’re meeting early.  Happy Holiday Weekend Everyone!

Although there wasn’t class today, it was a quite busy day filled with mostly running errands and schoolwork. I’m definitely starting to enjoy my creative writing assignments.

I have been getting a lot better since when I first got sick. I was actually able to work out today and get some requirements in. I’m telling you guys, next week I’m going to hit the ground RUNNING.

Today was an awesome day since me and my dad played some Pokémon go and I went to go check out the other taekwondo school and I found out that the grandmaster was a NINTH DEGREE BLACK BELT it was cool to see how he ran his dojang too!

In New York City for work most of the week...made it to Black Belt Class Thursday evening, great class, thank you Master Cavasos & Master Weeks...worked on Poomsae's and neck choke self defense...old Hapkido techniques.In NYC, walked everywhere so got at least 8 of not 9 miles of walking in over the 3 days. This weekend is "double-down" weekend on requirements...double everything. Up early today and knocked out this mornings numbers.

Today has been a good break day. After school, I ate a snack and finished my new skill essay. I did some push and sit-ups. During school, I had a Spanish and US history test. We have our Chromebooks now and things are improving in my school.