Today was my first day of my first black belt cycle. I woke up, had some blueberries and peanut butter crackers, and study my stufy guides. Afterwards, i did 200 push ups and sit ups over 3 and a half hours. My arms were pretty sore but I still managed to walk 2.5 miles to get chipotle with my friends. I just ate an apple as a late night snack and now i'm off to bed. my first cycle will be quite interesting.
Ran this morning at 5:30AM, then knocked out some requirements before sparring and black belt class. One of my favorite things to do after 3 hours of class is to go to the neighborhood pool and float in the water. The cold water is like icing my whole body. It helped relieve cramps and was very peaceful.
Congratulations guys and gals!! The testing is done, now the work begins. To train like a black belt and become more proficient in Tae Kwon Do. Also, congrats to Jason for getting the best Black Belt Candidate this cycle. Not an easy task and it took dedication and perseverance. Awesome job. A couple of shout outs to others like Master Dege, for getting her fourth Don. That's an incredible amount of work to achieve that goal. Ryan for kicking butt on the requirements and always there to help out. Trent was very grateful to have you as his mentor. I'm sure you were a definite runner up to the best black belt. Tiger, who lets nobody stand in his way of achieving his goals. He is dedicated and is driven. He will someday be on the cover of some magazine. The Hartle's for all their help with this cycle for inspiring...
Finally we have completed the cycle and now I am second Poom. Great job by everyone in the cycle.
Well, the night time testing is over. I did not do as well as I would have liked to do. Made some mistakes, and had some forgetful moments. This is usual for me when I am up past my bedtime. Really glad that Master Evins was able to do this tonight. Worried about him today, especially for the Tea Ceremony.
Last day and I'm pretty anxious. Usually I try to be very 'chill' so to speak and try not to get overwhelmed by projects, tasks and events, but this is really getting to me. I didn't sleep very well last night so I'm already pretty tired.
Last minute tweaks to my music, and i think I am done. Ready for tonight and tomorrow afternoon
Hello. Not much went on today. Came to class and practiced some forms like the Bolo form and Staff form 2 with my buds at Lake Norman. I have to write this essay for my senior exit project for tomorrow.
My dad said that he was gonna get me some Kyrie's. I like Kyrie's because they feel good on my feet and they look good. Kyries are like running shoes they fit nice and everything I really like kyrie's. Kyrie plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers Also there a pretty good team.
Pretty cool day today. Chilled with the gang at Lake Norman, reviewing. I feel pretty confident about the testing, I hope we do well.
Today at school we had a field trip to Hiddenite. It was my second time going. Also, my grandparents came down from New York to visit.
Today I played a game that was a mixture of baseball and football. My team won. Later, we went to a Mexican restaurant and I got stuffed on food. That's really all, goodnight!
There is this basketball team named the Golden state warriors. They are really good. When the warriors,and the cavaliers dd the back to back games I think they did 8. But the warriors won it on the 8th.
Pretty bland day today. Not much happened which is always nice. Went to class as usual, of course.
Must have done some good work yesterday. I slept for an extra hour and a half this morning. Worked on 3 position snatches for strength WOD: x2 4 Jerks (135lbs) 5 FSquat (135lbs) 6 PCleans (135lbs) 30 Pullups 40 Pushups 50 Situps Practiced a lot of flying side kicks jumping over as high and long of a pile as possible. Will see how this goes at testing.
King Tiger Belmont was very hospitable today. I met some new people and some familiar ones. I worked up a good sweat in class. Thanks Julia for working with me on self-defense.
There is this place up the street called pelicans. Pelicans is a snowball place that has over 100 flavors. Pelicans is my favorite spot for snow cones. Me,step dad,mom, and step sister all go there almost everyday in the summer I guess you can say that Pelicans is a cool place.
Today I had my 6 week assessment for ELA. I finished and got a 76%. I am going to retake for a better score.
Although the black belt test is coming up, I have to study for my AP test which are the 1st 2 weeks of May. There are many things going on at once for me, it's kind of stressful
Went to watch Masters Jackson, Geeson, and Brodie test for their next rank in Goldsboro on Saturday. They did a great job, but didn't give me any great ideas for my breaking routine. Kind of forgot about the Nai Bin Jin forms. Spent some time working on them today. More work to do.
Yesterday we went to Church of God Children's Home and helped with yard work. My group worked on pulling weeds from the planting beds in front and side of the house that is usually for young pregnant teenage girls. Several scenarios run through my head when I hear of young pregnant teenagers, and none of them are pleasant. I don't know what their real situation is, but it really makes me stop and appreciate my children and childhood.
Not much happened today. I mostly did homework most of the day. I still have a Statistics homework assignment to do, so I guess I'll do that next.
Today I wrote my community service essay. I worked hard on it and I hope for it to be thought of as at least "decently written".
Yesterday we went for community service at Church of GOD orphanage. It felt very good to be part of the group giving back to your community. Thank you Instructor Foster for coordinating this and to all the people who came to help out. It was a lot of work but it felt good and satisfied when we finished. This is our last week sharing our feelings in this forum. I am super excited to be part of this group and testing along with everyone. Wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you all at testing next week!
Today I went and did my community service project at the Church of God Children's Home. I had lots of fun and felt really happy. (I also made a new friend. Her name is Cat/Kat.)
Somewhat bad news. I think I forgot to journal Thursday and that might become an issue. I hope not. I have a decent amount of homework for this weekend. I already got my spanish out of the way, so that's good.
Awesome color belt testing tonight! It is nice to see so many adults. I remember many of the adults in classes with me that were so encouraging and a belt or a few above me are long gone. It is easier to tell someone to relax than it is for me to relax in a similar situation. Practicing poomsaes tonight for me was not pretty. It took me three times to get through taegeuk sa chang. I got up to a point and could not remember what came next. The second time it morphed into oh chang. Not good. That has been my normal too much lately. Not good and frustrating
Honestly, today was a terrible day. Long day at school with AP Biology test. I had the honors band clinic, in Charlotte right after so I bought dinner at taco bell for some reason. Terrible traffic. Got there, we played from 4-9pm. Absolutely awful. And one cold quesadilla for 'dinner'. Took a while to drive back. They now expect us to come back at 7:45. So basically wake up at 6 and leave at 7. So basically the soonest I could get home was about 9:45 and the latest I can wake up is 6:00, I have about 8:15 hrs to eat, shower, do miscellaneous work and sleep. This is absolutely ridiculous. Then tomorrow, we have to stay there until 3pm. I don't remember signing up for voluntary punishment for being alive. Also, I missed a journal yesterday
Got a little "hot" in BB class tonight. Too much chatter, not enough ki-haps. Wasn't happy. Didn't keep my cool. They were lucky that my Mom showed up....had to be nice after that....lol.
I don't help with testing as much as I should, but it was fun tonight to watch several Jr Tigers test for their new belts. Tomorrow should be fun too.
Cool day for me, watching Trent (my youngest) earning his green belt. I'm usually more critical of their performances, but tonight, he nailed it. He knew his pomsae really well and his kicks looked good. It was a proud dad moment. I'm blessed to have an awesome group of people in my sons lives. Encouraging, respectful, honorable, and kind to say the least of the King Tiger family. It does take a village, but that village can produce an idiot or a great citizen depending on the type of folks we associate with. Find the right village and you get the right individual. Thanks to all who make my job as a dad an easier one. My hat is tipped to you..
Busy day of errands, work outs and classes. Practiced creative form with Natasya. Busy weekend ahead with the Masters' Testing in Greensboro. This next week is going to fly by!
REgular sparring class with Instructor Marcus. Pretty cool class.
Color belt testing is tomorrow, so yesterday when I got home from class, I put my doboks in the washer. When I went to hang them up I noticed several blue dots on them. Note to self: be sure to always check the washer to make sure no stray pens, crayons, markers, or other such objects are left behind. I have heard that aerosol hairspray helps with ink spots, so I tried it and oxyclean and laundry detergent. I am on the fifth washing with high hopes for few remaining obvious spots. I guess we shall see at testing tomorrow. This in no way will cause me to revert to washing my kids clothes again, just to be more careful with my own. Other than that, it was a great day for getting outside for some fresh air and miles with a coworker after work today. It has been a while...
Having nagging arm/shoulder injuries for the last 7 months, finally healing up, allowed me to get a personal record today with weight overhead. Close to my body weight (I'm heavy). Spent some time working on my breaking kicks today. Mentor session with Master Evins
I'm so close! I only have .81 miles left and I just want to run them right now. However my parents are perfectly comfortable and are watching tv so I don't want to bother them. I can't do it myself because I don't know my way through the neighborhood. Well, goo night.
I'm working on my statistics homework right now. Staff form 2 and bolo form need the most work right now, but I feel relatively confident about testing than I did a month or so ago.
Today I had my first gym class. It was fun. We played a game where we had to knock the other team's pins down with dodge balls. I have gym for the rest of the year so I think I will enjoy it.
I think when poomsaes are ending up intermingled, it is time to do something else. I need to watch some videos to review. Looking forward to color belt testing later this week. It is always good to see hard work rewarded and the excitement of getting a new belt. I don't feel like I accomplished much today, except I am feeling better about my creative poomsae. My brain and body need to rest.
Tonight was fun. i got to be teamed up with Master Richie and we did self defense drills a little different then normal. Master Evins had us do this one drill that seemed pretty easy. Just take a step in, then bring the back foot the opposite direction and face the other way. Well, Master Richie and I ended up looking like a Abbot and Costello show and kept ended up with our backs touching somehow, while everyone in class is facing their partner from a distance looking at two dudes with their backs together looking very unmanly. Needless to say Master Evins, which tried various attempts to correct us, made us change partners. Ahhh, that's what it's supposed to look like. If you were there at the North Charlotte dojung, you probably had a good laugh at our expense. And that's cool. It's one of my secret powers, to baffle...
At school today we had the "Greek Olympics" for all of the 6th grade Social Studies classes to wrap up our ancient Greece unit. I participated in the long jump and the tug-of-war. My class won the girl's running race. It was very fun.
Hello. Not much has happened. I have a case study to read about for biology about the Hedgehog gene, yet gene has no relation to hedge hogs. It apparently got its name after some biologists infused the genes into fruit fly eggs and the hatched fruit flies looked as if they had dense spines.
We are so close to testing! 11 days and counting. Working on some of my higher belt poom saes. Have to get them more fluid. Need to work with my self defense partner. Feeling good about my weapons forms.
I hear there are games going on tonight. I for one do not follow much of college sports, but I do enjoy watching them live. I guess thats the west coaster in me. Don't hold it against me too much. I have embraced the southern ways and love it. I just can't get into college sports. Katherine (the Mrs) is supposedly a big Duke fan, passed down by her father. They love their Duke. Though she doesn't follow them or has a clue how they did this season, I would not be allowed to turn on the Carolina game. A long time ago I asked her father who in the family went to Duke. Would have thought I grew a third eye on my head the way he looked at me. "Boy, you don't have to go to heaven to know that you want to go there" was his answer. I...
On sunday when I was with my dad me and him played on my ps4. When we picked teams I picked Golden state warriors, he was the Milwaukee Bucks. The score was 103-101 I was up then he mad a three. The score was 103-104 I had to make a shot with klay tompson but he missed the three and we lost.
Today was the first day back at school. It went pretty smoothly and I think the rest of the week will be good.
Went to class today. Basically mastered by Bolo form. I should work on that along with my staff form tomorrow.
Did my first weight class since injuring my hip last week. Kept the weight light, and everything went well. No pain. Ready to keep on working and getting ready for testing.
Wow! No more Saturday black belt classes before testing. The reality is closing. I suppose there will always be more to do. Could have, should have...I wished I would have done this one differently.
Hello candidates, Master's, fellow students, and foreign delegates. Wanted to thank you for what looks like a big turn out for the King Tiger service project coming up this Saturday the 9th. Those who are on the cycle, were of course voluntold, but we seem to be getting a lot who just want to help out. Here's a little about this organization. It was established in 1944 by Rev Childers. It was a private place to help abuse, neglected or any child in need. The residents at the ...time, was a mill town, raised $10,000 to make it possible for children to have a safe and loving place to go if needed. The Church of God Children's Home is still a private, non-profit Christian facility and will remain so as long as the generosity of the community deems it so. Most of the children (to my understanding) go home on the...
Last day of Spring Break. We came back from the beach today and on the way back I was crammed in the back of the car because we had to pick up one of my dogs.
Hello, sorry i haven't journaled in a while. I guess i really just took spring brake off. I did get some running though. Today i went to some batting cages and practice hitting for baseball. Then I went to the field to catch fly balls and do suicides. It was fun, good night.
Yesterday I went to spare time. At spare time me my dad and his girlfriend all went but me and my dad did putput. Then I did the arcade. Then after that we got my favorite food ribs. I had a fun day yesterday .
Hello. Today's going to be pretty busy for me. I have a spanish project to finish and I want to read about our next class in European History, it's a very reading-extensive class.
Awesome instructors training this afternoon! I should try to do better and break out of my comfort zone. I also need to make a point to meet someone new each time I go to the dojang and then keep up with them. It is hard with so many. I missed working with the student I have been working with each Saturday after family class. I hope he's on vacation.
Two more days of spring break. Can't wait for school! (sarcasm)
Yay! I finally finished creating my creative poomsae today. Now I just need to learn it and remember it, so it looks as if I have been doing it for a long time. I have in my head, for trying to come up with it, but that's totally different muscles.
If there is one part of my life I could just skip, it would be tax season. God Bless accountants because I don't know how they do it. Looking at pages and pages of numbers, forms, rules and whatever else. The stuff makes my large intestine do a yoga position. I remember taking Accounting I and Accounting II in college, and you know what I learned, hire a good accountant. Every year I do an extension because of the dread of completing the 80 page booklet my accountant gives me to fill out. And every year I tell myself I will start earlier and get them done prior to March. When pigs fly. Or how about when pigs own a breakfast bar and fry bacon. Weird but tasty. So, stay healthy cycleillans and be sure to wash behind your ears. You never know when the IRS will want to meet you.
Yesterday me,dad,cousin went to go work out. Will they were working out I worked out with my trainer. Then after that we all went to go run 2 miles. It was hard for me because we went to go run right after I got done with my training. So I guess yesterday was hard.
Not much happened today. I have my piano lesson then Tae Kwon Do. I'm not sure if it's a the dojang.
Spent yesterday feeling like an old man. Hurt my hip pretty badly, probably from doing deadlifts. Never had this particular injury, so hoping that ice and rest will heal it up in short time.
Today the family with all the boys came and it is going to be chaos.
Had a great day at the whitewater center with the kids. All the arms work on the ropes courses sure makes pushups, burpees, and pull-ups that much more challenging. My left arm is more sore than usual. I was probably holding the ropes too tightly. Gotta love the zipline! Back to reality tomorrow.
Regular day today. Worked on a spanish project with my friend and we went to see the Batman vs. Superman movie afterwards. It's really not bad, I don't understand what the fuss is about.
Yesterday I lost a tooth. It was really bad. It was bad because when I pulled it out it had skin and this weird thing on it. When I tried to pull it out it hurt so bad that I started so much that my eyes turned so red that it was darker then my dark red blanket and my blanket is dark trust me. Also after I pulled it i had a smile on my face that's how much it hurt.
Our friends have left and we are now getting ready for the next family that is coming.
No matter how much time there is, it never seems to be as much as I need. Hopefully tomorrow will be a nice day for ropes courses and zip lines at the whitewater center with the kids.
The Air Forces slogan, at least in the past, is Aim High. When different services meet, like the Army and the Air Force work together, we would have fun with their slogans. I always remembered the "Aim High when you shoot low" joke. In retrospect, it makes some sense. You picture yourself succeeding at anything you do. Then you go for it. You might fail miserably, but if the right mind set was in place, you do much better the next time. I like believing that I can conquer anything. Even if the reality is so very different. It's why we continually do the things we do. Not because we are good at it, or were born to do it. We do it because it's something we haven't mastered it yet or even tried yet. Imagine the first guy to climb Mount Everest. I bet he was the butt of every...
For our friend's last day, we decided to go to the beach. Everyone has sunburns now which really hurt.
Its been a long time since I recorded a journal. My dad has been travelling a lot lately. Last week we had our friends come from Michigan to visit us. We had a blast. We went to Atlanta to see the aquarium and then in and around Charlotte. They left back home yesterday. My sister and I have spring break this week and we kind of finished all our assignments. I have been working on the small details which Master Randle and Master Ritchie told me last week. I finished all my requirements and even though I keep doing my stuff I stopped logging in the numbers. Maybe I should login the numbers again. I am super excited to get back to class from today. Felt boring without Tae Kwon Do the past few days.
Getting to the finish soon. The last weeks always seem to go by faster than the first few weeks. Still much left to do. I went to class in Belmont today. I never know what to expect in Master Shin's class. It's always fun and challenging and today we tried taegeuk poomsaes with staff. That really makes you think about what you are really doing.
Sometimes I forget how the simpler things in life give the greater reward. This weeks been nice and a good time to reflect. Connor is getting that age where he's contemplating how the world works and his place in it. Trent has a friend staying overnight, Mateo, who lives in a apartment complex in Ohio and doesn't have a back yard or a dad. Today was a blast as he and Trent spent the day in the creek in the back with their shovels and rain boots getting soaked from head to foot. Later we made a camp fire and roasted some marshmallows. It's awesome to see the look on his face just from being in the woods and doing what boys do, get dirty, wet and run around like nutty dingoes chasing a plumb rabbit. Tomorrow we'll send him down on our neighbors zip line. No waivers needed. We just...
Failed to get 200 lbs twice trying to get a 1 Rep Max on Push Presses. Got 195 lbs WOD: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 TNG Cleans (115 lbs) Pullups TNG Jerks (115 lbs) Touch and Go movements with no pauses. Every pause requires a 100 m run/sprint
One of my friends and her family left today but my other friends are staying until Wednesday. Then on Thursday another family with only boys are coming.
Hello folks and Happy Easter. I titled this one Hope as that is what Easter is, a new beginning and hope for something more than this world. I really like the part that I will be seeing my family and friends in eternity once I do my final swan dive and kick the bucket. My forever hope is that you will be there too, practicing martial arts with me and kicking some devil butt. Not the Duke kind of course. For those of different faiths, we share similar goals; after life, reunited with loved ones, and a sense of purpose. Without purpose, what's there to do. For example, for the last two days I have been installing a new stereo and speakers in my suburban. It looked real easy on You Tube. So, after much tedious wiring and rigging, because the parts didn't fit right, I finally got it all done....
One of my friend's family are leaving tomorrow because their school system is different than mine. It was still fun though.
I forgot to journal this weekend. I did some yard work earlier today, which is super fun. It's a good break from reading for Biology of European History. I've got quite a bit of things I need to finish.
Busy day today. Not sure if I will have time to get a run in. Family Easter dinner today. Need to keep it real and not eat poorly.
Chopped down two trees in my backyard, and cut my Crepe Myrtle back. Then spent hours trimming bushes and cutting firewood with my axe. Pretty exhausted. Going to feel this tomorrow.
Today our friends arrived at our beach house. I hope to have a great time here with them!
On one day it was pi day and I got 21 words. I forgot the words but at least I got the numbers right in class. The numbers were 3/14 that was the day that is celebrated .
Today is the first official day of Spring Break. My family and I are spending it at our beach house. It is going to be really fun!
I found out I have a new nephew today, on my sister's birthday. How exciting! I look forward to meeting him. I have some catching up to do. Let's see how productive tomorrow can be.
Practiced a lot of dynamic kicks yesterday. Trying to get my 540. Legs and back are so tired. HSPU and weighted plank holds (45 lb) today WOD: 50 calorie row 50 pushups 100 squats 50 push press (95 lbs) 50 calorie row
Today our school had Tech Field Day. It was early fun but the part when we had to learn. we did recess,slideshows,art,and music.It was really fun. The most fun part of all of it was when we went out to recess.
No work out this morning with Master Evins...so went to the Dojang and worked on poom saes. Did my requirements. Got caught up on some emails. Looking forward to the MAIA seminar this weekend.
Alright, I'm about 36% done with my school work given to me for the break. Of course I kept into account the projects teacher are going to give us the last day. This is just a very busy week.
Had a good work out day yesterday...Crossfit in the am, then ran 2 miles with Ms. Theresa (she makes me go "fast"). Then joined in with the adult class for some kicks and poom saes. Master Schneider was able to join us, so we worked on all the Black Belt Pooms so that she could get up on the modifications. It really helps me learn the poom sae better, when I get to teach it. Worked out with Lauren this morning...cardio and strength. Looking a work out # 2 at 6:30 tonight.
Think I will work on some dynamic kicking today. Want to get my 540 back (and better). More work on hurricane hook kicks. Black Belt class tonight, and PMAA
As I have made a list of homework assignments to complete before the break, I have 25% done. This does not include studying for tests and out of school work. I'm looking forward to when I have all I need completed.
We made it, spring is here officially. Enjoyed a good day of work, transferred my tools to the new car, and soccer. It definitely feels like spring. Ever wonder why we look forward to spring so much when all we do is increase our work load with yard work, house and car washing, and all the kids sports we run around trying to make. I was going to hop in the hammock for a few minutes when Katherine yelled down from the back deck, "What are you doing?" Apparently, I'm not doing enough. What was I thinking not having a shovel in my hands to provide the earth with much needed azellya shrubs. Those Jone's might get ahead of us with their planting if I close my eyes for a minute. Shutter the thought. That's all for now. Drive fast, take chances.
The cycle is almost over and so am I. All I have left is a mentee session and running. Yet, at the same time, I feel like it will be a year until the cycle ends. It's only a few weeks away but feels like it will take forever. I just can't wait. I want to say good job to everybody at the physical and written test. You all did a great job. I am very happy for everybody that has gotten this far and has pushed themselves beyond their limits. Congratulations to all!
Back from taking a week off sick. Felt good. 5 lbs short of a PR on Strict Press WOD: 400 m Run 30 OHS (115 lbs) 400 m Run 30 Lateral Burpees 400 m Run 30 Slam Balls 400 m Run
Was not happy with the chilly day today. Supposed to warm up again this week. Using my new lap top. It has been a frustrating couple of weeks...computer-wise. Proud and happy with the Physical and written test this weekend. The next month will fly by!
If you ever have the opportunity to go alpining, I highly recommend it. It's such an inspiration to stand on the highest peak around and look out over the world around you. That's what Saturday felt like as my fellow cyclist turned on the juice and slam dunked it. The effort, sweat, and drive was motivating. Watching little (but fierce) Tiger smoke that run, Jaylen never backing down on the plank, and the rest of the gang kicking butt and taking names. It made for a very manly day, ladies included. Three more weeks and we get to have that sleep over at the North Charlotte Dojang. Don't forget to bring you favorite pillow and your fluffy Ninja Turtle slippers. I hear there will be story telling with some hot cocoa, smores, and a good game of duck duck goose that Master Evins puts on. I heard we might have to...
It feels good with the physical test behind us. I'm pretty sure I bettered each thing except I did one less burpee. I thought that was pretty good especially considering I didn't run before the pretest. I even felt good doing plank. What got me there was more my wrists. It was great that Jeremy came and ran with me, was very encouraging and even stayed for the rest of the physical test. Spent the evening with the Moody Blues in Cherokee with my husband.
Great Job everyone on finishing Part 1. Not over yet.... I was looking through facebook to see I if I broke my records and I did. But when I was doing I forgot all about the challenge videos Master Evins posted. I missied one so I got 5 random credits and 1 leadership credit. I used 4 on Sparring and 1 on BB Saturday. Then I used my leadership credit which I had one of which you help out in class. Those credits came in handy. I didn't use them before because I wanted to see what I really needed towards the end. And those where the ones. It helped out in the long run!!!!!!
Woooh!! I survived my pre-test. Ran my 1.5 miles in 9:28mins and got a perfect score in my written test. I beat all my numbers in push ups, sits ups and all. Feels good. Been a really long day today. Came back and helped my dad with the lawn and garden and played basketball with him. Finished few assignments and now ready to hit bed. Great job everybody. Have a good night!!
Today I had my physical and written test. I think I did pretty good for my physical. I was never told a grade so I'm just hoping. I know I did good on the written test. I was told I got a 104! I was very happy. Congratulations to all on the tests. You all did a great job!
