Candidate Journals

Found out yesterday that I will not be sparring at Kukkiwon Cup.I will be competing in Poomse, and then assisting with judging.Been working alot on endurance and conditioning.Going to try to keep up the sparring workouts.

Pulled an abdominal muscle in class on Tuesday. Makes push-ups and sit-ups very painful so I'm taking a break from them for now. Black belt cycle meeting is today!

Crossfit this morning, 2 mile run and kickboxing....good day of exercise. Lettuce wraps for dinner... day 17 of the 24 day challenge. Down 10 pounds. Can't wait for the tournament this weekend!'t

Today has been a busy day so far! Had to meet with my lender, go to the bank, pack a few more boxes, whew! Everything is still looking great with the house, though. I am so ready to be moved in and done with this process. That will make the cycle much easier to focus on! Still need to knock out some essays and things...

Sore from yesterday's "murph" work out at cross fit. Gonna have to do something today to work out the soreness a bit.

2 miles run100 pull-ups200 push-ups300 squatsFelt great! Day after a 3 mile run with 45 burpees and 45 squats. Day after 3.3 mile run with 20 burpees.Worked out hard to counteract the long holiday weekend.

Day 12 of the 24 day challenge. I have lost 10 pounds. Very happy about that. Have run 9 miles so far this week, need to get some good miles in this weekend. Crossfit was not too bad today....but the Monday work out promises to be Cray-Cray......

Getting through a little groin tightness, and a bit of strained abdominal.Quick Martial Fit workout last night. WOD later this morning.Day 12 of Challenge. The cleanse is over :-(

This is my first journal entry of my master's journey. Better late than never I guess. So, in honor of officially starting our new black belt journey, I have attached one of my favorite Black Belt pictures. :)

getting excited about Kukkiwon Cup....only about days away. Not competing, but have been practicing my ref skills.

I finally logged in the small amount of requirements I had done since I started and see what a small dent in the big numbers it has made. I keep telling myself that I need to get into a routine of doing regular requirements, but the tunnel seems long. I'm sure it will become short much faster than I would like. In addition to all the requirements, there is always so much to learn. I guess for a little while I should concentrate on my form for Kukkiwon Cup and then worry about learning new things. As high as the numbers look now, I am determined to get a big chunk completed before the end of the year, so when work gets to be much more demanding I don't have to choose. Definitely easier said than done.

Busy Tuesday! Lots going on for the house my wife and I are trying to get. We have hit many obstacles along the way, but have overcome them all so far. Hopefully we will be closing in a few weeks! That will be a big weight off of my shoulders. I know that there will be lots to do when we move in and start unpacking. Wow...you never realize how much stuff you have until you have to move..... Had a good class with Master Cavazos this morning. Looking forward to a sweaty morning tomorrow starting with Crossfit, then training with Sa Bum Nim!

I am back! Finished with my presentations in Boston and I think everything went really well. No one saw me shaking behind the podium. Great black belt class tonight at North Charlotte. I am going to refocus on Taekwondo now that my work stressors are in the past. I'm especially getting myself back into physical condition so that I can do well during this black belt cycle.

Tough day at Crossfit....1 mile run and 58 ring pulls....had to modify a bit because of time constraints....should have been a mile and a half run. Will work in another mile or so into the Martial Fit class tonight. Day 9 of 24 day challenge. Feeling good!

Day 9 of our 24 Day Challenge.Lost 5.5 lbs so far. Still looking for another 7 lbs.Great Crossfit workout yesterday, followed by mowing my yard.

Excited about the 24 day challenge. Day 8 and I have already lost 6 lbs! Crossfit was hard today....54 burpees to add to my totals. Ran with Master Schneider, slowly. Still have kickboxing tonight...so I am off to have some spark and catalyst! Then, early to bed I think!

Excited about the 24 day challenge. Day 8 and I have already lost 6 lbs! Crossfit was hard today....54 burpees to add to my totals. Ran with Master Schneider, slowly. Still have kickboxing tonight...so I am off to have some spark and catalyst! Then, early to bed I think!

Doing great on the challenge so far.Doing the meal replacement shakes during the new cleanse phase. Want to get a few more pounds off before competition in the Kukkiwon Cup in a couple of weeks.

Trained at the South Charlotte school tonight. Class was great and I enjoyed seeing my old friends again.

Wow! Definitely still have a ways to go...I need to get more frequent with my journaling, and also some other requirements. Sometimes it just feels like days are not long enough! I spent a little bit of time outside of town this weekend, now I am back in the groove. Looking forward to a CrossFit class tomorrow, and will be starting some of my essays soon!

I've been very inconsistent lately with logging my requirements (of which I have done few) and journaling. I'm in the home stretch with my presentations. I go to Boston the week of May 11-May 17 and my presentations are on 5/13 and again on 5/16. I hate to wish my life away, but I can't wait until I've done the presentations and I can focus on TaeKwonDo.

Here it is already May and my next black belt cycle is less than a year away. It is time to get back into the swing of regular requirements. Easier said than done, but it has to be done. This morning I helped with Jr. Tigers and then Family class. Then was black belt class taught by Master Randle and I went home sweaty. We worked on a variety of poomsaes, kicks and self-defenses. My falls need work! What a beautiful spring day to be outside!

Had a great Crossfit class this morning. Legs are nice and stiff now. Good training with some of the masters and Master Evins after that. Will be moving to Concord in early June, so will have to find another gym. Northlake will be too far to drive for me in the mornings each week. Don't worry, I will still be here at King Tiger North Charlotte.

In addition to trying to remember red belt #2 self defense, I am leaving a job (and a profession) and a home. On April 30 I will walk away from the practice of law for the second time in my life. On May 13 I will leave my condo which is being sold. As of May 13 I will be unemployed and homeless and I could not be happier about it. I'll tell you why in my next post.

Lots of requirements done today. My arms are quite tired from the push-ups. I finally registered for the Kukkiwon Cup and will be competing in forms. No sparring for me!

Was able to spend about 3 hrs training yesterday. I think I am going to make it. Self-defenses are still my achilles heel.

Congratulations to everyone that tested this past weekend! Everyone looked great and did a phenomenal job. I am very excited for the Tea Ceremony tomorrow, can't wait to see everyone there!

Trying to re-master 1st dan self defense this week. Not as easy as I remember it. Actually, I don't recall much of it at all. So glad the Charlotte masters took the time to help me video them.

I just wanted to say again, that everyone did an AWESOME job during testing, and I am very proud of everyone!!!! I cannot wait for the Tea Ceremony, and I can't wait for Saturday!!!!! Wahooooo this is awesome!! I hope that everyone is as excited as I am. Can't wait to see you guys!! And great job on the cycle, everyone, I know that you tried very hard, and I can see it in your performance. I can't wait for the next cycle!!

Congratulations to all who tested last weekend. I was with you in spirit. Spent the weekend at my mother's house in rural AR with no internet. I was quite pleased with the pictures I saw posted when I got back. I am still training.

I love North Carolina, but my allergies are killing me. I'm thankful for Claritin. Looking forward to class tonight. I'm very stressed about these presentations I have to give in May and the only place I'm not thinking (obsessing) about them is in the dojang!

Using my Fitbit flex to help me keep track of my miles. Push-ups are still killing me. Tomorrow I'll begin another week. Hope to lose a pound or two by the weekend. My knee will thank me.

Heartiest congratulations to all my friends on getting our next level. All our hard work paid off and look forward to seeing you all in the tea ceremony this Friday and wear our new belts :)

The black belt candidates had an awesome test today! The whole group did really well. I came home motivated to work on requirements after their performance. The next black belt test is right around the corner. (Gulp.)

Last night we had an awesome testing. Mostly everyone did great. I am very proud of everybody!! Keep up the great work!! Make sure you practice a little before the show!!

I have not written a journal in a while. But I wanted to say that I hope that everyone does well during their testing. I am a little nervous, but that is to be expected. I have been practicing all day, and know I will do great, as well as everyone else. * I am upset though, because I am not sure if my pull ups got logged in, and after taking class I ended up doing way more poomseas than what was there before. I also did a lot today. * I also don't understand why the website is not working, because I wanted to check it out and make sure everything was updated, but it would not work.  Good Luck!!

Today is the night the big night we have all been waiting for black belt testing. Are you ready I am. Comment if you are or not.

Here we are..Tonight is final testing. Heading to school now and will be back in the evening. Need to sleep for a little before i head out for the overnight testing. Master Randle and Master Knight gave me a lot of confidence yesterday before our Black Belt Class. I was extremely nervous and I am kind of ok now.... I wish everyone all the best! See you soon

Wishing all the black belt candidates a GREAT night tomorrow when they begin their test at 9p. Work hard and finish strong!

Well, the cycle is one week and one day from full completion. Tomorrow night is our Overnight Test; Saturday is our Demo Test and then our Tea Ceremony is scheduled for the 17th. While the past several weeks have been a major part of the journey, the cycle truly includes all of the hours and sweat that have gone into my 2nd Don Black Belt these past 2 years. I have enjoyed all of it and I am looking forward to the next leg of the journey. See you all tomorrow night! We are ready!

Tomorrow is the final test. I am so nervous and excited! (Can that happen?) I know I can do it because I practiced and I am ready! :)

Starting to feel better about my Boston presentations. I'm about half done with both power points! Now I just want May 13th and 16th to come and go so that I can take a deep breath and get back to work on my TKD essays. My left knee is hurting again. It's very frustrating not be able to do what I want to do physically. Can't even kneel on the knee anymore. Will just have to take it one day at a time. Looking forward to the Kukkiwon Cup!

This is the last journal that I need. Yes. Oh yeah. Still got to hone my skill. SO allsons-y!! ( that's french for let's go.)

This is the last journal that I need. Yes. Oh yeah. Still got to hone my skill. SO allsons-y!!

All of a sudden i have become very nervous. I have been practicing all my stuff and trying to make it clean. 2 more days!!!

There is 2 days left until testing. Are you ready. Comment if you are or not.

Man, I am very excited for this cycle of black belt testers. Testing is only a few short days away! A lot of people have stepped up, and come a very long way. This gives me motivation for the next cycle I am honored to be attacking Master Cavazos for his testing, I just hope he doesn't clean my clock too bad!Go Black Belts!

So I'm really nervous / super excited about this Saturday is been 2 long years for me to get my black belt so ready for it

Soon, so soon. I am going to test for my Black belt. YEAH! Hard work pays off.

My da was good. I went long boarding today. That is really all.

Had a good day at school. We had pizza party and we loved every bit of it. Saw Master Chelley's email on the Friday night testing and just got nervous... I hope we all do good and get through the night on Friday. 2 more days!!!!

I've noticed as I've gotten older that the body needs a bit more time to bounce back between workouts. When I tested for first dan (around 34 or so) I was quite proud that I could keep up with the youngsters. 13 years later and I have had to accept that while I can still do most things, it just takes a smidge longer to do them. It makes me realize that martial arts may be the best way to stay in tune with your body. The body is the best indicator of all things from physical health to emotional well being. I pledge never to stop my martial arts training. Weight lifting may be beneficial but the physical training of martial arts just keeps you in balance and in tune much better.

After visiting Charlotte and Master Evins I now have added AM and PM workouts. Staff form #2 is a bit of a problem but nothing I can't handle. Feeling more confident every day now.

My day was good. I went shopping all day. And my feet are killing me.

I am sick with a stomach bug or something, I don't know. GRR THIS!!!!

Enjoyed this weekend was able to get my garden ready for planning. And was able to let my mind have a rest ,there is nothing like working in the dirt with your hands and taking your mind off everything else. But today it was back to business and for the next few days.

This is becoming real now. Final week is here. I am super excited for the testing. Heading out to school now and will be practicing all evening today.

Just spent 3 days with Master Evins. Feel like a martial artist (albeit a sloppy one) again. Looking forward to pushing on through.

Still thinking about this upcoming weekend getting nervous / excited can't wait

Today I got back home from Florida. It was awesome bye  

My day was good. My nana and papa came to my hour today. I happy Easter .

Happy Easter! It's Easter YEAH!! And we got 5 more days 'till testing. Yup, fun week ahead.

This weekend i registered for the Kukkiwon Cup. so, the training ramps up.

Yesterday was just a boring day. Nothing much to do. Helped my parents clean the house. Today is the last day of spring break and school from tomorrow. Final 5 days before testing!!!

Psychologically preparing myself for this up coming weekend, can't wait !!

My day was good. I went to the store with my mom to day.

Today I woke up and did a lot o playing around and then I hang out with our grandma and grampa to show what I learned at tae kwon do. Next they left to the temple and then we where stuck with our uncle we went to get pizza and we ate it next we watch a movie it was so fun. Then I went home to my real home it was fun today.

I can't sleep and it is almost 11:00 at night and i am not at all tired. tomorrow I will be though.

Had a lazy Friday yesterday. We stayed up a little late watching TV. I finished my daily requirements and we went to Ikea. It was real fun going to Ikea and writing down all the details to pick up from the self service. Then I helped my dad assemble his stuff.

Today this morning I went to my grandma's house and went to the mall I went to play with some other kids and I had fun a lot then I went to Tokyo a bufay place and I'm going to sleep.

My day was good. In tea know do to day we saw what we know and evident know.

I am going to a 2 hour BB class at 5:30. Gosh this is going to be exhausting.

Next Friday is our final test.... Its getting real... My spring break is over this weekend and back to school from next week. I made sure that I caught up on a lot of sleep and rest... Have a good day

MY day was good. We really did nothing in power class today but it was a fun day. I had a test in math class.

I am so sore again and very tired. That's it. I've got nothing else. :)

Today is a new day and a new beginning so live it to the fullest.

Long day today and super ready for next saturday. Reviewing things that I need to work on still

Today at school I finaly got fun today I went to school did math first than did a lot of running around. Next I went back to the class room and watch magic school bus. Then it was lunch it was so good then we had specials and we did computers and picking the best book to put in our class reading section. Finaly I did a lot of tae kwon do.

Yesterday was good. My sister and i went to our friends house to play. We had great fun there. The weather was very good too. In the evening went to Tae Kwon Do. It was Whacky Wednesday and Master Knight made us sweat a lot.... Got all my requirements done for yesterday. Heading to the library now.

My day was good. I am going to the Whitewater Center for a school field trip and it was very fun I hope that I can go there again.

Really tired tonight had a super long but fun day today now I have a have and going to bed early goodnight

Not liking push-ups at all today. Would rather do sit-ups all day long. Hoping my knee starts feeling better soon. Geumgang under the noodle last Saturday made my knee very angry. Very, very angry.

Today I had to take the math EOG it was easy but took long to do I hated the last three days of being silent today and the other days. Today at tae kwon do I got a sweaty workout like doing push ups punches and doing squat thrust.

2 field trips in one week. I was up so early. UGH!!!!

Wow, what a beautiful day! Had a great workout at CrossFit this morning. These requirements are eroding away...slowly but surely.... I'm glad to have some days off on this long weekend. Even though we are closed Friday, still planning on getting in a good class at the gym in the morning. Hopefully, the weather will be nice and I can get outside for awhile this weekend!

Headed to CLT to get some real TKD training over three days. So looking forward to training with other students and seeing old friends.

Yesterday was a good tuesday. Did my requirements and assignments in the day. Master Randle and I spent some time together again in the evening going through all my stuff. We had a good Black Belt class as well. It is getting real. Just 8 more days after today.

Had a nice day at work and then a terrific evening at King Tiger North Charlotte. Had a nice 4 mile run in 36 minutes, lots of kicks in BB class and good PMAA class. Looking forward to my drive to Raleigh tomorrow to visit my folks. My father will be 87 on Thursday. The icing on the venture is that Jack will be meeting me there and then coming home with me on Thursday. Have a great week everyone!

Today was a decent day today. The black belt most of the black belt family ran with Marcus, which was fun. Then we did class and that's all what happened.

My bay was good.I felt good on my as test today. Tomorrow I am going on a field trip it going to be fun.

Did grappling, at Belmont tonight I really enjoyed it.. note just really tired.. going to bed really early tonight

Today at school there was cheese sticks for breakfast and a fiber bar. Today at school we did the MOK EOG which is a practice EOG it was long it took everybody the whole day to do it. Today at tae kwon I did a lot of things today I thinks it would be fun if I got to do fun things at school.

Today at school there was cheese sticks for breakfast and a fiber bar. Today at school we did the MOK EOG which is a practice EOG it was long it took everybody the whole day to do it. Today at tae kwon I did a lot of things today it was fun and I thought it would be fun if I got a lot of fun things at school.

I AM SO SORE AGAIN! Only this time in one leg. Why universe, WHY?!

Yesterday was a relaxing day. Nothing much. Did my requirements and then took my regular class and Hyper Pro. We did sword training at Hyper. Its really cool. 9 more days until testing!!

Still pushing out requirements, only a few more days left !!

Monday's are still awesome. Unfortunately my schedule change for Spring Quarter has me working 1230 to 2245 on Monday & Tuesday for the next 11 weeks. Today was fun at the LKN Dojang due to it being Fitness Day. Had a lot of fun with my two classes. Thanks to Masters Conrad & Chelley for allowing me to teach these classes during this cycle. It has been awesome.

Today had a breakfast it was bad. I had to do a test and I took another test. When it was time to play I met with friends and played tag it was fun then I went inside and took another test and then went to lunch it was good and then went to specials it was art we did leaf rubbing and did clay with we made birds and it looks awesome. Then we did math it was fractions how to compare fractions and which one is bigger and which one is smaller. Today at tae kwon do we did sword training for Hyper pro it is a program that does different weapon training and then helped my brother in his regalar class it was super fun.

My day was good. I study for my ss test to tomorrow. I think that I will go good on my test tomorrow.

Exhausting day for me today. I have a bunch of homework and drove home. Then I went to 2 and 1/2 Tae Kwon Do classes. I felt like falling asleep in the third, because i was so tired