Candidate Journals

I had my second mentor meeting today and got some requirements done before black belt class. I learned Wang Ho 2 and Hapkido 16-18.  

I have set a new goal that  I have  to do 80 push-ups 80 sit-ups and 1 mile and 10 poomsaes and 8 self-defense before I can use the computer.  

This morning I got up early to do some requirements.  Then we drove into Charleston.  I did a lot of walking there and was able to knock out three miles. When we got back, I went out on the beach and did three more miles.  I finished up my requirements this evening, but I have to say, I really had to convince myself to do all of them.  This is not a good thing this early in the cycle!  L I’m going to have to have a stern talk with myself.

today i did a sparing class and tryedto catch up  

Today I caught up on all my requirements so Im right on track. I also got a mentee session and a sparring class in. Today was a good day.

today i had fun did some of  my requirements at kta and had a good day today 

today was a really short day, but it was fun. I woke up and did all my workouts and chores, then I went to class. it was one of my instructors last day before he went off to collage and it was sad saying goodbye to him, but he did promise to visit. the workout was easier and I have everything up on track. I am soon going to my friends house to sleep over, it was a good day :)

Today I did all of my requirements enough for me to pratice for soccer tryouts for my school soccer team. Sadly I am not able to take class today.

at home I do all my things at one time and I am trying to make up a routine. This is going to be hard.

Today was about as hard as the other days.  I was ahead on some things, but in others I was really behind.  I did extra stuff today to catch up.  Doing 215 push-ups was really hard.

I have been out of the country for the first week of the cycle and the worry has set in! Time to catch up on all my requirements and break down on what I need to learn. Coming back from a pulled hip flexor was not what I had in mind when it comes to starting another black belt cycle!!!

today i had to finish up my pullups and my sparring rounds after dance class. it was late at night. it felt like each thing took a year to do. though the whole thing probably took about five minutes. though it felt like a long time i got it all done.

Another day of training…I don’t really have a routine yet, but I’m keeping up.  When I return home, I need to work on a routine because it makes it easier if it’s a habit. I did get everything done today and I did some more research on my pre-war Korea essay. I’ve also found that it’s difficult to do random acts of kindness when you spend all your time on the beach, unless you count what you do for your family.  But it’s really easy to meditate while looking at the ocean!

today i had to finish my pullups and sparring rounds after dance. it was really lateat night. they felt like they took hours to do but it only took about five minutes though it was late i got it done. 

I really need to catch up on jump rope at TKD because I don't know where any of my old jump ropes went. I did my first round today. I haven't done even one pull up yet, and I really need to catch up. Today I went to dream team where I learned what I need to do: make an emergency preparedness kit, know what to do when certain natural disasters happen, look up and read the definition of honor in our books(which I'm going to memorize), and read this month's article about honor. I already basically know what to do for almost any disaster basically because I got a Red Cross app on it.(not thinking it would be needed hopefully) One day I decided to read the information and it turns out they have tests you can take to get patches and so I studied and took the tests, and...

I got Tae Kwan Do almost every single day the only day off i get is Friday and Sunday, But I am fine because King Tiger is fun exiting and I learn new things every day.

I wrote another essay today! One of my hero profiles. I'm not quite ready to approach the history of the kwans one yet. Also thinking about what new skill to do. Maybe a backbend kickover, I can already do the backbend. Well, off to get a good night's rest!

Today i went golfing and swiming.

Ok, I think I officially hit the tired phase. Having done this a few times now, I know it will pass. But right now it's like my body is saying "Whoa!  OK, I've put up with the extra activity for several days straight now and I'm thinking we should take a break."  Which I will not, of course, and my body will adjust to the increased demands.  But until then, my limbs feel heavy and in the middle of the day I see I've done 70 push ups and I think "oh no, is that all?".  

Today I finished my requirements in the morning and went to the pool for a few hours with my cousins. I went to class in Belmont and had my second mentee meeting.  I haven't felt this tired since last year! 

Today I got in all my requirements and got to swim in the pool for a few hours so I had a good day.

Today I wasn't able to do as many requirements as I've been doing because i spent the day horse back riding

Today I did all of my requirements I needed to do. Then I had to run later today and than swim for 20 minutes. But it was still a great day.

Yesterday I helped out with a sparing class. I earned some credits and impressed my father.  I enjoyed doing this and I hope to do it again.

We had a small but awesome class last night at South Charlotte. We worked on our timing in combination moves, such as stepping forward and punching, knife hand and back stance, etc. (Basically worked on proper techinique and timing) of poomsae moves. Also did some great exercises. Tired this morning, but it is a good tired. "Today's preparation determines tomorrow's achievement." 

Today was my first mennte session. I realized that we need to work on his white belt things and his High red belt things. And I need to work on my stances in all my forms.

Getting as much exercises as I can before school starts. My most challenging requirements are push-ups and sit-ups.

had a great class at master evans tonight!

I am beyond tired today. It's been a 19 hour day where I've been doing requirements every spare moment and then 3 classes tonight. I'm so done for today. I'm 20 push ups and sit ups behind today, but I'd rather make them up tomorrow at this point. Good night!

today in camp we went to the movies. we saw the smurfs 2. it was awesome. my favorite part was when a man came falling from the sky and a gargoyle caught him him by biting him in the butt. then a bunch of fireworks blew up right in his face. after the movie i had class. right before it was time to get out of class i got out of class early because my mom showed up to take me to the dentist. the good thing is that the dentist saidthat i dont have to brush my teeth tonight. i am so happy!

Today I met with my mentor Master Richie and i went to the Tuesday black belt class.

Got up this morning, did some pushups, situps, burpees, poomsaes, and self-defense.  Then it was out to the beach to get in some miles.  You know you’ve done a lot of miles when you get a blister on the bottom of your toe from the sand.  L I did my jump roping out on the beach this afternoon and some more poomsaes and self-defense.  The beach patrol stopped to cheer me on when I was using my husband for a self-defense partner. J I worked on my new skill some and on my big essay too.

today i had a mentor session

I went to go play golf for a lot of the day I tried to get some of my requirements done through out the rest of the day.  

 Today I went to sparring class in Lake Norman. It was a lot of fun. We did a lot of footwork, kicks, and jumproping.  I sparred twice and got to referee once. 

Today was good. I got a lot of requirements done. Master Burkart taught class today, we went over solid color poomsae's and bochodan self-defense and special self-defense.

I did my requirements with Melvin at King Tiger summer camp. I got a lot done.

Today I went to class and did a mentee session

Today my dad and I faced off in a battle royal of roundhouse kicks.  It was a tie of 109 kicks each.  We did 30 seconds for each leg. I won the right leg with 55 and he won the left with 57.  It was really fun!

Yesterday was my mom's b-day, so I didn't get any requirements in other than raoks and meditation. I also went to a friend's b-day at bounce u. It was so much fun that I decided to have MY party there sometime this fall.(hopefully) I have started to make arrangements and it is an all girl party. Anyways I  really need to make up some stuff. Maybe if it doesn't rain I can do some pull ups on my swing set.

Today was a really long day.I got up at 6:00 and went to camp then went straight to narrroway so I am journaling  at 11:26 PM. I barley got my workout in and tomorrow will be the same but with TKD instead of Narroway. 

Today I did a lot of exercises in class. I led warm-ups in class today.

today has been one of my hardest days yet. i squeezed in the last of my requirments late in the night. i also went on a mile and a half walk with my mom she was whereing blue jeans and a sweater. i was whereing shorts and a tee-shirt. my mom said she sweated more than did when did during her vaery first zuba class. she never took zuba ever again. i got back to king tiger just in time to get dressed and ready for leadership class. today was was really hard.

I ran, cut the grass, did pushups, poomses, situps, and kicking.

I think I am getting into more of a habit with my requirements. Although I still have to make my self do my exercises sometimes.

I got a bunch of requirements in between (and occasionally during) several conferenclassless today.  I also got a run in at noon and some self-defense work in with Instr Mrs Hartle. And a few more while teaching family class tonight, and a few more before bed. A decent start to the week.  This morning my arms and legs felt like lead from yesterday's work out, but I feel much better now. 

Today i tried to get ahead on stuff

It has been a long 5 days but I know it will be worth it

started cross country practice this morning got 6 miles in 

I did a bunch of requirements this morning, then went outside and got in six miles.  In the afternoon, I did jump ropes, pull-ups, and sparring rounds, and then 3 more miles. It was a productive day for training!

Today I got a lot of requirements done and led class in warm ups.

Today I finished most of my requirements in the morning.  I went to the gym with my cousins. I had my first mentoring session with Master Cavazos. We worked on Hapkido and Wang Ho 2. Bring it on Tomorrow!

Today all i did was my requirements 

Today I started my vacation.   But I can't stop.  I still have to do the requirements for my cycle!!  

Today I taught my mom how to do sparring combinations 1 thru 20.  I think I should have taught her 1 thru 4.  She did pretty well on most of them but by the time I'm through with her tomorrow she'll need a new hip.  Also my mom taught me something.  She taught my how to change to the next week on this website.  I put all of my Saturday requirements on the wrong week.  It's right now.  All together I learned a lot today.

Today I doubled most of my requirements. I took a 3 mile walk with my mom. We kept trying to find pine cones and kick them as far as we can. I got most of my requirements done in the morning. Now I have missed my alarm I don't know how many times. It's not even funny anymore. That is going to be a problem when school starts. Overall, today was a pretty good day! 

Today was a good day for training.  I always get lots of miles in at the beach.  I did my jump rope on the beach too.  I might have looked funny, but it was much easier on the knees.  J I put in all of my extra credits that I earned from all of the opportunities that Master Evins offered before the cycle. Terrence Jennings – 2 Sparring classes BB Camp 6/29 -        2 Sparring classes, 1.5 Sat BB class, 1.5 Tues BB class PMAA Seminar -      5 PMAA classes, 3 TKD Plus, 3 Sat classes, 4 Sparring classes BB Camp 7/27 -        2 Sparring classes, 1.5 Sat BB class, 1.5 Tues BB class These credits really helped a lot!  (Thank you sir.)

Today was requirements day. From 8:30am-5:30pm, I was a requirements machine. I went straight from my pajamas to my swimsuit and set up outside. I had a grassy area for poomsaes, a towel on the ground for sit ups/push ups/burpees, a jump rope station near my iPad for a timer, etc. and I jumped into the pool when I got hot.  I would do a round or two, then do some laundry, then do another round or two, then do some weeding, another round or two, more laundry, etc.  I got a ton of requirements done (although it was many small sets), 7 loads of laundry, the whole back weeded, and made dinner. I feel so productive!  And I made it fun by doing some kicks, poomsaes, self-defenses (throwing Scott around), and meditation in the pool.  I've taken off the last 3 hrs, and I'm thinking I may squeak a few...

Today I caught up on my requirements and helped with some yard work. 

I went to Fairview Park and ran 3 miles in the cross country course.  Did lots of swimming.  Ready for another day tomorrow!

Today was my catch up day. Now I am all caught up on my requirements. Yay!!! I got a full week ahead of me.

Today I ran three miles without stopping!  I also shattered some of my daily goals.  I did this in one setting.  I did 70 push-ups and 100 sit-ups without stopping. That was after doing 40 of each in stations.  After all that I still had enough energy for my kick-ups!

I went to BB class today and worked on my requirements.

today i had to rush to get my requirements done because of back to school shopping. i think it is important getting as many requirements done before school starts again. depending on how much homework i have from school and how much i have to practice from dance class may leave me behind in requirements. i have most trouble getting my running in and doing my pull ups. running is hard because i have trouble remembering to breath while i am running. that makes me take lots of breaks when i am running resulting in me taking a longer time to run. i have trouble with pull ups because my body is not strong enough to pull up from a dead hang. though i have trouble with those certain requirements i am determined to get all of my requirements done.

Today was a great day in terms of spending quality time with family and friends, but a tough day for completing requirements. Jess had her last softball game this morning, then a friend of mine I haven't seen in over 2 years was here until 7:30 tonight. And my mom, Ben and his friend came back from the beach and we had to run some errands before they leave for MO tomorrow am. So I just got home at 10pm and I'm done for the day. I did get a run, some poomsaes and self-defenses in, and a ton of kicks ( which I did while talking with my friend!).  I will need to make up a bunch tomorrow.

I want to thank Master Evins for letting those of us that audited the last cycle, carry over one third of our physical requirements and classes.  That really helped my numbers! I got up this morning and did some pushups, situps, burpees, poomsaes, and self-defense.  Then I went and taught Little Tigers class.  I couldn’t stay for BB class because I was leaving for the beach. Getting to the beach was tough!  A 4-hour drive became a 5+ hour because of traffic.  I just finished up all of my requirements.  We didn’t get to go out on the beach yet, but I’ll be out there bright and early getting in some miles.  J  

Today was our first official Black Belt Class.  I realized that I really need to work on some of my stances and my punches.  I figured out today that the re-chamber is actually important because it gives you power for your punch.  I realized that I actually need a little bit more energy in the classes because I was tired the whole time.  I did run two miles before class.  I guess I need to build my endurance by running more and doing double of all the requirements just in case I forget to do something.  Today I doubled up on kicks.  

I went to black belt class in North Charlotte today. We sped through a lot of things today. I really enjoyed it. I really need to do a better job of waking up to my alarm. I set it for 7:00 and didn't wake up until 8:00. I also had a hard time squeezing my requirements into my morning before class. 

I am off to a very rough start.  Please do not laugh at my requirement accomplishments I will get on track.

Today I had a yard sale in order to raise the money that will go to the Levine Children's Hospital.  I exceeded my goal, and all the money is going to the hospital!

Today was a great day! I did a kick up with no hands.  Right out of the blue.  I have been practicing for years.  The black belt cycle helped.  I ran two miles today.  It was tough.

Today was a great day!  I did a kick up with no hands today.  I have been practicing forever.  I ran two miles. It was really tough. 

So much to do! Reports, School Prep Book, Requirements, SCUBA Test Studying, and the Annual Summer Reading Program! I really NEED a schedule. I think it  will really help. There so much to do and not much time to do it. Anyways, today I went to Walmart and couldn't find a jump rope!(even with help) I really need to get a good jump rope because I feel like they're all too big or too small for me. I got a cool green water bottle, though.

Today I ran 3.41 miles. Today I was very sluggish, so I just need to get used to getting up in the morning again. No worries.

Today was a medium day.  It wasn't really great and it wasn't really bad.  My muscles are very sore from all the physical requirements that I have to do.  I am tired because its late at night I waited too late to write this journal entry.  I think the training is hard it you just start into it.   The running has been my biggest challenge so far because I haven't done a lot of distance running and now I'm trying to run three miles a day.  The basic kicks have been the easiest for me to do every day because I've been doing kicks every day since I was a white belt.  That was two years ago.   I haven't been very hungry since starting the training.  I have started drinking a protein shake for breakfast instead of eating a meal.  I think that helps me because it has protein...

today i took blackbelt class at the mint hill location. the class was different and the class was small. i figuerd out that i need to woork on staff form 2 and knife self deffence.

I am sort of ready for this black belt cycle. I did my empathy day yesterday and my report today. Check this out. I'm writing this from my bunk bed which my dad just set up for me a few days ago when it was just a bed. From my experience I know it's going to be a long cycle, and that  I'll have to push myself. I have more experience now after one cycle and I know what to expect. getting to start 10 days early will be a huge help.

Today I got a kind of late start. I had a camp so I got most of my requirements done early. I'm still getting used to all of the training. I'm happy that the cycle has started before school so I don't have homework and school to do with my exercises for a while.

Today I was squeezing in 10 push ups here and 10 sit ups there.  Did poomsaes while on conference calls (when the long winded folks start talking).  Found a stick at the park and went through stick, sword and staff forms while Jess' team was warming up before her softball game.  Forgot double stick form 2!  Yikes. 

Today was a busy day and I’m really tired.  But, I’m headed to the beach for a week of vacation so I should have the opportunity to rest and get lots of requirements done. J Hopefully, by the time I return, the requirements will be easier and I won’t be sore anymore. I accomplished all of my requirements and my plan is to keep up (or get ahead) while I’m gone.  I’ll also be working on my last two essays and my new skill.

I got some leadership credits today and went to the black belt class in mint hill. My requirements are coming along good Im ahead in some things and right on in others.

i worked on my requirements

Today I worked on my requirements and did more to get ahead. I also went to the black belt class in Mint Hill

Ready set go - -it's time.  I am ready for this journey and will complete it.  Confidence!!!  It's going to be a crazy hectic month but I have got this.  May not get all requirements in every day but the balance will be there when it is time to finish.  Needed to badly decompress after work yesterday and went to the park across from the hotel.  Found that doing intervals with running and jumping rope is going to be the ticket for me.  Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.                      

And so it begins…. I got up this morning at 4am to do some training before I left for work.  I was able to get my pushups, situps, poomsaes, burpees, self-defense, and kicks done.  (I find that I do better early in the morning, instead of waiting till the end of the day.)  I did two miles during lunch today.  I finished up my sparring rounds, jump rope, and pull-ups after I got home from work, before class. I toke the TKD Plus and BB classes tonight.  I was going to take PMAA, but I forgot my shirt. It looks like we are going to have a very large group of testers this time.  I hope everyone works hard and has a huge sense of accomplishment by the time we get our belts!

First day of my audit cycle.  It's a long journey to test for my 4th Dan. Since I spent 9 hrs in the car today, I didn't get to all the daily items. I need to establish a rhythm. 

Dear Journal,  I did not know how to start this so I started with "Dear Journal".  This is the first day of the black belt cycle.  I've been preparing for this over the weeks but this is probably the hardest thing I've done. My mom read somewhere that out of all the people that start a white belt only 3% reach there black belt!  They say a journey of 1,000 miles (The black belt cycle) begins with one step (The First Day Of The Cycle) and a good pair of shoes.  This will take more than shoes this will take sweat, a whole lot of it pain in your muscles, and tears because of the pain.  I've gotten a lot of advice from the masters that have gone before me like Master Burkart, Master Thamm, Instructor Jaque, and Instructor Alexander.  Master Thamm said to double up or triple up on the...

Today was the first day of requirements. My body was not prepared for today so I am a little tired. But I will get used to it again sooner or later.

i had ballet today so i had barely had enough time to get the rest of my requirerments done.

Today was hard. I had fun.  I figured out to work in the computer journal/program. 

ive been doing all the physical stuff already so they dont feel any harder yet...still first day haha. last day of eating junk. about to go healthy the next couple weeks

Today was hard, but I knew it was coming.  It takes a lot of dedication, time, and effort.  If you are going to do this, you have to be strong, patient, and dedicated-like me!

I am so excited that the cycle has started!  Since I have done this before and I know what to expect, it doesn't seem as intimidating. 

Its day 1 and this is my first round so I dont really know what to expect but I know I can do it.

Starting the Black Belt cycle and feel good but nervous.

The cycle has started!  Since this is my second time around, I feel I know what to expect and I'm ready.

Well, today is the first day of the Fall Black Belt cycle and I am excited and nervous. I know it will be tough, but rewarding. I will learn a lot about Tae Kwon Do, myself and the others on the cycle with me. It seems like a long time but I know the time will go quickly therefore effective time management is the key to success.

This is my last journal and now I am done with the cycle. After another 10 weeks for me to finish up, didn't quit and still finished it all.

Last Tuesday of school.  Gonna see my dad on Saturday in Indiana.

Had a concert at school, glad i had no homework