Candidate Journals

Today was tiring. I had a long day at school and after school I had dance. I also had a lot of homework to get done too. I almost finished my essay. 

Today was super long. I had school and my bus super late, then I had a tennis match from 3-6:45. I got home changed and came to TKD. TKD was pretty chill today not a lot of hard work, but I am still very sore and tired. I have so much homework left to do also. 

Today it was even hard for me to even get out of bed because I was so sore. By the time I got to school I was ready to go but before that I still felt like I was in bed. it was a good day at school the very first thing we did was specials. Todays special was gym so I started to wake up even more. after afterschool I did sparring with grand master Cann. it was a fun but tiring day.   

Banged my right knee Tuesday night and sat out most of TKD class.  Knee much better Wed morning so got a workout in.  27 (slow) burpees in a row.  A new record.  About 1/3 through learning new staff form - they look so difficult on film.  Just breaking it down piece by piece till I get it.  Off for this morning's workout.  No more TKD this week.... work dinner meetings :(

Today, from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to Taekwondo, I was extremely tired. I almost fell asleep during school, and could barely manage to stay awake. Luckily, when I went to Taekwondo, I was moving around, so that woke me up. Other than that, I did some more requirements.

So today was a nice day I went to school then came back and then I went to tae kwon do I did leadership1 at the class before sparring then after that I did sparring that was fun because we did drop kicks and then we did turning side kick sent then I went home and ate and now I'm going to bed good night

today I had an awesome day in school. after school I went to after-school in after school every two months the kids do an election for president. this time the president is Quinten Lee. I feel like he will be a great president of after school. in sparring we worked on our drop and turning side kick it was a fun day. 

Today was very tiring and will be becuase I may have to pull an all nighter :(

Today I had a normal school day with the exception that it was picture day. In art I kept drawing my dog. 

Today should have been great. Two hour delay, the rain clouds lifted, I had plans to hang out with some friends and today was a special date as well. But somehow everything took a turn for the worst as soon as I left school. My entire mood changed even after a nap. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow. 

Today we had a two hours delay so I got two extra hours of sleep. Though I was still very tired i don't know why. other wise it was a normal day except I got extra sleep.  

Today was a delayed start to school because of the weather. It was nice because I wasn't as tired as usual when I woke up. However, after I came home from school, I had to start on my requirements immediately because I had stayed after school for clubs. Then, I went to Taekwondo, helped out, took class, and got a mentor session in.

Today we had a 2 hour delay at school because of the Hurricane. It was nice to sleep in a little bit. School was normal and after school I went to dance.

Today school was delayed because of the hurricane. that threw me of a little bit because it was not our normal schedule. after school was fun because we played a lot of mat games. in black belt class we worked on our kick for the majority of class it was a great day.  

Today is a day with gym workout in AM and TKD class in PM.  I was able to do 26 burpees in a row - albeit kinda slowly.  However, progress is progress.  Today was my once a week traditional weight workout.  Hoping my legs stay with me through TKD class in 30 minutes. Two=a=days are a bit harder now that I can see 50 around the corner!

Today was a very happy day. We had a two hour delay and so all our classes were shortened. I am very happy. 

Today was A Normal Day I went to school. Then I went to help out class.

Today I went to school early then I came home and do some requirements for one hour s ok then I went to tae kwon do it was really windy there then I came back home and ate so now I'm going to bed good night

The past two days have been a roller-coaster of emotions. From celebrating my daughter's birthday yesterday, to keeping tabs on my family in Florida with hurricane Irma looming over them, to all of the 9-11 memorials and thinking of those first-responders that I knew who lost their lives as well as today being my youngest nephew's birthday. Celebrating life while remembering those that left us had me feeling like the rope in an emotional tug of war. 

Today was a great day. we had a great day in school. after school I went to after school and after afterschool I did hyper .hyper was fun we jumped over bags and did jump kicks it was a really fun day

Todays 9/11 and words can't express how emotional I am. I lost some family members during the 9/11 and I didn't get to see them. I wasn't even born yet. But other than that, I've been doing all my exercise and recording it in my book but I just don't get time to get it uploaded onto here. I just did it though since I got some time on my hands today. Hope everyone as a nice and warn rainy day :)

Today I woke up for school and school was fairly normal. After school I got a message that dance was cancelled. At about 5 I went Tae Kwon Doe and then came home and did some homework. 

Woke up to beautiful 45 degree morning in a Marriott in Saratoga Springs, NY.  Got most of my workout in - gotta double up on pullups tomorrow - no pull up bar at hotel.  However, there are more important things than a workout. 9/11 - words are inadequate to express what the world saw that day. If you have never been to the 9/11 memorial please make it a priority to do so.  I was surprised at how much it moved me.  Time does not heal all wounds.

My computer is working! Its all set up and ready to go. I'm so happy.

Last night at around 9, I was at concord mills celebrating with a big group of friends. One of my buddies is moving to CA in two weeks so we wanted to all get together one last time. We had a great time, it was real fun. We were hanging outside the mall just talking and taking pictures when all of a sudden everyone started DASHING out of the main doors. People, shopping bags, and soft drinks were falling all over the place as people ran away from the mall and onto the parking lot. Throughout all the chaos, I lost my group of friends and was left only with one friend who also was confused. At the time we were not very concerned at all. In fact it was quite hysterical watching a stampede of people. We were recording the whole thing on snapchat and being stupid, but it turns...

Today I had an audition for dance. I stretched for a long while before the audition started. It went well I think. After the audition I came home and did some homework. 

Today I am extremely sore because of yesterdays class at Belmont. to day I went outside to play with my friends and then I went to run some errands then came back and did my requirements. I am still sore till this moment.

My brother gave me his computer today! I was surprised and very happy. He just got a new one and gave me his. It's only  a year old. I went to the store and picked out my mouse too. Its pretty cool. He gave me a computer!!

Today I  woke up later than I usually do because instead of doing sparring at north charlotte I did sparring a Belmont. I had a blast training with all of my friends it was an awesome day

Today, I went to Sparring and Black Belt class in the morning. Although my feet got a little torn up in sparring, it was still fun because we did a bunch of sinuales in black belt class. Then, because my parents were both out of the house, my uncle came and picked me up, dropping me off at home. At I ate a small lunch, then prepared for my first online class training for the  SAT (which is in November and unfortunately conflicts with the Kukkiwon Cup). Luckily, this isn't as strenuous os some other courses, and hopefully it doesn't get in the way of school work or requirements. The class for today was pretty fun. Afterwards, I did some requirements.

Today Iwent to tae kwon do in the morning then after that I went back home and did more requirements that was fun then I played football out side with my brother's freinds then came back in and then I went to my friends house for a birthday party then I came back home and now I am about to go to bed good night

Today I went to Tae Kwon Do in the morning for sparring and a black belt class. After class I went to dance. 

Getting closer to PE requirements. Burpees still an issue.  However, I did run 5 miles in 50 minutes on the treadmill today.  First time I have ever run 5 miles.

Finally Friday! 2nd week of school went by painfully slow, but I'll get use to it eventually. I have to wake up early tomorrow because I'm heading to downtown Charlotte to attend the Eucharistic Congress with a few friends! 

Today wrapped up the second week of school, which by the way, is moving REALLY slowly. I have a little bit of homework over the weekend, which is good news, so hopefully I'll have time for other stuff. Well, I'm kinda tired, and don't have to wake up until 7, so good night.

Today It was a normal day Today I was just really tired since I have been staying up rally late to finish my projects. 

Today was a pretty nice and neet day I went to school then after that I came home I was happy because it was finally Friday so after that I went and dropped my brother and his friends off at a foot ball game and then I came back home and now I am watching tv but I'm about to go get my brother and his friends good night

Today I had school. I dressed down because it was a school spirit day. After school I came home and got ready for Tae Kwon Doe. After Tae Kwon Doe I went to the CTK Football game. 

Excited about my new 3 piece staff - all aluminum - and polishing staff forms.  BB class last night followed by early morning AM workout. I'm seeing steady, if slow, improvement.  I can meet all PE test requirements now.... just not all one right after the other.  Hopefully that stamina will come.  Looking forward to focusing on forms this weekend.

I'm scared of Hurricane Irma. I don't know how strong a hurricane is and I don't know what is going to happen.  My Mom bought a lot of water and food. I'm curious about my first hurricane  and what its going to be like.  But I'm still a little scared.

Today I went to school then came back home did my requirements in one hour then I played out side that was boring because no one was out there so then I went to tae kwon do that was a work out because I went to a sparring class and they worked us out I was breaking up a sweat now we are coming back home right now good night

To day was an awesome day we learned a lot in school today we did our first science lesson that was really fun. after school I went to king tiger after school I also had fun there. After after school I went to go get some thing to eat I got Bo jangles after I ate I went back to king tiger and took a sparring class with Master Wasu teaching it. over all it was a really fun day

Today me and my family went to Church.  Then we went over to my aunts house for dinner.  My mom also got back in town today.

Today is my least favorite day of the week.  I don't like it because whenever I think of Monday I always think it is going to be a long day.  But anyway, today we learned about the scientific method in science class.

Today in school me and my friend Pierson were talking about the stuff that is happening in the world.  Most of the stuff we talked about was mostly related to rap music.

Today at school we finally started learning about the content we are supposed to learn about.

Today was a long day. we had a quiz in science and everyone got in trouble in Social Studies.  But other than that today was a good day.

Today i went to school and had a normal day. When I came home I had to study because I have several quizzes and tests tomorrow. I went to sparring class too.

Prior to starting training to meet the BB physical requirements, I primarily just ran a bit and lifted weights.  I was afraid that switching to more aerobic type resistance training (pushups, pullups, burpees) would result in my losing some muscle and strength gains.  Now I only lift once a week and have been surprised to find that my overall strength has not declined and even improved a bit on some things like benchpress.  Today was my lift day as I try to save my legs for tonight's Black Belt class at my local NJ school.

We have a phrase in our house for when you are feeling a bit overwhelmed with a task: "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."  Well, at the beginning of the cycle the physical requirements alone can feel quite overwhelming and with the challenges of the Black Belt web site, I was feeling discouraged as I could not enter in all o my requirements and watch those status bars go green. This morning I got up early to work on some of my physical requirements and enter in last night's data when I was pleasantly surprised to see that I could not enter in my jump rope rounds and sparring classes! YAY! Now I'm feeling better since I can see that there is not so much of the elephant left.  :-)

Homework is beginning to stack up for me. Most of them don't assign daily homework, but collectively, I'm assigned a significant amount each night. On top of this, I have to go to Taekwondo class every day now (except for Friday and Sunday) to catch up on requirements I missed when my ankle was healing, so that means even less time for homework. Hopefully, reforming my desk into more of a desktop feel (today I hooked my laptop up to a monitor and it worked) will help me be efficient.

Today I woke up early for school and after school I had a meeting for the social comittee. After school I got ready for dance and went to dance until 8:30.

Naps are becoming a daily thing for me now. I'm not sure if this is a positive thing though. Often I would wake up and instead of feeling refreshed, I would feel even more tired and just want to go back to sleep. But it does allows me to stay up and complete all my homework. 

Today I went to school that was great then I went to tae kwon do that was fun because I did leadership1 and 2 then I went to do sparring and then I did a mentor session with my mentor then I went home and ate dinner and then I teeth and vitamins and now I'm going to bed good night

Today was a good day. I had PE but had to do indoor activities because of the rain. I was able to get lots of black belt stuff done even ran in the rain. 

Today I went to school and had a lot of fun then I went to after school and had a lot of fun there. then I had sparring we worked on our cut kicks and back kicks it was a really fun day 

Black Belt class last night followed by AM workout where I finally hit my goal of 25 burpees in a row (actually 26!). Slowly but surely getting to where I need to be for Spring.

Looks likes I'll be staying up all night. The amount of work I have is insane. Although I suppose it's my own fault, I choose to hang out with the fellas all day instead of doing homework. But it was fun, having a licenses and a car is life changing! But the downside is that I have to drive my siblings everywhere.

Today i went to school and it was a normal day. After school I went to dance until late. When i got home i ate some really good dinner and then did some homework.

Today, I walked home from school. It was painful because I forgot to wear my brace. Also, it was really hot, but I made it through after an hour. My shirt was soaked from sweat! After that, I cooled down, ate something, did some homework, then went to Black Belt class. Now time to get ready for another day of school.

Today I went back to school I was really excited because we had our first lesson in math. We learned exponents! after school  I went to king tiger after school. it was a fun day

Ended the summer on a high note yesterday with my wife and a day trip to NYC.  I am very luck to have her. Treated myself to a late morning but have 2 hours slotted this afternoon to make up for skipping my usual AM workout.   There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. Ben Williams

today was a great memorial day i ate a great breakfast then, then headed out to target with my friend Ritchie the n headed out to a school football game i had fun and plan on have a great week at school starting tomorrow. 

Today was good and chill because I went to my grand mothers house the hole intire day then when I was there I did myrequirements there and then I went back home I was trying to finish my dog house then I went inside and ate and went to bed

I got up this morning and went for a run. Since we didn't have any milk at home, my mom came with me and we got coffees for us and my sister. Afterwards, I went to Office Depot with my dad to get some binders and pencil sharpeners (since school already started, everything's on sale!). Then I came home  and tried hooking my laptop up to a desktop monitor, but I'm missing a couple of adaptors for the cables. Later, I did some homework and some requirements.

I came home today from my G-ma's house. I got to see my little cousin.  I cant believe how tall he is now.  My G-ma gave us a Wii with lots of games.  My uncle played catch with us too. He taught us about baseball.  It was a very fun weekend!

Today we came back home from my grandma's. I played some pokemon go and basketball. I also got alot done for the black belt cycle. Tomorrow is school and it will only be a four day week. I am ready for the weekend again. I had a good Labor Day weekend.

Today I got back from my Mountain trip. I had so much fun. We went river tubing and creek exploring. I got home and did some homework and got ready for tomorrow. 

today  I woke up late and I was still tired. I did all of my requirements and then went out side to play with my friends. we did not really celebrate labor day but it was still a very fun day.

9/4/17 - 4 miles in today but took longer than last time.  Off to walk the Brooklyn Bridge.  Hope the Aleve kicks in by then!

Today I ran 5 miles, my new running record! Also, I did some other requirements and some homework. For the most part, pretty chill day.

Today. Wa a pretty good day. I was able ro go to the river and swim a little bit but it was cold when you got wet. i finished up some essays and done some black belt requirements. I watched the three stooges with my brother. We are going to get up early and go home but it has been really fun at my grandmas.

The fifth of the Yamas (restraints) that we learn in yoga is called aparigraha, meaning non-possessiveness. It can also be interpreted as non-attachment, non-greed, non-clinging, non-grasping, and non-coveting. This subject came up when speaking to a friend of mine and our own attachments to things or ideas. This can be social media, exercise, food, drink, or anything that is getting in between you and your relationships. It got me thinking about some of the things I've become attached to that I am having trouble letting go, and how they are affecting me and weighing me down. I'm not going to list them here, but just throw this out there: What are you attached to and why? Are you able to let whatever it is go? Just something to think about.

today was great i woke up and did requirements when i got back i had a great breakfast. I went to church today as well and had a great time there, then i went back home and started crafting my sword for frat night this Wednesday, i had a lot fun making it with my dad and at the moment I'm very tired so goodnight!

Today was the same as yesterday wicth it was fun because I went running then I came back home and did all my requirements before I went to my friends house and did a pool party it was fun because I saw a yorky poo it was so small then I came back home and now I'm in the shower

Today is good because I had my favorite food today after church so good bye people.

Hi.  I assume that most everyone who reads this does not know me. My name is Stan and once upon a time, long long ago, I was a student of Master Evins right after he opened up in North Charlotte.  Then life changes happened; I moved away; and fell behind on my training.  I still live far away (New Jersey) but I my goal is to achieve 4th Dan next Spring (when I turn 50), primarily because I know that time is running out for me to meet the physical requirements of 4th Dan!   Because I am so far away, I completely forgot that there was a Black Belt website - I was only looking at the Facebook page.  Thus I kept my journal entries on a Word Document.  So.... here is my first entry, which is more or less a cut and paste from that Word document.  I will...

i didn't have wifi for the past phew days i had a great day today i cleaned my room and waited for my friend ritchie to come over, i was very busy today hopefully tomorrows not.

Today I got up in the morning and ran three miles. I decided to turn around when I realized my shoes and socks were soaked from the dew in the grass! Later, my parents and I assembled this U-shaped desk they bought a week ago which arrived a couple of days back. It took a few solid hours,  but eventually we got it done. It was HUGE, taking up more than half of the room! I did some requirements when I took a couple breaks from the constructing, but overall, it was fun.

Today we came to my grandmas and had a birthday party for my brother. I played basketball with my cousin Hunter and we went on golf cart rides.

I came back from my my freinds house from this morning then I came back did crazy requirements then I went to Lowe's toget a dog house and learn how to make it for my new skill then I came back home and ate then I went to bed

To day was good because I got to go outside and play basketball and then my arms started to get tired so goodnight people.

Today I could sleep in since i didn't have to go to class. But other wise i didn't do anything special today i Just stayed home and relaxed.

This 3 day weekend is much needed! Well, I need the time to do all my homework, projects and requirements, but also I'll have a lot of downtime to chill and maybe hang out with a couple friends too. Also, I only have a few miles left to complete so I can sleep in on weekends!

Today was a good day. I had fun at school and then Had black belt class. We are going to my grandma and grandaddy's tomorrow to celebrate my brothers birthday. It will be fun. 

Today was bad because I just found out that I get homework on the weekend and that made me sad and that's why today is bad so goodnight people.

Finally the first week of school is over it felt like forever. Other wise today was just a normal day i'm  just i get a  break even though i have 2 projects to do.

Today I woke up early for school. At school we had a mass dedicated for Bill Fox, who died of a heart-attack last night. I prayed for Megan and her family. It was her birthday too. I felt awful.

Today was a great day i woke up and went to school i did a lot of school work, by 2:25 iu had band practice till 7:00pm today was a long day i also have a test tomorrow hopefully i can do well on it. !

It's getting to that time in the first week... where I get really tired because of the timings. I come home and sleep without wanting to because I'm just so tired. Hopefully this clears by next week, or else everything gets progressively worse.

I'm starting to get back into the flow for school. The pace for my classes are increasing everyday and I already have two major projects and an essay due soon. I'll be very busy with school, clubs, and tkd. But I need learn how to manage my time better if I want to be successful in college so I see this as a challenge. I also napped from 3-6:30 then went to help out my siblings class and take BB class right after. Now I have to go finish up some work so goodnight!

I do my requirements at night time.  My Mom told me I had to go to bed so I didn't get to finish this time.  I'm tired so I'll to bed and do more tomorrow. 

To day was good because I got to help out in class and then in black belt class I got all my self defense and poomsaes and now I am watching the panther game so bye.  

Today was a normal day I went to school and of course we did a lot of writing that was easy for some reason then it was already 345 pm that went by fast then I stayed inside to do some requirements and then Iwent to black belt class that was fun we did poomsae then self defense and then we ended class then I came back home and went to bed good night

to day was awesome in black belt we worked on sparring combinations. sparring combinations is one of my favorite things. today in school we had our first assembly.  

Today school was pretty normal but My AP Human Geo class is hard to keep up with. I helped out with the junior testing today so i missed the black belt class.

I have been doing my exercise but Ive just havent been able to update it because school already got to me. Im working on it and looking forward to class today. 

I was able to drop the counterweight on the assisted pull-up machine by 15 pounds. Didn't do as many reps but was able to do a respectable amount. Goals in mind. Baby steps will still get you there.

Today we had PE and it is one of my favorite classes. I did white belt challenge at TKD and helped with my little brothers class. Tomorrow is his birthday so we will celebrate after sparring class. 

I did my requirements with Mom and got them done. She can do sit-ups fast, but she's a little fluffy on the inside.  My Mom doesn't really like burpees. When I do my requirements she does them too. I really like doing my requirements.They get me strong and healthy. Its really challenging when you do a lot of them at the same time.