Candidate Journals

Frustrating day. And good day. I had an excellent helper with me for my group in summer camp, huge help. And we played King Tiger Pickleball. A paint stir stick, a small paper plate, some tape and a balloon. We had teams of 5 going against each other, then teams of ten. The kids had a blast and I promised to keep the game in our repertoire for the rest of the summer.  I felt very achy and stiff in my joints all day.  I loosened up some once class started but repeated the same mistake in a poomsae that I have been making. Frustrating because I have been working on it and also trying to relax my thinking as well because my brain is obsessing on it. Ugh. I'll keep working on it. I think I have a bit more of my creative as well so happy about that. Class...

Taking a break from working on one of my essays. And thinking more about next steps in my creative. Had a good workout after camp at 9Round, onto home for some dinner. My oldest son's work schedule is different for the next couple of days so I lucked out with an attacker for self-defense. All in all a good day. Have a happy Thursday people!

It's ten-thirty and I just woke up from the un-planned falling-asleep on the couch after dinner.  The good thing is I think I am still tired so after I finish this and let the dogs out for the last time I will be going right back to sleep. Today was a good day at camp, our visit to the raptor center went well.  The campers all enjoyed it and our group of counselors did too. During their class I was catching up on paperwork and listening to the instructors teach.  Usually I am with the other half of my group during this time or busy elsewhere so this was a nice change and I really enjoyed listening to the different instructors and how their approaches to the kids were all different.  I haven't gotten to see Instructor Shayne teach a lot this past year but this summer I have.  So much...

Years ago my best friend handed me a uniform and told me to go put it on.  And now I am on my second cycle on my way to testing for my fourth dan.  Along the way my family has heard me wandering what in the world was I thinking.  One of my sons talked me out of my doom spirals when I was struggling with any one of many things that I can think of. He also tied my Bocho Dan belt on.  My classmates and coworkers became family. I tested for my first and last then my second and then my third.  My husband learned how to attack me for self-defenses or to shout out what random one to do next and my other son is one of the loudest voices to cheer me on. Workout schedules have been rearranged so  we can do them together or dinners later...

It felt odd watching everyone at pre-test today, I did mine last cycle and didn't have to today. Not so odd that I joined in though😂  It's official, the cycle has begun. And while I really do enjoy the fall cycle these next couple of weeks where we overlap with summer camp will be interesting.  The good thing is there are always kiddos in Group 2 up to the challenge of helping me get some requirements in and usually doing them with me. I hope everyone had a great first day, I did...with the exception of one poomsae but I know what I need to work on. Happy Black Cycle everyone!

Congratulations everyone! I am not done quite yet...I still have to run .06 miles...I was planning on going for a run in the morning....this just concretes those plans. Lol. Peyton already gave you all some very good advice but I will just add this on: The masters can tell if you are making a mistake --something everyone does-- or if you are not prepared.  I hope that you have used this time to prepare.  Take a deep breath, listen and perform in a way that you will look back and be proud of.  Use your break times wisely, not to play but to practice or help one of your fellow testers practice.  Kihap LOUD!!  Quiet testers are not what that front table wants, be loud, be confident!  Kick high, kihap loud and break those boards and bricks!

It was an absolutely beautiful day at the park today. Good for the soul. The CMS kiddos had the day off and after lunch we headed to the park for several hours.  Nice reset after what feels like the week that won't end. The end is near! One last week!

Testing is coming up quick.  It'll be strange not seeing people walking in the door with their books, asking if they can lead warm-ups, grab a mentor session or a jump rope minute. I won't be asking Instructor Caleb to attack me for random self-defenses in between classes or checking how many journals I have left to do. Hang in there, everyone...just a little bit longer!

Hope that everyone is all good after the weather today. On the way home tbis evening the wind had kicked up again. And the temp really dropped. I had to reroute as a tree had fallen across Ranson Rd, cars were driving through one home's front yard in the dark. I made a u-turn and by the the time I made it back up Ranson the streetlight had stopped working and was flashing. Busy evening, helped Sid with his physical test, he did very well! A mentor session for him, self-defenses with Peyton--lots of hapkido and some good classes this evening. It's colder tomorrow... don't forget your jacket! Have a happy Tuesday!

Excellent Sunday. I woke up from a solid night of sleep, nice change of pace. Poomsae class was a good one, continuing work on knife hands and back stances. And then stations...my legs are already feeling those. Lots of good work. On to the gym with Joel where I had leg day...and did some weight machines that I had never done before. Also moved my weights up on some. And some pull-up work. Finished up with some I'll admit quite slow miles because my legs were ready to call it a day. Grocery shopping and then on to home and some cleaning. Essay written about the community service, this was one that we should definitely repeat.Then steaks on the grill just in time to beat the rain. Hope that everyone is safe from the weather tomorrow! Have a great week!

I hope everyone has a great run in the morning and does well on the rest of the physical. I know alot of people have been checking their answers over the last week or so at LKN, I'm betting on  them doing well on their written test. Tomorrow will be fun, I'm teaching black belt class in the morning. 😁 And then off to the community service with Instructor Peyton. Planning on the gym and some miles afterwards so a full day. Have a great Saturday!

Very energetic, very new white belts. My energy was put to the test today😄 Lots of brown stripes were also earned today and quite a few students also learned that it does get more important to have good technique. And we had 3 make-up testers that rocked out their testings. All in all a good day at KT LKN!

Beautiful day!  Marina is back!!  My Dica entry has been emailed.  Workout was a good one this morning. Another week moving along with no soda and sweets.  And the end of the cycle is in sight!

Lots of weapons in class today, excellent. I almost overslept, I never reset my alarm from meeting at the school for Instructors Camp. So my alarm went off at 3 am...very disorienting. And somehow I woke up at 7:30 with no alarm.... not typical of me. I need alarms 😄 After class, if to the gym with Joel, got some pull-up work in, my regular requirements in, miles on the treadmill and some stretching in. Also a session on the hydro bed.. 10 minutes can make such a difference after all of that. Tomorrow is poomsae class, tired thinking about it but it will be good. And I am two weeks in too my nutritional challenge...no sweets and no soda. Not easy, definitely a challenge. Have a great week and don't forget to study for your written test! 

The end of the cycle is in sight.  This is a very good thing because I have definitely hit the stage where I am questioning everything that I thought I knew and how I do the things that I thought I knew. So basically everything, all day. A good rest, some good work tomorrow and some runs in this weather will help me reset. Just know if you get frustrated or dispirited with your progress that everyone does. Have a good Saturday class!

Last student of the day was the perfect way to end the day. He listened, needed some help, made corrections, tried hard, asked some questions.  And had fun.  Frustrating day in some respects but it ended well in a very positive manner and that is always such a blessing. Happy Friday tomorrow!

Started the day with a good workout. Kicked my butt but in a good and productive sort of way. Worked with several different belt levels today but white with black and high white have been on my dance card a lot. Lots of work on stances, today back stance was the stance of the day. Hope everyone has a good Thursday!

Did anyone else know that it was going to be cold today?  When will I learn to check the weather on days I am going on a run? I didn't really notice quite how cool it was until I was already committed😂  At least I got a run in😁 My back was really tight yesterday but I walked several miles and really stretched it out last night. Today was so much better. The gym in the morning for a workout before work and a dojang full of CMS teacher workday kiddos. Hope you all have great Tuesday!

9th Instructor Camp done! Lots of fun and hard work. And instruction from Masters that you don't see very often. Always nice to learn from other dojangs and of  course, Grandmaster Lee.  And TKD aerobics with Master Chelley!😂🥋💃

Uniforms and belt packed, road snacks bought. Looking forward to camp tomorrow.  Waking up will be happening much earlier than usual. Always a long day, but always a good one. See a lot of you tomorrow!

The uniforms have been laundered and folded. Road snacks have to be bought but the energy drinks are in the fridge. Ready for Instructors Camp! See you all there!

What student did I need the most energy for today? Not a black belt, not the group of 4 different kinds of yellow belts, not two of my mentees who are working on their hapkido forms, the three brand new white with yellows...close but nope. The single 5 year old white belt, Beau.  The energy radiating off this little boy was amazing. We worked on blocks tonight using a pool noodle...we barely made it past low blocks, he had to block me three times on each side in order to move on to the next thing. I honestly don't know who had more fun, Beau, his mom and grandma who were watching or me. There were some frustrations, lots of impromptu stunt falls but there were by far outweighed by the fun.  I was sweating when we finally got those last three successful low blocks and earned the right to play...

New belts everywhere in class😁 Very busy day in classes, a good one though.  Hop steps, hook kicks, 360s, 180s, checking their stances, lots of the first four steps of new poomsaes .I like it when someone asks questions and there were a lot today.  And teaching something always helps me know it better so tons of good work today. And a COLD run on the Greenway. I thought it had warmed up a little. I was wrong🥶😂

Busy day. Workout at the gym this morning, it was so cold leaving the house that I was tempted just to turn back around. We reworked our afterschool schedule for classes, that took quite a bit of time but I think we got everyone scheduled correctly. This week will let us know if we need to make any changes. Worked on some hapkido with several people tonight. Lots of good work! Have a happy Tuesday!

It's been a very requirement packed couple of days.  Lots of good work but I am ending Sunday absolutely exhausted.  It was a great weekend with a lot of fun  and a lot of training.  Saturday class had me sweaty!  All in all a good black belt cycle weekend. Hopefully the coming week will be just as good!

Long day but a good one. Nice workout this morning followed by some miles then our final day of color belt testing. All in all it was a great testing week and our students should be proud of themselves. I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!

Another night of color belt testing, it went well.  There were a few moments where the student was nervous and had a case of the yips but a little direction or encouragement and they moved on. That's something to remember, your instructors and masters know you at tbis point...if you just make a mistake or are nervous, they can tell. Conversely, if you haven't prepared or simply don't know and are watching others...they can tell. So can your fellow testers. Everyone gets nervous or a little too hyped, just make sure that you have a foundation of strong work and lots of practice. I most definitely get the yips...working on relaxing those nerves. Have an excellent Thursday!

Color belt testing went well tonight. One of our white belts was so nervous and had been struggling with moving his left leg...remembering to move that leg instead of his right or both when moving into cheryeot or joombee. He did so well! Super proud of him and loved how proud he was of himself. It's easy to forget sometimes that at one time we were all white belts who struggled or yellow belts that always moved the wrong foot when turning in Il Jang. And also to forget the joy of figuring out your poomsae or that new kick. We have to do a lot of work and requirements to get to where we all are, make sure that you let yourself feel the joy of it too. Happy Wednesday tomorrow! 

Busy classes today, last day before three days of color belt testing. Lots of good work today, even with students who aren't quite ready yet.  And reviewing with others who are. Had a session with my mentees working on Hapkido and planned out our next session for some more Hapkido, the forms specifically. I also worked on Third Dan self-defenses in class tonight with Instructor Rob and Master Chelley. Lots of good work today, which is great because I am very sore from our poomsae class on Sunday. Two words : stability ball. Shout to Ms. Marina-- she rocked it!

I started the day with a Valentine exchange with my husband. Joel got a heart creature card that I made in afterschool, and with a design suggestion from Peyton. He loves it, also two new books. I received a very pretty card, chocolate and a lunch date, also a visit to Paper Skyscraper...always a fun place to look around. After BB class we met at the gym. I am definitely feeling the workout, got some miles in, a lot of upper body and while Joel was finishing up I grabbed a mat and got some more push-ups and sit-ups done and then some stretching. Then home to getvready and off to Optimist Hall for lunch. Pasta and dumplings with some veggies from the Ethiopian restaurant. Perfect lunch! Tomorrow is poomsae class, then meeting Joel at the gym again. He's altered his regular workout schedule to go more with me on the...

Good class tonight with some double stick work. And cinawales as well. A mentee session afterwards with Ms. Marina rounded out the day. Ticking things off my list of questions but also adding them as well😂 For those of you going through the cycle for the first time, use this time to get your answers to all of your questions. About your poomsaes, self-defenses, kicks, weapons, the test, everything. Don't wait until the overnight to find out that you have practiced something wrong the whole time or that you didn't learn things that are on your curriculum. Work on your essays, don't wait until the last minute. Enough advice for the night, have a good weekend and I'll see you in class.

Run this morning, followed by the gym. Then lots of stripe testing today in classes. Session with two of my mentees tonight, working on Bolo. They have picked up on it very well. Proud of them! Then some weapons work work Master Chelley and Instructor Rob. And home to some stretching and Advil for my very sore legs. See some of you in sparring tomorrow!

Excellent day for the cycle. Good workout this morning followed by a walk up the hill that is Birkdale Crossing Blvd and down to the end. I want even sure if I was going to run today but after the walk I was nice and warmed up again and the weather was perfect. 2.61 miles and while I was tired after the run I felt strong for the rest of the day. I'll take that feeling anytime. Happy Wednesday everyone!

Good day at the dojang today. Lots of hard work from our color belts, preparing for their testings next week. Workout this morning was hard...took a minute or two to get in the groove. Poomsae tonight with Master Chelley and Instructor Rob. Also some sinawales and connectors refresher with my mentees. Hope everyone is off to a good start for the week. .

Junior Instructor's Camp was a success. All of the sessions went well. We had 12 first time campers and they all had a very good time with lots of participation. And I stayed after for poomsae class and even got a short workout in after that because once I hit that wall I knew nothing else was going to happen. Four hour nap was amazing. Have a good Monday tomorrow!

Early morning workout with Master Chelley and then on to KT. Summer camp work, picking up the tshirts for Jr Instructors camp, lots of traffic getting my kiddos from PLP and Langtree today and two Little Tigers classes and then a mentor session with Master Marcus followed by class and ending with some Doublestick 2 work with Master Chelley and Lucas. Busy day, good results. Tired Jen who just realized that she needs to get her stuff together tonight so she doesn't have to do it tomorrow. And then to get some sleep. See you in class!

I feel like I was cold all day long today. Finally got warmed up in sparring class and then it was time to put our sparring gear on. Where was mine? In the back of my car...where it had been since last Thursday.  Care to guess how cold my hogul--no idea if I spelled that correctly-- was when I put it on?🥶🥶😂😂  Won't make that mistake again! Busy day in classes again but a good one. Lots of good work, helping our color belts get ready for their test in a couple of weeks. Prepping for Junior Instructors Camp this weekend too. And at the end of the day a call from my youngest, checking in on his mom.  Wonderful way to end the day. See you in class!

Finally got some miles in yesterday! And a pretty good workout  too.  The snow and ice has definitely hurt that number but back to work on it. Busy day at the dojang yesterday with color belt testing coming up. Stance work seems to be my theme for the week, important in so many areas.  I worked on Bolo with my mentees who are picking it up really well, proud of them!  Getting ready for Junior Instructors Camp, always a fun time with a lot of learning going on too. I'm sure that I will see some of you there. Happy Thursday everyone and see you in sparring class!

With the exception of miles I had a great day for requirements, good workout this morning and some more this evening when I came home. Funny how I started out just stretching some tight muscles and that led to feeling more relaxed which led to "might as well" some more push-ups, sit-ups and even some plank. Every minute counts! Hitting the gym tomorrow and getting some miles in on the treadmill...the greenway in my neighborhood is still pretty icy for the moment.  Have any of you checked your stances lately? I worked with quite a few students on theirs today and it is always good to check your basics every now and then. Hopefully tomorrow is the last day of the week that kiddos are out of school! Have a happy Wednesday!

Schools were out today so.we had kids in the building, I really didn't have a lot to do.with them as I was catching up on office work. That's unusual but I'm sure that I will be with them tomorrow. Had a great session of weapon work with Instructor Peyton. And as usual we had a list of questions to ask...poor Master Chelley, she probably wanted to shut the office door😂 Seriously though, if you are really watching yourself and your fellow black belts as we are working through our curriculum and you see they do something differently...ask a question, verify who is correct or if a technique has changed some. I have questions all of the time, it's just one more way to learn. Have a good night and a happy Tuesday!

Today was a quiet day, some decluttering around the house, some poomsae and self-defenses. My cold.was on it's way out but it appears to have taken a left turn at my sinuses. Ugh. We are open tomorrow for care so I will be carefully creeping on down the road. My husband cleared off my driveway today, just a little too much for the sun to do like it did last week.  Hope everyone came through the snow safely, had some fun and is staying warm. Tomorrow is back to work day. See you on the mat!

I don't know if it's the same for everyone but this month has flown by.  I would love to still have class tomorrow...videoing myself doing anything is not my cup of tea😁 But if the snow does happen I am making chili tomorrow, have plenty of requirements to work on and I feel like my cold is finally moving out.  If my ears would stop popping I would appreciate that too!  Hope everyone is warm and safe this weekend and getting some work done...but also enjoying some fun, hot cocoa and some serious relaxing on a snowy day time too!

Master Chelley and Master Hartle have been stuck in the state of Texas along with along with Instructor Shawn, his wife and son. They were supposed to be back Sunday but as you all know the weather wasn't on our side this week. We opened up for a camp day today and will be open again tomorrow for another one.  The kiddos all finished their remote work, games were played, a movie was watched, class and more games.  Thank goodness for Instructor Anthony and Junior Instructor Braxton...they and Ms.Melanie, stayed longer to help out.  All in all, a busy day at the dojang but a good one. Even managed to have mentee sessions, hapkido takeaways were the theme of the day. Hope everyone was safe and warm. See you on the mat!

We are prepped, ready and charged.  I also stopped.at CVS and stocked up on cold meds and cough drops...because I have my first cold of the year.  After class and a mentee session today I was wiped so I will be taking the weekend off. Maybe some poomsae tomorrow....maybe. Stay safe everyone, I plan on puzzling, reading and drinking lots of hot tea. See you on the mat at some point!

We had kids in the building today for CMS's teacher workday. The day went pretty well. The other day, on the way back to KT from PLP, Instructor Evan read the written test questions to Instructor Lucas and me.  Yes, I travel with a blank written test😂 It was a fun and relaxed way to test ourselves.  Instructor Peyton often gives very useful and helpful tips about the cycle, here's one from me. Don't do this by yourself...train, study, practice, ask questions, answer questions with your fellow black belts.  You will be better for it and they will be as well.  And it's more fun! See you in class!

I started the day training at North Charlotte, some self-defenses and poomsae.  The majority of the time we were doing a poomsae several belts in my future. Chonkwon is interesting. And some Jitae too. Works out nice because those have both come up in my draws for poomsae tournaments, online ones. I've had to pass on a few because learning one poomsae in a couple of days is one thing but learning two at a level emer you can find something to be proud of... that's a bit much. 😂 Busy day at the dojang but a good one and then sparring class tonight. We have two younger girls in sparring now and it was so much fun to watch them, they were having a blast. Hope everyone had an excellent Friday!

Today was a great day... started with a workout and then some running. Brainstormed and planned summer camp crafts with Ms. Melanie and taught myself with a video how to make an origami tiger.  Lots of self-defense work in classes with the students I worked with, quite a few students were really in the zone tonight.  Sometimes something finally clicks and your student remembers or understands what you are asking of them, the "Aha" moment...excellent part of Taekwondo. Really excellent. I will see some of you in sparring class tomorrow, hope everyone has a good Thursday!

Master Chelley and I held a camp day at our dojang today. And we were exhausted by the end of the day😂 The kiddos had tons of Big Mat games, a huge Nerf battle, a guided drawing and painted magnets. I also printed out the written test. Remember, DO NOT LOOK UP ANSWERS ON GOOGLE. Also started reading the essay book tonight, took the day off from physical work...needed a recovery day. Have a great Tuesday tomorrow!

Poomsae class this morning ended with some belt stretches...I need to be stretching more. Doesn't always feel the best when you're doing it but you definitely feel better later for it. My right knee is bothering me a bit so no running today at the gym. I walked half a mile waiting for my husband to meet me and then we worked out together. Lots of chest and shoulders today, my arms feel quite heavy right now. Then while he was finishing up I grabbed a mat and finished up with sit-ups, some plank...so hard after the workout, and then some more stretches. No jumprope today but I'll double up tomorrow.  CJ, my oldest, attacked me this afternoon for self-defenses and my day was complete. Finishing up some laundry now and then updating my requirements on the website. Have a great week everyone!

I feel like I have been cold all day, all day. Hot soup for dinner helped though. Not a very productive day for requirements but I did get some done.  I have a list going of the things that give me pause, that I really have to think hard on or that I am not confident in.  Sometimes the cycle is about looking hard at yourself and being honest about what you have down and what you are nowhere near. And it's not always going to be something super complex or physically difficult. Just a little something to think about. See you in class!

Good day of classes today.  Lots of good self-defense work and kicking work today. Quite a few stripes were earned and even more students that just need to make a few minor changes to earn their stripes. And more work with Master Matthew and Instructor Caleb on self-defenses. A session with my mentees tonight with staff and stick work and then more stick work in class with Master Chelley. See some of you in sparring class tomorrow... have a good Thursday!

Started the day with a workout, success there. Seven minutes of jump rope, nice to knock those out. I got to work early so I worked on my self-defenses, specifically my black belt ones. Does anyone else ever glitch on something you learned years ago? I was a total blank on Bocho Special #5.  The harder I concentrated the further away it moved in my mind. Master Chelley to the rescue!  Guess what I will be practicing again tomorrow...gotta make sure that it was just a glitch😂

Started the day with Poomsae class. Lots of work on preps, definitely needed. Very glad that I went as it helped leftover soreness. We also had some partner stretching and that helped tremendously. Slow leg raises don't necessarily sound like a hard thing to do...to those that haven't done them🤣 Cranked out some more requirements this afternoon and went for a walk too. Hope everyone has a great week. See you in class!

Today was what we named years ago my cancerversary.  The day that I was given my breast cancer diagnosis 14 years ago.  I celebrated it by being on the black belt cycle, and I really do mean that.  This day will always remind that I am tougher and stronger than I think.  Sometimes it's the hardest things that teach you the most important lessons. So embrace the hard and scary things and challenges because as my mentee and friend, Marina, says "We can do hard things." And life is good once you get through it! Happy Pretest Eve!

I am helping Master Burkart! Thursday morning workout was full of self-defense and poomsae work...excellent!  See some of you in sparring class tonight!

The soreness is both worse and better...it's just moving to new spots I think🤣. Started today with a workout at 9Round that had what as one of the rounds? Burpees. Requirements done, a mentee session done, working with Instructor Peyton between classes and asking Master Chelley questions, cycle is definitely in effect. And all in all a good day at the dojang.

I am definitely feeling that black belt cycle soreness.  Yesterday I was working on pull-ups with bands at home and today I was using the lat pulldown machine at the gym...I have a feeling that tomorrow will be a new level of soreness. The good thing is that once you get going all of the movement helps that feeling.  It does sometimes take a moment but it helps.  I have a loose plan for my workouts so far so I feel like I am off to a good start.  Hope everyone's cycle is off to a good start!

What to do, what to do? Can't quite fall asleep and the cycle has started...write a journal😂 Thankful for being able to count the Friday class. Nice to start off with that in your pocket. See you in class or on zoom tomorrow. Happy New Year everyone!

12/23

In just eleven days we start the cycle!  How can you be both completely ready and very far from ready to do something at the same time? Best of luck to everyone! Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year! See you on the mat!!