Fall 2025 Black Belt Cycle

Candidate Journals

King Tiger Tae Kwon Do Black Belt candidates blog daily about their journey: their thoughts and feelings, their struggles and successes; their pain and their encouragement. Follow along on their journey; words of encouragement are always welcome!

Entry 36

September 18 - Entry # 36 School was good. We got interim reports today. I've got all A's in all of my classes so far, so that's good. After school we came home and hung out with the family for a while. Worked on requirements, played a video game , ate dinner, then showered and got ready for bed. It was odd not having sparring today, because I've always went on Thursdays.. but I like the idea of having 2 off days back to back.

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Entry 35

September 17 ‐ Entry # 35 Had an okay day at school. After school, we had pictures at the do jang. Then, instead of my usual sparring class on Thursday's, I went to sparring class today. It was my 10th class for my requirements. I also helped with the white belt class. After class we went to taco bell for dinner, then came home to get ready for bed. Tomorrow will be an off day since I took sparring today. 

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Entry 34

September 16 - Entry # 34 Went to school. Today we had the ELA test for the county. I didnt do too good on it. After school, I did requirements, then went to black belt class. Headed home for dinner and to get ready for bed. Have pictures tomorrow at the dojang. Im excited to get to take the picture, along with the other black belts, with Master Shin. It's my first time being able to join in for that one.

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Entry 33

September 15 - Entry # 33 Had to take a test for the county today at school. I made a really good grade on it. After school, I rode my bike for a while. I had a pretty gnarly crash and scraped up my leg and knee. It even broke the pedal on my bike! Went to class and worked on self defenses.. could still use some work on some though. Now im home and getting ready for bed. 

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Entry 32

September 14 - Entry # 32 Got to sleep in this morning. Feels like its been forever since I last got to. I played video games for a while with my friend.. got a new high score. Did requirements & rode my bike a little. Then, I played some more video games with my sister and took a nap. Just ate dinner & now im about to shower and get ready for bed. 

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Entry 31

September 13 - Entry # 31 Went to black belt class this morning then had the PMAA seminar right after. We learned a lot of stuff with our weapons. After the seminar we went home and took a little nap. Woke up and did some requirements. Played video games with my friend and just hung around the house the rest of the day. Tomorrow is our 1 complete off day.. no school, no class, nothing. So im looking forward to sleeping in.

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Entry 30

September 12 - Entry # 30 Went to school. Had a test in math. I did pretty good on it. When I got home from school I did some requirements. I was so exhausted from my week, I took a nap. After my nap, we had dinner and watched some TV. Now im getting ready for bed. Got Saturday black belt class in the morning and the PMAA seminar right after.

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Entry 29

September 11 - Entry # 29 Went to school. Our grandpa picked us up today. We got something to snack on, then headed to sparring class. After class, we went to walmart with my mom to get a few groceries then headed home for dinner. Got some requirements done after dinner. Now its time for bed. Tomorrow is Friday & its an off day so thats always nice. 

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Entry 28

September 10 - Entry # 28 Went to school. Picked up dinner on the way home from school and ate once we made it home. Today was an "off" day so we just got to hang out at home and relaxed for a bit. Got some requirements done. I wanted to check my time capsule, since its rained a lot.. the rain got inside it and messed up my expensive mewtwo card. So, that made me pretty upset. 

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Entry 27

September 9 - Entry # 27 Another day on repeat. Woke up, went to school, went home, requirements, class, home for dinner and to get ready for bed. Tomorrow is an "off" day so thats nice. Still need to work on red belt self defense. 

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Entry 26

September 8 - Entry # 26 Woke up, ate breakfast and went to school. We played Blooket and I got 1st place because I got the most questions right. So that was pretty cool. When I got home, I did some requirements then went to class. After class, I came home and finished requirements then we had Subway for dinner. Now im going to bed.

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Entry 25

September 7 - Entry # 25 Today I woke up and ate breakfast, then knocked out some requirements. I played video games with my friends. Hung around the house with my family a lot today too. Just got out of the shower, now im playing with my dogs for a few minutes before bed. Today was our only day "off" from everything so that was nice. Back to school and class tomorrow. 

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Entry 24

September 6 - Entry # 24 Woke up and went to Saturday black belt class. After class, I went home and did requirements. The rest of the day I just hung out with my family and played video games with a friend. Got a mentee session in as well. Mom made spaghetti for dinner and my sister has her friend staying the night tonight. Im going to bed.

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Entry 23

September 3 - Entry # 23 Woke up and went to school. We made butter in science class. It was fun to make, but it didnt taste very good. After school, we went to my great grandparents house and surprised my great grandma with cake for her birthday. She turned 82 today! When we made it home, I did my requirements then rode my bike for a little. Now im getting ready for bed. Been a pretty busy day to be one of my "off" days. 

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Entry 22

September 1 - Entry # 22 Today was a good day. Got to sleep in again.. thats always nice. We took the boat out and a few of mine and my sister's friends were able to come with us. We got pulled on the float, and surprisingly didn't get thrown off! Then I came home and showered and got ready for bed. Got an early morning for school tomorrow. 

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Entry 21

August 31 - Entry # 21 Today was a pretty good day.. just spent time with my mom and dad. My sister went to my grandpa's for the weekend. I woke up, ate breakfast, then did some requirements. Rode bikes with a few of the neighborhood kids, we had a campfire and made s'mores. Finished my requirements, then got ready for bed. We plan to take the boat out tomorrow for labor day. We got a new float to be pulled on, so im excited about that.

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Entry 20

August 28 - Entry # 20 Woke up and went to school. Got signed out right after lunch for my sister's orthodontist appointment. After her appointment, we went to gamestop to get some pokemon cards but they were sold out. I ended up getting a Gengar Funko Pop and picked out a Stitch one for my sister. Went went home for a little bit then headed to sparring. Glad to be at home and in the bed for the night.

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Entry 19

August 27 - Entry #19 Today I got up and went to school. After school, we took my sister to get her second hole on her ears pierced. It was one of my "off" days. So, after getting her ears pierced, we went home and relaxed most of the evening. Ate dinner, got some requirements done, then showered and got ready for bed. 

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Entry 18

August 26 - Entry #18 Today I chose to do my digital detox. I started off with school. After school, I went to my great grandparents and did some requirements before class. When I got to class, I worked on some of my back falls and also helped with other classes. I still need to work on hapkido 2 and 3. When class was over, I made a quick stop at the grocery store with my mom, then came home and started getting ready for bed. 

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Entry 17

August 25 - Entry #17 Woke up and went to school. They postponed our test because our teacher is sick so we're taking it tomorrow. After school I did some requirements, ate dinner, then went to class to help with the lower belts. Once class was over, I stopped by the grocery store with my mom and sister, then went back home and worked on my poomsaes & hapkido. After that, I got ready for bed.

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Entry 16

August 24 - Entry #16 Today was one of my "off" days.. no school, no class, just a chill day. We woke up and went to Carowinds. We had express passes so we got to cut the lines and ride way more rides. We rode the Fury 325 first.. my mom was pretty nervous because she hasnt been on a roller-coaster in around 15-20 years. But, she toughed it out and did pretty good! Her and dad even rode most of the other rides with me and my sister. It started raining about 20 minutes before time for the park to close. But, we still had a lot of fun! It turned out to be a really good family day. Got some requirements in once we got home then showered and got ready for bed. Have a test tomorrow at school.. im kinda nervous. Not to mention its a Monday. 

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Entry 15

August 23 - Entry #15 Woke up and went to black belt class this morning. Came home for a little bit after, then we headed to my great grandparents house to have a birthday celebration for my great grandma. We were going to swim but the water was pretty cold so we decided not to. After the celebration was over, we came home and relaxed for a while. Got some requirements in before bed. Going to Carowinds in the morning so im excited for that. Im gonna ride every ride 500000000 times!

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Entry 14

August 22 - Entry #14 Woke up and went to school. Came home and took a nap. After napping, I played some video games, did requirements, and ate dinner. Relaxed the rest of the day. Getting ready for bed now.. got another early morning for Saturday black belt class.

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Entry 13

August 19 - Entry #13 Woke up and went to school. We had an Envirothon meeting after school so I missed my first class today, but I just help with the lower belts so it wasnt too bad to miss it. But, I went from the meeting straight to the dojang for my second class to help with other belts, and then my black belt class. I practiced my back falls. Still need to work on them, but I am improving. After class I came home and ate dinner then got ready for bed. I only have school tomorrow, no meeting or classes after so im excited to have a slow day. Good night!

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Entry 12

August 18 - Entry #12 Today was Monday.. enough said. Had class today. After class we came home, ate dinner and watched a movie with my sister and dad. Now im getting ready for bed. Got another full day tomorrow. Envirothon meeting after school, then lower belt classes & black belt class. 

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Entry 11

August 17 - Entry #11 I dont think its counting all my journal entries so I have a couple numbered the same, to match watch it shows in tracking. But, today was a chill day. We were gonna take the boat out but me, my sister, & my mom didnt feel too good since we are all still sick.. so, we stayed home and just my dad went out. It was nice not having a full day of stuff to do. I played some video games with my sister, got some requirements done, ate dinner, showered, and now im going to bed. Start my second week of school in the morning.

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Entry 10

August 16 - Entry # 10 Today I woke up and got sick to my stomach (i think because of my coughing), so I didnt make the black belt class this morning. But I did go to the self defense class. After class, we came home and hung out with the family for pretty much the rest of the day. Got requirements in with my sister, mom & dad. Now im going to bed.

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Entry 9

August 15 ‐ Entry # 9 Today was good because its Friday. School went pretty good this week. We got picked up from school, got dinner then came home and relaxed most of the evening. Got another early morning tomorrow for black belt class with Master Evins.

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Entry 8

August 14 - Entry # 8 I forgot to do my journal entry the past couple days with school starting. But, I had my first day of sixth grade so im officially a middle schooler. I was a little nervous but it went pretty good. I made a friend in class already. His name is Landon too. Had sparring class today. Still trying to kick this cold so now im taking some meds and going to bed.

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Entry 7

August 11 ‐ Entry # 7 It rained again most of the day today. We had orientation at school so we got to meet all our teachers. After leaving the school, we got something to eat. Then I had black belt class. After class, I got requirements done. Then hung out with my sister. Now its time for bed.

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Entry 6

August 10 ‐ Entry # 6 Today we had a scavenger hunt at our school to help us learn more about the school and learn our way around. I really enjoyed it. After we finished at the school, we went out on the boat on Lake Wylie for a while. Came home, had dinner, did some requirements, now im getting ready for bed. It was a pretty good day. 

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Entry 5

August 9 - Entry # 5 Woke up this morning and went to black belt class with Master Evins. We all came home and took a nap. We hung out around the house and played fortnite a little while. Got some requirements done. Then we went shopping for school clothes. Only 4 days until my first day of middle school! 

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Entry 4

August 7 - Entry # 4 Went to my great grandparents for my requirements again, then went to sparring class. After sparring we went back to my great grandparents so my mom could pick up me and my sister. We have to start getting stuff together and ready for school to start.   August 8 Today we woke up and went out on the boat. We docked and ate at Papa Docs. It was pretty good. Came back home and did requirements. Now im going to bed.. got an early morning for Saturday black belt class.

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Entry 3

August 6 - Entry # 3 Today I went to my great grandparents again. Did my requirements there. Went back to my grandpa's and played video games with my friend. Now we are getting ready for bed. Glad to finally be feeling a little better.

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Entry 2

August 5 - Entry # 2 Woke up still feeling pretty bad. Relaxed and played my video games for a while. Went to my great grandparents and did my requirements, then built a fort with my sister. Went to 2 classes today and worked on some of my self defenses. After class, we got dinner. Now I'm back at my grandpa's, getting ready for bed.

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Entry 1

August 1 - Entry # 1 Hung out at my grandpa's for most of the day. Played some video games with my friend. Got some requirements done. Pretty nervous for the pre-test tomorrow. August 2  Today I got up and went to the track for pre-test. We didnt get the email that it had been canceled. So, we hung out until time to be at Master Evins. I did okay, but I know I need to work on a couple things. Went home and relaxed a bit, then went to visit my great grandparents and ran my mile while I was there. Went back to my grandpa's and relaxed some more before going to bed.   August 3 Woke up sick today.. I think I got it from my twin sister. I powered through and did some requirements. Got a new record on my mile. Just tried to rest the remainder...

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