Spring 2026 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!

Snow?

Apparently, it is going to snow and get really cold on Friday and the Weekends. I don't know if I should be happy or sad because I have experienced snow in Canada, and it isn't very fun. But we may miss some days of school, and it might be nice to experience snow for the first time in a while. Today in school was alright. I had a test, which I did well on, but I think I could have done better. The rest of my classes were pretty simple and easy-going. When I came back, I finished my homework, and had a snack. Then I went to my Taekwondo dojang and completed many of my requirements, both physically and class needed requirements, like "BB Class." After I finished class, I had Chick-fil-A for dinner, and that was good. I finished the rest of my physical requirements, took a shower, and...

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Back To School

School today was ok, I guess. I wish we had a few more days off. We just started our basketball unit in PE, and in my other subjects, we had a basic review, since we were off for 3 days. When I came back, I went to the YMCA and had a little workout, finished my physical requirements for the day, and played some basketball. I started at 5:30 PM and left at 8 PM, so I was pretty sore, but I think I am getting stronger. I just took a shower, finished my homework, and am about to eat. After I eat, I am going to review for my test tomorrow one more time, and then I will go to sleep. Tomorrow, I will be back for Taekwondo classes.

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MLK Jr. Day

Did you know that MLK Jr. Day is always on the 3rd Monday of January every year? I didn't. Today was enjoyable and exhausting. As soon as I woke up, my parents told me that we were going to the YMCA. I got ready fast and was excited because we were going to stay there for almost the whole day. When I reached, I had a little gym workout and then ran 2 miles. I was really tired, but I wanted to do something else to avoid getting bored, so I played 3-on-3 basketball with some people I met. When I finished, I was really sweaty and hungry for a snack, so I got some food to eat. When I finished eating, I took a little break and relaxed, but then my friend asked if I wanted to go to the pool. I was down, but I wanted to try the...

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Chill Day

Today was really chill. I didn't have any classes to worry about, whether it was school, taekwondo, or some other sport. I kind of relaxed at home and ate food. I didn't really go outside except for running my mile, because it was really cold. I finished my physical requirements earlier than usual, and then ate lunch, which was delicious. I watched some TV and relaxed. I have been realizing how much the cycle has impacted me because I have been very tired lately and have been taking naps. When I woke up, I was reviewing my poomsaes and self-defenses for extra practice by watching YouTube. I have to go to a birthday party later today, and when my brother went to the gym, he brought his friend home with him, and he will be going to the party with us. I hope everyone is also excited that we have no...

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Saturday

Today, I woke up at 8 AM to get ready for my taekwondo classes. I had sparring class, then helped out with another class, and also had leadership class. In between those classes, I acquired a mentee session and had a lot of fun. When I returned home, I took a shower, ate lunch, and watched some TV. I was really tired, so I took a nap that was 2 and a half hours long. When I woke up, I realized my parents had left to go to a family friend's house, and my brother and I were home alone. I quickly finished my physical requirements and made dinner for ourselves. I made us cheese pizza, and it was delicious. After that, I made some popcorn and watched a movie upstairs. It was really funny, and I would watch it again. I am about to go to sleep and hope everyone had...

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1.16.2026

Today was a pretty chill and fun day. In school, I had a Spanish test and a science test, on which I got a 100 on both. Every other subject had some basic classwork, and I didn't get any homework. When I came back from home, I did some of my physical requirements and got ready for my Weekend BB class. Class was fun and interesting today, because we learned how to defend and attack with plastic knives. I also got some leadership credits and had a mentor session with Master Foster. I didn't get to do a sparring class because I had to leave early to go to a party. I just came home and finished the rest of my physical requirements. I am about to go take a shower and get ready for the party. I am excited for tomorrow because I will be at the dojang from 9...

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Chill Day

Today was pretty chill and easy-going as I didn't have much to do. When I went to school today, I learned a lot, and in PE, I got to do rotations, which was fun. When school was done, I forgot I had a Math Club, so when I reached home by bus, I quickly told my brother to drop me off back at school. I was pretty late for that, so my teachers were a little mad, but it was ok. We had our school competition to decide who would represent our school in a competition against other schools in the future. I think I did ok, but I'm not confident. Tomorrow, I have to wake up early to go to school and finish the rest of my math test in the competition, because I came late for "Math Counts." When I came home, I went to the YMCA to get my...

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1/14/26

Today, I woke up at 7:30, did some of my requirements, and got ready for School. In school, I first had a Math I-Ready Diagnostic, which was annoying and long, so I didn't get to complete it. I also presented to my class with my friends in Reading and played basketball in PE. The rest of the day was pretty normal and chill, since I finished all my classwork. When I came back home, I finished my homework, completed my physical requirements, and got ready for Taekwondo class. I had a BB class and received a mentor session. When I returned home, I took a shower, ate dinner, and watched some TV. I am about to go to sleep, and I am excited for the long weekend. See you soon.

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Important Day

Today was a very productive and important day for me. First, when I woke up, I stretched and got ready for school. In school, I had to take a  Reading I-Ready Diagnostic, which I didn't finish because it was about 100 questions. In PE, we got to choose our basketball squad for 3v3 Games, and I think we have a really good team. The rest of school was pretty normal as we didn't do anything else important. When I returned home, I finished all of my physical requirements and then got ready for an interview. (This was the really important thing I did today, as written in the title.) I applied to an Early College, and they invited me for an interview and I have been very excited for this day to come. In the interview, my dad and I got asked a lot of questions, and I think I did well....

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2nd Monday of the Cycle

Today was a pretty chill day. School was pretty normal as I didn't have much work. In PE, we did stations, and I got to play "Slamball" and Basketball, which were fun. When I came back from school, I finished most of my homework and did some of my physical requirements. I am now getting ready to go to Black Belt Class. When I return, I will finish the rest of my requirements, take a shower, eat dinner, watch some TV, and probably go to sleep. Bye.

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January 11-Day After Pretest

Yesterday was the pretest, and after completing the mile, the physical requirements, the written test, helping with a class, and having leadership, I was exhausted. When I returned home, it was 12 PM. I was so hungry, so I ate a lot of food and took a nap. I thought I would only be asleep for 1 to 2 hours, but I woke up at 6 PM. I didn't think I was that tired, but... I was. When I woke up, there were guests at my house, and we were having a party, so I didn't have time to log in my requirements or journals. I got a little sad, because I was having a streak with my journals, but sadly it ended. Now, let's talk about how I did in the pretest. I really surprised myself with the mile, being 8:20, and thought I was going to do great today....

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Nervous

I am feeling very nervous and excited for tomorrow. It is the Pretest tomorrow, and I will have to do many exercises and requirements. I hope I run a decent mile time and will try my best for the other exercises. Today, I had a normal day in school and had a math test, which I did excellently in. I just came back home and finished all my homework, and took a shower. I didn't get to go to a class today because I am doing the white belt challenge, and I am not allowed to go to the black belt class. That is a severe obstacle for me because I didn't get to practice my poomsae, self-defense, etc, before doing my Pretest. I think I will be fine and am practicing today for tomorrow. I hope I do well tomorrow and wish everyone the very best. 

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Thursday

Today was a very eventful day. I got ready to go to school today and learned a lot. In science, I had a test that I performed well on, and I didn't do anything particularly noteworthy in my other classes. After school, I had my final day of basketball tryouts and had a lot of fun, but I didn't make the team, so I was a little bummed. I told myself that I should try harder next time or practice more so I could hopefully make the high school team. I just came back and finished the physical requirements I needed for the day. I am excited for my pretest on Saturday to see how I do and want to surprise myself.

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1/7/2026

It's already Wednesday, so we are almost done with the week. Today at school was pretty chill, and I didn't have any homework to bring back home to complete. It was beautiful outside today, so I ran my mile outside while listening to music. When I returned, I finished all my physical requirements for the day and was ready for my Taekwondo class. Today I started my white belt challenge and had a lot of fun because of how people reacted to my new belt. I also had a mentor session with Instructor Sid, where I reviewed my self-defense. I just came back from Taekwondo and took a shower, and I am excited for tomorrow because it will be the last day of Basketball tryouts. 

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Ok Day

I didn't feel that well when I woke up today. I was sore all over, probably from all the workouts I did the day before, and I didn't feel like getting up. I went to school, had a good day, and finished all my homework too. After School was the second day of Basketball Tryouts, and I did better than yesterday and played really well. When I came back, I ate some snacks, hydrated, and took some rest. I wasn't feeling as sore as this morning, so I am going to head to the YMCA to complete all my physical requirements for the day later and hope to get a better mile time. Bye.

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Monday - 1/5/26

Today, I woke up at 7:30 AM and got ready to go to school. I was extremely excited because it was the first day of Basketball Tryouts. It was a normal day; we had just returned from Winter Break, but it was really fun because I got to hang out with my friends again. After school, I had Basketball Tryouts, and I think I did well. We did a lot of running and drills, but got to play scrimmages at the end, which was fun. When I came back home, I ate some snacks and hydrated, and then got ready for my Taekwondo Weekday Black Belt Class. I had a lot of fun there, and we mostly focused on balance and kicking. I got tired in the end, but pushed through during the workouts, and had a mentor session with Instructor Connor. When I came back home, I logged the physical requirements I...

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Day 2 of the Cycle

When I woke up today, I was very sore and tired. I woke up late today, but I still pushed forward and told myself that I still have to try my hardest. My parents informed me that we would be leaving in two hours for a Birthday Party and would come back late in the evening. I panicked, but told myself that I could finish my requirements in two hours. I got to work and managed to complete most of my requirements in an hour and a half, then got ready for the party. The party was awesome since I got to hang out with my friends, eat delicious food, and put cake on my friend's face. I just returned home and am finishing up the rest of my daily requirements. I thought today was a fun day, but I wish my body were feeling a little better. 

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Great Day

Today I woke up at 8 am and got ready for my Taekwondo classes. I ate a nutritious breakfast and arrived early for my sparring class. I finished that class and had a lot of fun sparring with my friends. Then, I had a mentor session with Instructor Connor, and he helped me with my colored belt poomsaes. I then helped out an adult class by showing them the right technique of kicks, punches, and more. I finally ended my day there with a leadership class, and we wrote down our goals for 2026 on a board and broke them with a strike to show that we will beat them. I noted everything I did today in my Black Belt Book, and I returned home. I am about to eat lunch now and am going to finish my physical requirements for the day later. Today was the start of the black...

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Getting Ahead!

Hi, I am Prasoon Panda, and I am a Bocho Dan testing for my Black Belt this Spring. I took advantage of my break and finished many essays for my Black Belt Cycle. I finished 5 essays and learned a lot from them. The essays were time-consuming and a little challenging to write, but at the same time, I really enjoyed writing about myself, others, etc. I was really happy that I wrote that many essays, and now I am getting ready for my Pretest Assessment. I hope everybody is having a great break, and Happy New Year to everyone!

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