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!

9/19

I had a very slow run this morning, I'm not happy about it, it does not make me feel confident going into next week.   On a positive note, I'm studying the written and doing okay on my wife testing me.  I've done well on my curriculum practice, but only okay on most of my physical stuff.   Looking forward to a fun weekend with the family (and some TKD).  

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Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee

This week was very eventful, as the weeks at the start of the school year often are. I am getting more comfortable with my regular schedule, and Tuesday in particular had a lot, despite me not having any classes. My homework is not as much as it was last semester. I have a few more things to do tonight, although it shouldn't be too bad. Taekwondo training with the UMN club is going well. I sent some of my poomsae videos from Hanmadang to the club president, who was interested in seeing them. I am trying to fix my form from those videos. I feel like I don't float enough, so to speak.

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#67.

Today went to top golf with my football team and ate a lot of wings.

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thursday

Today i went to school and to taekwondo. Then i made waffles. Goodnight.

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9/18

Today was a pretty normal day at school. My dad is going on a trip with his friends to when I came home he was packing. I had some food and chilled for a little while and said bye to my dad. After I started my requirements. Usually Thursday is the easiest because I have no other classes but I missed class on Monday and I need leadership credits so I went for a class today. I had a fun time helping today and after I came back I went on my run and I tried a new route and it was odd. I came back and ate and then I joined a meeting for an organization I’m in. I had a shower and now I need to study for my science test tomorrow.

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F

Hello today I woke up and went to school and then I did A helpmate seshon well thats all byyyyyu.

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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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Starting my skid

Hunter S. Thompson once said that the intention of the King Tiger Black Belt cycle is that, at the end, you should "skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" If he is correct, then I am right on schedule to arrive just as he stated.  

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9/18

i went to school came back and rapped up an essay, pretty sure i have one left. went to tkd after that and got my last leadership credit, ive got 20 on both leadership credits now. so far not so bad. 

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9/27

Today was fun. I went to school and after school, I went to taekwondo and helped out at the drills class and sparring class. After that, I had went to hockey practice and we had a scrimmage, which was very fun

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Thursday

Today I did my requirements early and went to the gym at lunch. Work was busy, but I still had time to get to the pool for an hour. I went to sparring and did a class assistance tonight.

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9/18

Today wasn't too exciting but yesterday was, I had my math diagnostic which went pretty well because I like math and then I went to see the Lumineers live at PMC which was exciting and really cool.

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9/18/25

Today was a normal day. First I woke up and went to school. Then I came back did my requirements. After that I went for a run and played outside with my friends for a while. Finally I went to my friends house for dinner and did my homework after I came back.

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09/18/2025

Today I felt unlucky and lucky. Unlucky because I had to take a reading diagnostic which went from 1st block to lunch so I missed 3rd block/band my favorite. I feel lucky because I did not have to do sparring YAAAAAAAAAAAY. I have some more sparring classes than I need so I got to skip it today.

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9/18

Today was once again another normal day at school. I got back from school and chilled for a bit then I went to sparring after that I had dinner.

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9/18

Today i had therapy and then came home and did my excersises now I'm doing my poomse self-defense and kicks

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The 18th

So today I left early from school because I went to therapy . I finished in time for sparring. That’s it bye

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7/18

Another exhausting day on cycle 😅😐🙁☹️😟😫😫😫 aaaanyway I managed to get the vast majority of my school work done before lunch it was just English that I had to do and I'm composing a poem tomorrow apparently but whatever the big thing today was the fact that it's Thursday so sparring class😫😫😫 anyway it turned out to not be that bad the black belts went to the back obviously that would include me and I sparred Carter Jackson and Zane and Zane actually wasn't that bad because I had this weird adrenaline rush right at the beginning but anyway that's about it bye

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Sept 18

Today was hard because my back is hurting and I decided to skip sparring so I can rest.

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September 18

Today was my mom’s birthday I made a painting for her and a bracelet! We didnt do much today that’s all nighttt!

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9/18/25

My day was good as usual I woke up did my Exercises and got dressed for school. After school I went home relaxed for a bit and then went to the Dojang for sparring I got home around 6:20. I have no school Tomorrow  because of the teacher work day. So I can sleep in and that is my day.

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9/18

Today, I had nothing big go on, had to clean the house though. Almost done with all my requirements.  Hope you had a good day

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Entry 34

To I ran two miles with my dad. It was so tiring! I will also will be going to sparring class today. See you all soon!

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wednesday

Today i had tacos for dinner and played clash and went to taekwondo which was good. Then i ran. Goodnight.

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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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9/17

i went to school came back and did some requirements. then i was watching a videoa about police officers and got a police radio on my phone. i thought it was cool, there's a lot of action. 

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Entry 33

I ran 1 mile today with my Dad. Then, went to church at night.

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9/17

Today was picture day at tkd and it was also sparring class. But I could not stay for that class, because I had hockey practice which was fun. anyway I am going to bed now

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Sept 17

Today we had a good feast day and then I photographed the Fraternus challenge ceremony this evening which was fun.

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#66.

Today was chill day with only a little fun at football.

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9/17/25

TOday at school we didnt really do anything that interesting. In math we just learned whatever we did yesterday and in english we finished presenting and then we started a writing assignment. In sociology we just took notes and did some worksheets and in history we also took notes and did worksheets. when i got home i did requirements and then i went to taekwondo and we did this thing called battle of the belts where we had to do poomsaes and we had to pick a belt group to compete against. after taekwnodno i just came home and ate dinner and stuff and did homework. 

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Finally!!!!!!!!!!!

We finally got our Chromebooks but they are just for testing because our personal devices haven't arrived. Then I wen't to North Charlotte for BBC. Only 2 and a half more weeks

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9/17 Curtis Journal

For the 3rd week in a row Abigail and I spent Wednesday night at north Charlotte doing to sparring and black belt classes. Maybe I should have skipped the gym this morning because I am exhausted! Sparing was fun and working on those side step movements is a good challenge for my brain-muscle link. Im tired and headed to bed!

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9/17/2025

Today I went to guitar lessons and practiced scream by avenged sevenfold. After that I did a mentor session with Master Foster. I am finally done with journals!!

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9/16#26

Today I went to school had a good day and won trivia when I went to taekwondoe I had to work on high yellow and now I know what I need to work with Landon on.  

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9/17

Today was another day at school, I got home and went to my sister’s cheer thing. After that I went to soccer practice then I had dinner.

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September 17

Today I woke up and did Requirements. Then I did a lot of school after I worked out and went to tkd! Night!!!

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9/17/25

Today was a normal day. First I woke up and went to school. Then I came back ate a snack and did my homework. After that I went to taekwondo took a class and got a mentor session in with Master Knight. Finally I watched tv and ate dinner.

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Wednesday

Today I didn’t feel the best so I took a little easy. Schools usually the same so I’m not gonna talk about that too much. I did help out with class. That’s it bye

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Wednesday

Hello today I woke up and went to school I went on a feald trip to the wwc then I went to king tiger after school and helped out did a leadership then I went to church well thats all byyyyy.

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Sep 17 day #39

Today was pretty good. I woke up went to school, after school I went home and then went to an appointment. After that we went straight to taekwondo, and my brother and I got our pictures done. After that my brother left and I did a sparring class.

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9/17/25

My day was good. As usual I woke up did my Exercises I did 40 push-ups today. After school I went home and got dressed for the picture thing at the dojang it was pretty quick and then I got back home did my two mile run and relaxed for the rest of the day.

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9/17

Today I went to north-Charolotte for sparring, then I came home and got 9:32 on my mile. that's all bye 

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9/17 #27

Today, I went to school where I had some fun, won candy, and I got told that a tree fell down in front of my house, and that the bus can not go to my house, so my dad had to pick me up. Later today we have taekwondo pics, and I will work on my essays. 

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9/17

Today I got a 100 on my Social Studies One Pager and got breakfast in class from Hazel. I'm also going to church later today. Have a good day.

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9/17

I had a good start to the day, woke up early and went through the curriculum.  I'm getting there, slowly but surely.  I glitched out on Green belt self defense and kick defense, but took my time and got the right moves (I did validate against the videos in the app).  THen I did some standard physical requirements.  

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9/16

Today I almost missed the bus because I thought it was going to come in my neighborhood a different way like it usually did but when it came in it almost didn't see me, I got on though. I barely had anything at lunch, only some pineapples because they had pizza for lunch, yuck. I helped out an did warm-ups in class so that was cool. I ran a mile did some homework, and I'm about to go to bed right now.

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9/16

I don’t know what’s going on with me. Last week I had acid reflux and this week I have a sore throat stuffy nose and a fever. Not fun especially with the black belt cycle. It’s so annoying how it happens just when the cycle is ending. I skipped my first 2 blocks of school today because my mom wanted to test me for covid, I don’t have it luckily. I went to my last 2 blocks of school and when I came back I had some food and rested a little before starting my requirements. I did some in the morning so I wouldn’t have to work as hard. I went on a normal run and it was pretty okay. I went to my class today too though I skipped it yesterday because I was feeling a lot worse yesterday. Class was fine today and I got caught up on...

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tuesday

Today i went to school which was boring as always. Then i went to help at taekwondo and then i went to trail life and to run. Then i came home and ate dinner. Goodnight.

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9/16/2025

Today my dad had a buisness trip. I've learned a new thing about pasta. If you boil milk you can make it curdle & then if you add a cornstarch slurry with more milk you can actually make a pseudo cheese sauce due to the fact that curdled milk is just cheese. This is great for cleariac puree.

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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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Today

Today is school picture day I also had a field trip to ninja nation. I helped out with a few class. That's it bye

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Curtis Journal 9/16

Tuesday! Nothing new to report, gym early. Did some stick and bolo this afternoon. I still need to finish essays!! let’s keep going!

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9/16/2025

Today I was at school and I forgot I had homework and it was worth a test grade so I was very upset about that. After school I made sure to get all of my work done so that doesn't happen again. I am glad I learned from my actions.

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9/16

Today i had a little homework so I got some of that done before taekwondo, then I assisted with a class and did leadership credits. after taekwondo I did a mentee session and came home and had dinner then I practiced poomse self-defense and kicks.

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Tousday

Hello today I woke up and went to school and I did picture day then I went to king tiger after school and helped out then I went to the doctor well that was my day  byyyy.

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9/16

normal day, went to school snd came back home and did some requirements, after that i went to taekwondo and had a mentor session.

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9/16

Today  I went to a class at tkd to help out which was fun. After I had my first hockey practice of the season.

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9/16/25

Today was a normal day. First I woke up and went to school. Then I came back ate a snack and called my friends so we could do our homework together. After that I had a mentee session and I went to go hang out with my friends. Finally I watched tv and ate dinner.

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Unimaginative Title

I had to take care of some home chores tonight, so I zipped down to the early class to grab some credit. I got home early after class, took care of what I needed to do and now I'm sitting on the couch working on essays. And journaling of course.  

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9/16/25

My day was good as usual I woke up did my Exercises I was able to do 40 push-ups today. And then I got dressed for school. After school I went to the house for a little bit then I went to the dojang to help out. And I got home around 7:15. And that is my day

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September 16

Today I woke up went to the gym and then went on a walk and that’s all night!

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09/16/25 Tuesday

Today I didn't really do much except help out with class. then I came home did my homework which was pretty easy. And I am going to have tacos for dinner  

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9/16/25

Today at school in math we just learned about compound interest or something. In English we did presentations about the way our music taste has changed over time. This was probably the first presentation I actually felt good about presenting. I still felt a bit nervous when I went up there, but it was pretty easy because I knew what to say and it was pretty informal. I also was really excited to share the music i listen to, and seeing other people having their "embarrasing" phases on there made me less nervous. In history we just took notes. After school i just got home and did requirements. I have violin class soon

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9/16

I had a math test today and a US states test. I did good on the states test and dont know what I got on the math test. Have a good day.

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Entry 32

Yesterday I forgot to do my journal so today will count as both. Yesterday me and my dad run one mile. After that he dropped me of at Tae Kwon Do and I helped with the lower belt class. Today I hope me and my dad can get some running in. Sadly I will not be helping out in the lower belt class today.

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Monday switch up

Today was the start of the week , after a long weekend it was pretty hard to get up for work. I pushed through  it and was looking forward to seeking my chargers play on Monday night football tonight. This evening I went to the Harrisburg school for their weekday black belt class, it was very fun. Master Knight mixed things up and we did some review, I enjoyed the pace of the class. It was good training with others, I plan on going back on Friday from black belt class and sparring. I am really trying to finish up theist few requirements I have left. 

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9/15

Not much happened today, some funny things happened at school today but tomorrow we have diagnostic testing which I'm not looking forward to, but hey, at least I'll get to play badminton afterwards.

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#65.

Today I had football and got chipotle with my friends and cousins after practice.

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9/15/25

I had a long morning today. I had conferences with some of my school teachers and my brother also had conferences, so I had to wait. Once conferences were over, we got lunch at a nearby restaurant. And then I had soccer practice. Once I got home, I got some requirements done and now heading to bed.

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9/15 #25

Today I went to school and had a great day and at taekwondo I learned some more things from master shin and my friends but I still need help with high yellow   

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Feeling down

I have a cracked bone in my foot from sparring last Thursday. We were doing paddle kicks in class tonight and I did fine with front and side kicks although I wasn't kicking hard with my injured foot. I did "air" kicks when it came to roundhouses. On one round, my toe barely hit the pad and a pain shot up through my foot.  I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do for sparring this week. I'm still three classes short. blah

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9/15

i went to school came back and ran a couple of miles. after that i had a very helpful mentor session for hopkido 5 and im almost ready for the tests, just gotta practice the written test a bit more.

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September 15

Today I went to the gym really early then did a lot of school after I rode my bike to tkd which was fun! Night!

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9/15 Curtis Journal

Well today we hit the gym and I worked from home, Abigail and I biked to TKD, I rode back home and then went back later.  I finished both my leadership and helping today. I’ll keep doing it, but it’s nice to have that checked off my list, I need a few more mentee and mentor sessions but am feeling on track for most things.  I NEED to finish my essays!

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9/15/25

Today was a normal day. First I woke up and went to school. Then I came back ate a snack and did my homework. After that I went to taekwondo took a class and got a mentor session in with Master Knight. Finally I watched tv and ate dinner.

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9/19

today I had a reading check for fellowship of the ring from J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy, The Lord of the Rings and I did pretty well on it. I finished all my homework pretty quick, and I did my requirements and checked my vlogs for any mistakes and now I'm going to bed.

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Day #53 9/15

Today I had to leave school early because I got really sick. I didn't do much of anything the rest of the day. I did try to do my requirements and I got them done so that was good, but I didn't end up going to class today. 

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09/15/25

Today I had a science quiz but I feel good about it. Then I had a football practice where we worked on a new play.  Then I ate dinner and did my journal now I am going to bed.

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9/15

Today was fun cause I got to help out with the little kids class and got to see what they learn for tae kwon do after I got home. I had to go to Boy Scouts and then once I got home from that I had to go to sleep.

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9/15

Today was a regular I day at school, I went home and chilled for a bit then I went to soccer practice then I had dinner.

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Picture day

Today was picture day at school and that was quick. Then I feel like the rest of the school day was quick. After school I went to help with the younger group and then took class. Then I went to run. Now I am going home. Goodnight.

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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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9/13/2025

On Saturday we had the PMA seminar. It was fun working with knifes and sticks. I also got to see my friends from other locations.

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9/15/2025

Today I had a history test and got the best score in the class! That includes the smart kid too! After school I went to TKD to help and take class. I had a really good time. 

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9/15/25

My day was good as usual I woke up did my Exercises ad got dressed for school. After school I went home for a little bit and then I went to the Dojang around 4:30 and then I got back home around 7:15 and that is my day. And I am tired Night

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9/15

My only test free day this week. I have a math test and a US states test towmorrow. Had a good time at black belt class today. Bye

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9/15

I had a pretty good day today as far as practicing goes.  I woke up early, took my flashcards out to the driveway, and ran through everything.  I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but I'm still not there yet with hapkido 4/5, or 3rd Dan Self Defense.  I'm stronger on the staff forms and Stick 1-4.  I feel good about Anyo Isa and the Bolo form, but I still glitch out on them from time to time.  My plan is to get up tomorrow and do 4 miles before work, then do some more requirements during my lunch break.  

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Monday

Today I got up  and did some requirements, then worked for awhile. Now I'm heading to downtown Nashville to get some dinner, then see a concert.

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Technique Development, Final Form: Blue Silver Chaotic Afterglow

The Demon Slayer movie went well! It was subbed, unfortunately (I wanted to watch the dubbed version), and I didn't know where the rest of the people who were supposed to go with me went, but I went anyway because there was no way I got one of the club members at Taekwondo to drive me all the way back just to not watch the movie, which would only be out this weekend. I came prepared, wearing my fancy Giyu crocs to it and everything. And it did not disappoint. No spoilers for those of y'all who are into Demon Slayer, by the way. Anyway, over the weekend, I worked on a lot of the drills from the club, but with extra reps on my non-leading leg, which in my opinion needs a lot of work. I also did a mentee session with the Beckemeyers. Other than that, life has been...

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What a weekend

This weekend has been amazing , I was able to spend a lot of family time. On Saturday went to my son's first college home game and saw him and his band preform. It was truly amazing to hear how great they sounded and how committed he truly is to the band. Later that night I was able to catch the greatest display of body , I have ever seen and probably the best fight in the last ten years. Last today I was engulfed in football and my mom came over to visit. I really could not ask for a better weekend and I am looking forward to more. 

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9/14

Today not much happened but I do have school tomorrow which(I can’t believe I’m saying this) I’m kinda looking forward to since I haven’t seen my friends since Friday.

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September 14th, 2025

Worked on alot of stick and staff work today, and I finally had enough time to do almost double requirements in a day. I studied and did some other written work before bed.

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Sisters birthday

Today was my sisters birthday party thing and we had food but I had an allergic reaction and I had to take medicine so I fell asleep and then she left to go back home to Colorado. After that I went to confirmation class and youth group which was fun. Then I went to run. Goodnight.

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9/14/25

Today I had an SAT class in the morning. After that I did requirements and worked on my essay for school for a bit. Then i ate lunch and went to the first orchestra rehersal of the season. its nice to be back. There are a lot of new people but a lot of our winds and brass section left which was sad. Anyways we just ran through all the new pieces and most of them weren't too hard. Anyways after that I came home and played volleyball and then I came home and showered and ate dinner and did more homework. its late now so im going to sleep.

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9/14

Today I  hung out with friends but after that I did my requirements and worked on a essay.

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9/14

today nothing really happened, i woke up and my dad took us out to eat for breakfast. i caught up on some homework and did some requirements.

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9/14

Today was my rest day. I woke up pretty late and made some food for myself. I was with my dog for some time and then I did some homework. My dad went to Raleigh yesterday to help my sister with something in college. He came back today. I had lunch with him and then was watching TV for some time. My grandma came to visit for the past week while my aunt and uncle were on vacation and needed someone to take care of her. It was also a good time for her to visit too. They came back today so they stopped by and I said hello and then they left. Me and my parents were watching this funny crime movie then I had dinner and showered. Pretty chill day.

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9/14/2025

Today I went to see my friend at the park after her shift. We went on a nature trail and walked a lot. After visiting her I went to go learn how to change a tire. It was hot outside but still fun.

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9/14

Today was actually kind of semi-exhausting 😳😳😳 I know, I know it's weird several days in a row not actually being completely exhausted by the end of the day but anyway it's Sunday so I played Minecraft for a while and then an hour or two later I watched the football game and initially the Panthers were completely destroyed but they actually managed to make a comeback and I think it was like a five-point game which is pretty close actually 🏈🏈🏈🏈 and we had pork tenderloin for dinner which was nice and I'm about to catch up on my co-op homework I think it's about it bye

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