Candidate Journals

Today I got up at 6:45am to do my running. I had 2 of my friends in the neighborhood coming to meet me so that we could run together so that helped me out a lot to get motivated to do it. It was drizzling rain but it felt good to run in it since it was light. Then I spent a lot of time working on my other requirements since it was raining out. I went to taekwondo class tonight and got another Leadership II credit in, another Mentee session and day 1 of a Leadership I credit. After class my mom took me to get a new tennis racket for tennis class. We found out tonight at class that more requirements have been added so now I feel behind and was a little stressed out about it but going to just push myself harder and get them done.

So I am trying to ignore this heel issue, more than likely not the best thing but as Master Hartle says I am a physicists not a doctor or no a doctor not a physicists anyway I am ignoring both and doing it my way, so I took cross fit today and guess what we did box jumps great for the feet oh and jump rope again great for the feet. So time to get the frozen water bottle out and massage my heel with it. Oh well I will learn and somehow get through it. Burkart out

Just finished a 4 week paleo challenge. Pretty happy with it.Going to continue for the next month through my 50th birthday.

Today it rained all day at my house so we had to stay inside all day. We are heading to Tae Kwon Do to help out for one class to get our leadership credits. Then we are heading to my school for a open house kind of thing. I hope it is not boring.

Today was a cloudy day overall and it was a perfect day to stay inside and do requirements, so in the morning before church I got all of it done. For other exercise I went to my basketball practice and game. I made my first shot in a game! I felt really good. My friend got the medal for the week and I was really happy for him.

I ran four miles yesterday only to have my heel hurt all day today, so today I wanted to get some things done and since I could not run I BIKE 7.5 MILES, If I am correct that works for at least 2.5 miles. I talked to Master Evins he indicated that this could go on for 6 months, I hope not but I will work things out

Today I did my empathy training and decided to be mute for the day. It has been really, really hard. I expected it to be hard but not this hard. I have a new respect for people who are mute. I wrote my essay about being mute this evening so now I have 8 of the 9 essays done. The last one is the Community Service project essay that I cant do yet since we haven't done our project as a group yet. I got more exercises done today so it has felt good to get a lot of requirements done but been very hard doing everything being mute.

Today I did my basic requirements and played minecraft with my friends.

Today I'm spending the day blind for my empathy training.  It really stinks because I had to got to church and to brunch while blind.  I didn't want to do "blind", I wanted to do the wheelchair.  But, my parents wouldn't let me and said I had to do "blind."  

Today in Black Belt class we went over the Bo cho dan one step self defense which was great cause I realized that I managed to kick with the wrong foot on 2 and 3. we also went over some poomsaes which I cant remember the name of :-(

Today in Black Belt class we went over the Bo cho dan one step self defense which was great cause I realized that I managed to kick with the wrong foot on 2 and 3. we also went over some poomsaes which I cant remember the name of :-(

today in my black belt class I did 10 self defense's of my bochadon. then we did some rolling and it was hard for me because I haven't rolled in a long time. then we did some poomsae and now I now it

I think my favorite class is the hyper pro class because that's where we do the most falling and rolling. But today we practiced 540 kicks. Master Mitchell said that I did good. Black belt class was fun because we did some fun jump kicks. Wang ho 1 became a little bit easier for me.

Today I went to all three Saturday classes and I had fun. When I got home I just hung around the house and played with my family. Before dinner I played Command & Conquer with my day and sister and that was fun.

Today I am at my grandparents house in Galax, Virginia for smoke on the mountain (my dad judges). We got here yesterday, right after VBS ended. I have (and had) plenty of time to do my requirements :) well, that's all for now.bye

Today at Saturday Black Belt Class was so much fun! We did Bo Cho Dan 1 step self-defense 10 times. That got all my self defense for the day done.

Today has been a very busy day. I went to breakfast at Chick-fil-a with my grandmother then went to North Charlotte for Hyper Pro, Saturday Black Belt & Sparring class. After class, we went to Rita's for a weekly treat my mom does for me & my sister after class. We love Rita's. When I got home I started my running then as I came back by my house my little buddy, Murphy was in my driveway waiting for me to play basketball so I played with him for a few minutes until it started to rain & he had to go home. It wasn't raining hard so I started right back on my running and finished it up. Then I went ahead and knocked out the rest of my requirements for the day. After that I played with my friend for a little bit then came home to finish my...

Taking the day off from requirements. Its international date night so my wife gets to have quality time with me. Is she so lucky .

Today at the Y track a mile seemed really long because it was a big track. I went really slow because my legs were tired. I also didn't want to do it. I'm having an easier time with my poomsaes and self defenses because I don't have to stop as much as I used to.

Today we were at camp again. My dad caught five huge fish. Two were a pickerel and three were bass. I had a lot of fun with my cousins , but my back hurts from sleeping on a couch.

Today I helped out in the 3:50 to 4:30 class. I got to help high white belts learn their form. Then I took the higher belt class and we worked on kicks and forms. Between the 2 classes I got both leadership credits.

Today has been great I went to carawinds and then I came home and I ran and did my other TKD stuff. Then I read and I am going to eat dinner In a little bit.

Another beautiful day. My energy levels up today, Not much to do at work today which means the airline is making money. Got home and knocked out my requirements.

Today has been a lot like yesterday.  I stayed home from summer camp, and my dad made me do a bunch of requirements.  

Today was a beautiful day. Loved the cool weather and No humidity. But felt a little down , no energy. DO not know if I did not sleep well last night or the cool morning. O well tomorrow is a new day it's behind me now.

Today was fun and relaxing. Was able to get all of my requirements done throughout the day and had fun doing them with all the other candidates at our school.

Today when I got to the dojang I checked my phone and it wasn't working (Something happened to the screen). I am so mad right now, because my phone is broken.

Today was a day were I got a lot of black belt things done. We also learned a stick form in Black Belt Class today. We also did a lot of kicks. Then at the end of the class we started learning our Hop Kido!!!

Today I had to get my requirements done really fast. I had to do this because my friend was coming over and we were going to my cousins house. Today was an overall fun day.

Today I got started on my exercises early because my cousin was at my great-grandmothers house so I wanted to go up to her house so we could play. I was really motivated to get everything done & it was cooler outside so that helped a lot. I stayed at my great-grandmothers until time to go to taekwondo then I took the 2 classes tonight. I got my 10th Leadership II credit tonight so that felt great & I was happy. Tonight I helped my mom with a bunch of things because she didn't feel good then I ate dinner and did meditation. I am going to get relax tonight so my mom can go to bed early. It has been a really good day.

I have grandma named grandma Joan . She is so nice, she let us spend the night at the coolest water house ever.

I got back yesterday from Scout camp. It was a lot of fun. My great grandmother passed away last night. It has been hard to keep up with all of the requirements so I am glad I have the extra weeks.

Today I did a ton of requirements.  I did a lot of self defense, poomsae and all that stuff.  Getting ready to go to black belt and then sparring class. 

Woke up a little early today. I wanted to get my requirements out of the way so I could finish getting ready to go out of town. It's going to be hard but I am going to try and get some requirements done while we are gone. I hope everyone has a great weekend :)

I am heading into King Tiger. Taking 3 classes tonight. Grabbed a quick bite at Burger King on the way there.

I am going to try to get back into the swing of things with a cross fit class and then a small run, heel feels better so I am going to try, we will see, and let you know. I have been on it for three days with work and feels good so maybe the issue has corrected it self with all the foot work I did in Charleston SC. Burkart out

Yesterday I did my first Help out with class but I couldn't do my running. Sorry about my last post it was my first time and I didn't know what to put cause I couldn't see any one else's, cause my internet kept on failing so again, sorry.

I woke up at 6:20 and got most of requirements done because I wanted to go to my friend's house. I went to class too. I really like doing the spin falls and dive rolls. I feel really good about the cycle today. I got my exercises done and I didn't get distracted.

Happy happy happy, just finished one essay. One down a few more to go. Glad I started it a few months ago.

Today I volunteered at VBS, then went out for lunch w/ friends, went to their house, came home and went to TKD class and earned some leadership credits, came home and did the rest of my requirements. My heel hurts when I put a lot of hard impact on it. I iced it when I got home :)

Today I played with my cousin and I read and then I went to class and then I came home and did my run.

Worked on my requirements most of the morning. Went to class a little early to have a mentee session. We worked on Red belt self-Defense and poom sae. Took the red belt and higher class. I learned the Pal Gwe Yi form. Then I helped out the next class. Tonight I am going to start packing to go on vacation this weekend.

Had a great Crossfit class this morning! Myself and Master Hartle were the only ones to show up, so we got a great workout. As far as challenge kick, I have been working on the 540. As of right now, I am doing it with the step forward motion. I can definitely take out someone's knee with it right now...gotta work to bring it up to chest or hopefully head level one day.

Today has been a very busy day. I got up at 7:30 so I could do my running & jump rope then I went to tennis from 9-12. I had another great tennis lesson & love my new skill. Then I worked on my other requirements, did my chores and helped my grandmother with some things and did meditation. I only took 4:30 class today because I have youth at church at 6:00 but got in a hyper pro class for my requirements. Tomorrow I am going to work on my essay and hopefully have time to get some extra requirements in.

Today was a perfect day for running. It wasn't hot and humid. It was perfect. Today was the first day I actually enjoyed running. Before it was so hot running was torture. I hope it stays this perfect for a while

For the past 3 days I went to camp at Belk Scout Camp in Midland NC.  We got to swim everyday and shoot rifles.  We also got to go to a trading post and do archery competition.  We also got to name one of the staff "Twinkie" because he sang a song about Twinkies on the first day of camp.   I  got to do the flag ceremony on the second day and I got to say grace before breakfast.  Finally we got to sleep over every night.  I only did 2 pull ups and 3 random acts of kindness at camp.   I have some catching up to do on poomsaes, self defense and jump rope.

Today I went for a morning jog and I am almost finished with my book :)

Today is my long day. The good thing is the rain did not come down till I finish mowing my last lawn. I do believe some one was waiting for me to finish before he or she let rain. Thank you.

Today I got most of my requirements done before going to the pool. Then I helped with a class at Belmont, then I went to Master Evins' school for Black belt class. I feel like today I got my requirements done faster. I really want to thank Master Shin, Master Evins, my mom, my dad and my sister for helping me get through the cycle.

Today was good I read and played videogames then went and got some stuff for the laundry room (we are redoing the laundry room). When I came home I went and played in the playroom and then some friends came over and we did three, three min rounds of jump rope and I did the rest of my TKD stuff. Today while I was doing my requirements I felt strong and I though to myself I am going to do this and I am going to do it well.

Today was fun swimming with the kids at KTA Lake Norman. Unfortunately it was called off early due thunder. Learned all standing techniques #1-9 in PMAA today which was very fun.

today I went golfing with my grandfather. It was really fun.

I had my mom wake me up really early today so I could do my running before it got really hot. Then I worked on my other exercises and got everything done pretty early in the day so that was good. We didn't have black belt class tonight so I took my regular classes and earned another leadership credit to help with my requirements. Tonight I got to go have ice cream with my special friend Murphy & his family and I always love spending time with them. I'm excited that tennis starts back tomorrow. I'm going to start working on my essay for my new skill tomorrow too.

Hurt My eye playing basketball but overall it was a good day!!

Today I was volunteering at VBS (vacation Bible school) for three hours. 9:00-12:00 then, went to my eye appointment (I just got new contacts) that took about an hour. I came home and had snack, and here I am, blogging so that I don't forget to after BB class. I haven't had any time for my requirements yet. I really hope BB class takes care of most of them. Kk, bye

I missed last Saturday due to a birthday party at the school and this week I am in Charleston, I did a little last night and over the weekend but it is just so hot down here no breeze and sunburned with long days leads to little activity at night. Plus I just can not get rid of this heel problem, it is painful by the end of the day.

Nice day. Happy to have Master Evins back. Still need to woke on that running thing.

Ran and worked Wang Ho Pooms and Pal Gwe Pooms with Inst LLoyd. Bailey Road Park is always a hot run. Not much shade on the route. Feeling good on the Pal Gwe forms. Need to work on my Wang Ho forms more. I am blending them way to much!

Today I got back from Great Wolf Lodge. I had a lot of fun but was exhausted from playing so hard all day the past 2 days and climbing a bunch of steps a lot of times for the water slides. Once I got home I had to start on my exercises rights away then I went to class. I took 3 classes tonight and got in 2 hyper pro classes and leadership credits so I felt great after class. I came home & finished up my exercises. I haven't done any extra exercises the past 2 days because I haven't had time plus today it was really hard because I was so tired already. Tonight I did meditation time then ate dinner. I am going to bed early so I can get some rest & try to get back on track with requirements tomorrow.

today I got in trouble on the four wheeler. i went over the street with out permission.

today I sat and watched T.V. then my parents did what the normally do: scream at me to get off my lazy butt and do some tae kwon do requirements, then my dad yelled at me to get up to date on logging in what we've done and then my brother yelled at me to start my journal entries. Were would we be without family?

Today I ran a different path than I used to because I felt bored of doing the other so i went to other path and ran 3 miles. Then I got my pull-up bar and jump rope!!!! About to put the pull-up bar up......

Today was the first day of VBS. I got some black belt cycle stuff done and wrote my white belt challenge essay.

Today I finished my empathy training essay. I went without my right arm. I'm proud of myself because I still finished a mentee session and all of my requirements with one arm, except for pull-ups. Master Shin told me that the cycle would be done before I know it, and I would breeze through it. It made me realize that I should just get it done so I can just finish it.

today we went to the park with tkd summer camp. we played disk golf and I fell and hurt my shoulder. it is fine but it hurts.

Today I took an extra TKD class and played miinecraft with friends from other countries.

To tell the truth today was great but nothing to interesting to talk about me and my dad hung out in the pool in our backyard which is always a great time and I went out for dinner with my family and it was delicious. I am excited to start working summer camp tomorrow at my dojang (I don't remember what the theme is whoops) none the less I am stoked it should be tons of fun for all I know I am the only one helping but I hope my friend Tommy who is a year older than me will be there helping as well but he probably has other commitments and I respect that. After that I am helping with all the classes and taking black belt class rinse and repeat switching regular class for black belt class on Tuesday. That is pretty much it I am signing off...

I feel really excited about getting my black belt finally but I don't really want to do any of the requirements. But I have to anyway. I think I have to do all of these requirements because Master Evins wants us to earn this black belt, not just studying a few things and getting our belt. He wants us to actually do work to earn it. I was proud of myself today for doing all of my pushups and situps in one sitting, and I did two miles with my dad.

Today I had a pretty relaxing day. I played with my cousin William and then I did my requirements and here we are. I really did not do too much today. I think that I m lagging behind on my requirements I have not done jump rope, and self defenses  in a wile

Today was a very sad day today. I really wanted Argentina to win today but it didn't happen. Then in the morning I figured out my tire had a hole or something because it wouldn't fill with air. Then I went to Church, and after that my friends came over to watch that world cup!!!

I did a lot of stuff for my black belt cycle today. I am exhausted. I did a lot of running 5.8 miles.

Today is just a day of rest. Tomorrow back to the fun.

I’m getting ready to start my Cub Scout Weeblo adventure camp (3 nights/4 days). I am going to try to do some requirements while there but I know we are going to be busy. I’m going to stop by to see my great grandmother before I leave.

Great day yesterday with black belt & sparring class - -thank you Masters Hartle & Knight!!! Also big thanks to Miss Amanda for being my partner in sparring- -she is quick - -I had to run like a chicken a few times- -well more than a few times. Back in town and trying to work the time management so I can focus on requirements. It will be a very bumpy road the next few weeks at work, preparing for back to back trips, so being realistic about where my focus needs to be. All is good and the balance will come in time.

Today I went to my first dual class and it was long and tiring don't get me wrong I loved it I had fun and in the end I was pooped out sparring class was surprisingly really fun I usually don't like sparring but today I enjoyed it a lot I had a great partner Brian Foster we made each other laugh and we had fun sparring and Master Knight did a fantastic job teaching it. Then black belt class was fun but since it is cycle it twas very crowded and it made practicing poamsae and kicks very difficult and I was the last guy in the front row so say hi if you want. In the end class was great and when I got home I was tired and wanted to shower and eat lunch at like 3:30 and I appreciate them asking but they kept asking how it...

Today I went to 3 classes. Hyper Pro, Black belt and sparring. I was pretty tired after but I came home and did a little more. Spent the rest of the day hanging out with friends.

I went to see my great grandmother today at the Hospice House. I like to visit her. I am going to Webelo Camp (Cub Scout) tomorrow until Wednesday. I am excited to go. It is going to be hard for me to keep up with my black belt requirements while I am gone.

Today I took three classes in a row and it was really really tiring! I took hyper pro, black belt class, and sparring class. I learned pal gwe 1, wang ho 1, and the rest of basic form 3.

Saturday official date night. This is the one day I set aside for my wife and I. The rest of the week she does it have to deal with me.

Today I found out that I could not read for my meditation/quiet time, so I had to pull all of my 220 minutes down to zero :( I also ran two miles so i don't have to run on Sunday (tomorrow). Today was the last day of my white belt challenge *cheers* so I am going to write my essay tomorrow while doing my empathy training (12 hrs of being mute) I wonder if anyone had done their empathy training while they where sleeping XD. Like, 12 hrs of sleeping, and if you don't sleep - talk........ I don't think Master Evans would allow that. Anyway, right now I feel on top of everything and confident :) Goodbye

Today I went to Hyper Pro class at N. Charlotte then did the Saturday black belt class and the sparring class. I enjoyed all 3 classes and it felt good to get more required classes done. After class me, my sister & my mom went to Rita's for Italian ice and it was very good. When we got home I helped my mom with a bunch of things then started on my running. My neighbor didn't want to run today and I was tired from class plus it was hot so it was hard but I pushed through and completely it. Then I took a quick break to rest and started on my other exercises so that I could play with my friends. When I finished I played for a few minutes then had to help my mom with some more stuff and did my meditation time then my friend came...

today we went on the boat with my cousins the boat almost sunk.

Today I felt old and it was annoying my back was killing me all day my family tried to help me but in the end all they did was make it worse but I do appreciate their efforts but my back is still killing me and I wish my back was better. I won't let it stop me though tomorrow I am going to black belt class up north and maybe sparring class I don't know about that but maybe I just hope that a great class will help my back feel better training is always a great stress and pain reliever for me and I look forward to it. If it doesn't I wouldn't mind I at least would've gotten a good workout in but that's what messed my back up in the first place but if it gets worse I will deal with the cards given me but in...

Today I really don't have much to write about. I just recently discovered that I will need to know all of my colored belt self defense for the cycle pretest. I am a tiny bit stressed about that. I also really need to start on my sparring rounds. Sadly, school is starting for me in about mid August, and that means more friend issues. Otherwise, my life is going fine. Well, i am really tired and am going to bed in a few seconds (it's 10:02 pm)

Today I went over to a friend's house then came home and played with my family and read then I did my TKD stuff and now I am going to read.

Today i went to the Y and chilled outside in the water park thing they have. it felt good cause i have to wake up early to run so yeah that was fun. im going to summer camp for boy scouts in 2 days. gonna be a whole week without getting anything done but its cool cuz im super ahead in my running. and everything eles.

Today was a normal summer camp Friday we went to the Library. But in black belt class all we did was poomsaes, which really helped us out.

It's hard to believe we are almost 3 weeks into the cycle. There have been some exciting times and some hard times. Today I woke up late so it was harder to get going and get my exercises done. My mom wanted me to get in some extra exercises todays because we are going to Great Wolf on Sunday and Monday and Saturday we have a busy day but I was tired and didn't feel like doing extra and all of my friends were playing so I wanted to play too. My mom is frustrated with me over it. I'm excited about Saturday classes tomorrow. Tonight I did meditation, ate dinner then played soccer with my friends. I need to work on my book essay tonight because my mom is frustrated with me since I have not finished it yet.

Yes it Friday,but for me it a only Tuesday. Feeling good may start that running thing tomorrow on my lunch brake.

Today I woke up to start my running requirement. After my running I was tired so I relaxed for a little while and then finished my requirements at the end of the day. :)

Today our friends came over so I had to get all of my requirements done in the morning. It was kind of hard because there was not a lot of time to get them done because I had just come from a sleepover.

Today is my grandma’s birthday . I am getting ready to start my workout. When we finish I will be going to see my great grandmother at the hospice house.

I have had to take a little break from running due to my heel, feeling better today so after this weekend maybe I can get back into it again, completed my first video upload to you tube as requested, sorry private only for Master Evins, it is not that good anyway with my heel the kicks look bad, even though they were not that good already. Burkart out

I have seriously been so tired and in pain these last two days Wednesday I seriously had trouble walking around my own house I am tired in general I've been doing so many requirements all day and later in the afternoon I go to the dojang teach and then take class and then have great workouts designed by instructor hsin and while they are hard I greatly appreciate them and thanks to him I am in great shape.  To tell the truth I am so lucky to have them they have taken me in even when they had no idea who I was master chin even though pregnant worked so hard with me and she helped me get through it all I remember the day after my ankle fractured she called me just to check up on me and when I came in just to sit and watch she let me...

Today I had a friend come over and I played Monopoly and then did my TKD stuff then I went to bed.

Today we went bowling in summer camp, I lost by one point on my team. When we got back we started classes and I got beat up with sticks by little kids.

Today I went to a state park. We had a picnic then fond a warm spot on the beach. Then started to dig.We found very warm water.

Feeling good , the body is with me now after a small nap today. ☺☺

Everything progresses. Things are getting easier. I ran a 8:30 min. mile. Honestly that may seem easy and all but it's definitely progress from 9:30. Today was very fun with the KTA Lake Norman Summer Camp. We all went bowling and I scored 97 (which is terrible).... Anyways I am not getting sore anymore which is awesome

Today started out very challenging with doing my exercises but after a long talk with my mom I changed my attitude and got everything completed. After I finished I went to the park with my neighbor and we played basketball then I went to taekwondo. I helped with 1 class and earned a leadership credit then took the next class. It was just me and a white belt student and I really enjoyed the small class.