Candidate Journals

Last night was my first class back after being on vacation. My boys and I enjoyed cruising the Caribbean with family. I got up early and walked and or ran several miles several days. I also found time for some quiet meditation. I have never taken such a long vacation and it was refreshing and really nice to be totally disconnected for a while, even with the short break in Puerto Rico. I noticed emailed from Master Chelley regarding credits for Kukkiwon Cup and the King Tiger 5K, so those along with my other accomplishments since I last logged in have been logged in today. Thank you Master Evins for the credits! I’ll have to be more diligent about logging in and journaling.When I came back home I repacked my suitcase to head to Chicago for work. This was my first visit to Chicago so I took the train downtown after...

thought I was sore yesterday. I was wrong... TODAY I was sore... lol.  Struggled today with my other issues too..(its like Russian Roulette, I just never know..) .but did manage to get some requirements done. Actually had already called it a night but woke up and remembered I had not made my journal entry. Tomorrow is a new day... one at a time.  Night all !

Today I went Frisbee golfing and also did my 120 push-ups and sit-ups every three holes. My mom dropped my brother off at his friends house for a sleep over, she talked and talked to the other mom for 30 minutes. I got bored until she said, "D'Andre maybe we can watch the movie terminator Genesis". I was thrilled! We watched the movie and it was awesome! Then I came home and went to bed.

today was a perfect day! even though my dog cries a lot and how he's in the cage makes me feel bad my parents wont let me take my dog out of his cage i hope i can tomorrow because i really want to get to know him better tomorrow. but today started out fresh with a nice run in the morning like at 6;30am it was very awesome i ran with my mom we ran about 2 miles and now im running non-stop and when i got back i didn't feel tiered so tomorrow im running a bit more than that ! i hope my mom doesn't get tiered and same as i !.... when i soon got done with running i took my dog outside so he can pee and poop and then i went to my guitar lessons it was really cool i learned ledger line notes there...

Today I rode my bike and did some requirements for the cycle I also did one of my essays.

Black Belt class was a good one tonight. Good, but sweaty.(Thanks for the towel Master Hartle) We got a lot of much needed practice in. I showed up early and stayed a little late to do a bit of the cycle. Time to relax and watch Paul Blart. :)

Today was very exciting, I even started extra early. I went for a run but my leg started doing something weird, it was shaking a lot and it was really tight. It used to do the same thing after my cross country meets. It went away after a while though. I got to see some very inspiring art today at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. I got to see paintings and collages by Henri Matisse. Tomorrow will be a very busy day!

Today we resumed packing up for our ten day cruise in Alaska. We have to pack shirts, pants, shorts, socks, and anything that is good for Alaskan weather. Tomorrow we will fly to California and stay with our grandparents for about three days. Then we will set sail on an amazing journey.

i finally have been able to get on the site and i can input everything and i can start journaling and i don't have to wait anymore. I'm so glad

Today I did nothing, I feel like staying on the couch and not do anything at all. Actually I helped my mom cook some stuff so I at least did something! :)

Mom always says to live each do to it's fullest. Today I did just that. I spent time playing with a little boy down the street. His name is Murphy. He loves to come over and to play T-ball in my back yard.

I had a late Spaghetti dinner last night, I probably shouldn't have eaten but it was so good.  This morning light breakfast egg white & coffee.  This will most likely be one of my easier days as pertaining to requirements.  It was great seeing miss Pam at BB class.  Thanks Master Cavazos very good BB class , lots of sweat but I had fun.

Today I finished most of my daily requirements. I am very excited because today I going camping with my family and friends. We are going to do hiking and eat s'mores and have fun with my friends.

Noah became ill last night so Lori and I stayed up with him. Yawnnnnnnnn. Come on coffee, do your work so I can complete these requirements today.

So, today was an awesome day. Black belt class and PMAA class were both great! I forgot how much I love PMAA! I left PMAA class tonight and had almost made it home when I was hit by a drunk driver. My car is totaled, my back and neck hurt a little, and I scraped my left shin. But I got out of the car and walked over to talk to the witnesses. When the police finally got the other guy out of his truck (it was halfway up a telephone pole), they took him away in handcuffs. So why was it a great day? My son wasn't with me. He almost came to class with me tonight but decided not to come at the last minute. My daughter and husband are in Florida, so my baby boy would have been alone if anything had happened to me. I was able...

Good Black Belt Class AND PMAA tonight! ! Real sore today.. I ate a sandwich before class too and that probably wasn't a good idea, so I almost talked myself out of going to class.. SO glad I did not. Actually felt good to get a good sweat on! Hopefully tomorrow these ole muscles will loosen up a little bit. Hope all have a Happy Friday !

Today I woke up at my friends house since I stayed over last night. We played on the the computer and the Xbox 360. He had to go swimming so I did my requirements when he left. We where suppose to go roller skating but I had to go to Tae Kwon Do. I helped out in my first class today. During Black Belt Class we went over some poomsaes and went a little of curriculum. Well that is all for today.

today has been an awesome day with my dog but i was up all night because he was crying all night... it was so bad he woke my dad up 4 times i love my dog so much that when i put him in his crate he would start crying i would really feel bad i felt bad a couple times but i know he needs to get used to being in his crate! but i do it for the good of him.now tomorrow im going to have to clean his ears witch is really hard because he's not that still he is very play full. but he's very patient and smart right now i have him in his crate because its bed time for him. but mostly today was good day i went out for a run and it was nice and i also went to black belt class it...

Whee! Taught my last class for a couple of weeks. I worked on self-defense techniques and the hapkido forms. It's time to start packing, I've only got 4 more hours before my flight!

We took the kids to go see the off-Broadway production of Annie tonight. What an amazing time! The wife and I are just asking why do we do this more often? Beauty and the Beast is coming in the fall. Can't wait!

Today, I had my first mentee session! I wanted to work with a high green belt named Jackson. It was a good experience and we went over a lot in just 15 minutes. I also had my first PMAA class! I enjoyed it a lot but having not done it before makes me nervous as to what to Master Evins is going to expect me to know/learn!

so today I woke up went to TKD got dropped off at home. then I watched some xfiles. then Cheyenne come over and we went on the jet ski and then we played in the back yard. then I went to TKD again and came home and me and Cheyenne just hung out at the house and had fun.

Today my family and I didn't do much except for me going to tae kwon do. We did watch mall cop 2 and that was hilarious! I didn't think he could get any funnier.

Today I ran 1.5 miles around the block. After that did some of I my push ups and sit ups and burpees. I finished all my daily requirements early so I could do other stuff like read my book or play outside with my friends.

Great class tonight at South Charlotte, hello come visit!! Happy with the requirements that were able to accomplish - - -oh on the ones not so. All will blend together in time and just very thankful for the extra weeks on pre-cycle. My summers are a mess with work and looking forward to mid August when I am back in town and can better control the time management. Happy dance for the weekend!!!

Today was a super busy day but I could not wait to go home and take a nap. Today at summer camp we went to mini golf. I`m glad that I got alot of requirements in but tomorrow I plan to pick up the pace.

Took a Black Belt class tonight at Master Evans's school. It was hard but very fun.

When I went to my new house that my family are moving to, my brother and I got to play with our new neighbor's kids. Our neighbor's kids were Logan, Parker, and Cally, they also had one of their cousins over whose name was Sammie. We played basketball together in their backyard and went down their slide. I enjoyed that moment and can't wait to see them again.

Today i went to a summer feeding program with my mom. When we got home I went to my friend's house and played Minecraft with him. I had 2 corn dogs with some All-American Cheeseburger chips. Then we went to the doctor and got a shot

Excited to spend time with my fiends on Wednesday. We spent the morning running 3 miles then worked on our kicks, roles and falls.

Today we woke up and I was so energized. While we ate breakfast we watched Jurassic World, lets leave it at that ;). After we ate we went to the beach with my cousins. Their names are Paloma and Lily. We were at the beach for 3 hours it was exhausted. After we finished the movie and took a shower. Now we are relaxing and later we will be meeting with my great-aunt and great-uncle. Bye for now.

I feel blessed to have been able to experience Kukkiwon cup.  I really appreciate Master Evins for the credits awarded to us for our participation  and also on the 5k.  Today is good day to work on requirements , especially push ups and sit ups because I was home alone.  

I was thrilled to have Inst Amy Tucker come take class with us last night. Her presence with Inst Russ inspired a lot of the moms that usually sit in the back to start taking classes. The power of our program is in our people.

Did an extra long run this morning! It felt good, but made me so thirsty! Sometimes some cold water can be the best reward. Plan on going to the gym either tomorrow or Saturday to get back on some machines. Its been a little while. I'm sure it will be a "good hurt"...

Soooo.... i just added everything to the first day of bb cycle, I didn't feel like going to every day to write what I did. I just have to say I put everything in one day. I hope everyones summer is going great.

I just added all my KC credits, and it helped a lot! I added it all to the first day of the cycle(I added it to the stuff I already had). yay!

Today I woke up at 8:00. I knocked all my requirements after I woke up. Today I did a lot of extra requriements. Since I did that, I get to go to the pool!

Yesterday slipped away quickly and I don't know what I was thinking about what time I would be back home. Ended up later than midnight so I missed my journal entry. I had a blast at a concert though. I don't remember the last time I went to a concert. Sad part is I'm really not sure if it has actually 'been that long' or If i just 'don't remember'. Either way, last night was enjoyable. Inst. Tucker joined up in Belmont tonight for class. It was really great to have her there. I am doing 'okay' on my requirements. I'm pretty sore. Trying really hard to stay on top of everything. One day at a time. I hope to be able to make it to BB class tomorrow night and stay for PMAA.

today i didn't go to tkd so today was a more calm day and hard work day because today i went to Virginia to pick up my basset hound puppy he's really cute and but the side effect is that he poops a lot and pees a lot so its nasty and i got to pick it up because as my parents said its my dog so i have to take care of him! but i really like him and as i said he poops a lot and pees and he did it on the carpet and the wood floor :( but as always a baby dog has to go pee or poop when he's done eating and drinking. The car ride to Virginia was long i had nothing to do i was siting there just thinking about how my dog would be i kept thinking about how i would have...

Today I finished most of my requirements before 12:00. After I ate lunch I finished my self defenses. And then I went to sparring class. I had a busy day today.

Today I woke up around 1 am and I couldn't go back to sleep. So I ended up doing 100 push ups and 100 sit-ups in the morning. I did all my requirements early in the morning so I could go to my friends house. There we played Infected on Call of Duty Ghost and we also played Clash of Clans. We also played football and soccer. In the night we went for a jog at the same time play football. My dad came to get when we came back but he let me stay.

Went to Belmont tonight and trained with Instructor Pam, TJ and Master Shin. Had a great time! its so nice to visit different King Tiger schools and meet new people. Looking forward to black belt class and PMAA class tomorrow night. Gotta get back on the push-ups!

so today is a Wednesday so I don't have TKD so I woke up went to an eye doctor's appointment so I figured out that my vision is getting worse. then I came home played videogames and listened to music. then I did some yard work. then I took a shower and did my TKD stuff and now i'm journaling.

Today, I had quite a lot of trouble fitting my requirements in! I got up at about 8 and did my run at about 9. Then, I had to do as much as I could until I had to leave to volunteer. I was there for 4 hours and then, I went straight to faith formation at my church. I stayed there for 3 hours and didn't get home until about 8:30!! I still had to do all of my poomsaes and self defenses. I just finished about 3 minutes ago!

Yesterday, I attended my first BB and PMAA class since my ACL surgery. I'll tell you what makes the KT program so strong is the people. Everyone is so welcoming and genuinely happy to see you back. I love all of my students, fellow black belts and instructors.

I find it challenging being getting random acts of kindness being at home with the kids all day during the summer. I either need to get out more, or just be nicer to my kids. I guess I will get out more.

Let's just say Wednesdays are not the best for me. Crazy, insane busy day at work - - - -got home- -sat on the sofa for a moment and it was all over. I went to a happy place all snuggled with the fur balls for more time than should have allowed. Oh well - got some requirements in but am recharged. Besides the girls needed cuddle time.

Today at summer camp we saw The Book of Life. The movie is a animated film about some kids on a tour of the museum where the tour guide is telling them about the town San Angel. The story came to life and takes them on an adventure. The moral of the story was to be yourself even when your afraid.

Yesterday was a very good day. We have been in Florida for three days but yesterday was the best. We went to Miami. We visited my mom and dads high school Sunset High. We saw one of their friends, his name is Gus. He is very nice. We left to get me a hair cut. One of my moms friend is a barber and he hooked me and my brother up. Then we spent time with my moms best friend . We got back to Marco at 1: 00. Yesterday was a good day.

Today was my dads birthday and I did some of my requirements and an essay.  

Had a good class this morning with Masters Shin, Hartle, and Cavazos. Got to work on Pal Gwe forms, and also a good focus on black belt forms. My Pal Gwe forms are definitely getting better, but I know I still have a ways to go on them. For my creative form, I am definitely going to be doing a staff form. I have part of it down...mainly have to work on the beginning and end! (Of course also finding a cool song to do it to!)

Enjoyed BB class  yesterday.  I appreciate the way Master Evins drilled us on our forms, a very good sweat.  So nice to see Master Shin back in PMA.  For breakfast this morning I had my egg whites, a few strips of bacon and of course my coffee.

Today I knocked out a bunch of physical requirements. My sister did some sit ups with me. I also did some kicking and a lot of pull ups. I ran 1.5 miles this morning at 8:30. I am going to go to sparring class this evening.

Today in the morning I did 40 push ups, 40 sit ups, and 20 burpees. My brother helped me out and did the physical activities. It was a great experience doing all those requirements with him.

today i started out with a 7:00am run and i knocked out some pull ups and some sit ups today i had a very non resting day when i was done with all that i went to my grandparents house i ate there like as a family the food was great! my grandma is always a great cook! when i left my grandparents house i went to black belt class it was really fun we went over some poomsaes like a refresher and it was fun because i had the chance to practice my poomsaes ! when black belt class was done i had my first day in PMAA it was really cool and i really thought that it was really hard but it turns out that it was really easy for me and i thought i can get the hang of it.. but today was a great PMAA class with...

I woke up and went for a run at 8:00 AM. After that I knocked out some push-ups, sit-ups, and burpees. And then I did some of my poomsaes and self defenses. Then I played with my baby brother for the rest of the day.

Today I woke up early since our roof was being repaired and it made a lot of noise. It was really hard to go back to sleep. I went to watch the movie Inside Out with my sister and some of her friends, I was actually a good movie. At Black Belt class Master Evins went over the colored belt poomsaes except White and High White. He also went over other Black Pelt Poomsaes. It been a long day and I can't wait to hit the hay.

All day I had pain in my shins so when I ran my mile I felt like I wasn't going to live thankfully I did so now I am resting

It official that cycle is underway - -hello tailbone has awoken - -Neosporin!!! Great day and still kicking so I am a happy camper.

Lots of poomsae review in black belt class tonight. Duchess and Master Auerback came to class! So nice to see them! My right elbow is still hurting so I'm not able to get as low as I should with my push-ups, but I'll keep working on them. Need to start staying for PMAA class after black belt class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This Thursday for sure!

Yesterday, I was going to journal but 5 minutes later, I forgot to do it!! SO here are the last two days...Yesterday, I went to the Y with my mom and my brother. My mom did her class in the gym while I did my requirements on the track above her. Thank goodness there was a punching bag there! When I got home though, I still had to do my poomsaes and self defenses. Today, my brother went to Defy Gravity with his friends so I had the house to myself for three blessedly quiet hours! I was able to get all of my requirements done without being distracted by noises or people! So, I have had a fairly good two days!

Today I went hiking in the morning. After that my cousin and I played Minecraft. Then we went to the beach. Lastly we went kayaking.

Just hung out at my uncles' house with my brother and wrestled till we passed out. We went out to eat at cracker barrel and i ate a 1/2 pounder bacon and cheeseburger.

Today I took my first PMAA class. It was interesting to feel like a brand new white belt again. I know that we have a week of being a white belt as part of the Black Belt cycle, but today was truly a white belt experience. It was a class of a lot of question and a lot of mistakes, but I am sure I will improve with practice.

Had a great time in class today. I enjoy working with Master Shin. He has taught me a lot.

Today I helped out with my first class and got a lot of requirements done.

Trucking through the summer! Week 5 of summer camp...looking forward to mini golf on Thursday and then Magic week next week! Loving the cooler weather! Ran 2 miles with Master Schneider yesterday. My Crossfit schedule has been hit and miss. Can't always get there during summer camp hours. Did kickboxing last night with the Hutchinsons and Nicholas. Martial Fit tonight.

I had a super time assisting in class yesterday and many thanks to Master Evins for allowing me to lead the 6:45 class.  Thanks to Mr Foster and his son,Conner, for their help in making it fun and meaningful.  Looking forward to BB class tonight.

Yesterday was a busy day! Lots going on for me as far as appointments/introductory lessons with new students, etc... I love to see the excitement in the faces of people just beginning their martial arts journey! It is an awesome thing... Today we actually got some rain. Its about time!

It was great to see the students coming back from their vacations yesterday. I had a chance to work with Jeran, bocho, on some of his requirements. Their excitement and motivation on the cycle is getting me excited. I'm looking forward to tonight's BB class.

In my youth I used to make some statement that included the words, "do it two times"... there was more to that, but it appears (so far) that is how many tries it is taking me to make it through this 2nd Dan level. Thank you Master Shin for having the belief in me that I can do this, and for the inspiration and direction I need to help me move forward. After the health battles I went through during the spring cycle, and knowing that I may never be 100% healthy again, I have to admit, I am a little gun shy.. I had some scary moments, and in those moments, I found it brought the things that are most important in life to the surface. I am just going to DO MY BEST ! ... that truly is all I know how to do. I have to learn to...

I went to carowinds with my friend Prince Ford.We went on like five rides before we could get to the Fury 325! but i did convince him to go on it and he did like it. My mom said we were crazy, But Prince liked it and i did too.

Good day, not great on the requirements but happy with my accomplishments. Find the balance and do what you can do with setting priorities. It is just the beginning of our journey and you will face obstacles, meet them head on and do your best.

today was a sad and a fun day why was it a happy day it was because i spent time with my cousin diego! we played sequence ! it was really exciting because i wont 5 times in a row i was surprised because i thought that my cousins where better then me at playing... but it is how it is. I also went to the basketball court with them it was really fun! i was balling all day at just right now i got back home from the basketball court it was not far away it was really close and i liked going there!..... But theres bad new my cousin diego is going back to Oklahoma because he only came to visit and he leaves tomorrow at 5am in the morning so today was the last day i could see him and i will miss him a lot.... and i...

Today was my first day for Hyper Pro Class. It was very fun and exciting because I got to learn something new. I also got to use a new weapon for my new black belt form I learned in Hyper Pro. At the end I got tired because we did a lot in Hyper Pro Class.

Today was my first day for Hyper Pro Class. It was very fun and exciting because I got to learn something new. I also got to use a new weapon for my new black belt form I learned in Hyper Pro. At the end I got tired because we did a lot in Hyper Pro Class.

Today was my first day for Hyper Pro Class. It was very fun and exciting because I got to learn something new. I also got to use a new weapon for my new black belt form I learned in Hyper Pro. At the end I got tired because we did a lot in Hyper Pro Class.

Feels good to be teaching afternoon classes after leading summer camp last week. Looking forward to this last push before heading out to Africa on Friday morning.

Today was the first day off classes and cycle requirements for me. I did well, but I am beat. Looking forward to a shower and (hopefully )and early bedtime.

Today at summer camp we played kickball at the park. When I got home I did my requirements. Me and my mom were supposed to go running today but we did not.

1st day back from a long vacation. Started working on my Black Belt requirements. Very tiring.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Master Evins for the VERY GENEROUS credits we were given for competing in the Kukkiwon Cup and the King Tiger 5K! I've hurt my right elbow somehow, although I have no recollection of when I may have done it…..maybe from doing pushups on my Push-Up Pump. My left knee is slowing but surely getting better. I've stopped wearing my knee brace to encourage the accessory muscles around my knee cap to strengthen. Hope that isn't a mistake. I guess I'll find out…..

Today was boring except for going to class and getting some extra requirements in. 

Today I went to climb the Old Balde at Bald Head Island and it was very hot at the top. After that we went to the beach. We were going to go kayaking but it started to rain and thundering.

Today I did some of my physical requirements with my friend. It was cool having a friend as a partner. He enjoyed working out, his dad was with us and also used the workout items with us. We pushed each other and had fun.

Today I did some of my physical requirements with my friend. It was cool having a friend as a partner. He enjoyed working out, his dad was with us and also used the workout items with us. We pushed each other and had fun.

Today I did some of my physical requirements with my friend. It was cool having a friend as a partner. He enjoyed working out, his dad was with us and also used the workout items with us. We pushed each other and had fun.

Today I did some of my physical requirements with my friend. It was cool having a friend as a partner. He enjoyed working out, his dad was with us and also used the workout items with us. We pushed each other and had fun.

Today was a good Monday. I ran 2 miles and I did a lot of requirements and now obviously I am journaling.

Today was a good Monday. I ran 2 miles and I did a lot of requirements and now obviously I am journaling

This morning things are going a bit slower than normal.  I do believe my body is telling me something!  TAKE IT EASY you have time.  My morning meal and  cup of coffee began my day anyway.  Looking forward to being at the dojang today.

Had a pretty good weekend. I did have to miss out on classes Saturday (helped with a program outside of the school), and it was also my mom's birthday! "Finished" my new fence in the backyard finally! "Finished", because there are still some things I can add/do if I want. Got a chance to have a fire Saturday night and get rid of some of the firewood I've accumulated. I got halfway done with mowing the lawn on Sunday, and then my lawnmower died! I think I may have found my new skill for this cycle: lawnmower repair.

Yesterday I got to go on a mountain. I had so much fun. I got to go in a sky car which would take us to the top of the mountain. The park also had a ropes course and a 4-D theater. My favorite part was when I went into the Geyser Tower. The Geyser Tower is like a playground but with water coming out of Geysers. I had so much fun.

Today, I went to the beach. After that I went to the pool. When we got home I played Minecraft with my cousin. I went to a turtle watch at 8:30pm and came back at 11:40.

today was a great day i felt like it was heaven!i did many things today they where really fun and interacting and i will tell the story first woke up to take a run and then i found my self with a squirrel that was really rare it looked at me and stared and he hissed and i never knew that squirrels hiss.. thats really dum but eh.. but as my day went on i went to church as always and like always i listen to mass and relax for a couple of ours and then my day got even better i went to the white water center it was so cool i got an all sports pass i was so happy we went rafting it was the best thing we did all day!! we also went zip lining. It was really fun my parents and my cousin got scared the...

A new skill I learned is speaking French. French was hard because it was a new language. I learned how to say hello and goodbye in French. I also learned how to say What is your name and My name is in French. The hard part about learning French was to pronounce the words correctly.

Today was really boring but I figured out a schedule for some of my requirements which is good so I can be organized.

I spent the weekend with my parents in Fayetteville. Their dishwasher broke and luckily I was able to repair it for under $20. When I don't see them often, I can see them aging. Dad gets nervous driving up to see us and mom is having trouble sleeping. I take my kids to see them when I can. It breaks my heart to see them not interacting like when the kids are with the Britts. The boys are starting to get bored with our visits because they can't communicate with my parents. We eat together and watch some cartoons and let the kids play outside when it's not too hot. The boys still love them and are very respectful towards them, but are excited to go back home.

Very productive day today, at the HT by 7:30, home and unloaded by 8:30, laundry done, house clean and actually got in some requirements. Could not ask for anymore!!