Candidate Journals

I was busy for the last three days and could neither journal nor log in my requirements. This week and next week are exam and test weeks. So busy preparing for them and my computer is giving me a lot of issues. Lost some of my research data in the process of getting rid of a virus problem. hoping the latest fix will keep my computer healthy for a while.  today is the self defense and study guide test, practiced self defense and revised the study guides early in  the morning. Did some requirements and hoping to finish all my requirements before the classes in the evening. Good luck every one for the test tonight.

Seems like the weather doesn't know what it wants to do. One day it may be a high of 75+ and the next day it is almost below freezing. Crazy and makes running/outdoor activities pretty challenging. I guess today is sparring class and then deciding if I take the family class or do another leadership 1 (need the leadership so leaning towards that). Maybe I will get a leadership 2 in there too. 

Yesterday was really cold. Normal day at school. Came home and went to Regular class and Hyper. We went thru our self defense and in Hyper Master Evins made us to a lot of kicks including the switch axe kick. Thank you Master Evins for all the credits from the Jr Instructor camp. I finally got my Black Star for the 5th year. I really hope to go to Instructors camp next year 

I seem to post my journal entries so late that they count towards the next day. Trying to get this one in today. Working in the aftermath of a system conversion that is said to be a success. I wonder what it would take for it not to be considered a success. How many continuing issues and of what magnitude would they need to be to not be considered successful? Maybe as long as we, those who are privileged to have the job of dealing with issues, deal with them so effectively, or as long as we are being creative and resourceful with workarounds, the perception will continue to be that of success. I fail to see the good sense in making a challenging job more manual and more error prone with the same expectations that there won't be any. Only so many people can do that for so long and...

That was something I just made up and I thought I would try it on for size. Not sure what it means. Fun night tonight with my friend Dr. Brandon. We did a round robin of exercises and pomsaes that changed things up. She motivates me with this strong perseverance she has. If it wasn't right, she did it again. When she got tired, she kept on going. That's the motivation I was needing tonight. Class was good. We covered some basics which I really needed to work on. I will admit that sometimes I think I got something and I just want to move on. But then I realize that I really don't have it correctly, and it brings me down the earth again. One of the things I don't want said at my eulogy is, "that guy was arrogant and drove an ugly car." Hopefully I will live long...

Today I ran a mile before taking my Tae Kwon Do class. Usually, I jog half of the way and walk another half, but today I ran a good majority of the way and walked a bit. It felt very refreshing yet I was still tired and cold afterwards. I hope for a bright day tomorrow!

What a great 2 days with our future Instructors.  I loved seeing my group getting dressed for classes today and putting on their new Jr Instructor uniforms.  They were so proud!  And so happy to tell anyone that would listen about their weekend!  I also heard some great stories about kiddos falling asleep on the way home......sign of a good time!  We wore them out!

So grateful to Mr. Foster for helping me get in a lot of requirements tonight. We went through all the self defenses, poomsaes, and sparring combinations. We even jumped rope and practiced roll. I had a lot of fun. The adult class was very helpful, but I was a little sore from my workout with Mr. Foster. I tend to be a loner. But it is very apparent that I will not make it alone. This is a community effort. We all help each other. There is an African Proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. It you want to go far, go together" Thanks, Mr. Foster!

In football there are winner and losers. Panthers were the team that lost. To be fair they never played a team that good before in the season. Anyways the past is the past. I woke up did my requirements went to school and a bit of work, I also had a lot of homework to do. After my homework I did m requirements to finish most of them up. Then went to Hyper and came back to do a class for school. I am in the class right now having a break. So decsided to fo journal. After my class have to get dinner and then do some studying for a test on Wednesday. Hope everyone had a great day! 

Maybe it was the disappointment of the big game, or the less than perfect eating I did yesterday... but I really felt like I needed my morning workout. Warmup: 6 min 100 m  10 Air squats 5 pushups 10 mountain climbers 5 pullups Strength: Heavy Hang Power Snatch 5 x 70% = 95lbs 5 x 75% = 100lbs 5 x 80% = 110lb 5 x 90% = 120lb Workout: Wallballs 20-20-20-20-20 (20lbs) Power Snatch 10-8-6-4-2 (120lbs) Then ran an extra 1.5 miles Back to better, healthier eating today :-)

Yesterday was rest day post Jr Instructor camp. My body was sore and i did not do any requirement except my run. Very disappointed that Panthers could not win. The Broncos defense was rock solid and there was absolutely no way for Cam and team to get thru. Played football with my dad before the game. Heading out to school now and will see you in class today

Tonight the Panthers were the bug. It was a really awesome game but we definitely didn't have that confidence like the previous games. Just my point of view from a guy who has the privilege of watching the game on my lower brain stem, but I would conclude that we lost because Panther's lost the love of playing football. I think they wanted to win the Superbowl so badly they forgot to enjoy themselves on the field. Anyway, my two cents, which doesn't buy anything these days. It is a good lesson to take away. If you want to improve on something, you got to learn to love it. I tell my boys that when it comes to sparring. To become a good sparer, you need to really enjoy the game of sparring. Then it is no longer a task, but a fun time with friends who want to kick you....

Was a pretty interesting day. Still working on packing and currently researching the enigma machine for a theoretical question that was posed by an old coworker.  

Nothing very exciting happened today. I stayed home and rested. I plan on working extra hard tomorrow! I hope for a bright day tomorrow!

Got a lot of requirements done. I put in my numbers, but then I did more this evening. The tracking system would not let me add my additional numbers. I'll email Master Chelly about it. But in addition to what is already recorded, I did 25 more sit ups, 25 more push ups, 8 more modified pull ups, 10 self defense, 5 minutes of jump rope, and 10 poomsaes. Also got my taxes done and did some work stuff. Productive day. SInce I had no major plans (a rare thing for me) I broke the day up into 2 hour work sessions....2 hours of paper and computer work, then 2 hours of requirements. 

Doritos, That was my favorite commercial so far. 0-10 right know Broncos in lead. :) The defense is the best on the Broncos while the offensive is the best on the Panthers. Instead of Panthers vs Broncos it more like Defense vs Offenense. Everyone is screaming is my house. There are getting to the touchdown zone. Hope they get it. THEY MADE IT! THEY JUMPED IT! Sorry this is so short but this is hype. Hope everyone had a great day. Let's go Stweart what a jump. 

I'm not sure about what to write. I mean, I know what I have to do for the cycle, and I'm trying to increase the amount of requirements I do each day. I guess news for me is that I got another piece to learn on the piano, along with the one I'm currently working on, half-way learned. For today, I guess I focus on finishing Statistics homework assignments that I haven't finished yet.

Good Morning. I could not write my journal yesterday as I came home and slept after Jr Instructor camp. It was wonderful as always and I finished my 5th year successfully. Love training with all the masters and instructors and the night out with my friends. We trained till 11.15pm and then started watching a movie. I was very tired and think slept half way thru the movie.  I am waiting for the credits from this camp. Loved the Kama training with Master Knight. I also did the worm which i love doing. My dad showed me a WWF wrestler who does the worm. I am very excited to see the Super Bowl tonight with my family. Go Panthers!!! Keep Pounding!!!!!!

Had a great day. Did some of my requirements early in the morning and went to the family class, the sparring and the BB class. Today is my first sparring class, I used all my credits from Facebook challenges 2 and 3 towards the sparring classes and never had attended any sparring classes before today. I am nervous about sparring. I am as concerned about hurting others accidentally as I am about getting hurt. Thank you Mr. Foster and Mr. Connor for being such wonderful sparring partners. Black belt class today was fun. I practiced staff form 1 with Dr.Rochelle and she made practicing a great fun. Thank you Ma'am. In the evening was pleasantly surprised to know one of my high school class mates with who I received music lessons is rendering her voice to some Indian film songs. I could not continue my music lessons because of my family's...

Today was sports training with Jr Tigers and family class then staff forms in the parking lot. Jr Instructors Camp looked like fun. Looking forward to Instructors Camp.

Any guesses on who said that quote? That one is dedicated to my dad who was the biggest John Wayne fan ever. The quote was from "In Harms Way" filmed in 1965. I met a war hero once during my days in the military. Not the typical hero who was serving our country and fighting for it, no disrespect to them, but a man who frequently was shot trying to save another man's life on a daily basis. Someone who fought in the Korean War, then in the Vietnam conflict and refused to be behind a desk. One of those guys who entered a room and needed no introduction of being a fierce SOB. He told a group of us what made the difference in his life was simply having a hero to focus on and look up to. His hero was John Wayne. The legacy John Wayne left changed many...

I got back from Jr. Instructors' camp today. I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot and hope to teach a bunch of other people using some of the skills I learned. I hope for a bright day tomorrow!

We had BB class outside today! It was fun. I think we should do more. Anyways I had a great day today. Went to BB class today, did my requirements and played with my friends. Then went to guitar class and started learning a cool song. Then came back and did my requirements. Then had to go to one of my dad's friends house because he broke his leg. Then we went to our cusins house and our having dinner here. This is actually were I am writing my journal at actually. Hope everyone had a great day! 

Started out with a regular check up with a new PCP. When she suggested that I should exercise more, I informed her that I practice Tae Kwon DO and I had done 25 sit ups, 25 push ups and 150 kicks prior to the 9 AM appointment and that I planned to run a mile after my class today. You should have seen her jaw drop. Don't assume that just because I'm overweight, I'm not exercising. Then I told her my peak weight in 2012. I think she will work out just fine, now that I have reoriented her away from the computer and the routine assumptions. Although I planned to go to sparring class, I missed it because of my appointment. Black belt class was awesome. I liked being outside. Mrs. Neelima and I had fun learning the staff form. She is very non violent and I had her laughing...

Teaching the juniors today! Awesome time seeing everyone!

Hello my fellow Cycleillians, Masters, and anyone else. Happy Friday to you. The journey continues. The title of this journal is from a famous song from the The Byrds, but they weren't the originators of the lyrics. It's actually taken out of the Bible. There's your trivia for the night. The passage is a good reality check for everyone, believers and nonbelievers. "A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planed; a time to kill, and a time to heal, a time to break down, and a time to build up." Ecclesiastes 3:2-3 For those who are on the cycle, we are in the time to breakdown, but soon we will be rebuilt. The old saying is true, was doesn't kill you will make you stronger, but it also should make you laugh more as well. Laughter will...

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” Yoda The Empire Strikes Back   Ready to stop trying and just get it done. Pleased with myself tonight. Got in a lot of requirements (for me) and  practiced Koryo, stick and staff forms. Forgot both sticks and staff at the Do jang yesterday, so practiced with my hiking stick and my umbrella. Hey, whatever it takes.     That above quote is one of my favorites from the Star Wars films. I’ve often caught myself using “try” as another way of saying “I can’t or I won’t” I’ve been “trying” the pull ups. But now I’m doing them (or at least I can do a modified pull up).  And I’m getting better. I can at least do a micro pull up and lift my weight off the floor for a few seconds. Woo hoo!    Another favorite quote is from the same...

EARLY..... Just typed the title in for fun. Kind of bored writing the title the same way each time. Got to mix it it up a little. Anyways had a great day today. Did my presentation for class today and then did worksheets mostly for the rest of my classes. Did my requirements today. Some in the morning and some after I came back from school. Have a lot of homework this week. Kinda of sad because the one week I have homework it is Super Bowl Sunday. Hope Broncos win! Just joking, Panther's. Had to write this a little ear.y because I have to go somewhere right after this. Don't have clue when I will be back. Hope everyone had a great day!

We had our Pre-Test on poomsae yesterday and it was good. I am looking forward to my 5th Junior Instructors camp. I am turning 10 this year and hopefully i get to go to Instructors camp from next year to train with Master Lee. Heading out to school now as my bus comes at 7.20am.

After blackbelt class went back and attempted to pack up more of my apartment. It is really slow going. Going to try to get some sleep before showing back up at 8:45 to help out with that saturday class. Then proceeding to saturday blackbelt. Should be a good day. 

This is going to be a short journal. Was able to attend a great PMAA class in between being alone at work this week, watching my parents animals and attempting to pack up my apartment for my move next weekend. Hope to see everyone at Saturday BlackBelt class! 

I think AC/DC would be the perfect music during PMAA class. Tonight was fun, as we did some grappling with the knife. I love those scenarios that make you think fast on how to get out of a bad situation. I can hear Thunderstruck playing in my head as I'm throwing Master Richie off of me and stabbing him with the knife. That sounded a little weird, didn't it? Poor Master Richie, he's injured from head to foot, but man he's out there rolling around and hitting the mat with the rest of us. One tough dude. Not to mention good hair. The pretesting for the forms went well for everybody. Everyone had their A game on. This is going to be an awesome class this cycle. No, let me rephrase that, this will be the best class ever in the history of black belt cycles. There, now it has to...

Today was not that much of a day. I ran 2 miles, worked out, took class, went to school, nothing much. I think I might have to wrap it up short for this journal. There isn't really that much to say for today. Well, I mean, I did find my lunch box today so that was helpful. So uhhh, good night.

It is actually quite funny. I have no problems with performance anxiety with anything else in life, but put me on the mat and watch me perform a poomsae, I've done regularly at home....and I know I know them.....and I goof it up. Great class tonight. Really like the explanations of the Korean terms for the different stances. I seem to remember better with definitions and hearing and performing the stances. Great mentoring session with Master Randle. Worked on staff forms. Videoed myself so I can remember at home.  Work is busy. I'll cry if the pathologist calls me one more time. At least it helps me keep it all in perspective. 

Today at school I had a math test. I got a 92. I also ran 2 miles. I hope for a bright day tomorrow!

Pre- test in BB class! Passed it! Happy! Anyway had great day today. Woke up. Did my requirements for the morning and went to school. Had a pretty chill day at school today. No tests or quizzes just worksheets and notes. Came back did my homework and did my requirements. Then did my BB class and did the pre- test. Passed it. About to have dinner and finsh up some requments. Hop everyone had a great day. 

  On Saturday I went to Jasons house for his birthday party. We did swords, but thats all I remember also I was late to it.  At Jasons house there were two dog's one BIG one small I forgot there Names. After my mom picked me up we went to the mall were we were trying to get Ethan [my baby brother] some shoes,but we couldn't find any.

Yesterday it was raining like crazy. We could not do the run. I came back from school and went straight to Kumon. came back home and did all my requirements. Watched a little bit of TV. Today is our Pre-Test for Poomsaes at BB Class. Really excited for that.

Today we celebrated Jeremy's 18th birthday. Those years have gone by fast. Through the different stages I know I wished that he would walk and then it would be nice when he goes to elementary school we wouldn't have to pay for daycare. He still hasn't caught on to the pick up after himself, but there's hope. There is always an if only... Now he is almost finished high school and I wonder where did the time go. This is my fourth black belt cycle and while I might wish it over at times, there is much to do and learn before I will be ready for testing. I need to take my spare time and use it more wisely. I also need to find more time for family. 

Wednesdays always start good when training with Master Evins!  Worked on Poom says today.....I always mess up 5 times more often when he is watching me.  Need to practice more.  Ended the day with Adult class and self defenses, pal gwes and basic forms.  Jr. Instructors camp only 2 days away!

Not a movie quote, just a thought as I watched my youngest, Trent, get his high yellow belt. He always has a way of making everything he does as the best day of his life. The grin on that mug after his belt makes me remember that it's those snapshot moments that make all the difference in his little world. I'm going to really enjoy earning that black belt, but it's the journey to this point that has made the biggest impact. The friends, the comradery, the injuries, the accomplishments. Trent reminded me of that tonight. I could stay at Bocho Dan for the rest of my life, and I would still gain so much with being apart of something. To be honest, the main reason I'm looking forward to that black belt is when I help at in class, it gives others confidence that I know what I'm talking about....

Ahhhhhh. My week at school is bascially over. No more tests or quizzes this week. Finished up my Math test today which was super easy! Anyway woke up today did some requirements and went to school. Had to finish up a essay for history class. Got to do my running at school before it stared pouring. Our courtyard was litterally flooded with the water. Came back from school did my requirements and went to Religious Ed. Class. Came back from that ate dinner, finished up requirements and actually relaxed. Then studied a bit for BB pre- test. Hope everyone had a great day!

Doing my pull ups the last couple of days has got me motivated to get better at this. WOD today Burpee Box Jumps Slamballs Push Press   Strength was alternating pullups and hollow rock/ superman, with warmup of DUs, lunges and T2B.   Training with Master Evins. Lots of work on forms.

Looks like I am back in the swing of things. Going to have to stop going to at least 1 class a week (instead of doing 5-6 days I need to push it back to 4-5 days a week). Had a great "black belt adult class because it was only black belts in the adult class" and we did a TON of poomsaes. Also starting to get the hang of the leadership 1 classes. Edit: Not sure why this didn't publish, must have hit the "save for later" on accident 

I did my mentor session with Master Randle. Went thru all my stick and staff forms and worked on self defense. Helped out my sisters class before that. We had a good Black Belt class and Master Evins told we have our Poomsae Pre-Test tomorrow (Thursday) and Self Defense Pre-Test (Tuesday) next week.  I am very excited for Jr Instructor camp. This is  my 5th year doing this and I have learn a lot each year and I look forward to the next years camp.  I saw Master Ritchie, Master Hartle, Instructor Foster practice with some one the Philippine combatives forms. It was amazing and I really hope i can start taking Philippine Combative classes soon. 

Practicing poomsaes takes more thought than my previous times on a black belt cycle. Almost all of the color belt poomsaes have something new to remember, so it is almost like learning them again. Repetition, repetition, repetition is the key for me. I thought there was something different with pal chang going to the front in the beginning and could not remember what it was. It figures it is similar to the back near the end, but I didn't remember. I think being on the cycle has been good for me because I am practicing poomsaes much more if I were just going to class and that has made the repetition more frequent. Still much to work on and much to learn. 

Today Master Evins gave some powerful motivation towards the end of class today. Thank you very much Sir. I absolutely needed it.  Ever since the BB cycle started, I had days when I question myself if I am good enough for doing this, is this even my forte and if I should quit before I make a laughing stock of myself. I would often compare myself with others and think that I am not as good as so and so is. But today I am putting all my fears to rest once and for all.  As Master Evins said, most of the adults in King tiger would have faced bigger challenges in life than being on a 12 week BB cycle or doing some Facebook challenges . I had too. Back in India I had a tough childhood and I made the best out of it to achieve an engineering degree...

Well. Today I had an interview with an alumnus. I did some requirements today and yesterday. I have them written down, but I havn't logged them in yet. I'm planning of attending class tomorrow to get my jump ropes in. We don't have a jump rope at home that's long enough.

Had a concert today. I have taken band ever since 5th grade. I play the trumpet in a regular band. I had a concert tonight for that as well as a new skill. For my new skill I though of getting into a Marching Band. I got in during December and played at football games and basketball games which I will talk more about in my essay. Anyways I had a great day at school. Had a History Test and passed it. Have a math test tomorrow and all we did in math class was study.  Other than.that school today was pretty easy. Had a bit of homework. After homework did my requiements and went to concert. Finished at 7:30 so I was not able to attend BB class today. Came back finished up some requirements and stated studying. Just took a break right now to go eat and spend time...

Ahhhh, hello. Today I went to sparring class and got 2 rounds done. I'm almost halfway in my pushups and sit ups. I will reach 10,000 soon. But not today. Did ya'll just catch that quote from BattleShip? Hopefully you did. Man thats a great movie. Yet, at the same time, very cheesy. Speaking of, I haven't watched that in a while. I should watch it again some time soon. Well, in the mean time, good night.

Today wasn't the most exciting day. At school, we began doing our 6 week assessments. Today I had my Literature test and tomorrow I will have my Social Studies test. I hope for a bright day tomorrow!

Yesterday was a good day. Had great time in school. Came back and did my regular class, leadership and Hyper. We did a lot of rolls and falls. Today I will help out my sisters class and then have my mentor and mentee session before Black Belt Class. Really long day.

Actually doing an entry before nighttime, this is a new concept to me. Rolls/Falls and Situps are still giving me some serious trouble but working to get all my other numbers up. Now to get those sparing classes and rounds. This should be interesting since I don't think I have spared since my Bo Cho test. 

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So excited about Jr Instructor's Camp this weekend.  Lake Norman has about 16 students going and they are so excited!  We are going to have so much fun!

I use to lecture and teach classes at my old job all the time but it is very different when you are constantly moving and working out vs standing in front of a lecture hall and giving a presentation or speech. Never realized how difficult it is to say "left foot up" and then have to bring up your own right foot to mirror everyone... Really messes with the brain.  Class today was pretty awesome, it is great to be back in the "swing of things". Working on regaining my strength to beat my low pretest numbers. 

Long day. Been going since I woke up this AM. I know it is going to be a busy week. What  a relief to work out a little.  Long day. Working with this pull up bar. I can hold my weight off the floor for a few seconds. That's progress from yesterday. I may be able to work myself up  to half a pull up. Working on the first part of   Working with this pull up bar. I can hold my weight off the floor for a few seconds. That's progress from yesterday. I may be able to work myself up  to half a pull up. Working on the first part of  Koryo. Kinda got the stick form. Can't remember e staff form....should have video taped the form.  Too tired to study the study guides....they would just get more jumbled than they already are in my head. u

Today was my Birthday! The sad part about it though was I had to go to school. Anyway I had a great birthday. Went to school, my parents gave me a funny birthday card before I went to school as well. Came back and started doing homework and requirements. My mom was preparing some Indian Food as well. The smell got me so hungry. Then I went to Hyper and after took a class, Then came after class and my cousins were home. We all cut the cake and had some amazing dinner. So good! Hope everyone had a great day!

Okay, lets see, where to start, well, today was just a usual normal day for me. Went on a run, worked out, took class, had a mentor session. Nothing really special. I got a lot of self defense in today. Did some sparring, nothing much. Well, I think i'll wrap it up short for now. Good night.

Happy Febuary everyone! I hope nothing to drastic happened to anyone over the last month, like a flu or something that was caused by the winter. I am suffering from a stuffy nose and my brother and sister both have a cold. Winter is not my favorite season. I hope for a bright day tomorrow!

Weekend went by very fast. I could not do any requirements on Saturday as I was very sore. Yesterday was a better day could get in some stuff done, prepared for my upcoming exams. I am totally sleep deprived.  Today was good. I am done with most of requirements. Will try to get in some more pushups and situps before hitting the sack.     

Yesterday was great. The weather was also wonderful. Did all my requirements and then played football with my dad in the yard. Also helped my dad in cleaning the cars. 

Finally got outside today and ran the first mile. It was slow, but still running. I will have to work my way back up to more. Downloaded the written test questions and answered about 3/4 of the questions. I will need to do some research on the rest. Put it off longer than I should, but had to take care of some work stuff this weekend and I am expecting a long day tomorrow. This should be an interesting week, although likely a very long one. 

Currently packing up my apartment for my move to a Townhouse in mid February. Can't believe it has been a year since I moved from Florida to North Carolina. Hopefully this move will be the last move for a while. I now remember why I bought my house in Florida and lived there for 6 years, packing up your life and moving really sucks. 

I always liked that line from an old movie that I can't recall the title. It was John Ritter (Threes Company) who said it as he was dating a female body builder. Of course, John Ritter's dead and I'm sure Arnold is probably divorced, so it's a little out of context, but I can relate when I'm to tired to lift my arms. Anyway, today was a great day. We went to church, found out Katherine (wife) is a shoe in for heaven because she married me and brought me out of my wicked ways, mostly just being from the west coast. The juries still out for me. Hopefully she can put in a good word. Got home and went for a two miler. Played with the boys. Spent the whole afternoon outside because it was so awesome out today. Went zip-lining over at the neighbors house, which we built a...

Very busy, but good, weekend. 2 Birthday parties at the school. Both went well. Had grand baby and my Dad spend the night on Saturday.  Good family time. Ready to hit it Monday am!

Hello. Not much happened today. This morning I went running with my dad. I emailed some colleges and did some studying, European history and Biology. I feel like I havn't been sleeping enough lately.

Had a nice couple of Black Belt classes yesterday. Lots of work on forms. Lots of changes to get down.  

Hello everyone. I hope everyone had a wonderful Sunday. Today, my family and I ran a birthday party for a 5 year old at King Tiger. I think it ran very smoothly for the three of us. After that, I went out to eat at a sushi and hibachi buffet and it was awesome!

Hello, this is Jason, sorry I didn't journal these past few days. Yesterday I had a sleep over. But I still got a lot of requirements done. The sleepover was my birthday party. I had so much fun. My party was star wars themed. We had candy lightsaber pretzels, a sarlacc pit cake, it was amazing!  I also figured out a way to do my rolls and falls not on hard wood floors. You see, I have this futon upstairs and I took it and laid it out so this way i'm not falling on wood. That would probably hurt a little. Well, everyone have a good day.

Today I spent time with my family. It was a fun day! We went to Church in the morning. Ate lunch, then started doing my requirements. Went to the movies and came back at 5. Finished up my requirements and then started studying for SS test on Tuesday. Today was a pretty good day. Hung out with family and went to movies. The only sad part was that when we started driving back I remembered we had school the next day. Ugh. Anyways hope everyone had a great day!

Nala and I had a nice run/walk in the greenway. We took it easy, my low back has been hurting and I decided not to push it. Finally got a pull up bar. As predicted, I could not hold myself up. I could do some modified pull ups with the chair holding most of my weight. I'll really have to watch my back and shoulder with this thing.  Did not get as much done as I planned. So it goes. At least I've got some food cooked and the cat and dog are happy.  I have to remember to ask if the sparring combinations, stick and staff forms are online somewhere. I can't find them.

Today, I spent most of the day sitting around while my family was asleep. We had lots of people over, which was not planned but I predicted it. For dinner, we went with the rest of my family to Tenders. I hope for a bright day tomorrow!

Yesterday we had a great Saturday Black Belt Class. We went through all our staff and stick forms and also our Pal Gwe Forms. I have been practicing all my forms everyday and my self defense too. Came home and finished my assignments and then went out with my parents for some shopping. My dad took us to a vegan restaurant downtown near the bank of america stadium. Its a place where he goes for lunch / dinner with his clients. It was good.

Around 20 Jr Tigers in class this morning. It was a fun red stripe class. It is really nice to see how much improved kids that have been taking classes for a short while are. When you watch them do something like situps that they really struggled with months before and they can now do them without their feet being held and no elbows. It may seem like such a little thing, but to a little kid, that's pretty big. Reviewed a lot of poomsaes in class this morning and worked on some self-defense after class with Master Tucker and Master Natasya. Thank you ma'ams!

Fantastic sparring class. Even though I was the only adult in class, which worked out to my benefit because I got to spar Instructor Marcus. He's fast, quick, powerful and really knows his stuff. It's always a pleasure spar someone like him. It makes me get out of my comfort zone and step it up a notch. I hope it improves my skills as well. Of course I had a leg crash with one of the rounds with my fellow classmates. I'll be gimping for a little while, but it's a good pain. For those who saw Kung Fu Panda 3, that was awesome! That is my favorite animated movie series. Even at age 45, I can really enjoy a good cartoon. And if you don't think they are made for adults, watch the old Warner Brothers. I laugh more than the kids. I wonder when we get to master our...

Today in black belt class we practiced lots of the black belt forms including staff and stick forms. I was still sore from Thursday but someone showed me how to ease the soreness. I hope for a bright day tomorrow!

I was feeling a little beat down yesterday, but today was a much better. Thanks to Master Randle for talking me off the edge. Thanks to Master Knight for his never ending patience. And of course, I can not forget my Tae Kwon Do buddy, Instructor Foster, who is always my cheerleader. We started out in the Tuesday/Thursday morning adult class together. He is so talented and such a great family man. Y'all are great.  Masters Hartle led a great class today. Learned a lot. I appreciated that it was well organized and moved fast. I can better study on my own and with my mentor, now that we have had an introduction to forms and sticks in class. This cycle will be challenging because of schedule changes, the new location, and snow days. Subtle changes in the forms does not help either.  Just finished my conference (it lasted 1 to...

I am up a hurry to write journal. I am about to go to a Family Freind's house. Anyway today I finished up my pre-test requiems to. Went to BB class and then sparring. Came back home at around 2 and ate. Then went to guitar class and came back home. Feel like I felt accomplished today. I don't know why but it just feels like it. I got 3 credits in total today. Debating on whether using the extra credit bonus stuff all on sparring. Still trying to make up mind on what to do with that bonus credits. Hope everyone had a great day!

Good day yesterday with surprise in the evening. My parents took us to see Kung Fu Panda 3 in the evening. It was hilarious. I did the challenge which Master Evins posted and thank you sir for all the bonus credits. Getting ready for Black Belt class this morning and will do my run in the evening today

Another long day at work today. I missed dinner with the family. Trying to work on higher belt self-defense is more challenging without a partner. I need to get in more practice on poomsaes too. Looking forward to the nice weekend and hoping to get outside some. 

Rochelle, hopefully you might read this. It takes an incredibly strong person to be a physician, and you are one in a million. I don't know how you manage running a clinic and doing all you do, but you have always impressed me. Your "can do" attitude has inspired me many times over. I take for granted the spare time in my life too often and I want to let you know we are here, and we believe you can do this. God Bless and drive on!!!

Ahhh! It's good to breath again. I'm finally getting rid of this head cold and what a difference it makes doing requirements. For those who are still suffering with a cold, I will be praying for you. It's been a nice day even though I was stuck at home with the boys for school. There's no better way to test a dads patience than schooling his boys and spending all day with them. There great boys but sometimes I get this urge to leave out a bowl of water and a bag of chips and drive off into the horizon. But, what fun would that be. I'm sure I would get bored soon enough. Hope to see a lot of you at the Kung Fu Panda movie. We are bringing some friends of ours as well and maybe we can hook them up with some King Tiger mojo. I think it's...

Went to Weekday black belt class today. Master Chelly made us do that challenge, which is cool as I lack self motivation. I better write down all the homework I have to do over the weekend. It's quite a bit, but  I'll handel it. I should do a longer run this weekend, maybe tomorrow morning if I get up early enough.

Today we did the daily challenge and practiced poopmsaes and self defenses. I am still very sore from yesterday's kickboxing class but I will power through it. I hope for a bright day tomorrow!

Generally, people go along taking their lives for granted. Then they get that call from their doctor and their lives are forever changed. They no longer have the luxury of taking life for granted. All of a sudden, life is very precious and every moment counts. What is most important becomes instantly clear. I have had to make that call too many times this past week. I have more to make next week. So far 2016 has been unhappily busy. Feeling weary and tired down to the bone. Hard, physically demanding surgeries this week. Difficult conversations. MRI to evaluate this persistent upper back pain/chest pain. Not enough time for everything I have to do, not to mention everything I want to do. All I can do is keep putting one foot in front of the other. 

Loving all the  challenges!  The extra work out is great, the credits are even better....but I really love how everyone is getting into them! Not just the peeps on the cycle, but even my other students! Today, even the black belts that are not on the cycle wanted to do it....yesterday,  after we finished, my after school kiddos all grabbed jump ropes! Every time I went into the back they would tell me who had the most rounds! Too much fun!

 My legs are sore since yesterday. I can barely walk. Need to get some leg "rest". Anyway had a good day at school. Happy I got good grade fore test and quizzes. Also finished up my Writing Assignment for ELA. Then went to programming club. Had some fin there as well. My freinds and I made shriek head and 3D printed it. Pocket Sized. Funny to see. Then came back did the challenge. My legs were pretty sore while doing the challenge. Still manged to do it. Also need to buy a new jump- rope. I can't find my other one even though I used 3 days ago. I had to jump higher that normal when using this small jump- rope. Still did it though. After that played some games with my friends. Right now about to go to my cousin's house. Hope everyone had a great day!

Crazy long day yesterday. I came back from school and went straight to Kumon. From there went to swimming class. We worked on our techniques. Primarily worked on breast strokes and back strokes. We did not do any Individual Medley. At school did a lot of running. We played football and I was the wide receiver. It was fun. Did the Cam Newton bow after touchdown. Finished all my requirements for the day in the morning and school and when I came back tired from swimming class my parents showed me the challenge which Master Evins posted. It was tough but I made it

So Master Chelley had us do the FB challenge yesterday, but she forgot to have us do the poomse before and after each round. So,... we did the challenge a second time with the poomses. Nice quad burn going there. Also ripped the seam of my pants doing the first set of air squats. LOL With about 4 days to go in my initial 24 day challenge, I have lost 9 lbs. Goal is to loose at least 12 more lbs.

Today I did the daily challenge and it was super hard! Started with my 4th dan poomsae and went down to 1st dan. The jump ropes were pretty easy but the air squats and pistol squats were killer on my quads. I will definitely be sore tomorrow.

Today would have been nice to get some pushups done at work, but that doesn't work out for me very often. I'm still trying to recover from sparring class and then today's challenge. So glad tomorrow is Friday, but January is practically over and still so much to accomplish. Still more to do today and tomorrow is fast approaching. 

Well. Regular day today, I guess. I'm a bit behind on homework, which is a bother. I absolutly want to get all my requirments in the green. None of them should be in the orange. Anyhow, I have the weekend to work on both school and TKD, so that's good. Instructor Marcus's class was excellent. As almost everyone knows by now, we did some kick boxing. 

Today was so exciting. I was chosen to play the saxophone! I'm very excited. I start on the sixteenth of February. This way I have enough time to go to the store and switch out my clarinet and get my new saxophone. Did the challenge today. We had to do it twice because we forgot to do the poomsaes the first time. It was hard the second time because it makes you so sore. I did so many squats, their are not even words to describe the pain! Then, we were kick boxing and we had to do even more squats. I think i've had to do enough squats for a day. Well, good night.

Started the day forcing myself out the door to run my 3.2 miles....made it in 39:27.  I was a little surprised,  I thought I would be closer to 42 or 43  minutes,  but I had Inst Dege's 40:23 stuck in my head, so....thanks for the push, ma'am! Got to the school and did some push ups, sit ups and kicks.  Wanted to do the challenge, but thought it better to wait for my other peeps so that we could do it together.   So at about 5:00, me, Master Hartle, Jaylen, Jason and Hannah did our challenge, went great.......until I realized that we did it wrong!!!!!!  I forgot to have us do the forms....so we did 4 rounds of jump ropes, air squats and pistol squats all in 5 to 7 minutes.......just enough to get good and sweaty.... Luckily, just before I posted the video, I noticed that it took Mr. Foster 10 ish...

I figured it would be wise to skip class tonight since I'm hacking like a thirty year smoker. I found the challenge on Facebook and had a good time with that one. Those pistons are tough. I was really working hard on doing the double unders. Those look cool, but I haven't learn the technique yet. Maybe next challenge. Master Hartle was flying with that jump rope. Clarify, Master Chelley Hartle. I'm sure Master Conrad Hartle was doing his best:) I would have loved to get up to Lake Norman King Tiger for there sparring, rolls, and everything else they were offering. Hopefully I will kick this cold soon and get in on the fun. Stay classy King Tiger!!

Today is one of those ugh days. Woke up. Did some requirements. Went to school. Came back had a lot of homework. Did some requirements. And then started studying. I have 2 quizzes and a test tommorow. Also did the challage. My legs are still kind of sore from that might be because I did BB class today as well. Anyway sorry if this journal is kind of short. Just trying to study for tommrow. Wanna do good and enjoy the weekend.

Well we survived challenge #2 followed by kickboxing in which someone made us do even more squats. But at least PMAA is a nice relaxing class, right? 

  Today I did my first sparing class as a black belt it was kinda hard but at the same time easy. We did kick boxing and did roll's and fall's. Im glad I went to sparing class because I'm now in the green in some of my stuff. Also I needed it.

For Heath/Physical Education at my school we had our height and weight measured. I found out I am 5'3!  I also ran one mile (23 laps) around the gym to add to my requirements.