Candidate Journals

I have been getting up earlier than I usually do. I'm not a morning person, but I have been able to complete several requirements before going to work in the morning which makes the remaining requirements in the evening much less. I know balance is important and am trying to keep some level of balance. I'm not very good at imagining, so I tried doing my self defense in front of the vacuum cleaner. It's good that it doesn't fight back, but it gives me a point of reference and helps me imagine better. It's the little things, right? The website is really looking good and entering the completed requirements is so much easier than previously. Awesome job Inst. Uczen! We appreciate all of your efforts! Maybe I can get to bed early.

So far so good – I’m trying to develop a routine for getting my requirements done.  However, I need to make a note that I should not do two miles and three jump rope rounds right before BB class.  I have to save something for class. J Drinking more water is a good thing!

Got a lot of my requirements done in the morning. I also had a no homework so I got some requirements in. It was terrific!!

I have been looking forward to the start of this cycle since our Spring 2012 Black Belt Testing. So far the cycle is living up to my anticipation. We have a great small group with strong energy that I believe will support and encourage each other. The new website while going through some early glitches is much better. Thank you Mr. Uczen. I feel that I am getting a very good start as well. Credits from Boot Camp, Master Chelley Hartle staying for kickboxing-sparring rounds and Master Conrad Hartle as my Mentor, how can I not be.  Thank you Master Evins for setting the bar high making the journey so much better.    

I got a bunch of requirements done today. I didn't have a lot of homework so that helped.  I'm still pretty sore from Saturday.

I was able to get most of my physical requirements done this morning before I went to work.  All I had left was jump rope, sparring rounds, miles, and pull-ups.  I was able to do jump rope and two of the sparring rounds before the Junior Tiger class started.  When I got home, I ran a mile on the treadmill.  Then I was able to finish the rest while I was watching Biggest Loser. They were doing a quiz on Biggest Loser about childhood obesity.  It’s a real eye-opener to hear what a big problem this is in the USA.  It gave me a little boost of energy and it made me appreciate the training that I get to do.  J

This cycle starts in one of the busiest months of my life.  Senior year, all of my midterms this week (8), swim team, and three debates this month are stopping me from devoting much needed extra time to tae kwon do.   I think I've figured out which classes to help out in.  That was a mess last cycle, and the PMAA.  Taking a class that begins after a black belt class that has now been backed up even later?? It makes me want to cry.  I guess I'll make it through like last cycle on energy drinks every Wednesday and Friday >_<

Wow! I don't know if I'm ready for this, but I better be ready by April. I got off to a pretty good start yesterday and had a very productive workout session with Inst. Randle today and accomplished much. Thanks Connie! It's so much more fun when you work out with a friend! There is still a long way to go. I have good intentions of getting up earlier to get a jumpstart on my days with some of the requirements. I will see how that goes. Tomorrow is another day. Wenona Dege

I am so sore from yesterday; my legs are KILLING ME, but I'm glad.  No pain, no gain.  At least I'm ahead on situps haha (sorry for the back-up on journals, the website wouldn't let me add them)

Today I got a lot of training done.  Inst. Dege came over and we had a marathon of training.  It’s always easier to train with someone.  Thanks so much ma’am! I drank 3 bottles of water today!  I was really thirsty. I think I’m going to be sore tomorrow but that’s good because then I know I’m working toward getting stronger.

I am so excited for this test! It's been a long process to get as far as I am now, almost a master.  I almost don't want to test.  I want to advance, of course, but I still don't feel as though I deserve my third dan, let alone fourth and a new title.   On another note, I was SO CLOSE to my split in class!  My goal was by the end of the cycle to be able to do a split, but I'm hoping to achieve that goal in a few weeks so I won't hurt myself close to testing.