~:[CH15 - Day 224]:~ On Display

 
~:[CH15 - Day 224]:~ On Display

As I thought about what to write today, I was oddly reminded of the game pusoy dos. It was a card game we played often and thinking back, you never knew how the game would play out. When your hand was a bit more challenging and you won, there would be a huge celebration, but when you had a great hand, you also weren't always dealt a victory. With the first day of school arriving, I feel like classes are like the game pusoy dos. No matter what type of combinations you are dealt, you ultimately have to play your hands strategically to get the results you want. I can already tell that there will be some challenges along the way, but thinking about how to properly counter the issues that may be incoming will be a key to success as you prepare yourself as best as possible. As I did my best to put on the best opening day presentations, you always wonder how the year will end up going as this first day beings guiding you in the direction it will go. Best of luck to all starting out their school years!

~:[CH15 - Day 223]:~ Back on Track

 
~:[CH15 - Day 223]:~ Back on Track

It was a little strange to be back at practice after awhile, especially with this day being a tempo workout in the heat. The change over to the afternoon from the mornings can be brutal, but the team looked to adjust well, even on a hot day. It was our last summer practice, as school would begin tomorrow, as it was a full morning of setup with an afternoon of practice and weight room. My body hasn't quite adjusted into the grove quite yet, but I hope that soon enough, my body will be back on track and ready to go. I strangely wasn't nervous about tomorrow, however, I was looking forward to days ahead and the many experiences that awaited. 

~:[CH15 - Day 222]:~ From Dusk 'til Dawn

 
~:[CH15 - Day 222]:~ From Dusk 'til Dawn

It was a pretty packed day. Trying to wake up after all that's been going on was tough, but I did it. I went to our first meeting, set up the classroom, had another meeting with my senior leaders, then went to do some other work at home. It was nice to squeeze in a quick meetup before my evening photoshoot, but it also meant that my day was packed from dusk 'til dawn. I'll always think of the parks signs that said it. I often spent my days in the park wondering exactly when the closing was. There wasn't an exact time, but we would play until we couldn't see anymore. My day today was full like those days as I took photos until the light had passed. We started a bit later than I had hoped and thus we ran out of daylight, still yet, we got the shots we needed. My days ahead will likely be packed like this, but I just hope that in the jam packed days, I enjoy the time that I have. It was tough to adjust, but my few random encountered made it a lot easier to deal with. What memories do you have of playing until the final light of the day?

~:[CH15 - Day 221]:~ TOGETHERNESS

 
~:[CH15 - Day 221]:~ TOGETHERNESS

It ended with a win, but the win wasn't what made the weekend successful. In their first scoring games and their first time traveling for a tournament, the team ended up doing well. There's room to learn and grow, but that's for another time. They were asked at the end, "what was the best part of the trip?" The emphasis was placed on how they had time to spend together. There were definitely moments of struggle, but in the end, they came out with a lot more than just a successfully few games and a medal. In a time where decisions are often made for what is best for me, we start to see that some decisions aren't always the best. Sure, we need to pay attention to our own needs, but knowing how to do things well with others and finding that balance between individuality and loyalty to others is important. It's one of the toughest lines to find. When messaging my friend in Japan, we talked about this concept and how it was good that we have a supportive network setup while helping each other out. It is doing our own thing while raising the others up. Personally, sometimes I lean on the loyalty side a bit too much as I realized while in Japan from time to time, however, I also stepped forward on my own path, not worrying about what others thought. Today was a day where that line between individuality and loyalty was challenged, but that will be a daily discussion and thought for us all. From friends to family, work or other commitments, we will continuously have to find that line and decide where we draw the line in the sand. We arrived home safely despite a few adventures including a power outage in Baker when we needed the restroom most, however, I had a wonderful weekend watching this team learn that despite all the success they had on the court individually and as a team, the time they got to spend together was the one thing they should treasure most and may be the thing that helps them progress the most. 

~:[CH15 - Day 220]:~ The Spirit of the Game

~:[CH15 - Day 220]:~ The Spirit of the Game

What is the purpose of youth sports? At a young age, having these youths grow to love the game is important. Let them learn, let them grown, and let them make mistakes and correct them. This team has seen it's struggles, but they have been learning and trying to improve over time. After a tough night's sleep, we headed over to the game in Las Vegas at 5am. We didn't hit much traffic so we ended up having to burn a little time before going to the gym. We struggled in the first half, but made some adjustments and started to play better defense and score, which we did little of in the first half. There wasn't frustration or anything of the sort, just a hope that they would do better. I wasn't too comfortable hearing a lot of what was being said when I went to the other side to take photos for the second half. I felt a little bad for the other team. Although they were winning, when we made our run, the tone projected towards them made me worry that they wouldn't enjoy the game in the future. Sure, it could end up making them focused and super sharp, but it's a bit of a risk. After a nice lunch, we headed back to the gym after our first game and played a much better second game. The tone on both sides is what I hoped for. Supportive cheering focused on their athletes, trying to get them to do their best. In the end, one of our athletes hit a buzzer beater to end a great game and they looked so happy in the end. I hope that win or lose, that same look is apparent. It's human nature to be disappointed after a loss, but when you allow winning to be the formula to happiness, it could lead you down a slippery slope. Enjoying the game and the opportunity to play it should be the first goal, as when it's the foundation for athletes, then finding the motivation to work harder and perform better often becomes a lot easier. After day one, I was happy with how the team continued to battle in the first game, despite the loss and how they came back with a solid performance in game two. We enjoyed a night out despite our exhaustion and did a little exploring, but the highlight of our day was having the opportunity to watch the team be surrounded by the true spirit of the game. I hope that as time goes on, we challenge them, while also make sure that it doesn't become just about the end result. It's not a participation trophy, it's a life lesson. Win or lose, go out and give it your all with the right attitude and spirit.

~:[CH15 - Day 219]:~ What Lies Ahead

 

~:[CH15 - Day 219]:~ What Lies Ahead

I didn't sleep too well last night, so I was debating whether or not to go to PD today. My eyes opened up and I shot up and headed out. I didn't let myself hesitate and went. It ended up going smoothly and I picked up some tips throughout the day. It was nice to also catch up with some of my friends as we struggled together to make it through the end. Afterward, the second debate began, whether I could make it to bonfire. I was already exhausted and needing to leave for Las Vegas in the morning, I didn't want to be too tired. I went out. I decided that since I was gone all summer, I wanted to be there for the athletes and I headed over for the second half of the event. It was worth it. I headed back to take care of a few things as it wrapped up, but I was glad that I ended u going. Looking at this picture, I thought of how different things felt this year and how my mindset has changed. I was stuck in a very systematic life prior and thus, everything may feel a little off from time to time. From today's experiences, I hope that it means that what lies ahead for me is a series of moments where I take on the opportunity in front of me and don't hesitate. It won't always go well, but the opportunities that lie out there are many and I hope I take on many of them. For now, I'll do my best to catch some Zs after a very tough stretch, hoping that what lies ahead are great moments full of amazing memories.

~:[CH15 - Day 218]:~ The Memories Digitized

 
~:[CH15 - Day 218]:~ The Memories Digitized

The satisfaction of getting everything organized is amazing. As I put away my final things from the trip, my laundry folded, and my final messages sent out, I also was wrapping up the hardest task of all, sorting out my digital files. For most, it's a process of finding the most scenic and memorable pictures, but for me, it's a matter of sorting individuals, events, meetings, and more. Everyone always asks me how I am able to find photos and videos when I need them and this is the most important way. As I sorted out my files, I divided them by category and put them all into their drives and folders where I can easily recall them. As I did, I was able to remember parts of my journey that I had forgotten.  I think it's easier when we had film, as we can physically look at each photo and recall these memories, With digitized photos, sometimes those memories get buried under thousands of files, never to be seen again. I try my best to ensure that the memories of these days don't become forgotten as I can highlight some of the photos and store away the rest to be reviewed another day. One day, maybe all these photos will suddenly disappear, but for now, I'll treasure what I have, hoping that I can stay forever connected to these memories I've developed over time. I still have a little ways to go before my final photos are stored away, but for now, as each photo gets put away, I'll be sure to recollect the memories that comes along with each precious file. 

~:[CH15 - Day 217]:~ Feeling Foreign

 
~:[CH15 - Day 217]:~ Feeling Foreign 

The menu was a little bit different than usual. I was hoping for Afuri ramen, but they changed up the menu and that was gone along with a fugu dish I've been ordering. Since it's inclusive, I can't complain. I tried out a few dishes, which still were quite delicious as I worked hard to finish up some work that had yet to be completed. I normally sit by the window in the plane, but since I booked my flight home late, it wasn't available. I'm not sure if that's why I had trouble sleeping, but my rest wasn't as good as I had hoped. As I arrived home, I was glad to escape the humidity and to see my family again. However, I still had to adjust a bit as I felt a little foreign in my own city. I'll have to get used to driving and having to spend a little more time to get some food or a drink, but then again, the comforts of home are tough to beat as well. I'll have to get used to the bell schedule soon enough and the traffic as well, but it will all adjust and adapt. Yesterday, I talked about how we become accustomed to things in our life and similarly, I noticed many of the things that I got used to that were no longer. Many probably are or will experience something similar as they return to their normal and I wonder if over time, they truly return to normal or if we hedge a little closer to remaining foreign. I caught up on a lot I needed to do, but still fell short of what I needed to accomplish today. I worked a lot while I was away, but maybe I lost my ability to work as quick. My body and mind will adjust and adapt and just like this dish, life will still be delicious, even though it may not be the same as it was before. There's nothing wrong with that. Let's make the most of our days even when it feels like everything has changed as in life, things were meant to change.

~:[CH15 - Day 216]:~ (Un)Accustomed

 
~:[CH15 - Day 216]:~ (Un)Accustomed 

I sat down with a final meal with a friend. I decided to stay around in Tokyo instead of taking a gig that was about 90 minutes away. There were a lot of benefits to going there, but I decided, my last day should be relaxing and comfortable. It was. I was getting accustomed to the prices in Japan, as I sat there in front my dish that would be over twenty dollars in the US. It was half that. I arrived to this place by train, something I won't have the luxury of when I go home as I conveniently jet from place to place, knowing exactly how long it will take. Of course, I will not miss the humidity and the language barrier, but there were so many things I was once unaccustomed to that became so ordinary. There are pros and cons wherever I go and there will be benefits when I set foot back at home, however, there will be a longing for those things I left behind as the day cannot come fast enough when I'll be back to the place that grew on me. With the mindset that it wasn't a vacation going in, I truly embraced a normal daily schedule, as I went from meeting to event to appointment. It didn't matter that I was busy. We all find our points in life that feel comfortable and this was one of them for me. I settled in. Of course, I cannot hold on to what was as I must adapt back to what I will feel unaccustomed to once again, but that comfort level will come over time until the day I leave again. I'll stop looking over my shoulder, rather look ahead, as another chance at growing, learning, and experiencing lies ahead. Like a strand of spaghetti, eventually our journey will end, still yet, we can still enjoy the many flavors that life has waiting for us. I finished my pasta as we ventured out a bit longer before I headed back to prepare for my departure. A sadness overcame me as I realized tomorrow would be my last, still yet, I was glad that today and every day before it exists as it did. Thank you to everyone who was apart of my past, my present, and will be part of my future.

~:[CH15 - Day 215]:~ On Air

 
~:[CH15 - Day 215]:~ On Air

I had a meeting in the day, but after that I had some free time. Thinking about what to do, I ended up catching the radio broadcast of Yurimaru. While I will be seeing her in a few weeks, it was a nice chance to say a final farewell in person before heading off. Our timing was on for events, but a little off otherwise, so hopefully our timing will be better the next round. For now, I was glad to see a different view of things as I watched the broadcast and captured a few moments from outside the studio. I find myself chasing new experiences and glad that I went out of my way today to catch the show. When your chance comes, get out there and try something new and you may just find yourself riding a wave you never thought you'd find. Signing off!