~:[CH15 - Day 305]:~ Who is that ...

 
~:[CH15 - Day 305]:~ Who is that ...

It's funny that whenever I see a reflection, the song from Mulan plays in my head. "Who is that girl I see ...??" My next reaction is to take a reflection photo. I had a little time to relax and as I did, when I thought of the song, I kind of wondered who it was looking back at me. Times have been so busy lately that I've been dragging myself around. I've been a bit overwhelmed so today was a wonderful day to truly enjoy the ability to take care of work as needed. It's a little sad that I celebrated doing nothing, but sometimes, you only appreciate something where there is an absence of something. Without any free time, the ability to choose to do nothing felt so good and so right. Although I actually did a lot of work today, it felt as if I was just chillin' most of the day, even though I wasn't. As I glace back at the past few months, I wonder what I have become, with minimal free time, I wonder if I have changed or not. Will I recognize my own reflection? Take some time in your life to check yourself. Figure out if you're on the path you want to be and if not, pivot until when you look at your own reflection, you recognize the person staring back at you as the one you hoped to see. 

~:[CH15 - Day 304]:~ A Reason to Celebrate

 
~:[CH15 - Day 304]:~ A Reason to Celebrate

Tonight, some celebrated Halloween, some celebrated a championship, while I celebrated catching up. I spent the entire day catching up on things I needed to get done. I won't finish by weekend's end, but at least I'll catch up. As I did my work, I tuned in to watch the end of the Valkyries game. It was cool to see Natalie Nakase coaching and helping close out the win. I remember when she played for Marina as they faced up against Cerritos. Both times we played Marina with either her or her older sister, Cerritos won. When we didn't face up, they ended up making a championship run. Strangely, I went to coach at Marina after I graduated and one of the assistants still remembers Cerritos. It was cool to see Natalie coaching her team in those final moments. Working with the Clippers gave her some experience that I think helped her in this critical moment. Her time with the Aces also surely helped her. However, it was her own skills and approach that help her take her team over the top. No matter how much experience you have, in the end, you need to be able to reach those you work with. It's true for everything in life. Today, they raised that trophy and celebrated. I celebrated alongside them as I sent out album after album. What we celebrate in our lives will all be different. We all have different goals and ambitions, still yet, at the end of the day, when we reach a point we were aiming for, there is reason to celebrate. Whether it's a goal unattainable by most or something most people can do, but it was something you struggled with, it should still be celebrated. Celebrate your wins no matter how small, as that is exactly how you get yourself to the highest peaks you hope to reach one day. One small step at a time, remembering to celebrate each and every victory along the way; that's the way to do it. Congrats to the Valkyries! 

~:[CH15 - Day 303]:~ The Magic of Halloween

 
~:[CH15 - Day 303]:~ The Magic of Halloween

It's always fun to watch the transformations take place. Many of our students will dress up, the question is, as what? It's fun to see the creative and thoughtful costumes, although mine ended up being chosen last minute due to the late arrival of the original plan. While the history of Halloween is a little dark, there is a bit of magic to it, as people can become something that they want to be. While Halloween is often thought of as a spooky holiday, it is also one where we enjoy sweets and have a lot of fun celebrating together. I almost feel as it's the most celebrated of all the holidays out there. There truly is a little bit of magic in Halloween, so look around and soak in all the effort that people put in. What did you dress up as for Halloween (if any)?

~:[CH15 - Day 302]:~ Camo

 
~:[CH15 - Day 302]:~ Camo

It was fun to wear camo today. I had the perfect outfit to wear for this dress up and it ended up turning out nice. Since I had a meeting later in the day, I also kept the camo on and added a sweater and it ended up working out. After a long week, it was nice to have some good food and chat about the work I created for 82 World. While I have one piece left to make, most of the hard work was completed and so it could be reviewed. I haven't been able to go to Louders in awhile, so it was nice to eat there, while also taking care of some unfinished business. As while it was disguised as a meeting, it ended up being a nice escape from the chaos of the week. In the end, I enjoyed a good meal and got some work done afterward, as I look forward to a relaxing weekend that will finally allow me to catch up on everything I've been hoping to take care of. Wish me luck.

~:[CH15 - Day 301]:~ The Countdown

 
~:[CH15 - Day 301]:~ The Countdown

It's always strange how fast this time comes. It's the countdown to league finals. As preparations begin for league finals, I always take the time to be amazed at how quickly time passed. The countdown seems to arrive sooner each year and this year, it may have arrived faster since we had so many practice and meet cancelations. No matter what, it's always a little bittersweet to arrive at this point. It's nice to wrap things up, but also a little sad that we got here a little too quickly. We had a very young squad this year and it made it more challenging with a disorganized messed with the new conference. Still yet, we figured it out. We adjusted, adapted and we faired fairly well. We'll see how the future goes, but for now, we'll focus on each and every single day we have left with this team before we begin plans for the next. Let the countdown begin.

~:[CH15 - Day 300]:~ 2 for 1

 
~:[CH15 - Day 300]:~ 2 for 1

Isn't it nice when you get a deal? BOGOs are a common thing in sales as they entice people to come into the store, but in life, is a two for one cheating? Due to my schedule, I often have to run errands and go here and there. While I do, I like to find ways to meet people along the way. I can't always make separate plans with them so I do my best to weave them into what I need to take care of. In some ways, I think of doing this as cheating as the main purpose of going all that way wasn't necessarily to see that person, however, on the other hand, making time to see them while doing this means you're thinking about them. Today, I was able to run an errands and have a little catch up with my friends. It was nice to reconnect, chat about how things were going, while also knowing I took care of what I needed to. I wish there was more time in a day where I could dedicate the entire day or evening to all those I want to hang out with, but if the time does not exist, I'll still make the effort to carve out some time in the process. I think no matter what, making time for others is the best deal available. 

~:[CH15 - Day 299]:~ The Art of the Deal

 
~:[CH15 - Day 299]:~ The Art of the Deal

It's always interesting to see how my students react to this activities. Some draw well and others, well, they draw to complete to the assignment. At the end of the day, however, how they sell their piece is what matters in this game. They haggle and deal and figure out a strategy to get the most money, the most pieces, or sell their piece for the highest price. It's a Renaissance based assignment with 21st century skills. This was the most lively I've seen many of these students and I think they did enjoy the experience. I think just being outside helps them appreciate the assignment, but seeing them compete also adds a little flare to this assignment. In the end, a few get recognized for reaching the top goal, but they all win in this assignment, as they come out with an experience that helps them understand the time period, while having a new memory stored away. It truly was a piece of art. 

~:[CH15 - Day 298]:~ Unfamiliar Places

 
~:[CH15 - Day 298]:~ Unfamiliar Places

Typically, I take photos at locations I've been, but today I went to two places I've never been. It was a little strange to adapt to the new environment, but I figured it out and it ended up going well. I think it's easy to back away from an uncomfortable situation when everything is unfamiliar, however, fear not, as you have what it takes to face up to the challenge ahead. The majority of our life is cyclical. We do many things that's quite the same and routine. However, one of the ways you grow the most is when you break out of that mold and change the cycle, exposing yourself to a variety of new opportunities awaiting  you. Things that are new will not always be great, however, exposing yourself to those unfamiliar places and things will help in the long run. 

~:[CH15 - Day 297]:~ Grassroots

 
~:[CH15 - Day 297]:~ Grassroots

It wasn't an early morning which was nice. I was able to get some work done before heading to school. Of course, I was planning for a double day with an event after the invitational. It was nice to see our sophomore boys really thrive along with a lot of underclassmen. While we had some of veterans run well, our younger athletes really took the lead today. It's been awhile since we took home a team award at Mt. SAC, but today we did. The rain course allowed for some fast times and ultimately, the athletes left the meet happy. This group has grown together from the start and it's nice to see when programs grow and develop their athletes. Both the boys and girls teams are underclassmen heavy, which means struggles now, but hopefully a brighter future. We've been hit with graduations and athletes being recruited out, but with the right focus and mindset, the program can continue to thrive if they work and grow together to build a foundation for the future generations to follow.

~:[CH15 - Day 296]:~ In the Absence of Judgement

 
~:[CH15 - Day 296]:~ In the Absence of Judgement

Do we judge each other too much? We may comment on someone's clothes, jobs, etc. looking at it as a measure of success or categorizing them in some way. We evaluate people based on their test scores, how many points they scored in a game, or how many awards they collected. Sure, we as individuals must strive for success and ways to improve ourselves, but how do we push for success, while eliminating the comparisons and judgement that comes along with it? Watching the athletes sing to their heart's content without anyone judging them, helped me think about today's topic. I saw a group of teenagers who were free and unafraid to be themselves. They didn't hold back even if their voices weren't the greatest, but it's because nobody cared. They only cared about enjoying this moment together. Being a coach, it's hard to avoid comparisons and judging a performance based on times or other metrics, but in the sport of cross country, it's also wonderful because athletes can just do their best and not think about their times. They can run without judgement and work to improve themselves. At the end of the day, we'll never eliminate comparisons and judgement, but if we make an effort to be a little less critical of others and support them in what they're trying to do, maybe we can allow people to grow and thrive a bit more and comfortable with who they are. We all have a bit of work to do still, but I'll do my best to improve and I hope that you'll make the pledge to do so as well so we can help each other grow, rather than hold each other back.